e that had once represented stability now felt suffocating, haunted by betrayal. The journey was long, and by the time she reached Northbrook, the day was already d

cilia told Annie about her divorce from Andrew

had left behind. She found her friend, Annie's modest apartment

eeing from her husband, who refused to sign the divorce papers that wo

to her new life, allowing the simplicity o

in her thoughts, a painful indication of the life she had struggled to keep intact. She attempted to concent

and more. The strange symptoms progressed, sapping her energy a

ndow, gazing at the dark street, feeling b

nd the thought of Andrew expecting a baby with Vivian. Despite everything, she knew she co

sper of movement in the hallway outside their apartment. Tense, with

ncreasing. Next, a quiet and easily recognized voice disr

are that you are

ith a combination of fear and anger. She stepped back from the door,

ay, to understand that she had no interest in him. But

int of impatience in his t

e, her voice steely and cold. "I don't h

nd she sensed the tension in the

re," he stated firmly

re and insist on talking to her as if he still had a right to. She

er voice tinged with the bitterness she had made an

way down the hallway. After the noise stopped, she exhaled the breath she had unk

hill in her bones. The lingering remnants of her dream, a memory of Andrew's cold words, Vivian's cryptic smile sent a tremor down her spine. But the moment she stoo

ziness, and a persistent fever that seemed to come and go in u

illness wasn't getting better. She felt it in her

h the thick silence of her tiny room. She stiffened, her h

. Annie. Relief swept over her like a tide,

amber eyes meeting Annie's. The concern etc

olf?" Annie's voice was low but laced with a hint of scolding. "The moon still ris

ed, her voice rough, but e

y. I'll show you around this city. Trust me, you'll love it. The woods may

ed to escape the suffocating walls of her thoughts.

ng her muscles. The sharp sensation was grounding, soothing the restl

coat concealing her slim frame, her ha

pping the hood impatiently. "It's time, let's go,

city lights came into view, she felt the faintest flicker of hope stir

ent to the nearest building hoping to ask for directions from the reception. B

ection where the noise was coming from. It was the boy's locker room, the do

with well-built bodies, all gath

son. He was taller than others and had more muscle power. He was effortlessly overtow

uy who is bent towards

nts. "Look at where it has gotten you." He states in a sing-

." Jamil, the guy who's being bullied t

him by his hand and smashes the back of his head against t

tes as Jamil moves back in fear. S

, still maintaining a jar

an, groaning in pure agony. This further enra

its out, knocking his head a

o form a circle start rooting for Ethan, the bully. Something tells Cecilia

Etthan. He doesn't seem any way near to end that fight. And i

cious. But Ethan wasn't satisfied with Jamil's response. He ra

eyes as she speaks. She slowly opens

to toe, analyzing something deeply for a mome

tone seems oddly nice, unlike how it was with the

dds, eyeing Cecilia with a playful exp

ding to be a gentleman, before going

te without thinking properly. It was the only lie t

the crowd star

heard one

between them. But unfortunately for her, she was grabbed by her forearm

ere. " Ethan growls, cag

rown orbs. Cecilia's breath hitches as his manly scent

it didn't feel weird. It felt like I belonged in the w

is her mate. Funny enough, Ceci

have a second chance mate. The moon goddess surely wouldn't bless

om me." He states bringing Ceci

her mouth but no wor

ent. He speaks in an aggressive tone, p

e feels the spark too. A proud smile forms over hi

we mate?" He questi

s breath faintly falling on her ear lob, making Cecilia's heart sk

be chased," Ethan adds

er. He plays with her like a predator does to his

oor close to the corridor, allowing Cecilia to escap

in." He advises, his eyes still

He mutters under his breath but she happens to hea

ntion and it happens that he is her mate. From all indica