Matthew sat alone in the dimly lit corner of a shady bar, nursing his drink. His mind was in turmoil, and the bitter taste of jealousy gnawed at his heart. He knew what he felt was wrong, but he couldn't help it. The weak mate bond he shared with Lily had been causing him unbearable pain since the day he felt the unmistakable pull of Garrett's mark on her. It should have been him, and the realization that Lily was now Garrett's mate fueled a rage he could hardly contain. 'Yes, all of this is your fault. I hate that the Moon Goddess bonded us together. I wish for, I pray that I would just die,' Baldur growled within him. His voice had become fainter and fainter. Maintaining the mate bond was killing him, and Matthew knew that was what Baldur was trying to do, but his wolf's death would make Matthew less than a human. He couldn't allow it. He had to get Lily back. He had tried to accept it and reason with himself that this was fate, but every fiber of his being rebelled
"How did I get here? Lily thought to herself after opening her eyes to see the night sky. She knew that she was no longer in bed with Garrett but was lying on her back outside in a forest. Even though she was naked and exposed to the outside air, she felt oddly warm, comfortable, and at ease in her surroundings. The earthy smell of trees and leaves permeated the air like a thick blanket. A gentle, silvery light illuminated everything and cast a glow over the surroundings that appeared to be from another planet. Lily realized as she looked down that she was no longer in her adult form but had instead regressed to that of an infant, and she was currently being swaddled in a cozy bundle of blankets. "Am I dreaming? Dina?" Lily thought again, hoping Dina would respond, but she heard nothing. As she looked up, her eyes were filled with a mixture of confusion and wonder. A massive red wolf with fur the color of a deep, flaming crimson that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight stood in
Garrett listened intently, his fingers gently brushing her hair as she recounted the fragments of her dream, her voice quivering with emotion. When she had finished, he sighed, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. "Lily, that sounds like a deeply buried memory from your childhood. But why would it resurface now?" She shook her head, her mind still a whirlwind of emotions. "I don't know, Garrett. It's like something triggered it." "Do you think me marking you had something to do with it?" Garrett asked. "No, never. This felt like an outside force caused this to happen," Lily replied. "I can't believe my father lied about this. Why would he lie about this?" 'What else did he lie about it? What else is that man lying about? Is he even our father?' Dina growled within Lily. Garrett tried to keep his emotions from overwhelming him. This was supposed to be their moment. As soon as he marked Lily, he felt the mate's bond. All those feelings, his skin humming—the Moon Goddess
"I should punch you in the face for making me wait so long to make things right with her," Garrett growled as he walked into Ethan's office, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes crinkling with amusement. The history between him and Garrett was complex, a mixture of mentorship and friendship as he was part of the reason that Garrett had the confidence to walk out of the shadow of his father. "And risk everyone knowing about our relationship? No. That would've been an idiotic move, my friend." Their friendship had deepened after Garrett severed ties with his father's pack, seeking refuge and guidance from Ethan. It helped that most of their encounters in Garrett's youth had been positive. "You could've told me what you were planning to do, and don't act like you didn't want or didn't try to get Lily to choose you instead of me," Garrett sulked. "Of course, why wouldn't I? It would be stupid for me not to make a move on an unmar
"Are you sure?" Garrett asked. He didn't want to believe it to be so but Brandy did have wolfsbane. No sane werewolf or werefeline would ever grow any plant that would negatively impact their own kind. "I saw that curse carved into my father's chest. No one but them would say anything so horrid." The memory of that vile message etched into his father's lifeless body haunted his dreams for years. The memory of it made his jaw clench in anger. Garrett contemplated Ethan's words for a moment. "Not unless someone is trying to make us think it's hunters to get us off their trail." Before they could delve deeper into their discussion, there was a sharp knock at Ethan's door, breaking their concentration. Ethan's irritation was evident as he slammed his glass down on the counter. "Who the hell is it now?" His private doctor entered the room, his expression grave, and concern etched into his features. He handed Ethan a report, his voice laden with unease. "I've examined Adrian again,
"Wait. Kenneth wasn't her true mate?" Lily asked, her voice filled with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "How was that acceptable? Why would she have gone with him if she hadn't found her fated mate yet?" Debra, her expression somber, nodded and said, "Let me explain, Lily." "Sorry." Lily quickly closed her mouth and settled back, waiting intently for Debra to continue. "No need to apologize. I know you're eager to understand." Debra smiled slightly as she remembered her daughter. She sighed and continued, "Abigail was a remarkable woman. She had achieved so much at such a young age. Abigail was only a few years older than you when we lost her. She possessed a kind heart and a beautiful spirit. She loved to cook and read. If you couldn't find her, she was either in the kitchen cooking or under her favorite tree reading. Abigail was a beautiful person, inside and out." "That sounds a lot like you, Lily. Abigail sounds like an amazing person just like you," Tiffany added.
Lily felt like cold water had been poured over her. The confession hung heavily in the air, freezing her in place as if time had slowed down. Her heart raced, pounding in her chest like a drumbeat of dread. The room seemed to spin around her, and she struggled to make sense of the emotions surging within her. "No," Lily finally managed to utter, her voice trembling with disbelief and denial. She stumbled backward, her movements unsteady, and Tiffany quickly rose to her feet, reaching out instinctively to offer comfort. But as their hands touched, Lily jerked away as if burned. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but one thing was clear—she couldn't accept this truth. "No, this can't be true," she repeated, her voice growing increasingly desperate. 'But it is true. Remember she mocked us and said she knew our mother. This would make sense,' Dina said, 'Please calm down. Just breathe Lily.' "No, NO! I can't believe this!" Lily said, her voice rising. 'Lily, give me control.
The day of the trial had finally arrived, and the entire supernatural community had gathered at Silverwood Estate, the very place where the Winter Moon celebration had once taken place. It seemed strangely fitting that this pivotal moment was unfolding amidst the same location where chaos had erupted during that ill-fated event. The atmosphere was tense as alphas, Lunas, Betas, and deltas from various packs and prides converged for what would undoubtedly be a historic trial. For centuries, there hadn't been a trial or gathering of such significance. Lily couldn't help but feel like a bundle of nerves, even though she knew she was not at fault for the events that had transpired. Tiffany shared Lily's apprehension as she couldn't help but frown the entire way there. "I can't believe they're holding the trial here," Tiffany remarked, a trace of disapproval in her voice. "It seems rather in poor taste." Lily nodded, her anxiety mounting. "It's ironic, isn't it? Everything began her