Aurora's POVThe tension in the cave was so thick it was suffocating, pressing in around us, pushing my fight-or-flight instincts to the surface. Annalise and Damien stood a few feet apart, staring at each other, locked in a silent struggle that none of us dared interrupt. I could see the battle of emotions in her eyes, the weight of everything she’d tried to hold together finally slipping.Austin took a cautious step forward, concern etched on his face, but Oliver grabbed his arm, holding him back. The small action snapped Annalise out of her trance, and she looked at her mates, eyes clouded with unspoken thoughts.“Would you all mind if Aurora, Noel, and I had a moment alone?” she asked softly. Her voice trembled, but her gaze was steady. Both her mates nodded, exchanging quick glances before turning to Damien.Without a word, Damien turned and left, not meeting Annalise’s gaze as he made his way toward the gym. She watched him go, a glimmer of something fragile in her eyes, a flick
Aurora’s POVI couldn’t believe what we’d just done. Annalise and Noel had bolted to the gym to see the aftermath, and they hadn’t stopped laughing since. You’d think Annalise was hardened from everything she’d endured—losing family, battling foes, carrying burdens—but right now, she looked more like a mischievous teenager stealing a rare moment of joy. For a fleeting second, it was as if we’d gone back to a simpler time when laughter was just laughter, not a shield against sorrow.Inside the gym, the guys lay in a tangled mess, entirely knocked out. Landon, Aaron, and Oliver were huddled together, half-cuddling each other in some kind of defensive pile. Austin was sprawled on a weight bench, dead to the world, and, incredibly, Damien and Caleb were tangled up together on the ground. Judging by the dried blood on their faces, they’d been fighting. I had to stifle a giggle—one good thing about being supernatural: we healed quickly, even if the bruises and soreness lingered just a littl
Damien’s POVOne moment, I’m trading blows with Caleb, locked in the heat of sparring. In the next, I’m in a strange, dreamlike state, detached from my own body. I watch in a daze as the three siblings vanish in front of the cave, leaving an unsettling emptiness in their wake. Then, just as suddenly, I’m back in the gym, seeing Teodora move to the doors, sealing them with a powdery substance. She slices her hand, letting her blood drip across the barrier.Recognition hits me like a slap. That’s blood magic—a binding spell. Before I can move, she disappears. My pulse quickens. How did Teodora, of all people, manage a teleportation spell? Only high-level witches or hybrids have that kind of power. A dark unease coils in my gut, a feeling made worse by the echo of Annalise’s unease filtering through our bond. I can feel her urgency, her anger, even her desperation.The spell holding me is wearing off, no doubt because of Annalise’s blood in my veins. If she’d given me the chance, she’d h
Aurora's POVMy entire body trembles with a restless, frenetic energy. I can’t seem to settle. Even now, with everyone here, finally here, all I can think of is the battle we just barely escaped and the question that echoes relentlessly in my mind: How did they find us? We were careful; we told no one. Yet somehow, they knew.Azura growls inside me, echoing my own unease. She paces in my mind, fuming and tense, her claws digging restlessly into the earth. The shift—our first—should have been thrilling, but all I feel is anger. Azura and I both know the truth: this war has stolen so much from us. We couldn’t even savor the joy of our first shift or the reunion with our family. Every moment, even the ones I should cherish, are tainted by this conflict.Suddenly, a gentle voice interrupts my chaotic thoughts. Aurora? Annalise’s voice hums softly in my mind, attempting to soothe.Azura’s low growl cuts off my sister’s calming energy, and I feel her growl ripple from my throat. No.Annoyan
Annalise's POVI'm falling. You know that dream where you're falling, and just as you’re about to hit the ground, you jerk awake? Yeah, it’s exactly like that—except this time, I actually am falling. Eyes wide, I twist to see the ground rushing up to meet me. Channeling my powers, I slow my descent into a controlled drop, landing with one knee down and my fist pressed to the ground.Iron Man would be so proud. I’ve perfected his superhero landing. Standing up, I dust off my hands and take in my surroundings. The place is… unsettling. Cold, damp, utterly miserable. The kind of dark, overgrown forest you’d expect in a horror movie where people keep going in, despite every instinct telling them to turn around. Goosebumps prick my skin as I mutter, “Yeah, that’s creepy.”But strangely, even though I know I should be freaked out, there’s a part of me that’s calm. Grounded. Ready. Like I was meant to be here.“Where the hell am I?” I mumble, taking another step back, fully aware this isn’t
Annalise's POVWe stand in formation, creating a barrier between the Moon Goddess and the creatures. As they approach, a wave of nervous energy flutters in my stomach. I’ve fought countless battles before, but never without my powers. Now is definitely not the time for self-doubt to creep in, but it’s clawing at the edges of my mind. I’m good—better than good—but as these creatures close the distance, their monstrous forms send a jolt of unease through me.Once they’re within range, there’s no more time for hesitation. As one, we launch into battle, swords flashing under the dim, eerie light. The clash of steel against claws and teeth rings in my ears. One by one, the creatures fall, and our formation tightens as we encircle the Moon Goddess. The last of the horde bleeds out at our feet, and just as I think we’ve bought ourselves a moment to breathe, a bone-chilling wind rushes past us.My stomach twists as I hear the unmistakable sound of snapping branches. Wolves burst through the t
