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LUCY'S POV:My eyes fluttered open slowly. It felt like I hadn't had a single breath in a century.Holy shit, what happened to me?"LUCY!" Jason hollered, rushing over to me."Oh my Goddess, I didn't think you would wake up. Your heart rate, your breathing. Oh my Goddess, Lucy," he was crying. I felt utterly useless. My arms try to wrap around him, but I can barely lift them.My eyes shift to the beeping sound next to me, and I realize I have a tube down my throat.The hell?I flail around, much to Jason's dismay. I rip the tube out of my throat."J—J—j—Jason," my voice is raspy and weak, unlike myself.My throat feels like I've been stabbed, my body feels like I've died a thousand times.I look around the room nervously, but it's just us.Me and Jason. Deep breaths. "Shhhh, Lucy, you're okay. Please breathe," he cooed while rubbing my arm.Tricia rushed in, alerted by what I assumed was the noise I made, the beeping, all of it.I was starting to feel woozy.I lay my head back, clos
LUCY'S POV:The nights were becoming cooler. I welcomed the breeze against my skin, like a weighted blanket on my soul.I had to take a moment to realize how truly lucky I was to be here. To have Tricia in my corner meant so much to me. I hadn't felt this kind of comfort in a friend in a very long time.Zev seemed supportive. I had no idea what he did or didn't know, but there was a level of respect since I whooped his ass in our sparring session.I chuckled internally at the thought.Jason was basically like my Dad. My heart ached at the thought.He was truly my guardian angel. The Moon Goddess must have sent him just for me.He made my life bearable through this entire thing.Then there was Seth.We hated each other at first, but as time went on, I considered him a good friend.He respected me, and Dax loved Nia.It was a weird connection I didn't fully understand, but it kept me grounded and happy.I was actually excited to have him back. I kind of missed him. He really did bring me
LEON'S POV:Alpha Ruston had given me a lot to think about.He introduced me to his Beta's sister.She was gorgeous. Long dark curly hair, blue eyes, and legs for days.Her mate died shortly after they had found each other. I'll never understand how that happens.Why would the Moon Goddess give us someone to have them taken away so soon after?Anyways, she was my age. It had been several years since she lost her mate, and she seemed to be dealing with it well at this point, but it still hurt me for her.On one hand, she was a Beta, with a strong bloodline, and seemed familiar with Luna duties.This would also strengthen our alliance with The Night Shade Pack, and I wouldn't have to worry about her finding her fated mate later on.On the other hand, I would never be able to match the type of bond she experienced with her true mate. While there seems to be more pros than cons, the singular con weighed heavily on me.I promised my brother I would wait to make anything official about pick
LUCY'S POV:After finally collecting myself, Tricia and I decided to go for a walk while we talked.At this point, stretching my limbs was a love-hate situation, but after being in bed for four days, I knew that I needed to do it."So, let's start with the lake," Tricia said, breaking the silence.I explained to her the dream-walking state I had been in when I had put my feet in the water, and she gasped, putting her hand to her mouth."What?" I snapped, not meaning to speak so sharply at her."I'm not sure how you connected to the lake in the dream walking state. That's so cool, Lucy!" she exclaimed, skipping her feet along the path, making me laugh."Yeah, but it put me in a trance-like state where I was forced to answer Leon truthfully. I told him I was his mate!" I say, shaking my head.I explained that I hadn't told Leon about the dream walking, so he had no idea that it was me.She nodded in understanding before responding."We found you by the lake that night. I had a vision of
LEON'S POV:Seth answers the door and looks at me, a bit surprised."Oh hey," he says, moving out of the doorway.Liam and I accept the invitation and step inside. We walk into his living room and sit down on opposite sides of the couch.I'm watching Seth's body language and I can tell he is uneasy."Your dad said you could go see Lucy after she feels better," Seth says, breaking the awkward silence.He is sitting down on the recliner across from the couch."Why was she sick? Werewolves don't really get sick," I say skeptically."Yeah, I know," he says without giving any explanation."Anyway, Zev said she is feeling a little better, so you should be able to see her soon. Tricia is going to be here today if she isn't already here. I know that your Dad can be secretive, but keep pushing his boundaries, he will open up more if you do. You need to talk to Tricia too. You will be taking over soon, and I need you both to be on the same page as I am." He sounds irritated but gives us a curt s
LUCY'S POV:Trish and I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning talking.She showed me how to connect to my Fae magic, but I still had a lot of work left to do.Masking my scent was actually really easy. She explained a lot of our power is connected to our emotions, so the more we want or need something, the easier it is to control the action.It's crazy to me that this power has always been inside of me, and I never knew it. Apparently, I was not affected by silver because I was a Fae. Trish explained to me that the Silver Throne Faes were connected to silver in more ways than one, which made me, being a hybrid werewolf, all the more curious.I chose not to overthink it too much.My acceptance of who or what I was had made a massive difference for Nia.She was now fully present with me, making my heart feel so much better.Trish was right about one thing: I needed to gain more confidence.I had slept in pretty late after not going to bed until the early morning.By the time I wok
