AVAI wasn’t looking forward to this conversation with Oscar.I knew what the endgame for the night was.Somehow, at midnight, I needed to (eww) be in front of Elijah letting him sink his disgusting teeth into my neck. At the same time, I now knew that Artemis needed to still be unconscious, so the mark from Elijah doesn’t stick.But I also need to somehow sneak up on him but not have him catch me whilst Artemis is unconscious… this was starting to feel impossible.“We need to find him, we need to know where he is going to be at midnight and make sure we’re there. I need to be there the second the moon is at its peak.”I paused, searching Oscar’s eyes. “I… he…” I let my eyes fall closed. Oscar wasn’t going to like this bit. “He has to think he’s going to win. He has to think he’s going to get… me.”What I wasn’t going to tell him… is that Elijah has to actually bite me for this to work. The concept made me feel sick to my stomach, but it was true. His teeth actually need to sink into
One hour until the moon is fullNOAHAn hour before the moon peaks and the pack was chaotic. All night, Beta Alex and I had been turning the pack territory upside down, digging out weapons, traps, all kinds of random stuff we’d not even realised that we still had after the last major battle a decade ago.Anyone who could fight was ready to do so, with newer and weaker fighters backed up by more experienced members in the areas that were best protected naturally.We’d moved pups, pregnant women, the elderly, unwell and anyone else who couldn’t fight into the safe rooms earlier in the day since we had no idea when the attack would actually come. Now… we just waited… for the attack to come.Rogues were lining up all around the border close to the trap that Ava and Jeremiah had concocted, so we’d placed a good chunk of our forces there, with the remainder spread out around the rest of the border to go after the stragglers.I’d tried to reach Ava a few times over the last hour… I couldn’t
MidnightNOAHI was in the middle of a battle when it happened. When I felt it.When I felt my mate being ripped away from me.My knees buckled and my body forced me to shift back to human form as a shooting pain shot through my body starting from my heart. I lay on my side, and I could feel myself shaking in agony.“Noah!” I heard someone calling, but they seemed far away. “Noah, fuck!”A face appeared leaning over me. Alex.“Noah, can you stand?” He was checking my body for signs of injuries that would explain my collapse, but didn’t find any.I shook my head, my breathing heavy.Alex’s arm wound around my waist, helping pull me up to stand. He motioned for someone to help, one of the warriors.The pain eased off and I was able to take some of my own weight, but that didn’t last long. Another sharp pain shot through my body, bringing me back to my knees. When I woke up, I was in the hospital.OSCARI knew he was going to bite her, but nothing at all could have prepared me for the a
ALEXA battle still raged throughout the pack territory.We weren’t entirely sure what was happening out in the big, bad world, we just knew that it wasn’t good. After he collapsed, we’d taken Noah to the pack hospital. He had been screaming, truly screaming in pain, crying about Ava, but not able to tell us what happened.The awful thing is… how he was reacting reminded me of something horrible.Fifteen years ago, I lost my wife. My fated mate. The mother of my boys.The only reason I got through it was my boys.There’s a reason a lot of wolves lose themselves, their minds and often their lives after their mate dies. Our mates are the other half of us. If you lose them, well. It’s like you are being torn apart from the inside out and your soul is being ripped out. It’s like your very being is being destroyed.You had to find something to live for to be able to carry on living.If Noah was in this much pain… something happened to Ava. Which meant my boys would also be in this much pa
I was in unbelievable amounts of pain.My body felt like it was being pulled apart.My veins were burning.My soul felt like it was being ripped out.Dionysus was screaming.And somehow, I needed to get both my mate and brother out of this alive.“Well, Oscar?” Elijah’s drawl carried across the clearing. “What’s it going to be?”Elijah must have known that something like this would happen, and that’s why he perfectly placed Ava and Callum so I wouldn’t be able to get to both of them before he could kill whoever I didn’t go for first.I still didn’t believe for a minute that he’d let Ava go, regardless of what I did. If I went for her, it would just get me close enough for Elijah to kill me. If I went for Callum, he’d do whatever to Ava, probably rip her throat out some more, before killing me and then Callum.“What do you think you’re going to achieve by doing this, Elijah? I know you won’t let Ava go, you want her too much.”I ignored the pleading look on Callum’s face. Knowing my br
