The chamber remained eerily silent after Ava’s chilling words. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls, but the warmth it usually provided felt distant, hollow. Xander’s grip on Vivi’s hand was fierce, his fingers curling tightly around hers as if he could anchor her in place with nothing more than his touch."You don’t matter anymore," Vivi had rasped, yet Ava’s smirk remained, full of dark amusement.Kane stood rigid, his fingers flexing at his sides like he was restraining himself from launching forward. "Explain," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.Ava tilted her head, her emerald eyes gleaming—not with fear, but with something far worse. Certainty. "You think because you’ve won this battle, you've won the war," she murmured. "But believe me, darling, the war is only just beginning."Xander’s fingers clenched. "I swear, Ava, if you—"Kelda’s voice cut through the tension, steady and unwavering. "Enough." She knelt beside Viv
The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a dim, flickering glow across the chamber as I curled deeper into Xander’s embrace. My body still ached, bone-deep exhaustion settling into every limb, but I was here. I was alive. And I wasn’t alone.Kane sat beside me, his fingers threading gently through my hair, while Dax rested against the edge of the bed, his hand over mine, thumb tracing slow, grounding circles against my skin. Each of their touches whispered reassurance—silent affirmations that I was safe, that they were here with me."You should rest," Kane murmured, though his voice was tight with worry. He smoothed his fingers over my temple, an unspoken plea in his touch."I'm afraid to close my eyes," I admitted quietly. Any time I shut them, the images rushed back—Ava's twisted magic, my mates under her control, the way our bond nearly shattered. The fear clawed at my chest, thick and suffocating.Dax sighed, then dipped his head, pressing a lingering kiss to the back of my
The High Council’s messenger was gone, but her words had left behind a heavy weight pressing over all of us. My heart still pounded, the echo of our confrontation thrumming through my veins."Then we prepare for war," Kane repeated, his voice steady, final.Xander exhaled, running a hand through his hair. It was a rare thing to see him uncertain, but this was uncharted territory. "Do you really think it will come to that?"Kelda, standing a few paces away, let out a weary breath. "It’s not a matter of 'if,' Alpha. The High Council moves with purpose. Their decision is made. You think they’ll let her remain here, unchecked? With that child growing inside her, they’ll see Vivi as a potential threat until she proves otherwise.""Which we won’t do," I interjected, my voice firm. "Because we know exactly what proving our innocence looks like to them. They want control. They want me locked away, my daughter studied like some relic of ancient power."Dax cursed under his breath and scrubbed
Ronan stood at the perimeter of our stronghold, his expression calm yet heavy with unspoken weight. Even in the dim torchlight, I could see the years etched in his sharp green eyes, the ghosts of a past that lingered between him and my mates—especially Xander. Xander hadn’t moved since Ronan had spoken those words. His breathing was measured, but fury coiled beneath his rigid stance like a beast waiting to strike. "You’re lying," Xander said finally, his voice gravel-rough, dangerous. Ronan gave a slow, tired sigh and crossed his arms. "Would be a hell of a long way to come just to tell you a fairy tale, don’t you think?" Xander’s hands flexed, like he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to grab Ronan by the throat or turn away altogether. Dax shifted beside me, his stance deceptively relaxed but every muscle primed. Kane’s grip on my waist tightened slightly, drawing me closer. I swallowed, pushing down the unease curling in my stomach. "Tell us everything. Now." Ronan’s gaze f
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
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
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
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
The days following my connection to Fenrir's memories were a blur of preparation and planning. Armed with new understanding of the breach and how to address it, we worked tirelessly to develop a strategy that would create the equilibrium Fenrir had envisioned."The ritual will require seven focal points," I explained to our gathered allies in the war room. "Each positioned at a major ley line intersection surrounding the central nexus point beneath our compound."Xander leaned over the map where I had marked these locations, his brow furrowed in concentration. "These points form a perfect heptagram around our territory.""Not coincidentally," Lyra noted. "Your ancestors chose this location precisely because of this pattern. They understood, on some level, that it would be needed someday.""Each point needs to be anchored by someone with a strong energy signature," I continued. "My mates will take three positions. Lyra, Ronan, and Sage can take another three.""And the seventh?" Kane a
I gasped, reality slamming back into focus with jarring suddenness. I was on my knees in the center of the ritual circle, Eowyn's hands gripping mine tightly, her silver energy flowing into me in a steady stream. My entire body trembled with the aftershocks of what I had experienced—what Fenrir had experienced."Vivi!" Xander's voice broke through the lingering disorientation. He was kneeling beside me, his face tight with concern. "Are you alright?"I nodded, unable to speak yet as I processed the flood of information and emotion. Kane and Dax had also abandoned their positions, forming a protective circle around Eowyn and me."What did you see?" Lyra asked, her voice strangely hesitant.I looked up at her, seeing her with new eyes. Not just Councilor Lyra, but an echo of another Lyra—the Silver Sentinel who had fought alongside Fenrir, who had loved him, who had promised to find him again."Everything," I whispered. "I saw... everything."As my strength returned, I began to share wh
