She was awakened by pain before her eyes. The dull throb swept through her skull like wildfire pounding behind her eyes. Slowly and heavily Selene's eyelids fluttered. When she finally opened her eyes the world swam around her and she could not identify the places on her body that hurt. She gasped. Her arms were bound to a thick wooden pole and painfully twisted behind her. She tugged at the bindings as panic flared in her chest but they held tight and felt rough against her skin.Where is she? Her memories were a haze with shadows and images darting through her head.Then she remembered what happened.The wind. The portal. Elder Vulcan. Ethan. She clenched her heart. Fear gripped her like a vice and she wondered if Ethan was still alive. Twisting and struggling, she attempted to move once more but the ropes only made their way deeper into her flesh. She heard voices.There was the crunch of footsteps on the ground. People started to emerge from the pack ground corners. Man
His beta, Sab questioned cautiously, eyes darting through the foggy woods. “ Are you sure this is the right place?” He held his hand close to his blade. It doesn't feel right. Kieran took a moment to respond. Something darker shone beneath the gleam of frustration in his emerald green eyes. Anxiety. “I was instructed to come here,” he finally said in a firm voice. Sab scowled. “You can't trust Elder Vulcan. Nobody is more aware of that than you are.”Kieran halted his pacing and looked at his beta. He gave me his word. He said he would release my mother if I did my part. That's the only reason I'm here.” Sab did not seem persuaded. “It has been hours of waiting.” “I understand,” Kieran yelled. Tension broke in his voice. Something moved in the shadows and they stiffened, regaining themselves.Both men immediately whirled around their instincts as swords were drawn out. “Easy boys,” a smug-sounding voice said. Like a ghost, Elder Vulcan emerged from the shadows, his robe rust
The night air blew by.It wasn't just the wind it was the death, the grief and the pain. That hung in the air.As silence descended upon the land the moon gazed down like a chilly watchful eye.Ravena lay shattered in a cage that had been forgotten far away from the sound of campfires and pack wolves laughter.The weight of time made the old cottage groan. Like the veins of a dying body, cracks ran along the stone walls. Something once powerful was trapped by the sturdy door made of rusted iron bars. Ravena. once dreaded. Once strong, writhed in pain. Just a shadow of herself now.Thick cold chains were buried in her neck and limbs as her wolf form lay curled on the wet floor. She was breathing weakly in shaky whispers. The ground beneath her was covered in blood which smelled bad and was blackened.She had patches of matted fur that was falling out. Rot had started to appear. The pain never stopped stinging her flesh like fire ants. Next came a fresh wave, a searing burn that tor
A heavy wind blew and the tree branches danced as they swayed to the wind. The tall trees cast long shadows.Daemon stopped in his tracks. As he tried to control his breathing his chest heaved. Dread sank into his bones as he surveyed the deserted clearing, the moist ground feeling soft under his boots. Ravena. Ethan. Luna Selene.He had followed the receding scents left behind retracing his steps a dozen times. They were now weak, dispersed, and overpowered by something else. He trembled as he tried to steady his balance. His nerves were frayed from all he witnessed.He couldn't believe that what started as a rescue mission ended up swallowing them all in grief.Which had led to a huge loss. How will the rogue pack take the news?He tried once again to mind-link for help, but a throbbing headache pierced through him, and he groaned in pain.Gripping his hair as he winced. He fell down but dragged himself up to continue walking.His throat burned with thirst and his bone arched
Their voices were filled with surprise as the name exploded from their mouths like a spell. “Fea!”Ashton's eyes bulged seeing his sister standing right before them.A tidal wave of anger rushed through him. Why can't the damn girl listen to instructions?Fea’s silver eyes glinted with strength and mystery.Her long jet-black hair caught the wind as it cascaded past her waist like an inky waterfall while she leaned boldly on her staff. Despite a lighthearted smile, she felt purposeful energy all around her. “ I had to follow you even though you told me to stay back,” she shrugged. You need me, so come on.”With his eyes hard and his brows furrowed, Ashton strode toward her. “You were meant to remain in the hiding place and keep an eye on the pack!”Lifting her chin, Fea rolled her eyes. “Ashton, you can't give Seer instructions. And the pack is being protected by the warriors. They are capable.”His face turned red and he grabbed his sister's arm. “Leave at once! You'll put yourself
Like an unwanted ghost, the smell of blood clung to the walls.Each second seemed to drag on forever and every breath in the room was labored. Ethan's skin was as pale as ashes from a fire as he lay sprawled on the narrow wooden bed. His chest heaved violently, and more blood, thick, red, and terrifying, spilled from his mouth with each cough. Under the blankets, his limbs shook, and his lips trembled with cold. With her hands pressed together in a prayer, she was no longer able to whisper. Fea sat next to him. Tears that would not stop swelled her silver eyes. Her voice cracked like dry leaves beneath her feet as she choked out. “Ethan. Please don't leave us. Fight back!”Ashton yelled. “Where is that damn healer? We don't have time so why is she taking so long?”Leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Daemon's eyes were fixed on Ethan whose tense shoulders held his attention. Frank appeared to be holding himself together as he stood close to the door with his arms cross
