Still Johnston’s POV At least he had the decency to avert his gaze while I looked at him. "Her true mate was at the party last night, but he doesn't belong to your pack, Alpha Rudi," I hissed. My words carried a warning as my patience began to wear thin. Luna Sarai's laughter erupted, instantly dissolving the tension in the room. "That's deep, sweetheart. You really took it too far," she said with a hiccup, amusement twinkling in her eyes, shattering the Alpha's confidence. He glanced around uneasily, clearly out of his depth. He struggled for words in an attempt to recover from the predicament. “I, um, I didn’t mean to offend, Johnston. I’m just concerned about the well-being of my pack and our alliances." "Alpha, it’s best you keep your concerns in check. Erica's journey is her own, and your intrusive questions are out of place. If there was anything you needed to know, you'd have found
We gave Xena a ride to the main road and bid her farewell. Xander awaited her arrival in his brand-new Bentley, the car’s sleek lines gleaming under the morning sun. Watching them reunite was such a pleasant sight, their passionate greeting made it clear that this long-distance relationship wasn’t easy for them. Their reunion overflowed with tender touches and whispered words, every gesture exuding their deep affection for one another. Earlier we informed the Alpha about Xena's unexpected departure, explaining that she had to urgently return to her coven for work that could not be postponed but would be back in two days. The Alpha listened attentively and nodded understandingly. Given Luna Sarai’s unforeseen request for us to extend our stay by a few more days, this statement was acceptable to the couple. I had hoped to stealthily sneak Xena out and back without anyone noticing, but Erica was determined to inform the Alpha. She's such a
Still Johnston’s POVAfter our conversation on the beach with Alpha Rudi, which didn't provide any clarity, Erica and I decided to set aside all concerns until Xena returned. During this time, we enjoyed ourselves immensely at the Crimson Moon. It felt as though we were the only ones living in this pack, entirely captivated by one another. We held hands and explored every corner together, stealing hugs and kisses whenever it pleased us. Each moment brimmed with laughter and affection, causing the days to drift by in a joyful blur. At present, I was seated on the private balcony of the room Erica shared with Xena while she took her evening nap. I was enjoying the soft glow of the setting sun enveloping everything in a warm, golden light. A few pack members were busy with cleaning tasks beneath the balcony, and I happened to overhear a conversation between two of them. As I sat on the balcony while Erica napped, I overheard a conversation
“There is a clearing on the border of Crimson Moon and neutral land. Let's take our conversation there,” suggested Master Brent.‘Johnston, there is a clearing at the Crimson Moon border. Just try to get everyone there. Three more hours,’ I texted Johnston.Master Brent went on to visit some specific ancient places in our area, each location steeped in history and mystery. It was as if he was asking for permission from the elders to call for the graves. The rituals he performed were intricate, involving ancient symbols and incantations that reverberated through the air.I know this is going to be drastic. The great thing is that I will learn a lot from this experience, it is the first time that I am going to witness this. I'm excited but still scared of what might come out of this. The unknown elements of magic and the supernatural always carried a sense of danger and awe.Before we leave for Crimson Moon, we must also go to the nearby lake to sink in a sacrifice.The
Another party’s POVThe water rippled and then there was a soft pop.The egg had burst!This was a confirmation of an evil spirit involved in the case Xena brought before me. With this, a sense of urgency and dread was added to this mission. I exchanged a worried glance with the witch, who nodded grimly.I’m Master Brent. Xena considers me a warlock, but in fact, I am one of the remaining Endarkened Shadow hunters. For centuries, I have been looking for a way to use the divine Seraph Knife, a special weapon to make supernatural beings like me more powerful. With this weapon, I could become the master of the universe and make both demons and humans bow to me.To activate the powers of the Seraph Knife, I must mate with an angel or a supernatural being of high rank. At the peak of our mating, I have to call out the name of an angel loudly and stab the woman in the heart. I found out a long time ago that the most obvious angel was the werewolf Moon Goddess, so I was looki
"My mate! Where is she? You bastard!" the Alpha roared, half-shifted into his huge black wolf.His fur bristled with rage, and his eyes glowed with a feral intensity. He was ready to behead me but remembered at the last moment that he needed me to get his mate back. His growl reverberated through the air, I was sure it could be heard miles from here."Erica!!" Johnston bellowed now with desperation and fury.He, too, was almost shifted, his claws out and his sharp fangs exposed. His eyes were pitch dark, filled with a savage determination. These powerful werewolves were deeply infatuated with their mates and were not to be underestimated. They were willing to go to great lengths to get their women back. I have to tread carefully now."Relax," I signed with my hands, trying to project calmly. "Everything will be fine. I know how to get them back. This is just temporary.""What do you mean by that?! Why did she suddenly disappear? Where is she?" the Alpha demanded, his voice dripping wi
