Star’s POV
I watched as the dust settled, the echoes of the challenge still hanging in the air. Hutchins, bruised and bloodied, was helped away by a few loyal pack members. His defiance had been met with force, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.Helios stood tall, his back straight and unyielding, but his eyes betrayed him. The weight of being Alpha, of leading with both strength and the uncertainty that came with it, was heavy on his shoulders. His hands clenched, then unclenched at his sides, like he was trying to rein in something. "Star," he said, his voice low, but steady, "We need to talk."I nodded and followed him to the balcony, away from prying eyes. The cool night air brushed against my skin, but it wasn’t enough to chase the heat gathering in the pit of my stomach. This wasn’t just about Hutchins. This was about everything.“I don’t undStar’s POVMy body shuddered with unprecedented unease, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something worse was coming. As much as I wanted to trust in the strength of our bond, there were too many unknowns, too many things about Ravena and Hutchins that lingered like a shadow over us.Helios had grown quieter in the days following the challenge, his once-unshakable confidence now tempered with a cautious wariness. And I couldn’t blame him. I, too, felt the weight of it all. The sense of danger that had been growing like a storm on the horizon.That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Helios called for a pack meeting. It wasn’t unusual to gather the members of the Moonlit Pack, but tonight felt different. The air was filled with anticipation, the usual warmth of pack camaraderie replaced by an undercurrent of tension.I stood beside him, my hand firmly clasped in his, trying to offer him whatever strength I could, though I could feel my own anxiety tightening in my chest.
Star’s POVThe courtyard was awash with tension as the pack gathered. Their murmurs were a low hum of uncertainty. The challenge with Hutchins had ended, but the unease lingered like a storm cloud.Helios stood beside me, his face unreadable, his fingers curled into tight fists. Hutchins had not only challenged his authority but had done so under someone else's influence. Someone far more dangerous. And though the battle was won, the war was far from over.Helios exhaled slowly before addressing the pack. “Hutchins made his choice. He didn’t act alone. And though he lost, his actions threatened the unity of our pack.” His voice was strong, unyielding. “For that, I have no choice but to banish him.”A ripple of shock coursed through the crowd. Banishment was a harsh punishment, but it was necessary. Toren, one of the senior warriors, stepped forward. “Alpha, is there no other way?”“No,” Helios said firmly. “He betrayed us by allowing himself to be a pawn. Ravena has been pulling the
Ravena’s POVKillian was back. The thought sent a shiver through me, not of fear, but of something deeper. Something twisted and tangled in the past.I sat in my dimly lit chamber, staring at my reflection in the cracked mirror. The face that looked back at me was still beautiful, still powerful, yet worn by years of waiting. Years of bitterness. He had always been my weakness.But I was not the naive girl who had once sought his love. No, I had grown beyond that. I had forged myself into something stronger, something sharper. And yet…I traced my fingers over the ancient spellbook in front of me, its pages whispering of destruction, of curses that could bring even the strongest Alpha to his knees. I could end this pack. I could make Helios suffer for his father’s sins. But if I did, Killian would never see me.Not the way I wanted him to. I needed him to understand me, to see that everything I had done, every plan, every attack—had been because of him. Because he had denied me, had l
Starlight's POVAs the morning sun streamed through the windows, I lay sprawled across Helios' chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my palm. It still felt surreal, the fact that the mighty Alpha of Moonlit Pack was mine, and more than that, he had willingly submitted to me.Helios stirred beneath me, his arm tightening around my waist. "You're awake," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep. His lips found my temple, lingering there in a silent plea for attention.I smirked, tilting my head to look at him. "You're getting clingier by the day, Alpha. Should I be worried?" His golden eyes darkened, but instead of challenging me, he let out a low chuckle. "You love it."I did. But I'd die before admitting it so easily. Sighing dramatically, I stretched, letting my fingers drag over his bare chest. "I suppose you're tolerable."In a flash, Helios rolled us over, pinning me beneath him. His weight pressed deliciously against me, his nose brushing along my jawline.
Star's POV Savoring the scent of pine and the distant hum of crickets, I lay beside Helios, my fingers tracing idle patterns across his bare chest. His warmth was a stark contrast to the chill outside, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax."My Luna, you're too quiet," he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep and satisfaction. "I'm just... thinking," I admitted. He cracked an eye open, amusement glinting in his golden irises. "That could be dangerous."I smacked his shoulder lightly, making him chuckle. "I mean it, Helios. Everything changed so quickly. A few months ago, you wanted to break me. Now...""Now, I can't imagine life without you," he finished, his expression turning serious. "I was a fool, Star. A coward who thought strength was measured by control and dominance. But you... you showed me something different."A lump formed in my throat at the raw honesty in his voice. I had spent so long being the one in charge, keeping him on his knee
Star's POV I stretched lazily, the weight of Helios’ arm draped possessively over my waist anchoring me to the present. His warmth seeped into my skin, a stark contrast to the cold wariness that once existed between us. How things had changed. How we had changed.His grip tightened when I tried to shift, his lips ghosting against the mark he’d left on my neck. A shiver ran down my spine at the sensation. Mine, his scent and his actions seemed to declare. Mine to hold. Mine to love.I turned to face him, my fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw. His storm-gray eyes flickered open, hazy with sleep yet still sharp, still possessive. “What's on your mind, my Luna?,” he murmured, voice thick with sleep and something darker.I smirked. “I like looking at my possession.” A growl rumbled deep in his chest, a contradiction to the way his fingers danced along my spine. “You’re insufferable.”
