A few weeks laterthe peace of the night was shattered by the first wave of excruciating pain. I doubled over, clutching my stomach as though the sheer force of my grip could somehow alleviate the intensity that seized my body. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and with each agonizing contraction, I felt more alone than I had ever been. Brax’s absence loomed over me like an unshakable shadow, and the weight of solitude pressed down on me, almost as unbearable as the pain itself.I’d told myself that I didn’t need anyone with me when I gave birth because it was something that I would have to face alone just like I would have to raise these babies on my own. But as the pain became unbearable, I called. “Pearl.”Pearl came rushing into the room. Since finding out I was pregnant and Brax's death, Pearl had never been too far away. Her eyes widened at the sight of me, and she sprung into action, her nurturing instincts kicking in. "Oh, Luna, hold on. Breathe through it," she instructe
Four years later"Luna, the Elders are waiting for you," Pearl's voice cut through the morning silence. I turned away from the window, where the first rays of the sun danced over the rolling hills, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch into my heart."I know," I muttered, lips pressed into a thin line. The Elders had been relentless these past months, urging me to marry and find a new alpha for the pack. They didn't understand—I had no intention of letting anyone replace Brax. But they also didn't understand the fire that had been smouldering inside me for four years, longing for revenge that threatened to consume me."Are you ready for this?" Pearl asked gently, her eyes filled with unspoken concern."Ready or not," I replied, walking towards the door. "Let's get this over with."We stepped into the grand hall where the Elders awaited. Their eyes, filled with wisdom and judgment, tracked my every movement as I took my place at the head of the table. The air was thick with tensi
After my training session, the evening air felt cool against my skin, and I took a deep breath, savouring the moment. Every muscle in my body screamed for rest, but I wouldn’t allow myself the luxury. With the Elders' meeting still fresh in my mind, I was eager to get back to the house and see my children. My children were the centre of my universe, the reason I fought so hard every day. As I neared the edge of the training grounds, I saw Nick approaching. He moved with purpose, his brow furrowed. "Luna," he called out, his voice carrying a weight I instantly recognised.I slowed my pace, turning to face him. "Nick. How did things go with the lead on the underground rebels?"He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I'm sorry I missed yesterday's meeting with the Elders. I was following up on that lead about the underground rebels. It took longer than I anticipated.""It's alright, Nick," I replied, though I couldn't hide the edge in my voice. "Did you find anything useful
Exhaustion clung to me like a second skin as I climbed into bed, thoughts still racing with the day's events. I could feel the tendrils of sleep pulling me under, but my mind wouldn’t settle. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and muttered a soft prayer. "Please, not tonight. No dreams of Brax…"Sleep descended quickly, but mercifully, my dreams took a different path this time.I found myself in a dimly lit, unfamiliar place. Shadows loomed and danced around me, creating an oppressive atmosphere. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something metallic. My heart pounded as I wandered through what seemed to be an underground tunnel."Brax?" I called out, my voice echoing off the walls. "Brax, where are you?"A faint groan reached my ears, and I followed the sound, desperation coursing through my veins. There he was, bound and injured, his usually fierce demeanour reduced to a look of pleading helplessness. "Luna... help me," he whispered weakly.I sprang towards him, but
The hallway to the playroom felt like a never-ending tunnel. Each step echoed as fear gripped my heart. I prayed for it not to be something horrible; the thought of losing Blue on top of all the loss I had already been through was too much to bear. Daisy’s small hand clutched mine, guiding me faster as if sensing my urgency.As I finally reached the playroom, I froze at the door, my breath catching in my throat. They stood Spike; I couldn’t believe my eyes. Naked and vulnerable, he held a teddy bear in front of him, an uneasy but familiar grin plastered across his face. The sheer absurdity and wonder of the sight left me momentarily paralysed."Luna, don't just stand there gawking. Aren't you going to give me some clothes?" Spike's familiar voice broke me out of my trans. His humour was uncomfortable and entirely out of place, yet it was undeniably him."Spike?" I whispered, my voice trembling. Slowly, I moved towards him, each step measured as if a single misstep could shatter this f
Seb's grip on my arm was a stern warning, but Spike's return flooded me with emotions too overwhelming to heed it fully. Yes, I knew the lore, the stories of dark entities hitching a ride back with the resurrected; I knew that more than anyone, as it had once cost me so much, but every fibre in my being screamed that this was different. I couldn’t feel anything malevolent in Spike; all I felt was joy and unimaginable relief.“Luna, we have to be careful,” Seb insisted, his eyes scanning Spike suspiciously as if an evil spirit might rear its head at any moment. “You know what bringing back someone from the dead could mean.”He wasn't wrong to worry. The legends were clear: resurrection was unnatural, a tear in the fabric of life and death that could let in all manner of darkness. But my heart refused to let the happiness of seeing Spike alive again be tainted by fear.Spike, now comfortably wrapped in the robe Seb had brought, seemed as bewildered as any of us. "Look, I've been through
