Caius's POVI adjusted my cuffs, ensuring my look was flawless. Appearances mattered when playing host to enemies who wanted to rip out each other's necks."Your Highness, they've arrived." My servant Elara bowed, her pale skin nearly translucent in the candlelight."Show them to the Moon Hall," I directed. "And Elara? Double the guards. Discreetly."My ancestral castle, perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea, had held ages of supernatural politics. Tonight was no different—except for the risks.The Moon Hall glittered with silver chandeliers and ancient tapestries showing the first peace treaty between vampires and werewolves. Ironic, given how well that had turned out.I took my place at the head of the obsidian table as they filed in—four werewolf Alphas from packs rivaling Kieran's Shadowfang, and three vampire Elders representing our noble houses."Welcome to Castle Blackthorne," I greeted, pointing to the seats. "I appreciate your willingness to meet on neutral ground."Alpha
Zeke's POVThe small town of Willowbrook looked peaceful in the morning light. Too quiet. I adjusted my worn leather jacket and checked my image in a shop window. The face looking back at me wasn't my real face—at least not the one anyone would recognize.The magic cover charm around my neck worked perfectly. Instead of sharp features and storm-gray eyes, I now had softer lines and dirty brown eyes. Perfect for blending in at the edge of Shadowfang land."Just another drifter," I mumbled, continuing my walk down Main Street.Three days of playing normal human guy was driving me crazy. But I needed to be patient. The Midnight Queen had been clear—find Sienna and report back. No commitment. No miracles.I sniffed the air. Most people couldn't smell magic, but I could. Years of trials by the Syndicate had changed me. Made me something not quite wolf, not quite human. A freak caught between worlds.There—a faint trace of something warm and bright. Like spice and fire. Ruby Wolf energy.My
Sienna's POVI woke up feeling different. Stronger. The morning sunlight streamed through the window of my room in Kieran's packhouse, casting golden lines across the floor. I stretched my fingers and watched tiny sparks dance between them.My power was coming back.For weeks, I'd felt hollow—a Ruby Wolf with barely a spark of flame. But something had changed. Maybe it was being in one place for more than a few days. Maybe it was finally getting enough food and sleep.Or maybe it was because danger was coming.I slipped out of bed and changed into the clothes Kieran had provided—dark pants and a simple green shirt. Not exactly my style, but better than the rags I'd been wearing when I stumbled into Shadowfang country.Outside my door stood Liam, my assigned "guard." He was supposed to keep me safe, but we both knew he was really making sure I didn't leave."Morning," I said with a fake smile. "Beautiful day for a walk."His eyes narrowed. "Alpha Kieran says you're to stay inside.""Di
Isolde's POVThe black hood of my cloak hid my face as I joined the line of Midnight Syndicate members filing into the basement laboratory. My disguise was simple but effective—dark robes, silver mask covering the upper half of my face, and a false identification medallion I'd stolen from a dead agent.No one questioned me. Perfect.The laboratory was hidden beneath an abandoned church, the irony not lost on me. Evil things happening in what was once a holy place. But then again, the Midnight Syndicate had always loved such twisted humor."Initiates to the left, full members to the right," barked a guard.I moved left with the other low-ranking guys. Twenty years ago, I had been the Midnight Queen's right hand, her most trusted witch. Now I was sneaking in like a thief. Life had a way of coming full circle.The laboratory stretched across a massive chamber lit by unnatural blue light. At its center stood a glass containment box where a young werewolf thrashed against silver chains. Hi
Darius's POVThe moon hung like a silver eye in the night sky, watching me as I crept along the northern perimeter of the Shadowfang area. My heart raced, but my hands stayed steady. I'd done this many times before.I checked my watch: 2:17 AM. Perfect time. The pack guards would switch posts in exactly three minutes, leaving a short window when the eastern fence would be unwatched.The weight of my decisions pressed down on me as I disabled the alarm system. I wasn't just a Beta anymore. I was a criminal. But they'd never understand why."Positions?" I whispered into my fake phone."In place," came the hushed reply from Vex, the Syndicate's best spy. "Eastern approach clear?""Thirty seconds. Enter through the red-marked trees, avoid the silver sensors."I'd been feeding information to the Midnight Syndicate for months now. Little things at first—patrol plans, pack numbers. Now I was letting them onto our land.As I reset the fence settings to show no breach, a branch snapped behind
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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."
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
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
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 POVI smiled as I put the last black candle at the edge of my newly drawn chalk circle. The small stone cottage at the edge of Kieran's land was far from luxurious, but it would serve my purposes. Through the window, I could see werewolf guards pretending not to watch me. Their presence amused me—as if they could stop me if I truly wished to cause harm."A bit more foxglove," I whispered to my assistant, a young witch named Lily who had no idea what games I was really playing. She handed me the jar with shaky fingers.After my little performance for the Storm twins yesterday, things were moving faster than even I had expected. The fear in Zeke's eyes when I mentioned the Queen had been wonderful. The Syndicate thought they controlled him, but seeds of doubt were already growing.I sprinkled the foxglove into a copper bowl and watched blue flames rise. "Leave me," I ordered Lily. "I need privacy for this working."Once alone, I settled in the center of my circle and closed my