"Pleasure to meet you too."The introductions were a whirlwind, hands clasping mine, warm embraces pulling me close. Yet, something felt different.One by one, we were passed from one set of arms to another, each person pressing their warmth against us in silent greeting. People held onto me longer than the others, their grips lingering as if searching for something unseen. I wasn’t sure why until she approached me.A petite woman stepped forward. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, the soft waves shimmering under the golden sunlight that streamed through the trees. Emerald-green eyes—vivid against her sun-kissed olive skin—locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. They shimmered—alive, electric—set against the rich olive of her skin.Her smile was soft yet knowing, as if she already understood parts of me that I had yet to unravel. A gentle smile curved her lips. "I can feel her inside you." Her voice was soft yet brimming with emotion. "You have no idea w
DEREK"I can’t shake the feeling that she thinks I don’t want her—but I do. For years, I longed for my mate, praying endlessly and shedding tears each time another year passed without my first shift. Being a late bloomer terrified me. There was a time I truly believed I wouldn’t be granted a mate at all. So when it finally happened, I was beyond thrilled. But then, disappointment followed just as quickly. I had expected her to be strong, powerful… but instead, she was weak.I suppose that wasn’t the best way to start our bond—her choosing me, only for me to feel let down by what I had become. And then, learning everything that came with it? It was overwhelming. Maybe that’s why I’ve been distant toward her. But she wants me to understand her, to ask about her past, to listen to her stories.“And yet, Derek… something doesn’t sit right. Seth claimed she became obsessed with power and left on her own, but I don’t feel that from her. She told me she used to come here often to meditate an
CHAPTER 35AVA"She brought you both to her secret place?" Seth asked, his gaze shifting between us."Yeah," I replied simply, sensing that she wouldn’t want the location revealed to everyone. His expression faltered slightly."She never took me there," he admitted, disappointment creeping into his voice. "She valued her solitude when she went to that spot." His eyes drifted toward Derek, who was seated across the fire. I had chosen to sit next to Seth, eager to get to the heart of things.My earlier conversation with her had only fueled my curiosity. What was she planning? Why did she feel as though she had changed so much?"Maybe she was just caught up in the excitement of being back," I suggested, trying to console him. "She probably wasn’t thinking about it too much.”"Maybe she was just caught up in the excitement of being back," I suggested, trying to console him. "She probably wasn’t thinking about it too much.""Tell me more about your history with her. How did you two meet?"
DEREK Sleep refused to come to me. This place was undeniably stunning, almost mesmerizing, but something felt... off. A darkness lurked beneath all the beauty, like a carefully placed disguise. It unsettled me. Maybe it was the sheer distance from my pack that made me uneasy. I couldn’t sense them, couldn’t reach into their thoughts if I wanted to. The only familiar presence I could pick up was Adrian, but I chose to tune him out. As for Blake, he was completely silent—probably fast asleep.Shifting upright, I leaned against the headboard, my gaze falling on Ava as she stirred slightly but remained asleep. A small smile tugged at my lips as I watched her, peaceful and serene. Then, my attention drifted to the window, where the low-hanging moon cast a silvery glow across the room.Beyond it, the silhouette of the towering trees stretched across the mountains in the distance. The sight was tranquil—but not for me. I had only been here for a few hours, and though Nimue and Ava had made
AVAThe air in the living room felt heavy with unease as we all sat in silence, our expressions etched with concern. Derek remained close by my side, his presence grounding yet laced with tension. I must have looked like I had narrowly escaped death itself, my mind swirling with fragments of last night’s strange encounter. Thoughts ran wild—why hadn’t Nimue warned me? Did she not know? Or was this something even beyond her understanding?“Nimue believes what happened last night was orchestrated by the warlock princesses,” I conveyed to Derek through our mental link. “They could sense I was getting closer. They were calling out to me, summoning me to them.”Derek’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening with worry. “We have to keep searching for answers,” he replied, his voice carrying the weight of his concern. “They’re getting closer, Ava. Last night was proof of that. Who knows what else they might attempt?”Seth, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke, his gaze steady yet s
The cavern was unlike anything I had ever seen. The moment I stepped closer, the air thickened, humming with an ancient, unseen force. A luminous glow bathed the walls, casting shifting patterns as if the light itself was alive, writhing in unseen currents. The pool before me shimmered with an unearthly blue, its surface rippling like liquid sapphire under the cave’s soft bioluminescence.I inhaled deeply, catching the scent of mineral-rich water mixed with something sweeter, more intoxicating—like blooming nightshade or the crisp air before a thunderstorm. The cavern smelled of age and mystery, of secrets buried deep in time. I took another step, my boots crunching against a bed of smooth, water-worn pebbles. The sound echoed, swallowed by the vastness of the chamber.A soft, melodic sound filled the air, and it took me a moment to realize it came from the pool itself. The water wasn’t just moving—it was singing, a chorus of whispered notes that ebbed and flowed in harmony with the c
