Lauren’s POVAdam bared his fierce fangs, which glistened like polished metal, ready to tear Dean’s throat out. He must have followed us here, and I was left wondering how much of my and Dean’s conversation he had heard. But that’s irrelevant now, anyway. The main thing is that he’s here! The tension in the cave was electric, and you could cut it with a razor-sharp knife. But I was not going to let either brother destroy the other. That already led to enough destruction the last time. Stepping forward, I placed a hand on Adam’s thick arm, well, in this case, Eric. His coat was warm beneath my skin, and I could feel his rushing anger in the heat of his blood. “Stop, Adam. He didn’t hurt me, and he wouldn’t. No matter what you heard, I know Dean wouldn’t do that,” I assured Adam, trying as best as I could to avoid any conflict between the two. “But if you kill Dean, the Alpha King won’t let you get away with it.” “I don’t care!” Adam bellowed in defiance. His fury was palpable, bu
Lauren’s POVThe three of us momentarily set aside our personal conflict, uniting against the common enemy. Dean shifted, his white wolf taking shape in an instant. Adam was still in his wolf form. I remained human. Climbing onto Eric’s back, I felt strong, and the three of us rushed to the battlefield. The wind howled and caressed my hair as it billowed, and the two brothers running side by side looked beautiful. Even in this stage of the outbreak, I couldn’t help but notice their beauty. As we prepared for battle, a sinister voice cut through the tension. Like a dark thundercloud, the Alpha King appeared out of nowhere, his eyes gleaming with malice. “It seems both my precious sons are quite fond of you,” the Alpha King sneered, his tone dripping in contempt. As he spoke, crowds gathered around him. I was still on the back of Adam, and Dean was right at our side. Funny how just a few minutes ago, we were in the cave, ready to go at one another. Yet here we stand, the three o
Lauren’s POVBut the fight wasn’t over, at least, not mine. Out of the dust, Alpha King appeared, laughing wildly like a possessed hyena. “Weakness. Your bloodline is tainted with weakness, child. You are no fit for my line of power. I only produce the strongest werewolves. This is all very clear to me. Not even Jed could save himself,” he howled viciously, sniggering at me as he spoke. The Alpha King edged closer and closer, and I noticed he hadn’t retracted his claws. I knew enough to know what this signaled, and he was getting ready for one last final kill. Even after regaining my strength, I was still no match for the Alpha King. Alice was strong, but it was the first time we fought together in battle, plus, Hanson was Alpha — his strength was unparalleled for a young wolf like myself, no matter my bloodline. Throughout all of the chaos, Adam and Dean never failed to take their eyes off me and were never far from sight. They had been standing behind me the entire time. But Al
Lauren’s POVThe air around us turned ice cold as if a recent snowstorm had swept across the land, even though it was the middle of summer. Everyone present struggled to determine whether the Alpha King’s curse would come true or not or if he was capable of actually creating such a curse. Faces were filled with terror. “Don’t worry, everyone!” Adam assured the crowd, his rightful role suiting him already. Suddenly, my mother coughed up blood and collapsed in a heap. I rushed to her side and took her sweating hands in mine. “You know, I don’t truly hate you, Lauren. How could I? I was only blinded by hatred,” she informed me, and her words felt like the best thing that had happened to me all day. “I’m just relieved that I could use my last bit of strength to save you; my last gift to you.” “No, Mother, don’t say that! It’s not a last gift; you cannot leave me!” I cried out to her, tears gushing from my eyes. “It’s okay, I promise you, I know you love me. Please don’t leave me, Mom
Lauren’s POVMother’s funeral was my final goodbye. As is custom for fallen heroes, her right into the afterlife was held in the exact spot in which she took her last breath. Adam and Dean had helped me dig a hole where her body was to be buried. Word was sent to the Crimson Moon Tribe, who had immediately retracted back to their camp soon after Jed was killed during the battle. My mother was a woman of honor, despite her shortcomings with Father, and she deserved a proper Rite of Death. I waited until tribes folk from the Crimson Moon Tribe were here to begin. White magnolias — her favorite — were laid around her body, and I covered in her a thick fox’s coat. One by one, packmates, friends, and allies smeared a small drop of blood onto Mother. Sending her off into her final passage of the afterlife, the head healer of the Crimson Moon Tribe knelt back on his haunches and took a final howl at the moon, long and loud, so that even the birds in nearby trees fluttered away, the leaves
Lauren’s POVNow that the Ironclaw Tribe and the Crimson Moon Tribe were both leaderless, Adam rightfully became the new Alpha King of his Father’s pack. At the same time, we made a joint announcement to everyone: that I was his only Luna whilst also being the leader of the Crimson Moon Tribe. The two Packs would become the closest of allies. It wasn’t the norm, but in this way, both our Tribes would be aligned. During this time, Dean had gone missing. At first, I thought Dean had retreated to his cave, the one he brought me to on the day of the battle. Both Adam and I went together to search for him there, but when we got there, the cave was empty. All of his possessions were gone, too. We sent men out to look for him in the nearby woods, but no one could find a trace of him, not even a scent. That was two weeks ago, and we had come to terms with the fact that he had left on his own accord. It’s unfortunate. If all the past conflicts hadn’t occurred, Dean would have been Adam’s
