VERENAAn hour passes by, making the anticipation rise in my chest while I work. He must be busy with his pack work.Ding!My heart leaps into my chest as I hear my phone vibrate, and I quickly snatch it from the desk, checking his message.‘You told him?’‘No. He knew and asked me about it,’ I reply.There’s no response from him. He’s definitely processing what I just said. I wait for a few minutes, and his reply arrives.‘What did he say? Does he hate me?’ I can feel the fear radiating off his message.‘No. But he wants to know why you didn’t tell him. I explained to him. He wants to meet you.’Ding!‘I want to see him too. I will come to the pack this weekend and talk to him.’‘That will be good.’‘I hope he will forgive me,’ his message reads, and I sigh.‘He doesn't hate you. He wants us to be together.’Silence.Ding!‘I want that too. Looking forward to it.’I smile at his message. I am eager to meet him again.The light from the desktop screen casts long shadows across my desk
VERENAMy anger evaporates and is replaced by a wave of concern.The words I have rehearsed to confront him die on my lips. “What happened to you?” I ask, worry lacing my voice.Carlisle’s head jerks up slowly, his gaze landing on me with a delayed reaction. “Hi to you too,” he mutters, his voice hoarse. A weak smile plays on his lips. The smile doesn't reach his eyes.I approach Carlisle, my steps quieter than usual. The plaster cast on his head seems to mock his usual composure. Did he fight with someone?“How did this happen?” I ask, my voice softer than intended.He blows out a breath that ruffles the hair at his temple. “Can I get a drink?” he rasps, his voice rough.Part of me wants to press him for answers, but the exhaustion etched on his face silences my protests. I nod and pad to the bar. I grab a bottle of scotch and pour him a glass, the ice clinking softly against the rim.He takes a long gulp, his hand wrapping loosely around the cool glass. Then, with a loud sigh, he le
VERENAThe memory of the jagged scar running down Elijah’s eye flashes through my mind. I remember him telling how hard it is to battle them, of the pain he has to go through. If even powerful Alphas like Elijah and Carlisle struggle, then what hope do I have?A wave of icy terror washes over me, constricting my chest and making it hard to breathe. My palms feel sweaty despite the air conditioner running perfectly fine inside the living room.Carlisle meets my gaze, his eyes filled with an emotion I can’t understand. The hardness that has settled a moment ago melts away, replaced by a flicker of concern. “I saw your messages,” he says, his voice calmer than before. “How’s Ezra?”I purse my lips. He doesn't know—not about the full extent of what Ezra had faced. I only messaged him about transferring Ezra to the hospital and about the blood transfusion. “He’s…better,” I manage, the word catching my throat.Carlisle’s chest visibly relaxes, a sigh escaping his lips. "That's good news," h
VERENA“If we wait for them to attack us, then our packs will die, Dad,” I reply with a stern voice. “They are strong, but not invincible. If we all battle them together, I’m sure we will win. I will call all the neighboring packs we are in alliance with currently and set a meeting.”Dad’s frown deepens, a furrow etching itself between his brows. “Rena, I admire your spirit,” he says, his voice laced with concern. “But uniting the Alphas won’t be easy. Most haven't faced a threat like the Ashwalkers, and they might scoff at your warnings."A wave of frustration washes over me, but I quickly push it down. Defeat isn’t an option. “Then we’ll make them believe,” I declare, my voice firm. "We'll gather evidence, share what happened to Ruth, and convince them of the danger they face."Carlisle’s voice cuts through the tense atmosphere. “I’m in,” he declares, his gaze meeting mine. "If the other Alphas hear what the Ashwalkers did to my pack, they won't be able to ignore the threat." His wo
VERENA“Who are you talking about, Verena?” he presses, his voice low and dangerous. “It's him, isn't it? Elijah.” He hisses. “So you two are a team now?”I hold his gaze. "We're on good terms now," I declare, my voice firm and strong. “Also, he’s Ezra's father. He donated his blood to save him and helped us a lot. He loves Ezra and deserves to be involved in his matters as much as I do.”He scoffs and looks away. “So you choose him after all,” he says, his voice filled with disdain.“We have talked about this, Carlisle. And I haven’t forgotten about the way you behaved with me that night,” I say and cross my arms.Something flickers in his eyes before he says, “I’m sorry about that night. I wasn’t in my right mind.”My brows lift at him in shock. Well, I certainly did not expect him to apologize so quickly.“It—You know my feelings for you,” he confesses, his gaze filling with a vulnerability I haven’t seen before.A lump forms in my throat. “I have always tried to tell you not to ex
VERENAMy heart tightens at the pain in his words, and I see him take a step back. His eyes glisten, but he hides it by looking away, placing one hand in his pocket that I am sure is clenched into a fist. “I know that I can’t have you,” he whispers.Seeing him like this makes my heart sink. Guilt washes over me. I know it is not my fault as I can’t control anyone’s feelings, nor can I force them. But he has been such a good friend to me. A strong support who has been there for me when Elijah wasn’t. If he hadn’t let me in his pack, I don’t know where I would have gone. I would have been a rogue.He clenches his jaw, and he looks at me, his eyes glistening under the light of the room. “It's not your fault. But it fucking hurts…” he laughs, the laugh having no humor to it. It's a mask that he uses to hide the pain he’s feeling. “Maybe I’m destined to be mateless for my entire life,” he says and smiles.“No, that isn’t true. I’m sure there is someone out there for you too,” I say to conso
