WINTER'S POV"Summer," I breathed out, my eyes wide.I couldn't believe she was standing before me.There was no way! It felt like an eternity since I last saw her, and her presence was a strange mix of comfort and disbelief."Well, won't you give your favorite sibling a hug?" She asked, tilting her head.I noticed her blonde hair was shorter than I remembered, now shoulder-length. But that wasn't the only change. The color appeared darker as if it had been tinted. Her outfit was different too, a khaki sleeveless dress that fell just above her knees cinched at the waist with a belt for a better fit.A bow slung across her shoulder, and an arrow gripped in her hand. Summer never struck me as the arrow-and-bow kind of girl. Seeing her with one felt oddly out of place.She moved toward me, and I instinctively stepped back, my eyes narrowing at her. "Don't think I've forgotten everything you did to me. There's no way I'm pretending we're on good terms.""I'm glad you still feel that way a
RAFAEL'S POV"What happened while I was away?" I couldn't help but ask Winter; she was acting strangely. It was the first time I had seen her so enthusiastic to be in my presence.She still held my hand, and even as I tried to pull it away, she wouldn't let go. It felt as though I might vanish if she did."Winter..." I nudged her, and she snapped her gaze towards me. "I asked you a question," I said, and she raised a brow."On?" She queried."You seem overly happy to see me, and it's a first for me. Am I in trouble or something?" I chuckled softly as she snorted.She released my hand, and in that instant, I wished she was still holding on. It felt like something left me as she let go. Winter crossed her arms over my belly, giving her an alluring air. The way her hair flowed down as if the wind were in it, and the twist of her lips, it was all too cute. Even though she looked upset, I still found her irresistible."I should be asking you where you left me." She retorted."I told you I
RAFAEL'S POVI attempted to breach the barrier once more, but it relentlessly repelled me with each try—frustration built within me.Gritting my teeth, my gaze fixed on Winter. Her countenance had adopted a sinister edge, and a smile danced on her lips, a facet of her I hadn't deemed possible. Granted, she was a werewolf, but I'd never witnessed her bare her canines like this. It rendered her unexpectedly dangerous, even more so than I'd imagined, or perhaps, dreaded if someone had described it to me and I hadn't witnessed it firsthand."Rafael," she murmured, her lips moving, yet I couldn't discern her words. I strained, attempting to catch any sound, but all I heard was the howl of the wind assaulting my eardrums."Winter," I implored once more. "Come back to yourself."My eyes darted skyward as thunder rumbled above. In response, Winter threw back her head, emitting a chilling cackle, leaving me perplexed."It's the forest," a voice resonated in my mind.It wasn't my own. My wolf r
WINTER's POV"Me," a voice said before I could reply.The voice was unlike anything I had ever heard before. It sent shivers down my spine, and every nerve in my body stood on alert. Frowning, I gazed around the forest while Rafael stepped closer to me, and I muttered, "Who was that?" I couldn't help the tremble evident in my voice. I suppose anyone, even if they were powerful, would feel that way."I have no idea," Rafael whispered, "but I felt something strange."I nodded in response to his reply because I felt it, too. Taking a breath as no one showed themselves, my eyes narrowed, and I muttered, "Why don't you show yourself?!"Instead of emerging from the shrubs or wherever she was hiding, the leaves rustled, and the wind started to howl. I grimaced, squinting as it picked up some debris from the forest floor."Is it you, Winter?" Rafael groaned. "Can't you control this darned wind power of yours?!""It's not me," I said. "Whoever is coming forward is doing this."Rafael grunted,
WINTER'S POVTWO DAYS LATERClosing the journal in front of me, I opened it again, then closed it with an eye roll. I had been doing this for two days now, ever since we emerged from the silvamemoria forest. I wanted to uncover the journal's secrets, yet I found nothing of relevance.Don't get me wrong, what it contained wasn't entirely irrelevant. It mainly delved into my mother's childhood, but right now, that was not what I needed. I needed answers for Slade.I couldn't tell if Slade had returned with me from the forest, as it was Rafael who responded whenever I tried to reach out. I wondered if things had worsened, for he'd been keeping his distance for the past two days. Also, he seemed to be more lost in thought and oblivious to what was happening around him.Yes, Rafael was still in the Moonstone Pack. I had pleaded with him to stay close so I could keep an eye on him. I couldn't bear the thought of him being far away, fearing something might happen that I couldn't control.A s
WINTER'S POVMy wish had never come true when I said or thought about them. Or maybe I had wished too soon, like I always did. My eyes widened as I saw Rafael, his canine out and blood dripping from his mouth."No," I murmured, my gaze shifting from his face to the pack member he had in a chokehold and back to his face."Rafael," I murmured, stepping towards him, but a hand held me back."You can't go there with him looking like that!" Linda snapped, her grip tightening around me."How many more people saw him like that?" She asked Jude."Actually, I was the only one. I saw the blood and told everyone to steer clear of here in the meantime," he explained."Good," Linda said."Let go of me, Linda," I insisted."Not if you're attempting to go towards him," Linda asserted. "You need to set sentiment aside when you're doing things like this. But seeing you now, I know what you're thinking!""You don't know what I'm thinking!" I snapped. Damn it!"I do, Winter," she said. "I know you do th
