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
VIVIAN'S POV "Hello, beautiful," Chris whispered in my ear. "Hello, handsome," I whispered, trying not to wake our twin boys in the bassinet before me. I turned around, wrapping my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his, and continued in a hushed voice, "Are our guests here?" He nodded. "They just made it. I think she and Killian are fighting, though. But she's as big as a house." I grinned. "He probably said something as stupid as you just said." Chris opened his mouth to argue, but I held my finger up. "Don't. Just accept that you shouldn't say a pregnant woman is huge and go on about your day." He shrugged. "You're right." I glanced at our boys before slipping past Chris and heading towards the living room, where our guests were waiting. Divinity and Killian tried to visit at least once a month when time allowed. Despite the demands of being Alpha and Luna of our packs
KILLIAN'S POV "Zeke is dead," Vivian stated. Chris stood there, covered in blood, Vivian, too. I listened as they both explained what had happened. Marcus was already on the way to the cabin to verify their story, but I was sure what they had said was true. I could already tell by Chris's new aura that what had happened was undoubtedly true. Chris had killed an Alpha and was now an Alpha. I narrowed my eyes at him, suspicious. An Alpha should never trust an Alpha who murdered another Alpha. But he had done it to save Vivian. So, I should give him a little leeway. Turning back to Vivian now, I brushed her shoulder, ignoring the blood that covered her. "Are you okay?" She nodded. "I'm okay now. Chris saved me. I was initially upset, but...it had to be done." Damn. Chris is saving the day, of course. I should have been the one to kill Zeke. Now Chris looked like a damn hero. Vivian stepped closer to Chris. Oh, no. Th
CHRIS'S POV "Have you seen Vivian?" Killian asked, running up to me. I held up my hands. "I've been waiting for her just like you have. I thought we were supposed to meet her in that backroom before the ceremony so she could tell us her choice. So obviously, no, I have not seen her." Killian looked around. "Marcus went to her room to escort her without an answer. Her bed was stripped. There could have been laundry done. But no one can locate her. I'm worried." My ears perked up. "You don't think it's highly suspicious her bed is stripped? And she's missing? Where's Zeke?" He scanned the crowd. "He's not here either." Fucking hell. Zeke had taken Vivian; I had zero doubt in my mind. It is evident that the choice was down to me, and Killian and Zeke had no chance in hell, and he must have realized that. Killian was running to Marcus, commanding him to get their soldiers in line to start hunting for Vivian.
VIVIAN'S POV Today is the day. The final day that everyone will be holding their breath around me, walking on eggshells. Afraid that I'll break. Tonight was the Blood Moon and when I'd finally decide on my mate and our future. I stared at the ceiling, holding my stomach, the butterflies refusing to settle. I just wanted to skip to tomorrow, when this was over and done with, and my future could finally start. Tomorrow would be a better day than today. I threw back the covers, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. First things first, I needed to eat. Make an appearance, act normal, be normal. The party wasn't until tonight, and I couldn't just hole myself in my room all day beforehand. I'd been doing that for days already while I healed. I wobbled over to my dresser, finding a pair of leggings and a tank top to slip into, then a pair of boots I could also slip on easily. I wasn't going for fancy right now. I'd dress fancy and nice ton
KILLIAN'S POV I stared at the bottle in my hand. I could do this. I could do it. One day, we would laugh at this. She wouldn't even be mad, right? Not after a few years of happiness and bliss together. I stared harder at the bottle, willing to answer my questions. To tell me what to do. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I hid the bottle under my pillow quickly before striding to the door and flinging it open. Divinity stood there, looking nervously at the ground. "Hello, Alpha; I came to check on you." I looked around to see if anyone was in the hall to see her at my door. "Come in, D. You don't have to call me that, ya know." She smiled at me, slipping inside. "Thanks, Killian. So, how are things going for Vivian? You think she's going to choose you?" "I don't know," I groaned, heading over to the couch and flinging myself down. She settled down at the table, where I had left uneaten food, picking at m
KILLIAN'S POV "He's back." "Who's back?" I asked Marcus. Marcus looked around, making sure no one heard him as he leaned in and whispered, "Caleb." I set down my fork. "Let's go. You didn't bring him inside, did you?" "Of course not. He's outside the walls with my men." "Good." Standing, I let him lead me, not paying attention to those we passed. Caleb had a lot of nerve showing up here. Vivian had told me about what had happened with Caleb after they'd left, and I had assumed he had either died or maybe run off with his tail between his legs. But he was showing up here for some reason. To beg for mercy? To try some underhand scheme again? Arriving at the gate, we nodded to the guards as they opened up. Marcus led me to the side, where a group of men was waiting. Right in the center, they held Caleb down on his knees. He looked like he hadn't eaten in a while, and he was filthy. He probably
VIVIAN'S POV Outside with Zeke had left me exhausted. And now I was ready for a nap. Zeke asked if he could nap with me like in old times, but I was a woman now. It felt wrong. So I declined. His annoyed expression didn't escape me. Crawling into bed, I curled up with my pillow and immediately drifted into dreamland.***** Burning. It was so warm. I looked around, and I was back. I was back to the day of the fight with Sarah. I looked down at my arms, and they were charred. Had I killed her already? This didn't seem right. Why was I standing? I saw her laughing at me; her skin was burnt, hair frayed, and barely sticking to her scalp. "Little baby Vivian is scared," she mocked. I was on the ground. Vines wrapped around my legs now. I couldn't move. When did I sit down? "I'm not scared," I argued. Sarah walked towards me. "You're scared to choose him. You're scared of what Killian might do to him." I cri
KILLIAN'S POV "Can I talk to you?" Vivian looked around me before nodding. "Sure, come on in." I stepped inside, resisting the urge to wrap my arms arounds her, holding her against me and never letting her go. But instead, I waited for her to motion for me to sit down and do the same. "So what's up, Kill?" I reached over, grabbed her hands, then stared at her and caught her eyes. "The Blood Moon is coming up. Are you any closer to a decision?" She pulled her hands from mine. "That's what this was about?' "The war is over. It's time to get things in order, and it's time to choose a mate, Vivian." Her eyes narrowed. "And getting me in line and mating with me is just on the agenda?" I reached for her again, but she just moved her hands. "No, it's not like that. I was also reminding you that the reasons you delayed before are no longer relevant. And you can focus on this—on us." "Yo
CHRIS'S POV "I think you should spend less time with Vivian and more time on getting better, Zeke," I said, narrowing my eyes at the food tray in his hands. He was, once again, bringing her breakfast in bed. Like he'd done several days in a row now. They were attached at the hip again. Just like they'd been in high school. It was getting under my skin. Zeke looked down at the food he was carrying. "Well, V doesn't quite feel up to taking her food in the mess hall, and someone has to bring her something to eat. And since you're busy doing whatever you're doing, I thought I was the best candidate." "I'm helping Killian and his pack reorganize after yours attacked them. It's a lot of work after your pack decimated their gate and set fire to a lot of their homes." Zeke flinched. "Look, that's not my fault. That's Sarah's fault. I was under a spell." "Which is why you should focus on getting better and not flaunting how well you are. You should at le