The guards led Xenia through the packhouse to what looked like the bottom floor. They picked up lanterns before opening a set of heavy-looking doors and ushered Xenia through. A small crowd of werewolves or maybe humans, Xenia couldn't tell, parted as she walked by. They held torches, lanterns, and other light fixtures to help light the way down the tunnel. On their foreheads was a symbol, more like a crescent moon mark. She wondered if this was part of the ritual. They were calling out her name, well, more like calling her Luna. The faces in the crowd were filled with intrigue, as if she was royalty to them. Some even reached out to touch her. Their fingertips brushed her skin while the guards kept the eager ones away. A new kind of fear filled Xenia, but she kept her back straight and looked straight ahead. They will not get to me, Xenia reminded herself. You know what you have to do. Xenia and the guards made it to the middle of the room. The light from the Blue Moon reflected b
Mason staggered back from her words. A sense of victory washed over Xenia as Mason fell to one knee with one hand on his chest. He looked up at her with anger in his eyes. "Xenia," Mason growled. "I told you," Xenia said triumphantly. "I will never accept you." Mutters and gasps surrounded them. Xenia couldn't help but look around. She caught the girls' faces, but one face stood out the most. Jane. Jane was here, wearing the same crescent mark and bruises on her face. She wasn't looking at Xenia at first but something behind Xenia. Before Xenia could follow her gaze, Jane looked at her. There were tears in her eyes, and even though she was far away, Xenia could see her mouth, 'I'm sorry.' Sorry about what, Xenia wondered. I won. I got what I wanted. Then suddenly, Mason started to laugh. Xenia turned to him and watched him stand to his feet like nothing happened. It was Xenia's turn to stagger back. "How...how could you..." Before she could finish her sentence, Maso
"Xenia!" Mason's voice pulled Xenia's focus as she stared at him. "Finish it." "I give to you…" She continued with a shaky breath. "Mason Dalton." "Mason Dalton, my heart, my body, and…" Xenia's mouth felt dry as her gaze slowly moved back to her mother. This was it. She was going to bind herself to a werewolf, and she had to for her mother's life. She would not be the death of her mother. Not if she could prevent it. "And," Mason growled impatiently. Xenia brought her focus back to him. "...and my soul. I am yours." The sound of howls surrounded them and pierced the night sky as the werewolves and humans alike rejoiced in saying the words. Xenia didn't pay them any mind as Mason stared at her. She wondered if this was it. She wanted to get to her mother, but Mason tightened his grip as she tried to move away. "Now, the best part," he smiled. He dipped his head into the crook of her neck, running his nose up and down the spot that would bear his mark. Her heartbeat pu
A chorus of howls floated through the air as the Blue Moon reached the highest peak in the sky. Alpha Micah joined his warriors on the ritual run they did during every Blue Moon only a few miles from their campsite. It was a great way for his warriors to blow off steam and welcome the new werewolves during their first shift. For Micah, there was something in the air that night. For a moment, he attributed the strange feeling to the Blue Moon. Even Roman could feel it during their run. "I feel her. I feel Nova," Roman kept saying. It was natural for him to miss his mate on days like this. Days when the werewolf spirit was closer to the surface. The Blue Moon symbolized great power and change, but what could that be, and why did it affect him? When he returned to camp, he called Laurie to his tent. She walked in not long after carrying a book in her arms with a pensive look. She definitely knows something is up, he thought to himself. "Something's up," Laurie said immediately as
Xenia woke up with a start and noticed she was outside. Though this space looked different to her. The color of the surrounding trees seemed too saturated, and the sky was littered with stars, giving it an ethereal look. She quickly got to her feet when she felt a presence and grabbed the nearest stick before getting into a defensive stance. Her eyes searched the shadows between the trees. She saw nothing until a white-furred werewolf slowly stalked her way. Xenia remembered it from before. Its piercing blue eyes and the black crescent moon on its forehead. The same werewolf that warned her the last time she was in a place like this. "I wish I could say it's nice to see you again," the werewolf said, surprising Xenia. "But unfortunately, this won't be a nice visit. I'm sorry, but I can't let you leave here alive." An invisible force swirled around the werewolf, making its fur look like it was caught in a storm. Its eyes glowed as bright as the Blue Moon, its lips pulled back in
Xenia's body lay still against the altar. Mason kept listening to her heartbeat to make sure she was alive. She was screaming about the pain one moment, and everything went silent the next. The only sounds were that of the winds and Delilah's sobbing. Mason paced in front of the altar. Of course, he was worried. She had been quiet for a while now. The first time they did this, it only lasted a few minutes before Lillian returned. Though for Lillian, it felt like hours. So this was new, and nobody knew what to expect. Mason took some calming, deep breaths. His irritation was slowly turning to anger, which would only bring Rodin out quicker with the Blue Moon present. "She should be back by now," Mason barked. "What is taking so long?" Everyone seemed to cower away from his voice before Lillian stepped forward. "Each journey is different, Alpha," Lillian said. "Maybe Nova hasn't found her yet." Mason opened his mouth to say something when Xenia's body shook. Instead, he ran to
