"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
In the thicket of the bushes around Rolf's house, a chilling sight awaited discovery. A dead wolf lay among the tangled foliage, its lifeless form partially concealed by the dense growth. The wolf's sleek, dirty brown fur stood out against the green backdrop, its coat matted and stained with patches of dried blood.The creature's body was sprawled on the ground, limbs splayed awkwardly, as if it had fallen victim to an unseen force. Its once fierce gaze, now extinguished, stared emptily into the distance. The thick underbrush had provided some cover, but the wolf's presence was clearly revealed to anyone who stumbled upon it.Though motionless, the wolf's muscular frame hinted at its former strength and vitality. Its sturdy paws, now limp, were adorned with sharp, curved claws that had once allowed for swift and agile movement. A few tufts of fur clung to the gnarled branches that surrounded the lifeless creature, evidence of a struggle that had taken place within this hidden sanctuar
Brock's Perspective Tomorrow night is the annual ball for all Alphas and their mates, a mesmerizing event vibrating with energy and eager anticipation. It's always been a breathtaking symbol of unity and love for those with mates, a celebration that used to stir a twinge of longing in my heart for a mate of my own. For Alphas without a designated mate, they are allowed to bring a plus one. As I ready myself for the ball, I realized I had forgotten to ask Stephanie to be my date. Nervous but brimming with hope, I plan to ask her today. Being inexperienced in the art of courtship, I turned to my niece Melody for guidance. I've always been content with casual relationships, never truly investing the time or effort to connect with someone. But now, I'm resolute in changing that, starting, and ending with Stephanie. My reflection in the mirror raises a skeptical eyebrow as I run a hand through my hair for the umpteenth time. The suit looks sharp, but the guy inside of it. Let's just s
Janice’s PerspectiveTomorrow evening marks the grandeur of the Alpha's Annual Masquerade Ball, and within its spellbinding moments, I vow to reclaim Brock in my embrace. Clutched in my anticipation is the love potion endowed by the enigmatic witch, Sapphire. A sense of optimism and jubilation pulses through my veins as tomorrow night's possibilities unfold before me.Brock won't see it coming—the moment he sips the witch's potion, an irresistible urge to claim and desire me as his mate will consume him. I, not Stephanie, will stand by his side as his Luna. The anticipation is nearly unbearable; tomorrow night feels like an eternity away. Overwhelmed with joy, I collapsed onto my bed. Soon, I will be free of Alpha Yadiel, once and for all.Recently, I sensed the severance of my mate bond with Alpha Silverton; he must have finally come to terms with my rejection. Perhaps the relentless intimacy I
Stephanie's Point of View --In moments such as these, I yearn for the ability to establish a mind link with my mate. Unfortunately, my gift does not extend to him, though it works with others outside my pack.Melody ushered me to my room with urgency, compelling me to dress without delay. Once she had set me on my task, she retreated to her own quarters to dress herself. Her intention was to examine my appearance and assess my makeup application prior to our departure. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her fussiness. Yet, the endearing blend of peculiarity and charm she radiated made it impossible to deny her this.We would undoubtedly arrive at the Alpha ball in a fashionably late manner
Back one hour earlier--Pack warrior Jessup- “Dude! This is like who is drugging who? Did you ever see the game, someone would hide something under a cup and then mix up the cups so well you couldn’t tell which cup the hidden cup was in no longer?”Pack Warrior Ron- "It's maddening not being able to see their faces due to the masks. I'd really like to identify the key players involved in this situation."Jessup - "If I were at that table, I wouldn't dare drink or eat anything that was served to me. I've already warned Alpha Brock, and fortunately, no one has attempted to poison the Silverton's acting beta or his mate. Now, let's piece this together. Couple number one is quite suspicious. While everyone rose to dance, the Alpha stayed seated for the first song. He discreetly added something to both Alpha Brock's and Alpha Brock's mate's drinks. Meanwhile, the woman accompanying him returned from the restroom, and that Alpha rose to converse with another pair of Alphas across the room.
Janet’s perspective-Well, nothing is going according to my plan. I wanted to take out that feisty she-wolf Stephanie, but she ended up getting the love potion that was meant for Brock. And to make things even more chaotic, it turns out Yadiel has got a love potion too. Now he's gone and marked me without my consent, and I'm struggling to resist the strong pull that comes with being marked. As if that wasn't enough, my own wolf decided to mark Yadiel as well!I urgently need to find a witch to remove his mark. All I wanted was Brock, but now, thanks to the mark, he's fading from my thoughts faster than I can handle. Juggling a fuzzy mind and a body that seemed to have developed a new magnetic north—directly towards Yadiel—I stumbled my way through town. The aim was simple: Find Gertrude, the local witch, and pry this wolfy conundrum off my skin and soul.By evening, I stood in front of Gertrude's cottage, which was more of a chaotic jumble of herbs and wind chimes than a dwelling. The
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