Morning came far too quickly after yet another sleepless night. The echoes of Spike’s unexpected return reverberated through my mind, leaving me restless and consumed by a million questions. How had Phoenix brought him back? And more importantly, what would this mean for all of us? I couldn’t afford to dwell on these questions for long, though. I had responsibilities—massive, daunting responsibilities. Rolling out of bed, I ran a hand through my tangled black hair and let out a sigh. The house was alarmingly quiet for this time of morning, a rare occurrence when you have four lively children. Making my way to the bathroom, I splashed some cold water on my face in an effort to wake myself up and clear my thoughts. My reflection stared back at me, looking as tired and worn as I felt. Dark circles framed my eyes, and a hint of the black magic I worked so hard to control shimmered in their depths.After dressing quickly, I headed downstairs, trying to summon the courage to face another d
The wind roared in my ears as I raced to the pack town. My senses heightened; I could hear the clamour of battle echoing through the trees, the scent of smoke and blood growing stronger with every powerful stride of my wolf form. As I reached the outskirts of town, the chaos unfolded before my eyes. Wolves clashed with an array of figures shrouded in dark, swirling magic.Growls and cries pierced the air, and I quickly scanned the scene. My pack was outnumbered, but they fought valiantly. Magic-users conjured dark tendrils that lashed out at my guards while wolves from Marcus’s faction lunged, snapping and tearing.In the midst of this turmoil, a commanding figure stood firm, issuing orders with a calm authority. It was him—Marcus. Anger flared in my chest at the sight of him. Our last encounter had left scars that still hadn't healed, inside and out. And now, here he was again, threatening everything I held dear.My focus zeroed in on him as I bounded toward the fray. He turned, his
Braxs PovThe early morning air carried a crispness that hinted at change—something tangible yet elusive, whispering through the trees as if nature itself were weaving a new tale in its timeless language. I watched the horizon, where colors bled into each other like the vibrant strokes of an artist with a vision unexplained.Standing at the edge of our family's sanctuary, I felt a twinge of anticipation, a thrill that stirred at the edges of my soul. These lands had seen the best and worst of us, and yet they remained steady as ever—a testament to the strength within us all.My thoughts drifted to Luna, her spirit as unwavering as the earth beneath our feet. Her presence was a beacon, a light that guided me through the darkest caverns of our shared past. Our journey had not been one of sole survival; it was a series of rebirths, a rediscovery of what it meant to love unconditionally and stand unwavering amidst life's trials.From the doorway, Luna joined me, her hand slipping effortles
Lunas povThe morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting gentle shadows across the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, cradling a cup of herbal tea, allowing the warmth to seep into my hands. My mind drifted, tracing the path that led us here to this serene moment of peace and love, unfathomable five years ago.Brax stirred beside me, his presence a constant rock in the ever-shifting tides of our lives. Our journey had been one of trials and triumph, of darkness and light, yet here we were, stronger for all we had endured.As I reflected on our life, a soft knock on the door brought me back to the present. "Come in," I called gently, watching as Daisy peeked through the door, her face lit with the innocence of childhood."Mum, are you ready for breakfast?" she asked, her voice a sweet melody of excitement.I nodded, feeling the pang of joy her presence always sparked. "I'll be right out, darling," I assured her, watching as she slipped away, her laughter echoing down
Lunas Pov5 years laterThe sun hung low in the sky, casting golden hues across the gathering. The pack was buzzing with excitement, the air thick with joy and the mingling scents of family and home. My hand rested comfortably on my growing belly, and a sense of contentment filled every corner of my being. Glancing at Brax, who stood beside me with a smile that lit up his face, I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift back to everything that brought us here.Five years. It felt like an eternity, and yet like a fleeting moment at the same time. A single tear slipped down my cheek as I remembered the moment that changed everything—the day I discovered I wasn't just an ordinary human. That realization transformed my world, leading me to a life filled with love, trials, and unexpected magic.Brax noticed my tear and squeezed my hand gently, his touch steady and reassuring. "Is everything okay, Luna?" he asked softly, his deep voice grounding me.With a deep breath, I nodded, feeling the
