...Darius POV...I couldn't wait for this afternoon. It had finally come to be time for the Luna Ceremony. Most of my pack had already accepted Wynter as their new Luna, but this would just finalize it. I was so proud of her. In such a short amount of time, she'd really blossomed. She went from a meek and timid girl to a strong warrior. She's helping out a lot with our warriors, and I've already seen a major improvement in their techniques. While our warriors are already the strongest in the nation, with her help, they will quickly become the strongest warriors across the globe. I'll have to sit down with her at one point with my men and refine our training programs that we created for the other packs. While Wynter hasn't said anything, I know she's stressing about today. Which is why I have a surprise for her. I did the one thing that any girl would want. I called her parents and family and arranged for their arrival. They should be here any moment now. Due to our packed schedule, I
Widespread panic. None of us knew how to proceed. We had no idea how the breach could've happened, or why. Who's attacking us? I continued to look around trying to find the source of the panic. Which is when I saw it. In the distance, a black figure slowly approached us. Walking through flames as if they were impenetrable. The figure slowly approached us. I mindlessly reached for Darius' hand signaling him to look where I was looking. I felt his hand in my grasp as he came towards me. I could feel him behind me, as we both watched the mayhem in front of us. The figure continued to approach us, which is when I noticed something familiar."It can't be..." I say, not even realizing I spoke out loud.I feel Darius go stiff behind me when he notices the same thing I do. Xander."Well... well... well.. what do we have here?" Xander laughs, maniacally once he approaches us.Without missing a beat, Darius pulls me behind him, keeping me away from Xander."What are you doing here? You've bee
...Darius POV...To say I was worried would be the understatement of the year. Wynter wasn't aware of it yet, but I was afraid of what all of this could mean. Everything was lining up to be like the way Wynter had described the final battle to be from her premonition. I had hoped for awhile now, that what she saw was just a horrible nightmare. But after seeing the events unfold in front of me, I couldn't deny it anymore. Which meant that there was a high chance I may not make it out of this alive. If that was my fate, then I needed to do my best to help Wynter and our pack for as long as I had. Without sharing my thoughts with the others, I decided to contact Kenji to get an update on any resources. He wasn't positive but said he gathered that help was at least half an hour out. Which meant that we were on our own for now. I know Wynter had already sent orders to fortify the perimeter, which was a good solution. We may not be able to fight everyone, but we could at least prevent th
...Wynter POV...I can see death all around me. Wolves dismembered along the ground, and blood everywhere. I can hear the screams of horror and mayhem in the distance. The smell in the air is absolutely putrid. I could feel my nose raise from the horrible smell of blood and decay. I don't understand what's going on. How did I get here? Where am I? I began looking around, searching for clues that could answer my questions. Flashbacks of the events from earlier slowly begin to come back. The Luna Ceremony... Xander... Chelsey... Her mom... The woman... The laugh...Upon realizing the last part, I spin around to come face to face with a man. He looks to be in his late twenties, however, very rough looking. Suddenly the events begin to feel very familiar. A sense of deja vu washes over me as my eyes shoot wide. I realize this is the scene I saw from my premonition. Which means...Before I can even say anything, a sort of force pushes me backward, nearly sending me through the air. I stu
"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" I scream running to Darius' side. "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!" I scream.I pick him up, laying his head in my lap. I cut my wrist once again, hoping to be able to save him. However, I can already tell that I'm too late.I begin to feel slightly faint from all the blood loss, but don't allow it to cloud my mind. My focus and priority is on Darius, and Darius alone.Why didn't I do something? I knew what was about to happen, but I was too late. Why is this happening?Xander's roars of laughter made my blood boil. Hearing him erupt into laughter after the death of my family is more than enough to trigger my hatred for this man.Just like that, everything started to become overwhelming. I felt my body begin to surge with my emotions. I was like an incandescent lamp, and my hatred for Xander was my fuel.I felt far stronger than I ever had before. I no longer felt in control of my own body. Even Caedance had gone quiet. It was like a force had taken over the both of us
As if proving his last statement, I watch as Xander raises his hands, his eyes glowing a vivid shade of black, as a ring of fire erupts from all around us. Xander may possess demonic powers now, but nothing is ever truly immortal. Everyone and everything has some sort of weakness. I don't know how to do it, or if it's even possible, but I want, no need to kill Xander. He may be the walking dead, but even zombies can be killed.Before I can think of a solution, I watch as Xander stands up, if you can even call it that. As he never once bent his knees or showed any sign of natural human movement. Rather he sort of just floated from a position on the ground to a standing up position, making himself appear larger in size. It was creepy, but I couldn't allow myself to dwell on it. A bunch of wolves come running out of the forest behind Xander. It must be the backup that Kenji had told me was coming. I smirk knowing that Xander's chances of winning are narrowing. With backup here, my odds
