Caius's POVThe small vial of red liquid glowed in the flickering candlelight. I held it up, watching how the blood—Sienna's blood—seemed to pulse with life even outside her body."Perfect," I whispered.My rooms in the Vampire Court were sealed. Three black candles made a triangle on my marble floor. Ancient designs drawn in ash circled them. No one could know what I was about to do—blood magic was forbidden even among vampires.I knelt in the middle of the circle and uncorked the vial. The scent hit me instantly—sweet, powerful, and definitely Ruby Wolf. My fangs extended automatically.This single drop had cost me a lot. The spy in Kieran's pack had risked everything to take it from the medical bay after Sienna's injury. Worth every gold coin.I tipped the vial, letting a single drop fall onto the center sign."Visus sanguinis, oculi lupus," I whispered, slicing my palm with a silver dagger.My blood mixed with hers. The candles flared blue.Pain shot through my eyes as the spell t
Zeke's POVRain poured down as I stared at the abandoned building. Lightning flashed, showing the faded sign: "Midnight Pharmaceuticals." Another lie. This was no drug factory—it was a Syndicate lab. The place where they might have made me into... whatever I am.My boots splashed through water as I approached the fence. The tip I'd gotten from the dying Syndicate agent better be worth the price I paid. Three days tracking through mud and memories I couldn't trust."Records in the basement," he'd gasped before the light left his eyes. "About the twins. About you."I cut through the fence with my claws—another "gift" from the Syndicate's trials. Normal dogs couldn't do this. Normal wolves couldn't smell a guard half a mile away either, but I already knew two were inside, probably bored and not expecting company.The lock on the back door was no match for me. Inside, the air smelled like dust and old chemicals. My night vision picked up details in the darkness—broken furniture, smashed c
The Midnight Queen's POVThe moon hung like a silver eye in the night sky, watching as I placed twelve crystal vials in a perfect circle. Each held the fresh blood of a werewolf—Alpha blood, Beta blood, Omega blood. Power in every drop.But not Ruby Wolf blood. Not yet."Is everything prepared?" I asked, not turning to look at the masked figures standing quietly behind me."Yes, my Queen," Isolde, my Black Moon Witch, answered. "The stars are aligned. The boundary between places thins."I smiled, feeling the weight of ages in the curve of my lips. How long had I waited for this moment? How many failures and false starts?The chamber deep beneath the Syndicate offices hummed with ancient energy. Black candles cast dancing shadows on walls covered in patterns older than human language. At the middle stood an archway made of stone that seemed to drink in light rather than reflect it—the Echo Gate, a small replica of the Celestial Gate I sought to open.I removed my hood, letting my white
Sienna's POVI woke with a scream dying in my throat, my skin burning as if on fire from the inside. Scrambling from the bed, I stumbled to the mirror and froze in fear.Ruby-red markings had spread across my body overnight, swirling designs that pulsed with light beneath my skin. They weren't just on my arms anymore—they covered my shoulders, crept up my neck, and traced tiny lines across my face."What's happening to me?" I whispered, touching the marks with shaky fingers.The moment my emotions spiked, flames erupted from my fingers, catching the curtains. Fire licked up the cloth with hungry tongues."No!" I shouted, fear making the flames grow higher.The door burst open. Kieran charged in, eyes wild with fear. Without pause, he yanked down the burning curtains and stomped out the flames.When the danger passed, he turned to me, his expression shifting from worry to awe as he took in my transformed appeara
Darius's POVMy phone buzzed with a message that made my stomach twist into knots.Tonight. Kill the Alpha before the Queen comes. No excuses.I deleted it quickly, looking around the packhouse hallway to make sure no one had seen. After ten years of spying for the Midnight Syndicate, I should have felt nothing. Just another job.But my hands shook as I shoved the phone into my pocket.Kill Kieran Draven Wolfe. The Alpha who trusted me. Who made me his Beta.The packhouse buzzed with activity, everyone planning for the coming attack after Sienna's warning. Warriors sharpened weapons while others strengthened walls with silver-resistant barriers. They all moved with purpose, united by loyalty.A devotion I had faked for a decade."Darius!" Maya, one of our youngest fighters, rushed up to me. "Alpha wants all defense chiefs in the war room. The spies spotted movement in the eastern woods."I nodded, forcing myself to look calm. "I'll be right t
Kieran's POVThe moon wasn't even visible yet, but I could already feel her pull in my blood.I paced the reinforced chamber like a caged animal, my skin burning with the need to change. To tear. To destroy. Each full moon was bad, but this one felt worse – like my blood had been replaced with liquid fire."Three hours until moonrise," I growled to myself, looking at the heavy silver-reinforced door.I'd locked myself in early tonight. The Midnight Queen was coming, and my pack needed their Alpha, not a dumb beast. But the rage was rising faster than normal, clawing at my insides with razor-sharp talons.Sweat soaked through my shirt as I fought the change. My bones cracked and reset themselves, wanting to shift but meeting my stubborn reluctance. I wouldn't give in. Not yet.The protective runes carved into the walls glowed faintly blue, intended to contain werewolf magic. But as another wave of pain crashed through me, one of the runes flickered and we