LEON'S POV:Liam was right about a few things.One, Savina definitely had some experience. There was no way that was her first time.She didn't have to tell me for me to know that much but she admitted afterwards that she was embarrassed to tell me.Secondly, Bandit was feeling stronger within me, which made me happy.It definitely wasn't how I expected my first time to go, but at this point, I had accepted that nothing would go as I had planned.What was important now was making sure Bandit was okay.I turned my head, shifting to my side on the bed. Savina was still sleeping.I wanted nothing more than for her to leave after it was over, and even though she told me she lied, I didn't have the heart to kick her out.So here she is, sleeping peacefully in my bed.I crawl out of the bed, trying hard not to wake her up. I locked the bathroom door behind me before turning on the shower as hot as I could handle. I felt like I needed to scrub my own skin off.After quickly and quietly getti
TRICIA'S POV:I was fuming but trying my best to keep it cool.I knew that Leon didn't have any idea that Lucy was his mate or that he would never have slept with that leech, but nonetheless, I know that what he did would have harmed their bond and connection.Most importantly, it would have been extremely painful for Lucy.Hopefully, he didn't last long, I thought to myself, cringing a bit at my own thought."Wait, Tricia, I wanted to apologize, actually. I was a bit... cranky with you before. I'm sorry for how I acted. I have nothing against you or you being Fae; I was just trying to get through some weird phase, I guess," Leon says, trying to stop me from leaving.I know that some part of him was acting the way he was because his body had recognized his mate.However, the possessive, crazy side he had previously shown stems from his wolf's connection to his mate, which he couldn't have without scenting her, so it didn't make sense.I'd give him a free pass either way since he was my
LUCY:As I was thinking about what I had said to Liam at the waterfall, I realized that the truth had only become apparent to me after I said it out loud.This acknowledgment started to make me nervous.Tricia is fidgeting nervously next to Sybil. "Sybil, you didn't answer Lucy's previous question. Who do we say our truths to?" Trish pipes us again before Sybil can answer my second question.We were both eager to understand the rituals of this pack.I know I need to get Tricia alone so we can talk; something is definitely up with her.Tricia is looking at Sybil with desperate eyes, waiting for her to answer her question."There is no science to it all, sweetie," Sybil responds, making Tricia's face fall. She was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of sharing secrets, and I couldn't blame her; I had felt that way for so many years."It's like magic, really. It was how I was able to open my heart fully to Leander," Sybil says, in a dream-like state.She looks off into space for a whil
LUCY:"What was that about in the dungeon? You seemed scared after we left," Trish asks as we head back to the packhouse.I wasn't sure how to explain to her what I saw, so I shrugged it off. "Mom calls it Dragon Eyes," Trish responds at random.I stop in my tracks and look at her. What is she referring to? The way my eyes shift?"Your mom could never do that, or at least I had never seen her do it. I was curious, and when I mentioned it to my mom, she said it's been many years since a Fae was gifted with that kind of magic," Trish smiles, looping her arm through mine as we continue walking.We were walking back from visiting the hospital. The girls were in high spirits. They loved the clothes that Liam had picked out. He really had the best taste. I was glad he was there to finish up their shopping because it really wasn't my thing.Tricia was excited about their marks but hadn't said much, which didn't surprise me as the girls were present, and Trish was very kept to herself abou
LUCY:As we get to the dungeon doors, I can't help but smile once again.I look up at the guards, who, based on their expressions, know exactly who I am now.It's not their fault they dragged me here at one point. They were only following orders.Once they bow their heads at me, the bratty waitress finally realizes I'm behind her."Ugh! You!" Fern rolls her eyes at me before turning around to face the guards again."Why can't she have visitors!?" she screams at the guards, who look at me for help."You'll see her tomorrow, Fern," I say calmly.I had no idea why my magic was in a key, but once it was within me, I felt just a little bit more at home. A strength had settled in me that felt like it was always mine.It was familiar, and I welcomed it."She isn't Luna yet. She doesn't get special privileges," Fern says, glaring back at me."If Alpha doesn't want visitors, then I suggest you listen," I respond.She doesn't hear a word I say. She pouts at the guards like it will make a differe