AVAI suddenly jolted back to consciousness when I hit the floor. Earlier, I’d just had pain in my neck. Now… my body, mind and soul hurt so much I just wanted to die.Then I saw Oscar on the ground, I felt Oscar slipping away from me.I screamed; I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I was screaming his name, screaming his wolf’s name, begging him to stand, to say something, just do something, and he just didn’t. Callum stumbled towards me, falling down by my side, helping me sit up. “Carry me to him, Callum.” I was in so much pain I could hardly talk, but I had to see him. I needed to see him. “I need to see him, please.”When he realised I wasn’t going to back down, Callum scooped me up in his arms, running towards the fallen shape of his brother. He set me down on Oscar’s left side, before dropping to his knees opposite me. Oscar’s eyes were closed and his heart rate was so slow I could hardly hear or feel it. I couldn’t even feel Dionysus. I had no idea what the witch did to him,
UNKNOWNThe Meadow is a beautiful place. It’s full of fresh green grass, blossom trees, and freesias in more colours than you can imagine. Deer run through the trees, birds sing on the branches and fish dance in the streams.It’s a peaceful place, one full of ethereal wonder. The sky seems to shimmer and everything around you just feels magical. It feels right somehow.A woman sat on the bank of one of the streams, her bare feet in the rushing water. Her blonde hair flowed behind her as if constantly caught in a light breeze, as did her delicate gown.Butterflies fluttered around her head, and a kingfisher perched on her knee.Absolutely everything about her was beautiful.The woman stood, walking towards the middle of the meadow, so light on her feet that she seemed to be dancing on air.In the middle of the meadow, lay five bodies, with wolves running around them. The five bodies were dressed in white gossamer that matched the woman’s dress, all of their clothing delicately flutteri
CALLUM“Callum!” I heard someone shouting, but they sounded so far away. I couldn’t open my eyes, and my body felt numb, like I wasn’t connected to it.“Callum, wake up, please,” another voice begged.Oscar. That was Oscar and my dad.I jolted upright, nearly headbutting my dad in the face.He caught me before I could fall back when my head swum, my entire body still feeling weak.“Ava…” I growled. “Where’s Ava?”Dad and Oscar glanced at each other, faces nervous.“Callum… She... She hasn’t woken up yet.”“I need to see her,” I tried to scramble out of bed, but was tangled up in wires and cables.“Callum, let me get a doctor to check on you, okay?”I let my head fall back against my pillows. Didn’t really have a choice.Dad ran out of the room, calling after a doctor as he went.“How… how are you?” I asked Oscar.“I woke up a couple hours ago, so did Theo.”“Theo’s awake?”He nodded. “He’s going to be here for a few days for observations, but he’s awake.”“Noah?”“He… he went into v-f
AVAI sank into the plush armchair, my body feeling like lead. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the fireplace crackles softly. Oscar lay on the chaise lounge nearby, his chest rising and falling steadily. Relief washed over me, but it was tinged with a lingering anxiety that refused to dissipate."How are you feeling, love?" Theo's voice broke through my thoughts.I met his concerned gaze, and I knew my eyes were full of pain. "Like I've been hit by a truck, then run over by a train for good measure."A weak chuckle escaped Oscar's lips. "That's my girl, always with the colourful descriptions."My heart clenched. He nearly died saving me, and there he was, still trying to make me smile. I reached out, grasping his hand tightly. "We need to talk about what happened," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Callum leaned against the mantle, his jaw clenched. "Agreed. We can't let something like this happen again."I could feel the weight of their worry, their lov
AVAI couldn't bear it anymore. The pain of feeling Oscar slipping away was too much. With a surge of desperate strength, I pushed against Theo's chest. "Let me go," I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.Theo's arms loosened, surprise flashing across his face. I took advantage of his momentary hesitation and scrambled away, my legs giving out as I reached Oscar's side. I collapsed to my knees, my hand finding his."Oscar," I whispered, squeezing his fingers. They felt so cold. Too cold. "Don't you dare leave me."I could feel our bond stretching, thinning like a gossamer thread about to snap. Panic clawed at my throat. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything we'd been through."Ava," Callum's deep voice c
CALLUMI could feel Theo's anger radiating off him in waves as we strode down the dimly lit corridor toward Sera's cell. My own fury simmered just beneath the surface, barely contained."Remember, we need information," I said, my voice low and tight. "Don't let her provoke you."Theo's jaw clenched. "I'll try."As we approached the heavy iron door, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. The guard unlocked it with a harsh clang that echoed off the stone walls.Sera sat on a narrow cot, her raven hair tumbling over her shoulders. Those unnerving violet eyes locked onto us as we entered."Well, well," she purred. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a royal visit?"
