Chris POV"Let's move onto more important events." Luna Theresa chimed in seeing the perfect opportunity to take the attention that, yet again, her daughter seemed to be stealing. "We have arranged for both Damien's Alpha ceremony and Ryker's packs induction the same day. All the council men will be here and we can officially link both Alphas and Betas to the council. Despite some minor set backs everything seems to be working out.""Yes, your induction ceremony Ryker. Have you thought of a name now that you will part of the high council? You can keep Night Shade and just add moon to the end or change it all together." The King's anger had seemed to disappear as his voice was filled with excitement.Ryker looked to me for confirmation before speaking. 'It's too risky.' I told him in our mind-link.Ryker thought it over for a moment then spoke with pure confidence. "Yes sir, I actually have the perfect name. We would like to be name the Shadow Moon Pack."The King thought it over then
Damien POVNate needed me and now that Elena was probably in the dungeons I was literally all he had to help his mate.I gently knocked on Nate's door before slowly opening it. I pushed the door open then covered my eyes. "It's just me. Are you clothed? I don't want to be scarred for life." Nate's hand slap me upside the head. "Get in here, idiot." "Hey that hurt. I even brought you guys food and this is the thanks I get." Nate snatched the food and laid it on his dresser. My playful smile fell as Nate resumed pacing next to his bed instead of tearing into the food. He always did this when he was lost in thought or stressed. "Brother, you need to eat. She will wake soon. Elena got her all hooked up and she is already looking much better." It was true too. Most of the color was coming back to her face and her smaller wounds were healed."I know. I just need her to wake. Fuck! I never needed to hear someone's voice as badly as I need to hear hers right now." "Wow! I see the mate bo
Meredith POVI was in a frenzy all morning trying to piece together what was happening. After leaving Elena's bedroom earlier I knew I had to intervene with my son or all would be lost. Hope has been missing too long and Chris was barely around any of our packs anymore. I was losing my children. I saw Ryker and Chris storm out of the dining hall and I decided to follow them. I was appalled listening to Ryker so upset about the princess' safety. How could he kill her if he got this worked up at the thought of her being hurt. The goddess's would not forgive him or our kind.I waited for Chris to finish speaking with Damien then cornered him back into the library."Uh, I'm not sure what your deal is servant but you can't just drag wolves alone into dark corners." Chris acted amused that a little old woman was trying to manhandle him."Shut up Christopher. I'm not in mood for your mouth or tantrums. Get in the hole. We need to talk." I ordered losing my patience with this whole world. "
Nate POVI ran my wolf in circles outside the pack house not daring to move an inch from my mate's scent. Even in my rage I couldn't be too far from her. After Damien mind-linked me that she was needy for my attention I was consumed with thoughts of ravaging her body.I needed to protect Elena, but there was nothing I could do right now. My mate was right here though and she needed me too. She just woke from the brink of death and I was raging out about something I had no control over. I let out one final howl of pain with frustration, then retreated back to my bedroom.I couldn't shake the anger that tore though my veins, but I would never take it out on Hope. Before I even reached the top of the stairs to my room I was hit with her scent. Damien was right, she was a needy little warrior and she was all mine.I barged in the door, slamming it behind me and made Hope jump at the loud bang. She knew not to fear me, but she couldn't help worry about the evil swirling in my eyes. It di
Nate POVAfter spending most the day in bed ravaging each other's body we finally got up and showered, separately. We needed to figure out what happened to her the past 24 hours and we were getting nowhere alone in my bedroom.Hope was kidnapped and experimented on in goddess knows what ways, yet, all we could think about was filling each other. A knock came at the door and Hope jumped, afraid what would happened if someone saw her. We literally figured nothing out since she woke other than new ways we could make each other cum. The knock was in sets of twos then threes then twos and threes again. "Come in. I promise you won't be scarred for life." I chuckled as I spoke, which made Hope even more confused.Damien slowly crept in with his eyes closed, shutting the door behind him. "Fuck brother, your room smells like pure sex. Did you do anything but your mate this whole time?"I jumped to my brother, smacking him upside the head with a growl. "Careful Damien.""So testy lately.""I
Damien POVI needed to get to Elena, praying I wasn't already too late. I hoped Ryker showed up despite his weird denial about caring about her after breakfast. I stopped at the hospital to grab some medicine unsure what I needed, then headed to the castle. I stopped to see Dex for a few minutes, but he told me to hurry to our Queen. I didn't like the goddess speaking through him. I knew she was our creator, our goddess, but I didn't agree with her ways. I snuck through the passage ways leading to Elena's closet. I quietly closed the trap door listening for any sound, but heard none. I peered out the door and saw Ryker sitting on her bed with his elbows resting on his knees. He was full of nerves and I knew she hadn't returned yet."Wow! Now this is a sight. The big bad Alpha at the mercy of a frail little princess.""Shut up Damien or you will be the one needing help." Ryker let his aura pour out and I was instantly frozen in place. Stupid Alpha with his annoying powers. Maybe I do
