Cynthia’s POVAll I can do is watch as two ruthless Eclipse warriors drag the boy away.I want to help. I really do. But I’m so weak, and it happens so fast. I stare, mouth agape, the Alpha’s command still rattling through my skull. ‘Take him away,’ the Alpha had said without a hint of mercy, and the warriors had just obeyed. The boy goes kicking and screaming off to who knows where. The Alpha follows behind them, and even from my position twenty yards away, I swear I can see the steel in his eyes.Once they’ve left, I approach the spot where they’ve just argued. My heart sinks when I spot a small patch of orange fur nestled in the grass.The fox’s body.Limp.Lifeless.And the way he killed it–knowing how to kill is a skill any Alpha needs, surely, but that’s a measure reserved for enemies. Beings that could actually hurt you. A fox? A small injured fox? Killing something like that is sheer cruelty. Tears start to fall from my eyes as the heartbreak and shock ricochet through me. My
Cynthia’s POVVikrov may not care about what most people think, but I’m his mate. He has to care about what I think.For just a moment, he seems startled by my question. His apparent indifference towards Galen–his own brother–hurts me. Without waiting for his response, I press on. “You can stay neutral about this if you want to, Vikrov. I’m going to save Galen.”Before he can say a word, I start to sprint in the direction Galen has been taken.“Cynthia!” Vikrov’s voice echoes from behind me, but I ignore it as I run.Even in the best of health, Vikrov must be a faster runner than me, and with all my injuries, I’m moving at less than half the speed I’d be able to travel at before. I know at this point that Vikrov is letting me run ahead of him at this point. If he wanted to stop me, he would, which means he’s decided to let me go.Some part of me resents the level of control he’s exerted over me, even subconsciously.Even though I’ve lost my wolf, my sense of smell is as acute as ever
Cynthia’s POVThe moment Alpha Maverick leaves the clearing, I collapse into Vikrov’s arms.“You were right,” I cry as he wraps his arms around me. “He–it happened just like you said it would, I made things worse…” I can’t believe it was all true. Just like Vikrov had predicted, the Alpha made Galen’s punishment worse, just because of my interference. My rash actions have only brought more suffering upon the poor boy. I find myself wracked with guilt, helpless in Vikrov’s secure embrace. I bite my lip and try to swallow back the sobs, unsure of what to do next. “I know. I know. It’s okay,” Vikrov whispers in my ear, patting my shoulder gently. “Let me take you back to your room.” I shake my head, still pressed against him. I know he just wants to comfort me, but I can’t just walk away now.After what I’ve made him go through, what he’s about to go through…“I owe it to both him and myself to see him,” I explained quietly. “I have to see Galen before I leave. I need to know if there
Vikrov’s POV“What are you doing here?”I glance down at Galen, who’s only just started to stir. His voice is weak, but far from friendly. Looking at him sprawled out in the hay, he almost looks like he could be dead without a bit more examination. His werewolf instincts are still strong, though, no doubt, so it’s easy for him to sense Cynthia and I. It’s not his first punishment. But it’s his first time ever seeing me in the dungeon. “Drop the pretense. I don’t need it,” Galen snarls. I roll my eyes at his dismissal, but make sure to speak to him with kindness. “Save your strength. It’ll be awhile before you have access to food and water.”“That’s none of your business!” Galen snaps. He’s right, I suppose. We’ve never really acted like we care about each other like we should. It’s almost as if we’re not brothers. My gaze shifts to Cynthia, who seems to be observing the nature of our interaction with profound curiosity as she looks from me to Galen to me again. She was bound to