Like tears of silver, the moonlight poured into the tiny cottage. As Fea lay sprawled on the floor, her body trembled, and her eyes glowed an unnatural, dangerous white. As if her soul had fallen out of her body, she breathed shallowly, almost nonexistent. Far from the cottage, her spirit drifted through a moonlit forest, weightless and silent.The leaves had a crystal-like sheen, and the air had a faint, almost forgotten flavor. She was standing on a small dirt path with tall trees that were whispering all around. With a puzzled expression on her face, she whirled in slow circles and muttered. “Where… where am I?”She could hear the deafening silence. Her bare feet crunched softly against fallen leaves and twigs as she approached cautiously then took another step. “Ashton? Daemon?” she yelled her voice resonating feebly. Nothing. Just the hum of the night and the distant rustle of branches. Then she saw something flash by, a haze of wind and shadow. Fea's heart thumped as sh
" Don't you think we should put an end to this bloodshed?"Selene’s voice cut through the tense air of the pack clinic like a blade. The room smelled of blood and herbs, a bitter blend of violence and hopelessness. Around them, warriors moaned on thin cots, their injuries sutured hastily by the overworked healers.Rylan turned to her, jaw tight. “ You think surrendering to the Shadowfangs is the answer? ”Selene bristled. “ I never said surrender. I said peace. An alliance with Alpha Kieran could — ”“ No. ” His voice was sharp, final. “ I'll not bow to him. ”She clenched her fist. “ This isn't about pride, Rylan. Ravena and her rogues are growing bolder. They struck in broad daylight, right at our borders. We lost five warriors today! How many more will have to die before you see that we need allies?”Rylan’s golden eyes burned with defiance. “ We're strong enough. We do not need help from Kieran.”Selene inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm. “ Strong enough to do what? Keep
Like tears of silver, the moonlight poured into the tiny cottage. As Fea lay sprawled on the floor, her body trembled, and her eyes glowed an unnatural, dangerous white. As if her soul had fallen out of her body, she breathed shallowly, almost nonexistent. Far from the cottage, her spirit drifted through a moonlit forest, weightless and silent.The leaves had a crystal-like sheen, and the air had a faint, almost forgotten flavor. She was standing on a small dirt path with tall trees that were whispering all around. With a puzzled expression on her face, she whirled in slow circles and muttered. “Where… where am I?”She could hear the deafening silence. Her bare feet crunched softly against fallen leaves and twigs as she approached cautiously then took another step. “Ashton? Daemon?” she yelled her voice resonating feebly. Nothing. Just the hum of the night and the distant rustle of branches. Then she saw something flash by, a haze of wind and shadow. Fea's heart thumped as sh
Like an unwanted ghost, the smell of blood clung to the walls.Each second seemed to drag on forever and every breath in the room was labored. Ethan's skin was as pale as ashes from a fire as he lay sprawled on the narrow wooden bed. His chest heaved violently, and more blood, thick, red, and terrifying, spilled from his mouth with each cough. Under the blankets, his limbs shook, and his lips trembled with cold. With her hands pressed together in a prayer, she was no longer able to whisper. Fea sat next to him. Tears that would not stop swelled her silver eyes. Her voice cracked like dry leaves beneath her feet as she choked out. “Ethan. Please don't leave us. Fight back!”Ashton yelled. “Where is that damn healer? We don't have time so why is she taking so long?”Leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Daemon's eyes were fixed on Ethan whose tense shoulders held his attention. Frank appeared to be holding himself together as he stood close to the door with his arms cross
Their voices were filled with surprise as the name exploded from their mouths like a spell. “Fea!”Ashton's eyes bulged seeing his sister standing right before them.A tidal wave of anger rushed through him. Why can't the damn girl listen to instructions?Fea’s silver eyes glinted with strength and mystery.Her long jet-black hair caught the wind as it cascaded past her waist like an inky waterfall while she leaned boldly on her staff. Despite a lighthearted smile, she felt purposeful energy all around her. “ I had to follow you even though you told me to stay back,” she shrugged. You need me, so come on.”With his eyes hard and his brows furrowed, Ashton strode toward her. “You were meant to remain in the hiding place and keep an eye on the pack!”Lifting her chin, Fea rolled her eyes. “Ashton, you can't give Seer instructions. And the pack is being protected by the warriors. They are capable.”His face turned red and he grabbed his sister's arm. “Leave at once! You'll put yourself
