"Lexa needs rest too," I mumbled, fighting to keep my eyes open as I watched Kane move to support the younger wolf."I'll make sure she gets to her room safely," Kane assured me, his arm steady around Lexa's shoulders. I noticed how Dax's eyes followed them, concern evident in his expression. The bond between Kane and Dax had grown stronger, more intimate, and it warmed my heart to see their growing connection."Tomorrow we'll continue," Liza called after us, her voice eager despite her obvious fatigue. "There's so much more to explore in these texts! The connection you've formed... it could be the key to understanding everything!"Xander carried me back to our rooms, my head resting against his chest. I could hear his heart beating, strong and steady, grounding me as the lastof today's power faded. The corridors passed in a blur of warm wood and soft lamplight.The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the vast windows, casting a silvery sheen over the bedroom. Xander carried
The morning mist clung to the compound like a second skin, heavy and pregnant with the kind of stillness that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. From the window of the common area, the dense forest surrounding us glimmered faintly under the pale light of dawn. Ordinarily, I’d find the view relaxing, but today, unease wrinkled the edges of my thoughts like a persistent shadow.Something felt off."Where’s Lexa?" I asked, glancing around the compound’s main room. Her usual spot—curled up in a chair with a blanket—was vacant, only the faintest scent of her jasmine and pine lingering in the air.Xander strode into the room, his movements sharp and purposeful. His piercing blue eyes scanned the area, narrowing slightly. "She went to Kelda’s workshop earlier for more training," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Kane is with her. They’re safe."Safe. The word should have reassured me, but the unease threading through my chest didn’t loosen. Instead, a low buzzing sensation p
The door burst open with a deafening crash, and the first hunter stepped inside. His black armor gleamed in the dim light, and the silver-tipped spear in his hands practically hummed with malevolent energy. He didn’t hesitate, lunging toward Lexa with deadly precision.But I was faster.The Starfire surged through me, a burst of golden light exploding from the staff’s crystal tip. The hunter staggered back, his spear clattering to the ground as the energy scorched his chest armor.Lexa gasped, her silver markings flaring brightly. She raised her hands, and a wave of silvery light shot from her palms, slamming into the second hunter who had just entered the room. He toppled backward, crashing into the doorframe."Nice shot," I said breathlessly, a faint grin tugging at my lips despite the situation."Thanks," Lexa replied, her voice still shaking but steadier than before. "You, too."Before the third hunter could enter, an enormous black wolf barreled through the doorway, taking the man
The secured cabin at the edge of the compound felt suffocating. The air was heavy, thick with tension and the acrid scent of sweat and blood. Gunnar stood with his arms crossed, his massive frame casting an imposing shadow over the two captured hunters. Behind him, Dax paced like a wildcat, his frustration palpable with every step.The hunters sat shackled to their chairs, the enchanted chains faintly glowing as they suppressed any attempt to resist. They were bloodied from the fight but defiant, their eyes blazing with misplaced righteousness.Dax lunged toward the taller hunter, his voice a low snarl. "You’re going to tell us what we want to know." His fists clenched at his sides, itching to make good on his promise. "Who sent you? Who’s ‘The Broker’?"The hunter looked up, his gaze sharp and unyielding, his lip curling into a sneer. "I don’t answer to animals."The room seemed to hold its breath at his words. It was like tossing a lit match into a room full of gasoline fumes. Dax’s
Dax released the taller man roughly, his expression a mixture of triumph and grim satisfaction. "Well, there it is," he said darkly. "The Broker. Exactly what I thought."Gunnar folded his arms, his eyes narrowed as he studied the hunters. "The Broker’s involved. Now we’re getting somewhere."Xander entered then, his white braid streaked with blood, his presence commanding as ever. His ice-blue gaze settled on the hunters, and a cold smile curled his lips. "Good," he said, his voice smooth but deadly. "Because now we have names to go with the bodies."At the name, the shorter hunter flinched. Dax caught it instantly, his sharp eyes narrowing."There’s a nerve," he said, his voice dropping dangerously as he moved to stand behind the second man. "The Broker. Who is he? What does he want?"The hunter said nothing, his lips pressed tightly together, but the thinning of his resolve was visible in the way his body trembled. Gunnar, ever-watchful, picked up on it too. He leaned forward, his
The scent of burning sage lingered in the air, mingling with the faint musk of leather and old parchment. Inside the library, Kelda carefully turned the brittle pages of an ancient tome, her fingers tracing the faint Norse etchings. The firelight from the hearth flickered against the towering bookshelves, casting moving shadows across the worn wooden floor.“It’s here,” Kelda murmured at last, her voice carrying an almost reverent tone. Her silver-blue eyes glinted as she leaned closer to the text, examining the runes etched into the faded vellum. “The Starfire bond... it’s older than we even imagined.”Across the oak table, Liza looked up sharply, her pen poised halfway through a line in her leather-bound journal. She adjusted her glasses and scooted her chair closer, her curiosity palpable.“What does it say?” Liza asked, her voice imbued with a mix of scholarly interest and trepidation.Kelda exhaled, scanning the runes again to be certain of her translation. “It’s not just any bon
