The moon watches silently as the past claws its way into my present.The lone wolf’s words replay in my mind like a haunting melody: “They know… Luna…”I stand frozen, staring at the lifeless body of my spy. My chest tightens as realization sets in. My careful web of secrets is starting to unravel, strand by strand.Damon turns to me, his eyes sharp with suspicion. “You sent someone to spy.” His tone is low but laced with fury. “Didn’t you?”I don’t answer. My wolf, Red, growls softly in my head, urging me to protect the truth. But the longer I stay silent, the more Damon’s anger burns.He steps closer, his voice sharp. “Don’t test me, Nora. What have you done?”I meet his gaze, forcing my expression to remain calm. “I didn’t send anyone.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue.His jaw tightens, and I can tell he doesn’t believe me. Before he can press further, Beta Cain arrives, his face pale as he takes in the scene. His usual smug demeanor is replaced by unease.“What’s going on?” Cai
The training yard feels alive with the morning chill, the sound of clashing wood and grunts filling the air. I stand opposite Gamma Liam, the head of the warriors, gripping a wooden training rod in both hands. The weight is balanced, familiar, but as Liam charges toward me with a grin, I realize something is wrong.I swing, aiming for his side, but he ducks smoothly and counters with a jab to my ribs. The impact is sharp, even through the padding. I stumble, barely catching myself.“Focus, Luna,” Liam says, stepping back to give me space. “You’re too stiff. Let your instincts guide you.”My instincts. They’ve served me well before. I fought and won against warriors from the Ravenclaw pack. My body remembers the movements, the strategies, definitely from Nora's muscle memory. Yet here, against Liam, I’m failing.I nod, wiping sweat from my brow. “Again.”Liam doesn’t hesitate. He comes at me with swift strikes, each one faster than the last. I block, step back, and counter, but his rod
The day has arrived, and my chest feels tight with dread. Damon is preparing for the meeting, his expression unreadable as he buttons his shirt and fastens his belt. Every movement is calm, calculated—completely unaware of the trap waiting for him.“You don’t have to do this,” I say, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound casual.He glances at me, his brows furrowing. “You’ve been tense all morning, Nora. What’s going on?”I shake my head quickly. “Nothing. I just... I don’t trust Garrett.”“Neither do I,” he says, his tone sharp. “But that’s exactly why I need to go. I need to know who sent that rogue wolf, who killed him and what his last message meant.”My stomach churns. He’s walking into danger, and nothing I say will stop him. So, I decide I’ll stop him another way. A way he’ll never see coming.* * *I spend the next hour pacing the house, my thoughts spinning out of control. He can’t go to that meeting. I won’t let him. But I need a plan—one that doesn’t give me a
I slip back into the house, my cloak dripping water onto the wooden floors. My chest heaves as I fight to catch my breath, my heart still races from the forest chase, but I force myself to appear calm. No one can know where I’ve been or what I’ve heard.The halls are quiet, save for the faint hum of voices from the pack’s chambers. I make my way to my room, each step careful and measured. My hands tremble as I push open the door. Inside, I peel off my soaked clothes, the fabric clinging stubbornly to me like a second skin, heavy and uncomfortable. The cold bites at me, but I ignore it, grabbing a towel to dry myself as quickly as I can.The image of Garrett’s warriors closing in on me flashes in my mind, and I shiver—not from the cold, but from the memory of how close I came to being caught.I change into a fresh tunic and leggings, brushing out my damp hair. My reflection in the mirror looks pale and tired, but there’s no time to dwell on that. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to
The village buzzes with life. Everywhere I turn, someone is preparing for tonight’s Lunar Eclipse Festival. It’s the most important celebration for Moonlair—a tribute to the Moon Goddess for her guidance and protection. Children race through the village square, their laughter ringing out like bells. The air smells of roasted meats, sweet honeyed bread, and the faint tang of herbs being prepared for the festival offerings.The makeshift kitchen outside is a whirl of activity. The smell of honey-glazed ham and spiced potatoes wafts through the field, making my stomach rumble despite my nerves. Several pack members laugh as they chop vegetables and knead dough for the feast. I spot Elder Valerie supervising the arrangements with her sharp eyes and biting comments, her words sparking occasional bursts of nervous laughter from the cooks.The normalcy of it all feels surreal, like a fragile mask hiding the storm beneath. My stomach churns. If I don’t act tonight, Damon could be dead by sunr
The village feels like a ghost town as I stroll through its quiet streets. The aftermath of last night’s festivities lingers in the air—faint traces of laughter and the scent of incense. Most pack members are still asleep, resting in preparation for tonight. Only a few move about, their steps lazy, their faces soft with contentment.But I am far from content.I should feel relief. No one was poisoned last night. Garrett never showed up. Everything went smoothly, yet this gnawing unease won’t leave me. It coils in my gut, a restless snake that won’t stop hissing.The breeze carries the faint aroma of wildflowers and earth as I wander aimlessly, trying to clear my head. My feet crunch against the gravel path, their steady rhythm grounding me. The tension in my chest should ease, but it doesn’t. My thoughts race back to Cain, Garrett, and their plans. If they didn’t act last night, it only means they’re waiting for the right moment.Lost in thought, I don’t realize where I am until I see
