Amara’s POVA painful, relentless pain tore through me. I suppressed my scream by biting my lip. I had to keep Viktor's men from hearing me. I wouldn't be caught now that I'd come this far.My entire body shook as I gripped my stomach. In the shadows, my back was forced up against a tree's rough bark. The fire inside of me remained unabated despite the chilly night air.With fear, I inhaled. I can do this.However, my eyesight became blurry as another contraction struck.As I struggled to remain conscious, sweat trickled down my brow. My child was on the way.I tried to steady myself by digging my fingers into the ground. The forest was illuminated by silvery light from the full and beautiful moon above me.Wait, young one.Nearby, footsteps crunched. My heart was racing.They were near.I covered my mouth with my palm and forced myself to remain silent. Even though my entire body shook, I was unable to let them locate me.Not right now.Not when freedom was so near.DariusI stumbled
Amara’s POVPain. I felt that and nothing else.The noises of steel clashing, wolves growling, and wounded people screaming were all audible, even though my body was too weak and my vision was blurry.There was a struggle going on.Darius engaged Viktor's forces in combat with his warriors. The harsh, metallic sting of death blended with the smell of blood.My limbs resisted my attempts to move. My body was spent by labor, and I was too tired. My darling... My baby felt warm and delicate in my arms.I have to keep my baby safe.Beside me, a fighter collapsed, his dead eyes gazing up at the starry sky. My chest was being clawed by fear as my stomach twisted.With a roar, Darius's wolf form mercilessly tore through Viktor's troops. He was stronger, quicker, and driven by a deeper emotion, such as despair or wrath."Go ahead!" Viktor's voice was heard. "Death to them all! Bring the kid to me!I felt dread. He had no intention of stopping. He refused to stop.Viktor and Darius collided vi
Amara’s POVPain.It was the first thing I felt as I stirred awake. My body ached, my limbs heavy as if I had been crushed under a mountain. A faint ache pulsed in my mind.Slowly, I opened my eyes.The chamber was dimly lit, the aroma of plants strong in the air. Beneath me, a warm blanket covered my frail body like a nice mattress.Where am I?My chest began to flame with panic. As memories of the war swept over me, my heart raced.Viktor. The battle. My infant—I sat up too abruptly and gasped. I winced as a piercing ache went through my side."Careful," said a deep voice.I turned, gasping for air.Darius.His eyes were filled with something I couldn't quite identify—relief, tiredness, guilt?—as he sat next to the bed.I took a deep breath. "Where is my child..." My terror was hardly contained as I said in a whisper.Darius grabbed something at his side. Then I caught sight of him.My darling.His small body was safely cradled in Darius's arms, encased in a heavy fabric. His gentl
Amara’s POVI could no longer afford to be weak.Something inside of me altered the instant I learned that Viktor was still alive.I had run, hid, and waited for someone to help me all my life. Now, though, I had a victim to defend. My kid. And Viktor could never take him away from me.For that reason, I stood with my hands balled into fists and my body rigid in the chilly morning air."Once more," Darius ordered.I clenched my jaw and concentrated. Whatever my powers were, they had always been erratic and crazy. They were scorching beneath my skin, and I could feel them inside. However, I had never mastered their use.I had to now.I focused and closed my eyes. Around me, the wind increased, causing the trees to tremble. Hot, strong energy throbbed through my veins.Hurry up.I tried to let it go by thrusting my hands forward.Nothing took place.I said a curse to myself.
Amara’s POVAs I stood on the battlefield's edge, my heart was beating like a drum. The smell of conflict filled the air as the wind howled.Warriors were waiting behind me. They were ready to fight, the Moonshade Pack.Were we prepared to confront him, though?With his golden eyes searching the horizon, Darius stood next to me, his mouth tensed. His hands were balled into fists, his muscles taut."He's on his way," he whispered.I was aware of that beforehand.I sensed it.Viktor.I shuddered at the name alone.I put my lips to my child's forehead and held him close. His heartbeat was quick, and his small body was warm.I said, "I won't let him take you."I wouldn't allow him to prevail.Darius faced his soldiers. We are fighting for our home tonight. For the future. Together, we stand!The air was filled with a chorus of howls.My heart tightened.It was this.The war was going to start.Silence dragged into the moment.Then—A piercing scream pierced the darkness.One of our guards
My entire body hurt. As I forced my eyes open, every muscle screamed in anguish.Everything around me was in disarray. There was a strong smell of blood as the warriors cried. Then I noticed it.The beast.With its ebony skin throbbing with unearthly energy, it loomed over the soldiers. Bodies were tossed aside as though they were nothing as its claws tore through them like paper.I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt heavy as I gasped. Feeble. I didn't understand how exhausted I was from the attack."Amara!"Through the chaos, Darius' voice could be heard. He was engaged in combat, dodging the beast's lethal blows with his blade flashing. However, it was insufficient.Nothing was sufficient.Trying to stabilize myself, I grabbed my side as I stumbled to my feet. The monster's head jerked in my direction as soon as I moved.With an intelligence that chilled my spine, its eyes, if they could even be called that, gleamed a spooky red and were fixed on me.It was more than a thoug
