My hand covers my mouth. I can't believe it, but that piece of my memory comes back to me. I just didn't know I had shared it with Zane. The flames show me the scene from my past, and as I see, I recall everything. I was walking down a cobblestone path. My parents were summoned to the throne room in the middle of the night. I was just seven, wondering around the Alpha's fortress with my flower in one hand. I remember stumbling on a rock and sitting with my arse on the ground, crying my eyes out. The thought elicits a brief laugh from me. Tears fill my eyes. I try fanning them away with my hands, but it isn't working. It escapes, and I turn my face away, catching the tears with the back of my palm. The memories roll forward. It's so vivid that it scares me, but I know his images have a hand in it. "Stop it." I mutter. "Why?" He looks away from the fiery motion images suspended in the air. "We haven't even gotten to the good part, Kyra." I sniffle. "I get your point." "No, you
MARE A week has gone by since any major event has happened in Carodia. I've not run into Zeke, and I consider that luck, but yet I'm still furious when I head to the common market and overhear females talking about snagging up the new legacy, who's widowed. It totally ruins my day because my mind has a way of conjuring up situations. I hear that and start to imagine it coming into fruition. The result makes me want to pluck my eyeballs out. The maids come every morning. They help me take a shower and choose a dress for the day. As Luna, I just have to show up at the throne room for the Alpha's daily council with his pack officials. After fitting me into a stunning silk dress that falls to my ankles, they leave my room. I'm going commando on a morning like this, but if you ask me, I don't know how this turned out to be my choice. Who do I really hope to impress? I fiddle with my fingernails as I walk down the hall, heading to the throne room that's not far away. I know it looks pre
My greatest fear becomes my reality. A situation when I won't be able to protect my child. It's happening now. I pray silently to Tuiren to save me. She's the one who blessed me with this now child. Now they are about to take it away. Séverin ambushes me, but I fight him off. I know I'm stronger, but I'm outnumbered. "Stop!" My voice makes him fall to his knees. I'm caught up in a battle with Red Valley wolves, fighting for the life of my child. I want to protect this baby with everything I've got. "She's a bloodline silver wolf. She's powerful! Don't underestimate her!" I bite off the skin of my wrist, bringing my blood into the mix. They fear me like a plague, backing up far away. Their numbers can't approach me. I'm tense, also backing up towards the entrance. I can see my freedom. Even taste it, but when I'm about to charge forward, a hand snatches my shoulder blade. Bone bracelets lock around my wrists. I scream in anguish. "No!" I struggle against the arm on my shoulder, b
KYRA Zeke stares at me with intent, waiting for the ball. I'm certain the Alpha is wondering what could be behind the seriousness in my tone. It's high time I got it off my chest. "I can't spy on Zane for you anymore," I say, holding my breath. He doesn't seem annoyed, so I continue. "It's wrong to exploit someone's feelings to get what you want—" "Especially when they are mutual." Zeke completes my words, and I'm grateful he's not fuming like a chimney at my disobedience. Since I came to Moon Grove, I've done everything he's ever asked of me without refusal or thought, but Zeke is a good man and a good leader who cares deeply for his wolves. With everything I've got, I always carry out his missions proudly because they are always for a good reason. "You are not angry that I've disobeyed you and disrespected you." "I know what love means. If it's mutual, then I won't stop Kyra Mason from falling in love. In fact, the rest of us actually bet on your love life sometime in the pa
ZEKE After the storm, I head back to the fortress. My brother must have an answer for me now. I'm not confident he will do what I ask because I know it's difficult. Zane won't choose his throne over the lives of his wolves, no matter what. We are similar. The guards let me in at the fortress gates. I'm dressed in a black wrap coat and boots. The air is windy and wet. It's the right weather after the afternoon's scorching heat. His beta welcomes me, and a part of me is relieved I don't run into Chantria at the entrance. Zane's on a patio, sipping from a cup of tea. It's on a wooden platform. I climb a few steps to get to the landing. Bending my head, I step onto the platform with a roof shaped like a hut. "Brother." He calls, standing on his feet to greet me. I bow before him and stay that way until pats my arm, asking me to stand. "You really do not have to do that all the time." "It's my duty. I'm on your territory. I insist." Zane gestures towards the round wooden table he
That bastard. He dropped her the first chance he got. After trying so hard to get her back, it didn't even take him three months to choose her sister again. I want to crush his head beneath my feet. Red Valley's destruction is still pending. I'm clenching my fists at my side and breathing fury. "Alpha Zeke, who knows what that tyrant has done to her? She could be in danger." "Tomorrow, Kyra." Kyra snaps. "Is this still about getting revenge? What right do you have to say she would pay for her mother's sins? Marelyn's innocent. She's also in danger!" Drusila and Aiden surface from their rooms when they hear our voices. They are shocked to see Kyra raising her voice at me, but everything she's saying now, Drusila has said them all before. I'm just too pig-headed to see reason. It's just... it's easy to hate Marelyn. I saw her at peace at Red Valley, and I don't know what came over me after that. Drusila says, "Kyra, who are you to talk to the Alpha in that manner?" "Marelyn's in d
