From Stephanie’s viewpoint:
Brock and I arranged Daniel’s return to confinement, strengthening the watch with fresh guards. Our scrutiny of the security footage unveiled an anomaly; an exchange under the pretense of an early breakfast relief allowed a complicit guard to release Daniel.
Summoning the guard, which had been swapped out at dawn for his early breakfast, we inquired about the identity of his replacement. An affirmative nod sealed the suspicion—it was Lionel Johnson. However, pursuing Lionel's trail led us to an unsettling silence; he had vanished into the thin morning air.
What troubled me was that, in my dream, I found myself in wolf form. Given my advanced pregnancy, transforming into a wolf could be harmful to my unborn children. This fear weighed on me: what would the coming night hold?
Brock and I were at a video conference with King Thorne, having employed advanced technology to create holo
Stephanie's Perspective: I stepped beyond the threshold, the corridor sprawling before me like a serpent of stone and torchlight, its flickering shadows concealing secrets and, perhaps, traitors. Mikhail stood sentry-like at the far end—a brooding figure, his aura both menacing and reassuring. "Ready, Mikhail?" My voice was a beacon in the dimness. We will be leaving as night sets. He nodded, a gleam in his eye reflecting the torch’s fire. "For you, Alpha Stephanie, always." The castle’s chill seeped through the walls, whispering omens that tonight would be a night of reckoning. In my core, the twins stirred, as if restless with foreboding. Gripping my resolve like the handle of a sword, the sound of my footsteps echoed out of sync with the quick pounding of my heart. I made my way to Selena's room in the heart of our packhouse, a space she shared with her mate, Alpha Jackson. Before
Stephanie’s Perspective:The blood moon was now full high in the sky, leaving an eerie aura shining through the branches of the trees above us.The blood moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow through the treetop branches.I observed Selena lean to whisper to Daphne, "Daphne, do you remember the layout you saw inside? It would help if I read your thoughts. I need visual images to transport us there." She then turned to address me directly."Stephanie, I didn't mean to undermine or anger you. I want you to stand guard for us out here. Given your ability to mind link with werewolves, even those outside our pack, I need you to keep watch." Understanding the necessity, I sighed and nodded my agreement.A cheerful light bathed the forest as the blood moon commanded the sky, daring any creature to stir beneath its watch. I stood vigil, the silent guardian of the night, while the others prepared for
Stephanie's Perspective:Gulping down the fear that threatened to choke me, I surged forward into the cabin's orifice with a desperate leap. The door groaned on its hinges as it swung shut behind me, as if the shadowy insides of the shelter were swallowing me whole.There was no time for my eyes to adjust to the pitch-black interior; I could hear the creature's loathsome mumblings just outside, its hunger an intense force trying to penetrate my refuge. Fumbling blindly, I bumped into a table strewn with the remnants of human habitation—dusty bottles, tattered clothes, and the brittle bones of forgotten rodents. I knocked the debris aside, searching frantically for a weapon or tool, anything that could serve as a defense.My paws, though they ached with a human yearning for the dexterity of my hands, moved with swift certainty. In this form, I was not only safer but could battle with a grace and agility that my human form could n
Brock's perspective:A gnawing sense in the pit of my stomach told me there were traitors lurking in our midst, their identities shrouded in shadows. Whoever it was, I suspected they had succumbed under the crushing weight of a dire ultimatum—a loved one's life dangling like a puppet on a string. The thought sent a shiver down my spine; if Stephanie were the one held captive, could I honestly say I wouldn't crumble and betray everything I stood for?As the Alphas huddled around the findings, I'd laid bare, igniting a flurry of discussion, chaos erupted. A fire blazed to life somewhere in the confines of the cabin, scattering our plans as the staff scrambled to douse the flames. Guided by the sincere Omega's attentiveness, we ventured into the clearing adjacent to the trees, a refuge promised in the grip of the forest's edge.From a detached vantage point, I stood silent, my gaze sweeping over the mayhem. A sense of foreboding co
Stephanie’s Perspective: Daphne's piercing eyes met mine with an intensity that matched the contractions gripping me. "Stephanie, remember the stories of courage our families have told us as mere pups," she urged. "Use those stories power now." Whispers of my parents' stories filled my mind, recounting stories of endurance and love. These stories were as much a part of me as my wolf's DNA. My heart boomed, mirroring the rhythm of my heritage, fusing a werewolf's determination with a mother's fierce protection. I was not going to let my babies die due to being born too early. The pack doctors managed to administer the IV medications. My labor pains began to ease. I hoped my babies wouldn't arrive prematurely. I was relieved when the labor pains stopped. I could finally breathe easily and think straight. The doctor smiled at me and said, "That was a close one, Luna." I felt a slight twinge at the title 'Luna' but quickly shook it off, reminding myself that I am both an Alpha and a
Stephanie’s Perspective:I had just finished my letter to Brock when a roar like thunder startled us. Dahlia and I rushed to the balcony and saw my brother Jeremy and his mate arriving on dragons.The balcony shuddered beneath our feet as the great beasts descended from the roiling clouds above, their scales shimmering like a thousand eyes in the fading light. My breath caught in my chest, equal parts awe and fear gripping me.Even though the moon was the night's sole source of light, the dragons' golden scales illuminated the sky.Every dragon that descended upon the practice field transformed into their human shape, mirroring the strong, toned physique of a wolf but with much taller physique in both their human and draconic forms. Unlike the wolves, however, these dragons shifted without the humiliation of nakedness; they emerged fully clothed. I couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy at their convenience. After my own shifts, I always had to fish my clothes from a hollowed tree, ro
Linda’s Perspective:Marcellus relentlessly drills me in how to master control over Edna, my prophetic guide, teaching me to summon my visionary powers at will.In truth, he's an excruciating thorn in my side—unceasingly business, lacking any concept of fun.Frankly, he's a pain in my backside, with his constant focus on work and no fun. I once added mustard to his orange juice, and when he wrinkled his nose, I burst into laughter. He thought the juice had gone bad. Unfortunately, he didn't appreciate the joke, and as punishment for my "Impish Behavior," he extended my study hours.Occasionally, I steal a glance at my mate, on the sofa inside the office of Marcellus with us in clear view on the balcony just outside—devotedly reluctant to leave my side. The warmth in my heart increases, knowing how deeply he cares, despite the numerous pranks I've played, endlessly testing his patience.Marcellus interrupted my daydreaming, trying to get my attention. I turned to face him, knowing it w
Linda’s Perspective:Amid the chaos, a new vision seized me. I stood among Brock's pack as it became surrounded by an alliance of rogues, vampires, and ghastly beings resembling death itself. Adrian's voice pierced the uproar, commanding his forces to encircle the pack entirely. Their objective was clear: capture Brock's Luna to cripple Brock by striking at his heart.Brock commanded profound respect from most packs, who would follow him into the dark without hesitation—his leadership marked by honor and integrity. This revelation was urgent. I needed to race to the pack with this warning; Adrian's forces had them surrounded without their knowledge.Emerging from my trance, I noticed my mate, exhausted from channeling his healing powers to bring the King and Brock back from death's doorway. He needed to come with me; my mate's strength was depleted.Now that two witches and a warlock had joined the fig