VIVIAN'S POV "What do you mean?" I asked. "Honey, sit down," my mother said, sitting on the bed and patting the space beside her. I stared at her, not able to move. I shook my head, stumbling backward. "Just tell me. I don't need to sit." She sighed. "It would be much easier if you weren't looking at me like I slapped you. Come on now. Your father will be home soon and freak out if he knows I'm telling you any of this. It's best to discuss this now when he's not around." I eyed the space next to her and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, a distance away from her. I felt she was about to tell me I wouldn't like it. Like she'd been hiding something from me. "I'm listening." She looked down at her hands, hesitating. "I'm not sure where to start. But as you know, I used to be a rogue but before that, I was part of another pack. Did I ever tell you which pack?" I shook my head. She'd never told me anything about her time before she'
CHAPTER 29VIVIAN'S POV I was in a deep slumber when I felt a dip in the bed and someone shaking my leg. "Wake up, Vivian." I was instantly up, grabbing the sheet and staring at Chris, who sat on the edge of my bed, his eyes crazed. "What are you doing here?" Ignoring my question, he asked, "What are you and Zeke planning?" "What?" "I heard Zeke was asking about supplies and grabbing things like he was preparing for travel. Word travels fast. You're lucky that I shut it down and said that you two were planning to go camping in the woods to bond and reunite over your mate crap." I narrowed my eyes. "How do you figure I'm involved with anything involving Zeke at all?" He rolled his eyes. "Where there's Z, there's V. I'm not stupid. Now tell me what you two are up to before I go to Alpha Zade and tell him his son is planning something." I pulled the sheets to my chest. "You were right. We're going camping to bond." “Yeah, right. What he was packing for
VIVIAN'S POV I woke up with warm arms wrapped around me. I smiled, loving that Chris was still holding me next to him. I was where I belonged. I snuggled deeper into his arms, causing him to stir and pull his arms away. "Vivid?" His saying my nickname gave me chills. "Good morning." He sat up, pulling away from me entirely and clearing his throat. "About last night..." Oh no. Oh no, no, no. "Yes?" "It can't happen again." I sat up, grabbing his arm. "What are you talking about? It's already been done. You've got to tell Samantha now. You can't possibly go back to normal with her and ignore what happened." "I'll tell Sam what happened at the right time, and we can ignore what happened." He pulled his arm from my grasp, standing. I looked at him desperately. "I don't think you should come with Zeke and me." "I'm still coming. Someone has to be there to make sure you're not getting in over your head." I crossed my arms. There was no point arguing w
CHRIS'S POV Zeke immediately became an Alpha-hole on this trip. Not only did he act like he knew everything, which he did not, but he also acted like Vivid's plan was pure gold, which it was not. These two had no idea what they were getting all of us into. They're lucky I had chosen to come along. Blackmoon was unpredictable. We'd attempted to make alliances with their pack before but failed. We had a mutual understanding that we should leave one another alone. And now, these two were barging into their territory. Alpha Zade would not be happy with this at all. I should drag them both back kicking and screaming but with the both of them, it would make it more difficult. If it was just Vivid, I'm sure I could manage. Zeke complicated things. Damn him for encouraging her. They walked ahead, whispering to each other, occasionally looking back at me. Let them talk about me. I didn't care. They'd always been like that. Thick as thieves. I just hated how Zeke treated Viv
VIVIAN'S POV I was in a literal jail cell, with bars and everything. They weren't kidding when they said they were going to place us under arrest. I didn't expect to be taken to a fancy room or anything but a jail cell. With a toilet? At least it was clean, I guess. They had separated us all, so I just sat on the cot in the corner, wondering if Chris had been right and if this had been a colossal mistake. What if this didn't give me any answers to how to help Chris? Blackmoon had magic, though. Which is something I'd never experienced and only thought was a fairy tale. I didn't know it truly existed. As a shifter, I'd be more open-minded, but we've never strayed outside our pack, and the outside world is unknown. And Greywood does not possess anyone who knows magic. How does Blackmoon? Can I find out the source? What can I learn while I'm here? Would asking questions put me in danger? My train of thought was interrupted by a harsh voice. "Girl, stand." I scramb
CHRIS'S POV Big Stick, aka Marcus, wasted no time in grabbing me to bring me back to my cell once Vivid agreed to be his Luna, sealing their deal with a kiss that felt worse than the blow he landed in my gut. I struggled against Marcus's hold, screaming for Vivid, who looked back, regret etched on her face. Killian jerked her forward, almost causing her to stumble. Then they were rounding the corner, and she was gone. Marcus laughed, pulling me back down the hall, his grip on my neck tightening. "Stand down. Even if you did get to her, Alpha Killian would tear you to shreds." I growled, Rock begging to be released. But they had something in the air here, stopping him. There would be no shifting. Fine. Bring me back to my cell. I was next to Zeke. I didn't get along with him, but after I told him, maybe he’d stop giving me the cold shoulder, and we could plan to save Vivid together. Coming to my cell, Marcus unlocked the door and shoved me inside. "I'll bring your dinne
VIVIAN'S POV "Are you taking me back to my room?" Killian didn't say a word, gripping my arm tighter as he led me away from Chris. He didn't seem pleased. I'd said what I thought he wanted to hear—I'd called this place my home. I hadn't sounded excited, of course not. He couldn't expect that much from me. Maybe that was his problem. "What did I do wrong?" He stopped, jerking me towards him. "I don't think it's best to see that mutt. Supervised or not." "What? Why? I didn't do anything wrong." He paused, his eyes darting between mine before crushing his lips to mine. I gasped in shock, and he used my gasp as a way to gain access to my mouth and deepen the kiss. I bit his tongue and shoved him away. And I bit hard, the taste of blood filling my mouth. He stumbled backward, grabbing his mouth while laughing. I saw the blood trickling down his chin and cringed. I just messed up. I'd made a little progress and then jus
VIVIAN'S POV "You're not going to tell me something like that and leave it at that. I'm tired of it. You want me to be your Luna, and you're dangling knowledge over my head like I'm an idiot. You either start telling me something, or I'm gone," I snapped. I was done with his games. I kept the look on my face stern, hoping Killian could see how serious I was. My thoughts went straight to Chris, but I hoped he wouldn't call my bluff. If he did, I'd fold. I couldn't risk Chris. But I needed answers. I couldn't be in the dark anymore. "Fine. Sit down. And I'll give you something." I continued glaring at him as I sat, keeping my eyes on him. I couldn't break and let him know how nervous I really was. Keep in check, Vi. "Go on." Killian sat, leaning forward on his fist, staring me down. "Blackmoon is dying; I wasn't lying about that." "How? Why?" "I'm not going into the nitty gritty, but you've realized we'r