Stupefaction had him frozen. But it didn’t last long. To her dismay, his other hand covered hers, a fleeting warmth before he steadfastly pushed her fingers away and disentangled from the grip.“I will be back.”Then he was gone and Mayawas all alone again.***The coast was clear by the time Lukegot out of the cottage, but he would never forget the sensations that had wracked his body when the energy had pulsed so hard as if trying to penetrate his skin. More so, there was no forgetting the way she looked: terrified, the kind that indicated she had been in this scenario before, and it was something she never wanted to experience again. Then there was her voice, croaked out and small, as if she hadn’t used it in a long time. Maybe she hadn’t.He tried to set everything aside. His beast made its way out, more than ready to take on the challenge as it burst into a run and followed the trail he knew by heart. Leaving the cottage area was difficult, but the knowledge that the magic would
“My clan leader is mated with a vampire from a powerful vampire clan,” Luke explained. “None of that matters because he looks at the heart, not what kind of creature one is.”She didn’t trust that, but she didn’t contradict it. He rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward.“So, Maya…it’s your choice. Do you want to be free or do you want to come with me? If you go, you have to leave completely and find a new spot—somewhere far away from all the trouble happening here. There aren’t many of them around with all the clans flourishing, and they are all wary of lone creatures like you. The second option is that you can come with me. My clan’s main territory.” He paused, letting all of that sink in. Then he went for the kill. “We have shelter and protection. We have food. You will never have to go hungry again, and you won’t have to steal.”Her cheeks went violently red at the latter, unable to deny it. He glimpsed her internal battle happening under a relatively calm façade, and ther
“I know. I was with a female earlier.”There was no blushing and no misinterpretation, which was so typical of the blunt female. Reese rolled his eyes and tugged her away from Luke, their familiarity with each other apparent. But the intimacy felt gentle and natural, that of two people who just liked to spend time with each other and nothing more.“You need to go home, Daria, before your folks come here looking for you again,” Reese said.Daria shrugged. “They don’t know I’m out. We haven’t had any threats lately and they won’t mind if they find out. Besides, I can’t go out now. A big storm’s coming.”“Huh?”She inclined her head. The two men looked, expecting to find dark clouds. But there were only white ones and a scatter of stars.“The sky’s clear,” Reese shot back.“Not that.That.”She was gesturing at the fog, not at the sky. They watched as it roiled and coated the forest area in a thick gloom, leaving behind zero visibility. Luke checked the invisible barriers and noted they w
But the words trailed off when he realized that his brother was looking, and he noted something that hadn’t been there before: a darkening expression and a rush of something familiar. Eric stood up and approached them, wrestling with a scowl until only that same stoic expression remained.“You should get inside. It’s cold here.”Tina ignored him.“Tina,” Eric growled.Tina glowered at him and opened her mouth. But Luke was faster, wrapping an arm around her waist and drawing her closer.“I’m here to warm her up if it’s needed.”She squeaked in bewilderment but managed to keep most of the sound subtle. She sank into his embrace and nodded. “Yes. That’s right. Luke’s here.”A muscle ticked on Eric’s jaw. More muscles bunched. As much as he enjoyed the discovery and wondered how deep it ran, he knew he was playing with fire and wasn’t in the mood to deal with it when it came out. So, he shrugged.“But the mansion’s a much better option, I suppose. Or one of the tents. Come on, Tina.”Tin
He wasn’t supposed to be here. He wasn’t supposed to witness this, but here the man was, refusing to go away. His words washed over her dazed mind, puzzling her. His hands cruised down her back, steadying even as she stiffened.“Shout if you must. Let it out if you must. I will stay here and protect you.” A pause, then. “I will protect them, too, if that’s what you are afraid of…if you want to keep quiet and don’t want anyone to know about this.”Something inside her quivered, shuddering outwards until it was uncontrollable. She whimpered soundlessly as the agony became unbearable. Her body followed suit and tried to roll again. To her astonishment, she couldn’t move as a barrier held her in place, and it took her fuzzy senses a while to register that it was Luke’s arm banded around her to lock her in. His body was there, too, pressed against her back and holding her tight, as if the possibility of her free claws slicing at him wasn’t a problem.A palm brought a blanket to her stomach
“Playtime’s over. Sam is here and will start the lessons soon.” There were more groans. “Iz will join your lessons, too.”Whoever this Iz was seemed to have a positive effect on them as they rallied cheers around Luke before racing off. A boy lingered for a bit, looking up solemnly until Luke glanced at him.“Hey, you. What is it?”“I didn’t have my breakfast yet.”Luke’s lips quivered while he leveled the boy with a look. “Really? Well, now, we can’t have that when you are about to embark on a long day of lessons. What did you have in mind?”“Bananas. Fresh.”The boy held out his hands expectantly, orbs twinkling in excitement. Luke didn’t hesitate to pick him up and hitch him over one hip, and the two ventured away from the group of kids. She trailed after them, fascinated with the interaction as Luke led the boy through paths that didn’t have markers, where the trees and lushness seemed to go on forever. They stopped in a clearing set up as a garden, where root crops grew along wit
