ZIRA I stood still for a few more moments before walking over to Alaia. I stood a few feet away, thinking she would jump up and attack me. My heart was pounding in my ears, so I couldn’t tell if she was okay. Hell, I didn’t know why I cared. Because I’m not a monster. “Alaia?” Silence. Only the sound of the wind could be heard. I took cautious steps toward her body. I bent over as my hand shook to touch her shoulders, and she lunged at me. She pushed me to the ground, pinning one of my arms with her foot and one of her hands. She used her free hand to bring the knife right under my throat. My claw mark across her face turned into black ink as it healed. Werewolves, even half-werewolves, don’t usually heal like that. “Now look at what you made me do. I have to use magic to heal faster, you little bitch,” she spat in my face. The knife dug deeper into my skin. I could feel it burning from the silver. I struggled to get out of her lock. “I was going to make this quick, but I th
ISAIAHHunter and the warlock George held me back as I tried to take back control from Devon. To him, Alaia did no wrong. She was his mate and had no faults. On the other hand, I had an inkling that something was off with her, but I couldn’t blame her without proof. If we were wrong, it would only create friction in our strained relationship. That thought alone made Devon come out in full force. “How dare you blame her when she helped you rescue your witch, your mate!” Devon snapped at Zack while pushing Hunter and George away. “Watch it, young Alpha,” Zack growled back. Isabella and James stood between us as we glared down at each other. So now there were two angry Alphas in close quarters. That is never a good sign. Isabella looked at me. “Devon, Isaiah, please,” Isabella pleaded. “Zack wouldn’t implicate his own sister without reason. So let’s just hear him out, OK?” Devon wanted to punch someone, mainly Zack, but even he was curious about what Zack wanted to say. He huffed at
ALAIA A chill roamed through the forest air, and the half-moon gave enough light to pierce the surrounding darkness. Words couldn’t express what I was feeling right now. “All I’m saying, son, is there will be a white werewolf in our lineage again, and he or she will have to be Alpha.” Alpha Jack’s words played in the back of my mind as I watched Zira struggle at the edge. “Not just a plain Alpha werewolf, but an Alpha with powers like the Goddess. This is a blessing, and you will waste it giving the position to someone else.” Now that position will be up for grabs, Grandpa, you’ll just have to get on board. White Werewolf or not, my child will not be denied her birthright, and no one will get in her way. I pushed Zira over the edge and was disappointed that she didn’t scream. Didn’t matter. Her defeated expression was enough to keep me satisfied. I could barely hold my excitement as I watched Zira quickly disappear through the fog created by the waterfall. That was what I
ISAIAH I howled to alert my patrols and shifted. I checked for Alaia’s scent. It was faint, but it was enough to follow it. Along with hers, I caught a whiff of a rogue. Just one. Why would one rogue be here? I made it to the clearing before the rest of my men and saw him near her. “GET AWAY FROM HER!” Devon growled loud enough to make the snow from the trees fall to the ground. Nas turned towards me, and his eyes were black. His wolf was at the surface. I wasn’t worried about him. I could feel Alaia’s breathing slowing down. I needed to hurry and get her out of there. A blue wolf came to one side of me and a gray wolf on the other. Then, the rest of my crew surrounded Nas. He looked around and noticed he was surrounded. He stepped away from Alaia. I shifted and walked straight to Alaia, daring him to do anything. He held up his hands as a few of my men went after him. Hunter took over, escorting him back to the dungeons. I turned Alaia over and noticed black veins covering
*Trigger Warning: Death* ISAIAH The room was dark aside from the light coming through the window. I held my breath as I stared at Alaia standing beside the window. Her back was turned to me, but I could hear her whispering something. “Luna, you shouldn’t be out of bed,” Doctor Callie said, moving beside her, but Alaia shrugged her off. “I don’t need you telling me what to do!” Alaia snapped at her. She turned around, not noticing me at all. She held a pink blanket in her arms, cuddling it to her chest. She looked completely different. Her skin was pale like ash, and spidery black veins were spiraling from her temples, disappearing into the hospital gown. “Luna Alaia, it’s best if you try to get some sleep. You underwent an extensive operation.” “Shhh,” Alaia said softly. “You will wake the baby.” Alaia sat on the bed, rocking back and forth, speaking into the blanket. “It’s gonna be okay. You are not alone. Mommy has you.” Doctor Callie looked at me for assistance, and I rea
