ELVISThe kids stared at me with startled expressions on their faces, just the way I liked it, I could sense the fear in Sierra's eyes, it sent thrills through my veins."It gives me great pleasure to have every one of you here." I smiled, everything was falling into place, and my plans were working perfectly fine.One of Thane's boys growled at me, his fangs in full display, he was the angriest of Thane's boys, he was the one who kept threatening me while he had the chance."Pout all you want angry bird, there's nothing you can do, you're under my spell now." I sent him my best smirk knowing it would piss him off more."Damn you!" The boy snarled attempting to reach me from the house but he was sent flying back by the spell.I couldn't help but laugh as Sierra rushed towards him to help him up."After all that babbling, who's helpless now." I sneered and Beta Orion laughed."You just wait, I'll get you." He swore, his eyes shooting arrows at me, that was the best he could."Oh my, sh
THANEI knew deep down that the probability of Harold giving up this pack and throne was quite low but I thought he would have considered it because his son was in danger but his answer was brief and short."Never."My breath hitched, I could feel as though my universe was lost, my kids were my responsibility, and I couldn't watch them get hurt because of a clash between two brothers."Hey Harold, why don't you think this through," I said, calmly placing my hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off "What do you mean to think this through?" He asked, his temper was flaring. "All of this shouldn't have happened in the first place."Maya moved forward, "Please Alpha Harold, I know this is too much to ask, but think of our kids, they have lives to live, they are still so young, and we can let their lives be cut short just because-""I can't do it, lives are depending on me too, do you know the kind of havoc he might do to the pack that I worked so hard to protect?" He asked, his eyes
SIERRATwenty minutes earlier."That slimy bastard has something up his sleeves," Dane said as soon as Elvis left."I thought so too." Gerald agreed, his eyes met mine and I looked away awkwardly."Guys, I think we need to leave before he gets back," I said looking at the boys.Zane cleared his throat making us turn to him in curiosity. "That's right, we can't just stay here waiting till he comes back, we need a plan to leave here.""That's right, a concrete one to be exact." Kane tipped in. "That doesn't involve digging." He added with a snort.We all turned toward Dane, and he returned our stare, "Why are you guys staring at me?""We need a plan." I sent him a smile.He shook his head, "Actually, I have been thinking." He gathered us closer away from Orion's view. "There might be a way out of here.""What's this plan all about?" Kane asked.Dane's eyes wandered through the glass doors to Orion, who was busy cleaning his weapon. "Him, he will be our target."Zane raised his brow, "Bu
THANE"What on earth happened here?" Alpha Harold asked as we drew closer to the house.The house was destroyed, there was no stone left unturned."Where are the kids?" I asked turning to Elvis who still couldn't believe his eyes."I... I mean, they were right here, this was where I left them." He replied glancing around.I couldn't help but burst into laughter, they all turned to stare at me in shock. "What do you mean you left them here?" I asked Elvis whose eyes were darting around as though searching for something."Let's check around first," Maya suggested walking toward the debris.We checked everywhere, but none of the kids were found, I could perceive a faint smell of gas in the air, and I tried to ignore it telling myself that they were all safe.Harold's men arrived, they began to search through the debris, and they raised stones to check if there were any bodies or survivors.A faint cough reached my ears and I pulled Maya along with me as we headed towards the direction wh
SIERRAI felt the wind whooshing around my skin, which meant one thing, we were no longer in the confines of the house, my eyes shot open, and I gasped.This wasn't the woods, the sand in the woods could never be this white. I looked around in shock, I was right, I was at the beach, not at the spellbound house where Orion had kept us.How did I get here? I could recall being in the house, I could recall how angry I felt when Orion had tossed the gas-like substance towards us, so how did I get to the beach? Did I magically teleport without knowing?The ocean was wild, the waves kept coming, filling my ears with dangerous sounds. Something was weird about the beach, beaches usually have people walking around wanting to take a swim or resting under an umbrella, but this beach was empty, there was nothing outside for the wind and sand that swallowed my feet whenever I tried moving.I wondered if the boys had remained there or if I arrived there with them."Damn, where are we?" Kane asked
SIERRA"Guys!" I called but their voices swallowed mine as they went on with the argument.The sand swallowed my feet, I tried pulling it out but it was impossible, It held me down tightly but the boys were too occupied in their argument to notice that the sand had gotten up to their ankles."Guys stop it please." I pleaded but all to no avail."Woah, I see it's three against one now right?" Gerald was shouting, gone was the calm and peaceful demeanor I was used to seeing."That doesn't matter, One of us can take down a hundred of you." Zane shot back angrily."Will you guys fucking stop it already!" I screamed at the top of my voice.They stopped turning to stare at me in shock, they'd probably never heard me scream before."Screaming at each other should be the last thing on your minds right now," I said panting hard, they kept staring at me."You are so preoccupied with the need to tear each other's throats that you can't realize what's happening," I said staring at my stuck feet.
