SIERRAThe sound of Dane’s voice echoed through the room, raw and filled with pain. I could barely see through my tears as I watched the screen. Harold’s laughter cut through my heart like a knife, and every scream from Dane felt like a stab in my chest.“Please, stop this!” I begged, my voice cracking. “Let him go! He hasn’t done anything to you!”Harold smirked, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “Oh, Sierra,” he said, his tone mockingly sweet. “This is entirely up to you. Give up your powers, reject your mates, and agree to marry Gerald, and I’ll let your precious Dane go.”My body trembled, not with fear but with fury. “You’re a monster,” I spat, tears streaming down my face. “You’ll never win.”Harold shrugged, unbothered. “I’ve heard that before,” he said. Then he gestured to the screen, where Gerald’s smug face appeared, holding a silver dagger.“No!” I screamed, my voice piercing. “Please, don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything!”Gerald chuckled, his eyes cold. “Anything? Then
ZANEThe moment Sierra’s body slumped, I caught her instinctively, my arms curling around her trembling form. Her weight was light, too light, and it terrified me.“Kane, grab Dane! We need to get out of here,” I barked, my voice cracking under the pressure. Sierra’s shallow breathing filled my ears, and her baby sister, bundled in a cloth, let out a weak cry. I adjusted the child in my grip, cradling her carefully while holding onto Sierra.Kane didn’t hesitate. He hoisted Dane over his shoulder, though he struggled under the weight. “Let’s move,” Kane growled, his tone sharp with urgency.The halls felt endless as we ran, each step echoing like a drumbeat in my chest. Sierra was still out cold, her head resting against my shoulder. The baby’s cries grew louder, a desperate, heart-wrenching sound.“Hold on, Sierra,” I whispered, my throat tightening. “We’re almost there.”We burst out into the open air, the cool breeze stinging our sweat-drenched skin. Luna Maya and Alpha Thane were
SIERRAI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Kane’s words stung, deep in my chest, like a dagger twisted to make sure it hurt.“What do you mean by that?” I asked, trying to stay calm, but my voice wavered. I could feel the anger bubbling inside me, but I didn’t want to lose control. Not yet.Kane’s eyes were dark, his face twisted in frustration. “You know exactly what I mean, Sierra,” he spat, his voice rising. “Stop your bullshit right now. We’re all dealing with enough, and you’re still acting like everything’s about you!”I opened my mouth to respond, but Zane cut in before I could.“Hey, Kane, chill out,” Zane said, his voice firm but trying to be soothing. He stepped in front of me, putting a hand on Kane’s chest to push him back. “You’re going too far.”But Kane wasn’t having it. “No, Zane, I’m done holding back!” he yelled. “She went against our wishes and went there alone. Look at the mess she made!”I flinched at his words, but I couldn’t stop myself from defending what I
SIERRAKane’s words rang in my ears, sharp and unrelenting. The room was suffocating, their stares cutting into me. My chest tightened, and before I could stop them, tears welled in my eyes. I tried to blink them away, but it was too late—Kane had already seen.“You’re right,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I do ruin everything.”Zane turned to me, his expression twisting in confusion and anger. “Sierra, stop. You don’t need to take this from him!”I shook my head, stepping back. “Zane, apologize to him.”“What?” Zane blinked at me, completely taken aback. “Why would I do that? He was disrespecting you!”I let out a small, pitiful laugh that didn’t sound like me at all. “Because I deserve it,” I said bitterly. “He’s right. Everything’s a mess because of me.”Zane seemed to want to argue, but I didn’t wait to hear it. I turned away, my hands trembling as I wiped my tears. I couldn’t stay here any longer. The tension was unbearable, the air too heavy to breathe.“I’ll leave you both t
KANEI leaned against the wall, running my fingers through my hair as I watched Zane pace. The air between us was thick with tension after everything that had happened with Sierra.“Kane,” Zane said, stopping abruptly. His voice was softer now, almost hesitant. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”I looked at him for a moment, his sincerity written all over his face. I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. “It’s fine. I’m used to it by now,” I muttered. “When it comes to Sierra, you’re always thinking with your dick anyway.”Zane’s jaw tightened, and he took a step closer, but before he could shoot back, a piercing scream cut through the air.Before he could get another word out, a sharp scream pierced the air.My heart skipped a beat. “Sierra!” Zane shouted, already sprinting towards the sound.“Shit,” I cursed under my breath, following him as fast as I could.We rushed through the hall and skidded to a halt outside Dane’s room. The door was barely hanging on its hinges, smoke pourin
SIERRAThe bushes tore at my skin, sharp branches scratching my arms and legs as I stumbled deeper into the forest. I didn’t care about the pain. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore. Tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring my vision, but I kept running. My heart pounded loudly in my ears, drowning out the sounds of the forest.“Moon Goddess,” I whispered, my voice trembling with desperation. “Take it back. Take it all back.”My foot caught on a root, and I fell hard to my knees. The sharp sting of impact spread through my legs, but I barely felt it. The ache in my chest was so much worse. It felt like my heart was splintering, and no amount of sobbing could put it back together.I slammed my fists into the ground, ignoring the way the dirt clung to my hands. “I don’t want this cursed power anymore!” My voice cracked, but I didn’t stop. “It’s not a gift—it’s a nightmare.”Dane’s pale, lifeless face flashed in my mind. My chest tightened as guilt clawed its way through me. “I alm
