Nyx stares at her reflection in the mirror, her gaze cold as she examines the dark, twisted marks crawling up her arms. They pulse faintly, reminding her of the price she paid for using forbidden witchcraft. The Blood Moon pack is saved, but the cost to her soul is undeniable.Her fingers trace the blackened veins spreading across her collarbone, and she clenches her jaw. The magic has tainted her body and spirit. She forces herself to look away, but her eyes betray her—marked, cursed, and irreversibly altered.A knock echoes through the den.“Enter,” Nyx commands, her voice firm but tired.Maria, her loyal maid, steps inside cautiously, bowing her head.“Alphaess,” she greets, her tone filled with respect as always, but her eyes flicker with hesitation. They used to be close, but some things changed over time, Nyx has become cold to her. She avoids Nyx’s gaze, almost fearful.“What is it, Maria?” Nyx asks, tightening the robe around her shoulders.“I’ve brought your herbs, Alphaess,”
I stiffen, because I wasn't expecting her to be this straightforward. “You need me?” I harden my expression, feeling hurt and angry. “If you needed me, then why did you chase me away?”“Because I was scared!” she moves forward hastily, as her robe unveils her shoulder. “I was scared that I would harm you.”Slowly, I step forward, standing just a few inches from her. My eyes trail the dark marks on her shoulder and hands, how the blood moon tattoo has begun to fade away. “Your contribution to protect your pack is astonishing, but look at how this is killing you, Nyx,” I sigh, I'm well aware of her witchcraft usage. She hugs me tightly suddenly, burying her face in my chest. I can feel the vibration, her unspoken pain and sobbing. I inhale deeply her scent and after a moment, I embrace her back. It's okay, it's love. I can forgive because I love her. But I'm not sure why she came back to me. “I want to stay with you,” she mumbles again my shirt, sniffing. So why should I wait anymo
I can't seem to sleep. The couch feels too big without her beside me, but I settle in, trying to find comfort in the thought that Nyx is here, in my pack. That’s all that matters right now. The ache in my heart is sharp, a reminder of how much I missed her, but the excitement of her presence fills me with hope.“What should we do tomorrow?” I whisper to myself, staring at the ceiling. My mind races with possibilities. Maybe we could explore the pack's territory. I know there are beautiful places I could show her—hidden glades, sparkling streams, and the old oak tree where the pack gathers during celebrations.As dawn breaks, I can hear Nyx moving around in the kitchen. The smell of something delicious wafts through the air. I can’t help but smile.“Good morning, Alphaess,” I say as I walk into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from my eyes.She looks up, her face lighting up. “Good morning, Lorenzo. I hope I didn’t wake you.”“You didn’t,” I lie, grabbing a piece of toast. “What are you cook
Nyx stares at his sleeping face, his long eyelashes gently resting on his cheekbones. His pointed nose, manly thin lips, and the faint stubble on his jaw make her heart race. Her ears redden as she inches closer. She had never seen him look so peaceful, so perfect. They had such a great time together today, but something inside her craved more—a deeper connection.“A little touch won’t hurt,” she whispers to herself, reaching out. Her fingers gently brush his lips, barely daring to touch him. They feel soft, a contrast to his rugged features.“What are you doing?” Lorenzo’s eyes suddenly snap open. His voice is groggy, but his gaze sharpens as he looks at her.Nyx freezes, her heart skipping a beat. “I— I didn’t mean to wake you,” she stammers, pulling her hand away quickly, embarrassed that she disturbed his rest.He frowns, catching her wrist before she can retreat completely. “No, don’t pull away,” he mutters, his voice softening as he places her hand back on his face. “I like it w
“Mother is asking for you,” Albera informs me as I step out of the den. “Why?” I rub my eyes, squinting in the bright sunlight. “Why you lurking here?”“I'm not lurking, I just didn't want to bother you two,” her face is dark like the eclipse. “Something happened?” I fix my shirt, yawning. “Just go see Mother.”“Alright,” I check my den’s lock one more time, then step to my parent's den. Nyx is deep in sleep, I don't want to ruin that. The maids give me a weird look as I walk, whispering between them. I frown, not paying attention to it. When you're part of a high rank werewolf family, there always will be gossip and slanted stares. I knock at the door, once. “Come in,” my mother replies after a moment. I enter the dark den, not a single ray of light is entering the room. I have heard that Father can't endure sunlight, and it's harmful for him. But his health is worsening day by day. “Good morning, Mother,” I lower my tone and bow politely. “Morning,” she responds dryly, she
Nyx is sitting on the edge of the bed, her back turned to me. She’s been silent ever since she woke up. I can feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, and I know something is wrong. I approach her cautiously, placing a hand on her shoulder.“Nyx, what’s going on?” I ask, my voice soft but concerned.She stiffens under my touch, then stands up abruptly, shrugging me off. “Lorenzo, why didn’t you tell me your mother hates me?”My heart skips a beat. I should have known this would come up. “Nyx, it’s not like that,” I try to explain, but she cuts me off, turning around to face me with fire in her eyes.“Not like that?” she repeats, her voice rising. “Then what is it? She thinks I’m a witch, an enemy! She’ll never accept me. I heard the maids whispering when I went out this morning.”I run a hand through my hair, frustrated but trying to keep calm. “Look, I’m handling it. She’s just... worried. She doesn’t know you like I do.”Nyx crosses her arms, glaring at me. “Worried? You
