I watch her, uninterested.
There is little else in this place to look at right now. I sit behind the glass, watching her swim. She isn't very graceful or elegant, as she glides just beneath the surface of the water, completely naked. Her body doesn't bother me, or strike me with wonder. It's just another pointless body that holds little meaning to me. I barely give it a second glance.
She knows I'm watching her, and she's making a show of it. Poppy, I believe her name is. She snuck in here thinking I wouldn't notice, stripped of her clothing and dove into my pool. Now she's trying her hardest to impress me.
It's the struggle I enjoy the most.
No one can impress me. It's as simple as that, yet so many shameless girls stumble into my place in order to try me out. It was the words of the last girl who came in here, not mine. It's a novelty to bed me considering my abilities as the sin, lust. It's a curse in itself, since these girls who come here couldn't in
AIDANA’s POVHer gentle fingers draw each trestle back, tucking them behind my ear with adept precision.I catch her eye in the mirror. She is so innocent, my little Hermione. She’s a gift I'm grateful for, who is almost always by my side. Almost. Perhaps her family miss her. She doesn't seem to care so much any more. Hermione has realised her life here - with me - is much better."Do you actually enjoy your hours in the temple?" Hermione asks, tightening the braid she created in the tips of her fingers.I have priorities in the temple most mornings; especially today, being a Sunday on mortal ground. It's not something I'm particularly fond of. It's the Blackthorne Pack that gather together to sing to me on this day."Quite," I say smoothly, pinning down a wrinkle on my dress. "It's such an honour."Hermione smiles down at me. A picture of innocence. A gift from my mate. He's so peculiar, doing these things for me. He so clearly wants my heart, but what separates us is more than sinis
I was not sure how I was supposed to react. My mind isn't playing tricks on me. Shinee, my mate, is standing right in front of me, hands shoved in his pant pockets, watching me. Those lavender eyes strike me into silence for a moment, as I come to terms with all that comes with him being here, in this library right now, because it's not all that simple. Does the Moon know? How did he even get in here in the first place? Who let him in? There are so many questions that Shinee isn't answering. I simply can't get the words out of my mouth to greet him. I place my finger to my lips. Anymore that he says could be detected by the Moon, especially being so close to what might be his home behind this wall. That is, if he can have one. Shinee raises an eyebrow at me. How is it possible that he looks so different to how I remember him? What happened to the shaggy haired, lean immortal I knew? He seems taller, with broader shoulders, sharper features and a sense of power that seeps from him
I can't let Shinee's appearance get to me.His letter sits on the table in front of me. It's still folded up, curiosity bubbling up within in me, my twitching fingers begging to pick it up and read what written. His visit here has left me breathless, still, hours after he has left. His presence still lingers in the air, a tingling feeling still existing on the surface of my skin.My gaze flickers up to the fireplace that crackles up against wall, before it falls on the letter again. Should I burn it? If I burn it, then it will be vanished forever, and the words he wrote upon it will be haunting me for who knows how long.Picking it up, I slip it back into my pocket, where it is once again, concealed from my sight. Right now, I have more important matters to deal with.I need to get on the other side of that wall.I'm not sure what I'm expecting to find, but as I wander back to my bed, I let my imagination run wild, considering all options.T
I hold the note between the tips of my fingers.Biting the edge of my lip, I consider all my options. I could open it, read the words upon it, or I could toss it into the fire I sit directly in front of. The flames lick up the concrete capturing it in, begging for me to give it the letter, let it take it out of my life. These thoughts I'm having, that I can trust Shinee to help me, are wicked. Poisonous.But yet, I need help. I'll admit that. And I can't trust anyone, not Damon, not a single guard, or even that Virtue who lives on the other side of the estate. But Shinee...he's my mate. I might not know his full motive, but he wouldn't hurt me, right?"Everything okay?" I hear from behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I eye Hermione. She closes my bedroom door behind her, before she removes her jacket."Everything is fine," I reply.What the hell.I fold the letter open, unable to withhold my curiosity any longer. The note isn't too long, t
I barely slept all night.Originally, I had planned on staying up in order to gather my thoughts and prepare for this morning, but instead, I sat in front of my fire, waiting for it to completely consume me. My mind is numb, leaving me with no hope in facing him. I have a point I need to get across, which I can't do when I'm so nervous. He gets into my head, and I don't know how to get him out."I drew a bath for you, if you would like to prepare for your meeting," I hear from behind me. The words are accompanied by a bit of streaming light through my windows as Hermione opens my curtains. I wince. How long have I been sitting here?"Thank you Hermione," I respond hoarsely, stretching my back out. Everything aches. I haven't moved since Shinee left last night. Even my heavy eyelids protest.Hermione opens the door to my bathroom. It's a prompt.Glancing over my shoulder, I eye the steaming bath through the doorway, despondent. I'm not sure how Hermione knows about the meeting, but I'm
