Raya's POV "I've missed being able to hug you without it causing pain," Garret expressed as he held me tightly, his head resting atop mine. "Seems like I wasn't the only one." "You're lucky I'm in such a good mood right now, or I would have given you a smack," I retorted. He chuckled at my response before continuing, "Trust me, I can tell you're more than just happy. You're turned the fuck on." A blush spread across my face at his comment, and I couldn't help but slap his chest, frustrated that he could sense my emotions so easily. "Am not," I lied, only to have him chuckle and lean down to whisper in my ear. "Then why are your nipples so hard?" I felt a mix of embarrassment and arousal flood through me. "Shut up, no they're not," I protested, attempting to shield them with my arms. However, Garret held me firmly against him, refusing to let me hide. "They totally are, but I'll make sure they're concealed until they're back to normal. Can't have these wolves ogling you like th
Dane’s POV "You can't let them take her!" I snapped at Cruz, who seemed to be actually considering their offer. "You were the one who told her she was not allowed to leave!" "They offered us the best silver armor for our whole pack. I'd be an idiot not to consider it," he snapped back. "I'm your Alpha, not your friend right now. Don't get it confused, Dane. Don't question my decisions, or else," he growled, but I wasn't having it. In the past, I would have listened, not because he intimidated me, but because I respected him enough to follow him. Lately, however, I had been losing that respect, which meant I would not tuck my tail and blindly obey. "You can't let that Alpha be her mate. You said it yourself, whoever mates with her will be stronger for it as she is Goddess blessed. Is that really what you want? For the Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack to be stronger than us?" I argued, trying to make him see that allowing this to happen would be a mistake. "I know that. That's the only
Raya's POV His question was one I was not expecting. Certainly I had hoped for it, but with Garret's words in my mind I was weary. Could I live with the fact that perhaps one day Dane would leave me for his true mate if he ever found her? As Garret's words echoed in my mind, thoughts of Orion and Selene's legendary love also flooded my thoughts. They had only one precious year together, but they made every moment count. Their love was profound and everlasting, and I couldn't help but wonder if Dane and I could have the same kind of love. Perhaps we could seize the time we have together and create something extraordinary. Who knows? Maybe his true mate will never appear. Is it wrong of me to think that? To wish that? "Do you really want me as your chosen mate?" I asked, needing to confirm what I had heard. "Yes, Raya. I want you, and only you. I've never felt such a strong connection, such an irresistible pull towards a woman before. You are what I desire for most," he responded,
Raya's POV Roman stood, blocking my path to the pack house. He was still a good distance away, but I learned from last time that he could close that space in an instant. I froze as I stared at him, wondering what to do. Dane wasn't here to save me this time, and it seemed that most everyone was engaged in a battle of their own. My eyes frantically searched the area for anything I could use to fight him off with. I knew it would be useless as he'd just overpower me, but it didn't mean I wasn't going to try. Just a few feet ahead of me was a fire pit with a thick stick poking out of it. I would grab that and burn him to death if needed. Vampires can burn, right? "How are you here?" I stupidly asked, feeling that immense fear growing inside me. "Don't worry about that, kitten. Just know I'm here for the taste I’m due." He smirked, inching closer. I looked at Amaya in hopes she could help, but she was still busy fighting the warlock. He had all her attention as she struggled to bo
Dane’s POV Leaving Raya behind was difficult, but Garret's advice was sound. If I didn't leave now, I risked not making it in time. I had to find out if the spot Amaya marked on her map was truly my birthplace. Before fully entering the woods, I stole one last glance at her beautiful face, then shifted with Lucian. The rush of cold wind against our hot fur was exhilarating, and with the moon on my side, I felt unstoppable. For a terrifying moment, I caught a whiff of the unmistakable scent of death, the kind only vampires carry. But just as quickly as it came, it vanished. Without time to investigate, I pressed on, knowing the wolves on patrol would handle any rogue vampires daring to approach our pack lands. As I ran towards my destination, the woods grew less dense until I reached a spacious clearing. It wasn't large enough to be considered pack lands, but it could accommodate a decent-sized house. As I approached the spot Amaya directed me to, I noticed the clearing led to a stee