VERENA“You sure you felt the right kind of bond and aren’t just some horny bitch who’s attracted to any hot Alpha male?” She accuses me. I narrow my eyes. “Hey! I am not that kind of a person.” I spat. “Chill, woman. I am not questioning your character. I am just asking. Carlisle is hot as fuck. Maybe not as hot as Elijah. But that’s because he’s my mate, so I find him to be the hottest.”“What’s your point?” I ask, getting irritated by her stupid rant. “My point is that I won’t blame you if you found him attractive and mistook it for the mate bond. You have been a naughty girl. Hehe.” I roll my eyes. “You don’t get to say that. You are the horniest wolf I have come across.” “I am your first wolf. You don’t have any reference, idiot.” She says, sassiness dripping from her tone. “And wolves are meant to be horny. We are meant to eat, sleep, poop and reproduce. We don’t do complicated stuff like you guys.” “Yeah, but the mate bond you guys have makes things complicated. And no, I
VERENAMy face turns cold, my heart hammering against my ribs. “What?! Who attacked it?” “Seems like some kind of a Shadow Den Gang,” Kyla’s voice crackles with urgency through the mind-link. “These guys are ruthless—according to the information I have, they specialize in kidnapping omegas and selling them on the black market.” Panic claws at my throat, like icy fingers that squeeze the air out from my lungs. “Where are you?” I ask. The silence that stretches on feels like an eternity. Then, Kyla’s faint and breathless voice fills the link. “I’m inside the cottage,” she gasps, “I’m hiding some of the girls I could get in the basement. They haven’t—Ah!” Kyla’s voice trails off, a choked sob escaping her lips. A jolt runs through my spine. No. I hope she’s safe. My blood runs cold. “Kyla! Are you there?!” I ask, feeling my heart race frantically. Her voice reaches my head. “Luna, I can’t hold them back for long. There are too many of them and they are extremely strong. I’m trying
VERENAI shift back and just stare at her in silence, watching her fumble with her words. Her lips are quivering and she’s sweating profusely, her midnight blue hair sticking to her forehead. She literally copied my hair color and my hairstyle. When she realizes the coldness in my gaze, she stops and starts yelling.”You can’t kill me! Dad will end you. I did what I did and I will do it again with you!” her eyes go round as she looks up at me with a psychotic look. She starts laughing and I know that there’s no humor or happiness to the laugh. “You deserve it all! You are fucking bitch who was born in a wealthy family and was accepted. You have no idea what it feels like to be unwanted. So…so I did all of this. You needed to feel what I felt too. And I succeeded!” she throws her head back and laughs even harder. “I succeeded in ruining your life! After this battle, you’ll have nothing left for you. Everything will be taken from you. Your Elijah, your kids, your pack…everything! So go
VERENAA warm sensation takes over my body and I feel a tingling sensation in my spine. The celestial light builds within me and I aim it at the Ashwalker wolves. They take a step back as if they can sense that power within me. Serena opens her mouth and light erupts from it. It's directed at them and the moment it hits the ground, a huge explosion takes place. I hear lots of howls and the light blinds everyone in the field. When it fades, a huge crater is formed on the ground and there’s no sign of the Ashwalker wolves and the cloaked men who stood with them. The impact was so huge that it got everyone’s attention. Nixie stares at it with wide eyes. “What the fuck,” she says as she measures the depth of the crater I created. “Damn! That’s so badass!” Dory exclaims and I smirk. We approach Joshua and Irene who also are staring at the huge crater. They turn towards us and Dory steps forward, shifts back and kneels down. Joshua looks at me and I see concern in his eyes. “Rena…Irene
VERENAI run towards the main battlefield and Nixie’s petite figure comes into sight. She’s standing against my men, guarded by the Ashwalker wolves and a few of Umbra’s cult men. I watch in horror as Nixie, her eyes filled with a malicious glint, hurls a gas bomb towards Irene and Joshua. The bomb explodes, sending a toxic cloud billowing into the air. Irene and Joshua cough, their faces contorted in pain. Joshua, with his enhanced senses, manages to shield himself from the gas, but Irene, still recovering from her previous injuries, is more vulnerable. I can see her coughing violently, blood staining her lips.“Irene,” Joshua goes to her and holds her while she drops to the ground, the coughing not stopping.Nixie grins as she looks at them. “You used to call me Dumpster Barbie, right? Now what, huh? Can’t speak?” she taunts and then pauses. “Oh wait! I totally forgot to say this. This gas has a special role, you know? It can take away the vocals of the person it affects. Permanen
