KaylaI paced the length of the hospital waiting room, my nerves frayed to the breaking point. Every few steps, I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, watching the hands move with excruciating slowness.Twelve hours. Emma had been in surgery for twelve hours now.Jade sat huddled in one of the
I leaned down and pressed my lips to Emma’s cold cheek, my tears falling onto her skin. “Wake up, Emma,” I said softly. “Please wake up. We need you. You need to get better and come back to us.”She remained still, the only movement the steady rise and fall of her chest, mechanically aided by the ma
KaylaThe Blood Moon Revelry.I’d completely forgotten about it with everything that had happened. Between my father’s betrayal, William Straud’s attack, and Emma’s injury, the annual celebration had slipped my mind entirely until Nicholas mentioned it last night.I stood at the large bay window of
By early afternoon, we’d moved outside to begin setting up the decorations in the expansive garden behind the manor. Pack members were bustling about, hanging lanterns from tree branches, arranging tables, and setting up the bonfire that would be lit when the moon rose.I struggled to lift a box of
Kayla“Luna Kayla, I really must reiterate once more that termination is the safest option,” the doctor said. “The pregnancy is putting too much strain on your body. Without a wolf to aid in the process, your body simply can’t handle the development of a werewolf pup.”I stared down at my hands, whi
My lips pressed together. I didn’t know if it would really be “surviving”, if it meant giving up the one thing I’d always wanted above all else.Eventually, I pulled away. “I need to rest if I’m going to be ready for the Revelry tomorrow.”Nicholas seemed reluctant to leave me, but after making sure
KaylaThe night air wrapped around me as I stepped outside, cool against my exposed skin beneath the thin white silk of my dress. The Blood Moon Revelry was in full swing, the expansive garden behind the Nightshade manor transformed into a primal celebration. A massive bonfire blazed in the center,
But in that moment, as we moved together beneath the Blood Moon, the distinction seemed meaningless. Chosen or fated, wolfless or not, we belonged to each other.As the dance reached its climax, Nicholas and I finally came together in the center, our hands joining as we completed the final turn. The
The sensation was indescribable—like finding a piece of myself I hadn’t known was missing, like coming home after a lifetime of wandering.I grinned up at Nicholas, feeling almost impish with the secret I’d kept for so long.His mouth hung open, shock written across his features. “You knew,” he said
Kayla“One more push!” the doctor’s voice barely registered through the haze of pain that had consumed me for the past sixteen hours. “I can see the head, Kayla. One more big push!”Nicholas gripped my hand, his other arm supporting my back as I leaned forward. I was beyond exhaustion, beyond pain,
There was Emma, fierce and loyal despite everything she’d been through, slowly healing from her injuries with her brother’s unwavering support. Marcus, who’d practically raised his sister from childhood and would do anything to protect those he cared about, including us.Noah, with his gentle demean
Kayla“She’s going to get what she deserves. Today,” Emma said, drumming her fingers against the armrest of her wheelchair. It was the third time she’d said it in the last half hour, but none of us called her on it. We were all tense.We stood outside the guild hall in a loose circle, our faces grim
“What did you do with her?”“She’s locked up in Nightshade’s prison for now,” Nicholas said grimly. “I’m going to speak to the guild to decide her fate.”I shivered. I couldn’t believe it, and yet… Somehow, I could. Because Isabella had done so much worse. This was just the cherry on top.My thought
KaylaLight filtered through my eyelids, hazy and blurred. Everything felt heavy. Sore. But alive.The first thing I saw was Nicholas hunched over me, clutching me so tightly I could barely breathe.“Kayla,” he murmured against my throat. “Kayla, please come back…”My shaky hand came up, my fingers
Across the room, Noah let out a roar of grief and anger, his fist punching through the wall with enough force to crack the plaster all the way to the ceiling. Marcus’s hands tore at his hair as he cursed violently. Emma shook in her wheelchair, silent tears streaming down her face. Grace simply star
Nicholas“Detain her!” I snarled at the nearest warriors, who were tangled with their new mates in various states of undress beneath the trees. They scrambled to their feet at my command, eyes widening as they took in Isabella writhing on the ground beneath me, her glamour spell completely faded now
“I’m here, Kayla,” she whispered. “I’ve always been here. It’s going to be okay…”Sobs tore from my throat. “I’m miscarrying, aren’t I?” I choked out, clutching her tighter. “I’m going to lose my baby.” I pulled back just enough to look into those luminous green eyes. “Please emerge before that happ