Alpha Hudson’s POV I am devastated. I should demand she stay at the River Valley Pack with me, her father. But Millie is right. Her mate offers her a chance of happiness, and I was content with what I had, even though I had lost my mate. I just want to be selfish and keep her all to myself for the rest of my life. But that would be like robbing her of her life, her happiness, her future. I should set my feelings aside and encourage her to lead a full life. That is what Veronica would have wanted, that is what I would have wanted had she been in my life all of this time. I can visit her at Spring Valley Pack anytime and she can visit me here at the River Valley Pack. She will also visit Millie as well. I know I will have plenty of contact with her in the future. I make her aware that if she does not wish to stay with Maddox, she always has a home with me. Which gets Maddox annoyed, but I don’t care about him. It is her well-being that is most important. I can always
Lottie’s POV Everything changes tomorrow. The look on Caren’s face tells me she knows it, too. But that is tomorrow. At least we have today. There is so much to do. My priority is to make sure our mom will be okay and comfortable after we have gone. My gut instinct is to make sure she has enough food in the house and we leave the gardens in a manageable condition. Mom hates the gardens being untidy. They usually left the front garden for me to tend to. I love the scent of the freshly cut grass. I also used the time to trim my mom’s rosebush and I often talk to her at the same time. It makes me feel like I have a connection with her. I want to have one more conversation with her before I leave. The back garden is Caren’s responsibility. She grows a lot of our vegetables in a vast patch of it. She even grew some apple trees when she was younger. We haven’t bought fruit or vegetables for years. The men are discussing vehicles when Caren announces she is going to tend to he
Lottie’s POV Maddox gives me an enormous hug when I walk outside. “Ready?” he asks. “Physically yes, emotionally no.” I tell him honestly while looking at my mom through the window. “She will be okay, we can visit.” he says, reassuring me. “Ember, how does this gift work?” I asked her. “I am not telling you unless you promise I will get to meet Xavier later,” she responds. I obviously annoyed her, seeing that I am not letting her meet up with Xavier again for their official mating. “That’s blackmail.” “No, that’s negotiation.” I looked at Maddox and told him what Ember was saying. “Please let them meet. Xavier is going crazy. He is saying I am torturing him and that you are holding his mate against her will.” “Fine,” I tell Ember and Maddox at the same time, “Tonight I am not missing out on time with my mom or dad.” Ember howls with joy. Speaking of dad, I went and found him, for some time alone. We took the box of pictures to my mom’s grave. We laugh,
Millie’s POV I have left Lottie some clothes outside for when she returns. Which she had better get back soon. It’s the last night with my girls for a while and I want to enjoy some time with them. That wolf of hers sounds like a handful. It matches her personality, I suppose. I finished preparing some food when Lottie and Maddox walked in, smiling. “I take it you have some happy wolves now?” Lottie giggles. “She blocked out, but Ember has told me she is satisfied.” I know Lottie is the same age I was when I met Aidan, but she seems more innocent than I was. Maybe it was my upbringing. Witches were expected to take part in rituals once they gained their powers. But only witches and warlocks over 18 had sex during rituals. The rest of us were expected to watch and learn. As we sit around the table, I see lots of people linked to my little girl and I feel the love in the room. She deserves to be happy, they both do. They have a 7am start in the morning, and I want so
Lottie’s POV “You will be okay.” Maddox says as we pull out of the driveway. The tears streamed down my face as we left them there on the porch, leaving her. My mommy. I call Caren on the phone to check how she is doing. She is sobbing too. At least I am not the only emotional one. It’s a good 6 hours of solid driving to get Silver Mountain Pack, which is why we had to set off so early. We all agreed we should visit, as we have no information about our elemental gifts, or how dangerous they can be. I must have dozed off, as when I woke up, we were pulling into a roadside diner. It makes me smile because the diner chain is the one mom worked for. I really like the burgers when they cook them right. We got out and I feel a little less emotional than I was earlier in the day. I felt thirsty, though. I guess all that crying has made me dehydrated. We walk in and there is a huge birthday celebration going ahead. I don’t even know the boy and I already know that it’s Tho
Parker’s POV I don’t want to leave the diner. Dani is there. She’s so pretty. I'm experiencing a fluttery feeling inside my stomach. Watching her is a delight and she smells like a freshly made cake. I am certain she is my mate. I am under no illusion of that. I am guessing she doesn’t have her wolf yet, otherwise she would know I was her mate, too. I just want to look at her over and over again. Saxon appreciates the view just as much as I do and I am having a hard time controlling him, but he knows Dani is wolf less right now, so he keeps howling in my mind. Like he has lost something, but really, his mate has not yet appeared. Meaning she is not lost, she is just not here yet. I don’t understand the note from the girl in blue, nor do I understand why I dreamed about her last night. Maddox doesn’t want to go to the Mountain Creek Pack. He wants to get home as fast as he can. But he has to visit the Silver Mountain Pack along the way, for Lottie’s benefit. I hope he has al