A heavy wind blew and the tree branches danced as they swayed to the wind. The tall trees cast long shadows.Daemon stopped in his tracks. As he tried to control his breathing his chest heaved. Dread sank into his bones as he surveyed the deserted clearing, the moist ground feeling soft under his boots. Ravena. Ethan. Luna Selene.He had followed the receding scents left behind retracing his steps a dozen times. They were now weak, dispersed, and overpowered by something else. He trembled as he tried to steady his balance. His nerves were frayed from all he witnessed.He couldn't believe that what started as a rescue mission ended up swallowing them all in grief.Which had led to a huge loss. How will the rogue pack take the news?He tried once again to mind-link for help, but a throbbing headache pierced through him, and he groaned in pain.Gripping his hair as he winced. He fell down but dragged himself up to continue walking.His throat burned with thirst and his bone arched
The night air blew by.It wasn't just the wind it was the death, the grief and the pain. That hung in the air.As silence descended upon the land the moon gazed down like a chilly watchful eye.Ravena lay shattered in a cage that had been forgotten far away from the sound of campfires and pack wolves laughter.The weight of time made the old cottage groan. Like the veins of a dying body, cracks ran along the stone walls. Something once powerful was trapped by the sturdy door made of rusted iron bars. Ravena. once dreaded. Once strong, writhed in pain. Just a shadow of herself now.Thick cold chains were buried in her neck and limbs as her wolf form lay curled on the wet floor. She was breathing weakly in shaky whispers. The ground beneath her was covered in blood which smelled bad and was blackened.She had patches of matted fur that was falling out. Rot had started to appear. The pain never stopped stinging her flesh like fire ants. Next came a fresh wave, a searing burn that tor
His beta, Sab questioned cautiously, eyes darting through the foggy woods. “ Are you sure this is the right place?” He held his hand close to his blade. It doesn't feel right. Kieran took a moment to respond. Something darker shone beneath the gleam of frustration in his emerald green eyes. Anxiety. “I was instructed to come here,” he finally said in a firm voice. Sab scowled. “You can't trust Elder Vulcan. Nobody is more aware of that than you are.”Kieran halted his pacing and looked at his beta. He gave me his word. He said he would release my mother if I did my part. That's the only reason I'm here.” Sab did not seem persuaded. “It has been hours of waiting.” “I understand,” Kieran yelled. Tension broke in his voice. Something moved in the shadows and they stiffened, regaining themselves.Both men immediately whirled around their instincts as swords were drawn out. “Easy boys,” a smug-sounding voice said. Like a ghost, Elder Vulcan emerged from the shadows, his robe rust
She was awakened by pain before her eyes. The dull throb swept through her skull like wildfire pounding behind her eyes. Slowly and heavily Selene's eyelids fluttered. When she finally opened her eyes the world swam around her and she could not identify the places on her body that hurt. She gasped. Her arms were bound to a thick wooden pole and painfully twisted behind her. She tugged at the bindings as panic flared in her chest but they held tight and felt rough against her skin.Where is she? Her memories were a haze with shadows and images darting through her head.Then she remembered what happened.The wind. The portal. Elder Vulcan. Ethan. She clenched her heart. Fear gripped her like a vice and she wondered if Ethan was still alive. Twisting and struggling, she attempted to move once more but the ropes only made their way deeper into her flesh. She heard voices.There was the crunch of footsteps on the ground. People started to emerge from the pack ground corners. Man
He emerged from the shadows as a jarring sound tore through his subconscious. Rylan's eyes popped open. The noises were then detected. The sound of wolves growling. The crunch of bone was sickening. The splatter of blood hitting the ground wet. A terrible fight.When his vision cleared he saw something that made his stomach turn. Wolves engaged in vicious combat, their claws tearing through fur and their fangs digging into flesh.His tongue was coated like iron by the overpowering smell of blood.He saw her there in the midst of the chaos. Ravena. Her wolf form moved like liquid death as she battled like a demon, tearing through opponents with terrifying ease. The few who dared to resist were overwhelmed as her warriors charged ahead and pushed through the ranks. Nightfang was losing. Rylan's frustration was brewing as he clenched his jaw. He had wasted time. Not anymore.He sent a frantic mind link reaching through the haze of his mind. Tristan. Find me by following my s
Her chest was the precise target of the arrow. She was unable to run or move as she desired. Her body resisted orders. Ethan was fighting for his life out of the corner of her eye. He said, “ Just let the lady go.” But blood stained his mouth a deep red as it ran down his lips. “In her place, you can take… me.”With the arrow still pointed at Selene the hunter remained silent.She seemed to be his main target rather than Ethan. Selene's eyes darted around in terror as her tear-stained face was smeared with dirt. The pounding of her heart was like a school drum. And her bones arched so badly that they seemed like they would break out of their joints. Before her, the hunter maintained a firm stance and a steady grip on the bow. At the first sign of trouble, he was prepared to release the arrow. Selene hardly dared to blink. Then the air suddenly changed place. Suddenly, a howling wind roared like a raging storm. With their branches flailing wildly and their leaves swirling in