“Again.” “Rafe, act as if your life is in danger, as if your life depends on winning this fight. Newsflash, it does.” “Finn, stop fucking around and give it your all.” “Lucy! What the hell was that? Do you want to end up like the rest of the templars? Dead?” “Stop, everyone stop. Grab water and take a break,” my voice cracks as I yell across the field. Oh, my goddess, what a day. It excited me this morning to be leading the training, but now, I don’t understand how our pack got so lazy. “Thank goddess.” I hear a few people murmur as they walk past me to their water bottles. “At least she’s not yelling at us as much as she is the others,” another one says. Finn steps in front of me, sweat dripping in his hard eyes. “I can take you yelling and talking shit to me. Bring it on. I know you, and I think I understand even why you are being extra harsh on us, but, what you said to Lucy was uncalled for and a real bitch thing to say,” he growls before shouldering past me to meet up with L
Hot coffee scorches my tongue, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t wait for it to cool before enduring another scalding burn down my throat.“Is there a reason you refuse to let your coffee cool down?” Haylee asks joining me at the table. “And why are you sitting at the table?”“I needed the change of scenery.”Her gaze drills into the side of my face. When I don’t look over at her, I hear her chair shuffle back as she gets up, taking the seat right across from me.“What’s going on? I haven’t asked about your trips and this war that is coming that you have seemed to find yourself in the middle of. I haven’t asked because you know I prefer to stay out of that stuff. But I figured you knew you could always talk to me about it if you needed to. And right now, I think you’ve been holding it in and need to talk.”“I,” I pause and take a breath, “I killed, on the trips I’ve recently taken, both wolf and witch.” My eyes track up to her face, and as I expected, her eyes are wide and glossy, her mo
‘Raven, the scouts are almost back. We will meet in the hall.’ A mind link from Robert comes through.‘I will be there soon,’ I let him know.“Alright kids, finish up. You have to get to school,” I say, trying to get them moving this morning, but they are going at a snail’s pace.“Mom, I think I should stay home with you today,” Jade says, setting down her juice. Her eyes are large and pleading as she stares me down.“And why exactly do you think that?” I lean down on the table in front of her, meeting her gaze.“You’re going to need my advice today. I have a feeling you’re going to make some wrong decisions today,” she says it so seriously.Rafe tries to cover up his snort but fails and earns a seething look from me.“Sweetheart, I always value your opinion and guidance, but today, you need to go to school. Any important decisions made today, I will not be making them alone. Thank you, though, for your complete faith in me though,” I say the last part sarcastically, which earns me a
RafeCrash - the floor above us vibrates from what just fell, causing the kids to jump at the loud noise. We’re sitting on the couch, they’re burrowed into each of my sides as Raven runs rampant throughout the house trying to get everything she thinks we need during this war rounded up.“Daddy? Do you promise that you and mommy will both come back?” Jasper’s voice trembles with fear as he sniffles.“Buddy, I promise you. Both of you, that mommy and I will come home to you. We will be okay.” I squeeze them a little tighter.“You can’t promise that, dad.” Jade scowls at me.“Yes, he can. He just did.” Jasper leans forward to frown at her.“He can’t control if someone hurts him, Jasper. That’s not a promise he can make,” she yells. The quiver in her voice lets on how afraid she is for us.Jasper humphs while sitting back into the space under my arm as his arms crossed over his chest. His little body trembles as he squeezes his eyes shut to keep the tears at bay.“Guys, don’t fight. Not r
With one last kiss on their heads, I give them a little shove inside. Susannah locks the door from the inside while I say the protection enchantment I learned, adding an extra layer, just in case.Once finished, I stare up at the house. Letting out a slow breath, I turn my back and make my way toward where I’m supposed to meet my team.I won’t be leading one or technically part of one since I’m on the council, but Rafe is assigned, and I like to check in and see how they’re doing and being handled. I wish Finnian was in the same team as Rafe, then it would make it easier to keep track of them.Haylee gets to stay behind with the kids since she’s a teacher. Even though I have all the faith in Susannah and know she’ll be on top of it all, it eases some of my worries, knowing my best friend is there and my kids have that friendly, reassuring face.Raised voices echo through the streets as I near the town center where many teams are meeting up. Some voices stand out, the closer I get, the
It’s evening when the forest comes into view. Light reflects through the trees, and torches glow softly, giving away their location within the depths of the forest. We stop a few hundred yards away. Except for those in the back with the food supplies and the council members, the rest are all shifted into their wolves. We bring no light or sound to give us away. We prepared for this earlier at our last stop once we realized we would arrive after dark.As we come to a halt, teams shuffle around to get in position. We hope by attacking while it’s still dark out will affect how the witches fight, seeing as they have the disadvantage of not having night vision like us wolves. The wolves will see and attack just fine. I stand at the front watching the woods, looking for any movement that shows they know we are out here. A nudge at my hip diverts my attention.My hand caresses Rafe’s head. He pushes it further into my hand as I scratch behind his ear.“I’m nervous.” My voice, barely above a
