ELIJAHJoshua’s eyes turn wide, his jaw dropping slack for a moment. Then, a grin splits his face wide. “Really?” he bonds, his voice filled with disbelief and delight. "You're not pulling my leg here, are you?” he asks. “No, I’m serious, I admit, a touch of desperation creeping into my voice. "I know it's a crazy time to even think about this, but Verena… She's important to me. And right now, she needs me. Her pack, everything she holds dear… it's all in danger." I explain everything Cyrus had said, the weight of his threats pressing down on me. As I explain, Joshua’s frown deepens, his face etching with a mixture of concern and anger. “That tyrannical pig!” Joshua roars, slamming his fist on the desk with a force that makes the papers jump. "Now they're going to dictate who you can love as well?"“I won’t let them control me. That’s why I need your help.” I say and he looks at me. I sigh, “Facing Rowan head-on is a suicide mission. I need the pack's help. I’d need the entire
ELIJAH “Rowan will find other ways to separate us, but once I get married to Rena, we can plan how to break the pact together. For now, this is the best way to prevent Rowan from attacking her.” I say. It isn’t the ideal plan, but it's the only way I can protect them without breaking any contact with her. Though, I’d be the happiest if Rena becomes my wife again and Ezra stays with us. I’ll have my family back with me“That’s a great idea!” Irene squeals. “Oh my Goddess! I can’t wait for you two to get married again.Just propose to her already!” I frown. “I can’t do that on text. It will sound so…” “Unromantic?” Josh asks. “Yeah.” “Then go to her pack right now and propose to her. Don’t waste time,” Irene says and grabs my hand. “Hey! I don’t have a ring yet,” I say as she pushes me towards the door. “Argh! You are such a disappointment. Then we need to go shopping tomorrow and buy a ring for her. No, wait. Let's go right now!” She yells and pushes me out of the office door. “
VERENAA dark shape materializes in the doorway, momentarily blocking the moonlit path that stretches across my bed. My heart skips a beat as I recognize Elijah’s silhouette. As he steps closer, the moonlight baths his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the worry etching in the lines around his eyes. Despite the tension that clings to him, a warmth spreads through me at the sight of him. “You’re here,” I say, feeling excited. I missed him so much. I instinctively push myself off the bed, but a strange sensation washes over me. My limbs feel heavy, an invisible weight pinning me to the mattress. Panic claws at my throat as I struggle to move. Why can’t I move? “Hush, calm down,” he whispers, his husky voice soothing my tense nerves. He takes the chair beside the bed and looks at me, his eyes glinting with sadness. Why is he sad? His eyes slide to my leg and he watches it for a few minutes before he utters. “I’m so sorry.” I frown. “Sorry for what?” I ask, wanting t
VERENAHis gaze follows mine to the bandage, a flicker of worry crosses his features. "The doctors said your muscle tissues and tendons were damaged," he explains, his voice soft but firm. "The wolf's bite punctured pretty deeply. They stitched the wound closed, and it's healing, but it'll take time." I purse my lips before I ask. “How many hours has it been?” “An entire day.” He says and the news hits me like a physical blow. “A whole day. I was out for that long?" Dad drags the chair kept beside the bed to the front and sits on it. “The doctors found some substance inside your body that slowed down your healing. You shouldn’t have been feeling this much pain and it should have healed. But it isn't, because of that substance.” His jaw clenches, a flicker of worry igniting in his eyes. I remember seeing Nixie before I passed out. I can bet that it was her who had injected some kind of herb or concoction in me to slow down my healing. But why was she there? What relation did she
VERENAI clearly remember how strong those wolves were. They can’t be of any normal Shadow Den gang. They can’t be ordinary wolves. If Serena hadn’t used her powers at the last moment, we would have been dead meat. I look at my arms. Those powers that came out of me…it wasn’t in my control. I wish I could control those powers. I would need to train Serena to learn using those powers whenever we need. “What happened to the girls, dad? Are they safe?” I ask and there’s a knock at the door. The door opens and Kyla walks in. Her arm is encased in a bright pink cast. A cheerful smile stretches across her face as she sees me. Relief floods me on seeing her. She looks fine. Except the arm-injury though. The wolf must have attacked her hand. “Luna,” she bows and I shake my head. “No need for these formalities. Is your arm healing well, Kyla?” I ask and look at her arm. “Yes, Luna. I’m sure I won’t need this cast by tonight,” she replies with a bright smile. Thank the Goddess. Her eyes
VERENAMazie bites her nail, her eyes lost in thought. “Um, one of my friends in the orphanage was sold to the royal family as a maid by our… w-warden.” Her face turns bitter on mentioning her. “This man came to the orphanage to take her to the castle. I was there and trying to help my friend fight the man. She didn’t want to be sold. But he dragged her from there and I was very angry at that man. That’s why I can’t forget his face.” I frown. A servant from the royal family? So is the man who was part of the gang associated with the royal family? It does not make sense. I turn to Mazie. “Thank you for letting me know.” Mazie nods and then after talking to her for a few minutes, she leaves the ward. I look at dad. “Ezra?” “Ezra doesn't know anything about the attack or that you are in the hospital. Just like every other time, Maria told him that you have an important meeting and that you are on a mission to save the word,” he replies and chuckles. I smile, feeling relieved. Being
VERENAThis isn't "nothing." This is worse than I let on, worse than I dared to admit even to myself. A whimper escapes my lips before I can clamp it down. Shame burns hot on my cheeks.Carlisle’s face swims into focus as he walks closer to me. “Don’t push yourself too far, Verena,” he whispers and I look up to see concern in his eyes. He extends his hand to touch me but then gets still and retracts it. “I won’t.” I say and nod curtly.—-------------I don’t know how many hours have passed while I stay in the hospital bed. The hospital allows me to use my phone. I scroll through my messages and call records countless times, checking if there was anything from him. There’s nothing. I feel a tightness in my heart. There’s only a message from Elijah that is new. ‘Increase your pack security as well as the security around your house.’ That’s all. He must have sent it because of the threat of Ashwalkers. But something in my gut tells me that isn’t it. There’s more to his message. I t
VERENAMy eyes go wide in shock. “What. R-really?” I ask, looking down at my belly. She nods, her smile turning into a full grin. “However, it's still very early. My tests never go wrong and I can confirm that you are pregnant. But we’d still need to do tests. Why don't we schedule another appointment for a follow-up ultrasound in a couple of weeks?" I am not able to utter a word, my mind completely occupied with what she just said. I am…pregnant? I remember Elijah and me not using protection while having sex that night. Since I am a werewolf now and his mate, the process of me getting pregnant must be faster than normal. Happiness floods me. I’ll have another child. Elijah and my child. But hope is quickly doused by a wave of fear. My pack is in danger, Elijah hasn’t responded to my calls and I just went through an attack. Everything is uncertain. How will I bring a child into this chaos? Because of me, Ezra has already gone through a lot. Am I ready for such a responsibility?
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.