ViviShe was running, though she couldn’t remember why. Her breath came in short, panicked gasps, each exhale curling into the frigid air like smoke. A sense of urgency thrummed through her veins, a primal instinct screaming at her to move faster. She wasn’t sure what she was chasing—or fleeing—but the dread curled in her stomach like a living thing.The world was a canvas of cold and silence, painted in shades of gray and white. Snow fell heavily, the thick flakes muffling every sound except the faint crunch of Vivi’s boots as she moved through the forest. The air was sharp, biting at her cheeks and filling her lungs with icy fire. The trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their skeletal branches weighed down with frost, forming a labyrinth of shadow and light.And then she heard it.A child’s cry, faint and trembling, carried on the wind. It pierced the silence, freezing Vivi in place. Her heart lurched, and her head whipped toward the sound. “Hello?” she called, her voice c
ViviXander, ever the protector, was the first to react, his powerful arms enveloping her in a reassuring embrace. "You're safe, min elskede," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves. His lips brushed against her forehead, leaving a trail of gentle kisses that calmed her racing heart.Kane and Dax moved in tandem, their hands weaving a intricate pattern of comfort on her skin. Kane's fingers danced along her spine, easing the tension that had built up, while Dax's palms cradled her face, his thumbs tracing soothing arcs under her eyes. The storm in Dax's gaze had subsided, replaced by a deep concern and a longing to comfort.As Vivi's trembles began to subside, her mates sensed the shift in her, their touches evolving from comfort to something more. It was a silent understanding, a recognition that sometimes, the deepest wounds required more than just solace—they required connection, intimacy, and the reassurance of love.Xander's lips descended, capturing Vivi'
The forest was a quiet cathedral of snow and shadow. The crunch of boots on frostbitten ground was the only sound as Vivi, Xander, Kane, and Dax moved through the trees. Their breaths formed soft plumes of mist in the frigid air, but none of them spoke. The weight of the vision Vivi had shared hung between them like a storm cloud, heavy and ominous.Vivi walked slightly ahead, her arms wrapped around herself despite the warmth of her coat. The cold wasn’t what made her shiver. Her thoughts were trapped in a loop, replaying the child’s wide green eyes, the desperate cry for help, and the dark tendrils that had swallowed her whole. The warmth in Vivi’s stomach—the faint, almost imperceptible pulse of life—was still there, but it felt fragile, like a candle flickering in a gale.Xander walked beside her, his powerful presence a steadying force. His ice-blue eyes scanned the forest with practiced vigilance, always alert to danger. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers, and the co
The forest was unnaturally quiet, as if the snow itself had swallowed every sound. Only the rhythmic crunch of their boots on the frosted ground broke the silence. Vivi walked in the center of the group, her mates instinctively forming a protective perimeter around her. Their bond pulsed faintly in the back of her mind, a steady rhythm of reassurance, but it did little to still the storm of thoughts swirling in her head.Kelda’s warning echoed in her ears. “The Starfire is both your strength and your guide. But it is also a beacon.”A beacon. The word gnawed at her, filling her with unease. The Starfire wasn’t just a gift—it was a target. And if her vision truly was a warning, then the child wasn’t just her responsibility. She was their responsibility. The pack’s. Their family’s.The warmth in Vivi’s stomach pulsed faintly again, a quiet reassurance that simultaneously comforted and unnerved her. Was it real? Or was her mind playing tricks on her, fueled by fear and desperation?“Vivi
The tension in Lexa's cabin was almost suffocating, the air heavy with unspoken fears and unanswered questions. Vivi sat at the round table, her hands pressed flat against its worn surface as if grounding herself. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, its warmth doing little to thaw the chill creeping into her chest. Across from her, Lexa twisted the hem of her sweater between trembling fingers, her wide green eyes darting nervously between the others.“She’s coming.” The words hung in the air like a ghost, looping endlessly in Vivi’s mind. Who was “she”? The child from her vision? Someone else? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and her fingers curled into fists against the wood.Xander stood behind her, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. His presence was a steady anchor, his ice-blue eyes scanning the room with quiet vigilance. Kane and Dax flanked her at the table, their bond with her humming faintly in the back of her mind—a reassuring rhythm of concern and re
