Linda’s Point of View -I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. "Actually, it's 'birdies.' Plural. As in more than one," I corrected him defiantly, but my attempt at bravado was undercut by the high-pitched waver in my voice.Brock's gamma, a burly man named Hank with a nose that had been broken more times than I had hot dinners, sneered—a gold tooth glinting amongst the decay. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise. Two little birdies to play with."Stephanie inched closer to me. "Did you really have to correct him? Now is not the time to be a grammar Nazi, Linda."Linda, trying to diffuse the tension, chimed in with her characteristic deadpan, "In her defense, being captured by a traitorous gamma doesn't mean we have to succumb to grammatical anarchy."As if on cue, Hank lunged forward but stopped short, his eyes flickering with confusion as he collided with the invisible barrier shielding Stephanie and me. Hank, baffled by the sudden and unseen force before him, stumbled backward, r
Stephanies Point of View-- I mind-linked Linda to get in touch with my dad—I couldn't handle his relentless questions anymore. As soon as Linda contacted him, the air filled with the blaring sound of sirens, piercing through the silence. We crouched behind a bush outside the hospital, trying to stay out of sight. The pack hospital was under siege, and the tension in the air was almost suffocating. The lively atmosphere disappeared in an instant as we witnessed the terrifying sight of the rogues seizing the nurses, dragging them by their hair, and callously tying them up. My heart raced with dread as they shoved the nurses into dark closets, and I could feel the fear radiating from them. The primal instincts of my wolf surged within me, anger boiling over as I vowed to protect those innocent souls. Speaking to Linda through the mind link, I told her I was going around back and sneaking in that way. The medical staff needed us, and there was no time to waste. Linda's grip on my arm t
-Stephanie’s Point of View-With a deep sigh, I realized the urgency of saving our new friend with the silver eyes from the hands of the rogue. His assistance in battle had been invaluable. Linda's magical prowess was impressive, but the thought of her having to take a life shook me to the core. She was the lighthearted one among her sisters, a ray of pure light untouched by darkness. I often teased her, calling her the good witch of the south. But now, the threat hanging over us made those jokes feel hollow. We had to protect her, protect us all, from the war that had emerged on our pack grounds.I had to do a double-take when I caught myself referring to this place as "our pack grounds." Have I been spending too much time with Brock and his wolf pack? Time to rein it in. From now on, I'll be glued to my desk at the corporate office. This is definitely not my turf. And the more I think about it, the more I feel like the Luna I swore I'd never become.Before I could stop Linda, she mo
-Stephanies opinion-I immediately rushed to Linda's side, my heart heavy with sorrow for her and her fallen mate. "Linda, we need to get you out of here," I urged, trying to pull her away from the devastating scene.Linda clung to her mate's lifeless body, tears streaming down her face as her sobs echoed through the empty space. "We have to go," I pleaded, knowing that staying there was too dangerous. But amidst her grief, Linda's eyes glowed with an eerie intensity, and I realized that something within her had awakened—a power that would shake the foundations of our world.I immediately rushed to Linda's side, my heart heavy with sorrow for her and her fallen mate. "Linda, we need to get you out of here," I urged, trying to pull her away from the devastating scene. She clung to her mate's lifeless body, tears streaming down her face as her sobs echoed through the empty space. "We have to go," I pleaded, knowing that staying there was too dangerous. But amidst her grief, Linda's eyes
-Brock’s point of view-As I stepped into my office, Stephanie trailing behind me, a surge of anger boiled within me as I cast a disdainful glance at the rogue and the traitor still suspended in the air. They were sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the lives lost in the battle last night. The mere sight of them awakened the primal urge within my wolf to rip our gamma apart for betraying us, especially in the aftermath of the fatalities we suffered.I could feel the weight of responsibility heavy on my shoulders as I contemplated the burden of informing mothers, wives, and children that their loved ones had perished while defending the pack. The conflicting emotions stirred a storm within me, torn between sorrow and the savage desire for vengeance.I sat at my desk, the weight of the situation crushing down on me like a ton of bricks. Stephanie's arrival only added to the mounting pressure. Her presence alone meant more worry, more uncertainty as she t
Stephanie- The thought gnaws at me, chipping away at my trust in Rylan as a pack's leader. As I jot down the location of the book in myths and fairytales, my faith in his identity starts to waver, eclipsed by the possibility of deception. I freeze in my tracks as I come across a line in the story, revealing that the entire pack had been slaughtered, leaving only one Alpha behind. Many believed that this lone Alpha was to blame for the pack's demise. What struck me the most was that the Alpha depicted in the story bore a striking resemblance to Rylan. Turning the page of the myth-bound book, I mutter, "Coincidences don't happen often in werewolf tales, do they?" The library's musty scent swirls around me, and the air hums with the weight of a thousand secrets tucked within the worn pages. This library, after all, is no normal repository of knowledge—it is the heart of our pack's safe haven. I place the book back on the shelf, glancing at the library's vintage clock—the one with