Howls fill the air as the hairs on the back of my neck and arms stand up. Gnashing of teeth and growling fill me with apprehension as I wait for my chance to get back up there and in the fight. I said I would stay in the back with the rest of the council, but I have no intention of doing that. How can I see how we’re doing or when the other witches arrive if I’m so far removed from the fight? I feel responsible for this, granted I didn’t start all of it, but how I wish I could have lived in ignorance like the rest of the council wanted to when they believed the fight ended with Duncan’s death. How little he meant to this war when at the time he felt like the largest threat out there.Rafe stands glued to my side, his chest vibrating against me as a constant growl rumbles through him. After what feels like forever, flashes of color start mixing with the red and orange glow of the burning fires. That’s my queue to get in there. The witches have joined the fight. I guess the fire is prov
RAFE She is so infuriating. I watch her take off, pushing her way toward danger, while Finn and Lucy fall in step behind her. She’s not staying back safely, as we agreed upon. Instead, she’s rushing to the front line. It’s only a heartbeat that I wait before I follow, but the space between us is quickly closed as I lose sight of them. I try to push through our pack but am soon engaged when something barrels into my side. Thankfully, I don’t fall as I’m pushed into another wolf, which keeps me upright, making it easy for me to recover and turn to the attacker. Saliva drips from his fangs as he bares them in a growl at me. His blank eyes track me as his muscles bunch, getting ready to strike again. My front legs drop, bringing me closer to the ground, readying me to also attack. My hind legs push forward and we clash mid-air. I turn at the last minute to protect my neck and it gives me a clear shot at their exposed neck. My teeth clench around their neck, blood seeps through my bare
RAFEAs I stand here looking across the yard, Raven’s beauty still makes me catch my breath. Right now, her head is thrown back in laughter at something Finn just said as Lucy laughs along with her. Despite the stress, she’s been under this last week. I’m glad she’s been able to find these moments with her friends while they are here visiting.As I walk, I see Marge crossing the yard on the opposite side of me and cringe, knowing what is coming. We both step up to the group and as I drop into the open chair, Marge turns to Raven.“Luna, may I have a word before you leave today, please?”Raven looks over at me with a resigned look before pasting on her smile and allowing a moment of her very limited time for a pack member.“Of course Marge.” She stands and leans down to hug Finn and Lucy. “I love you both. If I don’t get to see you again before you leave or we leave, please travel safely. We will talk soon.” With a sad smile, she walks off with Marge.“She is going to burn herself out
I take a moment and look over the crowd and I see families huddled together, hugging in grief. I see a woman standing by herself, staring up at the sky, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She’s holding so tight it’s as if she’s imagining she’s in the arms of her lost love.My heart breaks for everyone here, for the women who lost their mates, the children who’ve lost a parent, and the families who lost a son, daughter, brother, or sister. For the ones who lost someone to the outside. I don’t know which loss is harder, never getting to see someone again but knowing they passed on valiantly. Or knowing your loved one is now on their own, living in a world apart from you with no magic or wolf. Always wondering how they are doing, if they are surviving. Even though they were banished, you can not banish love from the heart.“Good evening,” I say, letting my magic carry my voice so all can hear it.Once everyone’s attention is on me, I falter for a moment, trying to think of the righ
“Mom, stop,” Jasper whines and tries to escape my hold.I haven’t been able to leave the twins alone since we returned. To them, it was no big deal, and hugs of glad you made it home, and Jade said she knew we would return unharmed and successful, were all we received on our return.“Sorry, not sorry. I just love you so much.” I pull him in closer and plaster him with kisses all over his face.“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you? I guess it’s your turn,” I say to Jade, who’s sitting on the couch with Rafe, laughing at her twin.“No,” she squeals as I release Jasper and jump over the side of the couch, landing on both of them and pulling her down to me. Soon it’s me squealing as Jasper and Rafe tickle me, while Jade wiggles free.After our time roughhousing, we all sit laughing on the couch as one big family. I’m feeling the best I have in what feels like a very long time.It’s been two weeks since we returned, and tonight we will have an official memorial for all lives lost during the