SIERRAThe rogues froze, their ears twitching, and a moment later, I understood why. A powerful, bone-rattling growl cut through the storm, sending a chill down my spine. My heart dropped as I turned toward the sound, just in time to see Kane’s wolf emerge from the darkness. His sleek black fur glistened under the rain, his glowing amber eyes locked on the rogues.“Of course,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “The one person who wouldn’t let me die in peace.”Kane didn’t even glance at me. His focus was entirely on the rogues, who were now backing away, their earlier bravado replaced with fear. One of them whimpered before turning tail and running. The other two followed, disappearing into the woods as quickly as they had appeared.With the threat gone, Kane turned his attention to me, his wolf’s eyes narrowing. A shudder ran through me, but I refused to let him see my fear. He stepped closer, and before I could say a word, his body began to shift. Fur receded, bones cracked and reformed,
SIERRAThe cold rain still clung to my skin as Kane guided me toward shelter. His words echoed in my mind, each one a reminder of the weight I’d been carrying—my own guilt and pain, but also the responsibility I had to others. He was right, I knew it. But hearing it from him felt like the last bit of strength I had was being drained away.I didn’t speak as we walked, the silence between us thick with unspoken things. When we reached the cabin, Kane immediately went to work. His movements were quick, purposeful, like he was trying to push everything else away, focusing only on me. He started a fire in the small stone hearth, the flames crackling to life with a snap and a hiss.I sat by the fire, the warmth slowly seeping into my chilled bones. The rain kept pouring outside, but inside, the fire made it bearable. I wanted to speak, to say something to break the silence, but my voice caught in my throat. My mind was too full of everything—everything I’d done, everything I was trying to r
ARIELI was furious.My hands shook, my breath came out in short, sharp bursts, and my entire body burned with rage. Astrid. That traitor. She ran to Sierra, ran straight into the arms of our enemies, spilling my secrets like a pathetic little rat.How dare she?I stormed through the house, knocking over anything in my path. A vase shattered against the floor. A chair crashed against the wall. The vampires around me scrambled out of my way, their heads lowered, their bodies pressed against the walls like they could disappear if they stayed still enough.They should be afraid.I wanted them to be afraid.I stopped, my sharp eyes landing on one of the younger ones, a nervous-looking fool hovering in the corner. His hands twitched at his sides like he was debating whether to run.I moved before he could even think about it.One second, I was across the room. The next, I had my fingers wrapped around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. His hands clawed at mine, his feet kick
SIERRAI folded my arms, overseeing Astrid. Everything in me screamed not to trust her, but I couldn’t ignore what she was saying either. Ariel’s magic had already done enough damage, I knew that firsthand.Before I could respond, Dane stepped beside me, his stance tense and rigid. His distrust was written all over his face. “You’re really going to listen to her?” he scoffed. “It’s probably a trick. Ariel could’ve put her up to this.”“She’s a vampire,” Zane added sharply. “Why would she suddenly care about helping us? It doesn’t make sense.” His jaw clenched as he eyed Astrid with suspicion.Astrid let out a slow breath as if she had expected this reaction. “I wouldn’t risk coming here,” she said, her voice steady but urgent. “Not when I know exactly what Ariel is capable of.” Her golden eyes flickered with something close to desperation. “You don’t understand, if she finds out I came here, I’ll pay for it.”“She will find out,” Kane snapped. His fists curled at his sides. “She alway
ASTRIDSierra’s eyes widened at my words, but she masked her shock quickly, narrowing her gaze at me. I could see the battle happening in her mind, the way she warred with whether to believe me or not. I didn’t blame her. We had never been on the same side, and now, here I was, claiming to offer an alliance.“I don’t trust you,” she said flatly, her arms crossing over her chest.“I don’t expect you to,” I admitted. “But trust isn’t necessary. What matters is that we both have a common problem and right now, I’m offering you the truth.”Sierra hesitated for only a moment before turning back toward the house. I expected her to invite me in, but instead, she stepped outside, her mates following close behind her. I had to stop myself from reacting. Smart girl. She wasn’t going to let me into her home, not even for a conversation. I respected that.Dane and the others flanked her protectively, their stares filled with open suspicion. Dane spoke first. “What do you want, Astrid?”I took a s
