Brock’s perspective- I stood there, agape, grappling with the revelation—Yadiel has a sister. The question blazed through my thoughts: who could she be? I showed the bewildering text message to Stephanie; it was crucial we uncover the identity of Yadiel’s kin. The notion that she could be anyone, possibly even a member of my own pack, sent a cold ripple of unease through me. Our ignorance about Yadiel's lineage could spell hidden threats, infiltrators mingling undetected among us. Stephanie's face was a canvas of shock, marred by nuances of emotion I couldn't decipher. "We must question this rogue," I declared to my men with a commanding tone. That's when the tears erupted, and Stephanie’s sister crumbled to the floor. She clutched at my trousers with desperate hands, imploring me not to harm "her Adrien," as she tearfully called Yadiel's associate. With a sigh and an involuntary roll of my eyes, I hoisted the rogue to his feet. I offered her a strained promise: I would endeavor to
Crystals Perspective -In the brittle silence of realization, a truth gutted my soul—Adrian had manipulated me, wielded me like some inconsequential piece in a treacherous chess game. I was just leverage, a means to reclaim his kin from Yadiel's vengeful grasp. And Yadiel? He, too, had his pawns, bending Adrian's will with the chains of family ties.I peered up at Adrian through a sheen of tears. He reached out tenderly, thumb skating across my skin in a misguided attempt to soothe. But the warmth of his touch was a betrayal, fueling a firestorm of abhorrence within my chest. I slapped his hand away, the sting of skin against skin echoing my brewing tempest of fury. I couldn't bear the weight of his gaze. I couldn't drown in the depths of his eyes, not when they mirrored my wretched disillusionment.Choked by an oppressive air, I surged to my feet, fleeing from that scene of emotional wreckage, away from the man who had cracked my world open. I sought sanc
Stephanies perspective: We demanded almost everyone to leave, except for family and mates. My father seethed with anger as the mates stayed, but my mother calmed him with a single touch on his arm, perhaps using her telepathic abilities. A heavy silence hung in the air, as my mother's action diffused the tension. Disappointment etched on my face, but I had no right to judge. Although it was shocking and deeply upsetting. Finally, my father broke the silence, his voice brimming with fury, "What is Brock doing here, and why is he involved in our family affairs?" I slammed my fist on the table, fury coursing through my veins,
Stephanies Perspective-My mother's lips parted, ready to offer her narrative, but with a tender gesture, my father interrupted. His fingers brushed her arm, an unspoken plea for patience. "Darling, let me go first," he softly implored, locking eyes with hers, "since my choices are the ones that paved this unforeseen path—the path that brought Crystal into our world."I watched as my father's eyes shimmered with a melancholic blend of sorrow and remorse, shadows of a guilt that must have been his silent companion for sixteen long years.My father reclaimed his seat beside my mother, his eyes cast downward, heavy with unshed tears. I watched in somber silence as one slowly escaped, tracing a glistening path down his cheek. My mother's own eyes brimmed
Yadiel’s perspective:Looking out my window, I am greeted by a vibrant scene of autumn splendor. The leaves, in their various shades of red, orange, and yellow, dance gracefully in the gentle breeze. They rustle and sway, creating a mesmerizing display of colors against the backdrop of the clear blue sky. The branches of the trees, once lush with green foliage, now showcase a mosaic of hues, painting a picture of nature's transition.As I peer through the glass pane, the movement of the leaves grabs my attention, drawing my eyes to their delicate and intricate patterns. They flutter and twirl, seemingly floating in midair before they softly land on the ground below. Each leaf, adorned with its unique design, contributes to the tapestry of autumn that unfolds before me.The changing leaves evoke a sense of impermanence, a reminder that nothing remains stagnant, neither in nature nor in life. The sight outside my window reflects the turmoil within my own tho
Adrian’s perspective:Yadiel doesn’t understand that Crystal is my true mate. I won't leave her alone here to take my sister home. I must stay and protect Crystal and find a way to get my sister to safety, far from Yadiel’s reach. I'm not sure how to do that, though. His home is a fortress, with vast grounds under his watchful eyes for a hundred miles. The scars on my sister’s arms are visible, and as I plan to escape with my mate and sister, I’m also mapping out a plan to return and end Yadiel’s hold on weaker wolves. His henchmen will soon draw their last breath.I surveyed the fortress from the shadows, my heart echoing against my ribs in a furious rhythm. They say a werewolf's senses are unparalleled, but fear has a scent all its own, and it was thick in the air tonight. Crystal's hand found mine, her touch both a comfort and a sharp reminder of the stakes. It was reckless, seeking her out under Yadiel's watchful gaze, but the fierce pull of the mate bond didn't care for logic or
(Magana)Yadiel’s mothers perception:Entering the dining room, I stand before a grand oak table that could easily accommodate fifty guests, if we were ever to host such a large gathering. Janice is seated to the right of my son, exactly where she belongs as his mate.I can't bring myself to break their bond, so I lied about the possibility of severing it. I refuse to let him pursue those pure-blood females, having endured enough of their father's pursuit of such women. Everyone believes that Alpha Simmons was responsible for his death - and while that may be partly true, I must confess that I weakened my mate with a potion, ensuring he would be easily defeated. I couldn't bear the pain of his infidelities any longer.My gaze roamed the table, and I could feel the fury brewing deep within me as I locked eyes with her. Another reminder of my dead mates continual affairs with other she wolves, sitting here as a pawn in my son's intricate game. I refused to dwell on her presence for long.
Crystal’s point of view: I jolted awake in my own bed, but something was off – I couldn't remember the past few days. It felt like there was something important that I was supposed to recall, but it evaded my grasp no matter how desperately I tried.I swung my feet over the edge of my bed and sent a mind-link to one of my friends, feeling like I needed to go out. I've been stuck in this room of mine for far too long ever since I was kidnapped. But for the life of me, I can't figure out who kidnapped me. No matter, I've been trained to fight, and I need to have some fun. My parents can't keep me prisoner forever.Crystal's voice, tense and teetering on hysteria, pierced the stillness, joltin
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