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SHADOWS OF ENVY
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Reckoning of the purple moon A COMPANION'S INSIGHT
POV: MiaIvory's struggle with her past demons was similar to watching a hurricane rip across the coast; it was strong, destructive, and seemed unstoppable. Being her closest friend, I had seen firsthand the fallout from the hurricane that had ripped through her life, leaving a path of emotional devastation that seemed unmanageable.All the same, our relationship held strong, a lifeline keeping us together in the middle of mayhem. The sister I never had, Ivory was the kindred spirit who knew me better than most people could.I was therefore there for her when the waves of her history crashed down on her again, prepared to ride out the storm as I had done innumerable times before."Mia," she would murmur, a tiredness in her voice that went right to my heart. I'm not sure whether I can handle much more of this.I would hug her at those times, trying to ease her pain as much as I could. Ivory was a force of nature a woman whose fortitude and resiliency had been developed in the furnace o
Reckoning of the purple moon THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
POV: Callum WellsMy secrets weighed like a millstone around my neck, pulling me more and more into the pit I had dug for myself. Fear that my well-woven web of falsehoods was going to come apart struck me as I watched Ivory and her companion Mia untangle the knotted strands of the past.Ivory, my half-sister, has been my shadow for a very long time. She was the preferred kid, the one the pack thought would succeed. And I, well, in the big picture, I was a footnote, an afterthought.The knowledge that I would never be able to live up to her was a painful pill to swallow. And as the years passed, that resentment turned into something deeper, more sneaky - envy that felt like it may swallow me whole.Ivory was shown the love of our father, the alpha of the pack, and I watched. Her road spread out in front of her like a golden carpet as I watched her grow into a stunning, self-assured young woman. And I raged, bitterly bemoaning the terrible hand fate had dealt me.Then, though, everythi
Reckoning of the purple moon DECIPHERING REALITY
POV: Ivory WellsI felt more and more like Alice falling down the rabbit hole the farther into the maze of mysteries surrounding Jeremy's beginnings and my own turbulent past I dug. Every new discovery, every turn, just served to completely upend my perception of reality, leaving me clinging to straggles in a world that appeared to change and warp in front of my very eyes.It was a bewildering, dizzying trip that made me face the hard realities I had been burying for years. As the layers of dishonesty came off, I started to doubt everything I had ever believed and assumed to be true about myself.And yet, motivated by an unquenchable need for the truth that burned hotter than any flame, I continued even when the ground beneath me appeared to be collapsing. It was an unrelenting search that left no trail untrod and no opportunity untapped. It engulfed me."Ivory," Mia would reply, worry tinged in her voice. "You're overdoing it. Just before you really burn out, take a break."But I'd s
Reckoning of the purple moon LOYALTIES SPLINTERED
POV: Darrell WilliamsEverything I had thought about what had happened the night Ivory was taken away began to shift. I'm not sure if I did the right thing in banishing Ivory now, but I used to. Realizing that I wasn't as right as I thought is like my entire universe is collapsing. I was positive I had chosen wisely for a long time, but with every new piece of information, my perspective is changing, and it's perplexing.As I dug deeper into what happened that awful night, doubts started creeping in. Was I too proud to see the truth? The idea scared me.What if I wrongly banished an innocent person just to save face for the pack? That thought weighed heavily on me, almost overwhelming.But I couldn't ignore the unsettling truths surfacing. No matter how scary it was, I had to face our past for Ivory's sake and the pack's honor.Was I a fool, easily swayed by those with selfish agendas? The thought made me bristle with frustration. As Alpha, I was supposed to embody our pack's strength
Reckoning of the purple moon TRUTH SEEKER