OSCARI couldn’t tear my eyes away from Ava's lifeless gaze as the healers swarmed around us like agitated bees. The scent of herbs and magic hung thick in the air, mingling with the acrid tang of fear emanating from my brothers and me. My fingers tightened around Ava's limp hand, desperately seeking some flicker of response."Damn it, why isn't anything working?" I growled, frustration boiling over as another potion fails to elicit even a twitch from our mate.Noah placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. "They're doing everything they can, Oscar. We have to be patient."Patient? How could I be patient when the love of my life is lying there like an empty shell? The urge to lash out, to find that witch and tear her apart with my bare hands, was nearly overwhelming.
AVAThe moon's absence cast an eerie darkness over the ritual circle, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of herbs. I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I stepped into the silver-etched boundary of the circle, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. Sera's violet eyes gleamed in the flickering candlelight, her raven hair seeming to absorb the shadows around us. I could feel the tension radiating from my Kings through our bond, their worry and love intertwining with my own determination."Are you ready to begin, Your Majesty?" Sera's melodic voice carried an undercurrent of excitement that set my nerves on edge.I swallowed hard, casting a glance at my mates. Callum's jaw was clenched, his blue eyes stormy with concern. Theo's hands were balled into fists at his sides, while Noah's gaze was fix
AVAI bolted upright, a scream tearing from my throat. The room spun, shadows dancing in the dim light of dawn. My heart pounded, sweat plastering my nightgown to my skin."Ava!" Noah's voice, thick with sleep, cut through my panic. His strong arms encircled me, pulling me against his chest. "It's okay, love. You're safe."I couldn’t stop shaking, the nightmare's grip still tight around my mind. The empty crib, the hollow ache in my arms - it felt so real."The nightmare again?" Theo asked softly, his hand finding mine in the tangle of blankets.I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Oscar shifted closer, his warmth a comforting presence at my back. Callum's fingers brushed my cheek, wiping away tears I hadn't realised I'd shed."Talk to us, Ava," Callum urged gently.I took a shuddering breath. "It was... worse this time. I could hear a baby crying, but no matter
AVAThe library door crept open, and Theo stepped in, his blue eyes immediately finding mine. My heart rate picked up as he approached, his muscular frame taut with tension."Ava," he breathed, sinking into the chair beside me. His large hand engulfed mine, calloused fingers tracing soothing circles on my skin.I swallowed hard, bracing myself. "Theo, I—""Wait," he interrupted gently. "Let me speak first, please."I nodded, biting my lip.Theo took a deep breath. "I understand how much you want this. Truly, I do. The thought of having a child with you... it's something I've dreamed about." His voice broke slightly. "But Ava, the risks..."
AVADays passed, and the tension in the castle grew as thick as the snow piling outside. I could feel it in every glance, every touch from my Kings. They were worried, and I couldn’t blame them. But I couldn’t let this go, either.I was poring over ancient tomes in the library when Sera glided in, her presence as ethereal as ever. "Any luck, Your Majesty?" she asked.I shook my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Nothing. Not a single mention of the Fertility Invocation outside of what you've told us."Sera's lips curved into a sympathetic smile. "It's an ancient and rare ritual, My Queen. Few have the knowledge or power to attempt it."Her words sent a chill down my spine, both thrilling and terrifying. I closed the book before me, dust motes dancing in the air. "Tell me more," I whispered, my heart racing.Sera leaned in, her voice low and intense. "Think of it, Avelina. A chi
AVAThe howling wind outside the castle walls mirrored the turmoil in my mind as I stared out the frost-covered window. Days have passed, and the relentless snowstorm showed no signs of abating. I pressed my palm against the icy glass, feeling the chill seep into my bones."My Queen," a guard's voice cut through my thoughts. "There's someone at the gates seeking refuge."I turned, eyebrows raised. "In this weather? Who would be mad enough to travel?"As if in answer, the doors to the great hall burst open, a gust of snow and a cloaked figure blowing straight into the castle. The hood fell back, revealing a woman with raven-black hair and piercing violet eyes."Greetings, Your Majesty," she said, her voice as smooth as silk