Cynthia’s POV“You’ve been beaten by Alpha Maverick?”I ask the question before I can debate whether it’s something I should ask or not. I look up at Vikrov in shock, unable to believe that he could’ve gone through something like that.I mean, he’s strong, smart, always victorious, a vicious fighter for his pack–he’s his enemy’s worst nightmare, and his pack’s greatest hero. Everyone in the Eclipse pack fears him as much as they love him. Alpha Maverick respects him. So how could he have possibly been…Vikrov looks at me quietly with sad, solemn eyes.He doesn’t answer.But his silence feels like an admission. “Oh, Vikrov,” I say quietly, taking his large hand in both of mine and holding him close. “When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here.”Something in Vikrov’s expression relaxes, softening ever so slightly. His endlessly piercing ocean eyes, once probing, turn warm. My face starts to flush. I realize that we’re standing awfully close together–he’s standing in front of me, and
Cynthia’s POVHow do you plan on thanking me?I can’t help but blush at the words. There are a lot of things I could do to thank him. My skin still tingles with the memory of his soft kisses along my neck.I have bigger things to worry about, though. I tilt my head, trying to come up with a more appropriate answer. “It doesn’t seem like there’s much you’re lacking,” I say finally.The words amuse Vikrov. He laughs a little. “So you owe me, then?”“Owe you?” I repeat.“As repayment,” he explains. “You’ll have to fulfill a wish of mine. I haven’t decided what I want from you yet.” Vikrov winks playfully. “So you owe me one wish.”I figure with Vikrov’s status and abilities, there can’t be much he desires that he doesn’t already have, or that I could provide for him. Maybe he’ll never need that wish. Maybe he’ll forget about it by tomorrow.Or maybe he’ll cash it in for something fun. “Alright,” I agree. “Here’s how we’re going to do this,” Vikrov says as we walk to the pack hospital.
Vikrov’s POVThe moment I sense my father’s Alpha aura approaching, I mind-link Galen.‘Get Cynthia out of there,’ I urged. I can’t help but worry for Cynthia. I can see my father in the distance, and Cynthia, now, climbing out one of the cabin’s windows. She’s not going to make it, I think to myself.She’s climbing slowly and awkwardly–it must be her old injuries acting up again. By the time Cynthia manages to jump out of the window, I can see that my father has spotted her too. I sprint towards them. I have to protect Cynthia.“Alpha,” I say, stepping between the two of them to separate her from my father.My father’s eagle-like eyes bore into me angrily. I can feel his skepticism. “You seem exceptionally concerned about your brother, Vikrov.”I purse my lips. “I’m only here to ensure that the warriors carry out the punishment as ordered, without showing any leniency just because Galen is the Alpha’s son,” I explained smoothly. Cynthia’s eyes flash with confusion for a second, but
Liam’s POV“The Eclipse pack has captured Cynthia!”“What?” I look up in shock as Elena bursts into my office, clearly in distress. Her face is flushed, and her eyes, lined with deep purple circles, are gleaming with unshed tears. Cynthia’s absence has done a number on both of us. “My father just got the news,” Elena says, collapsing into an armchair. “Liam, she’s been with the Eclipse pack this whole time.My heart tightens as though gripped by an invisible hand. “Tell me everything.”“There’s not much to tell,” Elena says shakily. “The Eclipse pack recently expelled a pair of maids. My father apprehended and interrogated them. They confessed that the Eclipse pack’s Beta returned to the Eclipse pack with a girl covered in blood about half a month ago, and that she’s been held hostage ever since. Liam, she–” Elena looks like she’s holding back tears. “It’s Cynthia.”“Damn it!” I roar, slamming my fist onto the desk. Elena jolts in shock. “If the Eclipse pack has her, they’ve been to