The forest was alive with the sound of the wind, its icy fingers threading through the skeletal branches and carrying whispers of secrets long buried. Vivi moved through the darkness with deliberate steps, her breath visible in the cold air as she clutched her coat tighter around her body. Her heart pounded in her chest, a drumbeat of both fear and resolve. The faint glow of the Starfire within her pulsed with every step, a constant reminder of the power she carried—and the danger it attracted.She shouldn’t have come alone. Xander would have been furious if he knew, and Kane and Dax wouldn’t have been far behind in their anger. But this wasn’t a conversation she could risk involving them in. Not yet. The Broker’s message had been clear: 'Come alone, or lose everything you hold dear.'Those words had haunted her since the wolf in the cell had rasped them out in its tortured voice. The Broker was watching, waiting, and Vivi didn’t doubt for a second that the threat was real. If this me
The compound came into view as Vivi pushed through the dense forest, her body running on pure adrenaline. Her heart pounded in her chest, the Broker’s words still echoing in her mind. She’d made it back before dawn, but just barely. The first rays of sunlight were beginning to creep over the horizon, casting long shadows across the clearing.She paused just inside the tree line, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She needed to act normal, casual. If Xander, Kane, or Dax suspected what she’d done, there would be hell to pay. She couldn’t risk that—not when they were already stretched thin dealing with Liam’s pack, the poachers, and the augmented wolf in the holding cells.The last thing they needed was to know she’d willingly walked into a trap.“Okay, Vivi,” she whispered to herself, brushing her hair back and straightening her coat. “You can do this. Just... act natural.”Squaring her shoulders, she stepped out of the trees and into the clearing.The moment she crossed the thres
The morning sunlight streamed through the wide cabin windows, casting a soft golden glow over the room. Vivi stirred beneath the thick blankets, her body deliciously sore from the night before. The bond hummed faintly in the back of her mind, a steady rhythm of warmth and connection. Yet the weight of her secrets pressed heavily on her chest, turning the sweetness of the moment bittersweet.Xander shifted beside her, his arm draped protectively around her waist. His ice-blue eyes fluttered open, meeting hers with a softness that made her heart ache. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Morning, min elskede,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.“Morning,” Vivi replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She averted her gaze, unable to meet his piercing eyes for too long. The guilt gnawed at her, a relentless ache that no amount of tenderness could soothe.On her other side, Kane and Dax were already awake, their dark and storm-blue eyes watching her intently. Kane
Vivi strode out of the cabin, her steps fueled by a renewed sense of purpose. She scanned the bustling encampment, her eyes searching for the familiar figures of Gunnar and Kelda. The weight of Kai's revelation still hung heavy in her mind, but it was overshadowed by the burning determination to rescue her mates from Ava's clutches.She spotted Gunnar first, the burly warrior deep in conversation with a group of his fellow pack members. His eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of Vivi approaching, and he excused himself from the group, his brow furrowing with concern."Vivi," he rumbled, his voice laced with a mixture of caution and curiosity. "What's happened?"Vivi drew in a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. "I may have a lead on where Ava has taken Xander, Kane, and Dax," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "But I'll need your help to mount a rescue."Gunnar's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening into one of grim determination. "Of course," he said w
The weight of her mates' absence pressed down on Vivi like a suffocating blanket, the bond between them little more than a flickering ember in the back of her mind. She paced the length of her cabin, her fingers clenching and unclenching as she fought against the overwhelming sense of helplessness that threatened to consume her.A soft knock at the door broke through her spiraling thoughts, and she whirled around, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and trepidation."Come in," she called out, her voice strained.The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped into the dim light – Kai, one of the wolves who had been freed from Ava's pack. His eyes were downcast, his expression one of hesitation and unease."Kai," Vivi breathed, her brow furrowing. "What is it? "Kai shook his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. "I, um, I think I may have information that could help find your mates."Vivi's heart leaped in her chest, a flicker of hope igniting within her. "Anything, Kai.