AIDANAMy reaction is immediate disgust.Shinee walks into the room, looking back at me, as if I'm going to follow him into his bedroom. I stand at the doorway, staring in at him disbelief. Did he seriously just hear me proudly talk about being a respectable woman, and is now telling me I'm sleeping in his room? There is no doubt plenty of guest rooms in this marvelous estate.As I remain gaping at him, not taking a single step in, Shinee's playful expression erupts into one of pure amusement. Does he think I'm a joke? Folding my arms over my chest, I silently scold my past self for agreeing to this."I'm offering this room to you, as it's the best room here, and you, as my mate, deserves only the best. I'm not going to be staying in here with you," he informs me.My entire body deflates."Oh," I draw off. Suddenly I feel foolish for my assumption, although he led me right into it. Warily, I wander into the room, watching him, and his bed, ensuring there is a few feet of space between
AIDANAAll I know about today, is it's going to be cold.Walking back into the bedroom after being fed a sweet liquid to remove the truth serum from my system, I trudged back upstairs, fuming. I'm not going with him today because his charm sufficed in convincing me. No. I'm going because what other choice do I have? He's going to make it impossible for me if I refuse.And to make matters worse on this entire day, he didn't give me the book. He claimed it wasn't a false promise, and that he knew I was using every fiber in my body to stop myself from being honest with him, therefore, the deal was off. Conniving jerk.I would be more mad about it, if I weren't so distracted by the clothing choice Shinee must have magically laid out atop the covers of the bed.Cold weather clothes. Coats, boots, sweaters.I've seen outside of Shinee's estate, at the snow capped mountains and dainty villages tucked within the valleys of these towering beasts. It makes me wonder whether he created it for his
AIDANAMe.The person who delivered the towels into my room, only moments ago, was me. It took me a moment to recognize my own features in someone else, but there was no doubting that it was me. Or at least, a version of me. I was visibly disturbed for a moment, once my screams ceased and I was cloaked in a veil of silence. Shinee didn’t arrive with the haste I assumed he was, so I stand alone in this bathroom, panicking.Suddenly, a figure appears in the doorway behind me. I’m staring at myself, but a version that has clearly been copied to a lesser, almost sicklier state. This fake has timid eyes circled with darkness, remaining a dull, pale green. Her skin is disturbingly sallow, her hair dead and flat against sunken cheekbones.This person has stolen my body. They have made a poor replica to scare me. And I’m not exactly sure how they did it, but I’m more concerned with my escape."What the hell are you?" I question softly, voice quivering."Pretty little Moon Goddess. Come to visi
As dawn’s first light crept over the horizon, casting long shadows across the Stonevale forest, an unearthly silence settled over the camp. Rayka and Sylvester could feel the weight of Bael’s betrayal bearing down on them. Their alliance with Stonevale was more fragile than ever, and the threat of the Steelclaws loomed dangerously close. Just as they were about to join Thorne for a strategy meeting, an elder wolf, bent and cloaked in heavy robes, shuffled into their path. “Alpha Rayka, Alpha Sylvester,” the elder rasped, her voice as brittle as dry leaves. Rayka blinked, taken aback. She hadn’t seen this wolf before; her fur was a grizzled silver, and her eyes were clouded with age. She leaned heavily on a twisted cane, her steps slow but deliberate. Sylvester tensed, recognizing her as a seer—a figure of reverence and mystery among the packs, rumored to carry glimpses of the past and future. The elder’s gaze fixed on them, though her eyes seemed to look beyond, as if she saw things
The atmosphere in the Stonevale territory was tense, the air filled with the weight of recent battles and hard-won alliances. Rayka and Sylvester had just returned from a skirmish with the Steelclaws, the relief of victory tempered by a newfound alliance with Stonevale. It had taken all their strength and diplomacy to secure this partnership, and now that they had it, they knew the cost of failure was even higher.Rayka sensed the underlying unrest even as they met with Thorne and his senior advisors, sitting around a council fire deep within the Stonevale woods. Stonevale’s warriors watched with wary eyes, their trust in the Moonshadow Pack still fragile, and rightly so. Only days earlier, their neutrality had been threatened, and whispers of betrayal still lingered.As the meeting began, Thorne addressed the tension, his voice somber. “It has come to my attention that some of my own pack members are not entirely pleased with our alliance. Their discontent runs deeper than I realized
As dawn broke over the Moonshadow territory, a renewed sense of purpose filled the air. Rayka and Sylvester had spent the last few days recovering from the battle, but they knew that rest would have to wait. The Steelclaws’ persistent threat lingered, and they had only narrowly managed to hold their ground. Now, they needed something more—a definitive edge that could help them secure the future of their pack.Rayka looked at Sylvester as they stood on a ridge overlooking the northern forest. “We can’t keep fighting like this, Sylvester. We need allies—someone strong enough to counterbalance Mordaen’s forces.”Sylvester nodded, his gaze scanning the horizon. “Agreed. The question is, who can we turn to? Most of the nearby packs have already chosen a side, either with us or the Steelclaws.”Rayka's eyes sharpened with resolve. “Then it’s time we approach a neutral pack.”There was only one group that had the power and resources to truly tip the scales in their favor. Known as the Stonev
