Lucy"You really don't remember me, do you, Lu-Lu?" she said with a mixture of sadness and fondness in her eyes.I sniffled and shook my head.Jessie smiled gently, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "You look so much like your mother, Auntie Allie, Allison. We used to play together all the time when we were kids. And Duke," she turned to Duke, "you were the best babysitting gig I ever had in the family, besides Lucy, of course."She laughed a little. “Man, you two were the highlight of the week after babysitting certain other members of the family…”I couldn’t help but laugh and look at Duke. “S-Seems like it’s not that bizarre after all.”He cracked a smile. “I guess not.”The door opened once more, and I turned to see Luke enter the room. He was accompanied by several others, all of them beaming with joyous tears in their eyes. Luke gathered them each close, talking to them gently, stroking their faces. His eyes were red with tears as he came in and swooped the b
Lucy"According to the Bond of the Moon, you will be taken in by the Blue Moon Pack, led by Alpha Oren and his sons Tony and Matt."Lucian growled, his jaw clenched and his fists tightly balled up as he jumped to his feet. "To hell with that!” he snapped, his voice filled with anger. "You high-handed bastards think we believe in that bullshit? The Bond of the Moon is only applicable if—”“If one of you is formally bonded to a member of that pack,” she said and then she looked at me. “Lucy Graves was mated in a formal ceremony to Alpha Tony and Alpha Matt.”Her words echoed in the room, I felt a sense of panic creeping over me. I couldn’t breathe. “Lucy?” Duke said softly. “Lucy, look at me.”I couldn’t. I saw my dead eyes looking at me through the glass. I saw Tony behind me. I saw glowing red eyes. I heard the Moon Goddess cackling again. Was it never going to end?"Lucy, focus on your breathing," Duke urged gently. "Inhale deeply, and then exhale slowly. Okay? Lucy, listen to me
LucyI hung up and tried to steady my breathing. The Council representative was stammering and trying to argue, but it seemed like there was no turning back. She looked a little fearful as Lucian answered his phone. The anger on his face started to fade. “The Bond of the Moon doesn’t just stipulate that the Blue Moon Pack can take us in,” Lucian said, glaring at the woman. “The Blood Moon Pack qualifies too, so who are you working for the Blue Moon Pack? Oren? The Council?”She sneered. “My place with the Hecate Coven, will grant us sanctuary in Hecate City. Duke's connection to the Blood Moon Pack satisfies the terms of the Bond of the Moon way more than that forced mating ceremony.”“But—”“Dagon has already sent the documents to Trent and Riley," he said firmly. “We’re not going with those bastard.”She flushed. “It’s too late for any of that! The arrangements have already been made.”“What arrangements?”I heard the Moon Goddess laughing again and shuddered. “L-Lucy?” Duke whis
TonyAs we rode in the sprinter van on our way to pick up the members of White Moon, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of happiness at the thought of having Lucy back with us. I could almost hear the way she’d sound in my arms again. I could see her swelling with our child, falling into her proper place as our mate and luna. The pack would be better off knowing that their alphas were settled and I would feel better having her. Our father’s words may have been true, but if I could force her to accept the bond, then all of this struggle could be forgotten. After all, we had been mated in a formal ceremony. I had signed her part of the certificate for her after Matt and I had signed it because it was faster, and it was just a piece of paper for the council. I was happy. At the same time, I could sense Matt's anger and unease. I still couldn’t speak to him through our link, and it irritated me. He might be upset about the grey morality of the situa
MattI watched as Oren flew into a rage, his temper flaring at the officer, who looked like she was doing it on purpose. I shook my head as the scent of blood filled the air, and he let out a pained sound. Cline jumped out of the car, and I almost laughed. I was glad his plans were being frustrated. Maybe watching him lose his mind at such a small thing would slap some sense into Tony. I looked over at him and was relieved to see the look of shock on Tony's face. Tony might be losing grip on himself because of stress, but he wasn’t as crazy as Oren.Yet. I shuddered at the thought. It would be okay for now. As I jerked back away from the barrier line, my heart raced. Had Tony or anyone else seen the fact that I’d crossed it? I hadn’t felt it at all. How had I crossed it when it was clear that Oren couldn’t. Other members of the pack tried as well, but they were pushed back. Even Tony was. By the moon, if any of them found out, I’d be in trouble. As the fight with the enforcers esc
Lucy“It’s done,” Dagon said with a deep sigh. “Once Lucian signs everything. Nothing’s going to endanger you guys again.”Lucian opened his phone and then pulled out his tablet. His hand shook for a moment, but he signed whatever had come through. Duke smiled at me. “David says that he’ll send over the deed documents and the safety schematics?”Lucian nodded. I relaxed in my seat. As Lucian kept signing for the arrangements for the pack’s new home, the excitement in the room was buzzing. Luke, Duke, and I, along with the other survivors from White Moon, were now officially recognized as the White Moon Familial Pack.“You should be able to check your ID.”I licked my lips and pulled out my identification card. Everything had changed. Lucy Whitefang Pack: White Moon FamilialPosition: Pack MemberAlpha: Lucian WhitetowerI looked over at Lucian, who smiled. “Whitefang was your father’s last name,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d want to keep Graves.”My eyes burned, and I shook my
