“Only a Luminari can heal him completely.” Healer Elara’s declaration caused different reactions from the hearers.Alpha Malcolm's face darkened, his jaw clenched in frustration. His eyes, piercing blue, seemed to bore into the stone floor. "Luminari?" he repeated, incredulity etched on his face. "They are legendary healers, but their lineage is thought to be extinct." The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls.Really? They are extinct? River thought. But, I am supposed to be a Luminari. How will I get my training if there is none to guide me?Elara's gaze dropped, her eyes veiled by lashes. Her voice trembled. "Rumors persist of a single descendant, hidden away for protection." The scent of old parchment and dust wafted from the ancient tomes lining the shelves. "But none know where to find them."Theresa's determination flared, her eyes burning with resolve. Her voice, steady and firm, cut through the despair. "We must search, Father. We cannot give up on Thane."
Hours later, River waited, ears attuned to the house's nocturnal rhythms. As the last servant retired and the guards' patrols grew infrequent, she made her move. Howls from the distance pricked her ears and she hoped that she would soon be able to respond in like manner.With the ritual book hidden beneath her skirt, River slipped out of her room. The darkened hallway swallowed her whole, the only sound her soft footsteps.She navigated the labyrinthine corridors, avoiding creaky floorboards. The book's directions guided her through the silent house, out into the moonlit gardens. She went further away from the pack house, into the deep forest, where no one could witness her miracle. The moon shone brightly lighting her way.She found seven stones within the forest and arranged them in a circle according to the ritual instruction. She stood in the middle, lifted up her eyes to the full moon. The bright light assaulted her eyes as the moon reached its peak and she quickly bowed her head
“Just wait and see.” River answered her wolf and slipped into a sweet sleep.The following morning, she woke up stronger than before and freshened up. As she combed her hair in front of the mirror, she noticed the silver tendril among her hair. That was an attestation to the fact that she had been touched by the moon, and she now had a wolf. River smiled at this sign. She had not been dreaming last night. She really had a wolf now. But, having decided to hide her wolf, she packed her hair in a bun, making sure the silver tendril was in the middle, unseen. She came to Lunar pack wolfless and would still relate with them as wolfless, until she had a good reason to prove her worth.River avoided going to Thane’s room but was surprised to see him in the living room, staying apart from others, in his wheelchair. He definitely was still angry. River wondered how one could stay angry like that through the night.Thane's scowl hardened as he saw her, his eyes clouding over like a stormy sky.
Thane's wheelchair rolled into his room, Zara expertly navigating the space. The door clicked shut behind them, enveloping Thane in silence. Ever since his recent kiss with death from healer Jackie’s failed treatment, Thane’s mind has been in turmoil. His mind was flooded with thoughts of his first and fated love, Axel."Leave me," Thane growled, his anger still simmering, a potent mix of emotions churning within.Zara hesitated, concern etched on her face. "Sir, perhaps—""Out!" Thane barked, his voice cutting through the air.Zara departed, closing the door behind her. The soft click seemed to echo through Thane's mind, a reminder of his isolation.Thane slumped, his chest heaving as if he had run a marathon. Axel's memory flooded his mind, a bittersweet tidal wave of love and loss."Forever entwined," he whispered, anguish wracking him. The words seared his heart, a painful reminder of what he'd lost.He slammed his fist on the armrest, the sound resonating through the room. Why mu
As River followed Theresa out of the dining room, she could not shake the feeling that Thane's presence lingered, watching her from the shadows. Once alone in her room, River's mask slipped. Concern for Thane overwhelmed her, like a tide breaking through defenses.She paced beside the window, her gaze drifting into the night. Why did Thane's past haunt him so? The question echoed within her, refusing to be silenced.Her mind went back to the first conversation she had with Thane when she arrived at the Lunar pack. Thane was better then, cheerful even. He was not as bitter as he was now. He was not invested in his past this much. He was sort of nice to her and that had somehow encouraged her to give the alliance a chance. Not that she really had much of a choice.But, what changed? Why did Thane relapse this much? He had changed after Jackie’s treatment and Elara’s intervention. Had he given up? Was he ashamed?River's thoughts replayed their interactions – Thane's anguish, his resista
Zara's expression softened, a wistful smile crossing her face. "Music," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Young Alpha played the piano beautifully, but not anymore."River's eyes sparkled, sensing a potential connection. Thane's abandoned passion could be a doorway to his heart."Did he play often?" River asked, curiosity getting the better of her.Zara nodded. "Every evening, before the accident and then, Axel left. His music used to fill the halls, bringing peace to our pack."River's imagination conjured the image: Thane's fingers dancing across the keys, his music a reflection of his soul."I would love to hear him play again," River said, her voice filled with sincerity.Zara's eyes locked onto River's, a glimmer of hope shining within. "Perhaps, Young Luna, you will be the one to bring music back to his life."Within an hour, Zara told River everything about Thane’s life before the accident and how Axel broke their bond and left him. River was angry with Axel for he
