RAFAEL POVI stood by Winter's bedside, her still unconscious form before me. Despite my unwelcome status within the pack, no one had uttered a word to me. We exchanged only weary glances as we waited for her to awaken.Linda rose to her feet, releasing a deep sigh that shattered the oppressive silence in the room. "Who's up for a drink? Let's try to keep our spirits up while we wait. She's not on her deathbed, you know."Though I had attempted to convince myself of the same, the effort had faltered. Winter's limp form in my hand had frightened me. At that moment, my anger had been entirely directed towards the tattered basilisk, even though I was powerless against it. Winter had vanquished it. She had saved me for the second time, yet she now lay almost lifeless.A twinge pulsed in my heart, causing me to grunt. This sensation was not foreign to me. It encapsulated all the emotions I had strived to suppress in relation to Winter. I couldn't label it as love, but it was undeniably int
WINTER'S POVI groaned as I awakened, my eyes wandering around the room, trying to orient myself. My head throbbed, and my mouth tasted sour as I squinted at the blurry figure of Linda—yes, it was definitely her.She stood a few paces away from the bed, engrossed in conversation with Jude. Whatever they were discussing had clearly captured their attention; they hadn't noticed that I was awake."Linda," I said, gaining their attention. Immediately, she turned, and her eyes met mine.Her eyes widened, and a sharp screech escaped her lips. "Winter is awake!"Her voice pierced through my ears, and a rush of memories flooded back. How I had sensed something was wrong and had received a mental message from Rafael. Though I couldn't control the overwhelming feeling, it had led me to him, and that was when I encountered the basilisk."Rafael," I muttered, my gaze searching. "Where is he?""I am here," Rafael's voice came as he entered the room, with Kendall following closely.Stepping down fr
WINTER'S POV"So, is that a yes?" He asked, tilting his brow expectantly.Despite it not being what I wanted to hear, I couldn't disagree about wanting him in the pack. Also, having him close would allow me to keep a watchful eye on him to ensure he didn't meet an untimely end.After much contemplation, I finally asked, "And if I agree, will you stop your conflicts with Jude and set aside your differences?""That's the issue," Rafael said with a scowl. He stepped a few feet away from me as if only now realizing the need for some distance. "If he doesn't initiate an attack, I won't be the first to engage.""Well, isn't that reassuring?!" I muttered, rolling my eyes."Hey, don't put the blame on me," Rafael responded."I'm not blaming you. I just don't want you constantly caught up in fights. Most members believe you're violent, and the term 'rogue' seems to be spreading within the pack, which is irritating, and..." I sighed, feeling the frustration of hearing rumors about Rafael's rogu
WINTER'S POVI quickly finished putting on the last piece of clothing: a blouse that Linda had chosen. Even though it exposed more than I was comfortable with, I could do nothing about it.A stern warning had been placed by her for my outfit not to be exchanged else, and she would sabotage wherever I was going.A knock interrupted my thoughts. Maybe the out wasn't that bad, but I hadn't intended to stroll around the packhouse revealing so much cleavage and stomach.Ignoring the persistent knocking, I headed towards the wardrobe, hoping for a change of clothes. However, nothing there caught my eye. Instead, a collection of underwear I didn't even realize I owned was scattered across the wardrobe, and a sticky note caught my attention at the bottom.Picking up the note, I read its contents: "Another warning because I know you'll come here, don't think about changing into something else. You're perfect just the way you are. PS: I packed away the rest of your clothes for this reason. I do
RAFAEL'S POVIt felt crazy. Sitting next to Winter and eating in the woods—a spot I stumbled upon by chance—wasn't something I would have ever considered. It seemed unreal, and I almost wanted to pinch myself to check if I was in a dream.Yes, I did despise Winter, and that wasn't a lie. Yet, there was something else I felt when I was around her. Also, I wasn't here just because Kendall had told me to protect her; I wished to be here.The odd emotions I had been experiencing around her made me curious. I wanted to find out if they were real or if my mind had fabricated them."Hey," Winter nudged me, and I turned to look at her. She was gazing at me with a puzzled expression in her eyes. It's possible she had asked me a question, and I hadn't responded."You were staring off into the distance and clutching the mat," she said. "Are you having second thoughts?""No," I shook my head. "Why would I? After all, I was the one who made the decision, so I shouldn't have any regrets."Winter no
WINTER'S POVAs I waited for Rafael to begin his story, I found myself looking around. It had been quite a while since I ventured into these woods. Maybe I had come before and just couldn't recall. However, my memories were tainted by Slade's death in these woods, even though it wasn't the same area. That event made me avoid this place altogether.Admittedly, it might sound a bit silly and somewhat cowardly, but being here stirred up unwanted emotions. The overwhelming urge to destroy things, a feeling I often experienced here, was linked to those memories. It was one of the reasons I avoided this place; I knew that wrecking everything around me wouldn't bring Slade back.Yet, here I was now, and the usual turmoil I felt in these woods wasn't surfacing. The destructive impulse was absent, which felt strange. Talking to Rafael about Slade's story seemed like something I had recounted to people before, though I hadn't been able to share it with anyone for the past four months.I had al
RAFAEL'S POVWishes.I stared at the sky longer than I wanted. I did make a wish, but I didn't want to tell Winter. Not because I thought it would make me seem girly like I said. I knew making a wish wasn't about gender. I was just trying to tease her, and it worked.Right now, she was glaring at the sky, which I think was better than telling her my wish. I hoped the goddess would grant the wishes, even though I never held her in high regard.Maybe, just this once, she would prove herself as the guardian she was known to be. I could not help but wonder about the wishes Winter made. I hope they were for her own interests. I want them to be. It was better if she was as selfish as I was. That was the only way she would stay alive."So…" Winter started, looking at me. "It's gone," she nodded toward the sky."I see," I replied with a nod."What else can we do? Do you have anything in mind?" She stood up and stretched a little.As she moved, her blouse rode up, revealing her bump.I clenche
RAFAEL'S POVAfter ensuring Winter was well settled, I returned to the woods, my senses on high alert. I made certain no one was following me, not wanting to endanger anyone else. It was better for me to be in harm's way than someone else. I halted as my ears caught rustling nearby, and my nose twitched at the strange scent in the air.When I had been with Winter, I sensed something amiss, though I didn't detect the scent. Yet, alone now, it permeated the air, overwhelming my senses. Moving closer, I dashed silently to a large tree upon hearing voices approaching. I stood there, holding my breath and trying to mask my own scent.I dreaded being caught lurking, especially if they were a werewolf group. Facing them alone would be a daunting task. Judging by the voices, they numbered around ten or perhaps fewer. Attentively listening to their footsteps, I sighed in relief as they began to retreat.Peering cautiously, I saw them. My eyes widened at the sight before me. Instead of the prev
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