Mima’s POVCold.It wrapped around me like a firm hand, squeezing the breath from my lungs. My limbs refused to move, trapped in the unnatural pull of the lake. Panic clawed at my chest. I tried to fight or break free, But I couldn't.My body wasn’t mine anymore. My fingers twitched uselessly as the water dragged me deeper. The glow beneath me pulsed, silver and hypnotic, swirling like something alive.The Moon Goddess said my powers were sealed. Was this them breaking free?I opened my mouth to scream, but only bubbles escaped. Suddenly, the light exploded.A force just like I had felt that night surged through my body, burning and freezing at the same time. My skin prickled, my veins pulsed with raw energy, and my head snapped back as pain lanced through my skull.A voice whispered through the water. "Awaken." The world around me shifted.I wasn't in the lake anymore.I stood in a vast, silver-lit void. The ground beneath me wasn’t solid, but I didn't sink. My breath came in sharp g
Mima’s POVWe heard rustling in the forest and we both froze where we stood.The rustling grew louder. My body tensed, every sense on high alert.Daria edged closer to me. "Luna, something's out there."I nodded, scanning the treeline. My heart pounded, but the overwhelming power I had felt beneath the water was now just a faint hum. I didn't know if I could call on it again.A low whimper broke the silence. It sounded like an injured animal but I couldn't tell.A whimper sounded again and then I heard it clearly. A child.Daria gasped, rushing forward before I could stop her. "Wait!" I hissed, but she was already kneeling beside a small figure half- hidden by the underbrush.I stepped closer and froze. Aboy.He was curled up, his frail body shaking. His clothes were torn and dirty, and his arms were covered in cuts and bruises. He couldn’t have been older than ten. His dark hair was matted with blood, and his breathing was shallow.Daria reached out hesitantly. "He's hurt."I crouche
Mima's POVThe boy was locked up.I stood outside the iron doors of the cell, my fingers tightening around the tray of food in my hands. The dungeons reeked and this place was most definitely not suitable for a child.He sat curled in the farthest corner, knees drawn to his chest, arms wrapped tightly around himself. His dark hair, still matted with dried blood, clung to his forehead. He hadn’t moved since the warriors shoved him inside.“Here,” I said softly, kneeling by the bars. “You need to eat.”His eyes flickered to me, then to the food before looking away. He ignored me.Daria knelt beside me. “He’s scared.”“Of course he’s scared,” I muttered. “He woke up in a cage.”The guilt I felt grew stronger. I had carried him here, thinking I was saving him, but now he was locked behind bars as if he were some kind of criminal.Rake’s orders.I had fought him, of course. Had stood there, shaking with fury, demanding he let the boy go. But Rake had already turned away, shutting me out as
Mima’s POVI barely spoke for days.Daria tried, at first, asking questions like how I found the weather or how I liked my meal, bringing up small things to get me to engage. But I gave her nothing. Eventually, even she stopped trying.The only people I acknowledged were Kai and, occasionally, Daria.Rake kept his distance. He didn't ask about the letter, although I am sure Daria must have told him that I burnt it. We barely crossed paths, mostly because I stayed in my room most of the time.My nightmares, which had momentarily stopped, came back. They weren't the weird men but they went back to Dylan and Stephanie.They came like they always did, dragging me back into places I never wanted to return to. Dark dungeons, my old room and in each one, Dylan's face appeared, especially that night he tried to sexually assault me.Every time I closed my eyes, I was there again.I woke up gasping and shaking, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.And every time, I found Kai awake too, watching m
Mima’s POVRake’s lips moved against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. His hand rested on my waist, his fingers pressing just enough to make my skin tingle. My heart pounded in my chest, as I felt him thrust his tongue into my mouth, sucking on mine.I was kissing him.My mate.I let myself sink into it for a breath, two, before reality hit me. I came here for a reason.I placed my hands on his chest, pushing lightly. “Rake.”He didn’t pull away immediately. His darkened eyes roamed my face with a small smile on his lips before he finally exhaled, his forehead dropping against mine.“I need to tell you something,” I murmured.His thumb traced slow circles on my waist, a silent urge to continue. I swallowed, forcing myself to focus.“I’m going to the wedding.”Rake stilled. His grip on me loosened slightly. “You’re sure?” “Yes.”He nodded once as if accepting it, but his gaze flickered back to my lips. He tilted his head, his hand moving up to my jaw. “Then let’s finish what we sta
Mima’s POV“You’re taking him with you?” Rake said as he stared at me. His voice was calm as he spoke, and it helped to calm my racing heart, expecting his refusal.I met his stare, my arms tightening protectively around Kia. “Yes.”Beck shifted beside him, looking ready to intervene, but Rake didn’t break eye contact with me. Then, to everyone’s shock, he exhaled and nodded. “Alright.”A beat passed.Zahra let out a loud, exaggerated gasp. “It’s the kiss, isn’t it?” Heat shot up my neck. “Zahra—”She burst out laughing, and Beck followed suit, clapping a hand to Rake's back dramatically. Even Daria snickered behind her hand.Rake arched a brow, then smirked. “Maybe.” I gaped at him.Zahra collapsed onto the bed, gasping with laughter. “Oh, this is the best day of my life. Who would have thought I'd see a day like this? The big bad lycan king and my sweet childhood best friend”I scowled, picking up a pillow and chucking it at her head. “Pack faster before I leave you behind.”She on
