Sebastian POVSebastian's heart beat in his chest as he observed vulnerably, his mate Athena and their little girl Anna torn from his grip by Selene's dim wizardry. The heaviness of Sienna's disloyalty hung vigorously in the air, a harsh sign of the tangled web they thought of themselves as caught in.He pulled Athena close, her thin edge shuddering against his. "We'll get her covered, Athena," he mumbled, his voice bound with a savage assurance that misrepresented the disturbance seething inside. "I guarantee." Athena gestured, her blue eyes preparing with resolve. However, Sebastian could see the aggravation carved in her elements, the apprehension for their little girl's security. It was a look he knew very much well, having once been forced to bear Sienna's plans.Delicately, he squeezed a delicate kiss into Athena's brow, wanting to eradicate the pain from her eyes. "We'll make Selene pay for this, I swear it." His grasp fixed around her, a quiet commitment to safeguard his fami
Liam POVLiam's heartbeat was in his chest as he watched the monstrous Lycaon ascend from the earth, its shining eyes fixed on the pack. This was no conventional monster - the dim energy beating from it was not normal for anything he had at any point experienced.Close to him, Sebastian and Athena stood steadfast, their looks not set in stone. Liam knew that as the alpha pair, they were the key part keeping the pack intact, and he would follow them into the jaws of misery if vital.As the Lycaon lurched forward, Liam felt his wolf senses flood to the surface. He moved, his body changing into a strong dark wolf, and he charged close by his packmates, their aggregate thunders reverberating through the valley.The fight was savage and tumultuous, the Lycaon's crude strength and fierceness overpowering now and again. Liam evaded its enormous hooks, his sharp teeth sinking into the animal's tissue while an opening introduced itself.However, even as he battled, his look continued to float
Scar POVScar's muscles undulated underneath his dark fur as he charged toward the huge Lycaon, his strong jaws raging at the animal's flank. The air was thick with the aroma of fight, the hints of growls and the popping of Selene's dim wizardry filling his detects. He had come to the guide of Sebastian's pack, driven by a feeling of obligation and a longing to upset the sorceress' wound plans.In any case, as he evaded the Lycaon's enormous hooks, he couldn't resist the opportunity to feel a twinge of vulnerability. Scar had never been one for partnerships, liking to keep his Silver Moon pack to themselves, away from the legislative issues and quarrels of different packs. However, he was right here, battling close by his long-term rival, Sebastian, and his pack.An unexpected development got his attention, and he looked as Sienna, her body turned and mutilated by Selene's wizardry, sent off herself at Athena and Sebastian. Scar felt an ache of compassion toward the previous Luna - he
Athena POVAthena's heartbeat was in her chest as she watched the sparkling enclosure that held her girl Anna disappear in a blinding blaze of light. The anguished cry that tore from her throat was basic, a mother's frantic request to the universe to bring her youngster back.Close to her, Sebastian stood frozen, his emerald eyes wide with incredulity and ghastliness. Athena could see the conflict seething inside him - the not entirely settled to safeguard his pack, engaging against the anguished dad who had quite recently lost his youngster.Without a second thought, Athena flooded forward, her hooks slicing at the boundary, her wolf wails reverberating through the tumultuous valley. "Anna! Anna! " Sebastian's solid arms folded over her, pulling her back, his voice low and stressed. "Athena, stop. It's past the point of no return, she's no more."Athena spun on him, her eyes blasting with a wrath he had seldom seen. "No, Sebastian! I won't abandon her, not presently, not ever." She b
Sienna POVI paced anxiously in the faintly lit study, my brain hustling with clashing considerations and feelings. Selene's enticing proposition reverberated to me, promising me power beyond anything I could ever imagine if I deceived Athena and Sebastian.Be that as it may, the general concept of betraying them again made my stomach agitate. Yet again after all the torment and hurt I had caused previously, might I at some point truly legitimize such an overwhelming demonstration of treachery?The memory of Athena's piercing blue eyes, loaded up with a combination of dread and scorn as I conspired against her, actually spooky me. Furthermore, Sebastian... the man I had once adored, the person who had dismissed me and picked Athena as his mate. The actual idea of causing him to endure once more made my heart grip.I stopped, running a hand through my dull hair in disappointment. Selene had unquestionably picked her second well, profiting from my waiting disdain and frailties. In any c
Athena POVMy heart beat in my chest as I hustled through the thick backwoods, the shadows of Selene's curved cronies glimmering between the trees. I needed to lead them from the others, away from my loved ones. I was unable to allow them to be trapped in the crossfire. Branches whipped at my face, yet I pushed forward, my werewolf faculties elevated as I attempted to remain one stride in front of my followers. I was unable to stand to flounder, not when so a lot was in question.Suddenly, a sharp aggravation shot through my leg, and I staggered, my force floundering. I looked down to see a bolt installed in my thigh, the silver tip consuming my tissue. Gritting my teeth against the burning desolation, I constrained myself to continue to run, frantic to track down a place of refuge. Be that as it may, my followers were shutting in, their throaty growls repeating surrounding me. I was unable to keep this speed up significantly longer, and I realized it was inevitable before they made u