ZIRAColdness. That was the first thing I remembered feeling when I hit the river below. Then, in an instant, I was sucked into oblivion. I wasn’t sure if my eyes were open or closed. I couldn’t see anything. Just lying...in darkness, or maybe I was floating. I couldn’t tell. Where am I? Was I in heaven? Hell? Would the Goddess take it out on me? I couldn’t tell if I was moving. I couldn’t see myself. Is heaven just a black abyss? That would be disappointing. Behind what I thought was my mind, I heard something. Was it water? I think it was water. I felt cold. I never felt this cold before. I was beginning to feel numb. Was I dead? I must be dead. Wait, if I’m dead then… Oh please, please, Goddess, keep my baby alive. He’s innocent in all this. I’m the stupid one. Please. I reached out for anybody to hear. Nina, Isaiah, Isabella, my parents, anyone. I needed to keep him alive. I tried to reach for him, to feel him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I cried and screamed, and I
JAMES After helping the Alpha Isaiah of the Black Moon Pack, I waited until I got news about Victoria before rejoining Zack. She was broken up badly, but at least she was alive. I felt out of place, so I waited to help get my aunt settled before leaving with George to return to Zack’s pack. It was strange seeing Alaia again after so long. I didn’t get to see much of her, which was good for me, but what I did see will forever be cemented in my mind. Spidery black veins sprouted over her face, which told me whatever happened in that forest wasn’t good. I knew I didn’t want to be around that when she woke up. Who knows what state of mind she was going to be in. Seeing me might bring up things neither one of us wanted. I didn’t want to think about it, so I busied myself with Zack and helped him get his pack under control. It took hours to finally get control of the pack members, assess all the damage, tame the fires, and get rid of the rogues’ bodies. I took a break to ensure my m
JAMES I sat up, trying to control my breathing. Who was she? Why did she smell like Maria? I got up and went outside. It was early morning, and the crisp air was perfect for a run. A run that I really needed after yesterday. I have been wired since last night. I went to the woods and took some deep breaths. I love the cold air. It was refreshing. I weaved through the trees, following the routes I used to take when I was a kid. It was a scenic route where I could see most wildlife during their morning routines. Though around this time of the year, I usually see snow bunnies, deer, and hares skirting around the snow. I turned to head back when suddenly a gust of wind blew my way. It danced across the snow-covered ground, creating little snowy whirlwinds passing around the trees. I watched as it swirled in a specific direction. There was something familiar about it. Did it want me to follow? I wondered as I stood still contemplating. I decided against it and turned to go back to
ISAIAH Water splashed on my face for the hundredth time as my son’s 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. “Arias, we’ve been in here for twenty minutes. You have to let me wash you,” I said, trying to grab him, but Arias slipped out of reach. “That’s it. I’m coming in.” Arias shrieked, trying to get away from me. I couldn’t 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 Alaia’s grip. Alaia could see her brother stalking back and forth beyond her little shield, looking just as helpless as his little mate. “You know,” Alaia started with a malicious smirk, “it tickled me when I found out you were my brother’s mate. All this time, I couldn’t figure out why you always dismissed my plans of wanting to kill him. Subconsciously, you were always on his side. You just didn’t know why. So now I’m going to enjoy killing you while he watches.” Alaia tightened the hold around Mirja’s neck as Mirja gasped for air. Alaia was so wrapped up in her fury to kill that she didn’t 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. “You...you rejected me,” Zira said softly, and it tugged at James’s heart. “James would not reject you, Zi. I can tell he loves you,” James said to her. Zira looked at him, confused. “You’ve never called me Zi before, and why are you speaking in the third person?” “I’ll explain when I get you as far away from here as possible,” James said as he proceeded down the long hallway. They descended a few hallways before Zira squirmed out of James’ hold. “No,” Zira screamed. “I have to get Arias. I have to find him.”
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.