Rune.A chill washed over my body at the implication of what Rachael's words implied. I removed myself from Black’s embrace and turned fully to her. “I wonder what her mate would say if he hears of this,” Rachael snickered, flattening her palms on her blue dress. “Did you just say If? I think you mean When,” Jummy laughed. Embarrassment washed over me because I knew they would not stop until they’d both said the most horrible and vile things about me. If I were alone, I wouldn’t have felt so embarrassed, but Black was standing beside me, and with the way they approached and spoke to me, it wouldn’t take much for him to put two and two together, realizing that I was, in fact, not Luna. “It’s so disgusting,” Rachael shook her head. “What is disgusting is you both implying something that is untrue. If you want to know what’s happened here, all you need to do is ask. But making up stories because you’re bored has to be the height of it,” I folded my arms.Rachael threw back her head
Rune.I had gone to bed with a huge smile on my face that night at having done something for myself; I stood my ground and defended myself against bullies.Even though Black kept telling me to stop, I felt good knowing I had done something I've always wanted to do. I put Rachael in her place, and it felt so good.When I woke up the next morning, I heard whispers of my name outside my window, but I didn’t think of it as anything since it wasn't the first time wolves had spoken about me in the pack. It was almost normal for them to talk about me. I got out of bed and took my time preparing myself to go downstairs to meet with my friends.As I made my way downstairs, I noticed I was getting weird stares from the omegas present. They were looking at me and hiding their faces whenever I met their eyes as though they had something to hide. It gave me flashbacks from the last time where they spoke about my inability to conceive a child, how it was all everyone could talk about. I didn't think
Rune.“They’re coming,” At Marian’s words, my chest tightened.Who's coming?” I asked, my heart beating rapidly against my ribcage. “Almost everyone. Wolves are marching towards the pack house right now,” she said, and I rushed to the window to confirm if she was right. She was.An angry mob of wolves was approaching with sticks and stones as though they were coming to get a criminal. Panic set off in my chest, and my palms were clammy with sweat. Realizing that all those wolves were coming for me forced me to take a few steps back, hitting the wall.“Soph, what do we do? We need to do something before they get here and fast,” Marian cried. I had been living in the Pack house for a while, and I had seen Marian with different expressions, expressing different emotions, but I had never seen her this scared. She placed a shaky hand on her chest, eyes wide and lips agape.It was as though I was having an out-of-body experience; everything was in slow motion, and I couldn't believe what w
Rune.“This is why I told you we should have cut off her tongue that day,” Zarah yelled, “if we had, we wouldn't be in this mess.”It had been four days. Four days of complete torture and staying locked up in my room, on my bed, regretting some of my decisions, a lot of my decisions. I only had access to Soph, Marian, Kimi, and the head guard wolf, James. He’d been really helpful in keeping angry wolves away from the pack house.In those four days, wolves dedicatedly slept outside the Pack house, taking turns praying to the goddess for my demise. Soph refused the elders who tried to meet with me, telling them that no decision or anything would be made until Kane and Jett returned.The stress of not being able to go out, mixed with the knowledge that almost every wolf in the Pack wanted me dead, added to the tiredness I'd been feeling in the past few days. I felt sicker; I threw up more often, had no appetite, my entire body hurt, and I could barely sleep.A soft knock resounded on my
Kane.Immediately as the sun rose, I was summoned by the elders, just like I anticipated when I returned last night. Although I hoped they would call for the meeting sometime in the afternoon, it seemed they couldn't wait.The fake frowns and concern on their faces told me everything I needed to know about the meeting and what they would say word for word, but I cleared my throat, calling for their attention, pretending I had no idea why the meeting was called.“What is this meeting about that it couldn't wait until I’m fully rested before calling me out?” I folded my arms with a bored expression on my face.Greyson Timber stepped forward. Clearing his throat, he bowed And shook his head as though he was about to tell me the most disheartening news I'd ever heard.“Alpha, this matter is of utmost importance. While you were away, your mate was involved in what I would call a shameful scandal,” he said, and Ky growled.He claimed the matter was of utmost importance and my mate had done s
Rune.I walked into the festival grounds. It was a cold and chilly night in the woods, and all you could hear from a long range was the loud chuckle of wolf juveniles chatting over country music and the continual stench of burning rubber. Decorations, crests, and pictures of some past alpha were placed all over the festival grounds, with people wearing all sorts of colorful attire that caused me to feel a little nauseous. It was just nerves, I told myself, understanding that with a drink in my hand and a little chat, I would be able to clear off a little jitters. In the middle of the clearing was a large bonfire, constantly fueled by two wolves; one with a black shirt and an extremely dark goatee, and the other was a younger looking wolf wearing a look on his face almost as ugly as the scarf on his neck. I stood at the end of the clearing searching for something to drink or at least someone to talk to. My eyes caught Soph laughing in a group. She had her wild dark hair in a red tie, a
