Zeke's POV"Three days' journey," Ronan added, already calculating.I nodded, hiding my fear. This wasn't meant to happen so quickly. The Syndicate needed more time."There's something else," Sienna said, her voice strange. "I saw her, Zeke. The Queen. And you're right—she has mom's face.""That's impossible," I whispered, though I knew it wasn't."Unless..." Sienna's eyes widened with horrible understanding. "Unless our mother never died. Unless she became the Queen."The ground trembled beneath us as her power surged with feeling."We leave at dawn," she stated.As we walked back toward the packhouse, I felt my enchanted Syndicate mark burn against my ribs—a call I couldn't ignore.Tonight, I would have to report that Sienna was coming for the Queen. Tonight, I would have to decide where my true commitment lay.With the blood that made me, or the blood that raised me.Isolde's POVI smiled as I put the last black candle at the edge of my newly drawn chalk circle. The small stone cot
Isolde's POVAfter he left, I returned to my workings with renewed purpose. The scene was set: Sienna and Zeke heading toward the Queen, Ronan following his heart rather than his mission, Kieran struggling against his curse, and now Caius with his vampire schemes. Perfect chaos.As I began planning for a deeper divination, I noticed something odd about my workspace. The arrangement of my tools had changed slightly. Someone had been here while I was at the window with Caius."Lily," I called loudly. "Bring me fresh sage."My helper appeared in the doorway, head bowed submissively. "Yes, mistress."But as she approached, I saw it—a tiny silver pin on her collar. The Midnight Queen's mark."You poor, foolish girl," I said softly. "Did she promise you power?"Lily's head snapped up, her eyes now black as pitch. "The Queen sees all, traitor."Before she could move, I flicked my fingers. The chalk lines of my circle blazed with purple fire, locking us both inside."You've made a grave mista
Ronan's POV"At least a dozen forming a perimeter." I scanned the trees. "They're scouting, mapping your patrol patterns.""Why would they need to do that?" Tomas asked. "They already have Darius feeding them information."I shook my head. "Darius doesn't know everything. The Syndicate never relies on just one source."A twig snapped to our left—too deliberate to be a mistake. A distraction."Down!" I shouted, tackling Elena as a dart whistled through the air where she'd been standing.Jax growled, shifting partially into his wolf form. "Where are they?"I drew my blades, eyes tracking the slight movement in the underbrush. "Three o'clock, two hostiles. More at our six."Tomas sniffed the air furiously. "I can't smell anything!""Trust your eyes, not your nose," I directed, falling easily into combat mode. "Move in pairs, watch for traps underfoot."I barely finished speaking before the forest exploded in chaos. Syndicate scouts in black tactical gear swarmed from hidden places. These
The Midnight Queen's POV A snort came from the corner of the room. Victor, my newest assistant, stepped forward. His amber eyes gleamed with challenge."With respect, my Queen, you've failed to catch one girl multiple times. Why should we believe this plan will succeed?"The room went quiet. Eyes darted between us, eager for blood.I straightened slowly, feeling power build beneath my skin."Do you question me, Victor?"He didn't back down. "The Syndicate follows strength. Your obsession with these twins has cost us time and resources. Perhaps new leadership—"I moved before he finished speaking. My hand shot out, fingers curling in the air as my ruby markings blazed to life—not the bright red of Sienna's, but deep crimson like old blood.Victor froze, eyes widening as his breath caught in his throat. I walked toward him slowly, each step careful."I was hunting wolves when your grandfather was a pup," I whispered, close enough that only he could hear. "I've conquered death itself."