The warm golden light of dawn seeps into the room, gently pulling me from my sleep. I wake up smiling, though I can’t explain why. It feels odd, like my soul has been kissed by some invisible force, leaving a trail of joy behind. I stretch lazily, savoring the feeling.As I sit up, the thought crosses my mind: perhaps Cain and Garrett gave up on their plan to poison Damon. Maybe they realized someone overheard them and decided the risk wasn’t worth it. The hope of it fills me with cautious relief.After dressing in a simple blue gown, I step into the living room just in time to see Cain and Liam entering Damon’s study. They look travel-worn but composed, their boots dusted with the dirt of distant lands.What assignment did Damon send them on?I push the question aside. Today is the final day of the Lunar Eclipse Festival. No time to brood.“Good morning, dear,” Grand Luna Eve greets me, her eyes glinting with curiosity. “You look... radiant today. Any particular reason?”I laugh, bru
The square explodes into chaos. Screams tear through the air, blending with the snarls of wolves and the sickening crunch of bone. The festive lights swing wildly above the fray, casting broken, flickering shadows across overturned tables and spilled wine. The sweet scent of roasted meat and fresh flowers is now drowned by the metallic tang of blood and the acrid stench of fear.I’m in the center of it all, my breath shallow, my heart hammering like a war drum. Wolves clash with unshifted humans, their improvised weapons no match for the beasts. The sand beneath my feet is damp with blood, sticky and warm against my bare skin.“Jessica! Eli! Zane! Lily!” I scream, my voice hoarse with desperation. My eyes dart wildly, scanning the chaos for their small, familiar forms.Nothing.The Moon Goddess must hear me. She has to. I push past a crowd, clutching a splintered chair leg with trembling hands. Around me, growls and cries rise like a storm, deafening and unrelenting.A flash of silver
The walk home is quiet, the weight of the council meeting still pressing on my mind. When we step into the house, the warmth of the hearth embraces us, but Damon’s piercing gaze brings me back to reality.“Nora,” he says, his voice soft but firm. “Are you okay?”I glance up at him, startled by the tenderness in his tone. His concern catches me off guard, but I nod. “I’m fine. Thank you for standing up for me earlier. Cain deserved everything he got.”Damon’s jaw tightens, and he folds his arms across his chest. “How did you know about Cain’s theft?”For a moment, I hesitate. The memory of the anonymous letter flashes in my mind. I could tell him, but something holds me back. I meet his eyes, steady and unwavering. “I got an anonymous tip.”Damon sighs and shakes his head, his dark brows furrowing. “Nora, I’m still waiting for you to see that you can trust me.”“All in good time,” I reply, offering him a faint smile.He doesn’t push further. Instead, he walks to his room, leaving me in
I stare at the crumpled letter in my hand, my heartbeat pounding like a war drum. The words echo in my head, sharp and biting like the cold wind of a winter storm. My fingers tremble, but not with fear. No. This is something deeper—rage. With a sharp exhale, I tear the letter into tiny pieces, each rip satisfying a deep part of me.The scraps flutter to the ground like defeated enemies, but the fire inside me still burns.“Not now,” I whisper to myself, my voice low and steady. “Not now. But soon.”* * *When I enter the house, I catch Sigma Sean at the opposite door. He’s about to leave, his tall frame filling the doorway. I force a smile, masking the storm brewing inside me.“Sean,” I call out, drawing his attention. “How’s Natasha doing? She must be close now.”Sean’s face lights up like a boy with a jar of sweets. “She’s glowing, Luna! Glowing! The pup is strong—I can feel it already.” His pride is infectious, and his eagerness brings warmth to my heart.“I’m happy for you, Sean,”
I am six years old again, sitting in the warm embrace of my mama’s lap as she brushes my hair. Her touch is gentle, her humming soft and familiar. The scent of lavender from her favorite oil lingers in the air."Lira, be a good girl until we get back, okay?" Mama’s voice is as soothing as ever, but there’s an urgency in her tone today.I nod, my little heart swelling with the pride of her trust.Papa kneels before me, his rough hands cupping my cheeks as he plants a kiss on my forehead. "My Lira has always been a good girl."His words wrap around me like a warm blanket. I smile back at him, not knowing this moment will be the last of its kind.Then, suddenly, everything changes. They are gone.The room turns dark, the walls closing in on me. Shadows stretch and writhe, swallowing every trace of comfort. I clutch my chest as panic surges. "Mama? Papa?" My voice trembles, echoing back like a cruel taunt.The silence is deafening. And then, fire.Flames lick at the walls, their greedy to
