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
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 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 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 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 POVMy best friend is about to marry my crush, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.I’ve had feelings for Liam since I was little, and it’s my secret. I’ve never told anyone, not even my best friend, Elena.But now, Liam has announced that they are getting married. I struggle to hold back tears, not wanting him to see my pain.“So you’ve fallen in love with her,” I say, trying to keep my voice from trembling.“No!” Liam quickly denies. “Then why are you marrying her?” Elena doesn’t love Liam; we’re best friends, and I know it. So why are they getting married? I’m the one who truly loves Liam. Why?“I need her father’s support. I just became the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. Things are shaky. The Eclipse pack might launch an attack during this time, and if that happens-” he shivers. “I don’t want to end up like my father, Cynthia.”I purse my lips. He does have a point, I suppose. The Eclipse pack is the largest pack in North America, and they’re the ones who killed Lia
Cynthia’s POVI don’t know how long I spend in a haze of pain as my limbs twist and contort, reshaping into those of an animal. When finally, I regain some sense of clarity, I’m shocked by the acute awareness with which I now view the world.‘Hello, Cynthia.’ The ethereal voice echoes in my mind once again.‘You’re my wolf!’ I realize, speaking to the voice through our mind link.‘That I am!’ The voice is playful. ‘My name is Lumina. I’m so happy to meet you.’I pad over to the edge of the lake and stare into the crystal-clear water, where I can see my wolf form for the first time in the beauty of the moon. My fur is fluffy and gray, mottled with white specks, and my eyes are the exact same shade of piercing emerald green.“Oh my goodness, you’re gorgeous!” Elena’s reflection appears in the water next to mind. Her hand ruffles my fur, and it feels surprisingly nice. “Are you ready to turn back yet?”I try to speak, but realize I can’t. I nod instead. “Good. Just focus.” Elena’s voice
Cynthia’s POVAs the first rays of morning sunlight stream into my room, I groan.The pain of being rejected last night had left my whole body sore. Liam had offered to walk me back to my room, but I declined. If he's about to marry Elena, I think it's best to keep my distance from him.I know I should feel happy now – I’m eighteen today. After the Beta Inauguration Ceremony, I'll officially become the Beta of the Blood Moon Pack.It's all in the past now. I encourage myself. Today is a new day, and I'm going to be the best Beta I can be.Morning dew kisses my ankles as I near the top of the hill, where Liam is already waiting. He’s dressed in an Alpha’s traditional attire, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look more handsome.“I’m sorry there’s not more of a ceremony for you,” Liam says with a wry smile as I approach. “Normally there would be, but I need to appoint you quickly. You ready?”He catches my eye. I blush and look away. “Born ready.”“Good.” He folds his hands behind hi