LucyNext, we were taken to the communal dining area. The long wooden table and all the chairs looked like they were just waiting for people to arrive. My stomach rumbled. Blue smiled. “Food will be ready soon. We picked things up too.”As the tour came to an end, we returned to the main hall. The other survivors of White Moon came bustling in through the front doors.“It’s time for a family reunion!” The man who came in, lifting a large bags in his hands. “Who wants burritos?”Lucian let out a loud laugh and rushed towards him. “Pascal, you rascal! Where the hell have you been?”They embraced, and I smiled, watching them. More people came in. Stella and Blue started guiding them up the stairs to where they could pick out rooms. Soon, everyone else was here. There were more people than there had been at the meeting earlier. Duke nudged me. “Somehow, Lucy… you managed to save all these people.”“Me?” I asked. “You panicked, but you still remembered what Jordan said.”Out of the c
TonyWe arrived at the mountains as per our father’s demand, but I had no clue why we were there. Matt seemed equally clueless, but the rest of the men in the van seemed to know. Matt was quiet, sitting across from me. He didn’t look like he had been hurt that badly. His eyes weren’t hazy. He didn’t look like he’d sweat at all while my clothes were sticking to me. Something was up. I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t ask now.As for me, I was on edge, not knowing what to expect from this. How did Cline even know where White Moon’s mountains were? How far away was it? It felt like we had been driving for hours. The sun started to sink toward the horizon. Then, the mountains started to get closer. As we approached the mountains, an eerie feeling settled over me. It was as if the very air was charged with tension. My instincts were telling me that something wasn't right. I exchanged a worried glance with Matt, who seemed equally apprehensive.Matt, do you know anything about this?There wa
LucyThe morning sun, a mischievous wink through the blinds, painted golden stripes across our bed. I snuggled deeper into the warmth of David's embrace, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest a soothing lullaby. He slipped his hand across my lower back. The warmth of his bare skin against mine set a spark of pleasure through me. He rumbled low and content into my hair. “Wake up,” David rumbled. He kissed my head and twined a curl around his finger. “We have things to do.”“You shouldn’t have kept me up all night.”He chuckled. “You didn’t say that last night.”I nudged him. He dipped his head to nip my lips. “You know, if it’s too much, you can always tell me to slow down.”He’d been saying that for five years now, and I never found a reason to tell him to. He knew that. His eyes flickered between colors. I nipped his lower lip. “Give me a reason.”He smirked and rolled me onto my back. “To slow down or…”“To get up,” I said as he kissed
LucyI sat on the cold stone, watching her, but she didn’t move another muscle. I didn’t know how long it had been, but it didn’t matter. The spectral glow around her was starting to dim, and my mind was just too stressed to do too much thinking. The light of the ritual, the spell I’d used, the blood on my hands all flashed through my mind, and part of me wondered if it was all just a dream. I looked down at the stained and ruined gown. The armor was as pristine as ever, but most of the embroidered roses were torn or stained. This dress would never be white again, let alone whole. I flicked a piece of the long, gossamer fabric and shook my head. I really liked this dress.“Lucy!”I turned my head toward the sound of David’s voice, wrung out and relieved to hear him. He was rushing through the air towards me. He dropped down a few feet from me, looking so worried I could cry.I smiled at him as he dropped to his knees beside me and threw his arms around me,
LucyI sailed through the air, landing with a jarring thud within the ritual circle. With a trembling hand, I pushed myself up, my senses on high alert. A figure, cloaked in darkness, appeared in front of me. My blood ran cold. Selene."Well, well, Lucy," her voice, honeyed yet laced with venom, slithered into the darkness. "Thank you ever so much for making this easy at last.”I grit my teeth. I wouldn't go down without a fight. Straightening my shoulders, I met her gaze, my voice shaking but resolute. "You underestimate me.” “No, Lucy,” her voice dropped, and a cruel smile twisted her lips. "You underestimate me.” The chanting grew louder around me. I lunged for the necklace, my fingers grazing its cold surface before Selene snatched it away, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. But that touch, fleeting as it was, ignited something. I felt her pushing at my mind. I felt her shoving me back until I could see the forest from before, and we were fighting in a ci