Morning light streams through the curtains, and I can still feel the heat of Damon's lips on mine. I press my fingers to my lips, remembering how soft yet firm they felt, how they sent waves of warmth through me. My cheeks flush as the memory deepens. What was I thinking? I bury my face in my hands, groaning.“You’re overthinking,” Red says dryly in my head.“No, I made a fool of myself,” I argue back.Red scoffs. “You kissed your mate. That’s not foolish.”“But Damon is Nora’s mate, not mine,” I whisper. My voice wavers, and I can feel my wolf rolling her eyes.“You are Nora. Or have you forgotten?”Her words stab at my heart. She’s wrong—I’m Lira. I was killed, reborn into this body, and burdened with memories of a past life. If Damon finds out, he might hate me. Or worse...I groan louder, pulling the pillow over my head. “I’ll just avoid him.”Red chuckles. “For how long? You live in the same house, Nora.”“Until I don’t want to sink into the ground whenever I hear his voice or ca
(NORA'S POINT OF VIEW)The weight of the day presses down on me as I watch the children play outside the house. Eli, Zane, and Lily are chasing each other through the yard, their laughter light and free. My heart swells, but a quiet ache settles in my chest. They look so happy, so innocent. It’s hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, I almost lost everything. The attack. The blood. The fear.I touch my chest, feeling the faint scar that reminds me of how close I came to dying. It's hard to ignore the gnawing sense of something unfinished. I’ve been reborn, yes, but I’m still carrying the weight of my past life—my past pain.I don’t know how to balance this new life, this family, with the fire of vengeance that burns inside me. I had a purpose once, a mission. But now, with the triplets so eager to love me, I wonder if it’s too late to go down that path. Can I really hunt down those who took my old life? Is that even what I should do with the time I’ve been given?Damon enters the
(NORA’S POINT OF VIEW)*********Pain greets me like an unwelcome guest, hammering at my skull. My temples throb as if a thousand wolves are clawing inside my head. I groan, pressing my fingers to the ache, willing it to ease. The scent around me is warm and familiar, a mix of pine, rain, cedarwood, and something uniquely Damon.My eyes flutter open, and I realize where I am—Damon’s room.The space feels both commanding and serene. Dark wood dominates the room, from the massive bed frame to the bookshelves that line one wall, filled with everything from ancient pack chronicles to leather-bound classics. A fireplace crackles softly, casting flickers of amber light over the midnight blue curtains that frame tall windows. Damon’s scent lingers in the air, wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. It’s comforting. Too comforting.I close my eyes, trying to piece together what happened. The memories crash into me like a storm—the ambush, the teeth sinking into my side, the fear gripping
(Damon’s Point of View)*********The pale light of dawn filters through the curtains, casting faint shadows on the walls. My chest tightens as I glance at the bed where Nora lies. She’s still pale, her face void of the fiery strength I’ve grown to admire. But her chest rises and falls, even if just faintly. I sit beside her, gripping her cold hand in mine, silently thanking the Goddess for sparing her life.It’s been hours since the attack. My packhouse still smells of blood and burnt wood. The screams and growls from last night echo in my head like a haunting melody. But none of that matters right now—only Nora. Her pulse is weak, but it’s there. That’s enough to keep me grounded, for now.I hear a knock on the door and look up. Liam steps in, his face as grim as I feel. His white shirt is torn, bloodstains streaking across his chest and arms–not all his own. He fought fiercely last night, like the rest of us.“Alpha,” he says, bowing slightly. “We’ve secured the remaining attackers
(DAMON'S POINT OF VIEW)**********The crowd cheers loudly after Cain’s toast, but I don’t join in. My eyes stay on Nora. Something’s wrong. She’s fidgeting, her hands clutching her dress tightly. Her eyes dart around, not in excitement, but in a way that sets my nerves on edge.I take her hand in mine. It's cold. Too cold. “Nora, you're shaking.” I whisper, leaning closer. “What’s going on? What's wrong?.”She doesn’t answer. Her gaze snaps to mine, and for a brief moment, I catch the storm swirling in her eyes. Before I can say more, her hand flies out. She grabs my goblet just as it touches my lips, the force enough to slosh wine onto the ground.“Nora, what are you—”Gasps ripple through the crowd. For a moment, the air feels heavier, quieter. Her face is pale, but her eyes blaze with determination.She doesn’t answer. Instead, she turns and walks away, her steps fast and determined, clutching the goblet like it holds a deadly secret.Then, it happens. I feel it before I see it—a
The square explodes into chaos. Screams tear through the air, blending with the snarls of wolves and the sickening crunch of bone. The festive lights swing wildly above the fray, casting broken, flickering shadows across overturned tables and spilled wine. The sweet scent of roasted meat and fresh flowers is now drowned by the metallic tang of blood and the acrid stench of fear.I’m in the center of it all, my breath shallow, my heart hammering like a war drum. Wolves clash with unshifted humans, their improvised weapons no match for the beasts. The sand beneath my feet is damp with blood, sticky and warm against my bare skin.“Jessica! Eli! Zane! Lily!” I scream, my voice hoarse with desperation. My eyes dart wildly, scanning the chaos for their small, familiar forms.Nothing.The Moon Goddess must hear me. She has to. I push past a crowd, clutching a splintered chair leg with trembling hands. Around me, growls and cries rise like a storm, deafening and unrelenting.A flash of silver