Noel's POVMy wolf is annoying. There, I said it. He doesn’t shut up, and he’s too strong for me to control. Like, why did I get blessed with this? All my life, I’ve dreamed of having a badass wolf like Azura, but no—what did I end up with? Kai. The most talkative, sarcastic, and aggravating wolf in existence. I miss the silent days in my head.“Never getting those back, pup.” Kai snorts. “Stop sulking. Stand tall. Straighten your back. For the love of the goddess, act like the Alpha you are, not some pup who lost his chew toy.”Groaning, I plop down next to Aurora. She instantly throws her legs across my lap. Oliver growls low in his throat, and Kai, ever the instigator, chuckles gleefully.“Why is she twitching like that?” Aurora murmurs, her tone heavy with concern.Caleb and Austin are too busy glaring daggers at Damien—who still hasn’t let go of Annalise’s hand—to notice the rising tension in the room. But I do. Aurora is brimming with magic, and seeing Annalise like this is feed
Annalise's POVI wasn’t healing, and being carried was agony. Every jolt, every step sent shocks of pain through my body, so I finally told Nate to put me down. The connection to Nova was still missing, an empty void where her comforting presence should have been. My vampire side, however, surged to the forefront, lending me the strength to keep moving.The forest was a maze of dangers. At every turn, another creature awaited us, claws, fangs, or worse. Exhaustion gnawed at me, a heavy weight dragging my limbs, but my guardians pressed on, cutting through the chaos like blades through shadow. It wasn’t until we reached the base of the mountain that they finally called for a pause.“We’ll camp here,” Nate announced, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need to rest before the climb.”I didn’t protest. Groaning, I lowered myself onto the ground beside the fire, every movement a fresh reminder of the stab wound in my stomach. The fabric of my shirt clung to the injury, sticky with
Aurora's POVThe sounds outside are gruesome—every crash, every howl sends a shiver down my spine. Azura claws at the edges of my mind, restless and furious. She wants out, wants to fight, to defend what’s ours. But I force her back. Annalise needs me here. I can’t abandon her, not when everything feels so uncertain, so fragile.The guys haven’t been gone long, but it feels like hours. Each moment drags, stretching endlessly as I pace the length of the room, my nerves fraying with every distant scream or clash of bodies. My hands shake, my breath uneven, and Azura’s snarls in my head do nothing to calm me.Then it hits me—a piercing pain, sudden and raw. It explodes through my side, like someone has rammed a knife into my ribs. I gasp, clutching at my skin, expecting blood to pool between my fingers. But there’s nothing. Nothing except the fire blazing along the bond, sharp and unrelenting.A howl splits the air, loud and anguished. It stops my heart in its tracks.My mates.Azura sur
Aurora’s POVWarmth and contentment wrap around me like a protective cocoon. For the first time in what feels like forever, my body is one with my powers. It’s strange—this sense of peace. My powers used to be locked away, and when I finally accessed them, they were wild, uncontrollable, leaving me exhausted and on edge. But now, despite everything happening around us, I’m calm. Truly calm.I let out a satisfied sigh and turn over, expecting to find one of my mates next to me. Instead, the bed is empty. Panic flares briefly in my chest, but a reassuring tug in my mind makes me pause.“We’re in Annalise’s room. You might want to get dressed and meet us here quickly,” Landon’s voice echoes through the mind link, steady and sure.Right, I remind myself. We can mind link now.Moving quickly, I hop into the shower and dress, the urgency in Landon’s tone making my heart race. Once ready, I make my way to Noel’s room and knock. It doesn’t take long for the Moon Goddess’s granddaughter to ans
Aurora's POVIt took two days—literally two days—for word to spread and my father’s forces to be on our doorstep. Damien assured us that the castle was magically protected, but Azura wasn’t convinced. Her restless snarls echoed in my head, her tension clawing at my resolve. She wanted control, and I was fighting her for it.The internal battle left me drained. My powers were so unstable they burned through me, leaving me fragile and on edge.It’s been four days since Annalise slipped into her mysterious state, and still, she hasn’t woken up. We’ve all taken turns sitting in her room, watching her thrash and tremble, her body visibly at war with itself. The Moon Goddess spends hours at her side, her touch the only thing that calms Annalise’s violent episodes.But today feels different. The air is thick with anticipation, like the world is holding its breath.The Moon Goddess finally asked us to leave Annalise with her mates, giving them some privacy. My mates took the opportunity to wh
