Amara’s POVAs I fled, the ground shook beneath my feet.As I arrived at the battlefield's edge, the air was heavy with choking smoke. The image before me made my heart tighten.The army of Viktor had come.The pack's territory was overrun by enormous monsters with twisted, grotesque bodies and red eyes that glowed. Their roars shook the darkness as their claws tore through fighters. Houses were on fire, with flames licking the sky like ravenous animals.The pack's warriors gave it their all in battle. Swords clashed. The claws tore into the flesh. The ground was marred by blood.However, we were outnumbered.Close to me, a fighter fell, his chest ripped open. As a hideous creature snatched him off the ground and tossed him aside like a rag doll, another screamed."Remain on the line!" Through the confusion, Darius's voice could be heard. With unwavering resolve, he sliced through Viktor's soldiers as he stood in the middle of the conflict. But he was having trouble, too.A wave of pa
Amara’s POVMy whole body was shaking as I stood in front of Viktor. My inside energy throbbed wildly and uncontrollably, like a live creature. My veins felt like they were on fire with every breath I took.Viktor smiled, dark enjoyment shining in his crimson eyes. He taunted, "What's wrong, little wolf?" "You have so much power... but you're hesitant.I tried to steady my trembling body by clenching my fists. I could put a stop to this. Now. Viktor would be reduced to dust with one last blow.But at what price?My body was already being eroded by the power within, shattering me from the inside out. My skin was scorching, my bones were splitting.I wouldn't make it if I continued.Even worse, I wasn't sure if I would still be myself.Viktor tilted his head and took a hesitant step forward. "Amara, I sense it," he said. "The darkness within you." It is identical to mine. It was always intended for you to become me, not to fight me."No," I said, but my tone faltered.He grinned more br
Amara’s POVDarkness, silence, and pain.I had no feelings.Was someone killed?I attempted to move, but my body refused to cooperate. It was all numb. Chilly. I yelled in my head, but I made no sound. I was stuck, lost, weightless, drifting in a void.Then there were voices. Muffled, distant, yet familiar."Amara!"Darius? His voice was raw with emotion and harsh. I wanted to call him, but I couldn't."She's not breathing—""Help her!""No pulse—""Amara, don’t you dare leave me!"I wanted to respond, to let them know I was here, but the shadows drew me in.It was oddly silent on the battlefield. The battle was over. The adversary was vanquished. But it felt like a hollow win. Warriors watched my body sprawled on the blood-stained ground in disbelief.Someone broke down in tears. Others prayed in whispers.Darius knelt next to me and stroked my face with trembling hands. "No. "No, no, no." His voice broke. "Amara, open your eyes. Please.No answer.In a desperate attempt to find a pu
Amara’s POVMy initial reaction was one of coldness.It was a deep, empty cold, not the kind that made you shudder, but one that wasn't mine.Slowly, I opened my eyes. The environment was hazy, and the conversations were muffled. I felt as though I wasn't within my body. As if something was... absent.With trepidation, I inhaled. It didn't feel like mine, even yet my chest rose and sank.What was going on with me?I tried to collect my thoughts by blinking up at the ceiling. Where had I gone?Candlelight flickered softly. The air was heavy with the aroma of herbs. The room of the healer.I was struck with memories: the fight, the darkness, and Viktor. Dying.I wasn't dead, though.I gave it a little turn. There was a person seated next to me, his fingers encircling mine.Darius.His face was buried in his free hand, and his head was bent. He held my hand tightly, as though he was afraid I would vanish if he let go.I took a swallow. I had a dry throat. "Darius…?"Suddenly his head spr
Amara’s POVI had to keep it hidden.I was constantly reminded that something was amiss by the burning mark on my wrist. However, I was unable to inform Darius. I was unable to inform anyone.Would they trust me if they knew?Would I still be considered their Luna?Or would they perceive me as something else—a threat?As I firmly bandaged my wrist, the early light poured in through the windows. My hands were shaking.Beneath the cloth, the mark pulsed. It seemed to be alive.I inhaled deeply. Everything is alright. Nobody will be aware.I flinched as I heard a knock at the door. "Amara?"Darius.My heart was racing.With haste, I rolled down my sleeve and faced the door. "Come in."Darius entered as the door creaked open. His amber eyes scrutinized me intently. "You didn’t come to breakfast."I tried to grin. "I wasn’t hungry."He clenched his jaw. "You didn’t sleep either, did you?"I looked away. "I’m fine."It was a falsehood.I didn't feel good at all.Last night the whispers had
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'