The day had dawned with a clarity that brought both hope and trepidation to Rayka and Sylvester. As they prepared to leave for the council meeting with the neighboring packs, the weight of their responsibilities pressed down on them, thicker than ever. The looming threat of the Steelclaws remained, but today was a pivotal moment—one that could shape the future of the Moonshadow Pack and their allies.Rayka paced the small tent that had become a temporary command center for their operations. Maps sprawled across a table, markers indicating pack territories and possible routes of Steelclaw incursions. Sylvester stood by the entrance, scanning the horizon as if anticipating trouble. “We need to ensure that our presence is felt at this council,” Rayka said, her voice steady but charged with urgency. “If we can unite our packs against the Steelclaws, we can show them that they’re outnumbered and outmatched.”Sylvester nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. “But
The first light of dawn filtered through the dense forest surrounding the Moonshadow Pack’s territory, casting a soft, golden glow over the settlement. After the tense confrontation with Gareth, Rayka and Sylvester felt the enormity of their responsibilities settle more heavily on their shoulders. The betrayal, while quelled for the moment, had shaken the foundation of trust within the pack. As leaders, they were expected to restore stability and protect the pack’s future, yet they knew it wouldn’t be easy.For days, the atmosphere was tense but hopeful. The pack’s loyalty had been tested and reaffirmed, but the whispers of unrest and doubt hadn’t entirely vanished. The Steelclaws, though momentarily pacified by Gareth’s removal, were a looming threat. Everyone sensed that the balance of power was fragile, and one misstep could bring everything crashing down.Rayka awoke that morning with a quiet resolve. She gazed over at Sylvester, who was already awake and watch
The tension following Gareth's bold challenge hadn’t yet dissipated. The air in the Moonshadow Pack's clearing was still charged with the emotions from the confrontation, with every pack member on edge, their loyalty now a silent declaration that spoke volumes. Rayka and Sylvester knew they had to act fast to prevent Gareth’s divisive rhetoric from gaining more traction. But amid the turmoil, an unexpected turn of events brought a ghost from their past back into their lives.That night, as Rayka and Sylvester retired to the strategy room, Calder and Lara followed close behind. The four of them had spent the past few days planning every angle, every possible step they could take to neutralize Gareth’s influence without alienating the pack members who had started listening to his promises. But as they were poring over the details, there was a soft knock at the door, a knock that resonated oddly in the quiet of the stronghold. Rayka exchanged a look with Sylvester be
The cool night air was thick with tension as Rayka and Sylvester paced outside the stronghold, each lost in thought, the echoes of Gareth’s defiance still ringing in their ears. The sparring display was more than a challenge to their authority—it was an open invitation to rebellion. It was only a matter of time before the pack’s younger, more ambitious members began questioning the leadership they had fought so hard to secure. Sylvester clenched his jaw, his hand reaching out instinctively to rest on Rayka’s shoulder. “We can’t let Gareth’s influence spread any further. He’s planting seeds of dissent, and they’re taking root faster than we anticipated.” Rayka nodded, her gaze fixed on the dark expanse of trees stretching beyond their territory. “He’s smart, I’ll give him that. He knows exactly what to say to stir doubts, especially with the younger wolves. They haven’t seen the battles we’ve fought or the sacrifices we’ve made. To them, Gareth’s promise
The sun bathed the vast expanse of the Moonshadow Pack’s territory in a golden glow as Rayka and Sylvester stood on the ridge, overlooking their home. The once-constant tension of leadership and impending danger had subsided for now, replaced with the quiet hum of daily life. It had been months since the final confrontation that secured their leadership and family’s future, yet the journey ahead remained far from simple. Rayka placed a gentle hand on her stomach, where the last remnants of her pregnancy had passed into memories, and now a small, healthy child awaited them at the stronghold. She could hardly believe how much had changed. The responsibilities of parenthood had transformed her, as much as it had strengthened her bond with Sylvester. Together, they had led the pack through political upheaval and personal sacrifice, and now they faced a new era—a balance of power and family, peace and vigilance. “Are you ready for another day of juggling diplomacy and diaper changes?” S
The first rays of dawn broke over the mountains, casting a golden hue across the landscape as the Moonshadow Pack stirred to life. The morning chill hung in the air, but within the stronghold, a different kind of cold had settled in—one borne of uncertainty and lingering tension. Rayka stood at the window of their chambers, watching the sun creep over the horizon, her thoughts a tangled web of worries and plans.In the weeks since the scout had returned with news of a rival pack forming alliances, Rayka and Sylvester had been tireless in their efforts to fortify the pack, both in strength and strategy. Every move they made now was crucial—one misstep, and everything they had fought for could come crashing down. The safety of their child, their leadership, and their future hinged on how they navigated this delicate time.Behind her, Sylvester stirred awake, his arm reaching out instinctively for Rayka before he realized she was already out of bed. "You’re up early,"