What? Marelyn was pregnant before she left New York? I can't put two and two together. We tried to make another baby to help with the pain of losing one, but I didn't think that worked. It must have worked. I recall the three times I've seen her since I came to Carodia. Nothing could show that she was pregnant. I couldn't even tell, and I felt ashamed. "Another heir." Kyra tastes those impossible words on her lips. "Alpha Zeke, there's hope." I tell Loki. "Lead me to the gallows." "It's right through a secret door in the dungeons. Only the Red Alpha has access to it." Kyra hangs her head when she hears that. Another stumbling block to overcome. I can tell she just wants to make sure Chase hasn't harmed Marelyn or the baby. That's my major concern as well. Flame torches line the walls of their dungeons. "Show me." I command Loki. Loki bows and stands on his feet under my instructions. He leads the way in silence. We get to the end of the dungeon, and he points at the secret do
It's the last fight. Red Valley survived my reign of terror the last time I was here, but this time around, I will not stop until the Red Pack is dust. Loki and walk out of the dungeons. The numbers have increased. We are all surrounded. Leading his wolves is Chase Erickson. Chase is shocked to see Loki on my side. He's looking between the both of us and doing a terrible job at hiding his emotions. "Loki, what is this?" "What I should have done a long time ago." "If father sees you now-" "And! Father would be more disappointed in you and what you've turned his pack into." Chase growls, eyes turning red as a blood moon. "Is that why you betray your own pack, brother? Tell me, what did he offer you?" "Your death," Loki says in a low but icy tone. It's chilling to watch their exchange, but even Chase doesn't see the hate filling his brother's eyes coming. It takes him unawares. "I promised you I will live to see Red Valley become dust by my hands." I growl, shifting halfway and
I'm standing at the window edge of a hallway in the fortress. Everyone that passes greets their Alpha with a bow. Today is the exertion of the verdict I passed over all those involved in my mother's death. I took her skull down from where it was hung and finally gave her a befitting burial. Chantria Van Acker, after being tried for my mother's death and King Nikolai's death, was sentenced to death. Her execution is today, and Zane doesn't try to stop it. I knew he went to see her one last time at the dungeons last night, but she's his mother. Will that ever be enough? Hours later, Aiden hands me a platter. I open it and find Chantrias head. The last thing I can do for my mother is to replace her skull with that of the person who put her there. I tell him where to leave the human head until it decomposes, and only a skull is left. My brother stops by to see me in my chambers that evening. He doesn't seem angry that I had given the order for her death. She had killed Father, too. It
ZEKE Again, fire and water will stand against each other. I don't know what the outcome of this fight will be. In my head, I know what I want, but I can't tell exactly what my brother is thinking. It was his idea to do this. I'm not so sure why I even agreed. Revenge doesn't matter anymore. Once I looked into my daughter's eyes, all the pain I felt melted away. I healed. Mare couldn't let go of me all through the night. She was stuck to me like glue because she feared this moment. She feared losing me. My life is finally coming together. I fear losing it, too. The arena roars wild. The entire wolf lands are watching King Nikolai's sons make history. I'm already a record breaker, and he's their king. This fight will have them all at the edge of their seats. The gong goes off and shirtless as we are, dressed in nothing but shorts we fight to the death. I cast an illusion of a cloud over his head, and constant rain falls on only him in the arena. Zane is furious that I'm drenching
KYRA I'm storming into his chambers in Moon Wood's fortress. I just learnt the news of a battle between legacies. There are only two legacies I know apart from evil Jai-Blynn. All of Carodia believes the king has gone mad for wanting to fight his brother, who took down an entire pack and turned them to dust. Zeke Van Acker has gained a name for himself in the city, but that is still far from my point. How could he do this to me? We talked the second our boat arrived at the harbour. Actually, we did less talking and more physical activities for the first few hours after meeting again. I was so sure Marelyn and I made the right choice after spending time with him again. My wolf couldn't stop pining for him, but it seems I'm the only one who felt that way. How could he do this us? Zane says after I barge in, "I know you are angry. Kyra, calm down—I can't believe they just let you walk through easily." "It's not news to anyone, including your other mates, that we are together, Zane.