Sebastian POVI supported Athena's limp structure in my arms, my heart beating with crude frenzy as I looked for any evidence that something was going on under the surface. The paw blemishes on her side were profound and overflowing, the aroma of her blood thick in the air. My wolf cried in misery, requesting that I safeguard my mate no matter what."Athena, my adoration, if it's not too much trouble, hang on," I asked, squeezing a shuddering hand against the injury in a useless endeavor to stem the dying. "Try not to leave me." Sienna and Liam battled frantically to keep the animals under control, their growls and the nauseating sound of tearing tissue consuming the atmosphere. In any case, all I could zero in on was the lady in my arms, her ordinarily dynamic eyes shut, her skin spooky pale."Sebastian, we want to leave!" Liam yelled, his voice strained with the work of keeping down the invasion. "This spot won't hold significantly longer." I realized he was correct, however the pro
Liam POVThe deafening thunder of Scar's methodology sent a flood of alleviation through me, however as the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack burst through the trees, I couldn't resist the opportunity to feel a twinge of disquiet. Our set of experiences was...complicated, no doubt.Sienna and I prepared ourselves as the massive animals flooded forward, their slavering jaws snapping mere inches from our appearance. Scar crashed into them suddenly with silver fur and well-honed claws, his strong jaws cinching down on the throat of one of the monsters. Sebastian stayed next to Athena, his demeanor scratched with a franticness I'd never seen. I realized he was torn, conflicted between safeguarding his mate and safeguarding his girl, who was all the while missing. The culpability and misery in his eyes were obvious, and it tore at my heart.As I battled to keep the animals under control, my psyche hustled. Where could Anna have been? Is it true that she was protected? The possibility of Sebast
Hendrix POVI stood gravely before the large ceremonial fire, the flickering flames creating dance shadows on the old stones around me. For my family history, this hallowed place carried decades of power and memories. Tonight, I could sense the weight of that legacy heavy with respect and feeling.Raising my arms, I started the hallowed rights passed down over innumerable years. "We come here on this holy equinox to pay tribute to Athena and Sebastian, the fabled founders of our family. Along with building this wonderful family, the mates whose unwavering love and unbreakable friendship shaped the entire path of our lives.As the gathered members of my pack listened with great concentration, my words rang across the quiet forest grove. We gathered together as one on this night, mothers and fathers with babies in arms, wizened elderly with lined faces, raucous younglings hardly able to contain their excitement."Their story is one of huge hardships faced with far more fortitude, of dar
Athena & Sebastian's POV Athena's povI sighed contentedly as I savored the brilliant glow of the fall sunset streaming over the large den windows. I curled in my beloved overstuffed chair while ribbons of blazing orange and crimsons bathed the old timber beams in warm, nostalgic colors.Though my face showed the wrinkles and lines from a very busy life, I felt an ageless tranquility cover me like a gentle, reassuring blanket. Once so brilliant and strong, my piercing blue eyes now reflected a calm ocean of earned knowledge and fulfillment.A faintly familiar smell of cedarwood and spice floated around as two strong, worn-out hands gently rested on my thin shoulders with learned sensitivity. Sebastian bent down to tenderly kiss my forehead, and I reached up to grab his palm. "You look so wonderfully calm, my eternal goddess," he said softly, his voice rasping but preserving that virile tone that still made my heart flutter after all these years. Looking up at him with a gentle smil
Hendrix POVAs I looked at the young people fresh-faced before me, the crackling fires covered the ancient lair in a warm, flickering brilliance. Though soft in years, I could already see the marks of great leaders in their controlled poses and focused eyes.These dogs stood for the birth of a new age to be developed on the hard-earned ideas and visions left to us by my heroic parents, therefore reflecting the future of our combined packs. It was now my great responsibility as Athena and Sebastian's son and Jax my younger brother to educate this new generation those revered values and ancestral knowledge."You all know the significance of why we've convened here this night," I began, letting my rich baritone carry the whole weight of the occasion. "The holy ceremonies to raise you from students to sovereigns over the continuation of our civilization's enlightened precepts."A handful of the younger ones seemed uncomfortable at the gravity of my words. I wore a forced smile on my worn