Unknown POV The anticipation in the pack was immense, electrified by the murmurs of the gathered pack members as the grand hall of the Moonlit Pack was prepared for a momentous occasion, the Luna Ceremony. Tonight, Star would officially become their Luna, fully recognized and bound to the pack through an ancient ritual overseen by none other than Killian, the former Alpha and Helios’ father.Dressed in a flowing silver gown embroidered with delicate lunar patterns, Star stood at the entrance of the ceremonial clearing, her heart hammering in her chest. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her, but she lifted her chin in defiance of any lingering doubt. She had fought for this. She had survived cruelty, abandonment, and rejection, yet here she stood, not just as Helios’ mate, but as his equal, his Luna.The pack had long since accepted her, but tonight, the bond would be sealed, forever. No more whispers about an ome
Star's POV As the grand Luna Ceremony concluded and the resounding jubilation faded into the night, Helios and I finally retreated to our chambers. The evening's excitement lingered, and unabashed anticipation stirred within me.Helios had done something monumental today. He had kneeled before me, his Luna, in front of the entire pack. He had silenced every whisper, every doubter, making it known that his submission to me was not a sign of weakness but a testament to his strength and devotion.I turned to face him the moment the doors closed behind us. He stood there, the moonlight casting a glow on his chiseled features, his eyes filled with unspoken longing. His posture was respectful, attentive, the very picture of a warrior waiting for his commander’s word. A slow, satisfied smirk spread across my lips as I took a step closer.“You did well today, Alpha,” I murmured, trailing a finge
Star’s POVThe gardens had changed so much. Once, they were a tangle of wild vines and neglected fountains. Now, they bloomed in every color the mind could conjure, a testament to years of peace, nurtured by steady hands and hopeful hearts.I sat beneath the silverleaf tree, a thick book resting in my lap, though I hadn’t turned a page in some time. Instead, I watched. Two figures stood at the edge of the training grounds, bathed in the golden haze of late afternoon.Lyra moved like liquid light, a blade in each hand, her strikes swift and sure. Kaelen countered, laughing, parrying her every move with effortless grace. Their magic pulsed between them, visible now,mwoven into every step, every breath.I smiled. They were no longer children clinging to my skirts. They were warriors. Leaders. Legends in the making. "You look proud," Helios said, dropping down onto the bench beside me. His hair was dusted with gray at the temples now, and fine lines fanned from the corners of his golden ey
Star’s POVThe great plaza of Solis Magna had never held so many. From every corner of the realm, from snow-dusted northern steppes to the emerald coasts of the south, they came.Nobles in gleaming armor. Magi in embroidered robes. Merchants in bright silks. Hunters, warriors, healers, even wandering bards. The city was a living river of humanity, all converging for one reason: To witness the birth of a new era.I stood at the center of it all, the twins at my side, Helios at my back. Today wasn’t just about us. It was about what we symbolized: Survival. Unity. A future carved from the ashes of fear.The royal dais had been draped in banners of silver and indigo, the colors of hope and rebirth. At its heart sat the Twin Thrones, two smaller seats forged from moonstone and steel, twined together by veins of shimmering crystal.An artisan's masterpiece. A promise made manifest. The twins shifted beside me, sensing the importance of the moment even at their tender age. Little Elira clut
Star’s POVThe battlefield was silent. Not with the unnatural silence of fear, but with the heavy, reverent hush of mourning.The crows had come to feast, circling high above the smoldering ruins, but even they seemed hesitant to land.It felt as if the very earth was holding its breath.I stood at the edge of the palace gardens, what remained of them, cradling the twins in my arms. The price of our victory lay all around us. Not in broken stones. Not in burned fields.But in the faces missing from the crowd.Sir Caldus, the grizzled commander who had once sworn never to serve under a "mere omega," had fallen protecting the southern gate, his body found draped over a trio of young squires he had shielded from the cult's last brutal strike.Lady Meriva, my oldest advisor and secret mentor in court politics, had refused to leave the war room even as the ceiling collapsed around her. Her sharp tongue and sharper mind, silenced.And Lord Riven, Helios’ second-in-command, a warrior as fier
Star’s POVThe dawn rose blood-red over the battlefield. I staggered through the wreckage, every breath burning in my lungs, every muscle aching. Helios’ hand never left my back, steadying me, grounding me. But it wasn’t over. Not yet.Above the palace, the twin beams of light pulsed stronger, not fading, not weakening but building. Growing. Drawing every soul’s attention like a lodestar. The survivors turned, warriors, mages, servants, all of them lifting their heads, faces bathed in the radiant glow.Even the enemy’s corpses, corrupted and twisted, seemed to dissolve into dust under its touch. The world itself was changing. I knew I had to get to them. Ignoring the protests of my battered body, I ran, up the crumbling stone steps, through the shattered gates, until I burst into the palace.The halls were filled with light. And at the heart of it all, in the throne room, the twins stood. No longer fragile infants. Not quite children either. They hovered inches above the ground, tiny
