POV: HardinI massaged my weary eyes, fixed on the stack of papers on my desk. Although second-in-command was never simple, these last two weeks had been agony.I looked up a knock on the door. "Come in," I urged. Among our younger pack members, Roger came inside. He appeared uneasy. "Sir, the main hall is in a... state." I exhaled. Still another dilemma, another day. "What kind of circumstances?" "A few of the younger pack members are under dispute with some of the senior ones. It is becoming heated.Nice. just what we needed. More war. Great, I said, "I'll be right there."Before I had arrived at the main hall, I could hear yelling. I inhaled deeply in preparation. Pushing in the doors, I found two groups confronting one another. On one side, Elder Rovin and his supporters Conversely, a group of younger wolves headed by Kira, one of our most promising fighters, "What's going on here?" I begged loudly, and everyone turned to stare at me. Elder Rovin started first. "These young people
POV: JennaGazing out of my compact apartment's window, I observed the pack members going about their daily lives. I used to be the center of attention. I felt like a stranger peering in now.My door suddenly started to knock. I said, "Come in," not sure who it may be. It was Ivory's best friend Mia, which surprised me. She had an anxious expression. "Jenna," she said. "Can we talk?"I motioned for her to sit while I nodded. "What's on your mind?" Mia inhaled deeply. It has to do with Darcy. She's not doing well at all. My heart tightened. I loved Darcy as a daughter, even if she wasn't truly mine."What's wrong?" I asked, attempting to maintain a steady tone. Mia said, "She's seeing things." "Darkness. Additionally, Callum. "A shiver went down my spine. "However, Callum has passed away. Is he not? Mia gave a hopeless shrug. "That's what we believed. But now I'm not sure." I reclined, thoughts whirling. "Why are you revealing this to me? Of course, Darrel and Ivory."It's an effort,"
POV: Ivory WellsI sat at my desk and gazed at the jumble of documents and pictures that were in front of me. Even though my head hurt, I kept going. Not right now. Not when the answers were so close.A tap on the door startled me. I called, attempting to sound calm, "Come in."With a troubled expression, Hardin entered. "You've been in here for hours, Ivory. You must take a nap."I gave a headshake. "Hardin, I can't. Too much is on the line. With a sigh, he took a seat across from me. "What have you found?"I took a look at this picture of weird symbols carved into trees. "Luna claimed that these tattoos are the result of old sorcery. The kind capable of spanning universes."Hardin's eyes got bigger. "You think this is how Callum survived?""Perhaps," I replied. "But there's more." I gave him another piece of paper. Examine this report from the previous month. In the vicinity of where these symbols were discovered, three pack members vanished.""And?" Curious, Hardin leaned forward.
POV: Darrell WilliamsMy mind racing, I paced my office. It had been three days since Ivory, Hardin, and Jenna vanished from sight. The group was afraid, and I was powerless.My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I beckoned them inside.Grim-faced, Elder Rovin came in. "Alpha, we need to talk." Knowing this wouldn't be good, I let out a sigh. "What is it, Elder?"With creaking old bones, he sat down. "The group is agitated. Regarding the missing members, they seek explanations." "It's true," I replied while stroking my hair. "But I don't have any answers to give them."Rovin the Elder bent forward. "Then perhaps it's time to consider... other options." I became motionless. "What do you mean?" "The old ways," he muttered to himself. "There are rituals that could help us find them." I gave a headshake. "Not at all. Those customs carry a risk. We must not take a chance." "Can we risk not doing it?" Elder Rovin posed a question. "Every day they're gone, the pack grows more
POV: Jeremy WilliamsI was terrified when I woke up. Everything felt weird, and Mom and Dad were gone. I rolled out of bed and looked for Darcy. Even though she was now my sister, the thought still seemed strange.She was attempting to reach a cereal box on a high shelf when I discovered her in the kitchen. I inquired, "Need help?"Turning around, Darcy grinned at me. "Jeremy, thank you. I'm not tall enough."I got down the cereal for her. For a while, we ate in silence at the table together. Darcy finally spoke. "Are they, in your opinion, okay? Mom and Dad?" I tried to look brave as I shrugged. Yes. They have strength. They'll return quickly. Darcy gave me a strange look. "You know, you don't have to pretend. I'm also afraid.My eyes started to get wet. "I'm missing them," I said. Darcy extended her arm to grasp my hand. "Me too. However, we now have each other, correct?Feeling a little better, I nodded. "Right."We had breakfast outside and played. Being in the group without Mom a
POV: Ivory WellsAs the blackness dwindled, I gasped. Even though we were back in the pack home, something didn't feel right. Beside me, Hardin and Jenna were just as perplexed as I did."What happened?" Hardin questioned, sounding uneasy.We heard shouts before I could respond. Members of the pack, commanded by Kira, rushed in. Her eyes grew wide upon seeing us.She exclaimed, "You're back!" "But how?"I attempted to dispel it by shaking my head. "I'm not sure," I said. We were with Callum in the ancient library one moment, and suddenly..." Callum's name made Kira's expression tighten. "We must speak. Right now."I sensed pack members watching at us as we followed her. While some appeared relieved, others' eyes were filled with mistrust. Particularly when they observed me. We told Kira, in Darrel's office, well, her office now, everything that had happened. She seemed worried as she sat back after we were done.She remarked, "This is worse than we thought." "Callum's stronger than ev
POV: Elder RovinWatching the mayhem through my ancient obsidian mirror, I stood in my concealed chamber. Ivory was organizing the group in anticipation of a rescue operation. How little she understood about the real threat.Something shadowy materialized out of the shadows. "Master, the Alpha, and his team are secured in the shadow realm. Satisfied, I nodded. "What about the girl? Darcy?The animal paused. "Her abilities become more potent. Her visions can present a challenge. I scowled. This was not what I expected. "So, we have to move rapidly. Is Mia prepared?"Yes, sir. She is waiting for your cue.Ivory's determined face caught my attention as I went back to the mirror. "Not too long, young wolf. You'll realize the cost of power very soon."With a wave of my hand, the vision changed to show Darrel imprisoned in the shadow world. He struggled with his restraints, but they remained tight."Such a spirit," I muttered. "It will make breaking him all the sweeter."Darcy and Jeremy we
POV: Ivory WellsThey say Life is perfect when you are young and in love. Would I have ever thought that I would ever lose Darrel? Nah, not in my wildest dreams.. “We have arrived,My love.” He said,parking in front of the hotel that would be used to host my Birthday. I sat still in the car, willing the anxiousness inside of me to be gone. I sighed and alighted from the car. Darrel took my hands and squeezed it reassuringly. I sighed. Here goes nothing.“Happy Eighteenth Birthday, Ivory Wells!!” I heard screams and Camera flashes and I smiled. My girlfriends, Candy and Tiara walked up to me and handed me a birthday gift. “We love you, Ivory.” They both chorused and I smiled.“Thanks girls.” I said and we all hugged each other. Darrel held my hands and kissed it, and I smiled. “I’ve got a surprise for you.” He whispered in my ears and I smiled at him.Darrel and I had been in a relationship since I was 13, and he was Fifteen years old. I had my parents, Darrel, who was the son of the