Kaiden's POV
With an arm around Rayne, I faced the ones chasing her. It wouldn't take me more than fifteen minutes to tear them all down, but I gave them a chance to rethink their actions.“Are you all insane?” I roared, pressing my aura into them. “How dare you lay a finger on my Luna?”The men chasing her stopped in their tracks, and looked among themselves in awkward confusion. Did they not even recognise that Rayne was once one of them?I looked over her bruised and battered body. There was a shard of glass in her cheek, and the top of her shirt had been ripped at the shoulder, exposing her pale bruised skin underneath. Beauty marred by pain.Guilt and anger warred for dominance within me. I should have never let her go alone, and now here she was, in my arms, badly hurt. Even if she could heal, she didn't have to go through such in the first place.Her body trembled. She was crying.“My mother,” she said. “I couldnRayne's POVChaos rose, silencing my screams. People rushed about, eager to get a good look of what would be probably the biggest show for dominance ever in Oceanpearl. But I couldn't get rid of the apprehension in my chest, it ate me up on the inside until I could do nothing but tremble with fear. Fear of loss. I couldn't lose Kaiden. He might have been powerful, but Reynold couldn't be trusted. He likely had something up his sleeve. I knew him enough to know that he wouldn't have accepted the challenge in the first place if he knew he could lose. Kaiden gave one last silent command to Bradford before completely transforming into his magnificent wolf form. Black, large, with rippling muscles and glowing red eyes, he stood proud and tall, bearing down on his one and only target with the intent of a predator stalking prey. Even though I had seen him in this form before, the awe I felt still remained the same. The people of Oceanpearl stood transfixed by his form, like they had neve
Rayne's POVThe ground appeared endless underneath my feet, trailing and trailing on despite how my lungs were exerting themselves just so I could keep running. I leaped over logs and misplaced branches. I didn't dare look back to see the monsters running after me. I couldn't stop.I glanced at the cool object in my hand, and pressed it tighter to my skin. Something about it made me feel a certain way; almost like I could taste the energy it emitted. Just how powerful were the people that created such a thing? And did they ever imagine that people would use it in such a nefarious way? I didn't also want to dwell on the thought that for so long, Oceanpearl had been in possession of the object, and had been using it to keep itself safe while others suffered for it.Growing up, we never had rogue attacks. I didn't know just how bad other packs were having it or I was sure that it would have been a topic I questioned when I was younger. I used to think we were
Rayne's POVIt didn't take long for the news of Oceanpearl’s rogue attack to reach the headlines of the Paranormal Watch. Lives had been lost in the unanticipated attack, but luckily they were able to pull through with what they had. Alongside the questions of whether or not the Alpha had survived, were further details concerning the dead. A council member had died as well. Nothing spoke clearly of Reynold’s whereabouts, but that was something that we didn't necessarily need an answer to. Knowing that Oceanpearl didn't crumble to dust dissolved some of the guilt I had been feeling. But the more I rationalise everything, the more I understood that there was nothing that I or Kaiden could have done. Survival mattered most in that situation, and I wasn't willing to lose any more of the people I loved because of selfish people that never thought of the consequences their actions would have on others. Reynold, in his quest for power, had chosen what mattered most to hi
Rayne's POVI always found the mix of sunshine and rain strangely fascinating. A light drizzle patterned on the windows, just as sunlight pierced through their wet transparent bodies. People always held superstitions concerning what they meant. Some would say that a lion was giving birth. Or that a bird had lost its feather and was searching for it. So many tales conceived for the main purpose of making the phenomenon appear more divine than a simple mere coincidence.“Push, Rayne. I can see the head,” coaxed Sal. A wave of contraction surged through me so strongly at that point that my vision blurred and my throat released a hoarse cry.I watched her from between my spread thighs, pushing the muscles of my belly so hard that I feared it would burst before the child even made it through. No progression occurred, and I threw my head back into the sweat-soaked pillows, panting.“I can't anymore. I'm so tired.”Sal rolled her eyes. “Very funny. You definitely weren't tired getting it on
Rayne's POVEven though a while had passed since I last saw her face, I still remembered every little detail about her. If anything, she looked even more glorious than the last time, shining like a magical creature from another planet. Her elegant gown swept the floor, gliding soundlessly like rippling water. The planes of her face were silk and smooth—glass-like, poreless, and almost reflective. Cat-like eyes peered at us from underneath her arched brows. A Priestess indeed.“You’re welcome,” I said to her before she even opened her mouth to say anything. Something about her energy pulled me in. Familiar, and yet distant. Close, and yet, so very far. “How can we help you?”Quietly, her eyes brushed over Roman, Kaiden and finally me. Something in her face pulsated with energy. “It's a pleasure to be welcomed here.”I pointed to a seat by her side. The parlor never lacked them, and anyone who walked in could be certain that they would find a seat t
