NINA...but his scent was normal. Zira sighed. "Then we're mistaken. Besides, they were just dreams, right?" "No. Something's not right here, Zira." I didn't want to believe her. True, I would instantly know if he was my mate by his scent, but something had to be off. This couldn't have been the man who found me by the river. Even his touch did nothing for me. "Can I have my neck back now?" I realized I still had him hostage and quickly let him go, especially since we had an audience in the doorway. Heat began to rise to my cheeks from embarrassment, mostly from Zira. "I'm sorry," I grumbled. I didn't like being made a fool and felt foolish. "I thought you were someone else." "I get that a lot," the man smiled as he straightened his clothes. I noticed he was blushing as well. "Are you okay?" I could only nod my head. Something about him made me speechless, but I couldn't figure it out. If he wasn't my mate, we had to be connected somehow. He was staring at me, and I was caugh
JAMES The moment she pulled me in to pick up my scent, I could instantly feel the sparks running through my body. It has been a while since I felt them. Iโve forgotten what it felt like. So much so that I didnโt want her to let go. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and bring her closer. I wanted to bathe in her scent-juniper berries and fir. No, not fir, but cedarwood instead. Still, it was amazing. Even Deacon shared thoughts of marking her right then and there. โHer wolf would love it,โ Deacon kept saying. Heโs been running those thoughts in my head since we found her at that riverside. I almost did when she flat-lined minutes after I brought her in. It took Alpha Fiona and some fairy magic to calm me down. But it didnโt stop me from pacing in front of her door until I couldnโt take it anymore. I had to be near her, see her, and touch her. I ran in, begging Miss Emma to do whatever it took to save my mate. Then, a bright light filled the room, and her pulse returned. There was
ZIRA The man from before was back and holding my hand. I was more like gripping it, but he didnโt seem to mind. He was handsome, from the sparkle in his green eyes to the gentle expression on his face as he spoke to me. I wasnโt even sure what he was saying. I noticed his hand grabbing a necklace and wondered if he was the praying type. I needed all the prayers I could get. I have yet to have much luck with necklaces, and how he held this one mustโve meant it was important. Another contraction took me away from my thoughts. โTheyโre coming a bit faster than usual,โ I said through gritted teeth. โIsnโt it too early to be this far?โ โThereโs nothing normal about a werewolf pregnancy. Everything comes faster,โ Miss Emma told me. Great! The baby is coming, and Iโm nowhere near being strong enough. โBut Iโm... Iโm not strong enough. Canโt we hold him back or give me more time?โ โNow, now, sweetie. Looks like this little one is ready to come out, whether you like it or not. Thi
ISAIAH I woke up stretching my arm to the other side of the bed. As usual, it was cold. Something I had been getting used to since that fateful night two months ago. That day, I lost more than I bargained for. I got up and went through my morning routine. I took a quick shower and picked out some training clothes. I dressed and took a moment to look at myself in my full-length mirror. I looked like shit. My five oโclock shadow was turning into an actual beard, and my eyes were a bit sullen due to the lack of sleep. I looked at my clock and realized it was only five am. So, I had a good four hours of sleep. That should be enough to get me through the day or at least through training. I went outside to take in the cold air. It was just the kind of weather I needed for a quick run. There was something therapeutic about running. Feeling the ground underneath your feet. I look forward to these runs, especially with Devon being MIA (missing in action). Ever since Alaia left the ro
ISAIAHSo now we are back here where my best friend, more like a brother, was afraid of saying โbabyโ in front of me. Afraid of celebrating the life he helped create. I couldnโt allow this. My pack, my people, should be able to come to me about anything. As Alpha, I needed to rise above my trials and tribulations to better serve them. โHunter, I am excited for you, man. Really, I am. We should celebrate what we have instead of focusing on what we donโt.โ Hunter smiled, but it didnโt quite reach his eyes. He really did look like he had just risen from the dead. โSo, is the baby news why you look like this?โ Hunter laughed a bit while rubbing the back of his neck. โNot exactly. With everything going on, Ashlee worries that something might happen to her. So, Iโve been busy making her feel safe while trying to fulfill my duties as Beta and-โ โSay no more, Hunter.โ I quickly mind-linked Jace and Chris. โIf you need this time to be with her, take it. I still have Jace and Chris. They
