SeleneLeaving the hospital felt like a victory.I took a deep breath as the sun hit my face and smiled at the warmth.Unlike the bitter cold in the South since the first days of November, the weather in the North felt like an eternal autumn. That surprised me; in school I had learned that in the North the cold could become extreme, and until that moment I questioned what was going on.I watched the sky with such fascination that Bella was the one who explained the situation to me.“It's not cold because of the magical barrier,” she explained with a smile. "It's precisely that protective layer that keeps our butts from freezing too quickly. We do have a brief period of snow in the last two weeks of December and all of January. However, it's not as intense as the cold it gets to feel in the South."“That's impressive,” I said in surprise."In the East and West, it's not that cold, although in the center the situation changes a bit, precisely because of the magic barrier. There you feel
SeleneI don't know if it was the tears or body exhaustion, but I fell asleep.I don't remember how I ended up inside the bed and with a quilt over me, but I had no doubt, from the smell of pine, that it was all Izan's doing.I smiled as I smelled his scent so close, and a part of me felt safe in that place; however, I couldn't help but feel that it could all be a mirage. That idea made me realize that I had the time to reflect alone with my thoughts.Don't torture yourself with these intrusive thoughts anymore, Kate said.I'm not torturing myself.You are, and in the worst way, Kate said in a reprimanding tone.It's not like that, Kate.It's like this: you're afraid that Izan will turn out to be just like Axel, and let me tell you this: he's not, said Kate sternly.How do you know?Axel would never have welcomed you the way Izan accepted you. Never, and you know that very well. Axel would have made a fuss worthy of a jealousy scene of the year award, Kate said mockingly.I tried to v
IzanSelene was very smart, too smart.She had understood the background of my conversation with my grandfather in seconds; however, what puzzled me was her horrified reaction. It was not a reaction common to the reactions I saw from people discovering my role in the war. Surprise, admiration, and bewilderment were the most common, but never horror.That, indisputably, put me on my guard.“He's the Alpha Savior,” my grandfather said earnestly. “Is there a problem with that?”I looked at my grandfather in disbelief at the way he posed the question to Selene, and she raised her eyebrows before denying it. Sirhan growled in my mind, and I had to control myself before I said something stupid.“No... it's very surprising,” Selene said seriously and looked at me sadly. "But I couldn't help but think of the toll the war took on you and all the horror you suffered at the hands of the vampires. That is something that cannot be erased. I can't even imagine the things you had to sacrifice to kee
SeleneGabrielle's terrified expression changed after Izan's growl.She burst out laughing in amusement and looked at me like I was the funniest thing in the world. That made me swallow my saliva, and, to my complete dismay, Kate burst out laughing as well.Why are you laughing?Your expression must have been a poem, Kate said wittily, and I took a deep breath.“This isn't funny, Gabrielle,” Izan said with annoyance.I could tell he really had gotten angry.“The opportunity was too good to waste,” Gabrielle said and looked at me with a smile. “I'm sorry if my warning made you uncomfortable; I usually break the ice that way so people understand the tone of my mood.”At that moment I realized two things.The first was that she had indeed warned me not to make Izan suffer.The second was that she had meant it as a joke.After understanding exactly who Izan was, I could understand why his friends wanted to protect him, so I conceded that to Gabrielle. However, I didn't know if it was comp
IzanI had been comforted before.The pack, despite all that had happened, had always had my back.My father had stepped down as Alpha about three years before the war broke out, and I had taken over as a younger man. However, people had not only been receptive to me but had taught me to be better and better.“You don't need to be your father; you need to be yourself,” my mother said after my appointment as Alpha of the Eclipse Pack.Those words stuck in my mind.And when the war broke out, being cordial and agreeing to take all my guardians to war to fight the vampires away from my territory was a complete mistake on my part.That decision was something I had to sleep with every night.And in that moment when Selene was comforting me, I gave myself permission to let go of the thought that tormented me.It was the first time I felt that someone was able to understand or feel my pain in a more primal way. I didn't know if it was the mate’s bond or the fact that she was a very empatheti
SeleneThe more I got to know the Eclipse Pack, the more I could tell what an excellent leader Izan was.He was the type of person who did many of the things I would have wanted for Crescent but could never develop because of Axel's distrust and the lack of organization of the council.People were behind him, and as far as I could tell, the council was not a constraint.The Eclipse Pack was a haven for werewolf families.It was easy to verify that statement as he saw the museum, the library, the plaza and park, but most of all the sports center.The fact that Crescent had not skimped on creating the best facilities was something to always consider. I could understand why there were more visitors than you normally see in a Southern pack.People are fun here, Kate said humorously.It was fascinating stuff.“Are you okay?” asked Izan as we walked back to the offices to get the bike.“Yes,” I said firmly with a smile on my face. “I enjoyed getting to know how people entertain themselves i
