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
The wind howled in my ears as I barrelled through the forest, every ounce of my being focused on one thing—reaching my children in time. The trees whipped past me, their shadows blending into a dark blur as my heart hammered in my chest. Each heartbeat seemed to echo with the image of my children, vulnerable and unprotected. I couldn’t shake the dread that clawed at me, the gnawing fear that I was already too late.As I neared the house, the forest seemed to fall deathly silent, as if the world itself was holding its breath. I burst through the tree line, skidding to a halt just short of the steps that led up to the porch. The house loomed before me, its dark, silent facade doing nothing to quell the panic rising in my chest. I could feel the magic pulsating in the air, an oppressive weight that seemed to echo with an all-too-familiar presence. It was Phoenix’s magic, more potent than I’d ever felt it.“Phoenix,” I whispered, my voice trembling with fear and urgency.With every sense
"Daddy!" Daisy's voice broke the silence as she rushed forward, her tiny feet carrying her towards the figure that stood just beyond the shadows. Panic gripped my heart, and I reached out to stop her, but my movements felt slow, almost as if the air itself was resisting my every action."No, Daisy!" I shouted, desperation thickening my voice. But Daisy was too fast, her little body hurtling towards the figure with an unstoppable force. My heart pounded in my chest as she threw herself into the shadowed arms, and the figure dropped to its knees, enveloping her in a protective embrace.The moonlight broke through the clouds, casting light on the face of her father. My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. "Brax?" I whispered, my hand covering my mouth in disbelief.The figure that held Daisy looked different—scarred, battered, and bruised—but there was no mistaking those eyes, those features. It was him. It was Brax. My mind raced to comprehend t
Brax's POVThe dungeon's stone walls felt like a cold embrace as the door slammed shut behind me. Even in the dim light bouncing off the moss-covered stones, I could see the uncertainty and suspicion in Jack and Nick’s eyes. They had every right to be cautious; I might have done the same in their position. But it didn't make the sting of distrust any less painful. I never imagined coming back to face this.Nick cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Brax, you have to understand how hard this is for us to process. Luna saw you die. We all did."I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I know. But there's more to this than anyone realises. I didn't die. I was taken. Held prisoner. It's a long story, one filled with pain and torture, but I'm here now. I fought my way back for Luna and for my children."Jack's eyes narrowed as he observed me. "And we're supposed to just believe you? You've been gone for years, and now you show up out of nowhere, claiming innocence?"A wave of
Lunas povI stood outside, the bitter wind cutting through my clothes like a knife, reminding me of the harshness of reality. My heart ached, but I needed to pull myself together. “Look, Luna,” I told myself, “this isn’t just about you anymore.” Spike's presence beside me grounded my racing thoughts. He watched me with a mix of concern and admiration, knowing fully well how much I struggled every day.With a final deep breath, I steeled myself and turned the knob, pushing the door open. The warmth of the house hit me, contrasting with the wintery bite outside. The comforting scent of home, a mixture of lavender and something purely our own, wrapped around me like a hug. But there was no time to savour it. Eyes turned to me—Nick, Seb, Jack, and even Spike.Jack stepped forward; his gaze was sharp and filled with protective instincts. "Kelly’s taken the children to their rooms," Jack said, his voice low, mindful of our current situation.I nodded at him, trying to hold myself together.
I held onto Brax as if he'd slip away into shadows if I let go. My mind was a whirlwind of doubts, images, and emotions, all battling for dominance. But his warmth, his solidity, was undeniable. The Brax I knew had always been a rock, and it felt like after ages, I had my anchor back.“Brax…” I began, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. “Tell me what happened. Explain everything, please.”He took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a world of pain and resilience. “I was taken, Luna. Right after they attacked me, they didn't kill me—they dragged me to a hidden prison far from here.” His voice grew hoarse, each word dripping with a blend of rage and heartbreak. “They wanted to break me, make me a monster. For years, they starved me, beat me, and tried to erase every sliver of hope. But I resisted, Luna. I fought back because I knew I had to return to you, to our children.”I felt a lump forming in my throat, my heart breaking with each word he spoke. But I needed to know more. I
My body began to feel funny, an electric charge buzzing beneath my skin. My limbs felt heavy, yet there was an urgent need to move. My eyes fluttered open, and I gasped for air, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Panic surged through me as I bolted upright, the remnants of a vivid, haunting dream clinging to my mind. "Brax!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the stillness of the room. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest. I needed to find him, to touch him, to confirm he was real. But as I looked around, disorientation hit me like a tidal wave. I wasn't in a dungeon or on a battlefield—I was in my room.The familiar walls, adorned with pictures and memories, blurred around me. Confusion gnawed at my insides. "Where am I?" I whispered to myself, trying to grasp the absurdity of it. The door to my room burst open, and Spike rushed in, his eyes wide with concern. "Luna, what's wrong?" he panted, his face etched with worry.I looked at him, still feeling the electric current buzzing t
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,