Rhett took me back home, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing with everything I had learned. The moment I saw my mom stirring awake, I rushed to her, unable to hold back my questions any longer.“Mom, what was that all about? Why didn’t you ever tell me?” I asked, frustration lacing my voice.She sighed, rubbing her temples. “Darling, I was afraid you’d get entangled in all of this—just like you are now. I wanted you to have a normal life, to enjoy yourself, find your mate, have pups, and live with freedom. The role of a High Priestess comes with heavy expectations. I didn’t want that for you.”I frowned. “Did Dad know?”“Yes, he did,” she admitted. “And he wanted to keep you safe.”I hesitated before asking, “Can you make a fist of ice too? Or was that just the water freezing around me?”“No, I can’t,” she said, shaking her head. “Each of us is gifted in a different way, but not like that.”“What is your gift?” I pressed.“I have the ability to calm people, to cool their emotions
I was ready for training, almost out the door, when I heard a knock.I opened it, and there stood Alpha Rhett. Well, isn’t this just great? The man I was clearly crushing on, standing there looking all tall and ridiculously attractive, hoping to use his good looks to lure me into some forced bond? Priesthood? Whatever.I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, giving him the most unimpressed look I could muster as I raked my eyes over him.“Good morning,” he said, all serious and... sexy. UGH.“Uh-huh. Did you need something? I mean, aside from pretending to care about me?” I shot back.He made the strangest face—like he wasn’t sure whether to be confused or amused. “I’m here to walk you to training. I thought we could chat on the way,” he said, voice unreadable.“Oh, so do you fake-like me so you can rob me of my freedom? Am I strong enough to be in this pack now—ice fist and all?” I sassed, stepping outside and shutting the door behind me. I motioned for him to start walking.“I’
“I… uh… I will wait outside.”Why did I get all flustered in front of him? My face was burning as I spun on my heel and stormed out of the locker room. The second I stepped into the hallway, I locked eyes with Gamma Brandon, who was already smirking like he had been waiting for me to embarrass myself.“This might be the first time your skin has seen color, Aurelia. And I gotta say, either you walked into a very hot sauna—which we don’t have—or someone got a little too flustered around our Alpha,” he teased.I narrowed my eyes at him. Sure, I made it my mission to embarrass him whenever my mom was around. He couldn’t just pretend nothing was going on between them while casually dating her, and someone had to keep an eye on him. But now, he was clearly enjoying turning the tables on me.“I wouldn’t be all red if I hadn’t just walked in on a very naked—”“Me?”That deep, rumbling voice slid over me like warm honey. I squeezed my eyes shut for half a second, begging the Goddess to spare m
Rhett’s POVI sat at my desk, staring at the map of our territory, but my mind wasn’t on the land. It was on her.The pack’s safety had always been my priority. But now, her safety consumed me just as much. Aurelia.Her mother wanted to take her away—to remove her from us. From me.I clenched my fists.She didn’t understand. Aurelia had a role to play here, something bigger than any of us could see yet. And while I didn’t have all the answers, one thing was clear—she was in danger here. The attacks were increasing. We had been lucky last time, but luck wasn’t a strategy.The creatures had breached our wards, our fences, everything meant to keep us safe. How?I exhaled sharply. We need answers. We need to reinforce our defenses, find the weak spots in our system, and eliminate them before it’s too late.A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Alpha, may I come in?”Brandon. My Gamma.“Yes, come in,” I said.He stepped inside and crossed his arms. “The DiRossio boy has arrived.
