Torn Between Brother

chante

na'

arp thud echoes like a protest, matching the intensity of the emotions raging within me. I shoot an irritated glance at my mom, her expression a mixture

marry Talon? He’s a jerk, a bully, and a

ration and desperation, hopi

ily eases the tension in my body. "Elena, honey, I know this is hard for you. But Talon is your mate. He’s goi

y head, my hair whipping around me. “Step-father! And no, Mom, I won’t. I don’t care about

on's formal demeanor. Cargo pants, hiking boots, and a flannel shirt; it's my go-to outfit, allowing me to move freely and embrace the outdoors with my camera. I fiddle

something. He hates getting his hands dirty. He thinks photography is a waste

force of tradition and expectations. I open my journal, its pages filled with scrawls

deer in the woods. And I wrote: ‘Oh deer, yo

nding. She smiles weakly, doesn't look at m

heard causing my fingers to clench the journal tight

. His stern expression feels like an invisible force, keeping me confined to the expectations he ha

ence. His commanding tone slices through the air, a reminder of h

be grateful that Talon has chosen you as his mate. He’s a good leader, a strong warri

towards him. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms,

rogues? From myself? I don’t need his protectio

connection to my passion, my freedom, and my individuality. With a dee

rewolf at all. Maybe I just wa

truly am, a wild spirit yearning to roam free with my camera in hand, capturing moments of untamed beauty in the natural world that sp

nd his eye

omination! You’re an insult to our k

t I’m fast. I dodge his blow and run out

ck as I hear hi

e not going anywhere! You’re going to m

until I reach the edge of the

crazy how he thinks being a human is such an abomination yet we go to the

e than anything e

makes me feel

nspires my crea

shows me bea

snap a picture of the sun

think of a ca

my favori

f the Shadowwood territory, feeling the soft glare of the sun caress my skin. The woods are my

stery. He also gave me my first camera, a gift that changed my life. Photography became my passion, my escape, my way

atched my mother from me when they married, he robbed me of my happiness, he forced me to mate with T

t makes me feel calm and curious. I see a white flower that glow

wolves I know. They have a different tone, a different rhythm, a different song. I

e and their skin marked with intricate wolf tattoos. They are beautiful and terrifying at the

apart from the others. His eyes are dark and piercing, his hair is black and tousled, h

g connects us, something beyond words or reason. He is

, his pack mates notice me. They snarl and growl, baring th

to my chest. I hear them behind me, closing in on

rk eyes and the wolf tattoos. He blocks their way and orders

tands still, his body tense, his muscles coiled. He studies m

a shimmering gemstone pendant that reflects the sky’s colors dang

w clenches. He spits out a word like a

doww

ontempt, with hat

eel his hot breath on my skin, sending shivers down my

looks into my eyes, his expression soften

hed teeth. He turns to face his pack, who are snarling and sn

me. They sense his authority, but also his conflict. They

of them protests. “She’s our

g with anger. “I said back off. Sh

r view. He places a hand on my shoulder, gently

aves

h

n't

n't

I can, away from

way from

hau

cal

bin