POV: Jeremy Williams.Though I knew better, I was unable to stop listening. There are a lot of secrets being kept from me, I've felt since Dad brought me to the pack area. And I might have found something today that will completely transform everything."Alpha, are you sure it's a good idea to keep looking?" Through the study door came a harsh voice I recognized as Hardin's. "Too deep a dig could have disastrous results.""I have to know the truth, no matter how painful it may be," Dad said, his voice firm. "The events around Ivory's exile have affected too many lives."The name Ivory sent my heart thumping. The enigmatic woman who, from our first encounter in the human realm, had piqued my curiosity. There was a draw toward her that I couldn't put my finger on."What if the truth irreparably harms your relationships with people closest to you?" Hardin pressed her. It is better to bury some truths.I leaned in closer, my wolf ears straining to pick up every syllable, as an uncomfortab
Reckoning of the purple moon SACRIFICIAL GAMBIT
POV: JennaDarrel's unwavering concentration on clearing Ivory eroded my position in the pack with every day that went by. The respect was vanishing from the air, my power disintegrating like a lost artifact. I could almost taste it.The more strongly I objected, the more determined Darrel was in his fixation and completely unaware of the impending disaster. Did he not see the destruction his careless quest for "truth" may cause?I was the future Luna, his partner and mate. But he ignored my advice as readily as he would have brushed away dust. I was deeply burned by the emasculation and disdain.In one terrible fell swoop, generations of efforts to preserve order may collapse if his work went unchecked. It was too late not to act decisively.Trying to reason and beg got me nowhere. Maybe Darrel needed a stronger hand to save himself and keep the ranks together. Breathed steadily, I decided and got my plans started.First, a covert rendezvous with Hardin, the one person who could mak
Reckoning of the purple moon VEILED SECRETS
POV: Mia.Watching my closest friend Ivory gradually become enmeshed in the seemingly never-ending inquiry into her history was like watching her sink in pain. Every insight just served to drive her farther into the gloomy depths of hopelessness, not to offer clarity.Her lovely features were marked by the toll: her cheeks hollowed from hunger, her eyes smeared purple. Her normally vivacious personality grew less and less each day.She had slipped totally out of my grasp, so I realized I had to act. It was time to pay it forward. Ivory had been my lifeline throughout my own worst moments.Once inside her little cabin, I saw her bent over the old desk, her forehead furrowed as she worked through a never-ending pile of papers and notes. She was so focused in her search that she didn't notice me right away.I said, "Working yourself into an early grave," and settled down on the worn couch. Ivory gasped, staring owlishly, then sank her shoulders in surrender. Well. You are it."Don't so
Reckoning of the purple moon VEILED VENGEANCE
POV: Callum Wells.Years passed as the itch progressively turned into an unquenchable thirst that ate up all of my conscious thoughts. It had come time at last to quench that nagging desire for retribution.I felt both twisted delight and white-hot wrath watching from the shadows as Ivory Wells resolutely revealed the dirty truth about her exile from the pack. It was disgusting to see her slink about, always the victim, and not see her responsibility. Had I only had her banished rather than put to death all those years ago, she ought to have been thanking me. Naturally, though, Ivory never knew when to restrain her conceit or blustery pride.Ultimately, her stubborn blindness was what started the catastrophic events of seven years ago and brought such disastrous results tumbling down on her. Now, as she laboriously sought the last shards of the truth, I would be waiting to force her to face her biggest transgression.It had all begun with the tiniest crack in our family relationship
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Reckoning of the purple moon UNITY DAWNS
