It doesn't feel good to be home.As soon as it was possible for me to return back here, I did, much to Shinee's dismay. It seem quite evident at our farewell that he was appearing impassive; a mask atop any real feeling, to not appear weak. But he will miss me, I'm sure, and I will miss him. As much as it pains me to admit, the past few days have been ones I've cherished. In fact, I'm quite looking forward to returning to him, to see what more could ensue.The moment I return to my quarters, I notice that everything appears exactly how it would have been, if I had just come back from dinner. The space looks lived in, but still relatively clean. Of course, this must be Hermione's doing, ensuring nothing appears any different for an eye as watchful as the Moon."Hermione, I have returned," I call out softly, wandering through my living space and into my bedroom. Oddly enough, as much as I search, there is no Hermione to be found.Typically, she would be at here reading nook by the fire,
I keep the book close to me.My plan is to read through it entirely, to understand every inch of it. The question is, is it predicting my life like it sounds? I slept on what I read, dreaming about it. My mind can't help wandering back to Shinee, and what he would think about it. I'm not sure whether I should share this with him or not, since it seems so personal to just me. At least I now know how Damon knows seemingly everything about me.Waking is more difficult this morning, than usual. Fluttering my eyes open, I realise my curtains are closed and the lights are off. Sitting up, I breathe in for the smell of rose water, to find nothing. My usual morning has been disrupted, and it only takes me a moment to realise why.Hermione isn't here.Sitting up, I quickly step out of bed. Hermione has been gone since last night, but at the back of my head I assumed she was dealing with business elsewhere, pretending to be me in my absence. Not to mention, I was distracted last night by the bo
I’m stunned.Shinee leans back against my pillow, flipping through a book. Damon, poised with his hip against my dresser, stares me down with that unnerving milky white gaze. The situation seems so… odd. Seeing these two incredibly powerful immortals causally existing in this rather insignificant space makes it all the more surreal. I surely assume I would see Shinee in person for a few more weeks at least."Someone better explain," I say shakily. Hermione strifes into the room, brushing past Michael as she goes to stand by my faux window. She's putting herself between me and Shinee. It was brave of her, since Shinee has been trying to get his hands on my powerful little guard for awhile. Thankfully his attention is switched to me."You first. Do you have a thing for white panties only or...?" I hear Damon muse.Flicking my attention back to him, I realise he’s opened the top draw of my dresser, rifling through my extra personal belongings. My face drains of all colour."This agreemen
There's no way I'm going to turn this down.Despite my better judgement, I know if there has been any opportunity for me to get away from this place, it's now. Sinking my trust into these people may not be the best idea, but I'll die trying. It won't be the first time I've considered dying to escape. As long as the Moon didn't bring me back from the grips of death, it would be worth it."How are we going to do this?" I say, my one oath to help them in any way to get me and Damon out of here. And Hermione. There is no way I'm not taking her with us, otherwise the Moon will keep her here and torture her until I come back to retrieve her.Damon smiles softly. He knew I would agree. I'm not sure how long he has been a direct slave to the Moon, but it's enough to have him as desperate as me.Desperate to work with Shinee, who no one in their right mind would trust."It's going to take some time, but I can assure, it will be worth it," Damon says, glancing at Shinee for support, but he is l
Thankfully Shinee and I's conversation ended as quickly as it started.Everyone disperses from my room into my foyer. Hermione is standing quietly in the corner of my room by the fire, which is a mild concern, but the immortals lingering in my space is a more present issue. Damon's comfortability with being here is putting my mind at ease. He would know if there was any possibility for the Moon to know we are all here, since he's in charge of deceiving him. Right?"Here's an idea..." Damon says, clapping his hands together. We all collectively flinch at the sound. Everyone seems to be plagued by their own thoughts about what is to come, not matching Damon's cheerfulness. "Why don't we all have dinner together.""Damon, I think we have risked enough for one day," I say softly, looking around for support. Shinee nods grimly, although his apprehension to leave just yet is imminent."I'm going back to my quarters. Let me know when you want to have an actual conversation about the future i
AIDANAI wake slowly, comfortably.Jerking awake, I look over at the figure sitting next to me. Shinee's head is dipped back away from me, clearly dead asleep. We sleep out of novelty, to pass time, so I'm wondering how I managed to let myself fall asleep with Shinee right beside me. This moment of vulnerability is something I should feel bad about, but I don't. I feel comfortable.Shinee stirs, so I force myself into sitting position. He rubs his eyes, making me smile softly, before he blinks a few times, looking up at me. There a moment of surprise, looking like how I imagined I did when I woke. But immediately it morphs into one of warmth, making my heart flutter.He doesn't say anything, grabbing my waist, pulling me atop him.I gasp, as he presses me against his chest. I'm confused for a moment about what he is doing, until I realise he's hugging me. Is this a cuddle? It feels oddly domestic for us.I don't speak though. I let him hold me, knowing that this may be the last time I
Sarsha hasn't changed one bit.She's still unremarkable, aside from that rather mortal flare of beauty that is typically unique among them. She has a naïve nature too, which as a mortal, can be found cute. If she was a pureblood immortal, however, she would survive less than a few moments before someone swallowed her whole. Maybe that's why this experience has been so...fun.It was over a year ago when I met her. She came into my life to trick me, but instead, I tricked her. After a night to ensure the plan came together, she left my life thinking she was pregnant. With my child. Now that Fate and I have stopped colluding, I'm here to finally clear the air."Finally come to gloat?" she asks flatly."Where's Asher?" I question, strolling in through her home brazenly. She's not going to kick me out of this...rather beautiful home. It's small, though. "Did I scare him away?""It all scared him away. I couldn't lie to him, and you knew that," Sarsha says distastefully. "So, he left. He le
I lie in bed, enjoying the morning.Hermione is out of the room, leaving me in silence. I've been enjoying the peace before everything erupts into that craziness that will be escaping this place. Quite honestly, I'm not putting my faith in this working. I don't trust Damon all that much, even if he has been getting on my good side for whatever reason, and who knows if Shinee will be reliable. Especially convincing immortals to help.A knock rapts on my door, making me flinch. Without me calling out, the door opens, and Damon waltzes right in, a book tucked under his arm. He's dressed completely head to toe in white, matching those milky eyes of his."I bear gifts," he announces, as I pull myself up in bed, leaning back against my headboard. Thankfully, I decided to sleep in a night gown last night, and not completely bare.No way would I be able to look him in the eye again."I'm hoping it's the key to get out of this place," I say airily, although I already know there's more to it th
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,"