DEREK "Where’s Ava?" Kara's voice broke through the quiet hum of the kitchen as she stepped inside. I had been buried in books and journals all day, my eyes straining from reading. Most of the writings seemed like scattered thoughts, the ramblings of a person spiraling into madness. Some passages hinted at secrets long buried, while others veered into cryptic riddles. I rubbed my temples, glancing up. "No idea. Haven’t seen her since she disappeared with Shira this morning.”My gaze flickered to the clock on the wall—it was already nearing five. Time had slipped away unnoticed. Kars had started rummaging through the cupboards, pulling out various ingredients."What are you doing?" I asked, watching as she emerged from the fridge, her arms full.She gave me a look, as if the answer was obvious. "Making us all something to eat."I arched my brow. "Why not just head to the main hall? Someone mentioned chili was on the menu tonight.”Kara wrinkled her nose, her distaste clear. "Not a fan
AVA The night air was thick with magic, electric and alive, wrapping itself around me as I stood at the center of the room. My body hummed with an unfamiliar energy, a raw power that threatened to spill over. Ever since I had taken Shira’s blood—imbued with Nimue’s magic—something inside me had shifted. It wasn’t just strength or awareness; it was an entirely new existence.I moved to the window, staring at the darkened forest beyond. The shadows stretched unnaturally, bending toward me as if drawn by an unseen force. I raised a hand instinctively, and to my shock, the shadows followed. They rippled like ink across the grass, responding to my every motion. I clenched my fingers, and the darkness thickened, swirling into a tangible mist before dissolving as quickly as it had formed.I gasped. That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t just wolf magic.My heart started pounding, I turned to the mirror across the corridor . My reflection gazed back at me , but something was different. The golden
Of course, that had crossed my mind , but Seth would understand. He knew our parents. He knew the poison they spread wherever they went. " They will hate me for bringing this here " I told him, looking down. " They already know , Ava and Derek. While you were pretending to sleep, I was mind linking to Derek. He says we will gather to discuss how to end them after the funerals. Ava is also pissed at you. She told you we would help , you used your magic for us. We will not abandon you now. Derek had to stop her coming out here to tell you off ". I looked up at him and some of his anger had lessened , but not all of it.He stepped back and let me go. " So , choose Vee. Go without rejecting me. I will follow, we all will . Or reject me and go. The last choice is you stay here and we will do this together with our family. " My breath hitched at the hurt that crossed his face. One of those options I would never do, the other one they would come regardless. So , my only option was to stay. I
VEEAdrian took me back to his home after Riala actually flew her mate off into the distance. I found it fun to watch. It took my mind away for a little bit. Seeing Rhiala carry her away , I had wished Adrian had been a dragon and he could just carry me away too. Weird how I had never actually seen Adrian's home. I had always just assumed he lived in the pack house and then he was staying at the former alpha and Luna's retirement home on the edge of the pack. I was surprised at how modest it was. He lived in one of the smaller log cabins. When we arrived, he had looked at it and shrugged " They offered me a bigger place , but there was only me so I saw no reason", he had explained." It's nice, " I told him. He grabbed my hand and walked us inside. It was cozy , all though very minimalist , it had a lot of Adrian's personality in it. It actually made me laugh , there was some art on the walls and there were paintings of naked bodies in sexual positions. No faces, just the bodies of pe
" She looked at me dead in the eyes , and I knew she was right. But the thought of ever coming face to face with them again terrified me. " Go find your mate " she smiled , before she turned back on herself and headed back.I walked aimlessly for a while. Thinking , my mind runs like crazy. Mum has most likely already seen me here , now that Sabrina wasn't in my body anymore. Mum seeing the future was not always correct. Choices change and she only sees hints of the future, small little snippets. Mum and dad met out of sheer evilness. Not love or fated mates. And that was one of the things they wanted to stop, that they were completely against. Fated mates , they saw it as having too much power. The whole concept of mates. They wanted to eradicate it. They also believed that good witches were a hindrance , wolves were mutants , along with other animal shifters. My mother and father wanted to eradicate half of the paranormal species. It was funny. The only ones that made their list t