Mima’s POVKia’s small fingers gripped my arm tightly as he shook, his wide eyes locked on Stephanie.His breath hitched as his tiny chest rose and fell too fast.“Kia?” My voice was soft but all he did was flinch when I spoke.His lips trembled, his fingers twitching as he stammered something under his breath. I leaned closer, trying to catch it. His voice was barely a whisper.“Witch.”The word sent a shiver down my spine.He pointed a trembling finger at Stephanie, his breaths ragged. His entire body shook as if his bones were vibrating under his skin.The room had gone silent. Eyes darted between Kia and Stephanie, murmurs breaking out.Stephanie’s expression twisted into shock and something I couldn't place my finger on. She raised a perfectly arched brow at me and then trailed her eyes to Kia.What did he mean by calling her a witch?I didn’t have time to analyze it. I wrapped my arms around Kia, pulling him into my chest. “I’m sorry,” I said to the table, my voice steady despit
The dining room was alive with laughter, the clinking of plates, and the faint melody of my mother humming as she set down another dish. The table was laid out perfectly, just like she always did, even for small family dinners. Except this one wasn’t a small family dinner, It was my birthday.“Nineteen,” my father said, his deep voice with a mix of pride as he poured himself a glass of wine. “Hard to believe you’re not a pup anymore.”“I haven’t been a pup for years, dad,” I replied, grinning at him as I reached for another slice of cake.“You’ll always be my pup,” he said, ruffling my hair before taking a seat at the head of the table.I rolled my eyes at him, stuffing my face with cake. Beside me, my brother, Damon stuffed his face with a cinnamon roll, ignoring the amused look my mother shot him. “If you’re going to eat like that,” my mother teased, “you might as well shift into your wolf. At least then you’d have an excuse.”Damon swallowed with a grin “The food’s too good, mum.
Mima’s POVKia’s small fingers gripped my arm tightly as he shook, his wide eyes locked on Stephanie.His breath hitched as his tiny chest rose and fell too fast.“Kia?” My voice was soft but all he did was flinch when I spoke.His lips trembled, his fingers twitching as he stammered something under his breath. I leaned closer, trying to catch it. His voice was barely a whisper.“Witch.”The word sent a shiver down my spine.He pointed a trembling finger at Stephanie, his breaths ragged. His entire body shook as if his bones were vibrating under his skin.The room had gone silent. Eyes darted between Kia and Stephanie, murmurs breaking out.Stephanie’s expression twisted into shock and something I couldn't place my finger on. She raised a perfectly arched brow at me and then trailed her eyes to Kia.What did he mean by calling her a witch?I didn’t have time to analyze it. I wrapped my arms around Kia, pulling him into my chest. “I’m sorry,” I said to the table, my voice steady despit
Mima’s POV“You’re taking him with you?” Rake said as he stared at me. His voice was calm as he spoke, and it helped to calm my racing heart, expecting his refusal.I met his stare, my arms tightening protectively around Kia. “Yes.”Beck shifted beside him, looking ready to intervene, but Rake didn’t break eye contact with me. Then, to everyone’s shock, he exhaled and nodded. “Alright.”A beat passed.Zahra let out a loud, exaggerated gasp. “It’s the kiss, isn’t it?” Heat shot up my neck. “Zahra—”She burst out laughing, and Beck followed suit, clapping a hand to Rake's back dramatically. Even Daria snickered behind her hand.Rake arched a brow, then smirked. “Maybe.” I gaped at him.Zahra collapsed onto the bed, gasping with laughter. “Oh, this is the best day of my life. Who would have thought I'd see a day like this? The big bad lycan king and my sweet childhood best friend”I scowled, picking up a pillow and chucking it at her head. “Pack faster before I leave you behind.”She on
Mima’s POVRake’s lips moved against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. His hand rested on my waist, his fingers pressing just enough to make my skin tingle. My heart pounded in my chest, as I felt him thrust his tongue into my mouth, sucking on mine.I was kissing him.My mate.I let myself sink into it for a breath, two, before reality hit me. I came here for a reason.I placed my hands on his chest, pushing lightly. “Rake.”He didn’t pull away immediately. His darkened eyes roamed my face with a small smile on his lips before he finally exhaled, his forehead dropping against mine.“I need to tell you something,” I murmured.His thumb traced slow circles on my waist, a silent urge to continue. I swallowed, forcing myself to focus.“I’m going to the wedding.”Rake stilled. His grip on me loosened slightly. “You’re sure?” “Yes.”He nodded once as if accepting it, but his gaze flickered back to my lips. He tilted his head, his hand moving up to my jaw. “Then let’s finish what we sta