Parker’s POV Nix jumps into a car and drives off. A dozen wolves followed the car. I assume the Alpha of the pack is leading the hunting party and Nix is leading the search party. It makes sense, but what makes little sense is that he didn’t shift with the other wolves and an older man in the car with him. I say older, I mean in his forties. Maddox tells us to drive as well. We are strangers in this pack and we don’t want any wolves thinking we are the rogues they are hunting! We followed Nix’s car for a while and when he stopped, we climbed out. We are at the bottom of a cliff where there is a wild river running along it. Maddox is acting really anxious and saying something to Lottie. I looked around. Nix was running towards something on the ground, at the edge of the river. But I can’t see anything from where we are. We all walked over to see what it was they were looking at. Wolves are sniffing at what looks like a smashed up wheelchair. I guess it has fallen from th
Lottie’s POV I can’t believe I left my mom and dad this morning. Now I have to leave my sister. I know it’s only for a few days, but still. But she is adamant that she needs to stay. I have never seen her more certain. I know Maddox needs to get home to Spring Valley Pack, but he is doing nothing but rush me to Silver Mountain Pack along the way. I am sure I will appreciate it in the long run, but it doesn’t feel that way right now. “I could do with a distraction. If you have time on the way out,” Caren asks me as we are leaving Mountain Creek Pack. I can organize that easily. While Maddox is driving, I see a few hay bales, “Perfect, pull over.” I told him. Other than that, fatal first time, I have never really used my gift on purpose. Ember is not happy when I use a memory that makes me mad to spark my gift. But I have not yet got the grasp on how to manifest the fire at will. Overall, it does the desired job and as the hay bales go up in flames, we drive off. Madd
Charlie’s POV “What are we going to do, Jacob? How did we end up losing track of so much time? Darcey is going to kill me.” “Don’t worry too much. Darcey will be at home, tucked up in bed. She won’t even notice you were gone.” Is he serious? Darcey will know. We’re trying for a baby, and she is demanding sex every night. Not just a quick session either! The past week she has been hornier than ever, and I have been running on fumes. She will know I’m not there. I knew it was a mistake. Letting our wolves go for a run before the blue moon. But Jacob insisted. He convinced me I had been stressed lately. That I needed to let off some steam. Now I was going to be in a bucket full of crap. Thanks Jacob, I think to myself. Our wolves took over, blocking us out. They only let us have our bodies back because they became dormant. Now here we are standing here bollock naked in the middle of nowhere, miles from home. “It’s going to take ages to get back.” “It’s going to take you ages.
Stephanie’s POV “Steff. How are you feeling?” A voice asked me. “Horrible. My head hurts so much.” Am I speaking to someone in my mind? Whoever it is laughing at me. Did I actually die? I can’t have died. I would be back in the wolf realm. From the smells in this place, I am definitely not there. In fact, one smell is so very good, like delicious. I can’t put my finger on it, but it is mouth watering. “That’s our mate.” The voice says again. “I don’t have a mate. I don’t have a wolf.” “You do now. Selene sent me to you.” I slowly figured out that’s who I was talking to me. “There’s so much you need to know, Steff. Or is it Annie or Stephanie?” “No, no, no.” I’m so confused. “What I need to know is which wolf Selene sent me?” Whoever she is shakes herself and stands proud. She then pounds her feet. How do I know what she is doing? “Selene sent me to you. She said, I am to look after you. Ensure you get life-long happiness and joy. The love you deserve.” “Fine,
Hecate’s POV “An opportunity has risen. You’re the perfect choice for the role.” I tell the couple that have been living an isolated life. They both look at me. “Selene needs to give a wolf less soul, the powers of the blue moon goddess. Only someone who is willing can accept the powers. It would mean you would have to live in the wolf realm. With him forever.” I said, gesturing towards her mate. “I can live here with him forever.” She responds. “You can live there forever and oversee your children and grandchildren. You can be with their wolves for all eternity.” I now have the attention of them both. “Can I visit them?” She asks curiously. “Occasionally,” I tell her. I know Selene will restrict visits, especially after Steff burned through her last body so fast. “I also want to negotiate with Selene about you overseeing any hybrids. They need support and guidance. Given your experience in this field, I thought it would be fitting.” She looks at me, then at the wolf at her side.