SIERRAIt was approaching fast.This was it, we were going to die in an unknown land.Particles of sand entered my eyes making me blink rapidly. Gerald closed his eyes, the sand was way up to his mouth level, I glanced at the other side, the triplets too were almost covered. Was this the end?I closed my eyes waiting for the storm to swallow us whole. The sound of the whirlwind howled in my ears like the sounds of thousands of restless spirits.I could hear the boys take in huge breaths, they were preparing for the end. Hot tears stung at the back of my eyes, I would never get to see my mom again. Their pants filled my ears, this would be the last I'd hear it, the sound of my mate's breathing.My eyes opened slowly to stare at their faces, their eyes were closed in anticipation. It was then I noticed, the storm had gone, the wind was calm, it was as though there was never a sandstorm coming.Strange.What was happening?I turned trying to free myself from the huge pile of sand holding
THANE"How is my wife doing?" I asked the doctor immediately he came out of the patient's room with some samples to run tests on her."I believe you're her guardian." He said adjusting his glasses."Yes, Yes I am," I replied nodding my head, I was so shaken when Maya had fainted back there in the woods, I didn't wait for Alpha Harold to get a car ready, I picked her up on my back and then raced for the hospital. I was able to locate one thanks to the servant Harold had sent after me."You can go in now, the samples will be sent to a lab to determine what is wrong with her." The doctor replied."Will she be alright?" I asked, I needed his response to ease the growing panic in my chest."Yes, I don't think it's anything serious though." He explained."I see," I replied."You can go in now, she's awake." He said pushing the curtains away."Thank you, doctor," I said hurrying inside.Maya was lying on the bed and a drip connected to her hand, her eyes were closed but I could tell that she
SIERRAI sniffled, my vision still blurry from the tears that refused to stop falling. The weight of what the Moon Goddess had told me pressed down on my chest like a stone, suffocating and heavy. I had always known fate was cruel, but this? This was unbearable.Zane's arms tightened around me, his warmth soothing, even as my heart ached. "We’ll survive," he repeated, his voice steady. "Even if we never have a child, we’ll be okay."His words should have reassured me, but they didn’t. I shook my head. "I know you all want a family. I know how much it means to you, to all of us." My voice cracked as I spoke, the pain of my fate settling deeper into my bones. "You shouldn’t have to give that up because of me."Kane’s fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His green eyes were fierce, unwavering, but filled with something I wasn’t expecting, love. "You think we’d ever choose a child over you?"I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I didn’t know what to say."You are ou
SIERRAI rubbed my temples, frustration and exhaustion clawing at me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t tap into the power they expected from me. I felt useless. Weak. And I hated it.“I just need some air,” I muttered, pushing past the boys before they could stop me. I didn’t wait for their response, I just walked. The cool breeze kissed my skin, but it did little to soothe the turmoil in my chest. My feet carried me further from the cabin, into the dense trees where the world felt quieter.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, sinking onto the damp forest floor. If there was any chance of connecting to the Moon Goddess, I had to try.Clearing my mind, I focused on my breathing, letting everything else fade. And then, like a ripple through my soul, I felt it, a shift, a pull. The world around me disappeared, and I was somewhere else.The air shimmered with silver light, the scent of moonflowers filling my lungs. And there she stood, radiant and calm, her eyes glowing like twi
SIERRAThe moment I stepped outside, the air grew thick with whispers. The locals stood in small clusters, their eyes wide with fear as they watched me approach. Some clutched their children close, others took a cautious step back as if my mere presence might bring destruction upon them."She’s back," a woman muttered, gripping the arm of the man beside her. "Moon help us."A few of them cast nervous glances at the burnt remnants of a house in the distance, a grim reminder of what had happened the last time I lost control. I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.I ignored them and walked into the dimly lit room, my pulse steady despite the weight of what I was about to say. The boys turned to me instantly, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion."She's linked to me," I said flatly, wasting no time.Dane frowned. "Who?""Ariel," I answered, crossing my arms. "She can see through my eyes."A tense silence followed."You let her do that?" Kane’s voice was sharp with disbelief.