Raya's POV "What do you mean, she's your mate? You don't know that. Today's not an Eclipse," Drusilla snapped at Elliot, surprising me with the way she was speaking to her Alpha. "It might not be the Eclipse, but I can feel her. There's a strong pull towards her," he spoke to Drusilla, but his gaze remained fixed on me. His eyes held a curious intensity, much like the wolf in the woods. Could he be that wolf? "Do you feel pulled to him?" Drusilla directed her question at me, pointing the small dagger she had been playing with towards me. I hadn't noticed it until now, and its presence only heightened the tension in the room. "I..." I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I could feel a faint pull towards him, a gentle hum inside me, but it wasn't as intense as what I had felt with Dane. If I said no, would he harm me? If I said yes, would Drusilla hurt me? "She's human, Drusilla. She's not going to be able to tell," the warlock interjected, saving me from the difficult decision. "S
Dane’s POVEverything had gone to shit. I wanted to yell at the world, to howl at the moon for what we were going through. But I kept my composure, knowing that it wouldn't help our situation. I needed to stay strong for Garret, so he wouldn't see how terrified I truly was."Everyone's so quiet," Garret said, trying to lighten the mood, but the groan that followed his statement only added to the tension in the air. He was dying, and there was no cure for the Eclipse Moon Pack's bite. Yet, Amaya was frantically mixing ingredients together, desperately trying to find a solution. No witch had ever been able to break the curse of the moon, and as talented as Amaya was, I doubted she would be the first."Here, drink this. It will help with the pain," she said, lifting Garret by the back of his neck so he could drink from the wooden bowl more easily. The thick green liquid had a bitter scent that made me want to cough."What's in that? It's awful," Garret complained, coughing as he finished
Raya’s POVI had somehow managed to avoid the question of why I was brought in. I feigned innocence, and thankfully the Lunas all believed me. They assumed that I had been taken to the warlock to be healed because I was human and, as such, could not heal on my own. Having to lie to the Lunas was not something I wanted to do, but I was worried about what they would think or say if I told them the truth.Sleep was hard to come by on the damp, cold ground, causing us each to only get a couple of hours before small streams of sunlight could be seen through the cracks of the bricks. The dungeon was falling apart, leaving small openings between the bricks for air and sunlight to get in. They weren't big enough to see anything through, but large enough to feel the air and let some light in. Even so, it was hard to see with only the smallest amount of sun entering."They are more than likely taking care of the dead this morning," Luna Beatrix was the first to speak as we ate the stale bread th
Raya’s POV A heavy gush of hair left my lungs as my sweet child kicked me under the ribs once more. There was barely any room for him inside me now, and I still had another two weeks to go. Training has become increasingly hard, as being pregnant has somehow tripled my powers. I guess my body wants to protect our child just as much as my heart. “What have I told you about kicking your mother?” Dane jokingly scolded our child as he pointed to my stomach, as if he could understand. I laughed, loving every moment of seeing him be a dad. Dane has spoiled me rotten, never leaving my side, carrying me everywhere, bringing me everything. I couldn’t ask for a better king– for a better mate. In this world he is more than just a husband. He is part of my soul– my literal other half. “I’m ready for him to come out, but also not. I really feel like I have no idea what I am doing. What if I mess it all up? What if I can’t control my goddess magic while in labor?” These worries have been eatin
Raya’s POV Holding Dane’s hand, I dragged him out of the orgy that had apparently started and gave chase to Nessa. I wanted to know who it was that was mated to a woman like her. Who would be strong enough to handle her? She was fast as she ran through the field and into the castle. She paused at the center first floor with her nose in the air as she scented out her mate. When she caught the strong smell once more, she headed up the stairs. I began to realize where we were headed as she turned right at the corridor and then another left. When we reached his room, it suddenly made sense. I had seen that faint white line when they had first met, after all. I just didn’t realize what it was, and neither had they. She busted that door open without a care, entering without asking. Blake’s eyes bulged out of his head as he stared at a crazy looking Nessa. Her eyes were fiercely on him, like a cat in heat ready to pounce. She was not going to be taking no as an answer, so I really hope Bla
Raya’s POV I found Grandpa with Blake, messing with things in his room. It was almost as if we had two official wizard’s instead of just one. I realized with the curse gone, and Elliot dead, would Blake want to return to his old pack. That would be something I would leave up to him. Of course, I would miss him if he chose to leave, but I would also understand. Especially with Dad coming back, we would have 3 wizards in this pack, and somehow that feels against the rules. If there even are any for that. “I need to talk to you,” I told him as I approached him, giving him a hug before I continued. With everything going on, I had yet to tell him the news about Dad. I was giddy with excitement, ready to just blurt it out. “You’ve got my attention, pumpkin.” “I had a meeting this morning with a group of gods called the Gilded Enforcers.” “The Gilded Enforcers?!” Grandpa’s eyes shot wide, seeming to know exactly who I was talking about. “Are you okay? Are you being punished? What hap