Caius's POVI arrived at the Shadowfang area with perfect timing. The moon was rising, chaos was brewing, and alliances were about to change. Just as I'd planned.Twenty of my best vampire warriors flanked me as we approached the main gates. I'd dressed for the event in formal Vampire Court attire - midnight blue robes with silver trim that marked me as royalty."Remember," I told my soldiers, "we're here under the diplomatic banner. No killing unless I command it."The wolves at the gate bared their teeth when they caught our smell. Vampires on werewolf land during a full moon? Unheard of. Yet they couldn't deny entry to a royal foreign envoy. Those were the old laws. "Prince Caius Blackthorne requests audience with Alpha Kieran," I announced, letting my voice carry the weight of centuries.The guards traded nervous glances. "The Alpha is... indisposed."I smiled, showing just a hint of fang. "Then I'll speak with whoever is in charge."Before they
Sienna’s POV“She went this way!” Someone yelled, running through the woods. I kept running, ignoring the branches and tall grasses hitting my body. I panted, my feet getting tired. I was tired, but I couldn't stop. If they caught me, then I was as good as dead. I rested behind a tree, trying to catch my breath. “I see her!” One of the men shouted. “Shit!” I groaned and continued running. Please help me. Moon Goddess. Please. I didn't….I can't anymore. Please. A sharp thorn from a plant scratched my knee, and I yelped. “Goddamn it!” “Find her!” One of the men yelled. They were closing in on me. I needed more time. I couldn't face them. They would kill me. “Dear goddess, what do I do?” I murmured, and closed my eyes for a second. I transformed into my wolf form, it was the best chance I had now and I opened my eyes. My wolf was a bright red with white undertone fur. My wolf was bigger than the regular teenage wolves and I started to run, howling with the moon. Half of the
Caius's POVI arrived at the Shadowfang area with perfect timing. The moon was rising, chaos was brewing, and alliances were about to change. Just as I'd planned.Twenty of my best vampire warriors flanked me as we approached the main gates. I'd dressed for the event in formal Vampire Court attire - midnight blue robes with silver trim that marked me as royalty."Remember," I told my soldiers, "we're here under the diplomatic banner. No killing unless I command it."The wolves at the gate bared their teeth when they caught our smell. Vampires on werewolf land during a full moon? Unheard of. Yet they couldn't deny entry to a royal foreign envoy. Those were the old laws. "Prince Caius Blackthorne requests audience with Alpha Kieran," I announced, letting my voice carry the weight of centuries.The guards traded nervous glances. "The Alpha is... indisposed."I smiled, showing just a hint of fang. "Then I'll speak with whoever is in charge."Before they
Kieran's POVThe moon wasn't even visible yet, but I could already feel her pull in my blood.I paced the reinforced chamber like a caged animal, my skin burning with the need to change. To tear. To destroy. Each full moon was bad, but this one felt worse – like my blood had been replaced with liquid fire."Three hours until moonrise," I growled to myself, looking at the heavy silver-reinforced door.I'd locked myself in early tonight. The Midnight Queen was coming, and my pack needed their Alpha, not a dumb beast. But the rage was rising faster than normal, clawing at my insides with razor-sharp talons.Sweat soaked through my shirt as I fought the change. My bones cracked and reset themselves, wanting to shift but meeting my stubborn reluctance. I wouldn't give in. Not yet.The protective runes carved into the walls glowed faintly blue, intended to contain werewolf magic. But as another wave of pain crashed through me, one of the runes flickered and we
Darius's POVMy phone buzzed with a message that made my stomach twist into knots.Tonight. Kill the Alpha before the Queen comes. No excuses.I deleted it quickly, looking around the packhouse hallway to make sure no one had seen. After ten years of spying for the Midnight Syndicate, I should have felt nothing. Just another job.But my hands shook as I shoved the phone into my pocket.Kill Kieran Draven Wolfe. The Alpha who trusted me. Who made me his Beta.The packhouse buzzed with activity, everyone planning for the coming attack after Sienna's warning. Warriors sharpened weapons while others strengthened walls with silver-resistant barriers. They all moved with purpose, united by loyalty.A devotion I had faked for a decade."Darius!" Maya, one of our youngest fighters, rushed up to me. "Alpha wants all defense chiefs in the war room. The spies spotted movement in the eastern woods."I nodded, forcing myself to look calm. "I'll be right t
