CIARA’S POVIf anyone knew where I could find Dylan, it would be George. New packs usually kept in contact with their old healers. I made my way to George’s for what felt like the millionth time since I got back.I had been trying to convince him to talk to the witches on Carter’s behalf but he insisted that he did and they would not listen. A part of me didn’t believe him. It was no secret that he didn’t like Carter. In my head I could picture him dancing over Carter’s withering frame. I walked up to the door and knocked. “Come in.” I heard from inside. I walked in, George was sitting on one of those old people chairs that had a recline and everything. He had a book in his hand that he seemed really into.“Hello Ciara. How are you today?” He asked.“I’m good George, what are you reading?” “Just a book on herbology. I’ve been meaning to get to it.” He explained. “Anything in there that can help Carter?” I asked.He gave me a look that said he was tired of that question. I put up b
CIARA’S POVThe directions Dylan gave me were not directions. Anyone who followed them would get lost. Which is exactly what I was at that moment, lost.I was in the middle of the woods, there was no one around here. There were no houses, where were the wolves living? I heard rustling in the bushes and out came Dylan. He was shirtless with a big smile on his face. He approached me with his arms spread wide, “Ciara, good to see you.” He enveloped me in a hug. “Nice to see you too.” I said, feeling very awkward. “Why are we in the middle of nowhere?” I asked him.“This is where we live.” I looked around us, there was no one else here. “We?” I asked.“Yes, we. Come on, I’ll show you.” I followed him further into the woods until we got to a clearing. There was a fire pit in the middle and logs around it. It looked very much like a camp. “Guys, she’s here.” Someone shouted from above.I looked up in the trees and it all made sense, there were makeshift tree houses. They didn’t look
CIARA’S POVDylan was looking at me funny. He had heard me, he just didn’t know what to make of it. “Why would I do that, Ciara?” He asked.“So you can turn the mystic moon into this, only difference would be indoor plumbing.” I told him. I tried to lighten the conversation with a smile but he was gone. “I can’t do anything for the mystic moon. That’s Carter’s pack, not mine.” “What if it were yours?” I asked him. He turned to face me now. It looked like he was done with the innuendos. “What are you saying Ciara?” he asked me.“I’m saying that the mystic moon needs an Alpha.”“It has one. Carter. Your boyfriend, I might add.” He said.“Don’t remind me, please. Anyway, Carter is not really at a hundred percent right now. You can challenge him and become Alpha. Like you were always meant to do.” I explained to him.I watched a multitude of emotions flicker across his face. Confusion, excitement, doubt, uncertainty.“I don’t need to challenge him. I have a pack of my own.” He said.
CARTER’S POVI looked at my reflection in the full length mirror. I looked like I was hexed. Considering I had no idea what Luciano stabbed me with, I guess I could be hexed. Hexes were the worst, it was also George’s best guess. If he was right then there was no way out of this for me. I would walk a slow pain filled journey to my death. Curse Nadia. What did I ever do to her for her to do this to me? Not only did she tell other witches not to help me, if this was really a hex then it would not matter who wanted to help. Only the witch who places the hex can remove it. I had been in so much pain lately, I actually tried calling her. All my calls went straight to voicemail.In hindsight, leaving threats on her voicemail may not have been the best approach. I did leave an apology, but she still has not called back. I would find a way, I was not going to go down like this. “Max!” I called out. He ran in seconds later. “Any idea where Ciara has been since yesterday?” I asked him.
CIARA’S POVI knew Carter was weak but I at least expected a fight. Watching him writhing on the floor with drool running out of his mouth was just embarrassing.He could not even get through his change let alone fight. Everyone who gathered to watch didn’t seem to understand what was happening. “Is that part of it? “What the fuck is happening?”“Can he stand?” I heard these questions randomly from the crowd. This was beyond bad for Carter. If he couldn’t even turn, how did he plan to survive? It actually explained why he was absent during the full moon. Dylan walked up to Carter’s shivering body and placed one leg on top of him, signaling that the fight was done. If we could call it a fight. Dylan standing with Carter beneath his feet was the signal everyone needed to stop feeling sorry for Carter. The screams of joy were deafening. It was like years of pent up frustration could finally be let out. I ran inside Carter’s house to grab blankets. When I got back outside, old man M
CIARA’S POVHow would I explain to Dylan that I wasn’t welcome at the Ice claw pack? The last thing I wanted was him associating me with Carter’s tyranny. It was bad enough that everyone knew we were together. We were together. The thought took me by surprise. I knew we were done but I had not said it out loud. He was sick and dying. The last thing I wanted was to become his nurse and in extension, the punching bag for all his pain. I would make up an excuse to not go. He had his beta. From what he said, it would be no more than two days. Just a formality. There was actually no need for me to be there. The environment around the pack had been light and welcoming. Everyone who left with Dylan during the plague was back. Families were happy and no one even spoke of Carter. It was almost like he didn’t exist. But he did.I walked by his house for what seemed like the hundredth time in as many days. I knocked but there was no answer. He had locked his door days ago. His door was never
ARIANNA’S POV“Did you know that Ciara was changing the natural state of your forest?” I asked Luciano.We were sitting by the kitchen Island, eating a bowl of microwaved lasagna. I was eating anyway, Luciano was just keeping me company. He had a confused look on his face that told me he had no idea that Alex was planting flowers in his forest. I giggled before explaining to him. “She says its too green and needs other colors to pop.” I explained. “Of course it needs other colors.” We both laughed at the way he said that. It was so playful and almost like saying why didn’t he think of it. “How was your fitting. Can I see your dress?” He asked. “Sure. It’s up in my room.” I said. I could see the very minute flicker in his eyes. If I had blinked I would have missed it. And if I had not noticed it a few times before I would have sworn I imagined it. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked him. “What do you mean?” “Just now. When I said you could see my dress. There was this … I can’t exp
LUCIANO’S POV“Good for Dylan.” I muttered. “Good for the mystic moon. Good for us.” Dave replied. I nodded at him. “Would you mind inviting him to the ceremony? Some of the pack is going to be here anyway.” I asked.“Of course. I was only trying to keep Carter out. Dylan is good. I think he and Alex used to be friends before he left the pack.” “Sounds good. Anything from the other Alphas?” “Just the usual. Nothing about us or Arianna though…” he looked like he had something else to say but could not decide. “What is it?” “Collin was trying to stir some of the others but they shut him down.” Dave explained.“Can someone do the rest of us a favour and challenge him already? By the moon! It’s always something with him.” I said, frustrated.“He’ll be out soon. Without an external factor to distract his pack, they will start to realise what a terrible Alpha he is.” “That may be true, but I doubt it’ll be that easy. He lets them get away with a lot of truancy. This year alone, more