Shawn’s POVThe afternoon sun filtered weakly through the thin fabric of my tent as I sat cross-legged on the worn mat, my eyes closed, and my breathing steady.Meditation was supposed to bring peace, to center the mind and spirit. But today, peace was as elusive as the morning mist.What's with the noise outside?The Blood Moon Pack, with their howls and shouts echoed through the camp as usual. I wondered why they would not rest for once, but got no fulfilling reply.I tried to block out the noise and focus on my breathing, but the noise seemed to grow louder and more insistent. With a sigh, I opened my eyes and rose from the mat.“Meditation would have to wait,” I mumbled to myself.I stepped out of my tent and into the glaring afternoon light, blinking as my eyes adjusted. I turned to see Martins muttering some spells and looking undisturbed by the noise around him."Martins," I called, and he turned to me with a bright smile."Shawn! Done meditating already?" he asked, his eyes tw
Marcus’s POV I stood by the window of my chamber, staring out at the thundering skies. Dark clouds gathered in the sky and released heavy rain droplets on the earth.It was the middle of the Spring, a time usually marked by gentle breezes and blooming flowers, not fierce storms. I need to see my parents, they might have a hand or know the answer to it.With a sigh, I turned away from the window and made my way to the throne room.If my guess was correct, then they would be gathered there discussing their next course of action.My parents, the king and queen, would never hesitate to conjure up rain just to gain great power and influence. So if anyone knew what was causing this unnatural weather, it would be them.As I entered the throne room, I saw them seated together, deep in conversation and not in their usual conjuring positions.Their expressions were serious, but not particularly troubled, which gave me pause. Could they be behind this storm?“King Adonis, Queen Laurent," I gree
Lily’s POV This morning was beautiful and I had planned to get some flowers before coming back to prepare myself for when Lily would arrive. But labor had started already.We had thought it would begin towards afternoon or evening, but it came when we least expected it.“Oh babies, bear with Mother a little while longer,” I pleaded as I made my way back into the tunnel. “Aunt Clara would soon be here please,”The pain was unbearable, each contraction ripping through me like waves crashing against a rock. I lay on a makeshift bed in the small, hidden room of the tunnel, waiting desperately for Clara to arrive.I cried out as another wave of pain hit, clutching my swollen belly. "Clara, please hurry," I whispered, my voice barely more than a croak.The memory of my mother flashed before my eyes, her calm, steady hands helping other women bring their children into the world.As a child, I had watched in awe and fear, unable to understand the strength it took to endure such pain.I was a
Lily’s POV The tunnel suddenly felt dark and damp, a place that was earlier just cozy and warm, now felt inhabitable. I lay on the bed with my eyes closed trying to reason things through. Fiona, also lay wrapped in a cloth beside me, her tiny cries resounding in the tunnel. Clara knelt beside me, her face pale but determined. "Lily," she said softly, her eyes full of concern. "What do you think we do? Should I give up on myself?" My heart pounded with anxiety. "I can't risk your life, Clara," I said, my voice trembling. "We can't risk it. We need to distract and take him away from the village." Clara nodded, her expression resolute. "What do you want me to do?" "Think of an animal," I instructed. "Any animal you can think of right now." Clara hesitated for a moment before responding. "A cat. I saw a white cat in the village earlier today." "Perfect," I said, closing my eyes and focusing on the image of the cat. I reached deep within myself, tapping into the hidden power
Marcus’s POV As I approached Crimson Valley, the rain showers finally ceased, and the sun broke through the clouds. The sudden change in weather was unsettling, but I had no time to ponder its meaning. I had to find Lily and Clara. The valley had a strange, almost mystical atmosphere after the storm, the kind that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Determined, I began my search, walking briskly through the village. The houses were modest, many with thatched roofs and wooden walls that had withstood countless seasons. I barged through the doors, calling out for Lily and Clara, but each answer was the same: silence. I moved from house to house, frustration mounting with each fruitless search. Having searched the greater part of the village, their cabin was the only place left. If they weren’t here, I didn’t know where else to look. Just as I raised my hand to open the door, I heard a noise from behind the cabin. The rustling sound of leaves was very light bu
Shawn's POV Sitting in the tent with Martins, I tried to wrap my brain around the truth of the source of the rain but no matter how I tried to run away from it, there existed just one truth. But if truly two pure bloodlines have mixed, then that would mean there has been mating between any member of the Twilight Ridge pack, the Blood Moon pack, and or the Silver shade pack. The Luna Crest are not fitted to be addressed as werewolves. Martins shifted, breaking the silence first. "Shawn, there's something I haven't told you," he began his voice low, almost a murmur. "I can teach you some dark magic spells that might help us find out who's behind all this." I looked at him, taken aback. "Dark magic? Are you serious? No way, Martins. That's not who I am," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. The idea of dabbling in dark magic went against everything I stood for. “We're not even sure of what is going on here and you're already trying to lure me in?” I added. His eyes pleaded w
Marcus's POV Certain that the cat was perfectly asleep, I walked away with Winston trailing right behind me. The closer we walked into the garden towards Grayson's house, the faster my heart began to beat. They had to know where Lily was. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside me. As we arrived at Grayson's house, he was bent over two pots of lilies, his hands moving methodically as he worked the soil around the delicate plants. I put on my street face, the mask I wore when I needed answers, and we walked up to him. “Grayson,” I called out, my voice steady but carrying the weight of my intent. He looked up, a forced smile plastered on his face. “Master Marcus, Winston. What brings you here?” “We're looking for Clara,” I said, cutting to the chase. “Where is she?” Grayson’s smile faltered. “Clara? She hasn’t been here since yesterday.” I stepped closer, narrowing my eyes at him. “Cut the lies, Grayson
Lily's POVThe sharp cries of Fiona and Raymond jerked me away from my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.The tunnel's echoes made their crying so impossible to ignore. I felt uneasy as I tried to calm them. I gently rocked them in my arms, but their tears kept flowing with their tiny faces scrunched up in distress."Shh, it's okay, little ones," I murmured, my voice trembling. "Mama's here."Despite my soothing words, their cries continued. I turned to look at Clara for some form of help, but she giggled and continued with what she was doing.I took a deep breath and began to sing a lullaby. I remember when Shawn was still a baby, Mother's singing always drew me to his crib."Sleep now my child,And peace be with you, All through the night. Guardian angels are always with you, All through the night..."As I sang, I positioned Fiona at my breast, and she began to nurse, her cries subsiding. I shifted Raymond to my other breast, and he too quieted, their little mouths work