"That child and I can't exist at the same time on this earth, Mare." "Why, Jai?" I frown, calculating the distance with my eyes. I make a jump for it and shield Kinna from his attack with my body. Summoning my powers, I struggle to get a hold of his mind, but the calibre of power coming out of him is not to be underestimated. Now I realise he wasn't kidding back then in that warehouse. "Your little bloodline powers won't work on me. But Mare, you are no longer my concern. Give me your champion, and you can walk away from this alive." I'm shocked that he's willing to bargain. There's something he knows that none of us do. Something that makes this moment more important to him than ever. I scream hard. "Never!" The force of my voice hits him, but he only staggers back by a step, and I had really mustered up strength with that move. How powerful is he really? "Angering me will only make the terms worse, Marelyn!" "You can kill me, but not my child, Jai. I will never let you touc
ZEKE A Day Earlier... I'm standing in front of the mirror, feeling for my now thick beards. It's a new look I've been sporting. Just yesterday, the action series I starred in aired, and the viewing ratings were through the roof. It's a hit. I've always had blockbusters where I starred as the villain, but never have I been portrayed from a protagonist's point of view in one of them. It's unreal. What's also unreal is what tomorrow is. I know Marelyn is due tomorrow. My chest tightens like every other time I've stared at the date or thought about it. I've been distant. I never showed up for our daughter, but it all got to a point where I considered myself unworthy of being in their lives. She may be happy in Carodia with her date from before. Maybe it fleshed into something more. I can't tell, but it's been bugging me at the back of my mind for months. Scarlett helped me understand what those random slip-ups meant over time. Everything is clear to me now. I stare at my reflection
I don't realise that the doorknob has come off. I stare at the piece in my hand. It broke off, but my mind is fixed on their conversation. She's dating now. It's been just two weeks, and she promised that wasn't goodbye. My jaw clenches impossibly in anger. Finding a new path. Bullshit! I block out their voices and lock myself in my study. I throw my head back over the headrest of the desk chair, blowing out my cheeks. So far, the day has been terrible. I'm nervous. I want to storm into Carodia the next second and restructure the idiot fling's face. She's mine. She's fucking mine! The broken doorknob sits on my desk because I don't know what to do with it yet. Suddenly, my mind is made up. I stand on my feet and head to my bedroom. I open my suitcase on my bed, swiping clothes off the rack in the walk-in closet and dropping them inside it. It's easy not to overthink it. But soon, there's a knock on the open door, calling my attention. Scarlett is holding the broken doorknob, eyein
I've been showing up for appointments with the pack doctor at Blue Silver for the past two weeks since I arrived. He's not who I used to know, and his name is Xavier Scythe. When Ava refused to take me in because of our last encounter, Xavier showed Kyra and I a roof over our head. He is also the next catch as Kyra put it. She wants me to take on his advances and use him to forget all about Zeke. I try. I actually put in effort. He knocks at my door and I open it with a bright smile on my face. "Xavier, how are you?" His hands are locked behind him as he says, "I'm good. How are you?" Xavier runs a nervous hand over his sleeked back long black hair. It's tied up because of how impressively long his hair is. Xavier is a real catch. He's tall and looks hard all over, like a man should, but I don't get that spark from looking at him or anyone else that's not Zeke. Maybe Kyra is right. My world does revolve around only him. "The Blue Silver carnival is coming up. Would you like a p
MARE I see how worried he is. I'm not saying he shouldn't be, but it's another cold truth. She's his forever. I'm the intruder, and I have no place here. We are at the hospital. Scarlett lost her wolf. She's like a human, so I guess that's why we are all concerned because she can't heal. Kyra says, "How can she do this? Overdosing because she wants attention. Jeez." "We don't know that." Drusila chips in from across the waiting room. We are the only ones here at the moment, but it's a hospital people can arrive at any time. Unfortunately, Kyra seems pissed about spending her night here. Zeke is with the doctor. "I'm going to grab a snack." I stand on my feet without glancing at any of them. They still remember how I just cried my eyes out because Zeke made his choice. Now I'm sitting here watching him care for someone else like I wish was only just for me. It's still pure torture. Kyra joins me at the vending machine. I get a chocolate bar while she gets a bag of cheetos. At
************************** My eyes crack open. Daylight shines into my room, but I'm still stuck in last night's pack gathering. Zeke wanted a son who would challenge Zane's throne. A female Alpha will never be accepted to lead Carodia. I'm sad for other reasons than Scarlett. My happy ending keeps drifting far and far away. I wonder if he's angry with me. If this will change everything. Maybe he will finally realise that he won't gain anything from me because I can't even give him a proper heir. I will love our daughter with everything in me because she's a product of our great love. I take a shower, anxious about joining the rest downstairs. Will they see me as a failure? I couldn't protect the first heir, and now I've given them a child they can't accept. A while later, I cross Kyra and Aiden in the hallway, just above the stairs. She spares a broad smile, looking over her shoulder at me. "Hey, Mare! I can't wait to meet our princess."