"Silence!" I bellowed, and the crowd simmered down to murmurs. Stephanie stood in the middle, her face pale as moonlight. I came to understand that my gamma retained the ability to establish a mind link still with the pack. I suspected this was his handiwork. Observing the pack members, my expression was severe and commanding. "Who among you received a mind-link from the gamma?" I demanded, asserting my authority. I observed the irate crowd, noting that the majority raised their hands in agreement. Affirming their sentiment with a nod, I then conveyed to them firmly that the time for lenience had come to an end. "Enough!" Brock's voice cut through the turmoil like a knife, his protective arm shooting out to shield her. "She is your future Luna—how dare you insult my mate? Know this: the gamma, the one who sent you that message, is the very traitor that allowed rogues to infiltrate our pack." I hadn't realized the consequences of my disclosure, but by the look on Stephani
Damien had only wishfully imagined he had ended his grandfather's life. However, he was compelled to keep the old man alive as he was utterly clueless about the whereabouts of the hidden money jar.The Gamma, whose name was Damien, let out a bark of laughter—a sound ripe with the delinquent charm that had long ago stopped working on me. "Yadiel? That self-righteous furball? Please, he wouldn't share a bone with his own shadow." I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the smirk tugging at my lips. Damien and his high-and-mighty cousin, Alpha Yadiel, had been at odds since puberty hit and decided to bless them both with a double dose of testosterone and wolfish pride. It wasn't every day that our pack's Gamma, and unofficial black sheep, crashed into the elderly man's humble abode demanding money. Damien's antics, much like my spot behind the curtain, were hidden from the world, ones I stumbled onto by a mix of bad timing and worse luck. But then again, Damien's grin suggest
Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Six: Ezra, Enzo, and Esme's Fate Stephanie's Perspective: Time has passed swiftly, and the triplets have become a source of both worry and profound anguish. Aware that the moon goddess foretold the darkness in one of my children, I also clung to her assurance that we could save this child. She warned me of the numerous trials Esme would face, yet I was unprepared for the extent of her frailty and deformity. Parenting in such conditions leaves me at a loss. Each night, I plead with the moon goddess for guidance, as it is I who feels covered in darkness. Yet I heard nothing from her. It almost feels like punishment. I am a fierce Alpha female of the pack, I had made it through giving birth to triplets - Ezra, Enzo, and Esme. I remembered how much when the boys were born, how much Ezra and Enzo, were identical in every way, with their light blonde hair to me. But it was Esme, the runt of the litter, who stood out with her black hair that mirrored her father,
Brock's perspective: I crouched by Stephanie's side, stroking her pale cheek, willing her to fight through. Dr. Mildred was a blur of motion, her hands swift and sure as she worked to stop the bleeding, her brow furrowed with concentration, her lips moving in silent prayer or perhaps a list of medical steps. The clock on the wall ticked in mockery of my racing heart, its hands moving too slowly for my liking. It seemed time itself had conspired to increase the torture, drawing out each moment into an unbearable eternity. Minutes - or was it hours? - passed and finally, Dr. Mildred straightened with a tired sigh, peeling off her gloves. "We've managed to stop the bleeding," she announced, her eyes meeting mine. It was the first hope I'd clung to since it had all begun.With that small reassurance, I allowed myself to draw a breath, my grip on Stephanie's hand loosening just slightly. Then the heart monitor screamed out with a shrill tone showing Stephanie's heart had stoppe
Third-Party Perspective:As the Suburban sped down the back road, the trees blurred past in a green and golden haze, a stark contrast to the tension coiled within the vehicle. Stephanie's grip on Brock's hand tightened with each wave of pain that wracked her body, her forehead beaded with sweat despite the cool autumn air seeping through the cracked window.Brock's heart raced as he watched his mate, Stephanie, contort in agony on his lap. He couldn't bear to see her in such pain, but he knew that they were running out of time. The driver's voice cut through the air, a note of urgency lacing his words as he asked if they needed to pull over.Stephanie knew time was not on their side, and she felt a growing urgency to act. Accustomed to living without powers, she had forgotten that she could simply wish herself and Brock directly into the safety of the pack hospital. "No, keep going," I gasped, clutching at Brock with one hand while the other grasped at the shards of my fading humanit