Anna POVAcross the sandstone walls of the den, soft candlelight danced shadows that appeared to bring the old etchings to life. Scenes of great wars, somber ceremonies, and the otherworldly visues of the ancient ones danced in the dazzling light. I inhaled steadying, letting the holy aura envelop me as I dropped myself onto the soft fur before the ceremonial fire pit. My fingertips gently stroked the strong wood lovingly white oak blessed by Luna Amara herself, drenched in berries. Its airy, cleansing tendrils brushed my flesh like a phantom mist.Since I had formally adopted Alpha's mantle, today was the first full moon. A fresh moon cycle was breaking through a fresh era. One whereby I would guide our unified alliance into an unparalleled period of peace and illumination. No little chore for a young person two decades old. But my spiritual background and the iron will have passed on from my ancestors inundated my very cells with blessed power and conviction. Little footsteps' gen
Athena POVTen Years A flickering in the lifetime of an eternal, but eons appeared to have changed all around me. From the roots of conflict and hardship Sebastian and I had lived, so much had blossomed.The den bathroom mirror flashed back a mature beauty, residual youthful brightness now enhanced by a royal, almost imperial posture. Laugh lines framed whole lips, showing a ten-year history of great happiness. My small, toned body nevertheless turned alpha heads. Sebastian most definitely never gets bored with destroying me every night as lovesick newlyweds do.As I turned the diamond encrusted wedding band around my finger, I felt a gentle satisfaction. Now the perfect unity symbol I had created for that terrible Sienna embodied the purest spousal loyalty. The great light of our love had sterilized her deadly daggers of betrayal and evil. A high pitched shriek pulled me from dream. I grinned, adjusting my summer tunic as tiny feet pounded closer. The door opened and a tiny tornado
Sienna Mother POVMy tending tools' regular clunk against the hard-packed mud floor offered a calm cadence. Every careful cut of root vegetables and herb mixing functioned as a little ritualistic offering to drive out the demons of past misdeeds.I still felt the weight of that darkness weighing down on me, an inky, stifling miasma of sadness, wrath, and misplaced vengeance almost corrupting me beyond redemption even now. The road I had begun down in the name of exacting revenge for my daughter Sienna was one tinged with terrible crimes and sins. But I had been spared completely giving my soul to those horrible depths by the kindness and intelligence of the Nightwalkers and allied packs. My life had been given an improbable continuity, a chance atonement I knew I could never merit.Sometimes even the basic tasks of attending to the spiritual and medical needs of our new haven felt like an unjustified privilege. The mother of a deranged, homicidal monstrosity, how could I be given r
Athena POVOur caravan reached the last mountain pass as the first rays of light were barely peeping over the horizon. A collective silence descended over the worn-out procession of wolves as the jagged forms gave way to the expansive views beyond.This was it the rich valley Hendrix had sought with every deliberate step of our exhausting journey. Virgin and pure like the earth before the embrace of civilization's development, a real paradise unspoiled by human efforts. As we first viewed the panoramic sight, Sebastian's calming presence at my side helped me. From this distance, the promise of refuge emanated from the very ground itself - a rich, earthy scent that piqued my increased lupine senses. Hendrix signaled for the packs to make camp just inside the pass, clearly understanding the need to gather before setting off into our fresh starts. Though tired to the bone, the assembled thrumming masses carried a tangible pulse of relief and expectation."Well!" The austere rumbling of
Sebastian POVOur large pack was leaving the gathering grounds as the first rays of dawn just peaked on the horizon. Though my body had long since given up the vitality of youth, in those first moments an almost electric stream of energy surged through me. This was it, the start of our magnificent journey into hitherto undiscovered territory.My eyes strayed over the line of wolves walking solemnly beside me. So many well-known people, generations of bloodlines and kinships entwined under those lupine pelts. It was a humble sight that sent off a reflexive protectiveness right down in my core.Whatever paths forward, whatever dangers we were destined to face, I would make sure our people came out on the other side intact. Too much had already been given up to let this desperate endeavor fall apart before it could start."You're quite reflective this morning." As Athena dropped into step next to me, her little voice caught my attention. " EVEN for you."I sensed the rueful half-smile of
Hendrix POVI waited in the hole for the packs to react to my suggestion in great silence. The choice of whether to leave our ancestral house felt like a millstone around every lupine throat. It was against every strand of our beings to uproot our whole lives and to turn our backs on the places that had protected us for ages. Still, the hard fact of cold could not be overlooked the human world was invading far too much of our land. If we stayed, exposure and the carnage that would surely follow seemed like an increasingly certain fate. The alphas started nodding their terrible assent one by one. First was Drystan, with his sharp but firm rugged features. The grizzled warrior understood the great need of this circumstance after seeing enough cycles of violence and death. "You make a good point, Hendrix," he rumbled, his rich baritone booming across the hollow. "Much as it hurts, we have to give our packs top priority. If moving is the only way we can guarantee our ongoing safety and