Lexa’s silver-marked wolf weaved through the forest, her paws barely making a sound against the leaf-strewn ground. Her breath came in sharp, desperate pants, each exhale curling into the cold night air. The guilt weighing on her chest felt heavier with every step, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. Not when staying would mean putting the pack—and Vivi—at risk.She told herself this was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. But the pain radiating through the bond made it harder and harder to convince herself. She could feel Vivi’s emotions slipping through—fear, desperation, and worst of all, love. Love so fierce and unrelenting that it made Lexa’s chest ache with an unbearable longing."They’re safer without me," she told herself for what felt like the hundredth time. "They’re safer without me."But the words felt hollow now. The deeper she ran into the woods, the emptier she felt. And then... there it was. The faint scent of gunpowder and steel hit her nose, making her s
The forest was nothing but a blur of motion and sound, branches clawing at Lexa’s fur as she sprinted through the dense undergrowth. Her lungs burned with every breath, and the metallic taste of fear flooded her senses.Yet even as exhaustion clawed at her, she pushed herself harder. The hunters and their unnatural wolves were too close—each hiss of sharpened claws against dirt, each rhythmic crunch of heavy boots against foliage reminded her how little distance was left between her and them.Her heart hammered in her chest, a frantic rhythm that matched the chaos in her mind. Keep running. Keep them away from the pack. Keep them away from her.The wind carried faint voices—of men directing the hunt and the low, guttural growls of their augmented wolves, but it also carried something else. A golden pulse tugged at her through the bond she shared with Vivi, a faint warmth that reminded her of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. The connection flickered like a fragile flame, a reass
The air crackled with tension as we gathered at the northern border of our territory. Dawn had barely broken, casting long shadows across the frost-covered ground. Our scouts had confirmed what we already knew in our hearts—the High Council's forces were approaching, and they weren't coming to negotiate.Eowyn stood beside me, her silver eyes scanning the treeline with predatory focus. The training session yesterday had unlocked something in her—not just greater control over her abilities, but a sense of purpose that straightened her spine and hardened her resolve."They'll come from the east," she said quietly. "It's their preferred strategy—attack where the sun blinds the defenders."Xander nodded, taking her intelligence seriously. "Kane, reinforce the eastern perimeter. Double the guards and set the traps we prepared."Kane moved immediately, gathering a group of our strongest fighters. His tactical mind was already working, adapting our defense plans to incorporate Eowyn's insigh
Morning light streamed through the windows, casting golden patterns across the floor as I made my way to the east wing. Sleep had come fitfully, my dreams filled with silver eyes and shadowy pursuers. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders—not just for my pack, my mates, but now for Eowyn too.I found her where Kelda had left her, in a small but comfortable room overlooking the forest. She stood by the window, her posture rigid, alert, like a wild animal ready to flee at the slightest provocation. Her dark hair fell in waves down her back, and her silver eyes reflected the morning light like polished mirrors."Did you sleep?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle.She turned, acknowledging my presence with a slight nod. "A little."I stepped into the room, noting how she subtly shifted her stance—not retreating, but preparing. Always preparing. The Council had trained her well."Are you hungry? We have breakfast ready downstairs."A flicker of something—surprise, perh
The forest blurred around us as we fled, branches whipping past our faces, the sounds of pursuit gradually fading behind us. My lungs burned with exertion, but adrenaline kept me moving forward, my hand still firmly clasped around the other Starfire's wrist. Her silver eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and determination, her power crackling around her like static electricity.When we finally reached the edge of our territory, where our wards would offer some protection, I slowed to a stop, gasping for breath. My mates formed a protective circle around us, their senses still alert for any sign of pursuit."I think we lost them," Kane said, his voice low as he scanned the treeline.Xander nodded, his golden eyes never leaving the silver-eyed woman beside me. "For now."The other Starfire pulled her hand from my grasp, taking a step back as she assessed each of us warily. Her gaze lingered on Ronan, distrust evident in the tightening of her jaw."You're safe here," I told her gently.
