*** Luna Nailo’s POVThere was nothing around me—not even dead dandelions to scrounge for roots, no food to be found. If I couldn’t feed my body, perhaps I could feed my soul.As I wandered further, I began to suspect I had passed beyond the borders of the Regional realm. The white pines had begun to tower above me, their imposing presence a sign I had ventured out of the prince's territory. These trees were not native to the Regional areas, yet they stood here, sacred and beautiful, as if guarding the land itself.It had been so long since I had walked beneath their majestic branches that I felt compelled to honor them. These pines, ancient and wise, had stood sentinel over the land for centuries. Their presence was a reminder of all that had been lost and all that still needed protection. I owed them respect—no, more than that, I owed them my devotion.I knelt beneath the largest of the pines, an elder among giants, and prostrated myself before it. The earth was cold beneath my skin,
*** Eamon’s POVI had no intention of pushing Liliana's control any further tonight, though it was tempting to keep her teetering on the edge just a little longer. The long, lonely years had twisted me a bit like that, turning my need for connection into something slightly sadistic.But I’m working on it.Instead, I treated her to some vanilla love for the rest of our evening until we were both too exhausted to move. The intensity of our earlier connection had drained us, leaving only a tender warmth between us.I think she was halfway to sleep when she reached her last orgasm, her body completely relaxed as she let go. Fenri curled up in the corner of my mind, thoroughly satisfied with himself.The night had taken its toll on both of us—Liliana, physically, and me, emotionally. I wasn't afraid to admit that her awakening had stirred things in me I hadn’t felt in centuries. Over two hundred years had passed since I lost my first mate, and I couldn't help but marvel at the improbability
*** Liliana's POVI was startled awake by a buzzing sound, the kind that drags you from the depths of sleep whether you’re ready or not. Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I squinted against the light from the screen.——— > Don’t leave the apartment.Well, that’s a little cryptic for the morning, I thought, frowning at the message. Eamon. He’d left again before I woke up, and a pang of irritation twisted in my chest. Was this how it was going to be? Long nights together followed by longer days spent apart, with only mysterious messages to hold me over?——— > Tonight we’ll talk.I sighed, setting the phone down beside me. There it was—confirmation that the pattern might continue. I glanced across my studio apartment, my eyes landing on the gaping hole in the sheetrock and the bent wood in the doorframe. A sh
*** Liliana’s POVI regretted coming as soon as I got here. 2 hours later and I my endurance was spent.“I’m taking off,” I tell Lisa, trying to mask my discomfort with a casual tone. She smirks knowingly, her eyes flicking toward Ryan, who was in mid-conversation across the yard.“Guess Ryan was chatting you up again,” she notes, not hiding her amusement. Lisa always invites Ryan to her summer BBQs—they’ve been friends forever—and she’s decided that my grieving period should be over. For the past couple of months, she’s been subtly trying to play matchmaker, convinced that Ryan and I would make a perfect couple.“He’s sweet,” Lisa presses, her tone suggesting she’s thought this through far too much. “You could give him a chance, Lil.”I force a smile. “I have a date,” I say, trying to sound firm. Lisa eyes me suspiciously, sensing my reluctance to engage.“Oh really?” she teases. “And if you’re talking about ‘Glenda Jackson,’ she doesn’t count.” She knows I haven’t dated anyone since
*** Kirk’s POVI watched as the little Honda zipped away, weaving through the sea of sleek luxury vehicles parked up and down the block for Elirisha Ravenshade’s party. That tiny car seemed so out of place, like a kid sneaking into a private club where they didn’t belong. The stark contrast caught my attention, but only briefly. My mind had more pressing matters to focus on.“She’s kinda cute for her age,” Grimnir, my wolf, observed, his voice echoing in the back of my mind.“Whatever,” I muttered, keeping my attention on the rest of the gathering. Grimnir wasn’t wrong, Liliana had a certain look to her, but there was no time for distractions. Eamon had already chimed in about his observations, she wasn’t of interest to us. I had a job to do, and a possible new lead was about to unfold right
*** Red’s POVI could feel him the moment I stepped away from the party. His presence was unmistakable, like a shadow lingering just at the edge of my awareness. They were watching, of course. It wasn’t a surprise—Elirisha Ravenshade wasn’t the kind of woman to hold a casual BBQ without attracting attention. The authorities had been keeping tabs on her businesses for a while now, and it was only a matter of time before they started looking closer at her inner circle.Still, the wolf tailing me was persistent. His energy clung to the air behind me like a bad cologne, following me through the streets as I made my way to the brewery. I could have lost him easily, but there was no time for games. My task was urgent, and if push came to shove, I was confident I could dispose of him without breaking a sweat.
*** Red’s POV“He’s not as dumb as he looked,” my wolf, Nyx, noted dryly, her voice dripping with reluctant acknowledgement. The wolf tailing us hadn’t been thrown off by our diversion tactics, even if he lumbered along like an ogre.“He is kinda hot though”, Nyx added.“Thank you, Captain Obvious,” I muttered, trying to stay focused. It sounded like a beast was on our trail, clumsy and very un-wolf-like. If he were trying to stay hidden, he wasn’t doing a great job of it.“I’ll be sure to let Dawn know how much you love her gift of ShadowSense,” I teased.Nyx huffed in response, sulking in the back of my mind.I rolled my eyes.Nyx loved to take credit for all the rune-granted abilities like they were her own natural talents. It was exhausting sometimes. I wasn’t in the mood to coddle her ego today, especially when we were being followed.These woods weren’t dense enough to lose a seasoned tracker, and they didn’t stretch on for very long. Still, they emptied out into a busy and, more
*** Lisa’s POV ***“Smells good in here, Lisa.” Riona's voice cut through the lively hum of conversation as she strolled up to where I stood. “Some good people watching, too.”“As subtle as ever,” I teased, glancing around at the mix of guests mingling in the garden, fully aware that Riona was keeping an ear on the uninvited guests lurking just beyond my property.She had always had a way of zeroing in on what really mattered while making it seem like she wasn’t paying attention at all. But today, her usual easygoing nature was tempered by a tension I hadn’t seen in a long while.“Her awakening was unexpected,” Riona said quietly, her voice lowering as she glanced away from the crowd. “I’m worried for her.”