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WINTER POVMy eyes kept darting to the wall clock, counting the minutes I had to wait while Rafael spoke with Naomi. I knew their conversation would mostly revolve around me, given the irritation I had heard in his voice.In fact, all he ever did was talk about me. It had never been any different. I wondered if he would tell me to leave tonight, even amidst the storm, which I believed would be the cruellest thing he could do.I could forgive him for marrying me and serving me divorce papers less than twenty-four hours later. The reason I would consider forgiveness is that neither of us genuinely wanted the other. However, I had hoped we would at least try to make it work for a little longer.I could even forgive him for sleeping with Vivian on the bed I was currently forced to sleep on. But if he were to make me leave at this time and forcefully throw me out, that would be unforgivable.And I hoped he wouldn't do that. Not only would it make me hate him, but it would also make me hate
Winter's POV:My back ached, so I did a little stretch before letting out a groan. All I needed at that moment was a warm bath and a good night's rest. I was relieved to finish what I was doing, including my shift in the infirmary.Naomi arrived once again to take over from me. Although she didn't explain what had happened, I didn't ask her either. I believed that when the time was right, she would tell me.Using my elbow to turn the doorknob, I nudged the door with my hip. Even though I had nothing in my hands to prevent me from using them, I was too lazy to do so.As I stripped out of the dress I was wearing, I stepped toward the bathroom and came to a halt as soon as I noticed I wasn't alone in the room.My eyes widened, and I quickly darted back towards where I had dropped my gown, bent down, and wrapped it around me."Jess?" I mumbled as soon as I saw her. I placed my hand on my beating heart and exhaled a breath."Yes, my lady. I am only preparing a bath for you. Miss Naomi told
WINTER POV"We are here again," I muttered, my eyes scanning the area for the source of the feminine voice.It was the field of asphodel. The last time I had been here, it had been a near-death experience, but now I couldn't recall why I had been brought back. The field appeared as depressing as ever, and I dare say it felt even more disheartening since I couldn't comprehend the purpose behind my presence."Why do we keep meeting in this place? It seems we might be stuck in a repetitive cycle, and I can't say I enjoy it one bit," I complained, my gaze gliding away from the slender stem of the asphodel flowers closed by; they narrowed as I caught sight of the person I was addressing.She was a young woman, slightly older than me, perhaps in her late twenties or even early thirties. It was hard to pinpoint her age in this form; at times, she appeared as a teenager, while at others, she exuded an air of maturity. I didn't need anyone to tell me who she was; I knew it was Goddess Selene.
Winter's POV:The morning had finally arrived, and I was grateful for it. I had grown tired of staring at the ceiling, although I couldn't say I spent the entire day doing so. At some point, I must have slept, only to wake up again and resume my contemplation.The nightmare I had been trying to escape didn't return, but my mind was filled with thoughts of what the goddess had said and what it meant. No matter how much I pondered over it, I couldn't come up with any answers. Yet, I knew it all revolved around Rafael. Perhaps he might have some insight, and asking him wouldn't cause any harm. Or maybe it would.I climbed out of bed and slipped my feet into the fuzzy slippers before me. A groan escaped my lips as the warmth enveloped me, and I trudged towards the windows. Parting the curtains, I exhaled, creating moisture on the window pane. However, that wasn't what caught my attention.The storm had subsided, but the water levels hadn't receded. It could take up to two days for the wat
WINTER POVAfter eating with Denise, I had second thoughts about discussing the issues with Rafael. Although there was no harm in trying to see if he would snap at me or act reasonably, I couldn't help but feel afraid because I knew it would be the latter. It always was. Yet, I wanted to try it.As I approached the room's door where he had moved in since my arrival here, I rubbed my sweaty palms on the dress I was wearing and took two deep breaths. Then another one, closing my eyes and counting to ten mentally.I did that for a few more seconds before grasping the doorknob. I mumbled, "There's no going back. If I perish, I perish. I need to get this over with."Twisting the doorknob, I pushed the door open and stepped inside the room slowly.I had imagined seeing Rafael in his room, either in a foul mood or assuming one of his sarcastic moods while staying in the shadows.However, the curtains were parted, and what lay before me—I wouldn't say I couldn't comprehend it. I could, but I
RAFAEL'S POV"What did you do to her?" Naomi asked as soon as I stepped into the room. My initial thought was to look for Winter, as I was sure she had run off and come here. However, I never expected to see Naomi. Had Winter told her what had happened? Was she here to berate me? I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.Although I didn't like that Winter had seen me with Vivian, I couldn't help myself. Even though I wanted nothing to do with Vivian, I still needed to distract myself from thoughts of Winter. Last night was something else. I heard her scream while I was thinking about her inappropriately.At first, I thought she was being attacked, and I wanted to kill whoever had tried to harm her under my roof. But when I saw her wide eyes filled with fear as I entered the room, I realised she had been trapped in a nightmare, and my presence had frightened her.Without asking her what had happened, as that might be mistaken for kindness or showing some emotion towards her, I had le
RAFAEL POVMy eyes wandered to my wristwatch. I couldn't tell how long I had been staring at it. All I knew was that I had been counting the minutes and hours while waiting for Winter to pop in from the large entrance where the Etas and deltas were standing with me.She hadn't come. I guess she had indeed left. But should that bother me? I didn't think so.Naomi wanted me to feel otherwise, to issue an apology I was sure would never come forth, even if Winter was near me. I hadn't wronged her, and I never asked for her presence in the first place. Yet, deep down, I couldn't help but feel a tiny bit of throbbing in her absence."Alpha," James said, snapping me out of my thoughts about Winter.I turned to stare at him, and he pointed to the receding water."I believe this was orchestrated," he said."How so?" I asked, a frown forming on my face.James stepped forward, but I held him back before he could step into the water."If this was orchestrated, don't you think it's unwise for you
WINTER'S POVFeeling a prod at my side, I jerked awake. I slowly opened my eyes and winced as the bright light shone into them."Winter?"Turning towards the source of the voice, I blinked my eyes several times to clear the haze before they adjusted to the lighting in the room. I realised it was just the sun showing its brilliance, and the curtains were opened, allowing the light to stream in."L-Linda?!" I stuttered, standing to my feet. I was still wearing the same Flora dress, but I was definitely no longer in the Eclipse pack.The air smelled different, almost like I was back home at the MoonStone pack."You're home," Linda said. "What happened? Jude saw you at the opening, and now he's trying to declare war on the Rogue king and his pack. I tried to talk him out of it, but he won't listen," she explained.I stood abruptly and stumbled towards the door, but Linda caught me, and I glared at her."He'll kill himself!" I said. Rafael, who wanted to kill him before, would be pleased t
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