MattMy vision pulsed and flickered, a strobe light of pain blurring the edges of reality. Tony rained blows down on me, slashing with claws. Each hit chipped away at my resolve and my control, leaving behind a raw desperation to end this quickly. My armor protected me from most of the damage, but still. He was always the stronger of the two of us. I thought it was just because he was the older of the two of us, but this was different. I thought for sure he was going to bite off my head. Then, a flash of golden light arced through the air, and a spear lanced past my shoulder, catching Tony square in the chest. I turned back to see Ginevra hovering in the air. Her golden dress glowed as she passed me with a glowing winge spreading from her back. What the absolute fuck?Tony staggered, falling to the ground, and Dad darted forward, encasing Tony in a shimmering web of light. The wave turned to chains. He thrashed and howled, straining against the magical bonds, but t
LucyPeter's breath hitched, rasping, and shallow, then deepened into a cough that wracked his battered body. His eyelids fluttered, eyelids so pale they were almost luminous in the dim torchlight. He struggled to get up, leaning on his Spear and on Michelle. The light pulsing through the Spear rippled over his skin. He let out a soft sigh and stumbled a little. “Peter?”“I... It’s gone.”“What?” Michelle gasped as his hair started to change, losing the gray color and growing dark. His face turned younger until I was sure that he was all of twenty-something. He grew a bit taller, too, bigger until his shirt strained against his chest and his buttons popped. He flushed. “Well… that’s not…” He cleared his throat as Michelle smiled up at him. “So this is what you looked like in your youth?”He scoffed. “I’m much younger than you think.”He grunted, pressing a hand to his side. “Wish the Spear would heal the wound, though.”I winced. “Sorry… it’s a
PeterMy feet pounded a frantic rhythm against the uneven earth, branches whipping at my face, thorns tearing at my clothes. How long had I been running? How much further did I have to go? I didn’t know, and it didn’t matter so long as I got there. My lungs burned, legs screaming in protest, but still I ran. The trail of blood behind me and the patchwork of wounds across my body, chunks of missing and regrowing flesh, weren’t my concern right now. The creature—the wolf was after me, and unlike before, it didn’t seem willing to back off or slow down. It was going to kill me, and what happened after that was anyone’s guess. Behind me, the guttural snarl of the wolf echoed through the trees. Too close to be comfortable. Too close to make sense. This was too much like that dream, but worse. So much worse. The sky was a kaleidoscope of images I could barely make out. They flashed in the sky and in my vision, making it hard to see. I saw Lucy. I saw Michelle. The long
LucyAdrenaline surging, I grabbed Michelle and pulled her after me deeper into the inky depths of the tunnel.“Quick!”She panted. “What’s going on? Peter—”“He’s possessed,” I said. “Just keep running for now!”I saw my Allison up ahead, leading me down another tunnel. Behind us, I heard Peter's guttural snarls, the rhythmic thud of his feet echoed eerily in the confined space. We had to lose him and the other one quickly, but we didn’t seem to be putting enough distance between us. Panic coiled in my gut, urging me to run faster and push my body beyond its limits. Michelle kept up relatively well. We twisted and turned, navigating the treacherous path by torchlight and the spectral murmurs of White Moon's fallen. But the passage seemed to twist back on itself. When we were back at the forked path, the faint light that had been illuminating the tunnel went out, plunging us into darkness.Michelle shuddered. She drew closer to me and tightened her grip on m
LucyI was back in that house with that couple that adopted me. I felt the floorboards creaking as I went downstairs. I saw the men in suits. I shrieked, turning. Not again. I couldn’t be back here. Where was David? How had I gotten back here? I looked down. I wasn’t… wearing the dress or the armor. I had no daggers. My hair was just as uncombed and dry as it had been then. When I looked in the mirror, the skinny young woman who had barely had anything more than ramen and school lunch stared back at me. My stomach lurched. The door opened, and I turned to run, knowing what was about to happen. I dug my heels in as dark shadows pulled me towards the door. I felt myself being lifted onto someone’s shoulders. I fought and kicked, but all my training and all my strength were gone. I saw the calendar on the wall, but the date was different. It wasn’t my birthday. It was the day of the Crescent Moon Festival. I screamed, grabbing anything I could manage. Then, Sele
DavidOren's head arced through the firelit air, landed, and rolled. His body dropped to the ground, still spurting blood. Then, all hell broke loose.The shimmering barrier around the Ball faltered, rippling like a pond, before collapsing entirely. Hunters poured into the arena, their snarls blending with everyone's shocked gasps. “Defensive measures, now!” I yelled, my voice carrying over the sound of the attack. A group of dragon shifters took to the sky as my blade clashed with the first hunter. How had they gotten through the barrier? I saw a flicker of a ghost and growled. “Selene!” I shoved the hunter back, slicing through him before sending out a shockwave of air. She’d been behind this, and maybe she’d been planning this for years, using the werewolf virus to spy on the preparations. It would make sense to try and get rid of me. I was the direct descendant of Fenris. More than that, it was their movements. Each and every one of them moved e