ZACKItโs been a few months since the attack on my pack. With the help of Alpha Isaiah and Alpha Gregg of the Whispering Winds Pack, I was able to get control of the damage. We still had a long way to go to return to where we were before, but the people were optimistic. I wish I could say the same for myself. Mirja, my mate, was still in a coma. Harry, Jamesโ warlock friend, finally figured out what was wrong with her. She was trapped inside her mind. So, everything she saw felt natural to her. The only way to break it was to go inside to convince her it wasnโt real. I volunteered myself, but Harry refused. He felt he would be more experienced if something happened. So here I was, pacing back and forth at her door. Harry insisted I stay out of the way so he could concentrate. I said-well Alexi told him he was out of his witchy mind if he thought he was leaving his mate alone with another man. I tried to explain to Alexi that Harry was batting for a different team, but still, he w
ZACK This bond was completely taking over my senses, making me pull her close to inhale her wild berry and honey scent. I was happy that she was returning the favor. I slowly but reluctantly helped her back to bed. โYou should probably take it easy.โ She shook her head. โWe have to find her. She has completely lost it and is tapping into the magic beyond her control.โ โThat was the plan. I just needed the proof. You,โ I said, pointing to her. โNow I can bring Alaia back to the Elder Witches and-โ โNo,โ Mirja said firmly. โYou tried that before, and look at whatโs happening. If she has found a way to access the power in my familyโs grimoire, this is beyond the council. She has to be stopped.โ โWhat do you suggest?โ I asked, knowing the answer. I knew eventually, it might come down to eliminating the problem, but it was still hard to come to terms with it. Alaia was still my little sister. At that moment, Harry entered the room with a glass of water and gave it to Mirja.
ISABELLA I nervously watched George examine Victoria. I was fortunate to get James to bring someone to see her. He stood beside her bedside as I paced back and forth, watching them through the window. James kicked me out after growling at George numerous times for touching Victoria. It was more Jas than me, and she refused to listen. Ever since that night, I have been convinced Alaia had something to do with this. On the other hand, Isaiah believed her when she said she healed Victoria after Nas attacked her. Nas supposedly knocked her out before she could fully heal her. I just didnโt believe it. That girl doesnโt have a good bone in her little body. Then, finding out Zira was with them and suddenly disappeared, I really lost it. I had another huge fight with Alaia and Isaiah that still ended up with me looking like a jerk yelling at two people who had just lost their baby. Now, I could barely look at Isaiah without feeling a bit shameful. So, I kept to myself and watched ov
ISAIAH Water splashed on my face for the hundredth time as my sonโs laughter filled the bathroom. I looked down at Arias, who apparently got a kick from throwing soap in my face. Each time seemed to make Arias laugh more. โArias, weโve been in here for twenty minutes. You have to let me wash you,โ I said, trying to grab him, but Arias slipped out of reach. โThatโs it. Iโm coming in.โ Arias shrieked, trying to get away from me. I couldnโt help but laugh. Who knew bath time could be this fun? After another ten minutes or so, I was able to thoroughly wash and dress Arias for bed. I laid Arias down in his crib and grabbed a book to read from the bookshelf. Arias climbed out of his crib and
ZIRAI stretched and yawned as the light from the window crept across my face. I reached across my bed and realized it was empty. I instantly sat up. Panic starting to set in. I looked around the room for him, and it was empty.I was on my way to get out of bed when the door to my bathroom opened. James walked out and noticed my panicked face. He cocked an eyebrow, with a smile playing across his face.“What?”“I thought,” I said, trying to catch my breath. “I thought you were gone.”James laughed. “Where would I go?” James asked sarcastically. “You barely let me pee without hovering over me. And that snoring-”
ZACKAfter Alaia’s death, getting things back together slowly improved as the days passed. I took her body back to my pack to have a proper burial. Mirja didn’t think she deserved it. She wanted to burn the body, but I stopped before she could.True, Alaia was evil, and I knew that. However, she was still my sister, and I felt partially responsible for everything that had happened. So, I brought her home and buried her next to our parents. She was their problem.After that matter was settled, our days were filled with rebuilding the Blue Moon Pack. With the help of Alpha Isaiah and Alpha Fiona, we were now working at a ninety percent capacity. Most of the houses were rebuilt, and Bronx proved to be a responsible Beta. George and Harry came around more often. Harry was obsessed with Mirja’s knowledge of
ISABELLA"No, no, no!"Luna Bella's screaming filled the entire hospital room and down the hall. She sat in bed, holding her hands out in front of her while Victoria stood in front of her. Victoria sighed, holding a teacup of medicine in her hands."Luna Bella, you have to drink this to get better," Victoria said to her, clearly frustrated. "Are we seriously going to go through this every morning?""Are you seriously going to force me to drink that crap," Luna Bella growled at her.Hitting the breaking point, Victoria growled back. "Drink it!"Luna Bella leaned back with a shocked expression before glaring at Isabella, who sat back, watching everything unfold.