Xenia ran through the forest, trying to put as much distance as she could between the crazy white werewolf. Her heart pounded in her chest. Blood rushed through her veins. Every muscle in her body ached from exertion. The only thing on her mind was survival. She had to survive. The moment she felt and heard her mom's voice, she knew she couldn't give up. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating a path forward. Still trying to figure out what to do or where to go, Xenia followed the path. Finally, it opened to a cliff, and at the top stood a white werewolf. Nova? Xenia froze, thinking it was the same one after her, but this one was different. Aside from the fur, a black diamond was in the middle of its forehead, and standing next to it was...Mason? No, he looked different. His hair was longer, and he was wearing a white shirt. Was Mason wearing a white shirt? Xenia's thoughts were interrupted by a growl from behind her. She didn't wait to find out if it was her attacker. Ins
Xenia opened her eyes and quickly sat up. The fast movement made her dizzy as she tried to look around. The last thing she remembered was the pain of having a werewolf spirit inside her. It felt like Nova was trying to claw herself out of Xenia's body. Xenia got to her feet after a few moments to get her bearings. She couldn't tell where she was with nothing but darkness surrounding her and a small light source coming from an unknown place. Then she heard very faint whispering before the voice became more apparent. Someone was praying, and their voice sounded so familiar. Someone she knew. "Mother? Mother!" Xenia yelled into the unknown, looking in the direction of her mother’s voice. She looked around the emptiness, hoping to see a glance of Delilah. "Mother! I'm here! I can hear you." Silence surrounded her again until she heard soft sobbing. Her mother was crying, and there was nothing she could do. That thought made her chest tighten with emotion. The sobbing only got loude
As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room, Xenia slowly opened her eyes to find herself lying in her room. She quickly sat up in bed, looking around. Was she dreaming? She had to be. That was the only explanation. She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to look in the mirror. She was the same as she was before. She pinched herself thinking she was dreaming but she felt pain.What the hell?She absentmindedly touched her face, arms, and hair. Unable to believe where she was. She tried remembering where she was before. Melania. The fight. Nova. She had to get back and…“Xeni?”Xenia’s inner thoughts stopped and she froze. She looked towards the doorway, willing herself to move but her body was shaking with emotions.“Mother?”As if on cue, Delilah appeared in the doorway with a smile on her face. “There you are? What is taking you so long? Put on some clothes and come to breakfast.”Delilah turned to leave but Xenia grabbed her and pulled
Delilah caught Jane before she fell to the floor. Jane gazed over Rick’s lifeless body, her body trembling of what had just happened before. before letting out a heavy sigh.“I knew this was going to hurt, but damn,” Jane laughed. “You would think I would be used to pain.”“Jane, what’s going on?” Delilah asked.“Later,”Jane said with one last look at Rick before shaking her head. “We have to get to the others.”“Agreed,” Archie said, gripping the hilt of his sword. “No delays. Where are the others?”Jane pointed in the direction of the dungeon cells. “Cells are down that way, but we’re not the only ones down here.”On cue, a loud crash could be heard through the tunnels. The group raced forward, coming to a scene of pure chaos. Lacey, Friend, and Danny were in the middle of an all-out brawl against several guards. Lacey was throwing punches like a rabid beast, while Frieda and Danny–both laughing wildly–used each other to break through. Danny swung Frieda around like a rag doll while
The saturated color of the surrounding trees and landscape looked all too familiar when Xenia woke up in the spirit realm. Yet, something felt off. The hues were darker and the shadow loomed over the entire space. Mist swirled around her ankles, and the air carried an otherworldly hum that seemed to resonate in her chest. For a brief moment, the feeling frightened her.“You are finally awake,” a voice called out.Xenia turned to see Nova, moving towards her. Nova’s white fur shimmered like freshly fallen snow under the moonlight and darkness.“Nova,” Xenia breathed, relief washing over her. “I forgot how this felt. Though, it looks different.”“Dark forces are involved here, Xenia,” Nova said, lowering her head slightly, her ears twitching in agitation. “Melania’s presence is growing stronger.”Xenia’s stomach tightened. The name alone sent a chill through her body. Her hands curled into fists, looking around the area for a sign. “Where is she?”“Close,” Nova growled. “Be on guard.”“