Star’s POVThe night before the battle, the sky wept black rain. It fell in thick sheets against the palace windows, painting the world in shadows.The twins slept fitfully in their cribs, tiny fists clenching, soft whimpers escaping their lips. Even they could feel it, the tension tightening the air, the storm gathering beyond the horizon.I stood at the highest tower, my armor a second skin, my sword strapped to my back, celestial magic humming at my fingertips. Below me, the army gathered. Wolf warriors clad in dark steel. Mages with their staffs glowing faintly. Archers stringing arrows tipped with silver and starfire.Helios was already at the front, speaking to the troops. I could feel him through the bond, calm, steady, a blazing force holding the line. I closed my eyes and let my power rise. Tonight wasn’t just another skirmish. It was the first true war cry of an ancient enemy. And we would answer it.The cult came with the storm. They poured out of the forests like oil slick
Star’s POVThe first sign was so small, so easily missed, that it almost slipped through my fingers. A scout failed to report back on time, nothing unusual, given the chaos at our borders.But then another disappeared. And then a patrol found strange footprints at the edge of the northern woods: bootprints, human, but alongside them, the scorched marks of something... other.I tightened the palace defenses that night, weaving additional layers of celestial magic into the gates, the walls, even the air itself. I didn’t sleep. I didn’t dare. Because deep in my bones, the truth was already stirring: There was a traitor among us.Three days later, it struck. The twins were asleep in their nursery, the palace humming with low, wary energy. I was reviewing troop movements with Helios when the alarms screamed through the halls, a keening, unnatural sound that made every hair on my body rise.I sprinted, Helios at my heels, instincts howling. Bursting into the nursery, I found chaos. The head
Star’s POVThe morning after the council’s cowardice was laid bare, the sun rose blood-red over the horizon.I stood alone on the highest tower, the cold wind snapping at my hair and cloak, my heart burning with a fire no frost could quench. Below me, the courtyard buzzed with nervous energy, soldiers drilling harder, blacksmiths hammering faster, scouts galloping through the gates.We had little time. The vision the twins had shared in flashes, beasts without faces, storms that bled black rain, fires that howled like grieving mothers, haunted me.The darkness wasn’t waiting politely at our borders. It was coming.And this time, it was not a squabble over thrones or a petty rebellion. It was annihilation. Helios joined me silently, his presence steady at my side. His arm brushed mine in a silent vow: Whatever comes, we stand together.I turned to him. “It’s not enough,” I said simply.The preparations, the drills, the polished armor, it wasn’t enough to face an ancient enemy that wiel
Star’s POVThe first sign came with the breaking of a mirror. It wasn’t just any mirror, it was the ancient obsidian looking glass that had hung in the royal antechamber for generations, unmarred by time or war. That morning, I found it split down the center, a crack as fine as a spider’s web radiating outward like a warning whispered from the bones of the earth. The second sign was harder to ignore.Reports flooded in, whispered by trembling envoys. Reports of black storms rolling across the distant borders, swallowing rivers, rotting crops in minutes, and waking beasts from ancient slumber. Villages that had stood for centuries vanished beneath the storms’ writhing clouds.And every time I reached out with my magic, trying to sense the twins through our invisible thread, I felt a hum of urgency. A pulsing hurry that prickled against my skin. The threat was coming. Not in months. Not even in weeks. Days.I gathered my court in the war room, a vaulted chamber carved of stone, with a
Star’s POVThe summons came at dawn. A formal decree, pressed into my palm by a pale-faced courier who refused to meet my eyes. The parchment crackled in my grip, the words stamped in wax as if the Council thought their authority alone could cage me.Helios stood beside me on the palace steps, reading over my shoulder. His growl rumbled low and dangerous. “They dare summon you like a criminal?” I smoothed the parchment with steady fingers, though inside, a storm brewed.“They fear what they don't understand," I said. "And they never imagined the power they tried to bury could rise stronger than them." He squeezed my hand, silent but burning with unspoken support.The Council had demanded not only my presence, but that of my father, King Hesperion, as if dragging him into their theater of fear would lend their accusations more weight. They were wrong. So wrong.The Grand Hall of the High Council was colder than I remembered. Ancient pillars loomed overhead, carved with the symbols of e