Cynthia’s POVVikrov wraps his arms around me, pulling me close enough that I’m certain he’ll never let me go.Just as I start to flood with relief and joy, convinced he’s finally opening up to me, his next words hit me like a cold shower.“I’ve been lying to you,” Vikrov says in a low voice. I freeze. “What?”“About–about your amnesia. The life you led before.” He looks away, almost ashamed to meet my gaze. “You’re not a member of the Eclipse pack, and you never have been. Your true identity is the Beta of the Blood Moon pack, and the Eclipse pack is your most vicious enemy.” My mind goes blank with sheer horror. I stare at him in shock. It can’t be true. “Is this some sort of joke?”Vikrov shakes his head, heaving a sigh. “No. It’s the truth. Beta Brooks recognized you when he found you hurt at the bottom of the cliff, and he knew who you were. We were going to use you against your pack, but when you woke up, you didn’t have your memory. So we changed our plan.”I look away so he
Cynthia’s POVLumina…“Oh my goodness, you’re gorgeous!”“What’s her name?”“Cynthia mentioned you. You know, we’re best friends.”Along with Lumina’s voice, a second voice echoes through my mind. Her voice is familiar too, laughter sweet and bright.Who is she?My head starts to ache. ‘Lumina, who is this girl?’ I try to ask my wolf through the haze of pain. But there’s no answer.‘Lumina?’ I ask tentatively. Nothing but silence. I sob, crumpling over Vikrov’s unconscious body. Even after such a brief moment with joy, I’m met with an even greater disappointment. ‘Lumina, are you still there?’Minutes slip away. After a while, I’m certain she’s gone again. But just as I’m about to abandon all hope, Vikrov stirs.“Uh…” he groans. I looked down at him in surprise, touching his face gently. “Vikrov?” I ask quietly, almost afraid to believe it. Vikrov looks up at me in horrified shock. “What are you doing here?”“Saving you,” I whisper back. It’s such a relief to see him awake. I c
Cynthia’s POVAlpha Maverick’s gaze slips up and down my body in a way that makes my skin crawl. I find myself frozen where I stand as he walks towards me. He pats my shoulder gently.“Go see him,” he urges, whispering in my ear.Then he leaves.I shiver, wiping the spot where he touched me. I feel thoroughly disgusted by his touch. He doesn’t seem angry that I’m here.Why doesn’t he seem angry?I can’t dwell on that now, though. I have considerably bigger things to worry about. Before me, I can see a dark, damp tunnel stretching onwards, and I can hear the sound of rushing water. Water starts to pool around my ankles. As I move down the tunnel, I can see jagged stone walls that could slough skin right to the bone and torture devices even more horrible than the ones Galen was subjected to in the cabin. The sound of water echoing becomes louder and louder. The water starts to feel just a bit more viscous. I look down, and my heart clenches.The water is turning red.It must be Vikrov
Cynthia’s POV“The water prison is in a cave,” Galen explains quietly.He draws in a deep, labored breath, as if it hurts him to continue speaking about it.“Are you alright?” I ask tentatively.“Yeah, yeah.” His tone is dismissive, but I don’t quite believe him. “Just… it’s. Um. It’s horrible to think about. Sorry. The water prison is in a cave–there’s this natural waterfall tucked somewhere in the mountains, and the cell is in a little hollow right by the water. My father adds some sort of special substance to the water that prevents werewolf wounds from healing, so after being beaten and put in the water prison, the body gradually grows weaker and weaker from blood loss.”I clap a hand over my mouth in horror. I feel sick to my stomach–almost like I could throw up. “How could such a terrible place exist?”Galen looks away. “I mean. You’ve met my father, right?”“I have, but to subject your son to such a cruel punishment…” I trail off, absolutely disgusted. “Actually, this isn’t Vi
Cynthia’s POVIn just a few days, I’m going to get married to Vikrov, and I couldn’t be happier. I had to hear the news from Galen, which is strange. Ever since that night on the mountain, I haven’t seen Vikrov. Galen had to tell me that rogues have been causing trouble at the border, so Vikrov has been hard at work fighting them off. Galen’s been bringing me all my news, lately. With Vikrov away, he’s my only friend in the Eclipse pack.As the sun starts to set, I walk up the mountaintop. Galen is already there waiting for me. With Vikrov gone, and the two of us being more or less loners in the pack, the mountain has become our “spot.”“Is Vikrov still off fighting the rogues?” I ask, opening a can of beer and taking a long sip. I can’t help but feel down. I miss him desperately. “He…” Galen bites his lip, dodging my gaze.My eyes widened. A bad feeling washes over me, making my stomach churn. “What happened to him?” I ask tentatively.Galen sighs as though facing a difficult decis