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 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 POVCold and silent, the moonlight streamed through my room's window.I sat on my bed and took calm breaths. I had my hands on my lap. Even though they were no longer glowing, I could still sense it. The shadows. Concealed deep within my blood.I said to myself, "Get out."It did not, however, depart. I heard a quiet voice in my head.I was called for. I replied."No," I said more loudly while holding my head tightly. "Power was what I needed, not this."It said quietly again, more smoothly, You needed strength. You pleaded for it. You got more than strength from me. I released you."I don't desire your level of liberty!" I yelled.The door was knocked on. "Amara?" Mira was the one. "Are you alright?""I'm all right!" I lost my temper.There was silence, then the sound of footsteps leaving. I looked down at my hands and bit my lip.They shuddered.I told the voice inside, "I won't let you control me."You've done so already.For a time, the room whirled. I shut my eyes. I need
Amara’s POVI had regained my inner strength, but something about it felt... off.It felt heavier and colder than before, like a shadow around my spirit. It was whispering at the back of my mind, pulsing beneath my skin.I clenched my hands and looked at the raw magic tingling my fingers. The beautiful golden color of the flames I had called forth had been replaced with a deeper, black-edged color.I had no time to think about it. I was required by my people. The conflict had not ended.I decided to ignore my uneasiness and head for the training grounds.The warriors were waiting already. Some seemed relieved to see me back on my feet. Not so much for others.With his arms folded and his eyes intently observing me, Darius stood at the front. Since last night, he hadn't said much since I performed the ceremony.I moved ahead, ignoring his eyes. "Let's get started."The fighters nodded, getting ready for battle. I held up my hands, prepared to show off a move—something to protect agains
Amara’s POVI stared at my shaking hands while sitting by the dwindling fire by myself. I was aware that we couldn't destroy Lilith in this manner, regardless of how many plans we formed or how many warriors stood behind me. Not without the use of magic.I wasn't strong without it. Powerless. And more people would perish if I continued in this manner.I heard someone say, "You know what you have to do."I took a deep breath. There was just one path. I could regain my power through a forbidden ceremony. However, the cost...I had no idea how much it would cost.But there was nothing I could do.I looked at the outlaw. "Explain the ritual to me."Something inscrutable flared in his golden eyes. "That's not the route you want to take.""Yes, I do." I balled my fists up. "Whatever it takes, I don't care. I must regain my magic.He let out a sigh. "The ceremony is risky. It requires a sacrifice. Something significant. Something... intimate.Darius took a step forward. "No, Amara." His tone
Amara’s POVThe remains of our community were sucked into the abyss as the ground underneath me shattered open. The air was filled with screams as fighters frantically tried to flee, their footing shaky. For a minute, my body seemed weightless as I fell, but powerful arms grabbed me."Wait a minute!" Darius yelled, yanking me back before the earth gave way entirely. My heart pounded in my chest as I gasped for air.The ground split even more as it shook furiously. Trees went down. Houses fell apart. The land itself seemed to be rejecting us.Lilith's black eyes shone as she stood on the opposite side of the devastation. Dark tendrils slithered from her fingertips as she raised a hand, reaching out at us like living shadows.“We must relocate!” someone shouted.As the ground collapsed behind us, I pushed my legs to the limit and ran alongside the others. My lungs were burning. It felt like a fight at every stage.The devastation halted just as we reached higher ground. Lilith cocked he
Amara’s POVWithout hesitation, the golden-eyed wolf sprang at Lilith. His attacks were vicious, and his speed was intimidating. Before Lilith could react, he sank his teeth into her arm and tore through her black power as if it were nothing.Lilith's ruby eyes blazed with rage as she yelled and pushed him away. She growled, "Who do you think you are?"The rogue remained silent. She had to defend herself when he leaped again. I had never witnessed a conflict like the one between them. Lilith was having difficulties; she had always been so untouchable.With my body throbbing from fatigue, I seized the opportunity to push myself up. The pack was getting stronger all around me. Now, with new hope in their eyes, the warriors who had been retreating battled harder.Breathing heavily, Darius ran to my side. "Who is that?"I looked at the rogue and said, "I don't know." "But he's with us."Lilith snarled and hurled a surge of evil energy in his direction. The rogue's golden eyes glowed brigh
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