Lauren’s POVComplete and utter joy washed over Adam, and it seemed that he could hardly believe it himself. “I love you, too, Lauren!” He eagerly asked me if I could stay, expressing his willingness to protect me and my people.“We could merge,” he offered, “we could become one, and in that way, I can protect both Packs and you always!” He delighted. “You know that’s not possible, Adam. Think of the people. Who would move over to who’s turf? We need to have the people’s best interests at heart, not our own. We want to be different from our parents; pave our own way. Not put our own interests at heart, but do what is best for the Tribe…” I rebutted. It’s not what Adam wanted to hear, but deep down, he knew I was right. Adam was a kind and just leader. The heat of the moment had caught him, but he knew the reality of our situation. We had already come to an agreement with the best of an outcome for both Tribes as possible. “Furthermore, you know better than anyone that returning h
Lauren’s POVI had long-awaited this moment since I was a child. Reaching adulthood today with the new moon marking my entry, it was finally time for me to meet my fiance, Adam Evans, the heir of the Ironclaw Pack. Over the years, frequent wars caused the decline of my own pack; the Crimson Moon Tribe. In hopes of creating some sort of calm between the two packs, Father sought out the support of the Ironclaws. Their Alpha King proposed a marriage alliance in return for peace between the two long-standing clans. This was settled on and decided years before today, and I knew the day would come when childhood left me. Before this agreement, Father discussed the idea with me. He didn’t want to sacrifice my happiness, but as the Alpha’s daughter, I offered to accept the proposition. I knew my responsibility, and always vowed to uphold it at any cost. Father had told me I would marry Adam, the son of the Alpha King. Adam was the most powerful Alpha apart from the Alpha King of the Ironc
Lauren’s POVComplete and utter joy washed over Adam, and it seemed that he could hardly believe it himself. “I love you, too, Lauren!” He eagerly asked me if I could stay, expressing his willingness to protect me and my people.“We could merge,” he offered, “we could become one, and in that way, I can protect both Packs and you always!” He delighted. “You know that’s not possible, Adam. Think of the people. Who would move over to who’s turf? We need to have the people’s best interests at heart, not our own. We want to be different from our parents; pave our own way. Not put our own interests at heart, but do what is best for the Tribe…” I rebutted. It’s not what Adam wanted to hear, but deep down, he knew I was right. Adam was a kind and just leader. The heat of the moment had caught him, but he knew the reality of our situation. We had already come to an agreement with the best of an outcome for both Tribes as possible. “Furthermore, you know better than anyone that returning h
Lauren’s POVNow that the Ironclaw Tribe and the Crimson Moon Tribe were both leaderless, Adam rightfully became the new Alpha King of his Father’s pack. At the same time, we made a joint announcement to everyone: that I was his only Luna whilst also being the leader of the Crimson Moon Tribe. The two Packs would become the closest of allies. It wasn’t the norm, but in this way, both our Tribes would be aligned. During this time, Dean had gone missing. At first, I thought Dean had retreated to his cave, the one he brought me to on the day of the battle. Both Adam and I went together to search for him there, but when we got there, the cave was empty. All of his possessions were gone, too. We sent men out to look for him in the nearby woods, but no one could find a trace of him, not even a scent. That was two weeks ago, and we had come to terms with the fact that he had left on his own accord. It’s unfortunate. If all the past conflicts hadn’t occurred, Dean would have been Adam’s
Lauren’s POVMother’s funeral was my final goodbye. As is custom for fallen heroes, her right into the afterlife was held in the exact spot in which she took her last breath. Adam and Dean had helped me dig a hole where her body was to be buried. Word was sent to the Crimson Moon Tribe, who had immediately retracted back to their camp soon after Jed was killed during the battle. My mother was a woman of honor, despite her shortcomings with Father, and she deserved a proper Rite of Death. I waited until tribes folk from the Crimson Moon Tribe were here to begin. White magnolias — her favorite — were laid around her body, and I covered in her a thick fox’s coat. One by one, packmates, friends, and allies smeared a small drop of blood onto Mother. Sending her off into her final passage of the afterlife, the head healer of the Crimson Moon Tribe knelt back on his haunches and took a final howl at the moon, long and loud, so that even the birds in nearby trees fluttered away, the leaves