Amara’s POVMy heart was racing as I lurched forward, gasping for air.I was enveloped by darkness. It swallowed everything as it stretched in all directions.Then all of a sudden I wasn't by myself.A whisper—a voice so familiar yet so far away—came with the dim light that flickered ahead."Amara… help us…"My blood became icy. That voice seemed familiar to me."Darius?" My voice was trembling as I called.Desperate, I sprinted toward the light, my legs hurting with each stride. Thick and oppressive, the darkness fought me, but I persisted.Then I caught sight of them.Human bodies. All over the place.My breath caught. As I stepped closer, my hands shook.No.I knew who they were.Darius. My fighters. My people. Every one of them had died.I let forth a scream that tore from my throat.This isn't true!I shook my head and forced my eyes shut. Viktor was responsible for this. It must have been. However, everything seemed so real—the cold wind against my skin, the smell of blood, and
Amara’s POVI struggled against the darkness that was weighing me down, clenching my fists and digging my nails into my palms. The delusion was powerful, seeking to convince me to give in by whispering falsehoods into my ears."You lack strength. You're by yourself."No one is coming for you."I didn't believe it, though.I closed my eyes and concentrated on my child, the one thing that Viktor was unable to take away from me.A tiny, fragile memory came to mind.Tiny fingers were clutching mine. A quiet laugh. The warmth of affection.My eyes filled with tears. I refused to be overcome by this gloom. I had to struggle.With his silver mist swirling about him, the enigmatic figure took a step closer. He spoke calmly yet firmly."Amara, Viktor is after more than just you. He desires to rule over every wolf group.I gasped. "What?""He has been preparing for years," the presence added. Your pain is just a part of his scheme. He will take control of the whole werewolf realm if you don't s
Amara’s POVThe night was filled with screams. As the attack started, the air was mingled with the smell of burning wood and blood. With their red eyes gleaming in the darkness, Lilith's army charged into the settlement."Keep the pack safe!" I yelled, my voice barely audible above the commotion.The warriors confronted the assailants. Shadows curled about us, growls reverberated through the air, and claws fought. Lilith's wolves were abnormal; their bodies went in and out of the darkness at an odd pace.Darius was already tearing through the opponents in his wolf form. Beside him, Callum swung his teeth in a savage snarl. My people were fighting and dying everywhere I looked.Then I spotted her through the flames.Lilith's ruby eyes glowed with laughter as she stood composedly amid the devastation. She was only observing her monsters tearing up my pack without doing anything yet.A chilly fury blazed within me. I couldn't allow her to prevail.I sprang at the closest foe, avoiding th
Amara’s POVI stood motionless at the edge of the pack's area, staring at the person in front of me while the wind howled through the trees. Lilith.She didn't resemble Viktor at all. She was something far worse than a monster, propelled by darkness that even he had never conquered, but his creation. With a terrifying smile, her piercing red eyes met mine, and her long jet-black hair seemed to float weightlessly.She tilted her head and purred, "Amara, you look weaker than I expected." Not my father's loss to the powerful tiny wolf. You no longer even possess your magic, do you?I balled my fists up. I would not allow her to see how afraid I am. "Lilith, what do you want?"A sneer formed on her lips. "Retaliation."Naturally."But I'm feeling giving today," she added, taking her time walking. "Give yourself one hour. An hour to get ready. Do anything you want: run, hide, or fight. I'll destroy everything you hold dear when I get back.My chest ached sharply from what she said. An hour
Amara’s POVTension, the kind that made my skin prickle, was heavy in the air. After only a brief period of tranquillity, the Moonshine Pack felt uneasy tonight.I couldn't get rid of the uneasiness that was creeping into my bones as I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Things had been altered since the ritual. I had lost my magic. I had broken free from Viktor's curse and saved my pack, but at what price?The window was rocked by a sudden burst of wind.With my heart racing, I sat up. There was something out there.Darius woke up next to me. He put his arm around my waist for protection, but as soon as I moved, he awoke, his instincts as keen as ever. "Amara?" he said in a sleepy voice. "What’s wrong?"Not wanting to come out as suspicious, I paused. I said, "I… don’t know," "Something doesn’t feel right."Darius rubbed a hand across his face and sighed. "You're worn out. You must get some rest.However, I was aware of this emotion. Before every strike, before every battle that ha