Raya’s POVI watched as Amaya tried to process everything that had just been told to her. She took a step back as she does when she needs a second longer to think. Her eyes scanned over Hunter cautiously, taking in every little feature. She was studying him, studying her mate. Finally, after about 5 minutes, she walked towards Hunter. I watched as my poor new friend stood against my oldest friend. He was scared. I could feel it from where I stood. “You’re a wizard?” Her tone was laced with deep disbelief, even though I had confirmed his story. Amaya wasn’t quick to trust, especially not someone she previously disliked. “I am.” Hunter nodded, his posture slouching slightly under her gaze. She was tearing this poor new Alpha down in a matter of seconds as she circled him, almost as if she were appraising me. “Show me,” she demanded, holding her chin as she continued to analyze him. “I don’t really know how without hurting something.” “Come with me.” Amaya grabbed his hand, causing
Hunter’s POVI tried to find Amaya last night, to tell her who I was to her. I knew witches didn’t have mates, at least not normally. Most chose a wizard to be with so that their children could still have magic. In rare instances a wolf would be mated to a witch, but in most of those cases, the witch would reject them, not wanting to lose the magic they could pass down to their children. I could understand that, but this would be different. I am not only a werewolf but a wizard, and as such, Amaya and I could have children that would still be able to have magic. She wouldn’t have to give anything up to be with me, at least nothing except the Lunaris Pack.My heart clenched at the thought of her rejecting me. I knew she hated the Eclipse Moon Pack with a passion. Without her feeling the mate bon
Raya’s POVI awoke to the sound of a light humming. It called to me like a siren in the night, leading me in a trance down the hall and away from my sleeping mate. Standing in front of a room with a black door speckled in white, I slowly opened the door, unsure of what I would find. There stood three large figures in gold, each one with their own intimidating presence. Their eerie eyes scanned over me as if I were nothing more than an ant in their wake. In front of them stood my mother alongside my father. I knew not who these large figures were, but I knew they were important.“Come inside, daughter of Selene. Your presence is required for us to proceed,” the man in the middle spoke. He was taller than the other two by a few inches. His gold skin shone as if he were painted in golden glitter. His hair was no different, spar
Dane’s POVThe fight that felt like it had taken days to finish, was finally over. Raya was safe and in my arms once more as we stared out onto the bloody field. I knew we had a lot to clean up, but for just a minute I was able to hold Raya close. The effects of the necklace that Blake had gifted me before the fight were starting to wear off, causing me to feel the insane need to be wrapped around my mate. She stared out at all the deceased, feeling their deaths deep in her soul. I knew it was affecting her greatly, especially Barrett’s.“Elliot is dead,” she whispered to me, revealing she wasn’t just hurting for Barrett. “We need to find Cruz, he’s hurt.”With just those words the need to consume her vanished, replaced by worry for the man I call my brother. We
Ch. 80Hunter’s POVI reached for Amaya, feeling myself be whisked away, but not wanting to leave her. My heart ached, wanting to tell her who she was to me. It was obvious she had no idea. I honestly wasn’t sure if witches had mates, or how any of that worked. Having just had so much of myself revealed to me, I wondered if she would accept a freak such as myself. The need to yell at Blake for taking me away from my mate was strong, only when we landed and my eyes fell on Elliot did that need stop.“Fuck me,” Blake said, letting out a breath of despair as he kneeled beside Elliot.I had never seen him so hurt before, not in all my life. Memories of us playing together, fighting one another, and growing strong alongside each other
Raya’s POVWe were whisked away into the galaxy as stars flitted about all around me. It was the most beautiful sight, but as I got closer to them, I realized they weren’t just stars. Each one had a name and they belonged to a witch or wizard, while others belonged to wolves. The stars were the magic that made every supernatural possible. They were the magic that wizards and witches yielded. The magic that helped werewolves shift. The magic that kept vampires alive. One in particular, a giant red star, called to me. I knew it to be mine as I approached its flickering light.“I thought you might be able to feel them all, but I wasn’t sure,” Dad said with a proud smile on his face. “This one is yours, go ahead and touch it.”My hands shook with nerves, unsure of what was about to happen