ASTRIDCelia crossed her arms, watching the entrance where Ariel had just disappeared. “It’s clear we can’t control her.”I sighed, the weight of her words pressing down on me. “Then we’ll have to do the same thing we did to her grandmother. Tie her life to one of us.”A murmur of unease swept through the group. The vampires shifted where they stood, exchanging wary glances, but no one spoke. Their silence said enough. None of them wanted to be the one to do it.Celia narrowed her eyes at me. “And who exactly do you suggest, Astrid? Because I don’t see anyone volunteering.”I turned my gaze over the group, searching for any hint of willingness. Nothing. Not a single one of them met my eyes.“I’m not sacrificing myself for her,” one of the younger ones muttered.Another scoffed. “We barely know her. Why should one of us be bound to her life?”“She’s too powerful,” a voice added from the shadows. “Even if we tie her to one of us, what guarantees she won’t turn against us?”I clenched my
ASTRIDI lifted a hand, gesturing sharply to Celia to stay silent. My eyes darted toward the entrance of the cave. Footsteps. Ariel was back. Too soon. She must have heard something.The moment she barged in, her eyes were blazing with fury. "What secret are you hiding from me? What curse am I breaking?"I kept my voice calm. "Ariel, listen…""No!" she snapped, her powers flaring.Ariel didn’t hesitate. She reached deep within herself, where the power hummed beneath her skin, waiting to be unleashed. It surged, coiling through her veins like a living thing, crackling with energy. Her breath steadied, her fingers twitching as she focused.The air around her shifted, thick with an unseen force. A low hum vibrated through the cave, sending chills through the walls, and shaking the ground beneath her feet. The power built rapidly, feeding off her emotions, her anger, her betrayal, and her need for the truth.She lifted her hand slightly, fingers spreading apart. The pressure in the room i
ARIELI gripped the mandrake root tighter in my hands as I made my way back to the vampires’ hideout. The night air was thick with tension, the wind whispering through the trees like a warning I didn’t want to hear. Every step felt heavier, my heartbeat a steady drum against my ribs.Sierra’s words echoed in my mind, refusing to fade."Why would the vampires need a root that breaks curses?""Maybe they’re cursed.""Would they even tell you?"I shook my head, trying to push her voice away. She was wrong. She had to be. The vampires had taken me in when no one else would. They had given me answers when I was lost. They wouldn’t lie to me… would they?My conversation with Sierra played over and over in my mind, her words gnawing at my thoughts. "Ariel, think about it. Why would the vampires need a root that breaks curses?" Sierra asked, her voice filled with something I couldn't quite place, concern, desperation, maybe even guilt.I folded my arms, shifting my weight from one foot to t
SIERRAFlames roared around me, licking up the walls of the pack house. My chest heaved as I frantically waved my hands, trying to will the fire to stop, to go away. But the more I panicked, the wilder it became."Sierra! Stop!" Kane shouted, rushing toward me."I…I can’t!" My voice cracked as I stumbled backward. The fire wasn’t listening to me. It was as if it had a mind of its own.Dane cursed under his breath. "Everyone, back!"The villagers scattered, their eyes wide with fear. My heart clenched. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just wanted to reveal who was watching us, not destroy everything in the process.A gust of wind slammed against me, but instead of extinguishing the fire, it only made it worse. The flames crackled, eating through the wooden beams, charring the walls black. Smoke billowed into the sky, dark and heavy.Kane grabbed me, shaking me gently. "Sierra, you need to calm down.""I can’t! I don’t know how!" My voice wavered, thick with frustration.Dane turned
SIERRAI rubbed my arms, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling crawling over my skin. It wasn’t just a shiver or a passing chill, it was deep, creeping, like invisible fingers trailing over my skin, sending goosebumps in their wake. My heart pounded against my ribs, and I swallowed hard, willing myself to push past it.My mates and the locals were staring at me, confusion written all over their faces. I didn’t blame them, I barely understood what was happening myself.“Sierra?” Kane’s voice was gentle, but I could hear the concern underneath.I opened my mouth to respond, but I hesitated. What was I supposed to say? That I felt like someone was watching me? That the weight of unseen eyes was pressing down on me, making my breath come in short, uneven puffs? It sounded ridiculous, even to me. But the feeling wouldn’t leave. It clung to me, heavy and suffocating.I shifted my weight from foot to foot, suddenly hyperaware of my surroundings. It felt crowded, and suffocating. I turne
SIERRAStepping out of the house, I barely had a moment to take in the cool night air before I heard the snickers."Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," someone muttered.A chorus of amused chuckles followed, and I felt my cheeks heat up instantly. I frowned, confused at first, but then realization struck like a lightning bolt. My heart plummeted.The sage.We forgot to keep the damn sage burning after the old woman left.My stomach twisted as I remembered the… sounds I had made. Oh, Moon above. The entire town heard me.Heat crawled up my neck, spreading across my cheeks like wildfire. My mortification must have been written all over my face because Kane chuckled, slinging an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close."Relax, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. "It’s nothing to be embarrassed about."I shot him a glare, but it only made him grin wider. "Easy for you to say," I muttered under my breath. "You weren’t the one…" I clamped my mouth