“Space?”“I need to be alone. I need to think.”Luke examined her, trying to figure her out. Then he let it go and trusted, nodding. “You can shop in the city. Book a hotel. Unless you want to stay in our territory….”“The city sounds good.”She swallowed down her guilt at not telling him yet but felt like her state of mind would ruin the moment. So, Maya returned the kiss he gave her and walked away, but not before assuring him of one thing.“I will be back. I won’t leave New York.”“I know,” was his reply. Then, “Call if you need help. Lie low.”Despite how light his tone sounded, there was no missing how he struggled with letting her go, his worry apparent. Having Reese escort her outside felt like a relief as the younger man didn’t ask questions, just as preoccupied. When they arrived on the streets, she turned to him.“She wasn’t with anyone?”“What?” Reese snapped out of his reverie. “Oh, Hannah. Yeah, alone. I tailed her until she left the city.”“Hmm.”“Would you like to come
“I sense evil…something sinister. It’s brewing in the air.”The words felt familiar enough that her back stiffened.“Angelo?”“Sorry, I’m talking to myself. The path’s safe, as I said, so don’t be afraid. I’m headed to the city to lead an event. It’s a pretty important one that will push our clan to even more success, so I needed to walk by myself for a while and clear my head.”Lead. Powerful.He will lead you all to success and destruction.Maya felt her heart rise to her throat as she stared at Angelo and understood that the Fae might be talking about him.Chapter 17“It’s Angelo. It’s your clan leader. He’s evil.”The words were barely out of Maya’s mouth before she was dragging Luke to a private corner, her face pale and her body shaking. He took the boxes in her hands, but she didn’t notice as she was too preoccupied with trying to get his attention. Automatically, he set the boxes to the side and took her face in his hands, wordlessly assuring him that she did have his attentio
“I promise to check it out. Please believe me.”“I believe you.”“Now, tell me what you got.”She blinked. Then she looked down at the boxes. “Oh.” Maya visibly struggled to get back to normal conversation, but she succeeded as she nodded. “Food. For everyone. Different kinds. But the cupcakes with the cartoon toppings are for the kids.”This was the woman who was after his heart without her even knowing it. He held it close, keeping silent instead of pointing out how much she loved the children already. Casually, he picked up the boxes.“Thank you. So, just food?”Silence.“Yes. Just food.”“Cool. Let’s take it to the others, then.”She smiled. But the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.***Maya still accepted him in her tent or slept in his bedroom, their unofficial relationship more open to the rest, but the details were still private. His kin just seemed to accept it, anyway, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. They still made love, and she still mingled with the oth
Her tone was so serious that he knew he had to cut the conversation short. Luke patted her shoulder.“I’m glad you are not on the brink of death. Thank you, Daria.”“Whatever were those questions for?”“Curiosity,” he said, which was partially the truth. “Anyway, I have to go. Thanks again.”He left her wandering and trudged off, intending to find more answers. Along the way, he bumped into Tina, who brightened with an innate glow.“Luke!” she exclaimed, throwing herself on him. He hugged her back, then glanced at Eric as the man stepped into view. The lack of jealousy had Luke relaxing as he nudged her back and grinned.“Hey, you. You seem happy.”“I am happy. We are getting married in the fall, and want you to be our witness.”Confounded, he looked at the two and realized that Eric was wordlessly asking him, too. The hopeful expression on Tina’s face had him nodding before he knew it, and the way she lit up made him glad that he didn’t refuse. But when she left and Eric lingered, Lu
He skipped the new room that Angelo used and went to the room containing older files, dating back more than five years and dusty from being stored for so long. It was a mess, clearly not as organized as the new room had been, but the dates and general titles gave him guidance as to where to start. He sifted through his memories while he opened folders and read their contents, detailing most of the previous clan leader’s business practices and information. They were all closed now as Angelo had decided to nourish his brewery business instead, refusing to touch something that Dan Bennett’s dirty, racist hands had allowed to flourish.He read the clan reports next, not as detailed as the business side but with keywords that revealed a lot of things: enemy encountered, territory seized, mission success, and failures. Then he found a folder with a map, and his heart pounded, anticipation bubbling that he was close.“West. The Western Cub. Now, where is…?”A sticker with smudged scribbling
The reality that this really could be a trap throbbed everywhere, but so did the desire to see this through. Persistence won, and she mumbled forward, squeezing herself between tree trunks to get to the other side—“Oh.”There were flowers everywhere, but they were dying. There was a cavern off to her right illuminated by the fog, which was giving off glittering light…and in the center of that cavern was a man in the flesh, his lower body filled with black spots and multiple scars. The top part was coated in glitter, extending up to pointed ears and a head of matted white hair. The glitter shimmered as the figure jolted at the sight of her.She felt his wariness intensify, so she stopped trudging closer. “I was right. You Are Fae.”The Fae tilted his head, assessing her. She assessed him back, noting how pain crossed his features every time he tried to move. Everything about him radiated agony locked tight, but also that energy that had been so present in the fog.“My name is Maya. Yo
Slowly, she started with the dancing fog and how this was its source, then relayed how she followed it and helped lessen the wounds. She observed his face the whole time she spoke, certain that no man could ever hold up a mask in front of his victim for so long.“How did you get here so fast?” she asked once she was done.“The animals were a dead giveaway. Literally.”His mouth thinned. A second later, she jerked in a defensive position, then blinked when it became clear that he wasn’t attacking. Instead, Angelo had slashed his wrist and was trickling even more blood over the Fae’s wounds. A whimper of delirium glided from Mino’s lips before his dull gold eyes locked with Angelo’s.“Thank you.”The raw interaction made something click. Just like that, she knew within her very bones that Angelo wasn’t the culprit.“You are welcome.” As if sensing her stunned stare, Angelo glanced at her. “My cousin is a half-Fae. I know enough about them and can feel if they are evil. Our clan helps an
“Turn on your tracker.”“What?”“Angelo, turn on your tracker right now and ask questions later.”Luke had never spoken to his clan leader as he did now, but the beeping on his screen told him that it had worked. Coincidentally, he was nearer to the location than he expected, already venturing out when he became aware of two things: that Maya was gone and that Angelo had abruptly left for an urgent matter. It took nearly harassing a clan member to get some information out, and he knew he was going to pay for that later. But it didn’t matter now. Getting to Angelo—and, he suspected, Maya—was what mattered now more than anything in the world.Fog slowed down his movements, rendering paranoia as every sound was sharpened. The absence of the dancing fog had worry rising, but all of that was wiped when his muscles ticked. He burst into half of his bear form, whirling to stop the attack launching his way. His claws stopped mid-air.“Jan?”Janella Hastings-Bennett was dressed in all black, b
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