Lauren’s POVThe air around us turned ice cold as if a recent snowstorm had swept across the land, even though it was the middle of summer. Everyone present struggled to determine whether the Alpha King’s curse would come true or not or if he was capable of actually creating such a curse. Faces were filled with terror. “Don’t worry, everyone!” Adam assured the crowd, his rightful role suiting him already. Suddenly, my mother coughed up blood and collapsed in a heap. I rushed to her side and took her sweating hands in mine. “You know, I don’t truly hate you, Lauren. How could I? I was only blinded by hatred,” she informed me, and her words felt like the best thing that had happened to me all day. “I’m just relieved that I could use my last bit of strength to save you; my last gift to you.” “No, Mother, don’t say that! It’s not a last gift; you cannot leave me!” I cried out to her, tears gushing from my eyes. “It’s okay, I promise you, I know you love me. Please don’t leave me, Mom
Lauren’s POVBut the fight wasn’t over, at least, not mine. Out of the dust, Alpha King appeared, laughing wildly like a possessed hyena. “Weakness. Your bloodline is tainted with weakness, child. You are no fit for my line of power. I only produce the strongest werewolves. This is all very clear to me. Not even Jed could save himself,” he howled viciously, sniggering at me as he spoke. The Alpha King edged closer and closer, and I noticed he hadn’t retracted his claws. I knew enough to know what this signaled, and he was getting ready for one last final kill. Even after regaining my strength, I was still no match for the Alpha King. Alice was strong, but it was the first time we fought together in battle, plus, Hanson was Alpha — his strength was unparalleled for a young wolf like myself, no matter my bloodline. Throughout all of the chaos, Adam and Dean never failed to take their eyes off me and were never far from sight. They had been standing behind me the entire time. But Al
Lauren’s POVThe three of us momentarily set aside our personal conflict, uniting against the common enemy. Dean shifted, his white wolf taking shape in an instant. Adam was still in his wolf form. I remained human. Climbing onto Eric’s back, I felt strong, and the three of us rushed to the battlefield. The wind howled and caressed my hair as it billowed, and the two brothers running side by side looked beautiful. Even in this stage of the outbreak, I couldn’t help but notice their beauty. As we prepared for battle, a sinister voice cut through the tension. Like a dark thundercloud, the Alpha King appeared out of nowhere, his eyes gleaming with malice. “It seems both my precious sons are quite fond of you,” the Alpha King sneered, his tone dripping in contempt. As he spoke, crowds gathered around him. I was still on the back of Adam, and Dean was right at our side. Funny how just a few minutes ago, we were in the cave, ready to go at one another. Yet here we stand, the three o
Lauren’s POVAdam bared his fierce fangs, which glistened like polished metal, ready to tear Dean’s throat out. He must have followed us here, and I was left wondering how much of my and Dean’s conversation he had heard. But that’s irrelevant now, anyway. The main thing is that he’s here! The tension in the cave was electric, and you could cut it with a razor-sharp knife. But I was not going to let either brother destroy the other. That already led to enough destruction the last time. Stepping forward, I placed a hand on Adam’s thick arm, well, in this case, Eric. His coat was warm beneath my skin, and I could feel his rushing anger in the heat of his blood. “Stop, Adam. He didn’t hurt me, and he wouldn’t. No matter what you heard, I know Dean wouldn’t do that,” I assured Adam, trying as best as I could to avoid any conflict between the two. “But if you kill Dean, the Alpha King won’t let you get away with it.” “I don’t care!” Adam bellowed in defiance. His fury was palpable, bu
Lauren’s POVBefore there was time for me to react or try and tear myself from Dean’s grip, we were too far away, and he had brought me miles from the palace hall. When Dean finally transformed back into his human form, I found myself in his arms and no longer strung over his shoulders like a heavy sack. By now, I came to my senses, realizing that Adam was nowhere in sight. I didn’t recognize the landscape around us either, and I could tell we were elsewhere, away from the Ironclaw tribe. Jagged mountains surrounded us, yet I couldn’t hear the sound of water — it was like there wasn’t a stream nearby. Where the hell are we? Struggling to remove myself from his grip, Dean quickly restrained me. It’s weird; he’s never been this forceful with me before. Something has definitely changed in him. He’s usually a little softer…Leading me into a cave, I couldn’t help but notice how strikingly different everything was inside when compared to the harsh environment outside. The interiors o
Lauren’s POVAlpha King left, but as promised, his guards remained at the chamber’s door, blocking us from entering or exiting. The heat season’s physiological effects gradually clouded my mind, fogging up my thoughts like a thick mist. Instinctively, I clung to Adam, afraid to let him go and hoping desperately for someone to save me, to put me out of my misery and take me from this place. I felt trapped, like the weight of a hundred stones lay on top of me. My brain raced, but my body was unable to move, oppressed by the pain emulating from my stomach. Adam kissed my sweaty forehead, trying to console me. “My little wolf, I am so sorry. This is all my fault. I should never have brought you here in the first place,” but I was too delirious to recognize what he was saying, “I didn’t protect you well enough.” I felt myself being laid down on the bed and a pair of cool hands brushing my cheek, easing some of the heat that warped my entire body. But soon, the hands withdrew, and I c