ASTRIDThe moment I stepped back into the estate, fury clawed at my insides. My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stormed down the hall. I had to get away from Ariel before I did something reckless.How dare she? How dare she bind us together with a spell so dangerous that a single weak link could drag us all down? And then, to stand there and smirk, as if she had all the power in the world?I should have ripped her apart.Instead, I took a deep breath, pushed down my rage, and kept walking. I had to be smarter than that.I didn’t make it far before I heard a sharp voice behind me. “Astrid.”I turned to see Celia standing at the entrance to the main hall, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her usually composed face twisted with anger. The tension in the room was thick, pressing against me like an impending storm. Behind her, the other vampires stood in tense silence, their eyes burning with barely contained fury.“You knew about this, didn’t you?” Celia de
ARIELWhen I stepped into the grand hall of the vampire estate, I noticed something was off. Every single one of them, powerful, bloodthirsty creatures that they were, stood frozen, their faces pale with something close to fear.Fear of me.I smirked, letting the silence stretch, relishing the way their red eyes darted around the room like caged animals searching for an escape. Their fangs, usually displayed in smug confidence, remained tucked away, their bodies tense, stiff as statues.“Oh, don’t all rush to welcome me at once.” My voice rang through the cavernous space, laced with amusement.No one responded.A few of them took an instinctive step back, the movement subtle but not missed. One vampire near the entrance gripped the hilt of a dagger at his waist, though he made no move to draw it. Another swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing as though the very sight of me had dried his mouth.It was almost laughable.These creatures, feared by humans and even some supernaturals, stood
SIERRAThe hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the remnants of exhaustion and frustration. I tried to hold onto my anger, to focus on the fact that Dane had made a deal with Ariel without even knowing the price. But it was difficult when his hands were on me, sliding down my arms, tracing gentle circles on my hips.“Dane,” I started, intending to scold him, but the words melted into a soft moan when his fingers dug slightly into my waist. I hated how easily he unraveled me, how his touch turned my fury into something else entirely.“I’m not leaving you, Sierra,” he murmured against my ear, his voice deep and resolute. “And I’m not doing anything with Ariel. I just couldn’t watch you suffer.”I sighed, leaning back against him as his lips ghosted over my neck. “I still don’t trust her.”“Neither do I,” he admitted, pressing a kiss just below my ear. “But I had to do something.”His hands moved up my stomach, teasing but never crossing the line. Heat coiled low in my belly, an
DANEI tightened my grip on Sierra’s limp hand, my heart pounding. Her face was too pale, her breathing too shallow. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime, and I couldn’t take it anymore.“Ariel,” I said, my voice raw. “Please. Do it now. Whatever it takes.”Ariel tilted her head, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Begging now, are we?”I clenched my jaw. “Just save her.”Ariel rolled her eyes but knelt beside Sierra, placing her hands gently over the burn. A faint glow emitted from her palms, flickering like the flame of a candle before growing stronger. She murmured in a language I didn’t recognize, her voice steady and sure. The air around us thickened, charged with an almost electric energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.The glow spread, tendrils of light unfurling from Ariel’s hands and wrapping around Sierra’s body like a cocoon. The energy pulsed, shifting from a soft gold to an intense, almost blinding white. I clenched my fists, watching in tense si
DANEI couldn't take it anymore. Watching Sierra in agony, her body trembling as she fought against the pain, was unbearable. I felt useless, standing there while she suffered, unable to do a damn thing to help her. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my frustration bubbling over until I couldn’t hold it in any longer.“I need some air,” I muttered, turning on my heel.“Dane.” Kane’s voice was sharp with suspicion. “Where are you going?”I didn’t answer. I just kept walking, my strides long and determined as I pushed open the door of the packhouse and stepped into the night. The cool air did nothing to soothe the fire in my chest. Sierra’s pained whimpers echoed in my ears, haunting me with every step I took.Kane cursed under his breath and hurried after me. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned, grabbing my arm. “I know what you’re thinking.”I yanked my arm free. “Then you know I can’t just stand there and watch her suffer, Kane.” My voice was rough with frustration. “She’s i
SIERRAAriel’s smirk deepened, eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned against the tree, arms crossed. “Well?” she prompted, tilting her head. “Do we have a deal?”I clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady despite the pain in my arm. “It’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t mind giving up my powers, but I will never give you my mate.”The boys tensed beside me, their postures rigid. Dane’s jaw locked, and Kane let out a sharp breath through his nose. Zane took a threatening step forward. “You’re insane if you think we’d ever agree to that.”Ariel threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the darkened woods like a twisted melody. “Oh, you poor things,” she cooed, her eyes flashing with mischief. “I was trying to be polite, but since you insist on making this difficult…”She lifted her hand and flicked her fingers.The pain was immediate and unbearable. A sudden, sharp heat shot through my entire body, like fire licking at my veins, burning