Sienna's POVI pulled back my sleeve, showing the intricate ruby lines that now covered most of my right arm. "It started after we did the twin-fire yesterday. It's like they're waking up."Zeke's eyes narrowed. "Kieran's proposal—was that your choice or his?"The question stung. "Mine," I said firmly, though doubt flickered through me. "We need friends, Zeke. You know what we're facing.""The Midnight Queen," he whispered. "Our mother."The word sounded wrong. She might have given birth to us, but she was no mother. She was the monster who'd ordered my death, who'd taught my own brother to hunt me. Who had tried to take me away through my dreams."We leave for the Black Peaks tomorrow," I said, changing the topic. "Kieran thinks we can ambush her forces before they expect us."Zeke's face darkened. "Kieran thinks a lot of things. Like how bonding with you will break his curse."I stood quickly. "I need some air."Outside, the morning was crisp, mountain air filling my lungs. I walked
Darius's POVThe moon hung low in the sky as I slipped through the forest, careful to take the route I'd swept for Syndicate tracking devices earlier. The coded message had arrived via a dead drop—urgent meeting at the old hunting camp.My stomach churned with each step. Double spy. Traitor. Spy. The labels stuck to me like burrs, but none caught the whole truth.The cabin emerged between the trees, a shadow against shadows. No lights burned inside, but I knew she was waiting."You're late," Mara said as I entered. My Syndicate contact sat in the only chair, her silver hair gleaming in the darkness. "The Queen is displeased.""The Queen can wait," I answered, crossing my arms. "Kieran's doubled the guards. Getting away wasn't easy."Mara's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "Did you bring it?"I pulled a folded plan from my jacket—marked with false patrol routes and security blind spots that would lead any invading force straight into an ambush."Kieran's planning to move the pack south," I lied
Kieran's POV"We have a traitor in our midst."I watched my pack's faces shift from shock to anger as I slammed the crumpled note onto the table. The early morning meeting had been called without warning, putting everyone on edge."Tomas?" Elena gasped, looking at the empty chair where our gamma wolf should have been. "But he's been with us for years."I nodded grimly. "And feeding information to the Syndicate the entire time."Darius stood silently beside me, his face unreadable. He'd brought me the note last night after finding it in my office. Yet something in Ronan's watchful gaze told me there was more to this story."Where is Tomas now?" Jax asked, his hand already reaching for his weapon."Gone," I answered. "Slipped away during the night guard change. Which means we need to assume everything—our defenses, our routes, our plans—is exposed."The room erupted in angry voices until I slammed my hand down, silencing them all."We adapt," I growled. "We survive. We fight."Through t
Sienna's POVFire raced through my blood as Kieran carried me inside. Each breath burned my lungs, my skin hot to the touch. The Ruby Wolf inside me clawed to break free while the ominous clouds gathered strangely fast outside."Put me down," I gasped, fighting against Kieran's grip. "I need to—""You need to rest," he growled, kicking open the door to his rooms and laying me on his bed. The smell of pine and earth surrounded me – his scent.Elena rushed in with herbs and water, her face pale with fear. "The Blood Moon shouldn't be rising yet. It's too soon."Pain shot through my chest, making me cry out. Through the window, I could see the sky dimming, taking on an eerie reddish glow."It's not just coming early," I whispered, wiping blood from my nose. "It's coming for me."Kieran dismissed Elena with a sharp nod, then knelt beside me. The black veins across his skin pulsed as if answering to my power."The Midnight Queen did this," he said, his voice tight with anger. "She's forcin
Caius's POV The old library beneath the Vampire High Court was silent except for the rustle of pages. Dust motes floated in the dim lighting as I hunched over texts so old they crumbled at my touch. "Careful with that one, Your Highness," my elderly librarian warned. "That manuscript predates even your grandfather." I ignored him, my fingers tracing the faded drawings of ruby-colored wolves with glowing eyes. Three days had passed since I'd last seen Sienna, and the image of her fire wings haunted me. Not just for their beauty, but for what they meant. "Leave me," I ordered without looking up. When the door closed, I relaxed my perfect stance. Five centuries of being the perfect prince got tiresome. I rubbed my temples and pulled the oldest book closer – its black cover made from some unidentified skin, its pages yellow with age. The text was written in Ancient Vampiric, a language only royal clans still learned.
Kieran's POVThe great hall of the Shadowfang Pack territory hummed with anxiety. Ten Alpha werewolves sat around the huge oak table, their eyes fixed on me. Each led their own pack, but all recognized the Shadowfang's authority. For now.I paced at the head of the table, my wolf scratching beneath my skin. The silver poison still burned in my veins from the last fight, weakening me when I needed strength most."You've called us here at a dangerous time, Kieran," growled Arlo, the gray-bearded Alpha of the Northern Claw Pack. "With the Blood Moon approaching, we should be securing our territories, not attending meetings."I stopped pacing and put my palms on the table, letting my eyes shift to their wolf form – golden with red flecks."I called you here because of the danger," I said, my voice cutting through the murmurs. "The Midnight Syndicate has made their move. The Blood Moon won't just bring my curse this time – it brings war."Darius sto