The clash of metal against metal echoed through the kitchen as Jane ducked, barely dodging the swing of the spiked chain now wielded by Rick.Rick grinned as he twirled the chain like a predator with a toy. “You thought you were clever. Wielding this chain like you had a chance against me. Haven’t you had enough today?”Jane was breathing hard, her muscles aching from the fight, but still she laughed, shaking her head. “Obviously not, if I’m defying you again, but you know what Rick. I don't care what you do to me anymore. I will be free from you whether you like it or not.”“Don’t test me, Jane.”He swung the chain and Jane ducked as it hit the plates just above her. The glass sprayed everywhere causing a few cuts on her arms. She moved back against the counter, and her hand grazed the surface, feeling for anything useful. Her fingers brushed against something cold and metal–a pie tin. Her heart leaped as she remembered its contents. The silver and wolfsbane pie she’d baked earlier,
The path they took wasn’t going to the dungeons but through the Alpha’s secret hideaway in his office. The sudden change as they entered the small cave made Xenia’s stomach tighten. “Where are we going?” Xenia asked, her voice more high-pitched than she liked. The warriors remained silent, their faces unreadable as they waded through the icy water to reach the other side. Xenia’s heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears. The dim, suffocating tunnel brought back the memories of her escape with her mother. Her breath hitched, and her legs faltered as the faint echoes of her mother’s screams mingled with the falling of debris.“Xenia,” Nova’s voice rumbled in the back of her mind, firm but soothing. “They did this on purpose. Fight through it. Breathe.”Xenia gritted her teeth, drawing strength from Nova’s presence as she struggled to keep moving. The warriors exchanged glances but said nothing, their grip tightening to keep her moving. Nova’s presence swirled protectively around he
Jane waited until all the warriors had left for the ritual before making her way through the halls of the packhouse. Her fist tightened around the key wrapped in a note she received from one of the guards–a man with a creepy obsession with Frieda. Jane thought it was a trap set by Lillian, but at the moment, she didn’t have any other option. “They locked Lacey and Frieda in the west wing, the room with the black doors. After the feast.”Jane cursed under her breath again. The west wing was desolate, but she knew there would be a guard or two stationed there. As she approached the main staircase, she slowed her pace, her ears catching the faint murmurs of voices below. She peeked over the railing and spotted two warriors stationed at the bottom of the steps. Sneaking past them was impossible. She needed a distraction. She looked around and noticed a small statue perched on a pedestal. Quietly, she slipped toward it, her heart pounding. With much more effort than she anticipated, she
This worked way better than expected. Lillian thought as she strode into the room where Mason lay, his muscular arms wrapped protectively around a trembling Xenia. She twirled the little pouch to break the spell, seeing the control Melania had over him was still in effect. Though if it was up to her, Lillian would let the effect last as long as she could. She approached the side of the bed where Xenia was looking straight ahead, her eyes wide with unshed tears. Lillian crouched down, her face level with Xenia’s. When Lillian’s hand reached out to brush a strand of Xenia’s hair back, Xenia flinched, but Mason’s grip kept her in place.“You brought this on yourself, you know,” Lillian mused. “All you had to do was cooperate.”“Fuck… you,” Xenia stuttered.Lillian laughed. “I think we both know who just got fuck. What? You can’t handle a bit of rough play?”Xenia wanted to reach out and claw Lillian’s face but Mason had her locked down. Lillian crouched, meeting Xenia’s angry gaze with
**TRIGGER: ASSAULT**Xenia’s fingers brushed the cold windowpane as she gazed out into the night, the Red Moon hung ominously in the sky. Its crimson glow bathed the landscape in an unsettling light, a reminder of the ritual to come. Tonight, everything will change. She could feel the weight of it pressing down on her. No matter how much Nova tried to reassure her that everything was going to be okay.“Do you feel that?” Nova asked. Xenia knew what she was talking about. There was power in the air. Something that seemed to call to the both of them. Or more like someone.“Mason?” Xenia asked.“No. Micah.”Xenia closed her eyes, searching in the darkness for something to hold on to. Was he really here? Was she really saved? A hand on her shoulder shook her from her thoughts as Tammy stood behind her with her dress.“Everything is safely tucked in, Luna,” Tammy said, laying the dress on the nook bench. Xenia exhaled slowly, gripping the towel wrapped around her as if she was cold, but
Mason stood in the dimly lit chamber, the flickering light from the torches casting shadows on the stone walls. In front of him, chained to opposite walls, were Micah, with bruises all over his body, and Cristobal, bound and barely conscious, yet still seething with defiance.Rick stood silently by the door, arms crossed, his eyes flicking between the three of them, awaiting orders.Mason tapped his fingers on the hilt of the knife he held, lazily spinning it in his grip as if it were a mere toy. He paced back and forth in front of his captives, stopping occasionally to inspect them with a twisted sense of amusement. "So, plans, dear brother. Let's discuss those. I’m sure you didn’t crash my little party just for a scenic tour of the dungeon." He stopped abruptly, crouching in front of Micah, his smirk twisting into something crueler. “Or are you going to let our brave soldier boy here spill his guts for you?”Micah didn’t respond. His breathing was labored, but his eyes—those damn e