“I did, and it’s done. It was just a quick check.” Luke tilted his head. “And I suggest not heaping questions on Maya anymore, Eric.”The other man’s back went up. Eric didn’t scowl, but only because he seemed to be fighting it. “We don’t know where she’s from and why she’s here. We don’t know who she is.”“And we are a clan who doesn’t discriminate because of those factors,” Luke shot back. “We welcome a lot of strangers here. She’s no different.”“She is different. The last two nights—”“Be careful. You protest anymore, and we are bound to think that you do not trust Angelo’s judgment.”That had the man’s mouth clamping shut, stupefied over Luke’s words. The scowl disappeared, too.“Has he not always been fair to us no matter what bullshit we give him?” Luke added. “I think we caused enough trouble as it is. We don’t need to start again now.”Guilt flared in Eric’s eyes. It became obvious that it was no longer about her, and she watched in fascination as the two brothers silently co
“It’s me,” he called out softly.Silence. Then a shadow moved forward, closer to the area he scraped and stayed there, waiting expectantly. The lack of hesitation had him softening, his chest puffing out in triumph. He cleared his throat.“You were very busy today. It was nice to see. I guess you are in good condition now and…adjusting to us.”She tapped the tent in agreement. He pondered, memories resurfacing, then vanishing.“I’m also guessing that it means that incident has happened to you before; otherwise, you won’t bounce back easily.”Another tap, another confirmation. She was ready. That much he knew, but the extent was still to be determined. Quietly, Luke sifted through the multitude of questions swirling in his head.“Wolf shifter, right?”Another tap.“But something went wrong and you can’t turn now. And it’s hurting you every time the full moon comes out.”The silence made him assume she wasn’t going to answer anymore. But he was taken aback when a voice, soft and low, ca
Chapter 31As the united pack and council members concluded another day of ensuring harmony in the supernatural realm, they gathered in the council hall for a moment of reflection. /Millent, the triplet, and the council members sat together, their hearts full of gratitude for the journey they had shared and the bond that had brought them together."We've come a long way," Millent said with a smile, looking at her pack and council members. "Our realm has flourished, and we've overcome every challenge that has come our way."Daniel nodded, his eyes filled with warmth. "And it's all thanks to the power of our unity and love," he said. "Together, there's nothing we can't overcome."Mike added, "Our realm has become a sanctuary for beings of all species, a place of acceptance and understanding. We've shown the world that unity can conquer darkness."As they looked back on their journey, they recognized the profound impact they had made in the lives of countless beings. Their realm had bec
Mike nodded in agreement. "Our unity has always been our greatest strength. If we are to face the Serpent and the Voidbringers once more, we must stand together."Daniel spoke, his words infused with hope, "Let's not forget the power of love that brought us this far. Our bond may be fractured, but our hearts still beat as one."Millent looked at them, her resolve firming. "You're right. We can't let this darkness tear us apart. We need to find a way to heal our bond and stand united once more."As the united pack and council members delved into ancient texts and sought guidance from wise beings across the supernatural realm, they discovered a glimmer of hope—a ritual that could mend the fractures in their unity. The Moonstone, a sacred artifact of immense power, was said to hold the ability to heal even the deepest wounds between soulmates.Determined to reclaim their unity, they embarked on a quest to find the Moonstone. Their journey took them through treacherous terrains, ancient r
"I'm not entirely sure," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I feel torn, as if there's a part of me that's pulling away. It's not about our love, but rather a need to rediscover myself."Daniel and Alex exchanged glances, concern etched on their faces. "We love you, Millent, and we'll always be here for you," Daniel said, his voice filled with reassurance."I know, and I love you both too," she replied, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. "But I need time alone to find my way back to who I used to be, to remember who I am without the overwhelming bond of unity."The triplet listened, understanding that Millent needed this time for herself. Though it pained them to see her struggle, they knew that respecting her journey was vital for their unity to remain authentic.As Millent ventured into the depths of the forest, she encountered Kieran, the lone wolf she had once felt a deep connection with. His presence offered her a sense of grounding, and they spent hours tal