Vikrov’s POVCynthia is, without a doubt, the most special girl I’ve ever met.She’s so kind, sincere, smart…And passionate.Right now, she’s already managed to get my shirt unbuttoned. I can’t help but laugh at the practiced ease with which she undoes the buttons. Her hands caress my shoulders gently, sending shivers along my skin. Her fingers trail along my chest, my abs, moving downward…Just as she starts to unbuckle my belt, I grab her hand.I don’t want to stop her. I’m so hard it’s almost painful. But if Cynthia and I are going to sleep together, this isn’t how I want to do it. “You’re drunk, Cynthia,” I pant.She tilts her head playfully, thinking for a moment as though she doesn’t quite understand what I’m saying. Her face is flushed. She looks beautiful. I don’t think Cynthia understands how much I want her–all she knows how to do is tease me mercilessly, and everything she does only makes me want her more. Cynthia’s eyes, filled with stars, mesmerize me. She was made to
Cynthia’s POVLate at night, I’m waiting at an isolated mountaintop in the Eclipse Pack’s territory, basking in the moonlight glow.“Why did you tell me to meet you at such a remote place so late?” Galen complains as he struggles up the mountaintop, but he seems relaxed overall. He sits down next to me quickly. “Sorry about the climb,” I apologize. “I hope you’re healing up okay. I would’ve liked to meet you at the pack house during the daytime, but then Alpha Maverick could’ve spotted us, and he would’ve beaten you to a pulp.” My heart twinges a little when I see him flinch. Galen shrugs, stretching out. I can see that his wounds have mostly healed–on a surface level, at least.“The view here is great, isn’t it?” I say, reaching into the basket I prepared and handing him a can of beer.He hesitates for a moment, then accepts the can and cracks it open. “Why are we here?”“To drink!” I say, opening a can for myself and clinking it against his. “Cheers.”I take a big swig of cold bee
Liam’s POV“Where’s Cynthia?”I look up, disheartened, as Elena asks the question. She’s clearly fretting, wringing her hands and pacing back and forth. Unfortunately, my returning alone won’t do anything to alleviate her concerns. “Is she hurt?” Elena continues. “Resting in her room?” She turns to leave. “I’ll go check on her.”As she walks past me, I grab her wrist. “She stayed at the Eclipse pack,” I say mournfully.“What?” Elena’s eyes widened in shock. “Why didn’t you bring her back? We had so many warriors, we easily could have–”I shake my head. “It’s no use. She…” I pause. It’s a painful memory. “When I attacked Vikrov, she stood in front of him. She wouldn’t let me attack him.” “She protected him?” Elena asks incredulously. “The Cynthia I know would never do anything like that. What’s going on?”I sigh. “I don’t know. We need to interrogate those maids from the Eclipse pack again. They must be hiding something.”Elena and I make our way to the dungeon where the maids are be
Cynthia’s POVOver the next couple days, with Vikrov’s help, I’m able to sneak Galen food a few times.We’ve developed something of a routine, Vikrov and I, with distracting the guards while I sneak in and out of the cabin. And Galen has become adapted to the routine too–despite bearing new wounds every day, he doesn’t resist me anymore. He finishes all the food I bring him, and cooperates well with his injections. The dungeons may be horrible to go through, but I’m glad I’ve been able to help Galen through all of this. And I think it’s good for Vikrov, too, to have a way to show his brother he cares. Their situation is complicated, but I hope it can get better from here. I breathe out a sigh of elation as I walk around the outside of the pack house to Galen’s room. Today was his last day in the dungeon–he’s free now, and has finally had the chance to be looked over by an actual doctor, which he was in desperate need of. Because Alpha Maverick seems to resent Vikrov and Galen gettin