Rune.Fear clenched my heart as Kane’s gaze washed over me. His blank expression spun my head, and I couldn’t understand his thoughts. “You didn’t know, dear?” She asked, and I returned my gaze to her, my hands finding the base of my stomach on instinct. I had a life growing inside my stomach, and I didn’t know. It didn’t make any sense to me. “You’re a few weeks gone,” her bright grey eyes smiled at me, and I didn’t want to believe she was telling the truth. “But that’s not possible. I was told that the goddess blocked my womb,” I told her, and she threw her head back in laughter. “That’s odd, considering the goddess sent me here. She’s quite fond of you even,” a small smile sat on her lips. I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. “So you mean my womb was never blocked?” I asked, and she nodded. By now, the music had stopped, and all the wolves had stopped dancing and singing. “I am pregnant? There’s a cub inside me?” I laughed. A tear slipped down my face, and I found Kane’s
Rune.In the bustling atmosphere of the pack's medical facility, Rune, still processing the revelation of her pregnancy, sought medical confirmation from Chris, the pack's doctor. The scent of antiseptic and the low hum of conversations surrounded them as Rune navigated the unfamiliar territory, her steps echoing with a mix of determination and trepidation.Entering Chris's office, Rune greeted her nervously. Chris, accustomed to the diverse range of emotions accompanying pack members seeking medical advice, offered a reassuring smile amidst the clinical surroundings."What brings you here, Rune?" Chris inquired, her attention shifting between Rune and the papers on her desk."I need to confirm something," Rune replied, her eyes momentarily glancing around the medical facility.As Chris conducted the examination, Rune's thoughts swirled with uncertainty. The ambient sounds of medical equipment and the distant murmur of conversations created a backdrop to the profound moment unfolding.
Rune. I stilled as I watched Kane fall to his knees, covered in his blood and others, and more flashes of my dream engulfed me.But things were supposed to be different. We changed our fate, he was supposed to save me and take me back with him to our territory, so why?I looked up to the sky, and the full moon stared back at me, but the more I stared at it, the more I felt as though it was coming to me. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain all over my body, and cracks as though my bones were breaking. “Zarah! What is happening?” I yelled out, but Zarah remained silent. I didn’t know what was happening until my claws began to lengthen, and white fur emerged from my skin, coating my entire body. “We are shifting,” Zarah finally said, “and I will end this!” She added and I watched as she lunged at Black, growling dangerously at him. “Rune!” He called out, but Zarah wasted no time in biting off one of his limbs, giving him no choice but to shift. We ran around the pack in search of my fathe
Rune. Black had arrived shortly after to show me to my room, claiming I’d have more time to talk with my father at dinner because he wanted me to rest since I was pregnant.I didn’t want to leave my father, but I was grateful for the solitude the room provided because I could finally think. I replayed everything my father said to me, picking out the most. My father was innocent, and he knew where my mother and sister were kept, which meant we had to be careful if we didn’t want to be caught. When my father said Black planned to kill him and force me to stay with him, I believed him instantly, because a person who could conceal his real identity to carry out various plans was dangerous and was capable of doing plenty of damage. Before we parted, my father had told me to find a way to contact Kane because he was the only one who could save us, but I doubted I had such skill. I had never initiated a mind link with Kane when we were in the same territory, talk more of doing so while
Rune. Black had suggested we visit my father, claiming that it would help me make a better decision; the decision to go to him. I was so confused, and numb that I couldn’t even cry or scream, instead, I sat stiffly on Black’s back, laying out my thoughts and thinking about what my next course of action would be. It was then I recalled my dream. My dream had some truths to it, like how I’d seen my father with Black, and some Elders, while the entire Shadow Moon pack was wiped away. “I know you’ve missed your father, so I knew this would warm your heart,” I heard Black say, but I was not bothered by him. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew I couldn’t do anything until I heard all the sides of the story, the most important side being my father’s.Black ran for a while and stopped at the border of territory nearly thirty minutes later. My brows knitted in confusion as I recalled that the nearest pack to Shadow Moon pack was Pearl Crest, and if I was right then that meant Bla