SeleneThe next morning, I woke up alone, but with the smell of Izan in the sheets.He should have fallen asleep next to me, but he had to leave early, and I don't know if I was disappointed or saddened. I felt a mixture of both emotions.A part of my brain was fighting against reality.It had all happened too fast.The Goddess had granted me another mate with such haste that I felt confused.I was just getting to know Izan and learning the abysmal differences between him and Axel. However, the pain of rejection lingered under my skin, and the memories of five years of marriage were not going away easily.You have to let all your pain out and focus on yourself; take advantage of Izan's support and friendship. Maybe the Goddess was kind to us because we needed someone who could understand us, Kate said so firmly that I sighed.Maybe you're right.It's not a maybe; it's a fact. Living on the pain that the memory of Axel generates in you is the worst thing you can do, and, although I und
SeleneThe expression on Izan's face was one of disbelief.He sniffed my hair, my neck, and my hands again to make sure of my scent, but to the others it was indisputable that I smelled like a pure Omega. That was proving to be a bit intimidating, and perhaps it was my panicked expression that made Bella apologize.“I'm sorry I was so rash, Selene, I didn't—”“It's okay,” I said calmly and took a deep breath. “I never thought a baby could change the mother's scent.”“Only Alpha babies can do that,” Gabrielle said humorously. “And it's very rare for multiple Alphas to be born in the same litter or village.”I understood perfectly what she was tactfully trying to ask.“Selene won't speak until she's ready to,” Izan said immediately. “And, by the way, we will establish a Silence Order regarding Selene. Until further notice, no one talks about her outside the pack. To the outside, my mate has yet to appear, and Selene is a guest in my home.”“You don't have guests,” Gabrielle said earnest
SeleneThe expression on Izan's face was one of disbelief.He sniffed my hair, my neck, and my hands again to make sure of my scent, but to the others it was indisputable that I smelled like a pure Omega. That was proving to be a bit intimidating, and perhaps it was my panicked expression that made Bella apologize.“I'm sorry I was so rash, Selene, I didn't—”“It's okay,” I said calmly and took a deep breath. “I never thought a baby could change the mother's scent.”“Only Alpha babies can do that,” Gabrielle said humorously. “And it's very rare for multiple Alphas to be born in the same litter or village.”I understood perfectly what she was tactfully trying to ask.“Selene won't speak until she's ready to,” Izan said immediately. “And, by the way, we will establish a Silence Order regarding Selene. Until further notice, no one talks about her outside the pack. To the outside, my mate has yet to appear, and Selene is a guest in my home.”“You don't have guests,” Gabrielle said earnest
SeleneThe next morning, I woke up alone, but with the smell of Izan in the sheets.He should have fallen asleep next to me, but he had to leave early, and I don't know if I was disappointed or saddened. I felt a mixture of both emotions.A part of my brain was fighting against reality.It had all happened too fast.The Goddess had granted me another mate with such haste that I felt confused.I was just getting to know Izan and learning the abysmal differences between him and Axel. However, the pain of rejection lingered under my skin, and the memories of five years of marriage were not going away easily.You have to let all your pain out and focus on yourself; take advantage of Izan's support and friendship. Maybe the Goddess was kind to us because we needed someone who could understand us, Kate said so firmly that I sighed.Maybe you're right.It's not a maybe; it's a fact. Living on the pain that the memory of Axel generates in you is the worst thing you can do, and, although I und
SeleneThe more I got to know the Eclipse Pack, the more I could tell what an excellent leader Izan was.He was the type of person who did many of the things I would have wanted for Crescent but could never develop because of Axel's distrust and the lack of organization of the council.People were behind him, and as far as I could tell, the council was not a constraint.The Eclipse Pack was a haven for werewolf families.It was easy to verify that statement as he saw the museum, the library, the plaza and park, but most of all the sports center.The fact that Crescent had not skimped on creating the best facilities was something to always consider. I could understand why there were more visitors than you normally see in a Southern pack.People are fun here, Kate said humorously.It was fascinating stuff.“Are you okay?” asked Izan as we walked back to the offices to get the bike.“Yes,” I said firmly with a smile on my face. “I enjoyed getting to know how people entertain themselves i
