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
Stephanies Perspective:Brock embraced me before addressing the crowd once again through the microphone. "This evening has indeed been a whirlwind, echoing Alpha Stephanie's earlier words. However, I'd like to draw your attention to the presence of a Vampire among us—a rare ally. I expect everyone to accord him the same respect you'd show your own kin, or you'll answer to me. He joins us as part of a rebellion aiming to overthrow Yadiel, alongside many Vampires who've been wronged by their council's leader. Rest assured; he poses no hazard to our kind; our werewolf blood is toxic to him. Let's welcome our newest ally and extend him the courtesy we reserve for our friends."Brock’s perspective:The crowd falls silent, a testament to the pack's disdain for Vampires. Yet his alliance offers us an invaluable advantage. "Victor, please come forward and introduce yourself."Victor's hesitation was blatant as he rose, straightened his slacks with a s
Brock and I led the pack's run, wolves delighting in playful antics until the sudden appearance of two bucks transformed our frolic into an exhilarating group pursuit.The crisp, earthy scent of wet leaves and musky fur filled the air as the pack moved swiftly through the forest. The aroma of excitement and anticipation mingled with the hint of prey, signaling the shift from playful chase to a focused hunt.Our paws thudded rhythmically against the soft bed of the forest as Brock's voice rang out, deep and guttural, urging the pack onwards. "Focus! Drive them towards the ridge!"I felt my body respond to his command, my strong form cutting through the brush, a chorus of huffs and howls coloring the night. Moonlight speckled the ground, creating a mosaic of light and shadow into which our quarry darted desperately.A sharp report - a twig snapping underfoot - sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. The bucks, their antlers like crowns of the wild, hurtled towards a narrow brook that was
Stephanie’s Perspective:The moon shone brightly, an advantage for our wolves, whose power was enhanced beneath its glow. Agatha severed the mental tether connecting her, myself, and her sister Linda. United in purpose, the sisters prepared to rescue Marcella, our armed forces standing steadfast behind them.We set out under the shrouded mantle of night, our paws padding lightly across the forest floor. The further north we traveled, the colder the air became, nipping at our fur with invisible teeth. The moon was our ally tonight, its fullness casting the world in an eerie silver hue, empowering our lupine forms. I could feel the rhythmic pull, the power coursing through my veins, beckoning the wolf within to fight with feral intensity.The mind link was our lifeline, our means of silent communication as we closed in on Morgana's territory. I could sense the others, their determination a palpable force in the back of my mind. Agatha's presence was a cool t
Stephanie’s perspective: The warriors around Brock and I rallied, their eyes aflame with shared resolve. We were more than a pack; we were the embodiment of hope, the raw essence of our kind's undying will to persist against the darkness that sought to claim us. "Let's show her the power of the pack!" I roared, my voice carrying power that transcended the vocal and rang through the mind link. At my side, Brock howled, a war cry that spurred our wolves forward. Morgana, reflecting the full malice of her possessed form, launched a barrage of shadow spikes from her gesturing hands. Brock and I dodged the spikes embedding into a tree that withered on contact. Agatha and Linda continued their work, beads of sweat mingling with the mystical luminescence that surrounded their hands. The chains binding Marcella flickered, resisting the undoing spell. Every second was crucial—we needed to hold Morgana's attention. Focusing, I summoned the strength of my Alpha lineage. It was more than the
Stephanie’s Perspective:Morgana's absence lingered into the night, continuing beyond that. Two weeks have passed since our last clash, and still, she has not reappeared. Her prolonged silence leaves me uneasy—I do not trust her.Tonight, under Vincent's guidance, we will lead a squadron of pack warriors on a daring mission to rescue the females not yet sold by Yadiel and his vile associates. Subsequently, we will strategically employ explosives to eliminate their deserted warehouses.First, we'll throw tear gas through the building's vents, forcing everyone inside to evacuate. Then, wearing masks, we'll ensure any captives bound by the rogues are located and liberated.As dusk cloaked the sky, Brock and I clad our troops and us in camouflage, ready to merge with the night's shadows. We planned to journey partway by vehicle, stowing our attire within the cars that would trail us once we transformed into our wolfen shapes.Masked by the
Alpha Brock's Perspective:The dirt and grime of the alley pressed against me, but now was not the time to flinch at filth or fear. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, hot and insistent, like a river swelling after a storm. Brock nodded, the muscles in his jaw ticking with tension, an unspoken understanding passing between us. The mission parameters had changed. Save the captives, yes, but Marcella was one of our own—an irreplaceable link in our pack’s chain."Brock communicated with Stephanie through their shared mental bond. "The rogues have taken Marcella, but we've located the women."Acknowledging with a nod, Stephanie turned to me. "We need to evacuate the women first, then we'll rescue Marcella."Feeding a mind-link to the warrior responsible for locating the abducted women, I shot back, "Extract the women immediately! Is that possible?""Affirmative, Alpha," he responded. "We've subdued the majority of the rogues; just one remains, and he's fled with Marcella. He's likely usi
Stephanies’ Perspective:Brock had the indoor auditorium opened up that we often used for pack basketball games on rainy days. The auditorium was now filled with cots, blankets, pillows, tables of food, changes of clothing. Counselors and medical staff were also on hand to check out the once kidnapped women.Brock had already let the pack know to return to their homes, and if anyone wanted to help volunteer with the rescued women in the gym, it would be much appreciated. From my vantage point in the corner, my heart raced—a frantic caged creature desperate to escape. The gym, which usually resonated with the pounding cadence of basketballs and the sharp screech of sneakers, now served as a hallowed haven. Women with terror-tainted eyes dotted the cots, their grips on borrowed blankets as tight as their hold on the lifelines provided after enduring the tempest of their captivity.Brock, the Alpha of our pack and my true mate, wove through them with a tenderness that seemed at odds wit
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