Elara’s POVThe moment I stepped into Andrew’s office, a cold sense of unease settled over me. The air felt heavy, like something unsaid remained between us, waiting to be revealed.It wasn't long ago that I got a message that Andrew required my presence. The first thought that entered my head was the fact he probably wanted to see me concerning what was left unsaid.I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him anymore. Especially not after what Lora told me concerning her own mate.If I told him about my former plans to kill him, he might reject me and even worse lock me in a cell.I didn't want any of that.I didn't think I will be able to survive any of it. I will need to come up with something else.Andrew was behind his desk, his hands steepled together in front of him, watching me with those sharp, emotionless eyes. He seemed relaxed, but there was something in the way his gaze followed my movements that made my stomach twist.What surprised me the most was seeing Michael, standing just b
Andrew’s POVElara was still sitting across from me, her face pale like she had seen a ghost, her fingers clenched into the fabric of her pants. She hadn’t moved since Michael finished speaking, but I could see it—her mind racing, trying to process everything.And there was a lot to process. I hadn't gotten around to asking her what she wanted to tell me the other night. But for now, I think this is more important.The Blood Moon. Her powers. The fact that she was at the center of it all seemed to overwhelm her all at once.I was sure she hadn't fully gotten over her nightmare that had her knocking on my door at the odd hours of the night.So, I didn’t blame her for shutting down. Hell, I expected it. But shutting down wasn’t an option right now.“We need a plan,” I said, my voice cutting through the extended silence as I swivelled my chair so that I see both of them as I spoke.Michael exhaled sharply, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Agreed. Dorian won’t wait. He alr
Michael’s POV“Where do you think you're going?” Andrew asked, his voice dropping to threatening level. Gone was the warmth he tried to offer and in its place an icy tone that could cripple any wolf.But not Elara. She wasn't fazed by his reaction. “Trying not to waste your time.” She retorted, turning to towards the door.“We're not done yet.” He replied, as his body took on a stiff posture.“I don't think so.” She replied as she wrapped her hand around the door knob ready to twist and pull.“Sit.” He growled barely able to contain the anger that I saw on his face.“I said—”“I don't care what you said.” Andrew roared. “Sit down now.” His voice was filled with the Alpha power in him.There was no way she could resist that.I could see the resistance in her eyes. She was fighting it but no one could resist the an alpha’s command.Reluctantly, she dragged her feet back to her seat.“Now, where were we?” Andrew asked staring straight at her.“There's no way I'm putting myself in danger
Andrew’s POVThe door clicked shut behind Michael, leaving me alone with Elara. She was still sitting stiffly in the chair, arms crossed, a deep line between her brows.How much more of this insolence I could take, I didn't know. But somehow she knew how to push my buttons and get me all reeled up.But she is afraid. And my wolf does not appreciate it. I need to take it easy with her.I exhaled slowly. Michael had left because he knew this conversation wasn’t going anywhere. But I didn’t have the freedom of walking away. Not when it was my mate staring back at me with fire in her eyes and doubt in her heart.“Alright,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “No more yelling. No more commands. Just listen.”She scoffed but didn’t interrupt. Progress.I stood up from my seat and walked around my desk slowly as I made my way to her.When I was a feet away from her, I began.. “You know why I won’t let this go, Elara?”She lifted her chin. “Because you think I’m weak?”Weak? How could she say such
Lora's POVI sat alone in Elara’s room, the silence hanging over me like a dark cloud. The air still held traces of her presence—the faint scent of pine and something else uniquely hers. I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply before letting out a slow breath. I always felt safe around her.But now we had a new problem on our hands.The prophecy.I could still see the haunted look in her eyes when she spoke about it. Whatever she dreamt of was really scary to have her in that shape. The pressure of it weighed down on her like a heavy boulder, and for good reason. If the blood moon truly meant what she feared, then none of us were safe. But thinking about it now wouldn't change anything. I wasn't Elara. I had no part in the prophecy, no role in whatever destiny had chosen for her.But there was no way I was going to let her face it all alone. When the time is right, I would do what I must.So I decided to temporarily forget about the prophecy and Blood Moon. Instead, my mind dr
Michael’s POVI stood outside Elara’s room, staring at the door like it might attack me.This was stupid. I should turn around and walk away. Pretend like I was never here.But I couldn’t.Not after the way I treated her last night.Lora.The name echoed in my mind like a whisper and a war drum all at once.I exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of my neck.This was the right thing to do.I had to apologize.So, before my cowardice won, I raised my fist and knocked.Silence.Then, I knocked again, a little harder this time before I heard soft footsteps. A pause.The door creaked open.And there she was.Lora.Her dark eyes met mine, widening slightly before she schooled her features into something unreadable.“Michael.”Her voice was careful, controlled. Not cold, but not warm either.Not that I blamed her.“What are you doing here?” she asked , her voice cold. I hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Can I come in?” “Why?”My jaw tightened slightly. “I need to talk to you.”Why was