“Raven, hold on to this, please.” Selene holds the Moonstone out to me.I take the stone and zip it into my vest. I step back as she floats above the ground, light emanating from her, causing me to squint.“Listen closely to my words, for I will not repeat myself, nor will I ever interfere again.”Her voice reaches everyone here. They have all risen to their feet and now give her their undivided attention; the fight is forgotten.“The mistakes I made with your ancestors have festered and have passed down to you to carry out. You are all my creation and are meant to live together and work together in harmony. What one of you excels at the other lacks and needs, and vice versa. I made you to need each other. Whether you get a witch or wolf as a mate or have one as your best friend, both types of relationships are equally important in your life.”People are shuffling their feet, listening to her. The wolves are eyeing the nearby witches wearily. I’m sure not quite believing they are supp
So many emotions rush through me as I peer at her. Her shoulders roll back as she turns to fully face me. A brilliant smile illuminates her beautiful face while a thundercloud darkens mine.Everyone appears to be frozen in their spots as I rise on wobbly feet.“Raven,” she says.“Moon goddess.” My tone is curt, nowhere near as soft and pleasing as hers was.Her lips droop into a sad smile before she breaks eye contact to look around her for the first time. As she spins in a slow circle, her hands raise, one to cover her heart and the other to her mouth.She spins back to me sharply. “What happened? What did you do?” Her tone is no longer happy but holds a scary, manic edge.I know I shouldn’t cock an attitude with the Moon goddess, but at this moment I can’t help it. My eyebrows furrow as my eyes squint at her. What kind of question is that? We are obviously in the middle of the war she refused to help with.She stalks the few steps between us as her eyes search me from head to toe. O
RAVENWhen I see the sword cut through Rafe’s rear leg, I jump down from the rock and rush toward him. My wolf surges forth, aiding my speed, a desperate attempt to get to him.My eyes stray from the witch and the sword in her hand, to see Rafe faltering on the ground, growing slow in his movements until he’s flipped on his back, watching helplessly as the witch comes for him.I am focused on Rafe that I almost miss the wolf coming at me from the side. Not breaking my stride, I stretch out my arm and shoot a fireball at the attacker. Not bothering to see if they’re down, I leave them for someone else to finish.With each step I take, I feel the burning rage back in my chest. The rage is almost all-consuming and I barely notice the burn in my hand as I watch the witch stalk toward Rafe, wearing a sinister smile as she looks down at my mate in triumph.No, this is not a fight she will win.Only a few more steps.My heartbeat pounds in my ear as she raises her sword.Almost there.Her sm
RAFE She is so infuriating. I watch her take off, pushing her way toward danger, while Finn and Lucy fall in step behind her. She’s not staying back safely, as we agreed upon. Instead, she’s rushing to the front line. It’s only a heartbeat that I wait before I follow, but the space between us is quickly closed as I lose sight of them. I try to push through our pack but am soon engaged when something barrels into my side. Thankfully, I don’t fall as I’m pushed into another wolf, which keeps me upright, making it easy for me to recover and turn to the attacker. Saliva drips from his fangs as he bares them in a growl at me. His blank eyes track me as his muscles bunch, getting ready to strike again. My front legs drop, bringing me closer to the ground, readying me to also attack. My hind legs push forward and we clash mid-air. I turn at the last minute to protect my neck and it gives me a clear shot at their exposed neck. My teeth clench around their neck, blood seeps through my bare
Howls fill the air as the hairs on the back of my neck and arms stand up. Gnashing of teeth and growling fill me with apprehension as I wait for my chance to get back up there and in the fight. I said I would stay in the back with the rest of the council, but I have no intention of doing that. How can I see how we’re doing or when the other witches arrive if I’m so far removed from the fight? I feel responsible for this, granted I didn’t start all of it, but how I wish I could have lived in ignorance like the rest of the council wanted to when they believed the fight ended with Duncan’s death. How little he meant to this war when at the time he felt like the largest threat out there.Rafe stands glued to my side, his chest vibrating against me as a constant growl rumbles through him. After what feels like forever, flashes of color start mixing with the red and orange glow of the burning fires. That’s my queue to get in there. The witches have joined the fight. I guess the fire is prov
It’s evening when the forest comes into view. Light reflects through the trees, and torches glow softly, giving away their location within the depths of the forest. We stop a few hundred yards away. Except for those in the back with the food supplies and the council members, the rest are all shifted into their wolves. We bring no light or sound to give us away. We prepared for this earlier at our last stop once we realized we would arrive after dark.As we come to a halt, teams shuffle around to get in position. We hope by attacking while it’s still dark out will affect how the witches fight, seeing as they have the disadvantage of not having night vision like us wolves. The wolves will see and attack just fine. I stand at the front watching the woods, looking for any movement that shows they know we are out here. A nudge at my hip diverts my attention.My hand caresses Rafe’s head. He pushes it further into my hand as I scratch behind his ear.“I’m nervous.” My voice, barely above a