AvaI let Chris lead me back to the party, the sounds of laughter and music growing louder as we approached. The town square had become even more raucous since I had slipped away to follow Elise, a throng of people dancing to the music and the bar crowded with attendees.Chris pulled me close as we
ChrisI stepped into my office, the sounds of the party becoming muffled behind the closed door. I was met with the sight of one of the lead scouts who had been tasked with finding Olivia—a face that I wasn’t expecting to see tonight, and it sobered me immediately.“Alpha Chris,” the scout said, bow
AvaThe water was eerily quiet as our boat finally came to a stop—half an hour of searching, all to no avail. Olivia, if she was ever even here, was apparently long gone by now.Chris cut the engine, its low rumble fading into silence. I squinted into the darkness, searching for any sign of movement
AvaBy the time we stepped off the helicopter, my legs were a bit wobbly from the ride. Chris turned back and offered his hand, helping me down onto solid ground. As soon as my feet touched the earth, however, my eyes went wide and I immediately forgot about my discomfort.“Chris,” I breathed, my vo
My eyes widened. “We’re going horseback riding? On the beach?”Chris nodded, unable to keep the grin off his face. “At sunset. I thought you might enjoy it. Romantic, isn’t it?”“Romantic? It’s like something out of a movie!”The stable hand helped us mount our horses. I felt a bit nervous at first
AvaI woke up feeling more refreshed than I had in weeks—maybe even longer—despite the hard floor beneath me. The warmth of the fire had faded, but Chris’s arms were still wrapped tightly around me. As I stirred, he opened his eyes, a slow smile spreading across his face.“Morning,” he murmured, his
After dinner, we moved to the backyard. Leonard set up the horseshoes while Ophelia and I prepared the fire pit.“I can’t remember the last time I did this,” I admitted as I skewered a marshmallow.Ophelia grinned and handed a piece of graham cracker to Princess, who ate it daintily in her lap. “The
AvaThe journey back to Moonstone was tense and silent. Dedrick sat hunched in the boat, his wrists bound behind his back, while Leonard and the scout kept a watchful eye on him. The moonstone hung around Chris’s neck as he drove the boat back to the docks, its soft blue glow a stark contrast to the
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