IzanI had been comforted before.The pack, despite all that had happened, had always had my back.My father had stepped down as Alpha about three years before the war broke out, and I had taken over as a younger man. However, people had not only been receptive to me but had taught me to be better and better.“You don't need to be your father; you need to be yourself,” my mother said after my appointment as Alpha of the Eclipse Pack.Those words stuck in my mind.And when the war broke out, being cordial and agreeing to take all my guardians to war to fight the vampires away from my territory was a complete mistake on my part.That decision was something I had to sleep with every night.And in that moment when Selene was comforting me, I gave myself permission to let go of the thought that tormented me.It was the first time I felt that someone was able to understand or feel my pain in a more primal way. I didn't know if it was the mate’s bond or the fact that she was a very empatheti
SeleneGabrielle's terrified expression changed after Izan's growl.She burst out laughing in amusement and looked at me like I was the funniest thing in the world. That made me swallow my saliva, and, to my complete dismay, Kate burst out laughing as well.Why are you laughing?Your expression must have been a poem, Kate said wittily, and I took a deep breath.“This isn't funny, Gabrielle,” Izan said with annoyance.I could tell he really had gotten angry.“The opportunity was too good to waste,” Gabrielle said and looked at me with a smile. “I'm sorry if my warning made you uncomfortable; I usually break the ice that way so people understand the tone of my mood.”At that moment I realized two things.The first was that she had indeed warned me not to make Izan suffer.The second was that she had meant it as a joke.After understanding exactly who Izan was, I could understand why his friends wanted to protect him, so I conceded that to Gabrielle. However, I didn't know if it was comp
IzanSelene was very smart, too smart.She had understood the background of my conversation with my grandfather in seconds; however, what puzzled me was her horrified reaction. It was not a reaction common to the reactions I saw from people discovering my role in the war. Surprise, admiration, and bewilderment were the most common, but never horror.That, indisputably, put me on my guard.“He's the Alpha Savior,” my grandfather said earnestly. “Is there a problem with that?”I looked at my grandfather in disbelief at the way he posed the question to Selene, and she raised her eyebrows before denying it. Sirhan growled in my mind, and I had to control myself before I said something stupid.“No... it's very surprising,” Selene said seriously and looked at me sadly. "But I couldn't help but think of the toll the war took on you and all the horror you suffered at the hands of the vampires. That is something that cannot be erased. I can't even imagine the things you had to sacrifice to kee
SeleneI don't know if it was the tears or body exhaustion, but I fell asleep.I don't remember how I ended up inside the bed and with a quilt over me, but I had no doubt, from the smell of pine, that it was all Izan's doing.I smiled as I smelled his scent so close, and a part of me felt safe in that place; however, I couldn't help but feel that it could all be a mirage. That idea made me realize that I had the time to reflect alone with my thoughts.Don't torture yourself with these intrusive thoughts anymore, Kate said.I'm not torturing myself.You are, and in the worst way, Kate said in a reprimanding tone.It's not like that, Kate.It's like this: you're afraid that Izan will turn out to be just like Axel, and let me tell you this: he's not, said Kate sternly.How do you know?Axel would never have welcomed you the way Izan accepted you. Never, and you know that very well. Axel would have made a fuss worthy of a jealousy scene of the year award, Kate said mockingly.I tried to v
SeleneLeaving the hospital felt like a victory.I took a deep breath as the sun hit my face and smiled at the warmth.Unlike the bitter cold in the South since the first days of November, the weather in the North felt like an eternal autumn. That surprised me; in school I had learned that in the North the cold could become extreme, and until that moment I questioned what was going on.I watched the sky with such fascination that Bella was the one who explained the situation to me.“It's not cold because of the magical barrier,” she explained with a smile. "It's precisely that protective layer that keeps our butts from freezing too quickly. We do have a brief period of snow in the last two weeks of December and all of January. However, it's not as intense as the cold it gets to feel in the South."“That's impressive,” I said in surprise."In the East and West, it's not that cold, although in the center the situation changes a bit, precisely because of the magic barrier. There you feel
AxelTough decisions build character.It was a phrase repeated by each of the Crescent Alphas, my ancestors, over the generations. My father would whisper those words even in his sleep, and they became a mantra long before and during the war, when the situation in the South was complex.My mother said the phrase was a defining one in my family, and I never understood its meaning until I was forced to make a tough decision. "Hunt Selene. Don't come back without her," I ordered an elite squad of trackers that night in the woods when I couldn't find her.When I got home and saw Clare weak, recovering from the poison, I felt all the pain of the broken mate’s bond.At that moment I understood that the hardest decision had not been to reject my mate or exile her from the only home she knew, but to have to choose between making her a slave in my service or killing her for attempting to murder the mother of my child.Mal growled angrily at my thought.I was only hurt that I had to send to hel