I immediately cover Nyx with my body, cursing myself for not being an advanced shifter. If I was, then it would take me mere ten seconds to rip apart this guy's throat. “Yumm,” the vampire nastily gawks at Nyx’s legs, licking his lips. “Your girl has such a strong scent, I'm feeling like getting drunk!”“Shut your trap,” I warn him, while brainstorming what to do in this situation. This guy clearly got a team with him, it's just a matter of time till they arrive. They have advanced through the century, which is pretty impressive, I can sense the aura. “Vampire? There are vampires in my pack?” Nyx gasps, trying to sit up. “Oh?” the guy smirks, stepping closer to the bed slowly. “I heard the Blood Moon had a new Alphaess. But I didn't think she would be this fresh! Evading this useless pack was worth it after all.”“Lorenzo, I can't transform right now, I'm so weak,” she grips my forearm, distressed. “What do we_”Before she can finish her sentence, the vampire sprints forward to me,
Sharp fangs glisten. Murderous claws swipe through the air. Screams and slashes fill the chaos around me as attempts to break enemies' necks echo through the night. Eyes are gouged out, and guts are ripped from bodies.And I stand there alone, caught in the midst of the turmoil. My mind isn’t clear; I’m just watching the people around me kill each other. I feel like I’m drifting in a haze, disconnected from reality.Suddenly, a female vampire leaps at me, trying to sink her teeth into my skin. I nonchalantly seize her neck and twist it, relishing the sound of her bones snapping under my grip. A thrill courses through me as I rip her heart from her chest, observing her body slowly decay before my eyes. It’s as if the sound of life slipping away jolts me back to awareness, but in that moment, I can almost feel her energy fading.“Lorenzo! What are you doing here?” A deep, husky voice startles me, and strong hands grip my shoulders.“Aldoph!” I frown, taken aback. “Same question to you.
“You have lost weight.” My mother looks up at me, her eyes reflecting worry, but she seems pale and exhausted herself. “Why are you still standing there? Come in.”I hesitate before entering their den. It's a rare occasion to be invited into my parents' room. They aren't exactly free or affectionate towards their children, a sense of distance always lingers. Yet, they manage their duties as Alpha and Luna with a sense of authority that commands respect.As I step inside, the air feels heavy. I glance down at my father's face, the strong Alpha Jonathan. His sickness has been eating away at him, his thin, bloodless skin indicates a toll that no amount of healing can restore. The healers have declared that his illness comes directly from the deities, that their treatment will not work on the Alpha. I struggle to accept that information. Everything feels devastating.I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. “How are you feeling, Father?” The words taste bitter on my tongue.He shifts
My heart skips a beat."It's Lorenzo. But I don't consider myself handsome," I reply, feeling amused."Why not?" She leans down a bit more, almost showing off her well-fed chest, her seductive smile lingering. "You're handsome."I shake my head. No, this can't be happening. I'm in love with Nyx; I can't afford distractions. I clear my throat, feeling the awkward tension thickening around us."Have a good day," I say, turning around briskly and starting to climb down the stairs."Wait, why?" she shrieks in a disappointed tone, her voice echoing through the stairwell. "Am I not pretty?"I pause briefly but don't turn back. "You are. But you shouldn't use that to seduce men, especially since you're still underage." I can feel her confusion hanging in the air behind me, but I push forward, my voice steady. "Besides, I love someone."Without waiting for her response, I step forward, not elaborating much. Nyx's face flashes in my mind as I walk away. It's been only a day since I came back t
Her lips trail down my neck, soft and teasing, sending shivers down my spine. I can feel her warm breath against my skin, igniting every nerve. My hands instinctively move to her waist, gripping her tightly as if she might slip away any second. Her fingers thread through my hair, pulling me closer. I groan, feeling the overwhelming urge to take control.I want to flip her over, pin her beneath me, and drown in the sensation of her body pressed against mine. My heart races, the heat between us almost unbearable. Her kisses become more demanding, her hands wandering down my chest. Every touch feels electrifying, pulling me deeper into the haze of desire.“Nyx…” I breathe her name, barely recognizing my own voice. Her body melts against mine, and I can’t hold back any longer. I pull her closer, burying my face in her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin. The world around us blurs, and all that exists is her.Her lips find mine, and I kiss her with an urgency that makes my heart pou
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
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