Johnston followed suit, his movements precise and controlled. "Erica," he murmured gently. As he applied the liquid to his face, his eyes briefly closed as though searching for an inner connection. I grabbed the last bottle and mirrored their actions.I pretended to perform a ritual by closing my eyes for an extra moment and taking a deep breath, as though I were absorbing power from the bottle. The air around us seemed charged with unusual energy, and I could feel their eyes on me, observing my every action with suspicion.All three of them gazed at me intently until I opened my eyes and smiled, exuding a sense of calmness and reassurance."This will enable you to maintain your connection with them," I assured, my voice steady. "Please, be assured they are safe. They'll be back with you before you know it."The Alpha and Johnston shared a wary glance, but the ritual appeared to have pacified them for now. The delicate spark of trust I had kindled was fragile, and I understood that c
Erica’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, I felt a little dizzy.My vision was blurred, and I had to blink a few times to see my surroundings properly. In a corner, I saw Luna Sarai sitting on a mud chair, supported by the wall. She was unconscious, her face pale. I stumbled over and shook her shoulders.“Luna, wake up. Something has happened to us,” I whispered urgently. I blew on her face a few times. A few seconds later, she slowly opened her eyes and stared at me.“Luna, wake up. We have been kidnapped. We have to find a way out,” I explained to her. She just stared at me, her body stiffened but she was still unresponsive.At that moment, I heard a noise coming our way. Someone appeared in the doorway, and I kind of remembered him as the man who came to meet us at the clearing. Behind him was Xena.“Xena, what's going on? Where's Johnston?” I asked her urgently. "Why are we here?"“Erica, my Master here will explain everything to us. I don't know everything that's going o
"Prince, Princess, your rooms are ready," the Royal Secretary informed us as he saw me yawn. "Xena has already retired, although I think she's on the phone with her mate. There's nothing but giggling coming from her apartment."We laughed at this remark and followed the Secretary until we reached a pair of double doors."This is the Prince's suite," the Secretary explained. "I will take the Princess to another one on a higher floor. The plan is for you to move in tomorrow after the Acceptance Ceremony.""Absolutely not!" Johnston objected.The Secretary looked at us bewildered. "But...""Don't worry, Secretary. We're used to being together. It has never been any different. I wouldn't be able to sleep if she weren't nearby," Johnston reassured him.The Secretary shrugged, wished us a good night, and left.As we stepped inside, we couldn't believe the luxury that greeted us. The sitting room alone was as big as an entire floor of the packhouse in Moon Light. The décor was extravagant an
Erica’s POVAs I looked out of the hatch of the Royal Jet, I saw a large number of people waiting. Wolves had come from far and wide to the Kingdom to see the long-lost Prince with their own eyes and perhaps get a handshake.It was overwhelming; Johnston clearly still had to get used to this turnaround in his life.Ironically, it was expected that I would be the one to emerge renewed from this search for my true mate. As the Alpha female, everyone assumed that my mate would be an Alpha's son and that I would now be the Luna in some pack.In the end, both Johnston and I became richer in all aspects from this trip.He is the Crown Prince of the Royal Kingdom of Werewolves now, and I’m his fated mate. Yes, fated, not chosen. That was revealed some hours ago, thanks to Xena’s abilities to lift the curse of the Black witches on our Lycan wolves.We now knew that we were the pups of the Queen and her best friend.The two had agreed to mate us as soon as we were of age. But rebellion broke o
Future Alpha Marco’s POVThis woman is going to be the death of me!I followed her into the nearby forest where she had run after the King had dismissed her. She was furious, her aura bursting with hot energy. I feared that if I got too close, I might get burned by her anger.“Jannel!” I called out impatiently in my Alpha tone.Although she was a Lycan with higher capabilities than I, the mate bond made her sensitive to me. Our wolves had accepted each other, but it was only Jannel who resisted, driven by her ambitions. Despite her superior strength and abilities, the bond we shared created an undeniable connection between us, one that she struggled to ignore. Her aspirations were clouding her judgment at the moment, but I knew that as my Luna, she would be able to use her remarkable skills to elevate our pack to unprecedented heights.Jannel was ambitious, her sights set on the grandeur of the Royal Kingdom.She dreamed of power and influence, of making a name for herself beyond the