Author's POV25 YEARS AGO“The circle is complete,” the Priestess, Libra, mentioned. Her arms were like twin snakes as she moved about the flames in her see-through knee-length camisole. This was scandalous to some, who believed that our beauty shone best in modesty. Libra didn't believe in that. To her, clothes were nothing but contraptions humans made because they were too ashamed to embrace their true selves. There were whispers about the ‘sinful’ things she usually did behind closed doors, despite being a Priestess. Myra didn't mind them, because the woman dancing before them appeared like a goddess, even though her actions were directed at the true deity that watched over them all from her silver throne.In one breath, she rose to her feet to join Libra, also lifting her arms into the air. Left and right, she swayed to the beat, closing her eyes so that the gentle humming of her fellow sisters could lull her into a state of ecstasy. The ecstasy that blossomed from the pure worsh
Author's POV25 YEARS AGOMyra came awake in a familiar small room. Bare walls looked at her from all four corners, cold and devoid of any personality. She liked them that way. Keeping the things she liked all to herself was what she preferred, unlike other people that would paint walls with their hearts and souls.A cold cloth rested on her head, a welcome difference from the mild heat running down other parts of her body. She tried to sit upright, but her head started to throb and so she remained lying down. “You should just rest,” Libra said, moving about the room with quick, measured steps. She had released her hair from its usual elegant bun, and it framed her smooth face. The redness in her hair looked more of scarlet than the hazy burnt orange she usually dyed her hair. Whether or not it had been intentional, or an error, Myra would never know. As for her clothes, she had changed from the silky camisole into a simple s
Author's POV25 YEARS AGO Myra wished she could object, but it was the life she had chosen for herself. As a Priestess, she couldn't couple or marry just any man she pleased. It was a sacred oath that she had been sworn into. In order to keep the purity of the Moon Priestess bloodline, they were required to mate with men with Priestess blood flowing in their veins. Anything outside of that meant contamination, and they couldn't have that. It was how things had been for centuries, and since the inception of Priestesses, and there wasn't anything that could have been done to change things.But with the rebellion that already stirred her insides, Myra could tell that she would be the one to change things. After the Mother Superior had made the announcement, the recipients had nodded and drawn their faces into a smile, not bothering to show the emotions that ran deep within their hearts. After she left, reality crashed on Myra like a flood of stinging salt water—like when she had almos
Author’s POVYears had passed since the great war that signaled the end of an era for the Mysticrock pack and its allies. That singular moment that had seemed miniscule in the eyes of many ended up being a memorable turning point in the treaty between humans and werewolves all over the world. The scars of the terrible times had healed, though the memories of struggle and loss remained etched in the hearts of those who survived. Life, however, had a way of moving forward, and in the years since Dr. Cedric’s imprisonment, the werewolf community had continued to thrive. Mysticrock pack had expanded even further since Rayne’s rescue of the imprisoned werewolves. Many of them chose to remain in service to her, preferring to stay within reach of the Lycan Queen, than even in their own home packs. The pack now stretched across more miles of dense forest, now basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun. The land had increased in vibrancy, and anyone who saw it wouldn’t have been able to tell
Rayne's POVKaiden.I smiled at the thought of him, my heart swelling with warmth. He had been there all along, quietly watching, waiting, and never pushing. Even when I had been mated to an Alpha, our fates intertwined in ways I hadn’t understood. Kaiden had been my constant, my true north, even when I didn’t realize it. And now, here we were, fated to be together, just as it was always meant to be. Even the years apart did nothing to dampen the flames of our passion. Many times, thinking about him was what kept me moving during the most terrible of days—the hope that eventually, once I got free, I would be back by his side, where I was truly meant to be. The place where I truly belonged.A soft rustle of leaves pulled me from my thoughts, and I opened my eyes to see Sal approaching. Her twin daughters, Ivy and Isla, followed closely behind, their identical faces full of curiosity and energy. Seeing them filled me with a burst of joy, because I could still vividly remember when she a
RAYNE'S POVIt’s strange when I look back at everything now. All that chaos, the pain, the heartbreak—it all seems like a lifetime ago, though it’s only been months since my world changed for the better once again. I sat at the edge of the pack grounds, watching the late afternoon sun stretch its golden light across the treetops. A soft breeze played with the locks of my hair, pushing the strands against my face in a tickling manner. The wind carried the familiar scent of pine and earth, but it also brought memories, tugging at my mind until I could no longer push them aside.Eighteen years. That’s how long I had been trapped, held captive by Dr. Cedric, who cared for nothing else but his own twisted ideals—only what my blood could do for him. I used to wonder how I survived all those years, locked away, forgotten by the world I had once known, and separated from my family. The nights that I had screamed myself to sleep because I couldn’t stand the silence of those human-sized pods o
