There was a long silence as Degas gathered his thoughts; not even Chris, for all of his bravado, dared to interrupt the wizened Elder. “You have seen the blight at the old warehouse, yes?” Degas finally asked, leaning back in his chair. Chris nodded without turning. “I have.” “So you have, the
Ava The gentle chirping of crickets outside my bedroom window filled the silence, the soft breeze floating in through the open window as I lazily traced shapes across Chris’s bare chest. The room was dimly lit solely by the single lamp on my bedside table, casting our skin in a warm amber hue. H
“Chris, the omen would bring blight and decay—rotting crops, diseased livestock, poisoned water sources... Our people would starve, or grow sick and die off. You have to think of the pack first.” Chris’s expression hardened as he crossed the room. He reached for me, pulling me close, his fingers f
Chris The sleek black SUV rumbled steadily as we navigated the winding dirt roads that formed the outer perimeter of the Moonstone pack territory. I kept my eyes trained on the densely wooded areas flashing by, searching for any sign of movement, any hint of a disturbance that could lead us closer
Ava I hurriedly pushed through the heavy double doors of the clinic, my boots clicking rapidly against the pristine white tile floors as I hurried down the dimly lit hallway toward the research wing. A sense of urgency propelled me forward, my heart hammering against my ribs. Just minutes ago, I
“My team is already coordinating with the botany department to quarantine that area and begin treatment with distillations of purified moongrass. We should be able to contain and eradicate the growth rather swiftly, before it has a chance to spread.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been
Ava I lingered just outside in the hallway, peering through the cracked door into Chris’s study with a pained expression on my face. He was seated at his large oak desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pored over a stack of papers and photographs scattered in front of him. The list. I
“Which is why…” Degas stopped walking, turning to me then, “painful though it may be, we must take every measure to restore order and uphold our obligations to the old ways. No matter how... uncomfortable the personal costs.” I stiffened at his words, a cold knot forming in the pit of my stomach a
Chris shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Unbelievable,” he hissed as I smirked with satisfaction.The trip to the clinic went by a lot faster on wheels than on foot. Chris remained glued to my side, his hair falling into his eyes as he repeatedly checked on me. I simply smiled in the backseat, and w
Epilogue — Part IIAvaAs the balloon hit me square in the face, I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance. Chris’s strong arm caught me, steadying me as a chorus of “Surprise!” filled the air.Our living room had been transformed, covered with balloons and streamers in shades of blue and silver. A
Her imprisonment in New Moon was coming to an end, and soon she would be returning to Moonstone on parole. The thought filled me with a mixture of apprehension and hope, as it did all of us.But that was not coming for another month.As the Elders filed out, I leaned back in my chair, unable to keep
Before I could comment, the Elders finally filed in, their usual robes swishing around them as they moved. Fatima was now the Eldest since Elise was gone, and so she took the end of the table opposite Chris.Claire hobbled in after her; she had been leaning on a cane lately due to a sudden onset of
Epilogue — Part IAvaMy hand rested on my belly as I waddled through the doors, half-ignoring Chris’s presence. He sighed, letting the door fall shut behind me.“What’s wrong?” he asked, following me to the circular council table in the center of the room.“Nothing.”That was a lie.It was my 40th
For a moment, Chris was silent, his gaze intense as he searched my face. Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees, burying his face in my skirt. His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close.“Goddess, I can’t wait to marry you,” he murmured, his voice muffled by the fabric.I smiled, run
AvaI found Chris on a balcony overlooking the golden sunset of New Moon mountain. The sky was ablaze with vibrant oranges and pinks, casting a warm glow over the snow-capped peaks. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and distant earth from far below, the scent of autumn.Back in Moonst
“As you should, Alpha Edward,” Chris said, clasping the Alpha’s forearm. “As you should.”It was heartwarming to see how everyone seemed to be thriving. The bonds between the packs were stronger than ever, and there was a palpable sense of hope in the air.Finally, it was time for the meeting to beg
AvaGolden sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, shafts of warmth spreading across the large meeting hall. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and a long oak table had been placed at the center of the room. Soft piano music played from a human-made record player in the corner, and counc