Rune. I woke to the gentle warmth of sunlight filtering through the small window of the cabin. Blinking away sleep, I stretched and sat up, realizing I was still in Black's cabin. The events of last night came rushing back to me—the unexpected reunion with Black, the cozy cabin, the little talk we had. However, when I noticed the sun shining brightly, I realized I had slept in and Black did not bother to wake me.Frowning, I slipped out of bed and padded to the door, intending to find Black and ask him to let me leave. To my surprise, he was nowhere to be found. A sense of unease settled in my chest as I searched the cabin, finding only silence and emptiness.Resigned, I located a pen and paper on a nearby table and hastily scribbled a note:Black,I appreciate your hospitality, if you’re reading this it means I’ve gone. I’ll see you some other time.Rune.I folded the note and placed it on the kitchen counter, intending to leave immediately. But as I approached the door, I realized
Kane. The night air was thick with tension as I returned to Shadow Moon Pack after my secret mission. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale silver glow over the familiar grounds that now felt haunted by the feeling that something was wrong, but I deduced that it was my finding that made me feel that way. My mind raced with the revelations from my short trip to Pearl Crest, where I found they were the ones behind the charms and wolfsbane plaguing my territory. On my way home, I had made plans of what I would do and how to go about ending that pack and everyone in it for good, but upon entering the pack house, I found Soph, Jett, and Kimi gathered in the living room, their expressions somber and troubled. My eyes swept over them, dread pooling in my stomach. “What is going on?” I demanded, my voice low and urgent.No one spoke for a tense moment, their silence deafening. "Where is Rune?" I repeated, my voice rising with each word.Jett shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze
Rune. “Black?”The cool evening air whispered through the dense trees as I stared at Black, my senses on high alert. Scanty rays of sunlight filtered through the branches, casting shadows on the forest floor. It was unusual to find anyone out here, let alone Black. He stood before me, tall and imposing, a smile in his eyes. "What are you doing here?"His smile widened, his eyes a mixture of relief and uncertainty. "I wanted to see you, Rune. I... I wasn't sure how, but then you appeared, as though the goddess herself guided you to me.""In Shadow Moon territory?" I raised an eyebrow, eyeing him warily.He nodded solemnly. "Yes. I had to see you."“What are you doing here though?” he asked, his eyes traveling up and down my body. I shifted uncomfortably in my tank top and black shorts. I ran out of the pack house without thinking and ended up leaving in such little clothing."I... I came out for some air," I stammered, feeling foolish.His gaze lingered on me, his expression unreada
Rune. A sigh escaped my lips when I no longer felt Kane’s presence in the pack; a dreadful feeling of emptiness settled in immediately, as though it was waiting for his departure. However, I had to wipe the sadness from my face when I headed downstairs nearly two hours later, taking note of the omega’s cleaning the pack house instead. Kane was away on a mission and I had a mission of my own; to track down the wolf sending those notes to me, and to make sure no one could tell Kane was gone.“Good morning,” An Omega greeted, making her way up the stairs.“Are you going up to clean my room?” I asked her, and she turned, long black hair swaying behind her before she nodded.“Don’t bother. Alpha is still sleeping,” I told her, pulling off the best nonchalant attitude I could muster so she wouldn’t suspect me, and thankfully she didn’t.Everything was going well, and no one came to ask if they could clean the room again, but it seemed our luck ran out when a group of elders came to seek K
Kane. “I hate to say it but her dreams bother me,” I said with a deep breath, “Especially when it shouldn’t,” I added, running my fingers through my hair.“Does it bother you because you think it could happen or because she’s the one who had those dreams?” Jett asked with a raised brow, and I frowned at him. We were lodged in his house, an hour after I had put my mate to bed. He had opted to drink, but I was more worried about the pack and Rune’s dream to indulge him, and now he was just trying to get on my nerves.“Are you crazy?” “Not quite,” he replied with a little laugh and I shook my head before I turned serious.“On a more serious note, I think I’ll have to visit the Fay soon, to hear more about this dream my mate had. I think we’re missing something very important here,” A sigh escaped my lips at the same time Jett nodded, taking a sip out of his alcohol right after.“If you’re making plans to see her, then that means you accept her? I thought you’d turn to your precious pri
Rune. “Talk to me,” Kane inched closer, staring intently at me. “I don’t know how accurate I am, or if this will mean anything to you, but I had a bad dream that the pack was set on fire, and a lot of wolves died.”My words were met with silence and Kane’s head hung low.“Did you hear me?” I tilted my head to search his face. “Fire you say?”I nodded. “I’m sure Soph has told you about the charms we found in the pack?” I nodded, patiently waiting for him to explain to me the relationship between the two things. “I’m forced to believe there’s a new pack targeting us, and they work closely with witches.”The seriousness of his words settled in and I found myself sitting up straight, my hands in his.“But what do you believe?”“I believe Pearlcrest is behind it. I mean it makes no sense that it’s a new pack because all the leads are somehow connected to Pearlcrest but yet, I’m being told something entirely different.”“Soph told me they are the ones with sightings of more charms?”H