However, as they spent more time together, Alex found himself gravitating towards a human girl named Emily from the nearby town. Despite the challenges of an interspecies relationship, their love bloomed. Emily's compassionate heart and curiosity about the supernatural world brought new perspectives to the Harmony Alliance.As Alex navigated his feelings for both Seraphina and Emily, he realized that unity extended beyond supernatural boundaries. Love knew no limits, and he embraced the complexity of his emotions, guided by the understanding and support of his pack and council members.Millent, the heart of the united pack, felt a deep connection with a lone wolf named Kieran from a distant pack. Kieran had faced his share of struggles, and his past had left him guarded. Yet, Millent saw the goodness within him and sought to break down the walls he had built around his heart.Their journey of love mirrored the united pack's own journey of unity. Millent's determination and unwavering
Chapter 26Deep within the hidden archives of the Harmony Alliance, a forgotten parchment was discovered. It spoke of an ancient prophecy, entwined with the Moonstone's power, that foretold a great reckoning looming on the horizon.Millent, the triplets, and the council members gathered around the council hall, their eyes fixed on the aged parchment. The words etched upon it spoke of a celestial alignment, a convergence of cosmic forces, and a powerful entity known as the "Eclipse Serpent.""The prophecy suggests that the Moonstone is a key to understanding and averting the danger," a witch council member said, her voice tinged with trepidation. "But its true meaning remains shrouded in mystery."The united pack and the council members embarked on a quest to decipher the prophecy's cryptic verses. They consulted ancient tomes, sought counsel from wise elders, and even reached out to supernatural seers for guidance.As they delved deeper into the Moonstone's significance, a recurring t
Back in the council hall, the united pack and the council members celebrated their victory. The atmosphere was not only one of triumph but also of profound joy, for they had discovered the true meaning of unity."We have proven that our hearts are our greatest weapon," Alex said, a smile playing on his lips.Millent nodded, her eyes shining with pride. "Through our emotional connection, we have achieved a unity that is unyielding. Together, we are an unstoppable force of light in the face of darkness."The council members raised their voices in agreement, their hearts overflowing with gratitude for the journey that had led them to this moment of triumph.As the united pack and the council members embraced one another, their hearts beating in harmony, they knew that they had not only protected their realm from darkness but had also forged a legacy of unity that would inspire generations to come.Chapter 25As they stood together, bound by love and understanding, they were a testament t
Millent, the triplets, and the council members took their seats, ready to engage in heartfelt conversations. Their experiences in neutralizing the dark artifact had strengthened their bonds even further, and they knew that open dialogue was the key to maintaining their unity."We have faced yet another challenge together," Millent began, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and determination. "Our unity has once again proven to be our greatest strength."Chapter 24A vampire representative spoke up, "Indeed, we have come a long way from the animosities of the past. Through unity, we have found respect and acceptance among different species."A witch nodded in agreement, "Our ancestors may have harbored prejudices, but today, we stand united in our commitment to harmony."A shapeshifter added, "It is through open dialogue that we learn from one another's experiences and break down the barriers that once separated us."The council members exchanged stories of their individual journeys,
Chapter 23With the defeat of the dark force, the werewolf world celebrated the resilience and unity displayed by Millent, the triplets, and their united pack. Their victory resonated far and wide, inspiring werewolves and supernatural beings from all corners of the realm.As the days turned into weeks, Millent and the triplets continued to foster their united pack's bonds, recognizing that the victory over the dark force was just the beginning of a new chapter in their journey. They knew that their unity must remain steadfast, for the challenges that lay ahead were unknown and ever-changing.With the newfound allies they had gained during the battle, the united pack formed a coalition known as the "Harmony Alliance." Packs from different regions, and even other supernatural beings, came together under the shared banner of unity and love.The Harmony Alliance became a force for good, intervening in conflicts, mediating disputes, and providing assistance to those in need. The werewol
In the wake of the victory, Millent and the triplets decided to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery. They yearned to seek out new alliances, to forge connections with packs beyond their own borders, and to spread their message of unity even further.Their travels took them to distant lands, where they encountered werewolf communities with unique customs, traditions, and challenges. They engaged in heartfelt conversations, sharing their experiences and listening to the stories of others.Along their journey, they met an elder werewolf, wise and weathered by time. The elder spoke of an ancient relic known as the Moonstone, said to possess extraordinary powers. Legends claimed that the Moonstone had the ability to amplify the strength of love and unity, but its whereabouts had long been forgotten.Millent, the triplets, and their pack became enthralled by the tale of the Moonstone. They were determined to find it, believing that it could serve as a symbol of hope and a cat