Tripp’s POV “You are a goddam idiot. You just walked away from her. I thought you said you wouldn’t be rejecting her, no matter what?” I said snappily to Elliot. Still not quite believing he walked away from our mate. He walked away and shifted. “I won’t be rejecting her. It’s just a lot to take in. I needed to process everything she told me. She has lived so many lives, knows everything about us. Not to mention she is in our mate’s body. That’s just weird.” “You couldn’t have told her that?” I roared at him angrily. I have been Elliot’s wolf for a long time and that by far is the stupidest thing he has ever done. “Steff’s body was dying because of her frequent visits to earth, to save your family. Annie’s soul was gone, her body was dying. Why can’t she have a life? She has helped so many over the years and is a good friend to all of us wolves.” I said now, trying to reason with the fool. “Do you know her?” Elliot asked me. “Yes. She lives in the wolf realm most of the time with
Elliot’s POV After my graduation, Dad decided to stop at Blackwood farm on his way home to the palace. Dad wanted to visit his mom’s grave. During my studies, I visited Blackwood farm many times. It was so quiet and away from the busyness of the school. It was a great place to study and Tripp, my wolf, loved being surrounded by nature. Dad visited whenever he came to see me. But he always got upset. This will be the last time he will visit Blackwood Farm for quite a while. I expect him to be worse today. I drove back in the early hours of the morning. I know Elizabeth and I have agreed I will start on Monday. But I am so excited. She is looking forward to some time off. My great aunt Elizabeth has been a great mentor since I started my training. I know my grandma has been as well, but she doesn’t practice anymore. Even though I am a few days early, she hands me my white coat. It feels so official putting it on. I can’t stop smiling as she gives me the tour o
Stephanie’s POV “Come on Stephanie. We’re going to be late.” Charlie calls out to me. I know he wants to get to work early today. But, of course, on the day I am supposed to be ready early. Everything goes wrong and I am running late. Darcey gave Charlie a chance. I am thrilled she did. Knowing what he overcame puts my heart at rest that they will take care of each other forever. Since then, Charlie has become a valued member of the kingdom. Proving to Darcey and everyone else that he is a worthy mate for her. She made him work for it, though. Part of the agreement between them was that he didn’t join the royal guard. He agreed not only because Darcey asked him not to, but because he knew Addie and Avery would make his life hell. They still hold a grudge because of his actions and the emotional suffering they caused her. Instead, Charlie got a job teaching the kids in the kingdom’s school. He also organizes regular camping trips for older children and aids with a program to
Steff’s POV I look at both of Annie’s parents. They look lost. “Will you keep her name?” “I would prefer to keep my own name.” Her mom looked like she was about to cry again. “How about a compromise? Combine the two. How does Stephanie sound?” She nods her head, composing herself. “Why is Hecate coming?” Annie’s father asks. “Annie’s body will need to be strengthened to house my soul. It won’t hurt Annie. I assure you.” Her father’s body seemed to sag with relief. “After the soul transfer. I will stay for a while. Let you say really say goodbye to her.” I don’t think they know what to say to that. But they will when the time comes. “No one is to know about this. It has never happened in the past.” I told them both. Just before Hecate appeared. Her appearance can be alarming if you’re not used to seeing her. Hecate has dark hair and dark eyes. For supernatural occasions, which this is, Hecate wears dark clothes and a spiked headpiece. She looks like an evi
Darcey’s POV When I woke up, all I wanted to do was find Charlie. The images in the lake still broke my heart. But what I needed more than anything was a drink. Elizabeth had been hydrating my body with some intravenous fluids, but my throat was as dry as a desert. Then people started fussing over me. “Take it easy was Caren’s advice.” Esme assured Caren I would. Then she promised to stay by my side until I made a full recovery. “Ayla, you had better make this a swift recovery.” I told her. Although I love my sister, spending a lot of time with her could be challenging. In fact, I am not sure we would be friends if we weren’t sisters. We are that different. But we are always there for one another. I know Charlie isn’t going anywhere. Nat visited me, telling me she had confined him and Jacob to a suite on the first floor. “You make it sound like he is a prisoner.” Esme says curiously to her. “He saved her life.” “I know,” Nat says sweetly. “When Darcey is feeling bet
Goddess Selene’s POV “You said we had more time.” Annie’s mom questions me. I want to remind her I am a goddess. But I really want Steff to have Annie’s body. “You do. I can now answer your questions.” I explained to Annie’s parents. Steff steps forward. “I am the blue moon goddess. I take care of the wolves in Selene’s realm during the blue moon and the eclipse. Your wolves know me well. The rest of the time, I am Selene’s companion. In my youth, my physical body hurt so badly it died. I now require a host body, a vessel to house my soul. Selene says you are considering letting me use your daughter’s body?” “Yes,” Annie’s father says proudly. “It would be an honor.” “I just want to know she will be cared for.” Her mom cried. “I have taken care of many bodies over my long life. Your daughter will be no different.” Her mom cries again but nods her head, implying her consent. “Steff, will you remain with them until Hecate arrives? I have business elsewh