“Just that, I know what you are going through.” River declared and exited, closing the door. She felt as if she was back in their manor at Nightshade pack, Cecilia’s rage fully pouring on her. She shivered inwardly. Should she just do as Thane wished? Should she quit the marriage and leave Lunar pack?Thane slumped on his wheelchair, his chest heaving as if he had run a marathon. His thoughts swirled in turmoil, like a tempest raging within."How does she see past my mask?" he wondered, his mind reeling. River's music had pierced his armor, exposing the vulnerability he had hidden for so long. And she had to come and spoil everything."Why can she not leave me alone?" Thane growled, frustration and fear entwined. He had built walls to keep people out, to protect himself from pain.But River's melody had seeped through the cracks, finding its way to his heart. Thane's defenses trembled, threatening to crumble.With a sudden surge of determination, Thane pushed himself to the door, his
Thane's gaze drifted through the garden's lush greenery, searching for the source of the melodic humming. His gaze finally landed on River, as she knelt among the flowers, her fingers dancing across petals. The sunlight cast a warm glow on her profile, illuminating the gentle curve of her smile.His chest tightened, a familiar ache stirring within. Thane's grip on his wheelchair's armrests intensified, a subconscious attempt to anchor himself against the turbulent emotions within him.Why did she affect him so profoundly? River's presence was a gentle breeze on a summer's day, soothing yet unsettling. Thane's mind wrestled with the contradiction.As River's humming ceased, she glanced up, her eyes locking onto Thane's. For an instant, they held each other's gaze. Thane's face flushed, his heart racing. River's smile faltered, and she returned to tending the flowers. Thane's tension eased, replaced by disappointment.Thane's thoughts swirled, a mix of trepidation and curiosity. He had
His nerves sparked, renewed connections firing like a network of tiny, glowing synapses. Strength surged through his limbs, revitalizing his muscles and tendons, infusing him with a sense of power and vitality that he had not felt in years. Thane's heart swelled with emotion, his mind reeling with the implications of this transformation. He felt reborn, remade, his body and spirit renewed by the healing power of River's love.Thane's eyes locked onto River's, his gaze drinking in the sight of her serene, peaceful face. Awe, gratitude, and love shone brightly in his eyes, as if the very depths of his soul were overflowing with emotion.River's hands remained on Thane's knees, channeling the last remnants of her healing energy into his body. Her light began to dissolve, her energy spent, but her face remained aglow with a soft, peaceful smile."You are healed, Thane," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the quiet hum of the candles. "You are made whole again."Thane's voice tre
River's hands danced across Thane's skin, her gentle touch igniting soothing warmth that seeped deep into his muscles. Her fingers moved with a deliberate, calming rhythm, each massage stroke releasing a tiny tremor of tension from his body.As her hands worked their magic, a soft, golden light began to emanate from her fingertips, casting a warm glow over Thane's skin. The light was like a balm to his weary soul, soothing his pain and calming his mind.Thane felt his body relax, his muscles releasing their pent-up tension as River's gentle touch coaxed him into a state of deep relaxation. His pain began to ease, the ache in his knees and shoulders gradually receding as River's healing light infused his being.His eyes never left River's face, drinking in the sight of her serene, focused expression. Wonder, gratitude, and love shone brightly in his gaze, his heart overflowing with emotion as he watched River work her magic.As her light infused his being, Thane's heart swelled, his so
A few hours later, River's eyes fluttered open, her gaze soft and serene. A gentle smile played on her lips, a testament to the peaceful slumber that had wrapped her in its soothing embrace. Beside her, Thane stirred, his chest rising and falling with the slow rhythm of deep sleep.River's gaze drifted, lost in the lingering haze of a dream that had left her feeling warm and cherished. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, shone with a soft, ethereal light, as if the moon itself had left a piece of its gentle glow within her. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the quiet intimacy of the moment, the gentle rise and fall of Thane's chest, and the soft, peaceful beating of River's own heart.In her dream, River's mother, Catherine, stood before her, radiant with a warm, loving light that seemed to emanate from the very core of her being. Her eyes, shining with a deep, maternal love, gazed into River's, as she spoke in a gentle, melodious voice. "River, my child," she said, "T