Nyx huffs as she reaches the top of the mountain, her breath coming in sharp bursts. The wind whips around her, carrying away the last remnants of her anger from earlier. She needs this solitude, away from the pack and the tension that has built up between her and Lorenzo.“Nyx,” a voice calls from behind her. She turns to see Charles, Lorenzo’s older brother, leaning against a boulder, arms crossed and a smirk on his face.“What do you want, Charles?” she snaps, irritation flaring in her chest. She remembers seeing him when she was in the pack for the first time, a very annoying character. “Oh, just came to see what the little witch is up to,” he replies, stepping closer. “Thought you’d come here to cry about how my mother doesn’t want you.”She rolls her eyes, refusing to let him get under her skin. “I’m not crying about anything. Just taking a break from pack drama. What’s your excuse?”Charles chuckles, taking another step toward her. “Nice try. I know you better than that. You p
Nyx stands by the window, gazing out at the fading sunset. The light dances across her skin, and Lorenzo watches her in silence, knowing the time is drawing near. His heart feels heavy, knowing she has to leave. He moves closer, unable to tear his eyes away from her.“You’re really leaving tomorrow?” His voice cracks slightly, betraying the calm he’s trying to hold onto.Nyx sighs softly, turning to face him. Her eyes carry the same weight, reflecting the difficult decision. “I have to, Lorenzo. My pack... they need me. I can’t stay away any longer.”“But I need you too.” Lorenzo steps forward, his fingers brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His touch lingers longer than necessary, as if he’s memorizing the feel of her skin. “What about us?”“I wish I could stay forever,” Nyx whispers, looking up into his eyes. “But I can’t abandon them. I’m their Alphaess.”Lorenzo swallows hard, his jaw tensing. He pulls her gently into his arms, his lips pressing softly against her forehe
I never thought this would happen. Never.Not like this. Not now. Not with him.I watch as Lorenzo’s chest rises and falls, each breath getting weaker, slower, like the very life within him is being drained away. The blood still stains the floor around us, a reminder of how quickly everything is unraveling. It’s as if time itself is slipping through my fingers, and all I can do is hold onto him. My mate. My everything.His hand is so cold in mine. I try to warm it, press my palm against his, but it feels like the warmth is fading, like the life inside of him is ebbing away with each passing second. I press my cheek against his forehead, my tears falling freely, mixing with the blood that covers us both. Healers, even the world's most powerful healer can't help him. "Lorenzo," I whisper, my voice hoarse with the weight of my fear. "Please, don’t do this. Please don’t leave me. I can’t lose you. I just_ I can’t."But he doesn’t answer. His lips remain still, and his eyes are closed, as
I wake up to the sound of rustling leaves. It’s quiet, too quiet, like the calm before a storm. My head is pounding, a sharp ache that seems to cut through my skull. I blink, trying to focus, but everything is blurry, and I’m suddenly aware of a sickening warmth creeping up from my stomach. I sit up, but the room tilts and spins, and before I can stop it, I feel a wave of nausea wash over me. I stagger out of bed, desperate to make it to the bathroom, but my legs feel like they’re made of lead.The moment I stand, the room tilts to the side. My vision darkens.I feel the bile rise in my throat, and I can’t stop it. I double over in pain, retching violently. Blood splatters across the floor, staining the stone tiles beneath my feet. My chest tightens, the air becoming harder and harder to breathe, but I can’t control it. The blood keeps coming.“Lorenzo!” The voice is frantic, filled with fear.I look up, and through my blurred vision, I see Nyx rushing toward me, her face pale with wo
I can hear the soft rustling of leaves, the distant calls of the creatures in the woods around us, but all of it fades away in the face of the moment. It’s happening.Enzo. My son.I watch him, standing tall in the middle of the clearing, the wolf inside him finally unleashed. His transformation is complete. The air around us crackles with the energy of it, the power of the wild that he’s just embraced.My heart swells with pride. I always knew this day would come—the day he would claim his wolf, step into his true power. But as I watch him now, golden eyes glowing in the pale moonlight, there’s a knot tightening in my chest. It’s the curse.The curse that has loomed over me, hovering like a dark cloud, waiting for the moment when my son would finally become whole. The moment when the last part of him would emerge. The moment when the bond between us would be fully realized.And with that realization, I would lose him.I swallow, trying to push away the bitter taste of that thought. I
