ZANESierra had barely left the room when I let out a deep sigh, running a hand through my hair. The tension in my chest refused to settle."She’s never going to forgive herself if we leave without saving these people," I said quietly.Dane let out a frustrated breath. "And if she dies trying, none of this will matter."Kane crossed his arms. "So what do we do? Just stand back and let her keep throwing herself into danger?"I shook my head. "No. The best thing we can do is find a way to help her without putting her in harm’s way."Silence fell over us for a moment before Dane spoke. "We need to know more about the white oak stake. If it’s really the only thing that can kill them, we have to figure out what price Sierra will pay if she uses it."Kane nodded. "Then we start researching. We’re running out of time."We split up, each of us diving into the piles of books and records we’d gathered over time. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, the silence only brok
SIERRAI crossed my arms, glaring at them. “Tell me the truth. Now.”Kane sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Sierra, just let it go.”“No,” I snapped. “I know you’re hiding something. Spill it.”Zane and Dane exchanged uneasy looks, the tension thick between us. My patience was wearing thin. Finally, Dane exhaled sharply and spoke.“It’s about the white oak stake,” he said slowly. “If you use it… there’s a chance you could lose your wolf.”I froze, my heart pounding. “What?”Zane nodded, his expression grim. “We found something in an old text. The stake can only be used by someone with your kind of power, but there’s a price.”I clenched my fists. “And you were just planning to keep this from me?” My voice rose. “You think I wouldn’t want to know?”Kane clenched his jaw, frustration clear on his face. “Because we knew what you’d say. And we were right. You’re still going to do it.”I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “If using that stake means wiping out those vampi
ASTRIDI paced back and forth, my heels clicking against the stone floor. The hunger clawed at my insides, sharp and unrelenting. Around me, the others shifted uncomfortably, their eyes flashing red with frustration. I could feel their anger, their impatience. It mirrored my own.“This is ridiculous,” Marcus snarled, his fangs slipping out. “We haven’t fed in days. We need to hunt.”“Then go,” I snapped, glaring at him. “No one is stopping you.”I narrowed my eyes, feeling the weight of their stares pressing down on me. The room was filled with frustration, the scent of hunger thick in the air. The younger ones shifted uneasily, their fangs already elongating in response to their desperation."You think this is my fault?" I snapped, my voice sharp. "Do you think I enjoy being trapped like this just as much as you do?"The vampire who had spoken, a broad-shouldered male named Lucas, clenched his fists. His lips curled over his fangs as he took a step closer. "You brought her here, Astr
ASTRIDAriel’s words hung in the air like a thick fog, wrapping around me in a suffocating grip. I forced myself to remain calm, but inside, my mind raced.“How do you know this?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, my expression unreadable.Ariel shrugged, tilting her head slightly as if she were just as puzzled. “I don’t know. I just… see things. Through Sierra’s eyes, I think.”My stomach twisted. “Just Sierra?” I asked carefully, keeping my voice light, though my pulse thrummed with unease.Ariel smirked, tilting her head slightly as if she could hear the thoughts I was desperately trying to suppress. Amusement glinted in her sharp eyes, making my skin prickle. “Why?” she asked, her voice teasing but laced with something else, something sharper, more probing. “Is there something you don’t want me to see, Astrid?”I let out a nervous chuckle, forcing my lips into a smirk as I folded my arms across my chest. “Please,” I scoffed, shaking my head. “If I had secrets, you’d be the last to
SIERRAAs I packed my gear, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. My hands hesitated over the fabric of my cloak, my mind drifting back to the old woman’s words.If you lose your wolf… there’s a chance you’ll lose your mate bond, too.I swallowed hard. The thought had been gnawing at me since our conversation. I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.I turned to my mates. “I need to ask you something.”Kane was sharpening his blade, but he paused at my tone. Dane and Zane both looked up from their own tasks, their eyes wary.“If I lose my wolf,” I said carefully, “will I lose my bond with you?”The silence that followed was heavy. They exchanged looks, and my stomach twisted.Dane was the first to speak, his voice tight. “Where did you hear that?”I hesitated. “The old woman… she warned me.”Zane exhaled sharply. “And you believe her?”Kane’s jaw tightened. “We suspected… but we weren’t sure.”I clenched my fists. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”Dane stood, running a hand throug
