Karen

“Mason, son. Never be ashamed of who you are. Never long to be anyone but yourself. The mark of a great wolf, of a leader, is not the color of his fur, but the integrity of his heart, his soul. It’s who you are here.” He’d paused and placed his large calloused hand over my chest. “That matters. Something tells me you are destined for great things. You will bring honor to your family.”
― Belinda Boring, Savage Possession

“You’re greedy for time, Ben Vecchio.” Ben stayed silent. “Time,” Zeno said, “is the true treasure of this life. And who is more greedy for time than those of us clinging to the dark?” “You told me once you didn’t want to become a vampire,” Ben said quietly. “I didn’t!” Zeno said, sorting papers into a pile that he carefully placed in a grey document box. “I didn’t want to be a vampire. But that didn’t mean my sire was an idiot.” Zeno winced. “Unfortunate that I killed him before I knew that wasn’t strictly allowed. But he knew I’d come to terms with it.” “Why?” “Because I was a thief!” Zeno said with a grin. “And a gambler. And because in the end, my sire helped me pull off the greatest heist of my life. I stole time.” ❂”
― Elizabeth Hunter, Imitation and Alchemy

“Can’t you tell I’m broken?” she demanded. “I can’t stand anyone touching me!” “You handled me touching you until I pushed you too far.” “Freaking out because someone you’re enjoying kissing tries to get closer to you is not normal.” “It wasn’t normal that I was turned into a vampire because a female vamp became obsessed with my best friend,” David replied. “When Liam didn’t follow after her, she decided to turn his friends in the hopes she would get him to fall in line with her. That’s about as far from normal as it gets. I didn’t have a clue about the paranormal being real when my transformation occurred. Vampires were for horror movies, not reality. Life’s not normal. Shit happens. We all work through it.” “Is that so, Dr. Phil?” The frustrating man smiled at her. “That’s so,” David replied.”
― Brenda K. Davies, Fractured

“Making friends already, I see,” Natalie said. “That didn’t take long.” “I can’t imagine why she doesn’t like me.” “I know. You’re delightful. In a moody, arrogant way.” He sighed and closed his eyes, focusing on the delicate weight of the child on his shoulder. “I know.” “She’s really very nice, you know. We had her over for pizza and a movie the other night. She’s great with Jake.” “I heard. She’s also funny and smart and organized.” Natalie glanced at Lucien’s desk, which was piled with books and papers. “No comment.” “None needed.” “So you’re jealous of the new doctor in the lab?” Natalie pursed her lips. “Do all the kids want to play with her now and not you? It’s okay, you can tell me.” “You’re ridiculous.”
― Elizabeth Hunter, A Stone-Kissed Sea