Dear readers, I'm thrilled to announce that this book is now complete. Your unwavering support and readership mean the world to me. You are my invaluable source of writing inspiration. As I continue on my writing journey, I eagerly anticipate crafting stories that resonate deeply with you. Thank you for being a part of this adventure^^
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
POV unknown*** Cliffside ***“No! Cynthia!” Elena cries out, tears streaming down her face. “We can’t lose her!”Liam furrows his brow, staring down at the place where Cynthia fell. He orders his warriors swiftly, like a true Alpha: “Alert everyone in the Blood Moon pack. Get to the cliffs immediately. We need to find Cynthia as soon as possible. GO!”*** Below the Cliff ***Meanwhile, a group of Eclipse pack members–Beta Brooks and two scouts–have just finished their tasks for the day, and they’re on their way back to the Eclipse pack house to deliver their report. “We need to get back as soon as possible,” Beta Brooks informs the scouts. “The Blood Moon pack and the Darkfang pack have a powerful alliance in the works. Our enemies are getting stronger. Tensions between us and the others may start heating up again soon.”The first scout frowns. “Maybe we could break up their alliance somehow?”“I doubt it,” the Beta scowls. “Their alliance is very strong, especially right now. Alpha
Cynthia’s POVA faint headache pulses at the base of my skull. I frown, eyes slowly cracking open. The light of the room is dazzling. Where am I?I glance around and see an Omega maid in the room with me to my left. My chest feels strangely stuffy. I try to sit up, but find myself struggling.“Hello?” I call out to the maid, voice soft.She rushes to my bedside, looking at me somewhat nervously. “I’m sorry, I don’t know…” I trail off. I don't care about that. I lift my arm, and she helps me sit up.“Thanks, I… uh…” What's her name? I don't remember. Do I know her? Maybe I'm just too tired. Why can't I remember anyone?Ice-cold fingers of fear slowly trace their way up my skin.I survey the room again. Everything here feels so unfamiliar. I don’t recognize the room, its unfamiliar furnishings. I don’t recognize the art on the walls or the pain in my limbs. I don’t recognize the bed I’m in.Oh, Moon Goddess, there’s something wrong with me. A hollowness. Something is missing. I can’t p
Vikrov’s POV When the maid mindlinks me to tell me the Blood Moon pack’s Beta is awake, I’m more than ready to interrogate her in detail. I’m downstairs in the pack house when I feel a strange presence–the intoxicating scent of my mate. I recognize it for what it is immediately. It catches me off-guard–my mate is somewhere inside the pack house right now. I try to resist my wolf’s urge to go find her immediately, steeling myself against instinct. I’ve been shifted for four years now, and I know every member of my pack personally. If my mate were someone in my pack, I would’ve recognized her a long time ago. Unless… Unfortunately, I have a guess. I walk step-by-step to the room where the captive is being held, and with every step I take, the mate bond grows stronger. I push open the door. Her scent lingers in my nose. The moment I lay my eyes upon her, I know deep in my heart that we’re mates. I’m mates with the enemy. ‘MATE! MATE! MATE!’ My wolf, Tempest, howls incessant
Liam’s POVWe’ve been searching for Cynthia for days now, and we still can’t find her.Elena and I have been heading the search – we’re her two best friends. We both love her. Both the Blood Moon pack and the Darkfang pack have gotten involved. We’ve been doing everything we can to bring her back. I’ve been doing everything I can to bring her back.But it’s no use. I miss her. I miss her desperately. I sigh, staring down at the map in front of me. Another scout enters the room and gives his report–yet another area without Cynthia. I cross it off the map. The scout leaves to go search another location. I bury my head in my hands.Where could she be?The realization that I may never get her back is unbearably painful. What am I supposed to do without her?‘You shouldn’t have rejected her,’ my wolf Aspen says mournfully.‘I had to,’ I argue, but I’m not even sure how much I believe that myself anymore.I remember the way Cythia used to play tricks on me during training when we were you
Cynthia’s POVI’ve been with the Eclipse pack for a few days now, and there’s still a strange, unfamiliar feeling lurking in my heart. I feel no connection with this room, even though Vikrov has assured me it’s mine. It’s odd, though–there’s not a single picture of me in here, or of anyone, for that matter. The dresses in the closet aren’t anything I would choose to wear. There’s no soul in any of the art on the walls. It feels like a hotel, or a guest room. Nice enough, sure. Definitely livable. But there’s not a trace of personality to be found. It makes me terribly upset, of course, but whenever Vikrov comes to visit me, I find myself feeling alright about the whole situation. He gives me the space to be more patient with myself. It’s a welcome change.I’m jolted from my thoughts when the door to my room twists open, and Vikrov steps inside.“Annette?” I ask softly.“It's me, love.” Vikrov’s sexy, relaxed voice approaches me. He comes to my bedside, bending down slowly to plant a
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