SIERRAI folded my arms and looked at the old woman, my heart still racing from everything that had just happened. "How do you even know about this dagger? And why didn’t you tell us sooner?"She sighed, her wrinkled hands clasped together. "I didn’t know at first. But when you spoke about losing your wolf… I had to make sure. I spent the last few hours searching for answers. I didn’t want you to make the same mistake I did."I frowned. "What mistake?"The woman exhaled slowly, her eyes dark with pain. "I lost my mate. Not to death, but to something far worse."Zane, who had been leaning against the table, straightened. "Worse than death?"She nodded. "Yes. We lost our bond. It was stripped away, torn apart by magic. We could still see each other, still exist in the same world… but he no longer felt anything for me."A heavy silence fell over the room. I felt a lump form in my throat as I imagined that happening to me and my mates. The thought of looking into their eyes and seeing not
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
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
SIERRAI gasped as my eyes flew open, my body jerking upright. My chest felt like it was caving in, my throat raw like I had been screaming for hours. The room was dark, the air thick with something I couldn’t name. My hands trembled as I clutched at the sheets, trying to ground myself, trying to make sense of where I was.“Sierra!”Hands gripped my arms, firm, steady, holding me in place like I might collapse at any second. My head snapped toward the voices. Zane. Kane. Dane. All of them hovering over me, eyes filled with worry, their faces tense. The warmth of their touch should have reassured me, but it only made the panic claw deeper into my chest.“What’s wrong?” Dane’s voice was sharp, demanding, like he needed to know immediately.“You screamed,” Kane added, his grip on me tightening. His jaw was clenched, his brows furrowed. “You scared the hell out of us.”I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry. My breaths came in short, uneven gasps. My heart pounded so hard it hurt,
SIERRAI blinked.Once.Twice.The ceiling above me wasn’t familiar. The walls were different. Everything was different.I sat up fast, my heart slamming against my ribs.Where the hell was I?The air was thick, pressing against my skin like invisible hands. Heavy. Unnatural. It clung to me, making it hard to breathe. I swallowed, forcing myself to stay calm.The room was dim, the light coming from… nowhere. No lamps, no windows, but still, a glow. Faint. Cold. My fingers curled into the sheets beneath me, silk. Soft, too soft. It sent a chill through me. This wasn’t my bed. This wasn’t my room.I turned my head, scanning the space. Large. Empty. The walls stretched endlessly, shifting between deep blue and silver, almost like they were alive, moving, breathing. The air hummed with something ancient, something powerful. My stomach twisted.Nothing made sense.And then I saw her.Standing in the corner, silent.A presence too strong to be ignored.Silver hair cascaded down her back, sh
SIERRAThe second I stepped inside, I froze.Blood. So much blood. It stained the floor, the walls, the furniture. The smell of it, thick, metallic hung in the air, making my stomach turn. My heart pounded as my eyes darted to my friends, their faces pale, their clothes splattered in red.“What the hell happened here?” My voice came out sharp, urgent.Kane wiped a hand down his face, smearing red across his cheek. “Sierra…”I looked at Zane, then Dane. They all looked shaken.“Someone tell me what happened,” I demanded.Dane swallowed hard. “Astrid came.”I frowned. “What?”Zane exhaled, rubbing his temples. “She showed up out of nowhere. She was bleeding, barely able to stand. She tried to talk, but…”“She exploded,” Kane finished, his voice flat.I blinked. “She what?”They all exchanged glances, like they weren’t sure how to say it again. Like somehow, saying it out loud would make it more real.Dane cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. “She… exploded. Like, literally.