Morning came too quickly, the first rays of sunlight streaming through the windows and painting golden patterns across the tangled limbs of my sleeping companions. I extracted myself carefully, pausing to take in the sight of my three mates and Eowyn, all still deep in slumber.Xander lay on his back, one arm flung above his head, his features softer in sleep than they ever were in waking. Kane was curled on his side, his expression peaceful, while Dax had somehow managed to sprawl diagonally across the foot of the bed, one leg hanging off the edge. Eowyn was nestled between them, her silver hair a stark contrast against the dark sheets.They looked... right together. Like pieces of a puzzle that had finally found their proper arrangement. The thought should have sparked jealousy, but instead I felt only a deep contentment. This was my family, in all its unconventional glory.I slipped into the bathroom, turning the shower on hot and stepping under the spray. As the water cascaded ove
ViviI woke with a start, my heart hammering against my ribs. The room was dark, but I could make out the silhouettes of my mates—Xander's massive form on one side, Kane's leaner build on the other, and Dax sprawled at the foot of our bed like the perpetually restless wolf he was.For a moment, I couldn't identify what had woken me. Then I felt it—a subtle vibration in the air, a whisper of energy that made the Starfire in my veins pulse in response. I slipped from the bed carefully, not wanting to disturb the others. They needed their rest; tomorrow would bring more preparations, more training, more planning for a threat most of them had never imagined possible.I padded to the window, drawn by an instinct I couldn't name. The compound was quiet under the silvery glow of the waning moon, the perimeter wards glimmering faintly at the edges of my perception. Everything appeared peaceful, yet something was... calling to me."You feel it too."I turned to find Eowyn standing in the doorw
A sudden wind swept through the clearing, unnatural in its precision as it circled our group. The black residue rose in a spiraling column, particles glinting like razor-sharp obsidian in the afternoon light."Shields!" Lyra shouted, her hands already weaving complex patterns in the air. A barrier of silvery light sprang up around our group, just as the swirling particles launched themselves at us like a swarm of tiny projectiles.They hit Lyra's shield with the force of a battering ram, the impact sending ripples through the protective energy. I could feel the shield weakening under the assault, the Void energy systematically probing for vulnerabilities.Without conscious thought, I reached for Eowyn's hand. Our Starfire merged instantly, golden and silver light intertwining to reinforce Lyra's faltering protection. The particles recoiled momentarily, then redoubled their attack, focusing on the point where our combined energy was strongest."It's targeting you specifically," Xander
ViviThree days after the ritual, I still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It followed me like a shadow, prickling at the back of my neck when I least expected it. I tried to dismiss it as paranoia—a natural response to learning I was essentially a cosmic target—but deep down, I knew it was more."You feel it too, don't you?" Eowyn asked as we sat cross-legged in the training yard, practicing the energy-sharing techniques Lyra had taught us. Silver light danced between our outstretched palms, weaving intricate patterns in the space between us.I nodded, not breaking my concentration. "Like something's... listening. Waiting.""The breach," she confirmed, her silver eyes momentarily clouding. "It's aware of us now. More specifically, aware of you."I suppressed a shiver, focusing instead on the flow of Starfire between us. Over the past days, we'd made remarkable progress in controlling and directing our combined energy. What had once been wild and unpredictable now responde
ViviMorning light filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across our tangled limbs. I awoke slowly, cocooned in warmth—Xander's solid chest against my back, Kane's arm draped over my waist, Dax's face buried in my neck. For a moment, I simply breathed them in, savoring the peace before reality intruded once more.Last night had been exactly what we needed—a reconnection, a reaffirmation of the bonds that held us together. But now, with daylight came responsibility and decisions that could not be postponed.As if sensing my thoughts, Xander stirred behind me, his lips brushing the nape of my neck. "Morning," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep."Morning," I replied, turning in the circle of his arms to face him. His golden eyes were soft with affection, his usual Alpha intensity tempered by lingering intimacy.Kane and Dax woke almost simultaneously, both stretching like the predators they were. Dax immediately rolled to his feet, never one to linger in bed once awa
ViviThe moon hung full and heavy in the night sky, bathing our bedroom in silver light as I stood by the window. The events of the past few days—the battle, the revelations about the Council, Eowyn's powers—had left little time for us to simply be together. My body ached not just from exertion, but from the need to reconnect with my mates, to ground myself in their touch and presence."You're thinking too loud," came Dax's rumbling voice from the doorway. I turned to find him leaning against the frame, shirtless and magnificent, his tattoos seeming to shift in the moonlight. Behind him stood Kane and Xander, their expressions a mixture of concern and desire."Sorry," I offered a small smile. "It's been... a lot."Xander crossed the room in a few long strides, his large hands cupping my face with surprising gentleness. "You don't need to apologize. You've been incredible." His thumb traced my lower lip. "But tonight isn't for thinking.""No?" I whispered, already feeling the familiar
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