{UNPUBLISHED FOR EDITING & REWRITING.} Her father tells her she's worthless, but she doesn't know what she did to deserve this. She's fierce and strong as a street fighter, but when she's home, she's nothing more than a mute frozen in fear. Because of her father, she's been mute for over ten years. Damien King, leader of the Serpents; he's dangerous but never to her. She may seem fine, but she's nowhere near it. She's broken, constantly hearing her father's voice screaming in her head, but she remains silent. Two years ago, Damien made a choice. Whether it's in reality or his nightmares, it's a choice that'll always haunt him. When he's around, danger follows, but when she's around, darkness does. What will happen? How will it end? Will she let him in, or will he break her more than she's ever been broken? Just because she's silent doesn't mean she's innocent. Warning ⚠️: Mature Themes. {Highest Rank: #1 In Teen Fiction | #3 In Action} *** "I'm not mad at you," he whispered, "for keeping it a secret. I know you have secrets, secrets you don't want anyone to know, besides Zach. I just kept thinking...maybe if you trusted me, you would have told me. I just wish you trusted me to know those secrets." He turned his head to the right, away from me, and looked at the waves. You're worthless! This is why she left...because of you! My father's words tried reaching me again, but I pushed them out, only hearing my thoughts and Zach's. Baby steps. Trust him, Mae. Trust yourself. "I do trust you," I whispered. He turned his head so fast and looked at me with his mouth open and his eyes wide. That was the first time I spoke to anyone that wasn't my brother or my father in over ten years. And it felt so right.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.