Vivi paced the length of Kelda's cabin, her footsteps heavy with the weight of her anxiety. The older woman watched her with a mixture of concern and understanding, her ice-blue eyes tracking Vivi's movements."You must remain calm, child," Kelda said, her voice gentle but firm. "Letting fear and desperation cloud your mind will only hinder our efforts."Vivi paused, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "How can I be calm, Kelda?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Ava has taken my mates, my family. And I can barely feel the bond between us anymore."Kelda nodded, her expression grave. "I understand your distress, Vivi. But we cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by it. Ava's magic is powerful, but it is not unbreakable. And you must think of the baby as well."Vivi's hand rested on the barely rounded gaze flickered to the array of crystals and herbs laid out before Kelda, their surfaces shimmering with an otherworldly light. "Can these truly help us find them?" she
The chamber echoed with the eerie chanting of Ava's pack, their voices rising and falling in a haunting rhythm as they called upon ancient forces. Xander, Kane, and Dax huddled together, their bond thrumming with a mixture of defiance and unease as they braced themselves for the ordeal to come.Ava stepped forward, her green eyes glinting with a predatory light as she surveyed her captives. "You see, gentlemen," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "the path to true power is paved with sacrifice. And today, you will be the ones to make that sacrifice."She turned to a figure cloaked in shadows, nodding her head in a silent command. The figure stepped forward, revealing itself to be an elderly woman with weathered features and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into their very souls."This is Maeva, our pack's shaman," Ava explained, her lips curving into a cruel smile. "She has mastered the art of manipulating the bonds that tie us all together – bonds of love, loyalty,
"You see, I've spent years studying the intricacies of the Starfire, unlocking its secrets one by one. And now, with you three as my captives, I can finally put that knowledge to the test."She began to pace, her boots clicking against the stone floor with each agitated step. "Your bond is strong, I'll give you that," she conceded, her voice taking on a thoughtful tone. "But even the strongest bonds can be... reshaped, molded to suit one's needs."Dax's eyes widened, realization dawning in their storm-blue depths. "You want to break our bond with Vivi," he breathed, his voice laced with a mixture of horror and disbelief.Ava's lips curved into a predatory smile, her teeth glinting in the flickering torchlight. "Not break, per se," she purred. "More like... redirect. Reshape it to suit my own purposes."Kane snarled, his dark eyes burning with fury. "You're insane if you think we'll let you do that," he spat. "Our bond is unbreakable, a sacred trust that you could never hope to unders
Ava paced the dimly lit chamber, her boots clicking against the stone floor with each agitated step. The cavernous space was illuminated only by flickering torchlight, casting ominous shadows that danced across the walls.In the center of the room, three figures lay bound and unconscious – Xander, Dax, and Kane. Ava's eyes burned with a mixture of triumph and trepidation as she studied them, her mind racing with the possibilities that lay before her.She had taken a tremendous risk in confronting Vivi and her mates, but the potential rewards had been too great to ignore. For too long, her pack had been forced to exist on the fringes, their knowledge and connection to the Starfire a closely guarded secret.But now, with these three powerful wolves in her grasp, Ava had the chance to unlock the true depths of the Starfire's power – and to claim it for herself.A low groan broke the silence, drawing Ava's attention to Xander as he began to stir. His ice-blue eyes fluttered open, confusio
Later, as they retreated to the privacy of their cabin, Vivi broached the subject with her mates, her voice laced with concern."Did you notice the way Ava was looking at Xander tonight?" she asked, her brow furrowed.Kane and Dax exchanged a glance, their expressions guarded."We noticed," Kane replied, his dark eyes somber. "It wasn't just Xander, either. There were moments when she seemed... fixated on all of us."Dax nodded, his storm-blue eyes narrowed. "It's almost like she's sizing us up, trying to figure out our weaknesses."Xander's jaw tightened, his ice-blue gaze hardening. "Whatever her game is, we can't let our guard down. We need to be prepared for anything."As they huddled together, the bond between them thrumming with a mixture of wariness and determination, Vivi couldn't shake the feeling that they were teetering on the edge of something momentous, a shift in the delicate balance of power that had existed within their pack.Ava's true motivations remained shrouded in
In the days that followed, the newly expanded pack settled into a routine, with the freed wolves seamlessly integrating themselves into the daily life of the compound. Vivi watched with a sense of pride as they found their footing, their initial wariness slowly giving way to a growing sense of belonging.Ava, in particular, had become a constant presence at Vivi's side, her calm demeanor and keen insights proving invaluable as they navigated the challenges of their newfound alliance. Vivi found herself drawn to the other woman, her curiosity piqued by the subtle power that seemed to emanate from her.As they walked the perimeter of the compound together, Ava turned to Vivi, her green eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "So, Vivi, tell me – what do you know of the Starfire?"Vivi felt a jolt of surprise at the unexpected question, her steps faltering momentarily. "The Starfire?" she echoed, her brow furrowing. "Well, I know it's a powerful force, one that's connected to me in a way
The freed wolves were a mix of weary resignation and guarded hope as they gathered around the fire, their eyes darting between the members of Vivi's pack. Kelda moved among them, her gentle presence and soothing touch easing their lingering tension.Xander stood at the head of the group, his ice-blue eyes scanning the faces before him. "Welcome," he said, his voice calm and measured. "You've been through a terrible ordeal, but you're safe now. We're here to help you heal and recover."One of the wolves, a woman with silver-streaked hair, stepped forward. "Thank you," she said, her voice rough with emotion. "We thought we were lost, that we'd never be free of their control. But you... you saved us."Vivi felt a swell of pride at the woman's words, the bond between her and her mates thrumming with a renewed sense of purpose. "We're just glad you're safe," she said, moving to stand beside Xander. "We know what it's like to have your freedom taken from you. But now, you're part of our pac