Ryker POV"Ryker enough! I told you that you will not threaten the people I love. Take control before I make you." A little more silver swarmed in Elena's eyes, but her increasing pain was becoming obvious.I whined, sensing her agony and rested my forehead to hers. "Please baby, I can't control myself if other's see you. I'm barely holding on as it is." Elena gave me a smile then shook her head at my possessiveness. "Fine! Damien, Helena, please leave us. I promise that Ryker will not harm me and I'm ok. I just need to get cleaned up and rest."Damien nodded his head to her then grabbed his bag and laid it on the bed. "I grabbed a bunch of stuff from the hospital. I wasn't sure what you would need, but it should help. There are a few more of the wolfspain pills too if the pain becomes to unbearable. I'm a phone call away if you need anything." He gave her a kiss on the cheek, eliciting another growl from my wolf. No one touches her."Wait! How is Nate?" Elena asked, grabbing his arm
Chris POVI woke uneasy from my night of restless sleep. I was back at my pack house trying to regain balance but I was plagued by my nightmares. I couldn't just do nothing while my brother's life hung in the balance. I needed to kill the boy. I just couldn't find the heart to do it either.When I walked into the kitchen my little sister ran into my arms, expressing how much she missed me. I hugged her tight and played with her awhile feeling racked with guilt that I could end a life so little like my sister's. "Where is my Rykie? He hasn't been home in so long. I miss my brother." Her big blue eyes stared into mine, gutting me from the inside out. How could I let Rosie go through the same pain all my sibling did when we lost our father?That was what Ryker was to her. He stepped in as her parent long before even our mother did. If I did nothing, Rosie would know the pain we all felt, to love and lose a father so young."Don't worry our little Rose your Rykie is fine. He will be hom
Damien POVElena and I stayed in her room hiding from everyone. We had so much drama in these few short months that we were both on edge."Oh, Elena dear. Why is Alpha Damien here?" Helena walked in rubbing her head confused.Elena looked to her sensing something was off. "Are you ok?" She asked."Fine my child. Just seem to have misplaced some time. I guess I'm getting old, no worries though. Would you like me to bring you some dinner?" Helena smiled and her eyes held that soft motherly innocence that we hadn't seen in so long."What do you mean, misplaced time?" My tone let my Alpha aura slip through. I knew something was off and I didn't like it. Not just for Helena sake, but that she was so close to my Queen."I don't know exactly. I woke in the pantry earlier and feel like weeks have passed. In truth, I don't remember being here in the castle that much the last month or so. Like I zoned out or something.""Or something." I growled. My eyes went blank for a few moments mind linkin
Serenity POV"I can't believe you came here, Nicholas. It was foolish and you could have been killed." I huffed in aggravation at my mate."Well, it was worth it because if I didn't we wouldn't be together. I know you had every intention of leaving me." He pouted."I did not!"He gave me a look telling me he knew that was a big fat lie. "Ok, fine, maybe I was thinking about it, but it hurt like hell." I punched him in the shoulder before getting out of the car."Awe! What was that for, beast?" He whined, standing next to me by the front door to our house."That was for making me like you so much. Now what are we going to do about him?" I pointed to the door where my father was close by waiting for us."No clue. Let's just wing it, I guess." He said, grabbing my hand and leaning closer."Wing it? You have gone rogue little witch boy.""I'm not that much younger then you S and I didn't go Rogue. I was born a witch and always will be. Your moon goddess and Hecate linked us together for
Elena POV"I'm sorry S. I was such a foolish child. I can't live without you. Please forgive me!" I pleaded."Seriously, I should be begging you. I lied to you your whole life. You're like my sister, my only true family. I should have told you everything years ago."We stayed in each other's arms for a long time, apologizing over and over. "Ok, I think we both agree we are sorry and forgive each other. Come sit with me and tell me everything." I pulled Serenity to my bed and we laid down side by side.We spent an hour catching up from Serenity's true heritage to meeting her father and unlocking her powers. She even mentioned a certain boy, Nicholas, but pretended like it was nothing. I told her about Tyler's betrayal, my father and Luna Marissa affair in both the bedroom and with experimenting on species. I went on about my love for Ryker and that I finally lost my virginity, which of course Serenity wanted all the details of. I gushed telling her about how Nate and Hope found each
