Ruth POV I stood at the entrance of the infirmary, my eyes fixed on the two figures sitting in the waiting area. My parents. It had been years since I'd last seen them.Michael's hand found mine, offering silent support."Are you ready for this?" he asked.I nodded, steeling myself.My parents rose as I approached. Their eyes, once filled with rejection, now brimmed with tears."Ruth," my mother whispered, her voice trembling.My father took a step forward."Ruth, sweetheart, we're sorry," he said.Sorry.The word echoed in my mind.Too little, too late."You disowned me," I said, my voice flat. "You left me to fend for myself."My mother's face crumpled."We were wrong," she sobbed.My father's eyes pleaded."We didn't understand," he said.Understand?They never tried."You didn't care when I was molested by our own pack," I spat.My mother gasped."Ruth, we—""Don't," I cut her off."You didn't protect me. You didn't love me."My father's face contorted in anguish."We love you, R
Ruth's POV As Cassius's eyes locked onto mine, I sensed a glimmer of humanity beneath the surface. Aurelia noticed it too."Sister, please," she begged, her voice trembling.But Cassius's expression twisted in defiance. "No," he snarled, unleashing a fresh wave of dark magic.The battle raged on. Elijah transformed into his wolf form, tackling Cassius with ferocious strength. Amelia and Victor provided cover, their strategic shots taking down Cassius's minions. Michael fought alongside me, our movements synchronized.Despite our combined strength, Cassius seemed unstoppable. Until Aurelia intervened.Her magic countered Cassius's, weakening his defenses. I seized the opportunity, unleashing my lunar power. The temple shook, and Cassius stumbled.Victory seemed within reach. But Cassius's eyes flashed with desperation, revealing a hidden weakness.Aurelia sensed it too. "Sister, stop!" she pleaded.Cassius's expression contorted, a mixture of anger and anguish. "You'll never understan
Ruth's POV As I hugged my parents tightly, a mix of emotions swirled within me. Relief, joy, and a hint of trepidation.My parents' eyes, once clouded by darkness, now shone with a faint glow."We're sorry, Ruth," my father whispered, his voice cracking.My mother's tears mingled with mine."We were blinded," she said. "Arachne promised us power, but at a terrible cost."I pulled back, studying their faces."What cost?" I asked.My father's expression turned somber."We made a pact with Arachne, trading our loyalty for a chance to protect you."Protect me?From what?"Explain," I demanded.My mother hesitated."Arachne revealed a prophecy – one that foretold your destiny."A shiver ran down my spine."What prophecy?"My father's voice dropped to a whisper."You're the key to unlocking an ancient power, Ruth. One that could change the course of supernatural history."Suddenly, the pieces fell into place.The Lunar Council's interest.Cassius's obsession.Arachne's manipulation.All co
Michael's POVI stood at the edge of the forest, moonlight casting eerie shadows on the trees. My werewolf senses tingled, alert to the darkness gathering around us.Ruth, the Lunar Child, walked beside me, her determination a beacon in the night."We're close," she whispered, her eyes scanning the treeline.Kael's presence loomed ahead, his malevolent energy poisoning the air.As her guardian, I'd do everything to protect Ruth from the master of darkness."Stay sharp," I warned, my voice barely above a growl.Ruth's hand brushed mine, sending a spark through our bond.Together, we faced the shadows.Kael's laughter echoed through the forest, sending chills down my spine.The behemoth emerged, its jaws open wide, ready to devour us whole.I transformed, my werewolf form bursting forth.Cassius fought alongside me, our movements a blur of claws and fury.Aurelia's magic infused the air, weakening the beast.But Kael's power grew, feeding off our fear.Ruth's lunar energy pulsed, calli
Vincent's POVI stood before Ruth and Michael, my heart heavy with the weight of my trial. Their love shone like a beacon, a reminder of what I'd lost.As they broke apart from their kiss, Michael's gaze drifted to mine. A mix of emotions swirled within his eyes – empathy, understanding, and a hint of wariness."Vincent," he said, his voice measured.I met his gaze, a world of pain and resolve within mine. "I've come to realize," I began, "Ruth deserves happiness."Michael's expression softened. "With me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.I nodded, a pang of longing echoing through my chest. "I'll complete my trial," I vowed. "Not for Ruth's love, but for redemption."Michael's eyes narrowed. "Redemption from what?"I hesitated, the darkness within me stirring. "From the shadows I've carried."Ruth's voice broke the silence, her concern etched on her face. "Vincent, what will you face in your trial?"I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "The shadows within," I replied, my
Vincent POVI paced the room, my mind racing with thoughts of Rebecca's relentless pursuit. Her obsession knew no bounds, and I couldn't help but wonder what drove her to this madness.And then it clicked.She thought I was back with Ruth.Unaware of Ruth's true feelings for Michael, the Lycan king.I had to set her straight, before it was too late.I tracked Rebecca to the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The dimly lit building seemed to loom over me, its shadows cast like skeletal fingers. I steeled myself and entered.Rebecca stood in the center of the room, her eyes blazing with fury. "Vincent, you're still protecting her," she spat, her voice venomous."Rebecca, listen," I began, but she cut me off."No!" she shrieked, her face twisted in anguish. "You're mine!"I grasped her shoulders, trying to shake some sense into her. "Rebecca, stop. You're misunderstanding. Ruth doesn't feel the same way about me."Her gaze turned icy, her eyes flashing with malice. "Ruth has y
Ruth's POVI couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Rebecca's descent into madness had left me reeling. The image of her transformation, her eyes blazing with hatred, haunted me.As I lay in bed, Vincent's words echoed in my mind: "Rebecca's past is complicated." What had driven her to such extremes?I tossed and turned, my thoughts racing. Vincent's safety weighed heavily on my mind. He'd faced Rebecca's fury, and I feared for his well-being.A soft knock on the door broke the silence. "Ruth?" Vincent's voice."Come in," I replied, sitting up.Vincent entered, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me. "Can't sleep?"I shook my head. "Too much on my mind."He sat beside me, his presence comforting. "What's troubling you?""Rebecca," I whispered. "What if she's not the only one?"Vincent's expression turned serious. "We'll face whatever comes next, together."But doubts lingered. Was Rebecca an isolated case, or was there a larger threat lurking? And what about Vincent's pas
Ruth's POV I struggled to sit up, my head spinning. The room blurred around me."Where am I?" I demanded.The figure stepped forward, his face twisted in a cruel smile."You're a guest of the Council," he said.My heart sank."The Council?" I repeated."Yes. They're interested in your... association with Vincent."Fear crept up my spine."What do they want?"The man shrugged."Information. About Vincent's powers, his weaknesses."I clenched my jaw."I won't tell you anything."He chuckled."We'll see about that."Suddenly, Vincent burst into the room, his eyes blazing with fury."Ruth!" he shouted.The Council's guard moved to intercept him, but Vincent dispatched them with ease."Time to leave," Vincent said, pulling me close.We fled the Council's stronghold, the night swallowing us whole.But the danger lingered.As we ran, Vincent's grip on my hand tightened."Ruth, I have to tell you something," he said, his voice urgent."What is it?" I asked."About my family... my past. It's