POV: Ivory WellsI emerged from our cabin and felt the warmth of the morning sun on my face. That tragic day in the cave had been three months ago. Even though so much had changed, other things stayed reassuringly similar."Good morning, drowsy head," Mia greeted me as she jogged up. "Ready for the big day?" I smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be, I think. Who gave pack picnics the go-ahead?""Oh wise leader, that would be you," she jokingly said.We strolled to the central area, where pack members were busy getting everything ready for the festivals. Near the food tables, I saw Darrel chatting with Hardin and Marcus. "There you are," Darrel said, drawing me in. "We were just discussing the new patrol schedules."Marcus gave a nod and said, "Joint patrols are operating efficiently. Now my wolves feel comfortable here." "And the training program?" I inquired with Hardin.He grinned. "Better than anticipated. Kira has a talent for instructing the younger ones." "Dad! Mom! Take a look!" Jeremy
Reckoning of the purple moon PAINS AND SACRIFICE
POV: Darrell WilliamsWith the bright light gone, an unsettling silence followed. I attempted to clear the dots from my vision by blinking. When my vision returned, I saw Callum on the ground, lifeless, with Darcy and Jeremy kneeling next to him. "Callum?" Emotion-laden, Ivory's voice broke the stillness.Heart heavy, I took a step toward her. Callum had become the brother I'd always wished he could be in his last moments, something I never would have imagined myself feeling sorry for."Is he...?" I was unable to complete the question. With tears flowing down her cheeks, Ivory nodded. "He's gone." The children gazed up at us, shock and anguish filled in their huge eyes. Shouting, "We didn't mean to," Jeremy said. "We didn't know it would..."I gathered them both into a close embrace. "It's not your fault," I firmly stated. "Callum made his choice. He saved us all." I began to notice the world outside our small group as we grieved. Rovin's army was nowhere to be seen, and the cave entr
Reckoning of the purple moon THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION
POV: Callum WellsI heard the others converse, make plans, and feel hopeful. I felt ill from it. How were they so innocent? Calm amid the packs? Saving us all with the powers of the children? That story was a fable.But as the evening went on, I was plagued by a persistent discomfort in my stomach. What if they were correct? What if there was an alternate route? I shook my head, attempting to dispel any uncertainty. I'd gone too far to go back at this point.The cave became still as the morning drew near. Most had gone to sleep, worn out after the activities of the evening. But I was unable to sleep. As my thoughts raced, I relived each step that brought me to this point.Curled up beside Ivory and Darrel, I found myself staring at Jeremy and Darcy. They appeared so little and so innocent. Was I truly ready to give them up for power? "Can't sleep?"Ivory was observing me with cautious yet nonhostile eyes when I turned around."Just thinking," I said in a whisper. She inched forward, t
Reckoning of the purple moon WOLFS AT THE DOOR
POV: Darrell WilliamsChaos ensued inside the cave. In a flurry of fur and fangs, wolves snapped and hissed, crashing into each other's bodies. Amidst the chaos, I lost sight of Ivory and the children, and my heart raced with concern for their well-being."Ivory!" I yelled, my voice hard to make out over the commotion. Something heavy crashed into me from behind. I turned around and met Callum's twisted smile."Hello, my old friend," Callum said with a sly smile. "Miss me?" I didn't use words to squander time. We collided, stumbling in a mass of limbs across the cave floor. I caught a glimpse of Marcus fending off two of Rovin's goons."Darrel!" A voice spoke above the din: Ivory. "The kids!" I glanced up and saw her cornered with Darcy and Jeremy. With a look of hunger in his eyes, Rovin was charging towards them. My veins heated with rage. I hurled Callum off of me and lunged in the direction of my family.But before I could get to them, an unforeseen event occurred. With a surprisi
Reckoning of the purple moon DECEPTION AND LIES
POV: Ivory WellsI started to get shivers as the howling got closer. It felt quite exposed suddenly, this small clearing.With a tight voice, Darrel stated, "We have to move. Now." Marcus gave a nod. "It's not far to my den. There, we'll be secure."Unsure if we could trust him, I hesitated. But after seeing the exhausted looks on Darcy's and Jeremy's faces, I decided. We had to find shelter quickly. I kept having the impression that something was missing as we went through the woodland. Callum and Rovin had surrendered too quickly. What did we fail to notice?It turned out that Marcus' den was a cleverly concealed cave system. We assembled around a central fire pit once we were inside. With his eyes darting nervously to the cave entrance, Jeremy sat close by. I held his hand and whispered, "It's okay. We're safe here."He gave a nod, but it was clear he wasn't sold. Not one of us was. Marcus cleared his throat. "Now, I believe it's time for some answers."Darrel sat up straight. "You