TRICIA: [Days Prior - Part 2]I've been walking around, following my mom as she grabs items she wants to take.I'm trying to be helpful, but she is being meticulous with everything she wants to bring.She sets a stack of books on the table and finally makes eye contact with me again after I had pressed her about the Aphirages. I place my hands on her shoulders, searching her face for answers."Mom, I have never questioned anything you've asked me to do or say. Why won't you explain what the deal is with the Aphirages?" I say, continuing to push her into giving me answers.She's never been protective of something the way that she is with the flowers; aside from a book, she's never let me get anywhere near it.Even as a sneaky child, she always somehow knew when I was trying to break into the lock that held it shut."I also have other questions, such as why you said Seth would certainly change the course of events for Lucy!" I added, feeling as frustrated as ever.She looked around the
LUCY:Leander made all of the warriors leave.They have a few of their elite guarding Gatheo's home to ensure he doesn't go anywhere.I specifically asked that he not be let down to see Savina, to which Leander stated he didn't plan on allowing that anyway.I felt awful for the disruption I caused during the meeting. It was clear that these meetings were typically much more productive.Leander looked somewhat defeated and didn't hold much eye contact with me during the process of everyone leaving."Alpha, I'm sorry for causing such a scene," I say as Leon holds me from behind.Liam is being nosey, rummaging through the box, trying to figure out what's mine.I can feel it in my heart each time he grabs it or touches it."What have I told you about formalities, Lucy?" he smiles at me before grabbing me from Leon's grip and hugging me.The hug didn't last long before Leon grabbed me back and pulled me to my seat, which he decided would be his lap."Alpha lineages typically have a gift. O
TRICIA: [Days prior]I snuck through the secret passageway my people had made hundreds of years ago to prepare for the transition. That's what they called it: the transition. To me, it was the separation of myself from my heritage.We were like prisoners of our truth and power. Hiding among the werewolf communities as simple shifters.Being at the Cresent Moon Pack felt like removing the bars to the cell that my mom had kept me in.I know she had only been trying to protect me my whole life while we worked to guide Lucy the best we could."Trish! What are you doing here?!" My mom's voice comes from her room as I enter the house."Mom! Things changed. The visions we had discussed are not all aligning as we hoped," I explain to her as she rushes to hug me.I look around our comfortable little home—the home I was raised in on the edge of the Silver Moon Pack.The majority of our neighboring cabins were also Fae. All of us are waiting to live free again."Sit, child, let me get you someth
LUCY:I'm not trying to be disrespectful. My questions were genuine even though everyone in the room looks like they disagree; except for Seth who holds the same smirk throughout my questioning.It's clear that I haven't been raised to believe in the process they're used to and clearly respectI wasn't taught the way everyone was in this room. No one want's to answer my question or make it seem as if they agree with where I'm headed in this conversation."Let me guess. The first son of each member takes their father's spot?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.Leander sighs. He doesn't like my line of questioning, either.Maybe I was bitter for Kragen rejecting me simply because I was a girl or maybe it's because what is taught as normal to them, never felt normal to me."Are you questioning the order of things, Lucy? It's no different than the first born of an Alpha taking over the pack. This is how we've done it for thousands of years. It has always worked," Leander says, with a half frown,
LUCY:"I thought you were mad at me!" I fake frown at Trish.She looks nervous. Her normal casual demeanor shifted after I pointed out Saul staring at her.She blew it off like it was nothing."You had a lot going on, Luce. I just wanted to get there and back. I knew you'd insist on coming with me, but I couldn't wait any longer," she responds, justifying her off-behavior. "I'll meet you at the conference room," Liam announces before kissing the top of my head and taking off with all the bags.I wondered if Seth would be there, which made me feel guilty. He was the Beta, so surely he would be there.It wasn't a terrible thing that I wondered, right? I think to myself, realizing I'm chewing the crap out of my nail.'You know what I keep saying,' Nia giggles.'Shush it,' I quip."I wish I had a wolf to talk out my thoughts with," Trish comments at random as we head to the conference room."I'll be your wolf," I say, trying to make Trish smile."A girl's night after this?" she asks.Her
LEON:Lucy was uncomfortable at every store we went to, and even though she didn't say as much, it was apparent.She clung to me the entire time.She didn't know her sizes very well and didn't like to ask for anything, so Liam ended up staying behind to grab things he thought she would like.We were both trying not to push anything nor did we want to embarrass her by asking personal questions. We already figured that if she hadn't been out to eat, she likely had little to no experience in a shopping mall or outlet.'You're going to love what I found at the last store,' Liam links me.We were still getting used to sharing a link with Lucy. We were able to separate the two, but I knew we would have to be careful to make sure we were linking the way we intended.'Oh yeah?' I ask him as Lucy clings to my arm.She was right. Everyone was staring at her—more than even I had expected, but no one had done or said anything disrespectful yet.Liam stayed at the last clothing store we were at w