"Alpha Florien!""Daddy! Mom!"Erica ran to her parents and hugged them tightly. A sob of joy escaped her as she deeply inhaled their familiar scent. Never before had she needed their comforting warmth as she did now. She knew that as soon as they were near, everything would be alright. She had nothing more to fear.Johnston walked to his Alpha and shook his hand with a relieved grin."I knew I had to come. When you told me the Royals were nearby, I felt that the moment of truth had arrived," Alpha Florien stated before he turned to the Royal couple at the head of the table.After Erica greeted her friends exuberantly, the newcomers approached the Royals with their Alpha and Luna as well."My King, please accept our greetings," Alpha Florien showed respect for the King. All four Moon Light members made a slight bow to the Royal couple."Alpha Florien, I am forever grateful to you for keeping my son safe in your pack. I am indebted to you forever," the King stated gratefully as he stoo
Erica's face twisted in shock, and I could sense her internal struggle. Her eyes darted between me and the Queen, disbelief written all over her beautiful features."This is ridiculous!" Erica finally burst out, her voice quivering with anger. "You can't expect us to just end things over some outdated agreement. Our bond is genuine, our love is real!"Her voice echoed in the room, the raw intensity of her emotions filling the air. I could see the fire in her eyes, a blazing defiance that I deeply admired. This was the woman I loved, fierce and unyielding, unwilling to bend to an unjust decree.The Queen’s eyes softened somewhat, yet she stayed resolute. There was a flash of sympathy, I could see the internal conflict she faced in enforcing this archaic promise."I understand how you feel, Erica, but this arrangement was established at birth. It's a question of duty and honor," she stated, her voice firm yet gentle.Erica's hands clenched into fists in her lap, her nails digging into h
Johnston’s Point of ViewAs we entered the conference room, we encountered two middle-aged women along with several men.At the head of the expansive table sat a couple I immediately identified as the King and Queen. Their commanding presence was palpable, underscored by their luxurious royal garments. As we approached closer to Erica, she and I both offered a subtle bow in respect.“Greetings to the King and Queen,” we said in unison.I sensed a change in the atmosphere; the room seemed electrified. As we raised our heads, I saw that the Queen's eyes glistened with tears, and she quietly sniffled while trying to keep her composure intact. Her gaze locked on mine, revealing just enough of a crack in her regal demeanor to expose a deep vulnerability beneath it all. Watching her fight back tears as she sought to connect with my wolf on an innate, almost primal level was both heartwarming and overpowering.However, Tax was merely a Gamma wolf and had to submit to the authority of the Lyc
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Gamma."Rooted to the spot, I stared at the dark-skinned woman before me, Royal Gamma Jannel. Behind her stood the future Alpha of the pack, Marco. I recognized him from training sessions we had previously attended together at the Council's center."Gamma, this is a personal matter between Erica and me," I snapped at her. "Stay out of it!"I was in no mood for hierarchical complications, I knew I had the right to a personal conversation with my woman without interference from others, including Royals."I'm not questioning that, but I just want to prevent you from making a cardinal mistake," she explained dryly. "The King and Queen are waiting for both of you. And regarding our conversation in the Kingdom, please don't jump to conclusions, you took my words completely out of context. I never suggested you were siblings."I stared at her, bewildered, a glimmer of hope sparking within me.Did she mean that Erica and I weren’t …?I could
Johnston’s Point of ViewIn an instant, Era jumps out of the window onto the roof of the main floor and then down to the soft grass in the garden. I made sure no one was around before tapping on the window, ensuring there were no witnesses.“Shift, love,” I instructed Erica. In a flash, she stood bare before me. I retrieved the dress she'd tossed out of the window and helped her slip it on gracefully. Damn! This girl is stunning. I swallowed hard several times to control myself.“Come, let’s head into the forest," I suggested, holding her hand. “We need to talk.”She willingly walked alongside me. "Why don't you just use the front door, Johnston?" she inquired. "I'm sure the Beta wouldn't mind your presence here."As we strolled along the forest path, I drew her closer to me. She released my hand and wrapped her arms around my waist. When we discovered a clearing, I gently guided her down to sit beside me on the ground. Resting her head against my shoulder, I could hear her sigh with c
Erica's Point of View stillAs we approached the Harvest Moon packhouse, the decorations became increasingly beautiful.This pack went out of their way to make us feel welcome. However, I'm beginning to sense that something is on the horizon. I’m not sure if it’s the same feeling Xena experienced, but my werewolf instincts are heightened, gearing up for a significant change.This delightful reception is intended not for the Royals, but for us.With this kind of escort, we are certainly treated like special guests. As I parked in front of the porch, three handsome men approached us. From their aura, I sensed that one was the Beta and with him the Head Warrior, while the other two were clearly Lycans. However, they exuded no menacing vibe; rather, they seemed very welcoming."Alpha female Erica, welcome to Harvest Moon," the tall blonde announced with a wide smile. "We're thrilled to have you here and grateful that you've chosen our pack for your unforgettable visit."An unforgettable v