Reckoning of the purple moon FLAMES OF DESTINY
POV: Ivory Wells“Jeremy!" I screamed as the fire surrounded my son. My heart halted, horror clutching me like a vise. Then, though, the flames disappeared as fast as they began. And something else lingered where Jeremy had stood.A wolf, but unlike any I had seen before. Its eyes shone like fire, and its fur shimmered with an ethereal brightness. Darrel muttered next to me, "Oh my god. Is that...?"Not sure what to say, I nodded. Our son had developed into something much beyond our wildest dreams. Marcus moved forward, amazement ablaze on his face. "The prophecy," he said quietly. "It's true."Jeremy's wolf turned its head and stared at every one of us individually. Its sight locked with mine, and I felt a flash of recognition. My small son was still in there."Jeremy?" I called gently. "Can you understand me?"The wolf nodded gradually. Darrel stepped forward, his hand out. "Son, can you shift back?" Though nothing changed, Jeremy's new shape shimmered. He whined, sounding frustrat
Reckoning of the purple moon THE WOLF WITHIN
POV: Jeremy WilliamsEven as Mom guided me out of the cave, my heart continued to beat. The sounds of war had diminished, but the echoes of horror still echoed within me."Are you okay, sweetie?" Mom's voice quivered with concern as she grasped my shoulders, searching my eyes. I nodded, unable to find the words to convey what I had just experienced. How could I explain the unfathomable, events that happened in that dark, scary cave?We stumbled into a little clearing, surrounded by the calm of the forest. Mom held me close, her hug was a barrier against the residual fear. "Now that you're safe," she muttered, her voice barely audible above the rustling leaves. "I won't let anyone hurt you."But I wasn't sure whether even she could protect me now. The meeting with Callum and the enigmatic Rovin had been traumatic enough, but what worried me most was the discovery about myself that surfaced in that unfathomable darkness."Mom," I began, my voice shaking, "something... something happened
Reckoning of the purple moon HIDDEN PARTNERSHIP
POV: Darrell WilliamsThe sound of Alpha Marcus approaching filled the cave. His presence commanded both respect and horror in equal measure, and his silver fur shimmered in the unsettling blue light.I looked at Ivory and noticed that her eyes reflected my same bewilderment. Why was the Silver Claw Alpha in this situation?Marcus scanned the cavern, taking in the tight exchange of words. "Well, isn't this cozy?" he grumbled.Anger twisted Rovin's face. "Marcus! You're ahead of schedule." My thoughts were racing. Too early? Were they collaborating? Marcus laughed, his laugh resonating against the walls of stone. "Plans change, my dear friend. I decided to speed things up."I moved forward, putting myself in the way of my group and this new foe. "What's going on here?" I demanded.Marcus looked up at me, a gleam in his eyes. "Ah, Darrel, the young one. There's a lot to learn about politics in packs." "This isn't politics," Ivory fumed. "You're holding our son hostage!"Whimpering, Jere
Reckoning of the purple moon THE SEARCH BEGINS
POV: HardinAs we gathered in the pack grounds, the tension in the night air crackled. Nervous talk was interrupted by Darrel's voice.He declared, "We're under attack. We're not running, though. We're retaliating."Ivory stepped forward, and I saw her eyes light up. "We must split up now. While some remain to protect, others will go in search of Jeremy."There were murmurs among the people. I saw glimpses of resolve, fear, and rage."Hardin," Darrel yelled out. "You will lead one search team. Kira, you take another. Ivory and I will take Callum at his word."I nodded, mentally arranging routes already. "What about Darcy?" I enquired. Everybody looked at the little girl. She was tall, with a soft glow all about her."I'm going with you, Dad," she declared strongly.Ivory began to object, but Darrel raised a hand. "She is correct. Her abilities might give us the advantage we need."The pack split apart, and I went up to Kira. "Pay attention to her," I muttered. Kira's gaze grew gentler