...Kenji POV...I've lost track of time n regard to how long it's been since all hell broke loose. With the help of Darius and Wynter, we were able to get the perimeter fortified. It wasn't an easy task, but we managed to achieve it. Unbeknownst as to why, all of the vampires that had been attacking us, had suddenly just disappeared. It wasn't much long after Wynter had left to help the others. I couldn't explain what happened, only that I was grateful for it. Many of our warriors had been injured in the chaos, however, luckily for us, the death toll was still small. I had mind linked Genesis at the beginning of all of this, and had her lead all the woman and children to safety. I was still worried about her, but knew she was safe. If she wasn't I would've felt it by now. I wanted to see her, but I knew I couldn't until I received the all clear from Darius. It would be too risky to go to her now. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to her or our pups.Just a
...Wynter POV...Even though Xander was gone, I didn't feel any different. I still felt lost. I felt like my purpose in life had been taken from me. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I found myself at Darius' side once more. I had picked up his lifeless body, and continued to hold him in my arms. Nothing around us mattered anymore. I felt myself crumble beside him. I no longer felt strong enough to even hold my head up. I wrapped Darius' arm around me as I placed my head on his chest for the last time. I think part of me was desperate to hear his heartbeat. However, his heart had long since stopped beating. I knew Darius was dead, but my mind wouldn't allow me to comprehend what that even meant.My tears seemed to take on a life of their own. Flowing like a waterfall from my face, onto his chest. The rain had stopped, but even then my mood didn't seem to notice. I felt an eerily coldness. Darius once comforting warmth, long gone. Only to be replaced by the corpse next to me.
...BONUS CHAPTER......10 Years Later......Wynter POV...A lot has happened in such a short amount of time. Not long after the merger of our two packs, did more requests come. Alphas far and wide were coming to us in hopes of merging our packs. What had begun as an alliance designed to help strengthen the packs, soon became to act as a Peace Treaty. Each pack we aligned with, were given the same conditions as Crescent Moon. The ranking members would remain in power, so long as they came to myself or Darius for any critical decisions. We had merged with so many packs, that we were no longer separate packs, but one happy kingdom. One of my more recent projects was to create a city devoted to the rehabilitation of rogues. Those that had been rogue would now have the opportunity to reenter pack life once they were deemed to not be a threat. Many of which had already successfully made the transition. Given our extensive reach, we were more easily able to help those in need. We now had en
...Wynter POV...After a lengthy discussion we all came to the unanimous decision to merge with the Crescent Moon Pack. Everyone had very valid concerns for not merging with them, however, I knew Alpha Landon's pleas were genuine. He was only coming to us as it was his only option. Without a merge, his pack could be killed. A fate no Alpha would ever want for their pack. The five of us decided to go over a sort of job description if you will, for Alpha Landon. He would be a valuable resource, but at the same time we couldn't afford to give him too much power. In order to successfully merge the two packs, there had to be one concise leadership. If others felt that they could turn to Alpha Landon for their problems, it could risk a mutiny.So while Alpha Landon would have power, he would have to go through either myself or Darius to make critical decisions. It was the only safe way to merge the packs, while also allowing Alpha Landon a position as well.Before informing Alpha Landon of
...Darius POV...After Wynter and I had finished, we quickly showered and got ourselves ready to meet with Alpha Landon. I was confused as to why he suddenly showed up. But decided not to look too much into it until I had a chance to hear him out.Wynter stayed by my side as we entered my office. Alpha Landon was seated in the chair in front of my desk. However, he stood as Wynter and I entered my office. "Alpha. Luna." Alpha Landon addressed us, bowing slightly.I had walked over to my chair behind my desk. Wynter dutifully followed, and planned on standing behind me. However, Wynter was my Luna and my equal. Whatever Alpha Landon had planned on talking to me about, now involved Wynter. She had just as much say as what happened in this pack as I did. Which meant that I wanted her to be treated as an equal. I reached over to her, and guided her to sit on my lap. I smiled as Wynter quickly obliged my unasked command, and sat on my lap. I kissed the side of her cheek before turning to