Lora’s POVMichael’s lips hovered just inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. The kiss we’d just shared had left me lightheaded, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.I wanted more. I felt too hot in my clothes. I wanted the fire that had erupted inside me and managed to lit my mons quenched.It was only him that could do it.His hand cupped the side of my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek with a tenderness that made my chest ache. “Lora…” His voice was rough, uncertain, as if he was still trying to hold back.I didn’t want him to.I had spent too much time second-guessing, too much time wondering if he wanted me or if he saw me as a mistake. But there was no hesitation in the way he looked at me now. No doubt in the way his body leaned into mine, drawn by something stronger than logic, stronger than our backgrounds.So, I did what I’d wanted to do from the moment I realized he was mine. I closed the space betwe
Michael’s POVThe hallway was quiet, except for the faint drone of voices drifting from the lower levels of the packhouse.I ran a hand through my hair as I stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, my body still humming with the aftermath of what had just happened. Lora’s scent lingered on my skin, a reminder of the sacred moment we just spent together.I have officially marked her. Lora has a mate. And it was me.It took everything in me to steady my breathing, and to push back the powerful need to go back, and spend some more time with her. My wolf couldn't get enough of her. I could feel his annoyance about leaving my mate back there. As much as I wanted to follow my animal instincts, I couldn’t.Not now.Andrew was waiting. And he was sure to ask questions. I had left in the middle of a meeting with his mate.The memory seemed so distant now though it was just a few hours ago.I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders as I forced myself forward.I had a job to do. I wonder what ha
Andrew's POVElara stood over the cracked floor, her hands still faintly glowing from the power she’d just unleashed as she tried to protect us. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She looked like something ancient and untouchable—not terrifying, not to me, but looked different. Changed.The seal beneath the cemetery groaned again, a deep pulse rattling up through my boots and into my spine.“We need to move,” I said, my voice low. “That crack wasn’t the end of it.”Elara didn’t answer. Her breath came in short bursts, her eyes fixed on the broken seal. By now, the spirits had disappeared.I touched her shoulder. “Hey.”She blinked. Looked at me. And for a second, I thought she might fall apart.“It spoke to me,” she whispered. “The seal. Or something beneath it. I felt it looking back at me.”I wanted to lie, tell her it was her imagination. But the air was charged, too still. The kind of still that comes before a storm tears the sky in half.Then, from the tree line, came the low soun
Elara’s POVI stared at the burning door like it was about to swallow me whole. My name—Elara—etched in glowing runes I didn’t recognize but somehow understood. The heat pouring off it wasn’t real heat. It was something else. Energy. Memory. Grief.Andrew’s hand was tight around mine, grounding me. His voice broke through the thrum in my head. “Elara… talk to me. What the hell is happening?”I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.Because I didn’t know.Something inside me did, but I didn’t.The spirits hovered behind us, still chanting. Their words no longer sounded threatening. They were mournful, like an old lullaby twisted by time. One of them stepped forward again—the female with hollow eyes.“You’ve returned,” she said softly. “The Gatekeeper walks again.”I blinked, throat dry. “But—”“You carry her blood,” she said. “That’s enough.”Andrew moved in front of me. “We didn’t come to unlock anything. We came to destroy that stone.”The spirit tilted her head, floating closer. “A
Andrew’s POVThe cemetery was too quiet. Even the birds had stopped singing.I stood at the edge of the wrought iron gate, my hand resting on the cold metal. The paint had long chipped away, leaving behind rust and claw marks. How did this happen? I wondered tracing the mark.Behind me, Elara’s breath hitched, and I turned just enough to catch the flicker of fear in her eyes.“I’m ready,” she whispered.I wasn’t sure she was. I wasn’t sure I was. But I nodded anyway, stepped aside, and let her pass through first.Michael grunted something under his breath, the kind of grumble meant to be heard. Greg followed, silent and sharp-eyed. Lora pulled her coat tighter, flipping through the notes she’d scribbled down from the old texts.This place had been hallowed ground once. Before the cult got their claws in. Before the spirits began to whisper from beneath the soil.We weren’t just walking into a cemetery—we were stepping into the belly of a trap.“Elara and I go first,” I said, stoppin