KANE“Hurry up, Dane! That banner looks like it’s about to fall.”Dane grumbled as he adjusted the string, his fingers fumbling with the knot. “If you’re so concerned, do it yourself.”I rolled my eyes. “I would, but someone has to make sure the cake doesn’t end up on the floor like last time.”Zane snorted from across the room as he stacked plates on the table. “That was one time. Let it go.”“One time was enough,” I shot back, giving him a pointed look. “Sierra nearly cried.”Alpha Thane chuckled as he set down a crate of drinks. “I can’t believe you boys planned all this. Sierra’s going to love it.”I smiled, glancing around the room. Balloons, streamers, and twinkling lights covered the walls. A table was stacked with gifts, food, and an enormous cake that, this time, was safely positioned far from the edges.“She deserves it,” I said. “She’s been through too much.”Dane climbed down from the chair, wiping his hands. “Yeah, and she never asks for anything in return. This is the le
SIERRAI blinked. The room was spinning, and my body was heavy like I had been dragged through a storm. My throat was dry, and my head ached like I had been fighting in my sleep.Voices. So many voices.“Sierra?”I turned my head, confused by the way everyone was looking at me, worried, scared, relieved. “What?” My voice came out rough. “What’s wrong?”Dane stepped forward first. “Is it…you?”I frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”Kane let out a breath. “Your wolf took over.”I stared at him. “What?”“You weren’t here, Sierra,” my mom said gently. “Your wolf spoke to us.”A shiver ran down my spine. “She… spoke?”Zane nodded. “Yeah. She said you’re different. That you need help.”I pressed a hand to my temple. My head was pounding. “I don’t understand.”“You don’t remember?” Kane asked.I shook my head. “No. I just… I woke up, and now you’re all looking at me like I died or something.”My mom touched my face, her warm hands grounding me. “You scared us.”I swallowed, my chest tigh
ZANEI couldn’t shake the feeling. Something was wrong.Sierra hadn’t spoken in hours. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t blinked. Just sat there, staring at the wall like she wasn’t even here. And that scared the hell out of me.I rushed to find my family. I didn’t care if I sounded crazy.“She’s not okay,” I said, breathless. “Something’s wrong with Sierra.”Luna Maya frowned. “What do you mean?”“She’s just…staring. Not talking, not moving. It’s like she’s not even in her own body.”My father stood up immediately. “Where is she?”“In her room.”We didn’t waste time. Everyone followed me, their footsteps heavy with worry. When we got there, Sierra was exactly how I left her—sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her lap, her eyes empty.“Sierra?” Luna Maya called softly.No response.“Sierra?” Dane tried, stepping closer. Still nothing.Luna Maya’s face paled. She rushed forward, kneeling in front of Sierra and grabbing her hands. “Baby, look at me,” she pleaded. “It’s Mom. Can
SIERRAThe fire was out, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. The smell of smoke still clung to the air, burning my nose, and making my throat tight. I could still hear the screams, the crackling flames, the chaos.I pressed my palms against my face, trying to push it all away. Just breathe. Just calm down. But it wasn’t working. The panic clawed at me, twisting my insides into knots. My whole body felt wrong, like I wasn’t even in control of it anymore.A warm hand landed on my shoulder. Kane. His touch was steady, grounding. “You okay?” His voice was soft, careful. But I could hear it. The worry underneath.“No,” I whispered. My voice barely worked. “I don’t think I am.”I wasn’t okay. Not even close.Dane crouched beside me, searching my face. “You want to tell us what happened?”I let out a shaky breath. Where did I even start? The dream? The fire? The fact that I was losing control over something that should’ve been mine to command? I curled my fi
SIERRA The first thing I noticed was the cold. Not the kind that gives you a little shiver and makes you pull the blanket up. This was bone-deep, icy, like I’d been dumped in a frozen lake. I blinked, confused. The soft warmth of my bed was gone. “Where am I…?” I whispered, sitting up slowly. Everything looked strange. The sky above me wasn’t blue. It wasn’t night, either. It was…gray, swirling, like thick smoke. The ground beneath me was damp and cold, like wet stone. “Hello?” I called out again, louder this time, my voice echoing back at me like I was yelling into a bottomless pit. Nothing. No answer. Just thick, suffocating silence. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as I stood up, my legs trembling beneath me. The ground felt damp and cold, like stone soaked in icy water, and a chill raced up my spine. Wherever I was, it wasn’t anywhere normal. I squinted into the grayish haze that hung in the air, swirling around me like smoke, and that’s when I saw her. Ariel.
SIERRAIt felt so damn good to be home.The air smelled fresher, like pine and freedom, and everywhere I turned, familiar faces smiled at me. I wasn’t used to all this attention, but I couldn’t lie, it made me feel warm inside.“Can’t believe you’re really back,” Alpha Thane said as he handed me a drink. His grin stretched wide, and for once, he wasn’t scowling or trying to lecture me.“Surprise,” I teased, clinking my glass against his.“Party’s for you, you know,” he added, nodding toward the bonfire they’d just lit. “Whole pack’s been waiting for this.”I looked around and smiled. Wolves were laughing, drinking, and dancing. It felt alive. For the first time in forever, things felt right. No Ariel. No chaos. Just peace. And it was all ours.“Think they’ll fit in?” I asked, nodding toward the new wolves. They still looked a little awkward, standing in a tight group near the food table.“Give them time,” Alpha Thane said. “They’ll come around.”“Hope so,” I muttered.Just then, someo