...Wynter POV...When I woke up, I felt completely at ease. I wasn't sure where I was or how I even got here, but I felt safe. Something I hadn't felt for a really long time. I turned around to see that I was laying in Darius' embrace. He held me close to his chest as he slept. He looked so at peace that I didn't want to disturb him.I leaned my head against his chest, and just enjoyed this moment. I listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and let his scent wash over me. I could hear Caedance purr in my mind from his smell. It was sheer bliss. A feeling I wish would never end.Slowly, Darius began to stir. I reached up, and placed my hand along his cheek, turning his gaze to meet my own. Neither of us said anything, rather we just let ourselves enjoy the moment.After a few moments, Darius leaned his head down, to place a gentle kiss on my lips. He pecked my lips several times until I felt my urge for him become overwhelming. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him clo
...Darius POV...I could tell that Wynter was in the midst of a panic attack. I had tried to calm her down by letting her know we were safe, but it was like her mind couldn't comprehend what I was saying to her, which is when I realized that I needed to act fast. If I didn't do something now, then she may pass out from the stress. Her mind was trying to put up a guard. It was trying to warn her of danger, but little did she know she was actually safe. I knew a bit about panic attacks, which is why I did the only thing I could think of. I launched myself at her and kissed her with every fibre of my being. I could feel my need for her coming out in this kiss. The kiss was unlike any others we've shared. It was filled with urgency and desperation. At first, she didn't respond to my kiss. But once she did, I knew she'd be ok. Her response showed that her mind had no idea what to do with how I reacted and instead released its hold over her. I leaned away from her shortly after. I looked i
...Wynter POV...I could feel my mind spinning from all the new information. Is everything he said true? Did I really do that? Did I really kill all those people? Perhaps Alpha Xander was right all along. I am the monster. Darius had wrapped his arm firmly around me, but I couldn't stay there any longer. It felt like the room was closing in on me. I couldn't breathe, but worst of all. It felt like all of this was my fault. Before Darius could figure out what was happening, I stood up and ran from his embrace. I ran out of the room and into the hall. Both Darius and Kenji were quick on my heels, which only encouraged me to go faster. I could hear alarms going off, but I paid no attention to it. I needed to find my way out of here. I continued to run down the halls, searching for any sign of an exit. Finally, a stairway came into view. I entered the stairway and jumped down the middle, landing on my feet. I had crouched down just before hitting the ground and jumped up and continued to
...Darius POV...The moment Kenji told us that she had killed the men that had taken her, I knew something was going to happen. I just wasn't prepared for what. When I felt Wynter pull away from me, I knew I had to try to find a way to stop her. Without knowing what she was thinking, I had a feeling I knew what was running through her mind. She had just connected the dots between the prophecy and her role within it. Up until now, none of us truly believed in the prophecy. While I'm not saying I do now, I also can't say that it's not a possibility.What she did back there only proves that she really does have the ability to become the monster that my dad believes her to be. The one thing running through my mind on repeat is that what had happened was a result of her body trying to protect her. Kenji specifically said that it was self-defence. She had truly been pushed far beyond her limits. To the point that she's only living right now because of her tribrid nature. If she was just a w
By the time I managed to find Wynter, our connection had been completely lost. I found her passed out on the ground, holding her neck. I moved her hand aside to see why she was holding her neck, which is when I saw what had happened. My mark had completely disappeared as if it never existed. The sparks I normally got when touching her had disappeared as well. I couldn't think of it anymore. I needed to get her back, and hopefully, we could find something that could help us. I've never heard of anyone going through this process, so I wasn't sure if it could even be fixed. But for now, I had to focus on getting her back safely. I switched into my human form and carefully placed her on my back. I then ran through the forest heading back the way we'd come.'Dare?' I heard Kenji mindlink me.I was so heartbroken that I didn't want to answer. I was on the brink of a mental breakdown myself. Being an Alpha means I feel things much stronger than a normal wolf. So strong emotions like love an
...Wynter POV...This was becoming a horrible deja vu. I hated how often I was finding myself waking up in foreign locations. Unlike the other times I had woken up, I felt extremely lost. As if I had somehow lost a part of myself.When I sat up, I saw Kenji and two others staring back at me."What's going on? Where's Darius? Who are these people?" I ask Kenji.Instead of answering my question, the unknown man makes his way towards me."Have you ever heard of Lover's Fury?" He asks.I search my mind. However, I'm drawing a blank."No. What is it?" The man solemnly nods his head, then turns towards the others. I look back at Kenji, wanting to know what's going on."Kenji? What's going on? Where's Darius?" I ask again, waiting for an answer.However, just like before, everyone stays silent. I've never seen Kenji act like this before. He's normally very vibrant and chatty. So to see him so silent makes me worried. I get out of bed and am surprised when no one attempts to stop me. I slo
I had lost track of time. It felt like months, maybe even years, had gone by in the time I had been out here. It may have only been a few minutes, but each second that Darius was away from me felt like an eternity without him.I had been here for so long that I had become numb to my surroundings. "Wynter? What are you doing here?"I don't know who's calling me, but I pay them no attention.I feel someone walk up to me. They kneel behind me, touching me softly. I can feel subtle sparks, but not like when Darius used to touch me, which is why I decided to ignore them further. Perhaps they'll just go away if I ignore them.Whoever it is, begins to run their hand through my hair. A gesture that Darius used to do. Just the thought brings me to tears."Why are you crying, Farfalla?"I turn my head up at that one. Only one person has ever called me Farfalla."Darius?" I ask, turning around, suddenly hopeful."Yes, Farfalla, it's me.""You're really here?" I ask, not sure whether I can belie
Darius pulls me close to him, enveloping me in his arms. I missed this feeling—the feeling of peace and tranquillity. There's truly no better feeling than being in his arms. He stands there, holding me close. What just happened took a massive toll on both of us. Darius hasn't said anything about it, but I can tell he's still hurt from what happened. Even though I had no intention of doing that to him, I know he'll never forget what happened. It will forever leave a scar on him. I'm thankful to the Moon Goddess that she granted us a second chance. However, I'll never allow myself to forget what I did to him, to us. I broke away from him after a few minutes."Why don't you head back? I'll be there shortly."Darius twists his head slightly to look at me. I can tell he's searching my thoughts, wondering what's running through my mind, but I put up my block, preventing him from doing so."What's running through that beautiful mind of yours?" He asks after not being able to find out."It's
...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