As they stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, Thane and River felt like they were floating on air. Their love for each other was like a bubble that surrounded them, protecting them from the outside world and keeping them safe in their own little world of happiness.After a few moments of just holding each other, Thane pulled back and looked into River's eyes. "I have one more surprise for you," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.River's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Thane smiled and gestured to the door of the music room. "Look outside," he said, his eyes shining with excitement.River walked to the door and opened it, revealing a hallway filled with people, all of whom were smiling and holding candles. The candles cast a warm, golden glow over the scene, making it feel like a dream come true.At the front of the hallway, River saw a large banner that read "Congratulations, Thane and River!" in big, bold letters. S
River's gaze lingered on Thane's face, drinking in the warmth and compassion that radiated from him. Tears glistened in her eyes, but they were no longer just tears of pain. They were also tears of gratitude, of relief, of feeling seen and heard."Thank you, Thane," River whispered again, her voice cracking with emotion. Thane's face softened, his eyes filling with love and adoration."My love, you never have to thank me for being here for you," Thane said, his voice low and husky. "I will always be here, waiting for you, loving you, no matter what."As Thane spoke, his words wrapped around River's heart like a warm blanket. She felt a sense of safety, of security, that she had never felt before. And in that moment, she knew that she could trust Thane with her deepest secrets, her darkest fears.A few minutes later, Thane wheeled into the music room, the soft creak of the wheels echoing through the space. River followed closely behind, her curiosity sparkling like a firefly on a summe
Thane's eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke, his voice filled with promise. "We could not have our lunch date because of your duties at the infirmary. No offense. I know you are doing this for me." River's heart swelled with emotion as she realized the depth of Thane's understanding and appreciation for her sacrifices."Tonight, I will make it up," Thane continued, his voice low and husky. "A candlelit dinner in the garden, just us." The words painted a picture of romance and intimacy, and River's face glowed with anticipation."Perfect, Thane," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. The thought of a quiet, candlelit dinner with Thane in the garden was almost too wonderful to bear. River felt her heart flutter with excitement, her senses coming alive at the prospect of a magical night with the man she loved.The garden, once a serene oasis, transformed into a romantic haven, its beauty heightened by the soft, golden candlelight that danced across River's radiant face. T
Their banter wove a spell of warmth, laughter, and love, wrapping them in a cozy cocoon of intimacy and connection. In this quiet, peaceful moment, their hearts beat as one, their love and affection for each other shining like a beacon of hope and happiness. The world outside receded, and all that mattered was the two of them, lost in the joy and wonder of their love.River's eyes sparkled with mischief as Thane feigned helplessness, his playful dynamic with her shifting seamlessly into tender, heartfelt moments. Thane's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes shining with gratitude and love, as he spoke words that came from the very depths of his soul. "River, you bring light into my life," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.River's cheeks flushed softly, a delicate pink hue that spread across her face like a sunrise. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she replied, her words trembling with feeling. "You are my home, Thane," she said, her eyes locked onto his, her heart beati
Thane's journey with River had been a transformative one, exposing hidden vulnerabilities and forcing him to confront the past demons that had haunted him for so long. But as he navigated the twists and turns of their relationship, he began to learn the value of trust again. The walls he had built around his heart, once impenetrable and fortress-like, began to crumble, revealing a stronger, wiser heart beneath.His love for River awakened a new sense of purpose within him, a deep-seated desire to protect and care for her. She had become his top priority, his reason for being. And with Theresa's loyalty and Malcolm's guiding wisdom, Thane felt a sense of security and support that he had never known before.As the emotional walls that had once imprisoned him began to crumble, Thane felt a sense of freedom and release that he had never experienced before. He was no longer the brooding, troubled alpha that he once was. Instead, he was a stronger, wiser, and more compassionate leader, one
Alpha Malcolm, watching from afar, chuckled at the exchange. He shook his head, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Thane is in love, all right," he thought to himself, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He remembered the days when Thane was a hurt, brooding werewolf, full of angst and attitude. But now, he seemed to have found his footing, his heart filled with a sense of purpose and belonging. And it was all thanks to River, the young woman who had healed Thane's heart.Meanwhile, Theresa danced through the bustling market, her eyes scanning the vibrant vendor stalls with a sense of excitement and purpose. "Something spectacular," she whispered to herself, her mind racing with possibilities. "For Thane's sweetheart." She teased a nervous merchant, her playful smile flashing like a ray of sunshine. "Show me your finest treasures," she commanded, her voice dripping with mock authority.The merchant's nervous smile faltered for a moment before he nodded hastily. "Ah, Young Alpha'