ENDS OF REEDS, RISE OF VEYRA“Veyra Holdings? Elara muttered as she laughed dryly. "My company? No, this must be a joke." New murmurs began to fly as heads snapped toward Elara, then back to Vanessa, then back again. Some people leaned in closer, eyes wide, while some stepped back like they were afraid of her. Elara turned to Ryan, staring, searching his eyes for anything–anything that'd tell her that he was joking. But he held no emotion of that sort. She knew he was serious, but the ridiculousness of the entire timing felt like it was nothing but a show. It wasn't until her gaze traveled to the display board towering above the bell, flashing real-time market data, that it fully dawned on her. Everyone turned their gaze too, watching as Veyra Holdings slowly crept up, its stock prices flickering upwards before surging past Vanessa's. The entire hall fell silent as the Veyra Holdings symbol flashed vibrantly at the number one spot. “W-what?" Vanessa breathed, her voice cracking as

WOLF IN SAVIOR'S CLOTHINGThe ceiling fan creaked as it swirled above them, filling the air with the same musty smell that settled on the seats. A cricket chirped at a corner, filling the silence that had already settled in the room. Sebastian sank into the seat, holding his breath as he scrolled through his phone. Vanessa paced back and forth, her voice echoing off the walls as she shouted. “What did you even do to put you in there?" she said, covering her face with her hands as she shook her head. "It had to be something bad, of course. And you had to pull your friends in too. Do you know how much stress you put me into?" She paused, turning to her mother who was silent the entire time. “Are you even listening to me?" Margaret hissed, her face squeezing as she placed the icebag on her black eye. Theresa's claw marks on her skin still stung and moving did nothing to help. She could only sit still, taking in slow breaths as she stared at the varnish table in front of her. “Why did