THIRD POV After her little laughing fit, Alaia turned her attention back to Mirja, who was trying to claw her way out of Alaiaโs grip. Alaia could see her brother stalking back and forth beyond her little shield, looking just as helpless as his little mate. โYou know,โ Alaia started with a malicious smirk, โit tickled me when I found out you were my brotherโs mate. All this time, I couldnโt figure out why you always dismissed my plans of wanting to kill him. Subconsciously, you were always on his side. You just didnโt know why. So now Iโm going to enjoy killing you while he watches.โ Alaia tightened the hold around Mirjaโs neck as Mirja gasped for air. Alaia was so wrapped up in her fury to kill that she didnโt notice anyone entering her space until the last moment. She whipped around and came face to face with James. 
THIRD POVAlaia blocked another attack from Deacon as he pushed her away from Arias and Zira. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Zira finally getting up and assessing the situation.Alaia looked around, confused. James’ wolf, Deacon, was attacking her, but she could clearly see James’s body in the hall. Unfortunately, her mind was so clouded that she couldn’t figure out who was real. Besides, this wolf was moving too fast for her to focus on attacking.This…this wolf had to be an imposter or some sort of trick. She thought.Deacon kept attacking her, pushing her back, and she could feel herself getting weaker, or maybe it was tiredness. She watched Deacon stand between her and Arias. The one whos
THIRD POV It took a moment for Zira to realize she was being carried. Then, she looked up and saw James, who noticed she was awake. โYou...you rejected me,โ Zira said softly, and it tugged at Jamesโs heart. โJames would not reject you, Zi. I can tell he loves you,โ James said to her. Zira looked at him, confused. โYouโve never called me Zi before, and why are you speaking in the third person?โ โIโll explain when I get you as far away from here as possible,โ James said as he proceeded down the long hallway. They descended a few hallways before Zira squirmed out of Jamesโ hold. โNo,โ Zira screamed. โI have to get Arias. I have to find him.โ
THIRD POVThe sounds like that of beating drums echoed throughout the woods as werewolves collided with each other. More rogues descended upon them as they tried to hold the line. Deacon maneuvered as best as he could, taking down a rogue every step of the way, but they seemed to be multiplying. He did his best to concentrate, but he felt pain spiral throughout his body occasionally.Zira. He had to get to her, but there were too many obstacles.“Portals are open,” George linked him.Deacon immediately started running towards George when a rogue jumped right before him. Maybe it was because he was only a few minutes away from her, but he felt a new kind of energy surge through him.
THIRD POVMary gripped the bottle behind her back as the rogues glared at her. She tried controlling her fear as she approached them, but it slowly took over as she felt her legs shaking slightly. She was still just an Omega with meager fighting skills.“No one should be in this area,” growled the she-wolf as she gave Mary a once-over, noticing the shaking. “Why are you here?”“Luna Alaia,” Mary squeaked out before clearing her throat and failing to stand tall. “I’m here at Luna Alaia’s request. She wants me to check on the baby.”Mary tried to step through them, but the she-wolf held her back. Mary was able to get close enough to spray the pheromones on the she-wolf.