DAMIEN.“What in the goddess name happened here?”His question is met with silence.Natalie has her head bent low while Fredja watches her.“Natalie?” I call as I move towards her only for her to flinch back.What?Why would she flinch from me?I turn to stare at Fredja in silent question and just as she is about to answer me, her gaze is caught by something behind me.“You might want to handle that first,” she says, her face still trained over my shoulders.I turn to look at what she is talking about and I see a fast growing crowd gathered behind us.Oh, no.Irritation grips me as a crowd gathers, their curious eyes fixed on Natalie. The whispered words that reach my ears don't help matters.“...she did it…”“...her again…”“...sort of Luna…”“...did to Pan…”“...witch…”The air thickens with tension as I hear those words, causing me to snap. "Leave. Now!" My alpha command cuts through the chaos, startling them.They begin to shuffle away but not fast enough. Their reluctance still
NATALIE“Alpha, Luna, this one begs your forgiveness.”Huh?! I stare in disbelief at his bowed head, unable to comprehend what it is I am seeing and hearing.Pan, apologizing.To me.When I first saw him awake and walking toward us, a lot of scenarios flashed through my mind.This… is not what I was expecting.The living room falls into a hushed silence as we all watch him, his head still bowed towards Damien and me with unexpected formality.I and Damien share a surprised look with one another, his brows furrowed in confusion. As we all try to make sense of what is happening, whispers ripple through the crowd, snippets of gossip and speculation reaching my ears.“What is wrong with Pan?”"Did you see that bow? He has never been so respectful like that before?”"What's going on with him?""Is this some kind of alpha ceremony?"“Is she forcing him to do this?”Great.At least, the two are as confused as us.A mixture of surprise and apprehension churns in my stomach as I try to ignor
DAMIEN."I think we should be honest with them.""What?!"I turn to look at Natalie in shock.*You want to tell them the truth?" I ask. "Are you joking?""Think about it. What half truths can we tell them that wouldn't backfire on us? Damien," she says as she gets up and walks towards me. "We don't even know half of what is going on.""I don't know," Lucas says. "It can go either way.""Yes, it can," Anya speaks up. "It can go really bad. The pack might turn against us, some might leave, and some might challenge the Alpha for his position. We might never recover. But on the other hand, we might get support. "They might appreciate the fact that you are being honest with them. That even though you don't have all the answers, you still worry for them and trust them with the truth. It is an opportunity where we might even find how far their loyalty goes. One thing, I know, is that it can't remain this way. Not after today, too many strange things have happened."I stare at her for a whil
NATALIE.“I think I am going to be sick,” I say to my wolf as my eyes survey the crowd.“This was your idea,” she retorts.“It isn't a bad idea, I just… didn't know how much crowds make me nervous.”“I never said it was a bad idea. It is a very wise one and I am proud of you. But talking and doing are two different things.”“Clearly.”“Are you okay?” Damien’s voice brings me out of my conversation with her.We are both standing at a corner of the podium that was hastily put together for the meeting.Once we had all agreed on what to say, Lucas had gone to prepare the grounds. We were in a wide expanse of land where no trees were planted. Apparently, it was left that way for situations like this.Lucas had a wooden stage built and had it covered with a red carpet. He had then had the message passed that the Alpha -and Luna- have called a meeting.And so here we are.A fast growing crowd and me about to throw up.“Is it too late to go hide in my room?” I ask him. “Is that what you want
MAYA.The dimly lit room echoes with the tension in my voice as I demand answers."Tell me what you are!"Alaric's smirk dances with shadows. "What do you think I am?" he asks."I don't have time for your games!" I snap. Frustration claws at my patience, making my words sharp. “You have been speaking in hurdles ever since I woke up and I am done with it. Tell me what you are or I walk.”"Games, dear Maya, are all we have time for," he replies cryptically, his gaze never leaving mine. “And you can try to leave of course, I have never stopped you from doing what you want.”I stare at him for a while longer, trying to force him to give in but he doesn't.Instead, he looks amused. Like this is fun for him.Tanya was right.There is something wrong with him.Without another word, I turn away from him and head back to the room we were staying, my legs already starting to shake.Just what sort of poison was in those trees? "We're leaving," I announce, as soon as I walk in, the anger from th
DISCLAIMER: SEXUAL SCENE UP AHEADNATALIEOh dear.“I uh, I think I should leave,” I says as I move get to my feet, but I am stopped by his firm grip on my waist.“Why?” he asks, his voice low. “We are finally alone.”His face edges closer to me as he does so and I am not really sure on how to react now.My skin feels so right and bot and… I don't know.“Damien,” I whisper. “It has been a long day.*“I know. We should retire.”“Yes!” I exclaim in relief. “Let's do that.”He smiles at me and gets to his feet, lifting me with him bridal style.“Your room or mine?”Oh no. That… this is not what I meant.“Hmm,” he gums at my silence. “My room it is then.”Without another word he walks out of the study and heads to his room, which is coincidentally right ght next to mine.How come I have never entered it?The place is all dark wood and manly colors.It is practically the same size as mine with similar amenities. The floor us covered in hard wood, with a center black carpet covering it. Th
NATALIE.The light is emanating… from her.All silvery and soothing.Like the moon.Every time she moved closer, the darkness vanished until she was standing right in front of me, and the whole place was bathed in her light.“Who are you?” I ask in awe.“You know who I am, Lyra.”“My name is…” I falter, unsure of what to call myself.Lyra was the name my parents gave me, but I have only known it coming from Willow's lips.“Natalie, yes. I know. I would call you that if you prefer,” she fills in.“Thank you,” I say quietly. A few moments later, “You are the Moon Goddess,” I state.“Yes, I am.”“Why are you here? Why am I here? What do you want?”“You, my child. I have yearned for you for so long, and I am just now able to reach you,” she answers as she reaches forward to stroke my face.I step back, confused and a little creeped out by her words, and watch as her hands fall.“Maybe I should start from the beginning,” she says.“That would be… preferred.”She looks down at the reflectiv
NATALIE.I wake up with a loud gasp. Like u had just come out of water and panting hard.I can still feel her warmth and the effect of her brightness.The room looks dull compared to before, an aftereffect of her light, I suppose.“Natalie?” Damien murmurs, sleepily.I look over at him to see him stretching his hands on the bed, searching for me. “Natalie?” he calls before snapping his eyes open. “Natalie!”“I am here,” I say in reassurance as I reach for him. “I am right here.”He calms down noticeably before freezing, eyes wide in shock staring at me.“What?” I ask. “Is there something on my face?” I ask as I rub my hands to wipe off any drool.“No,” he whispers. “No. Natalie, your hair?”“My hair? What about it?’“It's silver.”What?!“What?!” I exclaim as I reach for my hair, pulling the strands to my face.Sure enough, my glossy, beautiful, black hair has done stark white.Or silver, as Damien noticed.I rush off the bed and to the dresser to stare at my reflection. Sure enough