WINTER'S POV"So, that really happened?" Rafael asked after I finished recounting everything. He frowned, shaking his head."Are you sure you didn't imagine it?" he inquired once more."You doubt me?" I sighed, starting to stand, but he held onto my hand."I believe you," he assured, pulling me gently onto his lap.Turning to face me, Rafael smirked, brushing aside the strands of hair by my right cheek.He cupped my face with one hand, the other still holding mine."What are you doing?" I mumbled as his fingers traced my cheeks."What does it look like?" he asked, leaning in. His face was inches from mine, his breath warm on my skin.I swallowed hard, gripping my thigh, trying to shift my gaze, but he held my head gently in place."Don't you think it's about time we address our attraction to each other? It's pretty obvious.""We can't do this right now," I protested, shaking my head."I'm not suggesting we do so now. I am still around, and we have plenty of time together. Besides, I w
WINTER'S POVRafael and I stepped back into the hall, our hands entwined. I hadn't intended to enter with him holding my hand, but it seemed I had little choice. I considered letting go, but Rafael's grip tightened each time I looked at him. And he glared at me, too. But it was a playful glare.The Bwengbonyu hunters were seated around the round table in the spacious meeting hall. As soon as we approached, they stood up. There were only two of them; I assumed they represented the entire pack of hunters because they were the ones always coming here. Even the last time I met them at the Eclipse pack, they were the only two who went there."We meet again," Rafael said. "You're the Bwengoyu hunters, right?""Bwengbonyu," I corrected. "Do you have any news for us?"Their presence here could only mean one thing – it had to be about the Vordrak lycans. They'd never visited unless it concerned them."We've brought news," said the burly man with blond hair and brown eyes. What was his name aga
WINTER POVA DAY AFTER THE BATTLEThough we endured many casualties, victory was ours. Our pack was back under our control, and there were no impending threats.No prisoners were taken from the Vordrak Lycans. Those who refused to yield were beheaded, and their remains left for the vultures to feast upon.Most importantly, Slade had returned. However, he hadn't given me the full acknowledgment I sought.At the moment, I was in the room, preparing for the meeting to announce Slade's return. While some felt it, others were still bewildered.Slade had departed the room even before I woke. I wondered if he was intentionally avoiding me, for he wasn't acting like himself."Maybe you're attributing too much to it," Flora suggested."I doubt it," I murmured. "He's distant. I should be the one relishing his presence the most, but now he seems to prefer others' company over mine.""I don't believe that's the case. He still feels the same way about you," Flora assured."How do you know that?" I
WINTER POVMinutes passed as I waited for Rafael or Slade, unsure which one would wake up first. I hoped one of them would regain their memories soon.However, it seemed like my wait might be in vain. He hadn't stirred since he fell, and he wasn't breathing. I couldn't detect any heartbeat. I wondered if I had overexerted myself."When will he wake up?" I asked Rachel. "I thought it would happen soon!"I glanced back at his body. He was growing cold, and his lips were turning blue. The sounds of battle from outside echoed while I cradled the nearly lifeless body of my mate."What should I do, Rachel?" I looked at her, then at my mother and Emily."Give it time," my mother said, reaching out to touch my shoulder, but I shrugged her hand away."Everyone keeps saying that!" I cried out. "Did I do everything wrong, and why is no one telling me the truth?"Was he going to die again? Tears blurred my vision, and I bowed my head, sobbing against his chest. The sudden wave of grief overwhelme
WINTER POVI was relieved my mother stayed behind. The process of forcing the Blood Moon was even harder than I had imagined. We had been at it for hours since my arrival, and night hadn't fallen yet.Despite drawing on my mother's strength, I still felt weak. It was as if something was trying to drain my energy."It's the babies," Emily whispered."What?" I furrowed my brow, my hands resting on my stomach."They're taking power from you, Winter, so you can't use all your abilities, or you'll end up magically depleted," she explained."Why would they try to take my powers when they know I need them right now?" I questioned.They should have sensed my distress, especially since I'd been using my powers more frequently lately."It's what keeps them alive," the Eclipse pack seer said.She approached me and placed her hands on my stomach, closing her eyes. "You should talk to them."A few seconds later, she opened her eyes. "Rachel and I can lend you our strength, and I'm sure your mother