Mima’s POVI barely spoke for days.Daria tried, at first, asking questions like how I found the weather or how I liked my meal, bringing up small things to get me to engage. But I gave her nothing. Eventually, even she stopped trying.The only people I acknowledged were Kai and, occasionally, Daria.Rake kept his distance. He didn't ask about the letter, although I am sure Daria must have told him that I burnt it. We barely crossed paths, mostly because I stayed in my room most of the time.My nightmares, which had momentarily stopped, came back. They weren't the weird men but they went back to Dylan and Stephanie.They came like they always did, dragging me back into places I never wanted to return to. Dark dungeons, my old room and in each one, Dylan's face appeared, especially that night he tried to sexually assault me.Every time I closed my eyes, I was there again.I woke up gasping and shaking, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.And every time, I found Kai awake too, watching m
Mima's POVThe boy was locked up.I stood outside the iron doors of the cell, my fingers tightening around the tray of food in my hands. The dungeons reeked and this place was most definitely not suitable for a child.He sat curled in the farthest corner, knees drawn to his chest, arms wrapped tightly around himself. His dark hair, still matted with dried blood, clung to his forehead. He hadn’t moved since the warriors shoved him inside.“Here,” I said softly, kneeling by the bars. “You need to eat.”His eyes flickered to me, then to the food before looking away. He ignored me.Daria knelt beside me. “He’s scared.”“Of course he’s scared,” I muttered. “He woke up in a cage.”The guilt I felt grew stronger. I had carried him here, thinking I was saving him, but now he was locked behind bars as if he were some kind of criminal.Rake’s orders.I had fought him, of course. Had stood there, shaking with fury, demanding he let the boy go. But Rake had already turned away, shutting me out as
Mima’s POVWe heard rustling in the forest and we both froze where we stood.The rustling grew louder. My body tensed, every sense on high alert.Daria edged closer to me. "Luna, something's out there."I nodded, scanning the treeline. My heart pounded, but the overwhelming power I had felt beneath the water was now just a faint hum. I didn't know if I could call on it again.A low whimper broke the silence. It sounded like an injured animal but I couldn't tell.A whimper sounded again and then I heard it clearly. A child.Daria gasped, rushing forward before I could stop her. "Wait!" I hissed, but she was already kneeling beside a small figure half- hidden by the underbrush.I stepped closer and froze. Aboy.He was curled up, his frail body shaking. His clothes were torn and dirty, and his arms were covered in cuts and bruises. He couldn’t have been older than ten. His dark hair was matted with blood, and his breathing was shallow.Daria reached out hesitantly. "He's hurt."I crouche
Mima’s POVCold.It wrapped around me like a firm hand, squeezing the breath from my lungs. My limbs refused to move, trapped in the unnatural pull of the lake. Panic clawed at my chest. I tried to fight or break free, But I couldn't.My body wasn’t mine anymore. My fingers twitched uselessly as the water dragged me deeper. The glow beneath me pulsed, silver and hypnotic, swirling like something alive.The Moon Goddess said my powers were sealed. Was this them breaking free?I opened my mouth to scream, but only bubbles escaped. Suddenly, the light exploded.A force just like I had felt that night surged through my body, burning and freezing at the same time. My skin prickled, my veins pulsed with raw energy, and my head snapped back as pain lanced through my skull.A voice whispered through the water. "Awaken." The world around me shifted.I wasn't in the lake anymore.I stood in a vast, silver-lit void. The ground beneath me wasn’t solid, but I didn't sink. My breath came in sharp g
Mima's POVI woke up to find that I was alone in my room.Rake must have left to do some work. I felt better, my nightmares had even reduced. I could think straight without remembering my past and I was enjoying my stay in this pack.Everything felt just like how it was before my parents died. I felt a whole lot better.I got out of bed and looked out the window. It was nighttime, and the moon shone so brightly into my room.The moon was beautiful tonight, and I just couldn't take my eyes off it. Then I heard it.“Child.”“Who is there?” I said into the empty room. Was I about to be kidnapped again?I looked around and almost turned my room upside down looking for the voice. By the time I was done, my room had looked as though a tornado had come through it.“Be calm child.”“Stop playing tricks on me, who are you?” I screamed. “The lake, come to the lake.”“No, no you're trying to kill me. Rake wouldn't like it; Rake would be mad if I went again, and he wouldn't listen to me. He woul
Rake's POVI stood outside of the room with a smile on my face. Mima was probably going to be pissed that I kept this from her for so long, but she would be happy, too, and if she was angry, I'd just find a way to appease her.My mind went back to how enthralling she had looked earlier and my heart raced.“Alpha. I'm sorry but I would like to have a word with you.” One of my subordinates called out to me. I nodded at him and followed him to one of the equipment rooms.“We finally got wind of the people that you had described.”At the mention of his words, my face immediately turned into a frown.“Tell me.”“They don't exist on the map.” He said before sucking in a breath and gauging my reaction.“What?! What do you mean by they don't exist on the map?” I asked fuming.“We couldn't find any trace about them from anybody. They didn't have a specific location. I asked around and some people did know them. Some had seen them lurking around in the shadows of their pack or walking in broad