WINTER POVFor a while, we strolled around the pack. When I say "we," I mean my mother, Emily, and myself. While they chatted, my thoughts wandered. I had been on the lookout for Rafael, but he seemed to have vanished. I furrowed my brow, pondering where he might be. We'd even passed the garden he often visited, but he wasn't there. I only saw some crowd; even as I sniffed the air, I couldn't make out his scent.I wondered if he had headed to the eclipse pack. Still, if he were leaving, he'd at least inform me, wouldn't he? Maybe he didn't want to trouble me. I wasn't sure how Rafael's mind worked most of the time, but I doubted he'd bother to let me know if he was departing."Winter," my mother gripped my shoulder, pulling me back to the present. "You're not paying attention."I flashed her an apologetic smile and whispered, "I'm sorry.""Is it about Rafael?" she inquired.I nodded, sighing. "I haven't seen him since I arrived at the meeting."Perhaps I shouldn't have been this agit
RAFAEL'S POVI gazed at my hands longer than I'd have liked to. My lips twisted in self-disgust as I stared at the hands that were bloody just moments ago. The hands that had torn out the innocent guard's heart and shoved it into my mouth. Grimacing, I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling.I had left Winter's side when she stepped into the bathroom, hoping to reach the meeting hall. But I never made it there. I felt a strange sensation taking over me. I tried my best to fight it, but it persisted, eventually leading me to the garden, where I encountered the injured guard.I attempted to offer him aid, but it ended in his death and my unspeakable act. My hands clenched on the bars of the cage, eyes narrowed as figures approached.I recognized one of them as Winter, her scent preceding her. As they drew near, I saw her clearly. Concern filled her eyes, the last thing I wanted her to feel for me. I shouldn't be pitied. I wasn't the victim, yet the way Winter looked at me made it seem oth
WINTER POVThe discussion between Emily, my mother, and me didn't conclude until evening. Without their knowledge, I returned to the dungeon, eager to see Rafael.As I entered, I found him seated on the hay-covered floor of his cage, hands shielding his face, head bowed. I stood there for a moment, hoping he'd notice me, but nothing changed. Since he didn't acknowledge my presence, I took a step closer and crouched down."Rafael," I said, gently prodding him with a stick I'd picked up outside the dungeon.He raised his head, meeting my gaze. "W-what happened to you?" I asked, my eyes widening at his bloodshot eyes and the blood trickling from his mouth.When I'd left earlier, he looked nothing like this. He seemed normal but angry and dejected. Now, he was a different person than the Rafael I knew."Winter," he murmured. His voice was barely audible, but I heard him."What happened to you?" I whispered, extending my hand into the cage toward him."I don't know," Rafael replied, shakin
WINTER POVI groaned into the kiss, grabbing onto Rafael's shoulder and standing on the ball of my feet.Rafael twirled me around, nudging me into the bars of the cage, his lips never leaving mine."Are you sure about this?" He asked, releasing my mouth for a brief second before latching his lips on mine again before I could respond.I could only nod because that was the only thing I could do at the moment.Rafael's hand slipped into my gown, grabbing my backside and squeezing."Rafael," I moaned out his name."Should we be doing this?" Rafael asked again.Blinking back the haze from my eyes, I gazed at him. His expression was uncertain, and I wondered if he was thinking about what my mother had said."Your mom asked us not to." He said. "As much as I want you, I don't want to hurt you. Also, with what is happening, I am capable of hurting you. That is the last thing I want to do.""I kissed you, remember?" I said. "Then I should be the one worrying and not you. Besides, I want it."R
WINTER POVI hastily slipped into my dress, leaving my torn panty behind. I turned to Rafael and asked, "How do I look?" We spoke simultaneously, and I swiped at his lips to clean off the smudge from my lipstick.Rafael ran a hand through my hair, his eyes appraising me before he murmured, "You look good." I nodded, though my stride to the door was more of a limp.As I opened the door, my mother, Denise, and Emily stepped in. All three women wrinkled their noses before fixing their gaze on mine."What happened?" I asked, avoiding my mother and Denise's gaze. I was afraid that if I looked too long, they'd figure out what had transpired."You left without a word," my mother said, glaring at me."I needed to speak with Rafael; I'm sorry," I explained, even though our conversation had extended far beyond just talking."Are you sure that's all?" Denise inquired, raising her brows."That's all," I lied, but Denise didn't appear convinced, and neither did my mother."You seem troubled, and t
WINTER POVI tried to dart towards the other side of the room, but he blocked me, shoving me back into the wall. I gasped as my back slammed hard against it. "What do you want?" I asked him.A few minutes ago, while in the dungeon, he had been someone else until he came back to his senses. Now, he was someone else again. The fact that I had given myself to him made my stomach churn. I wondered if it was truly Rafael or another presence that I had been intimate with in the dungeon."What do I want?" He scoffed. "Seems like it's hard for you to grasp, Winter." His voice was sharp.I shook my head. "You can't have me, and you can't have Rafael either," I said. I pondered how I could reach him without hurting Rafael in the process. My mother, Denise, and Emily had a solution. I should've listened to them. But that meant letting go of Rafael."Tell me why you're tormenting his life. You have plenty of people to choose from, so why him? Was he an easy target?" I asked."Why should I answer
RAFAEL POVAs soon as Winter's body went limp, I let go. My eyes widened as I gazed at her, then at her hands. The reality of what had happened surged through me all at once."No, no, no, no!" I murmured, shaking my head. Gripping her shoulder, I shook her awake, but I received no response.Her eyes were closed, and her body was starting to grow cold and stiff."Winter!" I exclaimed, shaking her once again.Fuck! I had killed her. I had freaking killed her. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't mean it. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as they locked onto her bruised neck.Whatever had made me grip her neck seemed to have left me immediately. I didn't feel the ominous presence anymore, which was stupid, considering I had been trying my best to control it. Now, it had done its worst and departed.My head pounded, and I sensed a brewing headache. Clutching it, I let out a low growl."You killed her," I murmured."No, you did," a voice said in my head. "You killed your mate o
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
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