They were appalled by what they learned we had been through. And again apologized for their part , but they were not at fault." So you have no home for us to send your pride and your deceased home to ? "I asked them and they both shook their heads. " No, we have a camp set up. Where all of the possessions we brought with us are. But no actual home to go to ", Usif confirmed. Shit , I looked at Derek and he had sat back , his fingers rubbing his chin which said he was in deep thought. He jumped up and excused himself for a moment and came back with a big map of our land and the surroundings. " Where did she have you waiting , and where is your camp ? "he asked Usif, who looked confused about why he was asking. But I knew him , I knew where his mind was at now. And I sat back and smiled at my dear friend and actually behind that rough exterior was a damn good man.VEE" How are they doing ? " I asked as I entered the room the female warlocks had been in. Now there was the former alpha
CHAPTER 88He linked our fingers above my head and we stayed that way for the longest time. Before he finally let one hand go to slowly glide it down my body. Until he grabbed my thigh and hunched my leg up so he could press deeper into me." Damn" he said, pulling back . He smiled and looked down at my body. " Too many clothes ", he laughed. "Well, take them off, " I whispered . " Can't you just do your magic or something ? " he groaned so impatiently. " I could , but where is the fun in that? " I smiled, tormenting him. He leant forward and nipped at my lips with his teeth , before he sat up on his knees. He pulled his top over his head and I pretty much drooled at his torso. He jumped back off of the bed with no effort , landing off of his feet so he could unzip and pull down his trousers. His boxers went with them revealing him in all of his naked glory. And he was definitely blessed. I squeezed my legs tight , as a throb started between my thighs. " I scent you baby "he said in a
I was snapped out of my daydream by loud sounds of fighting. The fight from the opening had somehow made its way down here. Wolves and panthers ran everywhere between the houses. " What are they doing down here ? " I snapped at no one in particular. I watched in horror and absolute misery as some of my men , my brothers who I had trained with my whole life, fell. And I was hopeless. " Something must have happened. Derek wouldn't have let them down here ", the former Luna said behind me. I caught sight of a wolf I knew well. " Damian," I shouted. The wolf had just put down a panther. He looked my way and I motioned him to me. He shifted as he got to the border of the protection spell. " Adrian, what are you doing in there ? "he asked , out of breath.I shook my head. "Don't ask , I am not pleased by it. What has happened? Why are you all down here ? " he looked back up towards the opening. " The dragons took their fight to the floor , and that bitch got hold of the luna. The alpha orde
ADRIAN'S POV " Adrian, she will have had her reasons. " The former Luna said. I was fuming , marching up and down on the edge of the boundary. " She shouldn't have done that , anything could be happening now. All the people we love could be dead or dying and we are stuck here , helpless" I snapped, looking out at the path up to the battle. I heard someone gasp behind me. I turned to look and saw Kara standing there with tears in her eyes and her hand on her mouth. Shit , " Kara , I'm sorry " I said ." Go inside kay" her mum said. She wiped her eyes and walked off back inside. Meanwhile, the former Luna was giving me the stink eye. " Calm down Adrian , before I smack you up the side of the head. The truth of the matter is , you were a liability up there. She got in your head and she threatened to kill you. Your mate did what was right and still went back to help protect your family. Vee is new here , she could have left them to it and hid out here with you. But she didn't. I don't kn
One by one, all of the girls nodded to me and said it was done. "Let's do this ", I said nervously.I said the spell out loud and the girls copied it. This could all go wrong , but we had to believe that it would work. Bit by bit, I felt the thing inside of me that had become a comfort blanket , that had become a part of me. Even when the moon goddess had taken most of it , I still had some of it. A more comfortable amount if I was honest with myself. The more we gave her, the more she started to move. My magic was waning so I couldn't keep her still.She started to stand , a smug look on her face , she held her hands out by her sides and tilted her head back. Nothing was happening besides her looking more and more fucking gleeful. Celeste dropped to her knees at first looking weak and panting. She looked up looking worried and scared. She must have tapped out and given her everything. She glanced at me and I knew what she was thinking , it made my own nerves set in. Especially when Ve
AVAI felt her fighting against us. She was trying her hardest to not be brought here. Closing my eyes , I asked my babies for their help. I felt a little daft doing it , but when I did, that feeling washed over me again. " She's coming ", I shouted out loud, opening my eyes. Before us appeared a very pissed-off looking Sabrina. I didn't waste time , I moved what I was doing to immobilizing her. But she looked unfazed , she looked around the crowd with mirth. " You think I didn't think of this ? That you would assemble your army of mutts against me. What else do you think I went to the council for ", she looked up as the sound of the dragons roared above us ." They don't belong to us, " Vance shouted as three dragons swooped above us. " What ? " Derek shouted and Vance pointed up. " They are not us " he said, and a massive screech sounded in the air as one of the dragons opened its mouth. " Take cover " Rhiala shouted. Wolves started to shift , as a massive flame came out of the drag