Brax's povStepping into a sea of familiar faces, a thunderous cheer rose, echoing across the clearing. Each voice felt like a tether, anchoring me back to the world I'd left behind. The chorus of my pack, a symphony of belonging, reminded me that home was a place of hearts, not walls."Luna and Brax!" Nick boomed, his voice commanding the noise to hush. His eyes twinkled with the warmth of a father figure reunited with his son. "Let's welcome back our Alpha, who's fought his way back to us."Luna squeezed my hand, a silent reassurance that her strength was mine to lean on. My heart swelled with gratitude as I looked upon faces marked with traces of anticipation and hope."It's good to be back," I managed, my voice a mix of pride and vulnerability. "And I promise, no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will face them together."The world around me blurred slightly as tears unspoken moistened my eyes. Years of imprisonment had reshaped my soul—etched scars deeper than visible, but far
Brax's povAs the first light of day seeped into the room, casting a warm glow over Luna and me, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over me. The night had been a testament to our love, a reaffirmation of the bond that had withstood every storm.I watched as Luna lay beside me, her breathing slow and even, her dark hair splayed out like a halo against the pillow. She looked peaceful, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, so did I. I reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, marveling at the simple truth that she was here, with me, after everything we had endured.The past years had been hell one that i thought i would never escape but yet here i was with the one that my heat would always belong to in my arms. i had been to scared to sleep incase i woke up and this was all a dream.As Luna stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet mine, a soft smile graced her lips, a beacon of warmth and light. "Morning," she mumbled, her voice still lac
Luna's POVThe night was silent, the house settling around us with a familiar creak here and a gentle sigh there. Brax’s closeness was a tangible comfort, a warmth that seeped into the marrow of my bones, chasing away the chill that had settled during those years of separation.As Brax and I sat on the edge of the bed, the space seemed to pulse with energy, a gossamer thread of tension weaving its way through the air. His presence was a steady beacon, a reassuring reminder that we were here—to face the ghosts of our past and the infinite potential of our future.He reached out, running his fingers through the strands of my long black hair, the touch achingly tender. "I never forgot how your hair felt," he murmured, a hint of awe in his voice. His words were a gentle balm, each syllable soaking into my skin with the promise of something new growing from the heartache.I smiled faintly, my heart swelling with love. "I missed you every day," I admitted, my voice soft, infused with truth.
As we walked through the door of what should have been home, the familiar scent of wood and fire warmed my senses, but there was a heaviness surrounding us, a weight only time apart could place on us. Brax's hand brushed against mine, a silent anchor in the sea of emotions swirling within. We were home, yet the ground beneath us felt unsteady, the space between us filled with years of separation, of longing and uncertainty. as they others left to give us space allowing us the space we needed to mend the fractures of our past.As Seb turned to leave, his footsteps hesitant on the wooden floor, something within me urged to bridge the chasm that had silently grown between us. "Seb," I called, my voice barely above a whisper, yet it ricocheted off the walls with enough force to stop him in his tracks. He turned, and in his eyes, I saw a complicated dance of emotions—a hurt that ran deep, but also something akin to relief."Thank you, Seb," I began, feeling the heaviness of the years I co
Lunas povWith Daisy still and silent in my arms, every heartbeat felt like a countdown, every breath a whisper of hope against a cacophony of doubt. I pressed her closer, feeling the gentle thud of her heartbeat sync with my own, a silent message that connected us beyond words. Around us, the world was a muted blur, the woods standing like silent sentinels to our moment of desperate longing.The others—Brax, Seb, Nick—hovered nearby, their presence a fragile shield against despair. They knew as well as I did that this was a turning point, a brink from which we might not return. But being surrounded by them, by their belief and love, was like standing on the edge of something profound—an abyss, yes, but one that held the promise of transformation.Seb, still at my side, murmured quietly, "She's strong, Luna. Just like her mum." His words were a balm, soothing some of the rawness within, a testament to the resilience passed on from me to my daughter. Daisy had always been different—uni
Luna's POVWhen consciousness slowly drifted back to me, the world was a blurred edge of shadows and whispers. Pain clawed through every fibre of my being, leaving me weak and frozen in its tight grip. The darkness had been so consuming, a cacophony of voices that resisted every attempt at awakening. Yet, here I was, lying awake in a world that tilted between reality and dreams.Warmth enveloped me like a cocoon cutting through the cold. I blinked, trying to dispel the haze obscuring my vision, and then I saw him. Seb's face hovered above me, his expression etched with profound relief and something more—love? The sight was as grounding as it was bewildering.He held me gently, his arms a barrier against the remnants of nightmares. "Luna," he whispered, voice steady yet thick with emotion. Memories surged like a torrent, and I staggered under the weight of them. The things I'd done, the darkness I'd embraced—it all came crashing back. Panic threatened to surface, but I pushed it down,