Annalise's POVMemory SequenceI stand in our wooden cottage, the air thick with storm clouds and tension. The man is beside me, his grip firm as he directs my gaze to the scene unfolding before us.The door bursts open, and my father storms in, flanked by six cloaked witches. Their skeletal hands are grotesque—an eerie blend of bone and sinew. The leader, her face shadowed, prowls through the room.“It’s too protected. We can’t perform the ritual here,” she rasps, her voice a nightmare made real.“I don’t care where,” my father growls, his voice laced with fury. “Just get the children out of her belly. I’ve already lost the first three—I won’t lose my chance at this power again.”The witches nod in unsettling unison and exit. The man beside me grips my arm as we follow.Outside, two witches lay my mother’s lifeless body on the ground. My breath catches, a sharp pain slicing through my chest.“Bring the girl,” the lead witch commands, her voice sharp as glass.Two witches drag a sobbi
Annalise’s POVThe figure pulled back his hood, revealing his face. His long hair was tied neatly in a bun, and his light blue eyes shimmered with a piercing clarity that seemed to see straight through me. A rugged beard covered his sharp jawline, softening his otherwise chiseled features. Despite the tension in the air, his expression was calm—bored, even—and he exuded an unsettling confidence, as though none of us posed a threat.The black magic thrumming through my veins whispered, urging me to show him just how wrong he was. It was tempting, so tempting, but I clenched my fists and fought it back. I wouldn’t let the magic control me.His gaze swept over me slowly, lingering before locking onto my eyes.“If you’re looking for the star, I’m sorry to tell you it’s not here,” he said, his voice rough and deep, like it hadn’t been used in years.I smirked. “I know.”His mask of indifference cracked. His brows furrowed, and anger darkened his expression as he took a step forward.“I’m n
Annalise's POVI wasn’t healing, and being carried was agony. Every jolt, every step sent shocks of pain through my body, so I finally told Nate to put me down. The connection to Nova was still missing, an empty void where her comforting presence should have been. My vampire side, however, surged to the forefront, lending me the strength to keep moving.The forest was a maze of dangers. At every turn, another creature awaited us, claws, fangs, or worse. Exhaustion gnawed at me, a heavy weight dragging my limbs, but my guardians pressed on, cutting through the chaos like blades through shadow. It wasn’t until we reached the base of the mountain that they finally called for a pause.“We’ll camp here,” Nate announced, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You need to rest before the climb.”I didn’t protest. Groaning, I lowered myself onto the ground beside the fire, every movement a fresh reminder of the stab wound in my stomach. The fabric of my shirt clung to the injury, sticky with
Noel's POVMy wolf is annoying. There, I said it. He doesn’t shut up, and he’s too strong for me to control. Like, why did I get blessed with this? All my life, I’ve dreamed of having a badass wolf like Azura, but no—what did I end up with? Kai. The most talkative, sarcastic, and aggravating wolf in existence. I miss the silent days in my head.“Never getting those back, pup.” Kai snorts. “Stop sulking. Stand tall. Straighten your back. For the love of the goddess, act like the Alpha you are, not some pup who lost his chew toy.”Groaning, I plop down next to Aurora. She instantly throws her legs across my lap. Oliver growls low in his throat, and Kai, ever the instigator, chuckles gleefully.“Why is she twitching like that?” Aurora murmurs, her tone heavy with concern.Caleb and Austin are too busy glaring daggers at Damien—who still hasn’t let go of Annalise’s hand—to notice the rising tension in the room. But I do. Aurora is brimming with magic, and seeing Annalise like this is feed
Annalise's POVWe stand in formation, creating a barrier between the Moon Goddess and the creatures. As they approach, a wave of nervous energy flutters in my stomach. I’ve fought countless battles before, but never without my powers. Now is definitely not the time for self-doubt to creep in, but it’s clawing at the edges of my mind. I’m good—better than good—but as these creatures close the distance, their monstrous forms send a jolt of unease through me.Once they’re within range, there’s no more time for hesitation. As one, we launch into battle, swords flashing under the dim, eerie light. The clash of steel against claws and teeth rings in my ears. One by one, the creatures fall, and our formation tightens as we encircle the Moon Goddess. The last of the horde bleeds out at our feet, and just as I think we’ve bought ourselves a moment to breathe, a bone-chilling wind rushes past us.My stomach twists as I hear the unmistakable sound of snapping branches. Wolves burst through the t
Annalise's POVI'm falling. You know that dream where you're falling, and just as you’re about to hit the ground, you jerk awake? Yeah, it’s exactly like that—except this time, I actually am falling. Eyes wide, I twist to see the ground rushing up to meet me. Channeling my powers, I slow my descent into a controlled drop, landing with one knee down and my fist pressed to the ground.Iron Man would be so proud. I’ve perfected his superhero landing. Standing up, I dust off my hands and take in my surroundings. The place is… unsettling. Cold, damp, utterly miserable. The kind of dark, overgrown forest you’d expect in a horror movie where people keep going in, despite every instinct telling them to turn around. Goosebumps prick my skin as I mutter, “Yeah, that’s creepy.”But strangely, even though I know I should be freaked out, there’s a part of me that’s calm. Grounded. Ready. Like I was meant to be here.“Where the hell am I?” I mumble, taking another step back, fully aware this isn’t