Greg’s POVThe walls still shimmered faintly from Elara’s outburst. The air felt heavier, like something had cracked open and left the world bleeding through.Is this the power of a god? If this is an effect it had before fully rising, then I wonder what will happen if this being finally came out.Andrew hadn’t moved from her side. He sat with her on the floor, her head resting against his shoulder, his hand holding hers like if he let go, she’d disappear.She might. Or worse, lose control again.I didn’t say that out loud.Michael stood near the window, watching the forest beyond the cabin. He hadn’t spoken in ten minutes, and that silence made me itch. If he didn’t know what was going on, we were in deeper trouble than I thought. We needed to figure this out or else, none of us will be able to last through it.I turned back to the stack of ancient books spread across the table, some half-burned, others older than anything I’d ever seen. I didn’t want to dig through more riddles, m
Andrew’s POVThe name hit me like a punch to the chest.Dorian.I leaned back, dragging in air that wouldn’t fill my lungs. Elara reached for me, but I shook my head. I needed to analyze this. If she touched me, I wasn't sure if I will be able to reason this properly.Because now I remembered.Not all of it though. They were just like pieces of of a broken mirror, scattered and each one reflecting a moment I shouldn’t have forgotten.“Elara,” I breathed. “I knew him. We were like friends.”Her eyes didn’t flinch. That alone told me she’d already guessed. She was waiting for me to say it.“I met Dorian when I was a kid,” I said hoarsely. “He saved my life.”Greg, who had been silent near the door, turned around so fast the wall creaked. “What did you just say?”Michael’s body tensed beside him. “Andrew—what kind of saving are we talking about?”“I don’t know,” I snapped. “I can’t remember everything.”Elara stepped forward, her voice calm but edged. “Tell us what you do remember.”I sw
Elara’s POVThe second Lora whispered our names, something inside me snapped.Not like a breaking—more like an unlocking. Like a door swinging open in my chest, one I hadn’t known was there until it burst wide and swallowed everything.Andrew’s hand jerked in mine. I clutched tighter.Heat bloomed between our palms, searing and alive. Not fire, not pain, but raw energy. My breath caught. My pulse pounded in my ears, but I didn’t let go. I couldn’t.Light exploded from our joined hands. It spiraled into the air, coiling around us like a storm of stars. I heard someone—Michael maybe—call out, but the sound was distant, barely a whisper under the rush building in my skull.And then—I wasn’t in the cabin anymore.---I stood in a field of silver grass beneath a sky so dark it shimmered.The stars blinked like fireflies. The moon loomed low, full and watchful. The air smelled like rain and crushed violets.Andrew stood a few feet away, barefoot, shirtless, bathed in moonlight. Not the curs
Michael’s POVThe sound of Andrew’s growl ripped through the cabin like a blade.I shoved the door fully open and charged in, heart thundering. Elara was pressed against the wall, hands up, her eyes wide—not with fear, but with something worse. Desperation. She wasn’t running.Andrew stood in the middle of the room, half-shifted, his shoulders hunched and trembling, eyes glowing that same cursed red. He let out another guttural snarl and lunged again.Greg tackled him before he reached her.They hit the floor hard. Bones crunched, snarls erupted, and for a moment it was a disaster. I grabbed Elara and yanked her out of the way just before Andrew’s claws slashed the wall where she’d been.“Are you insane?” I barked at her. “He’s not himself!”“I know that!” she shouted, struggling against me. “But I saw him—Michael, he looked at me. He knew me for a second.”I held her tighter. “And the next second, he nearly ripped you apart.”“He wouldn’t—”“He did.”Greg grunted from the floor, stil
Elara’s POVI didn’t sleep. Not even for a second.Andrew lay on the cot, drenched in sweat, the veins along his neck pulsing black like ink trapped under skin. His breathing was shallow, ragged, the kind that made my heart skip every time there was a pause between inhales.Every few minutes, he let out a soft groan, like the pain was crawling through him in waves. I held his hand and tried to stay calm, but my grip trembled. I felt useless. Like watching someone drown while your legs were tied to the shore.The fire crackled, low and weak. It was still dark out, and the cabin smelled of blood, herbs, and unease.Lora had done what she could, but even she looked helpless when she stepped away. I kept asking what else could be done, and each time she avoided my eyes.Then Greg came back.He stood in the doorway, dripping with sweat from running, his jaw clenched like it was holding back a something.“What is it?” I asked.He didn’t answer right away. He looked past me, to Andrew. Then
Elara’s POVBranches clawed at my arms as we pushed through the forest, the moonlight barely cutting through the thick canopy overhead. My lungs burned. Every breath tasted like smoke and blood.Andrew’s weight leaned heavier and heavier against me, his steps sluggish, and uneven. He hadn’t spoken in minutes. I could feel the fever radiating off him.“Just a little further,” I whispered, mostly to myself. “Come on, stay with me.”It was crazy how our positions switched. The main reason why he was caught in this mess is to help me. Now, I was the one doing the helping.Luckily that stupid beast left after doing it's work leaving me with a very sick Andrew. I didn't know how far Michael and Lora had to go in order to get help.Noticing he hadn’t responded, I looked down as his grip on me loosened.“Andrew?” I stopped and turned, my heart hammering. “Hey. Look at me.”He swayed. His eyes blinked, unfocused. Then he crumpled.“No—no, no, no.” I dropped with him, catching his head before i