Kairen's POVI couldn’t help but let out a little surprised laugh as he took my hand and led me away from the crowd. Roman, who was talking to a group of his classmates, momentarily paised to give us a knowing look as we passed, but he didn’t say anything. He simply gave a small wave before turning back to the group of friends he was with. Todd didn’t say much as we walked, his hand warm and steady in mine as we made our way through the campus and out into the surrounding woods. It wasn’t until we reached the all too familiar clearing—the place where we had first crossed paths—that I realized where he was taking me.The memories flooded back the moment we stepped into the familiar space. The trees were just as tall, their branches swaying gently in the wind, and the soft sound of the nearby stream filled the air. It was peaceful here, just like it had been that day so long ago, when our lives had first intertwined. Who would have ever thought that I would have fallen in love with a g
Kairen's POVMonths had passed since the chaos surrounding Dr. Cedric had finally come to a fruitful demise. Life had slowly begun to find its beat once again, though the scars of what we’d been through still lingered in small, subtle ways. The pack had recovered from most of the damage done in those crucial 18 years, the tension, fear and anxiety giving way to a renewed sense of strength and hope. But more than anything, the peace allowed us to move forward—each of us in our own way.Today, we were gathered for something far different than the clashing of claws and roaring. The university campus buzzed with excitement and celebration as students in their robes moved through the courtyard, their faces lit up with the glow of glorious achievement. They were celebrating the years they had gone through the halls of this school, studying to become people of influence in the nearest future. Todd and Roman were among them, their final year completed, and now they were finally graduating. T
Kairen's POVI stood next to Todd, the silence between us heavy with everything left unsaid. His face was drawn, shadows clinging beneath his eyes, and I wondered how much longer he could keep this up—this weight he carried, the war within him.“Todd...” I began, unsure of what to say. What could I say? His father was a monster, and though I had known Dr. Cedric’s cruelty, I couldn’t pretend to understand what it meant to Todd. It wasn’t just about stopping a villain; it was personal, wrapped in all the twisted layers of family, duty, and a lot of shame.He probably didn't feel like he was supposed to be by my side.Todd shook his head, as if to stop me from saying whatever was on my mind. “Don’t, Kairen,” he said softly, his voice hoarse. “Don’t say anything. You don't have to try to make me feel better about this.”I hesitated, but I couldn’t let it go. “It’s not your fault,” I said, my words firmer than I felt. “It's not your fault at all.”His lips twitched, but it was far from a
Kairen's POVThe air I breathed in that evening remained thick with dampness, and the stench of blood and fear still lingered, though the fighting had long since ended. Even though the manor was now pristine and devoid of any evidence of the terrible fight that occurred, the memories still lingered in my brain, and I didn't think that anything would have been able to change that anytime soon. Todd had been quiet for most of the evening, focused on freeing the last of the prisoners trapped in the underground cells beneath the manor. Mom had said that even though she had managed to rescue some of them, she had the feeling that there were more of our kind still stuck in the manor—but she couldn't find out where for some reason.Todd had volunteered to go in search of the other prisoners and I had decided to go along with him for two reasons. One, I actually wanted to get some alone time with him and iron out some loose ends concerning his father's imprisonment. I could tell that he wasn
Kairen's POV“Your mother's healing capabilities is probably the major reason she was kept here,” said Dad. “I suspected that one of you might have inherited her abilities, but I didn't know who would.”By this time, Roman's wound had already healed halfway, and color had started to seep back into his face. He hadn't spoken yet, but the look on his face was one of pure relief.I didn't even know what to feel at that point. I had gone from shocked, to grieved, and back to shocked. All I could do was watch him, knowing fully well that I was completely dumbfounded to say or do anything else until I was sure of what was happening.“I guess Roman took my healing, and you,” Mom turned to me, smiling for the first time since she saw her son's supposedly dead body, “and you took my gift of sight.”“Sight?” I asked quietly, pressing a shaking hand to my chest. “What do you mean by sight?”“It's what we call being able to see beyond the physical. I discovered mine late, but my mom was supposedl
Kairen's POVTo my surprise, Dad only walked over to me and ran his hand through my hair. “My daughter has found a mate. Which I find to be a very wonderful thing. She is an excellent judge of character, so I have no doubt that she wouldn't have picked this young man if she didn't see him as worthy.”The man who had spoken up earlier frowned, his face showing disgust. “You would allow your child to be with the son of the one who had tormented your kind? The one who even kept your own mate away from you?” The man's eyes trembled as he stared at Dad. As long as Dad remained the Lycan King, no one actually had the guts to be disrespectful towards him.“I would allow my child the freedom to choose.”The man sneered. “And that is why we all decided that you weren't the best choice to lead us as a society any longer. The years must have changed you . . . Made you more of a spineless diplomat than the warrior you showed us years ago when you were going after this position.”Dad didn't respo