“I’ve got eyes all over town,” Patrick explained as he switched between feeds. “Any sign of trouble, and we’ll know about it immediately.”For the next few hours, we took turns watching the feeds, our eyes straining in the dim light of the cave. The town remained quiet, the streets empty save for th
AvaI woke to the soft sound of rustling of fabric and the gentle padding of bare feet on stone. Blinking away the last remnants of sleep, I saw Chris dressing in the dim light of the cave. His muscles rippled beneath his skin as he pulled on his shirt, and I laid there, watching quietly as he dress
When he was done, he turned back to me, his eyes roaming over my form as if committing me to memory.“Put on your nicest dress for the party tonight, okay?” he said, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.I raised an eyebrow as I climbed to my feet, standing on the edge of our bed, my hands on my hi
ChrisLeonard and I shifted back into our human forms as we reached the edge of the warrior camp, the sound of conversation, the snarling of wolves, and the clashing of metal against metal filling our ears. The air smelled like smoke and meat and sweat, a stark contrast from the cool morning breeze.
AvaI crouched low in the underbrush, my heart pounding as I watched the battle unfold. The clash of metal against metal rang out across the field, mingling with the snarls and howls of wolves locked in combat. Some warriors fought in their human forms, wielding spears and swords with deadly precisi
Without hesitation, I threw myself into the fray. Chris’s eyes widened in shock as he saw me, but there was no time for explanations. We fought side by side, our movements somehow perfectly in sync despite never having battled together before.“Ava,” I heard his voice through our Mindlink between at
ChrisPregnant. Ava was pregnant.The other Alphas and I raced across the battlefield, finally finding our opening. But my mind was only on Ava—the knowledge of her pregnancy was propelling me forward, driving me with an even greater purpose than anything else. The war, protecting Moonstone… It all
My thoughts were interrupted when I finally spotted her, standing outside the medical tent looking dirty and tired but unharmed. Relief washed over me, and without thinking, I broke into a run.Ava saw me coming and met me halfway. I swept her up in my arms, peppering her face with kisses as I twirl
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