VIOLET SWAN.BUS TERMINAL     *♡━━━━━━━♡*I’m in line at the ticket counter, my wallet clenched in my hand. The air smells like stale coffee and desperation. I’ve been here a while, staring at the departure board, carrying the weight of betrayal and fear. My cell phone—on silent this whole time—vibrates against my hip. I pull it out. Aarón. I reject the call immediately, feeling a sharp twist of pain and relief. It’s better this way.I’m about to step forward in line when a strong, familiar voice freezes me in place. “Seriously, Violet? I can’t believe you think this makes any sense.”I turn. It’s Tara. Her face is tight with frustration and worry. She must’ve doubled back, parked, and come in looking for me. She grabs my arm and yanks me away from the line.“What are you doing here? I told you to leave!” My voice is a disbelieving whisper, almost a panicked hiss. “I’m not letting you go,” she cuts in, her eyes locke

AARON CONNOR FOREST PARK. ꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎ I always knew my mother wasn’t exactly a bed of maternal love. Her “lessons” never came with affection. The claw marks and bite scars on my skin were the only proof she’d ever been there. Cassandra always got her way—and if something refused to bend to her will, she broke it. By force. By fear. By betrayal.“What do you get out of all this?” I ask Stefan, my voice low but tight, like a tendon about to snap. I’m no fool. Like my mother, I’m a bastard who doesn’t lift a finger unless there’s something in it for me. But unlike her… I actually give a damn about other people. And right now, I’ve got damn good reasons to end this—once and for all.“How can you be so sure about all this?” Luca cuts in, speaking for Stefan.“Shut the fuck up,” I say, turning my head just enough to glare at him with pure contempt. “I’m talking to your master—not you.”“Still sore about the beating I gave

AARON CONNORBOSTON–GRAYVILLE TERRITORY OF THE RED. MOON PACK. ꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎ After so much time away, I don’t really feel like I missed this place. She’s tense—I can tell by the restless way she grips my hand.“Fear or nerves, pastelito?” I ask softly, leaning down to her ear.“A-both,” she murmurs, voice barely above a whisper.“You don’t need to be afraid, Violet. You’re with me.” I know she has every reason not to feel safe here. The worst part? I’m the one who gave her those reasons. Every bad memory she has of this pack… I put it there. “Pastelito, everything’s going to be okay,” I say again, voice low, fingers lacing tightly with hers.“Violet!” a girl with curly, almost-red hair shouts.Violet drops my hand and runs straight into her friend’s arms, throwing herself at her with unrestrained joy. “Lanny!” my pastelito calls out, beaming at the reunion.“I missed