Brock's Perspective:Stephanie was reluctant to leave me alone to contend with the rogue, well aware of the risk involved. Yet, the urgency to deliver her friend into the capable hands of our pack's healer superseded everything else. As for the rogue—I could handle him singlehandedly if need be.Suddenly, the super rogue's allies appeared to partake in our deadly dance, and I found myself locked in combat with three overly eager adversaries.Clutching at victory by a thread, I managed to hold my ground. Blows were exchanged, yet no matter how many limbs I severed, they sprouted anew as if I were battling undead rogues.A deafening bang in the distance threw me off my game; the direction from which it echoed was precisely where my gamma had been stranded. That fleeting moment of distraction afforded one of the rogues the perfect opportunity to land a vicious strike in my stomach area.I refused to be taken down without dragging a few rogues along. At that moment, I yearned for a blowto
Brock's Perspective:My devoted beta believed he had to completely restore me as I teetered on the brink of death. This exhaustive endeavor sapped all his vitality, and he collapsed, unconscious, upon me."Steph, I need to get Rylan off me," I pleaded. Stephanie understood, gently hoisting Rylan just enough to allow me to wriggle free. Springing to my feet, a rush of vitality coursed through me, a testament to Rylan's healing gift. I quickly relieved Stephanie, hoisting Rylan onto my shoulders with ease. It was as if Rylan had bestowed upon me a mystical elixir, transforming me into a super wolf. Fueled by this newfound power, I was ready to confront the Zombie Rogues head-on.My grin stretched from ear to ear, an absurdity given the chaos erupting in every corner of the pack's territory. Yet here I was, ensnared in a bizarre euphoria, a product of Rylan's magic. Stephanie's gaze landed on me with a mixture of concern and bewilderment, no doubt pondering whether a head injury from my
From Stephanie's Perspective:Brock's demeanor had shifted, no longer recognizable. My mind buzzed with inquiries for him, but even bathed in an infuriatingly euphoric haze, I found myself longing for his gruff company. Grumpiness was far easier to navigate than this facade of blissful ignorance amidst chaos. I braced myself to unleash my inner Alpha.I knew better than to protest as Brock threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes; his mind wasn’t his own at that moment.Bolting out the hospital’s back door, each leap over a log sent jolts through me, as though racing over a speed bump at high velocity. With only his ironclad grip keeping me aloft, I could almost feel the impending thud of my body hitting the ground.Brock set me on my feet, his voice extraordinarily cheerful as he declared, "Come on, follow me."This part of the pack territory was unfamiliar to me. Before us stood an ancient three-story edifice, its facade bearing the improbable sign "Maintenance Closet." A
Stephanie’s Perception:Linda rose to her feet. As I captivated Eldwyna with a trick, Linda swiftly recomposed herself and ensnared Eldwyna in an enigmatic slumber.The blast Linda unleashed towards the witch recoiled, sending her tumbling onto her backside. Despite the perils of war surrounding us, I couldn't contain my laughter at my friend's expense.Linda flashed me a triumphant grin, savoring our victory against the vexingly powerful witch. Through our mental bond, she conveyed her plan, "Steph, I'll transport her to the dungeons and incarcerate her in a cell designed to nullify her magic." I acknowledged with a sharp nod, swiftly descending from the tree's embrace to rejoin Brock, standing shoulder to shoulder as we faced the onslaught of renegade zombies.Linda vanished into the abyss, dragging the witch into the depths of night before plunging into the shadowy dungeons beneath the packhouse.Brock advanced toward Morgana, the possessor of Yadiel's body, her form eerily suspend
Stephanies Perception: I reached out to Linda with a psychic tether, informing her that the immediate conflict had ceased, but Morgana remained at large."Stephi," Linda responded, "I must visit the pack hospital to attend to my mate." I nodded via the mind-link, signaling my approval. "Excellent, and afterward, we'll convene to refine our combat tactics. It's essential for you and your mate to be versed in defensive arts, to stand against virtually any adversary. Should you reunite with his lost pack, as Alpha and Luna, your duty is to safeguard them. A formidable confrontation with Morgana looms on the horizon; we must be ready."Breathing deeply, I sensed the feint scents of pine and wet earth mingling with the sharp tang of spilled blood. It was a stark reminder that even in the seemingly peaceful warmth of our pack lands, danger was never far. Morgana, a rogue witch with a vendetta against our kind, had struck at the heart of our pack and yet eluded capture. My fingers twitched,
Stephanies Perception:Vincent straightened to his full height, a show of respect despite his restrained position. "I come on behalf of a splintered faction within the Vampire Council, I am the youngest prince of the Vampires" he began, his voice carrying the rasp of centuries. "Morgana has made enemies of us all, and my group wishes to join forces with your pack to bring her reign of terror to an end."Brock's distrust seemed to evaporate slightly, replaced by a strategic gleam in his eye. "What do you offer?" he asked, pressing for details as he circled his desk to take a seat, signaling me to sit beside him in a show of unity.Vincent's lips thinned, a sign of his seriousness. "We have knowledge of her whereabouts and her sinister plans," Vincent revealed, his eyes glinting like polished onyx in the dim light of the office. "Her next move will be to call forth the Harrowing, a band of spectral creatures that feed on the spirit of your kind. If she succeeds, not even the Moon Goddes
Stephanie's Perception:Brock and I took our places at the podium, side by side upon the stage. A collective swoon rippled through the female audience, entranced by the vampire's allure. In stark contrast, the men shot venomous glares at Vincent, their disdain for his vampiric nature palpable.I noticed then that Vincent was exuding a mysterious pheromone, one that bewitched only the unmated women in the room. The mystery behind my draw to Vincent became clear.As Brock clasped my hand, I let him, much to my own surprise. The barriers I had erected against him—and all men—had crumbled quietly away, like an ancient bridge succumbing to time and the elements. This shift occurred gradually, as I observed his devoted care for his pack, his willingness to risk his life for them, and his efforts to honor my desire for equality, which was challenging for him as a male werewolf. I never opposed the role of being a Luna per se, just the outdated notions that clung to the title.Indeed, while w
Stephanie's Perception:As I stumbled outside, my knees buckled, and I fought for breath. No wolf suffers from asthma or heart failure. Yet, here I was, drenched in sweat, my heart racing, the world spinning, my stomach churning with the urge to vomit.Brock must be beside himself, mistaking this for rejection — and the pack, what must they think? My anxiety spiked, bringing the nausea closer to the surface. This was not me.My family formed a protective circle around me. We sat in heavy silence until Linda pierced our circle, settling in front of me with a look of concern. My eyes met hers, and I knew I must've been as pale as the panic I felt inside.My father excused himself, saying he needed to assist Brock at the podium, while Stephanie flicked her finger against my forehead. Annoyance and anger began to surge within me, unexpectedly overshadowing my prior emotions.Linda's chuckle reverberated softly in the tense silence. "Did that help?" she said, her eyes alight with a mischi
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