...Darius POV...I awoke to the sounds of birds chirping. I could hear a faint heartbeat nearby and felt an incredible warmth. I opened my eyes to see Wynter lying on top of me. Memories of early this morning began to swim in my mind. I kissed the top of Wynter's head, careful not to move her. She's been running at full tilt ever since she woke up from the hospital. We had nothing pressing that needed to be taken care of, so I decided to just lay here and watch her sleep. I smiled as I remembered our lovemaking from earlier. The feeling was so euphoric. We had both longed for this moment in so long, that it felt like we would never get it. Now that we had the chance, I never wanted this moment to end. Without even trying, Wynter made me the happiest man in the world last night. I began to daydream of our future together. Of Wynter chasing around our pups, as I watched from behind. I pictured myself training our son to fight and to become the next alpha. I pictured Wynter running to t
...Wynter POV...As Darius and I continued to run through the woods, I could feel Caedance grow stronger. It was almost as if we were feeding off of our surroundings. The rush was making us stronger. For the first time, I felt truly in control. I had the sudden urge to test my abilities. So far, Darius had managed to not only keep up with me, but he even managed to run past me. I was both stunned and proud. I wanted to perform a few tests of my own. Caedance had given me some suggestions, and I had wanted to see if they would work. Caedance had suggested we try to hide from Asher to see if he would be able to find us. Much to my surprise, he managed to find me each time. Typically when I would try to hide, I would attempt to cloak myself using a mixture of camouflage, similar to a chameleon. I would focus on my surroundings and soon found myself becoming invisible. I had to hide my scent from him as well, which was probably the most difficult task. Each time I had done it, Darius had
...Darius POV...The air in the room had gone serious as Wynter announced her suspicions. While Wynter and I hadn't had the chance to properly discuss what had happened, we were both suspicious of the outcome. People don't just come back to the dead without being changed. I also can't deny the change I felt inside of me. I had long suspected that I'd been changed, I just wasn't sure exactly how. I already felt far stronger than I already had been. To the point that I often found myself having to dial back my strength. I also felt far faster than I had been. It was as if all of my senses had been heightened. I could now see far better along with smell things from a large distance. I had gone for a run the night I had first woken up after the battle. I had a strong sense of restlessness. The urge to get out quickly became the only thing I could focus on. It was as if my entire body had been electrocuted. Every fibre in my being needed me to go on a run. To get out.I began to have flas
I felt uneasy as we made our way back to Darius' office. I could tell that Darius sensed that something was bothering me, but refrained from asking me. There was just one thing that I couldn't seem to forget. Once we made it back to the office, we all quickly resumed our positions. Darius sitting beside me, placing a hand on my knee as a sign of comfort. I found myself biting my lip as I continued to chew over the thoughts plaguing my mind.I looked over towards Kenji, waiting for him to restart the meeting. Kenji stood up, but didn't start the meeting right away. My anxiety started to run full-course. Before I knew it, I found myself speaking out."What does this mean for us?" I watched as all heads turned to me. Waiting for me to continue."What do you mean my child?" The oracle asks.I find myself nervously biting my lip. I look at Darius for support. I watch as Darius nods his head for me to continue."Xander had told me that if Darius and I completed our mate bond, that it wo
...Wynter POV..."Upon the seven daughters of the seven daughters, the completed ritual shall activate the rise of the true king. While lightning strikes twice, a proposal shall mark the age of love and become the fall of unholy ones. It shall be when fire burns red, the forgotten princesses face, will trigger the return of the resistance. Once the green sea swallows towns, a challenge shall mark the start of war and witness the return of the fallen. Those in power will bend to one knee, bowing before the lost queen.""So what does that actually mean?" Darius asks."It basically means that one the descendent of the Kazakh wolves finds her true mate. The true king will come about. A moment in time, born out of love, will result in the downfall of the ones unloyal to the couple.""But what about the princess triggering the return of existence?" I ask."Wasn't that when Xander first realized or at least suspected your origins? He constantly tried to keep you away from me." Darius remarks
...Darius POV...I was quite possibly the happiest man on earth. The love of my life just said yes to marrying me. She may have already said yes to me once before. But I didn't think it really counted. The first time I hadn't planned on asking her, but I thought there was no better time to do it. I had just shown her how I truly felt about her. No other moment would ever be as special. Even though we were mates, I didn't know for certain if she was going to say yes or not. A proposal isn't ruly a proposal if there isn't a ring. Something I had kicked myself for not having at the time. But it was just so spur-of-the-moment, that I had even surprised myself. While this may not have been the ideal proposal, at least I had a ring for her. I know it would never make a difference to her, but I felt she deserved the best. I wanted to show her how special she was to me. I would make up for my sporadic proposal later this evening. When Wynter was in the hospital, I was continuously plagued by