Ronan's POVThe trees blurred past us as I carried Sienna through the darkness. Her golden fire wings had faded, leaving her tired in my arms. The Midnight Queen's revelation still echoed in my mind – the queen was Sienna's grandma. Another piece of the puzzle I hadn't seen coming."Almost there," I whispered, feeling her stir against my chest.The cabin emerged through the trees – small, weathered, but secure. My safe harbor for the past five years. No one knew about this place, not even my old handlers at the Syndicate."Where are we?" Sienna mumbled, her ruby-red eyes fluttering open."Somewhere safe." I kicked open the door, carrying her inside.The cabin was sparse but practical – a bed, a fireplace, basic supplies. I gently laid Sienna down and lit the fire with practiced moves."You've been here before," she noticed, pushing herself up on her elbows."It's mine." I gave her water from my pack. "Built it myself after I escaped. Th
Midnight Queen's POVI stood on the balcony of my refuge, hidden deep within the misty mountains where no wolf pack dared to trespass. Below me, dozens of my hybrid troops trained in the courtyard, their unnatural movements a testament to my power. Some leaped impossible heights, others turned limbs into weapons. My dream army.Five centuries of planning, of waiting, of sacrifice all for this moment."My Queen." My attendant bowed deeply as she neared. "The ritual chamber is prepared as you ordered."I turned, letting my hood fall back. Most feared to look upon my face a face that had once been beautiful, now marked with the cost of dark magic. Silver scars traced patterns around my ruby-red eyes, the price I'd paid for life."And the twins?" I asked."The boy was swept away by the Shadow River. Our scouts search for him now. The girl grows stronger her fire has evolved."I wasn't shocked. My niece had always been special, even as a baby. W
Darius's POVI waited until the pack house was quiet before slipping away. The smell of silver still hung in the air from Kieran's poisoning, making my nose scrunch with disgust. They were all so busy caring about their precious Alpha that no one noticed me leave.Fools.The forest received me with shadows as I changed, my wolf form melting through the trees like a ghost. This was the part I loved the freedom, the secret, the thrill of deception. Being Beta to the mighty Kieran Wolfe had its perks, but serving a greater power gave me purpose.Twenty minutes of hard running brought me to the meeting place an abandoned hunter's shack deep in neutral territory. I shifted back, quickly pulling on the clothes I'd stashed behind a hollow tree.The cabin door creaked as I pushed it open. A hooded person sat at the table, face hidden in dark."You're late," the figure said, voice twisted by magic.I dropped to one knee, head bowed. "Forgive me, Mis
Sienna's POVThe moon lit my way as I ran through the forest, my heart beating in my chest. Caius's last words echoed in my mind. "Even if that cost was Sienna's life. Or her love."I'd heard everything while hiding in the dark of his house. The Vampire Prince wasn't just using me he wanted to take my power, my blood. The truth burned worse than any fire I could summon.The smell of blood hit me first. Then smoke. I slowed my pace as I reached a small area, where a dozen bodies lay scattered on the ground. Midnight Syndicate killers, their black outfits now stained with darker patches.And in the middle of this chaos stood a man I'd recognize anywhere."Ronan," I whispered.He turned, silver eyes catching the moonlight. Blood splattered his face and clothes, but he was alive. The Phantom Wolf my phantom."You shouldn't be here," he said, voice rough. "It's not safe."I stepped over a fallen attacker. "Nowhere is safe anymore."Ronan
Caius's POVI returned to my home as the moon hung high in the night sky. The talk with Zeke had gone perfectly another piece moved on the board exactly where I wanted it.The grand hall of the Vampire Court fell silent as I entered. Fifty of my kind stood at attention, their eyes sparkling with hunger and respect. Unlike the wild werewolves, my court understood order."My Prince," my helper Livia bowed deeply, her platinum hair catching the candlelight. "The scouts have returned with news."I took my seat on the obsidian throne, letting my gaze sweep over the gathered vampires. "And?""The Midnight Queen has revealed herself to the Alpha," Livia said. "Kieran Wolfe is poisoned with silver but alive. The Ruby Wolf remains by his side."I tapped my fingers against the chair, feeling a smile tug at my lips. "And Zeke?""Heading toward his sister, as you predicted."Perfect. Everything was happening according to my plan. Five hundred years of waiting was finally bearing fruit."Leave us,
Zeke's POVThe forest was quiet as I tracked my sister's smell. Not as a hunter this time, but as something else something I wasn't sure I could name yet.I moved quietly between the trees, following the faint trail Sienna had left behind. The Midnight Syndicate thought I was still working for them. They'd be angry when they found I'd gone rogue.But after seeing Kieran's pack house, after watching the Queen show herself wearing Elena's face, something had snapped inside me.A memory hit me so suddenly I had to stop and lean against a tree.Two small children playing in a yard. A girl with bright red hair. A boy me chasing after her."Catch me, Zeke!" she called, laughing as she ran."I'm coming, Sienna!" I yelled back, my little legs pumping hard to keep up.I shook my head, trying to clear it. These memories kept coming more frequently now, breaking through whatever spell the Syndicate had used to hide them.For fifteen years, they'd told me my sister was a monster. That she'd kille
Isolde's POVI stood in the abandoned church, the moonlight streaming through the cracks in the broken roof. My hands shook as I clutched the old grimoire tightly to my chest. For twenty years, I had served a cause I once believed in. Twenty years of lies, of secrets, of serving someone I thought was doing the right thing. But now, everything was falling apart. The truth was coming out, and I didn’t know if I could fix it.The air around me got colder, and I knew she was here. The Midnight Queen. The woman I had served for so long. She stepped out of the darkness, no longer wearing the face of Elena, the kind woman I had once known. This was her true face a face I had known since I was a kid. Her eyes glowed with a power that made my skin crawl."You’re late," I said, trying to keep my voice calm even though my heart was pounding.The Queen smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. It was cold and dangerous. "I had business to attend to," she replied. "Kieran knows who I am now. That change