Luke’s breath caught in his throat when he absorbed the hidden forest the cave led to, where the trees were greener and lusher than usual. But there were bald spots where they didn’t grow. Slipping in gave him the sight of more bald spots, where the charred wooden pieces and old signs of life became more visible. She stilled at the first look. Then Maya kept moving with purpose, and he followed suit, securing the place before returning to where she was.“Maya?”“The ashes were swept away by the wind or swallowed by the soil,” she mumbled, taking in the grounds. “The burned pieces…no one moved them.”There were a few huts that didn’t burn completely, so they went inside one. Here, Maya trembled until he had to soothe her back, then slide her into a comforting hug.“This was the clan leader’s hut. He insisted on keeping it equal for everyone.”“He sounds like a nice man.”“He was to us. I wasn’t close to him, but I knew he would have done anything for us.” A pause. “The other hut…it was
They made the right call. That much was clear as noises resounded from above and the corresponding footsteps amounted to more than Maya had predicted. There was no time to keep counting as she continued leading Luke down, the path still as distinct as when she had last used it.“Once the tile clicks into place, every sound below is muted as long as it’s at a minimal level. No shouting or loud noises. That’s what my clan leader, Bruce Leonard, taught us since we were young.”Luke didn’t ask questions yet, perhaps focused on traipsing through the dark. Below, she found better footing when she reached a flat surface, where she blindly searched the walls until she found prominent dots. She counted in her head, then pushed one, holding on to his arm while she braced for the results.Nothing happened at first. Then a panel slid open from the wall, where a screen shone to provide them ample light. It also showed them a view of the hut upstairs, which was still empty.“An emergency bunk,” Luk
The conversation dwindled. So did her anger. Belatedly, it dawned that it was his purpose, and she gave him an exasperated look. Movement from the screen had her glancing. Then she was locked in when a willowy woman sauntered closer to Sam and bowed before him. Another memory fluttered in: this woman peering at them from a tree branch seconds before Maya was battered with pain.“I know her,” Maya blurted out.“Is it done?” Sam asked.The woman nodded. “Your father’s business lands are being transferred under your name. You are getting favorable reviews from the rest as they have come to accept your new role.”“There’s the answer to my question,” Luke muttered. “The bastard’s the leader now.”Maya scMayad her head, trying to remember another power figure and failing. “He headed the attack before.”“Maybe an order.”That she couldn’t put a face to whoever had ordered it frustrated her and she wished she had answers. The woman stepped closer when Sam gestured.“They will become more agre
It felt weird, knowing she had been so shrouded in rage at the sight of Sam after so many years and had wanted nothing but his death. But the woman letting them escape and the children present there had cast her blinders off, aware of what would happen if she did burn them down and someone survived: the pain, the trauma, and everything that came with it…and she just couldn’t do it to another innocent person.“They have our lands now. They will build and prosper.” A heavy feeling slithered in. “My clan doesn’t even have a graveyard.”Silence hovered over them. She closed her eyes, the hours catching up to her and wearying her bones. But Luke’s words flitted in and had her alert again.“They can still have one.”“What?”“Your family. A graveyard.”They returned to the same motel, checked in under aliases, but didn’t go to their room yet. Instead, he took her to the back of the small establishment, where a deserted field stretched on for miles to a lush backdrop of huge mountains. Luke s
That gave some comfort. The rain fell at night, and everyone wandered indoors. It should have been the end of the topic as he settled in bed while Maya joined a few shifters in the mansion’s living room. But restlessness seized him, refusing to go away. When he went back out and didn’t see Maya with the rest, Luke continued walking until he found her at the side of the mansion. The outdoor activity center and greenhouse had become invisible in the weather onslaught, and all they could see were glimpses every time lightning streaked in.“Cold weather,” he mused.“Yes. This rain is going to last all night, I think.”Silence.“Maya?”“Hmm?”“What did you feel in North Bear?”She stiffened, then didn’t respond for a while. Part of him wanted to file it down to paranoia and having a bad experience there, but her answer confirmed his suspicions.“Heavy.”“Well, shit. I guess I have to do something about it.”He traipsed off towards Angelo’s office, then glanced back when he realized he wasn
“Just your friend?”“You are too heavy for this spot,” she complained as the branch swayed, but he shook his head.“It will hold.” He inspected her. “Am I just your friend, Maya?”Her mouth opened, then closed. Distracted, he leaned in and captured her bottom lip in between his, teasing it into softness. The way she melted so willingly for him struck a chord deep inside, but he tried not to evaluate it too much as he just enjoyed the moment. When a moan purred from her throat, the need leaped and had him ready to growl back. He broke the kiss, trailing his mouth down her chin as he tried to catch his breath.“Here I am trying to tease you, and I end up playing myself,” he mumbled. “It serves me right, I suppose…Maya?”She tilted his head with her hand on his chin, then leaned in this time to capture his mouth. The kiss was just as slow, but it was firm and purposeful, designed to keep him a slave to this passion. She stroked his tongue with hers and sucked, shooting an electric path s
What is this?she mouthed to Luke, who had no answer. Tearing her gaze away from the sight had been a struggle, so she returned her attention to it and counted the minutes. The pattern didn’t change, a steadiness that comforted and relaxed her bit by bit. In her head, she matched the rhythm with a song she knew from when she was young and smiled. She enjoyed it so much that she closed her eyes, excited to return to the main territory so she could teach the kids the song.Harry will love it. Margaret will be delighted and will sing it over and over. Rainier will tease them and tell everyone about it, then will sing it the loudest.The attachment to them brought a sudden pang to her heart, knowing she would leave them when she had things figured out. Rosalia’s giggle came to mind, but it was Luke’s face that stuck there, as understanding as always when she finally told him that she needed to move on. He would let her go. He would be as complacent as always, the ever-supportive man who of
“Birds, squirrels. The usual forest creatures. It took the rest, but maybe the deer was too heavy for it.”“So, it can kill something of that size but can’t drag it away?”The question hung in the air and had her contemplating. “Maybe.”Hands on her cheeks turned her attention to him, where he peered into her eyes. “You weren’t affected?”“I was. I closed my eyes. I think it broke the trance or whatever that was.”“I’m glad,” he said, pressing a kiss on her cheek. “Not about the situation, but that you were awake. You saved us, Maya.”“You would have done the same. Any of you.”And she believed it, this faith that Reese and Daria wouldn’t have let her fall to her demise, either. The two eventually caught up to them and Reese examined the deer, too, then described it to Daria in detail. When he was done, tension hung in the now-peaceful forest.“What the hell was that?” Reese muttered.No one could answer.***“It stormed again after that whole fog incident. We had fog outside our terr
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