Stephanie’s Perspective:As the driver for I and Brock navigated the winding road towards the Silverton pack territory, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The truth about my parentage had shaken me to the core, leaving me feeling as if I was floating in a sea of lies and deceit. I clutched my swollen belly, feeling the reassuring kicks of her unborn twin boys, a reminder of the new life I was about to bring into this world.The cool autumn air whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth. My mate, Alpha Brock, sat beside me, his hand resting on my thigh in a silent show of support. I glanced at him, grateful for his unwavering presence in my life, especially in this tough time for me.As we arrived at the Silverton pack territory, I felt a mix of apprehension and determination swirling within me. I knew I needed to confront my parents, to demand answers and closure, no matter how painful the t
Stephanie’s Perspective:I was aware of my issues with emotional control, which is why I couldn't face visiting my parents just yet. The guilt weighed on me, especially since my mother had just given birth and my father was now in intensive care. I had received word that my father and his men had been ambushed by rogues while returning to my former pack.Everyone anticipated that my mother would give birth to another boy; however, she had a girl instead. The sonogram had misleadingly suggested the presence of a penis, but it turned out to be merely the umbilical cord.I called Crystal, now back in the packhouse and in her own room thanks to Linda. I asked her to tell our parents that I don't hate them. Rather, I am a danger to be around until I can control my emotions and my magic.I had never deeply appreciated how blessed I was to have Linda as a friend. She provided the tough love I needed. Without her physically pulling me out of that bed, I don’t know how much longer I would have
Stephanie's Perspective:A rank odor filled the air. As I glanced around, nothing appeared wrong, which led me to realize the unpleasant smell was coming from me; okay, maybe I hadn't showered in a few days.I rummaged through my closet and picked out a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. After that, I opened my dresser and chose some underwear. Embracing a gradual approach, I completed my outfit with fuzzy socks, opting for comfort above all today. Laying my chosen outfit on the bed, I grabbed a towel and made my way to the shower. The water hissed and sputtered as I turned on the tap. The steam curled up around the room, wrapping me in a comforting embrace.As I stepped into the shower, the hot water was a sharp contrast to the coldness that had settled into my bones over the past few days. Water cascaded over me, its soothing rhythm a backdrop to my troubled thoughts.I admit I had let my depression take over me, crippling me mentally for the past week? I am not even ce
Brock’s perspective:Darkness had encircled the pack since Stephanie brought chaos to an end with the war. A persistent shadow of dark gray clouds, with occasional thunderstorms, lingered over our pack, each storm an echo to Stephanie's tears.I had to reach her, to break through the pain that confined her to her room. Only Crystal and I could occasionally console her through her sobs; it was hardly a conversation.I asked Sapphire and Selena about her powers' origins, but they refused to reveal them. Stephanie stayed quiet, not even confiding in her best friend Linda.I juggled pack responsibilities and calls about Stephanie's well-being. It all became too much, as Stephanie had excelled as both co-alpha and was an outstanding Luna. I missed having her here to help run the pack.Sapphire had to resume her duties overseeing the secret, cursed pack, a curse her mother insisted on maintain
From Stephanie's Perspective:Selena and Sapphire rushed to my side, encircling me with a protective shield to safeguard those around me from the bursts of anger I seemed powerless to restrain. It was as though I was a living embodiment of the Fourth of July, with outbursts erupting repeatedly and without control.I saw the wolf-wizard rushing toward me, his face contorted with anger and bewilderment. Sapphire stepped in front of him, placing her hands on his chest to halt his advance. Despite being enclosed in my protective bubble, where I shouldn't have been able to hear them. I could catch snippets of their conversation.I watched Brock argue with the witches and the warlock; Linda joined the fray as well.Brock questioned Selena and Sapphire about what had transpired with me. Meanwhile, Linda shared my confusion. For some inexplicable reason, the warlock was under the impression that he was my biological fathe
Stephanie’s Perspective:I positioned myself to see both astral Brock and Vincent. It became clear Vincent didn't want to harm me; he was torn because he simply aimed to rescue his mate from Adrian. I empathized if Adrian had taken Brock, I'd go to great lengths to reclaim my mate."Vincent!" I shouted, struck by a plan to retrieve his mate without jeopardizing myself or upsetting Brock by using me as bait."Listen, I have an idea. We'll need Sapphire's assistance. Without another viable plan, we can't break through the barrier.Additionally, I've concealed a special gift from most. I don't want people to feel uncomfortable around me, thinking I am reading their mind twenty-four seven. Truthfully, the ability is sometimes annoying. I really don't want to know what people think. What I can do is establish a telepathic connection with almost anyone, except for pure humans. I'll use this ability to mentally inform Adrian tha