Sienna's POVI woke with a scream dying in my throat, my skin burning as if on fire from the inside. Scrambling from the bed, I stumbled to the mirror and froze in fear.Ruby-red markings had spread across my body overnight, swirling designs that pulsed with light beneath my skin. They weren't just on my arms anymore—they covered my shoulders, crept up my neck, and traced tiny lines across my face."What's happening to me?" I whispered, touching the marks with shaky fingers.The moment my emotions spiked, flames erupted from my fingers, catching the curtains. Fire licked up the cloth with hungry tongues."No!" I shouted, fear making the flames grow higher.The door burst open. Kieran charged in, eyes wild with fear. Without pause, he yanked down the burning curtains and stomped out the flames.When the danger passed, he turned to me, his expression shifting from worry to awe as he took in my transformed appeara
The Midnight Queen's POVThe moon hung like a silver eye in the night sky, watching as I placed twelve crystal vials in a perfect circle. Each held the fresh blood of a werewolf—Alpha blood, Beta blood, Omega blood. Power in every drop.But not Ruby Wolf blood. Not yet."Is everything prepared?" I asked, not turning to look at the masked figures standing quietly behind me."Yes, my Queen," Isolde, my Black Moon Witch, answered. "The stars are aligned. The boundary between places thins."I smiled, feeling the weight of ages in the curve of my lips. How long had I waited for this moment? How many failures and false starts?The chamber deep beneath the Syndicate offices hummed with ancient energy. Black candles cast dancing shadows on walls covered in patterns older than human language. At the middle stood an archway made of stone that seemed to drink in light rather than reflect it—the Echo Gate, a small replica of the Celestial Gate I sought to open.I removed my hood, letting my white
Zeke's POVRain poured down as I stared at the abandoned building. Lightning flashed, showing the faded sign: "Midnight Pharmaceuticals." Another lie. This was no drug factory—it was a Syndicate lab. The place where they might have made me into... whatever I am.My boots splashed through water as I approached the fence. The tip I'd gotten from the dying Syndicate agent better be worth the price I paid. Three days tracking through mud and memories I couldn't trust."Records in the basement," he'd gasped before the light left his eyes. "About the twins. About you."I cut through the fence with my claws—another "gift" from the Syndicate's trials. Normal dogs couldn't do this. Normal wolves couldn't smell a guard half a mile away either, but I already knew two were inside, probably bored and not expecting company.The lock on the back door was no match for me. Inside, the air smelled like dust and old chemicals. My night vision picked up details in the darkness—broken furniture, smashed c
Caius's POVThe small vial of red liquid glowed in the flickering candlelight. I held it up, watching how the blood—Sienna's blood—seemed to pulse with life even outside her body."Perfect," I whispered.My rooms in the Vampire Court were sealed. Three black candles made a triangle on my marble floor. Ancient designs drawn in ash circled them. No one could know what I was about to do—blood magic was forbidden even among vampires.I knelt in the middle of the circle and uncorked the vial. The scent hit me instantly—sweet, powerful, and definitely Ruby Wolf. My fangs extended automatically.This single drop had cost me a lot. The spy in Kieran's pack had risked everything to take it from the medical bay after Sienna's injury. Worth every gold coin.I tipped the vial, letting a single drop fall onto the center sign."Visus sanguinis, oculi lupus," I whispered, slicing my palm with a silver dagger.My blood mixed with hers. The candles flared blue.Pain shot through my eyes as the spell t
Kieran's POVThe prisoner's head lolled to one side as the pack guards dragged him into my office. His face was bruised, but his eyes—sharp and aware—told me he wasn't as weakened as he claimed to be."Chain him," I ordered, trying to keep my voice steady.The anger bubbled under my skin like hot oil. It shouldn't be happening yet—the full moon was still days away. But ever since I'd found that scrap of fabric with Sienna's smell near the security breach, my control had been slipping.The guards secured Ronan Voss to the heavy chair bolted to the floor. The famed phantom wolf. Former Syndicate killer. And, if my instincts were right, a man who wanted my possible mate."Leave us," I ordered. The guards paused. "Now."When the door closed, I circled Ronan slowly. "You've caused quite a stir in my territory.""Not my intention." His voice was calm, almost bored.I slammed my fist on the desk. "You were found in banned territory after trespassing on my land. One of my pack mates is missin
Sienna's POV The blinding light took me totally. One second I was on the battlefield with Ronan trying to calm me, Kieran struggling for his life without his wolf, and my mother—the Midnight Queen—floating above us all. The next second, I was... somewhere else. The illumination faded, and I found myself standing in an unfamiliar environment. It wasn't quite a room. There were no walls, no ceiling, only infinite red mist that whirled around me like living fire. "Hello?" I called out. My voice echoed strangely, like if I was in a cave and an open field at the same time. The blood anger that had been raging through my veins was calm now. I could think clearly again. "Welcome, child of my line." I spun around. A woman stood behind me. She looked a lot like me—dark hair, sturdy build—but her eyes shone ruby red, brighter than mine ever had. She wore plain clothes that felt both ancient and timeless. "Who are you?" I asked, though somehow I already knew. "I am Elara, the First Ruby