WINTER POVEven though I glimpsed her briefly on my way to the Silvamemoria Forest, I never imagined she'd come here after all she'd done. No one saw eye to eye with her, and she hadn't offered an official apology for her part in it. I couldn't help but wonder how she'd managed to step in here without being torn apart."What are you doing here?!" It was Kendall who snapped out of his daze first, and he strode toward her, growling lowly with narrowed eyes."Hi, Kenny," Summer smiled, waving at him. "Long time no see.""I'm not delighted to see you," Kendall hissed. "And it would be best if you left.""Don't you think having extra hands could be a help for all of you?" another familiar voice chimed in, and Daniel emerged from his hiding spot."No," I murmured, shaking my head. How had they managed to come here amidst all the chaos?!"We found our way," Daniel said as if he were reading my mind.It felt like the last time I'd seen him was a century ago. His hair was shaggy, and it seemed
WINTER POVI jumped as another shot rang out in the air. It had been happening for over an hour now. Although it was expected, I never thought it would be this soon. It was the day of the blood moon, and it wasn't even morning yet when we were being attacked by the Vordrak's lycan. Some of the buildings close to the large gate of the Moon Stone pack had been hit and were in ruins. It wouldn't be long before it reached us, but I guess they were taking their time.From where I stood in the main pack's building, very much close to the balcony, I could see some of the Vordrak's lycans taking the pack members who weren't fortunate enough to flee captive and beheading them in cold blood. Also, I didn't think it was the dead pack members' fault since we were attacked unaware."My lady," I turned to Jude as he stepped towards me. I saw Linda behind him, as well as Kendall. They all wore battle armor with swords in their sheaths, except Linda, who took a spear. It wasn't as though she couldn't
WINTER POV"Try again," Emily urged for the third time since we left the room. Closing my eyes, I took a slow breath and focused on the candle before me."Ignis (Fire)," I whispered for the third time. Opening my eyes, I felt nothing. I shook my head, stepping away from the pentagram."It's not working, Emily," I admitted. This should be the simplest of spells. I couldn't fathom why it wasn't working, and I hadn't even tapped into my deepest power to draw it out."Your mind is still occupied," Emily pointed out."It's clear," I insisted."It's not," Emily persisted. "That's why I want us to start with the simplest spells, so your powers won't be drained from repeated attempts.""I did clear my mind just as you instructed," I insisted.I hadn't been thinking of anything except the fact that Rafael was in the dungeon, in need of my help.'That means your mind is still occupied,' Flora whispered.'Flora,' I acknowledged. 'What should I do?'Flora speaking to me at moments like this wasn'
WINTER POVTHE NEXT DAYI felt confined in the room, not literally, but I could barely leave without my mother or Denise asking where I was going. Rafael was still in the dungeon, though not locked up like before. I'd been told that, but I didn't trust my mother enough at this point not to.For some reason, she was keeping the truth from me. Pacing, I ran a hand through my hair, then glared at Emily, seated on the sofa in front of me. She'd been talking nonstop about the history of the Vordrak Lycans and how they came to be. I didn't want to hear it. I just wanted a solution. The one, my parents had proposed involved me forgetting about Rafael, which meant I'd forget about Slade, too, if I did it. Saving Rafael was important, but his forgetting me was the last thing I wanted.So, the only sensible option now was to wait for the Blood Moon night to use the moon shadow Blade. It was the only available and effective option I knew, even if it meant forgetting about him."Do you understand
WINTER POV"I am dying," I whispered, gazing at the face of the goddess Selene. She shook her head, her expression distant, lost in thought.I wondered if she shared in my pain, her murmurs never-ending. "Can't you help me?" I implored, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed on me.She only stared at me before shrugging. "Even for a goddess like me, there are limits I can't surpass. As much as I care for you, Winter, there are boundaries I cannot cross." Her voice held a touch of sadness, mirroring the emotion etched on her face."What do you mean by these limits?" I inquired, a hint of frustration creeping into my tone. I lay there, perhaps lifeless, with my loved ones surrounding me. Rafael still needed my aid, and the impending war loomed. Yet, she hesitated to assist."You know I would have assisted if I could," she sighed."Everything lies within your power; a mere snap of your fingers could change it all," I insisted, my voice tense as I glared at her."Like I said, Winter..."
RAFAEL POVExhaling once again, I stood rooted to the spot, unyielding since the trio departed. Winter hadn't budged either.No matter how often her mother offered reassurances, it did little to ease my unease. If only I'd left with Jude and faced the consequences head-on, just as I glimpsed in his eyes. It might have offered some solace.It could have balanced the scales, a punishment of sorts for what I'd subjected Winter to. Yet deep down, I knew that wouldn't be enough. I sighed and began to pace around the room."You should sit down. You'll wear yourself out," Denise advised."Sit?" I scoffed. "I don't think that's what I need."Rising to her feet, Denise approached me. "It's not your fault," she asserted. "I believe you would've shielded Winter if you had the inner strength. I know you never intended to harm her.""I should have shielded her, but I never did," I acknowledged. "I repeated the same mistake I made with my first mate. I'm cursed, shit!""Listen to me," Denise insist