Serenity POVI waited in the small village all night unable to find sleep. I missed Nicholas, but I knew nurturing our bond would only cause more pain. Once he realized the life we would have, he would reject me. Right now, I needed to focus on saving Elena and my friends. Hearing Chris say that Elena and Damien were searching for me filled me with so much happiness. I spent months away from everything I ever known. I thought the people I loved, hated me. That they all viewed me as a traitor and a filthy witch. Now I knew they love me too and I used that to push me forward. I dressed in a long elegant green and beige dress. My dark skin seemed to glow and my black hair was half up with lose curls. I masked my powers from my witch heritage, but didn't lock them away. If I needed to fight I would be ready too. The herbs I gave Chris were harmless, and I prayed he didn't figure it out it until it was too late to do anything about it.I hid myself in the crowd, watching Elena and Damien
Ryker POVI tore apart the forest in my wolf form, taking down one rogue after the other. I could tell which ones were feral beast that spent years losing their humanity. I wasn't sure if this was a way to release pent up anger or some offering to the goddess that I could still help our kind by ridding those that harmed others. I cursed our goddess, but still felt a devotion to her. My wolf was at odds with me, wanting to take complete control, but I wouldn’t let him have it. He would run back to Elena then we would all die.The words Elena spoke of my betrayal kept replaying in my mind. Her eyes held no longing or compassion for me anymore. Her love for me vanished and I feared I would never see it again.~ "There is nothing between us Ryker, not anymore. You broke my heart and betrayed my loyalty. Leave and don't return." Elena's voice echoed over and over as I tore the Rogues limb from limb.My wolf argued that she didn't understand the dangers. That we needed to capture her and b
Hope POV"Oh thank the goddess. Where have you been, mom?" I gave her hug but scolded her for leaving my younger siblings alone. "I was at the castle. After everything that happened I ran back here. Ryker stripped Christopher of his Beta title. He can't do that. We can't let this family fall apart. He is too invested in that damn girl who just crowned Tyler as King."Nate growled at my mom for speaking so disrespectful of Elena. "You will watch your tongue about our Queen. I'm done playing by the Shadow's rules." Lucian came forward and we could both feel the immense power radiating from his aura.I took a second to swoon over his power then smacked his shoulder. "Enough, this is my mother, you will not growl at her, understood. As far as Ryker and Chris are concerned they can sort their own shit out. Right now, we need to get our people to safety. Go pack a bag mom!"Nate smiled at my bossy tone and my mom looked between the both of us about to speak, but retreated to her room inste
Nate POVI looked around the forrest, looking out to our pack house, my home in the distance. This might be the last time I saw these lands. I let out a long sigh then turned and left. I shifted into my white wolf, grabbing my bag in my mouth and headed to Hope. Lucian was desperate to see her. He needed to sense our pup growing inside her. It filled me with a new purpose that I couldn't wait to fulfill.When I arrived to the Shadow Moon's territory people were running around like crazy. I didn't bother shifting to ask what happened though. If there was danger then I couldn't wait another second to find Hope.Her scent grew stronger near the cells which made me let out a ferocious growl. Elena told me she was taken prisoner, but I didn't actually think Ryker could put her in a dungeon. At that moment, I no longer cared who the Alpha was or what anyone's rules were. I was getting my mate and we were leaving to do this our own way in this world.Two large men guarded the cement doors.
Meredith POVI watched the ceremony from a distance with a shattered heart. Everything we worked for was for nothing. Both my boys defied the goddess and now all the Shadows would feel her wrath. I didn't want to admit it, but I was growing fond of Elena too. This new life she was about to lead would be one of a loveless marriage filled with nothing but to please others. I was sad for my son mostly. As much as I wanted them apart and I knew Ryker loved her. This could break our Alpha and our family. Too many secrets have lived between us for too long. I rushed back to the castle to change back to my body. I needed to be there for my sons when they returned home.I left Helena's body in the kitchen's pantry with enough sleeping potion to keep her knocked out for a few hours. If I wasn't able to return I at least wanted Helena to have a chance to get her life back. Elena was going to need her and her husband truly loved her. Helena was a good person and she made a good life here in t
Elena POV"No father! Please don't do this! It's a misunderstanding." I grabbed my father's shirt, kneeling before him, begging him to not kill Nate. The King's eyes turned black then back handed me across the face. The entire crowd gasped at the sudden hit he gave me across the face. They screamed for their Queen to not be harmed by the Savage king.My father cursed at his rash behavior. He knew he couldn't let his emotions take over, but everyone knew he hated to be challenged. I needed to do something."You want to be Queen, then kill this traitor and the crown is yours. Show our people that you will protect them." The King took a blade from a guard and handed it to me.I wrapped my fingers around the blade and the King took his seat. He knew I had to do it or I would lose the faith of our people. I looked out to the crowd in a panic of what to do.I slowly walked to Nate, giving Ryker a look of disgust. This time he caught my eyes and a sharp pain of guilt ran through him. I stoo