VERENAI grit my teeth and clench my fist in anger after I shift back. Dad shifts back to his human form too and glares at me, standing protectively before mom. “Dad? Are you seriously going to protect her? You know who she's working for,” I ask him, my eyes pleading for him to see the truth in this situation. She’s not our ally. His face contorts in anger as he hears my words and he growls at me. “I trust her. There must have been some misunderstanding.” His eyes flash and I realize that he’s not in himself. It's the mate bond that’s making him say this. My dad isn’t as strong as I am when it comes to staying away from our mates. His love for mom will destroy him. “Oh yes it is, Ray. He’s making me do these things,” Mom says and makes this sad face. I wonder who’s better at acting innocent—Nixie or her? Oh wait, I forgot that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She proves she’s her mother. I look at Charlotte and mind-link her. “You are being a total bitch! You used my fat
VERENABut my words fall on deaf ears. He lunges at me, his claws outstretched. I dodge his attack, barely escaping his grasp. I'm filled with a mix of fear and anger. How can he hurt me? How can he turn against me after all this?I draw upon my celestial power, a surge of light coursing through my veins. My eyes glow a brilliant white, and my form shifts, becoming more powerful. I face him, my stance defiant."Elijah, stop!" I shout, my voice filled with authority. But he won't listen. He's lost in the darkness, a creature of pure instinct.We circle each other, our eyes locked in a battle of wills. The air crackles with tension as we prepare to strike. The battle between the Luna Guardian and the Shadow Alpha has begun. A battle that has occurred through different generations and timelines. I don’t want this. But do I have a choice? And what will we do if we both die? I look into his eyes, and see no sign of him. Is he gone? Did Umbra take him from me? I steel myself for what I
VERENAMaria walks towards me. “What happened?” She asks with a frown on her face. “It's mom. She’s here.” I say and Maria’s eyes turn wide. “Charlotte is here? Oh my Goddess!” She rests her hand on her chest and looks worried. I can sense the conflict arising within her. Mom was Maria’s best friend. I’m sure she still cares about her. I look at Irene. “We need to go out there. I’m sure the others will need us.” Irene steps forward. “Of course. I’d be so glad to go out there and kick some—” she halts and looks at the kids. Ezra gives her a sly smile. “Aunt Irene is saying some adult words again.” He makes a tsk sound with his mouth and shakes his head as if disappointed. He does this whenever Irene has a slip of tongue. “Shut up. I didn’t say anything. I only said that I will kick them.” She argues and I roll my eyes. She’s seriously fighting with a kid. “Rena, someone should stay with the kids to protect them,” Maria tells me as she holds my arm. She looks at Elijah who growls
VERENA"You're back," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "You're really back."Ezra smiles, his eyes filled with warmth. "I'm here, Mommy," he says. "I'm not going anywhere."In that moment, all the pain, the fear, the uncertainty - it all seems to fade away. We've won. We've defeated the darkness.Irene quickly turns around and her eyes go wide as she sees us. “Oh Goddess! It worked! Fu—Sorry. I mean hell yeah!” she shouts, raising her fists in the air. She looks no less than a lunatic but that’s how she is.I turn to Venus who just stares at her with her big green eyes, her little hand clutching Ezra’s shirt as she sits on his lap. I kneel on the floor and take her other hand, then kiss it. “Thank you, thank you. You’re our savior.” I whisper to her and cup her little face. She makes a sound with her mouth, having no idea what I’m talking about. I look at Elijah. His head is tilted up towards the ceiling, pushing back his tears of joy and relief. He’s trying to act strong but I k
VERENAI feel a strong vibration at the pit of my stomach. It makes my guts muscles clench uncomfortably but then a warm sensation travels up my spine. Venus stops crying and I open my eyes to see a vibrant light form in the middle of the air. It casts its bright light on the room and reduces Ezra’s dark aura, allowing him to take a breath and relax a little. Venus looks calm too and is staring at her brother with her big eyes. I look at Elijah and he nods. Ezra lifts his head and his face looks better, a lot less pale as he stares at us. But he’s still in his dark aura. Maybe the energy that we created helped to slow down the process. He looks at Venus but does not say anything. I move towards the bed and Venus raises her arm like she did in the kids room when she saw me. She smiles at her brother, her green eyes lighting up. “Veenie…” Ezra whispers. I carefully place Venus on the bed and hold her back. In case Ezra does something, I’ll pull her back. Elijah stands beside me and
VERENAVenus squirms as she sees him and it hurts him but he does not show it on his face. “Are they still out there?” Maria asks me and I shake my head. “No. But we need to be careful. Elijah and I’ll handle everything. Let's go.” I tell them and we carefully walk out of the kids room. Elijah walks ahead, his senses alert for any incoming dangers. I look around too but Venus gets uncomfortable when I’m too tense so I’m trying to stay calm. I look at her and recall the vision I had. I couldn’t see her face but I felt the same way I am feeling right now. The feeling that you have when you are close to your daughter. Venus looks up at me with her big eyes and I give her a smile. “Don’t worry, angel. We’ll be fine,” I give her a kiss on the forehead and she giggles. We reach the bedroom and Elijah opens the door. The moment the double doors swing open, a strong wave of dark aura crashes on me, forcing me to take a step back. Venus squirms again and looks away, as if she’s afraid.