Amara’s POVI felt uneasy when I opened my eyes. I felt as though there was a void inside of me where my magic formerly was. I sat up, feeling the comforting warmth of my strength deep within myself, my fingers shaking. Nothing. A cold panic took hold of me. My breathing became laboured."Darius," I said, my voice hardly coherent. "Something’s wrong."In a moment, Darius was by my side, his golden eyes full of worry. "What is it?"I forcefully gulped, attempting once more to conjure up even a glimmer of strength. Nothing has changed. My chest constricted. "I can’t feel my magic," I said quietly, my voice cracking.His hands encircled me. He tried to reassure me, saying, "Maybe you're just weak from the ritual." "You were worn down by it. Allow time.I gave a headshake. "Darius, no. It is no longer there. I sense it. As if something had been torn from me." With the dread gnawing at my throat, I raised my voice a little. "Now how can I keep them safe? "How do I fight?"Darius drew me in
Amara’s POVDarkness enveloped me like a shroud of oppression.You could hear Viktor's voice everywhere. Whispering. Taunting. Drawing me farther into the emptiness."Amara, let go. Give up fighting.I wanted to scream, but the sound was drowned out by the darkness. My thoughts were slow and my body felt heavy.Perhaps he was correct. Perhaps this was my destiny.No more suffering. No more battling.Simply put, peace.But something spoke out to me from deep within. This isn't true. Return the fight!I made my feet move by clenching my fists.I wouldn't allow Viktor to prevail."You don’t control me," I clenched my teeth and said.Viktor's laugh reverberated across the silence. "Don’t I?"My arms were encircled by the twisting tendrils of the shadows, which pulled me below. I let out a cry as my strength was drained by the cold seeping into my flesh."You’re already mine, Amara." Viktor had a smooth, assured voice. "You just don’t realize it yet."I fought the darkness, but it pulled m
Amara’s POVThe air was heavy with the aroma of burning plants, and the shaman's tent was barely illuminated. As I watched him set up the ceremony, my hands shook. The only thing preventing me from running was Darius's proximity.My chest began to feel heavy with the impending event.It was this.Either I prevailed, or I permanently lost myself.A circle of luminous stones, each pulsing with energy, was spread forth by the shaman. He spoke in a language I couldn't understand and moved slowly and deliberately. Then his piercing eyes met mine as he raised his head.He remarked, "You must be sure," "Once we begin, there is no turning back."I took a deep breath. "I know."After examining me for a while, he nodded. "Viktor's darkness will be removed from you by this ritual, but it won't be kind. You have to struggle to stay alive.I balled my fists up. "And if I’m not strong enough?"The shaman's face grew serious. "You'll be lost after that. Forever.Beside me, Darius tensed up. "That wo
Amara’s POVHis words reverberated in my head as I remained motionless in the shaman's house."You must destroy the part of yourself that carries his power."My skills are gone.It was like a massive stone pressing down on me. What would I do if I had no power? How would I keep the people I cared about safe?Was I truly prepared to sacrifice a piece of myself to free myself from Viktor's grip?I had no idea.But I had to make a choice.I had to make a decision quickly.Darius escorted me outdoors, out of the shaman's prying eyes. Despite the cool night air on my blazing skin, the tempest within me remained unabated.He looked over at me. "You can’t do this, Amara."I encircled myself with my arms. "Then what do you suggest?""There has to be another way." His tone was frantic and strong. "We can fight this together."I gave a headshake. "You're not getting it. Darius, it's inside me. I have Viktor inside of me.He tightened his jaw. "That doesn’t mean you have to destroy yourself to s
Amara’s POVThe muttering continued.Viktor's voice slithered in my head every time I closed my eyes, tightening like a suffocating vine around my thoughts.Luna, small, you are mine.I clenched my jaw, attempting to block him out. "No. I’m not."You will be.A searing ache pierced my wrist. I looked down, gasping. The mark, the black, odd symbol, blazed under my skin like a fire.My teeth were clenched. I have to stop letting this get to me. I would not allow it.I was forced to fight.However, the darkness seemed to be encroaching on me more and more with each second that went by.Furthermore, I was running out of time.The burning feeling raced through me, and I spent the majority of the morning in my room, holding on to my wrist.The murmurs were no longer merely words. They were tugging at me and making me think in different ways.I sensed that something was hiding beneath my skin.Something is amiss."Amara?"I raised my head.Darius waited at the doorway, his golden eyes deepen
Amara’s POVMy hands continued to shake.The horror of the blood on my skin was still fresh even though it had dried. I couldn't remember what I'd done. I had no clue whose blood it was.This is not taking place.However, it was.With strong gasps of breath, I staggered back. The murmurs in my mind became more intense.Viktor's voice purred, "Run," before they discover your actions.My ears throbbed with my heartbeat.Then I ran.I sprinted into the dark jungle, branches tearing at my arms. My ragged gasps were carried by the howling wind.I needed to leave.Stay away from the blood. Stay away from the truth.Because if I stayed and they discovered me in this state...Would I still be perceived as Amara?Would they spot a monster instead?I was walking over uneven ground. I went down on my knees after tripping. My fingers dug into the wet ground.I balled my fists up. Amara, think. You must think.The murmurs, however, persisted.Didn't you sense it? My thoughts slithered with Viktor'