Grace pov Absolutely not," Liam protested immediately. "Not alone," I clarified. "Not as their subject or tool. But with allies, with a plan. The entity is still partially connected to me, Liam. I'm the only one who can communicate with it directly and establish a new kind of relationship that m
Grace pov One week after I regained consciousness, a black convoy of vehicles pulled through the gates of the Fireside pack territory. The pack had been alerted to their arrival well in advance—a formal delegation from the Lunar Council itself, requesting an audience with Grace Matthew and the rul
Grace pov Is it, Councilor Mercer?" I replied, pulling the name from Reid's files. "Or is it simply beyond the paradigm you've operated under for decades? The equilibrium isn't just a force of deception—it's a necessary counterbalance to truth in the cosmic order. Your Institute has been treating
I turned a page in our packets, directing their attention to a specific section. "These are my non-negotiable conditions for assisting in the transition to a balance approach. First, immediate cessation of all reality manipulation operations using the Equilibrium's power." "Impossible," Mercer obj
Grace pov I paused, allowing this to sink in before delivering my final point. "The temporary stability I established won't hold indefinitely. When it falters, you'll face a choice: attempt to reimpose your failing containment methods and risk catastrophic breach, or work with me to establish a ne
Grace pov The Prisma Institute appeared unchanged from the outside Liam and I approached its entrance, Sophia secured in her carrier between us. But my enhanced truth-sight revealed subtle differences —heightened security protocols, nervous energy radiating from the staff, and most tellingly, the
I turned to the assembled truth-seers, my expression softening with empathy for what they had endured. "You've been sustaining an impossible task, forcing the Equilibrium into unnatural stasis. Your gifts have been exploited just as the Equilibrium has. The new approach will be different—voluntary s
Grace pov The equilibrium was no longer the chaotic, swirling mass I had encountered before. Through the reinforced glass, it appeared more structured, its movements deliberate and rhythmic, almost like breathing. The traditional containment measures—the truth-seers who would normally be positione
Grace pov Thank you,* I replied in the same non-verbal way. *Though I confess to some apprehension. Leading is very different from resisting.* The Equilibrium's response conveyed understanding, along with something that might be described as amusement. *Creation always requires more skill than de
Grace pov The conference room doors stood open, revealing the diverse group that constituted the Board of Overseers. Alex, who was representing Fireside pack, along with Alpha leaders from four other major territories. Elena attended as head of the new Healing Division. Representatives from the re
Grace pov Three months after the transformation of the Black Ridge facility into the Sanctuary, I sat in what had once been the director's office at the Prisma Institute. Sunlight streamed through newly installed windows that replaced the oppressive artificial lighting of the previous regime. The
Grace pov I watched their arrival from the central chamber that had once housed Whitcomb's Reality Anchor. The sphere of perfect equilibrium still hovered there, serving as both symbol and functional center of the transformed space. The Equilibrium's presence was palpable throughout the facility,
Grace pov Inside the core chamber, alarms began to sound. I could see Whitcomb's expression changing from confidence to concern as her instruments registered the approaching wave of balanced perception. "Breach the doors," I instructed. "Now, while they're distracted. The equilibrium will neutra
Grace pov Approach vector clear," came Darius's voice over the secure communication system. "Perimeter guards identified at north and east access points. No indication that they've detected our presence." Alexander's response was terse. "Proceed as planned. Strike teams move on my mark." I clo
Grace pov The Fireside pack house had transformed into a war room. Maps covered the walls, communication equipment hummed constantly, and representatives from seven allied packs moved through the space with focused determination. Six weeks had passed since the rogue attack, six weeks of intelligen
Grace pov They have created their own version of a connection chamber," the entity continued. "Not for balance, but for directed exploitation. They are systematically identifying and targeting truth-seers who support the Balance Protocol, either eliminating them or reprogramming them to serve thei
Grace pov In the hallway stood Dr. Reid, but not as I had ever seen her. The woman's eyes glowed with the golden light of truth-sight, but there was something else—a shimmer around her form, a distortion in the air that suggested she was not entirely herself. "What are you—" the rogue began, but