ViviWith my mates surrounding me, the strength of our bond enveloping me in an embrace of warmth and safety, I plunged into the depths of the connection, determined to find the other Starfire, to forge an alliance that could reshape our fate.The collective power surged as I opened my eyes, meeting the determined gazes of my mates. "I'm ready. Let's find them."Together, we ventured out into the forest, the cool air tingling with the promise of what lay ahead. The scent of damp earth and pine filled my lungs, grounding me as we moved deeper into the dense woodland. Fallen leaves crunched softly beneath our boots, their brittle edges whispering secrets of the past with every step. The towering trees stretched high above, their thick canopies filtering the moonlight into scattered, silvery beams that danced across the forest floor. A faint mist curled around the undergrowth, clinging to our legs as if reluctant to let us pass. The distant hoot of an owl echoed through the stillness, b
ViviThe compound was abuzz with activity, the impending arrival of the High Council's forces casting an ominous shadow over us. Despite the palpable tension, there was a sense of unity, a collective resolve that was both inspiring and reassuring.Xander was at my side, his protective presence a comforting balm against the chaos around us. His hand was a constant on my back, his touch grounding me as I felt another surge of the Starfire energy roiling within me. It was more intense this time, like a wild beast struggling to break free.Kelda was there, guiding me through a series of exercises designed to harness the unruly energy. The surge subsided gradually, replaced by a sense of calm control. I opened my eyes to find Xander watching me, his expression a mixture of awe and concern."We need to prepare," I told him, my voice steady. "The High Council won't wait for us to be ready."Before anyone could respond to the alarming news, a scout, breathless and wide-eyed, burst into the co
ViviThe morning sun stretched long shadows across the compound, casting an eerie calm over our frantic preparations. The air was thick with tension, a palpable reminder of the High Council's looming threat. The Starfire within me surged unpredictably, its energy pulsing through my veins like a restless beast, demanding attention and control.Xander and I stood side by side, overseeing the placement of new wards and barriers. His presence was a comforting anchor amidst the chaos. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice a gentle caress that cut through the tension.I took a deep breath, feeling the power within me threaten to spill over. "It's getting harder to control," I admitted, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "But I'm managing."He reached out, his hand enveloping mine, fingers interlacing with a reassurance that grounded me. In that moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us. His golden eyes locked onto mine, filled with a fierce passion that mirrored my o
ViviThe silence that followed Ronan's revelation hung heavy in the air, the weight of his words pressing down on us like a physical force. My mates and I exchanged glances, the shock and disbelief etched clearly on their faces mirroring my own turmoil. The idea of another Starfire, let alone one allied with the High Council, was almost too much to fathom.Xander's voice broke through the quiet, low and controlled, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil. "We need to discuss this. Now."We moved to a more secluded area of the compound, away from prying eyes and ears. The small room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls, adding to the gravity of the situation. The air was thick with the scent of burning wax and the unspoken fears that lingered between us.Dax leaned against the wall, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his usual bravado replaced by a simmering anger. "So, let me get this straight. The High Council has another Sta
Vivi exhaled slowly, willing her body to relax despite the simmering frustration coiled inside her. The training ring was quiet except for the sound of Kelda’s measured footsteps circling her. The elder witch’s sharp gaze tracked every movement, every subtle tremor of hesitation. “Again,” Kelda instructed, voice steady and unrelenting. Vivi swallowed, muscles aching with the effort of holding back—no, not holding back, containing. The fire that lived within her was there, waiting, but it wasn’t bending to her will the way she needed. It churned beneath her skin like a restless tide, too volatile, too uncertain. “I don’t have control over this,” Vivi finally admitted through clenched teeth, her breath coming fast. Kelda arched a brow, unimpressed. “Then you’ll die.” The bluntness of the statement landed like a slap. Vivi’s fingers twitched. She knew Kelda wasn’t saying it to be cruel—only to be truthful. She couldn’t afford to fail. Vivi drew in a slow, steadying breath a
The fire flickered, casting restless shadows as the weight of the revelation settled over them. Another Starfire. Trained. Conditioned. And wielded as a weapon by the High Council.Vivi clenched her hands into fists, the burn of her own power simmering beneath her skin. A cold knot of fear curled in her stomach, but she forced herself to stay calm. This was no time for hesitation. Across from her, Xander stood locked in a silent battle of wills with Ronan, his golden eyes smoldering with fury and disbelief. His jaw flexed, his muscles tight as if he were restraining himself from lashing out.No one spoke at first, the weight of what they were facing settling heavily over them. The crackling fire in the hearth was the only sound breaking the suffocating silence.Then Kane exhaled, rolling his shoulders as though shaking off the tension pressing down on them. “We can’t afford to stand here in shock,” he said, his voice steady, unshaken. “If they have a weapon trained against us, time is