The moonlight spills into the clearing, casting a soft glow across the forest. It’s peaceful here, the wind rustling gently through the leaves, the scent of pine filling the air. But tonight, there’s a different energy—a charge in the atmosphere, thick with anticipation. Nyx stands by Lorenzo, her heart beating faster than usual as they watch their son, Enzo, standing in the center of the clearing.He’s ready. He has to be. Tonight is the night he finally gets his wolf, the transformation that will mark him as a true Lycan, as one of their kind.Nyx can see the nervous tension in Enzo’s posture, the way his hands are clenched at his sides. His chest rises and falls with each breath, his golden eyes flickering nervously toward her and Lorenzo. He’s been through so much already, and though he may be growing stronger, there’s still a part of him that’s afraid. Afraid of the unknown, afraid of the power that’s about to course through his veins.Enzo is a warrior in the making, but tonight
It’s quiet for a moment. Too quiet. The wind, which had been carrying the scent of the surrounding forest, now seems to still, as though the entire world is holding its breath. Nyx watches Enzo carefully, her heart beating faster than usual as she takes a step closer to him, her protective instincts flaring.Lorenzo stands beside her, his gaze locked on their son, who is standing tall, his hands clenched at his sides. Enzo looks nervous—no, more than nervous. He looks unsure, as if something so big, so monumental is about to happen, and he’s not quite ready for it. Nyx can understand that. She remembers when she first felt the power of her wolf and the weight of her responsibility. But this? This was different.Enzo isn’t just a wolf. He’s a Lycan, and he’s about to awaken something inside him that none of them fully understand.She can see it in his eyes—the flicker of uncertainty, the quiet struggle to accept what’s coming. But it’s in his blood, running deep. There’s no escaping it
The ground beneath us shakes, sending a ripple of unease through my bones. The ritual has begun, but it’s not like anything I’ve ever felt before. The magic surrounding us pulses like a living thing, thrumming in the air. It feels as if the very forest is alive, watching, waiting.Lorenzo’s hand tightens around mine, his fingers steady despite the chaos unfolding around us. Enzo stands beside us, his expression unreadable, but I know he feels it too—the power, the danger. I can sense the tension in the air, thick and heavy, as if everything could unravel in an instant.Lyra’s voice cuts through the cacophony of power, calm and firm. “Stay focused. Let the magic guide you.”I glance at Lorenzo, his jaw clenched, his eyes hard with determination. He doesn’t say anything, but I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. This is dangerous, more so than any battle we’ve fought. The Heart of the Forest is a place of immense power, but it’s also unpredictable. We don’t know what we’ll face.The
The days blur as we prepare for the ritual. The elves have been working tirelessly, gathering everything we need, and the weight of what’s coming hangs over me like a storm cloud. It’s all happening too fast. The sense of urgency is palpable, but I can’t shake the fear that something is going to go wrong. I can feel it in the air, the subtle tremor of something dark lurking just out of sight.Nyx doesn’t say much about it. She’s focused, her mind on the task at hand. I can tell she’s trying to keep her worries buried, not wanting me to see how heavy the weight is on her shoulders. But I see the way she looks at Enzo sometimes, that protective glance, the way her hand lingers on his shoulder when she thinks no one is watching. It’s clear she’s worried about him, too. He’s young, still finding his place in the world, and the challenges ahead are only going to get harder.We’re ready. At least, I hope we are.The night before the ritual, I sit with Nyx in the clearing outside the village
The days blur together. Every moment spent thinking of the elven village, wondering where they are, and wondering what this new beginning holds for us. The tension in the pack lingers, and the responsibility of leading weighs heavier with each passing hour.But Nyx’s presence grounds me. She’s always been the strength I need, the constant anchor in the storm of uncertainty. Her words keep me focused, her eyes keep me hopeful.Enzo, too, has been a source of light. I can tell he’s worried about Noah, his elf friend, but he’s stronger now. Not as the child I once knew, but as someone who understands the depths of what we’re up against.Today, we leave the Blood Moon Pack behind for a while. The elves have called for us. They need to speak with us, and Nyx insists that we need to go. I agree, though there’s a part of me that’s reluctant to leave the pack. There’s always a part of me that’s reluctant to leave the familiar and step into unknown territory, but I know this is necessary.Enzo
The morning light filters through the window, casting soft beams across the room. I lie there, tangled in the sheets with Nyx in my arms, her breath slow and even as she rests against me. It’s peaceful here, in this moment, but the lingering weight of everything that’s been happening presses down on me.The quiet is almost deceptive. We’re in the calm before the storm.I brush a strand of hair from Nyx’s face, my fingers gently tracing her features. She stirs slightly, her eyes fluttering open. Her gaze meets mine, and for a split second, the world outside disappears. There’s only us, here, in this room. Safe. Together.“Morning,” I whisper, my voice raspy from sleep.She smiles faintly, her lips curving upward. “Morning.”Her hand rests on my chest, and I can feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. It’s grounding, comforting, like everything is okay for once. But I know better. This peace we’ve found isn’t permanent. There’s always something lurking in the shadows, just waiting to p