“Sup’, little sister. Tell me, what’s been going on?” my big brother, Ares, said, flopping onto a chair.“Mom was about to initiate me into my priesthood when you walked in,” I replied.“I was not initiating anybody,” Mom interjected, shaking her head. “I was going to share the history of this pack. And you, Ares, arrived at the perfect time.”“I love storytelling,” Ares said, stretching, “but I want to know what’s been happening first.”“No, no, no,” I cut in. “You’ll sit here with me, and Mom will tell us the history of our kind. After that, we can talk.”He raised his hands in mock defeat. “Okay, fine. I’ll save all my questions and curiosity. But I need a mug of hot chocolate first.”“Are you cold, sweetie? Why didn’t you bring a thick jacket? This windbreaker can’t be warm enough for thirty-degree weather,” Mom said, frowning at him.“We don’t have any thick jackets back home, and I actually feel fine,” he shrugged.I shot Mom a surprised look. She heard it too. But instead of rea
“What were some of their powers?” I asked.Ares blinked. “Wait—powers? What do you mean powers?”“Well, Mom has powers,” I reminded him.Mom smiled. “I have the ability to calm people—to cool their emotions. My mother could read people’s intentions.”Ares turned to me. “And what about Aury? Besides snow camouflage?” he teased.I glared at him. If looks could kill.“Listen, just because you can tan doesn’t mean you’re all that different from me. Your hair is pale, your eyes are almost as light as mine.”“Being blond, blue-eyed, an
We all went to bed—well, Ares took the couch.That night, I dreamed of frost. The wind howled through an endless expanse of snow, a vast landscape stretching beyond the horizon. I stood at the center, untouched by the cold, unbothered, maybe even powerful. The ice shimmered beneath my feet, and I felt a strange pull, as if the winter itself recognized me.Then I woke up.Surrounding me were people holding candles, their faces hidden beneath hoods. Was this still a dream?Before I could react, a cloth pressed against my face. A sickly-sweet scent filled my nose, and then—darkness.When I came to, I was in a grand hall. Towering marble columns stretched toward the high ceiling, their pristine whiteness making the dimly lit space feel like it was glowing. I was lying on a hard stone surface, and around me stood six hooded figures, their presence heavy with importance. This was a temple.Everyone was staring at me.“What is going on?” My voice echoed off the marble.“We do not wish to harm
“Alpha, we are preparing to initiate Aurelia. We need a High Priestess,” Elder Ulray said.“And we believe the goddess has turned from us due to the lack of proper worship,” Elder Violet added, throwing my mother a pointed look.“She is a minor, and I do not accept this,” my mother countered. “I will not allow my daughter to die for a pack.”“Mom, I’m almost eighteen. And I want to do this.”Ares frowned. “Are we sure it’s a curse? Or is it just a lack of experience? The previous High Priestesses were trained from a young age, forced into battle before they were ready. Maybe if they had time to learn, they wouldn’t have died. Maybe they just didn’t have an awesome brother to protect them.”I grinned through my nerves. I loved my brother.“The boy has a point,” one of the elders admitted.The debate raged on, but I wasn’t listening anymore.A single snowflake drifted down from the ceiling, impossibly slow. It glowed faintly, pulsing with an otherworldly light. It wasn’t just a snowflake
POV: AureliaAfter the ball on Saturday and the Council meeting that followed, I was exhausted. My body ached, my thoughts were tangled, and the heaviness of responsibility settled into my bones like frost.And yet, it was only Monday.My official role as high priestess had barely begun, and here I was—sitting in war rooms, speaking alongside Alphas and strategists like I belonged. I wasn’t sure if I did. But I knew I had to.As the meeting began, we gathered once more in the war hall. This time, it was less ceremonial and more tactical. The long table was crowded with voices, not just in person, but through a large video screen that connected us to packs too far to travel. The faces of distant Alphas flickered with unstable connections, eyes squinting into their screens, expressions guarded.Some representatives were cooperative, offering records and patrol notes. Others were vague and evasive. A few, like the Blackwood and Night Howlers delegates, answered in clipped sentences and t
Ares’ POVWe were all gathered in the war hall—Alphas, Betas, and the trusted few they brought with them. I had specifically requested each pack’s leadership team be present. If they had heroes or people with unique insight, they were welcome too. We needed unity. And more than that—we needed the truth.Alpha Rhett stood at the front, shoulders squared, his voice calm but commanding as he addressed the room.“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” he began. “I want to be clear—this meeting doesn’t take away from this weekend’s festivities. But it is the perfect time to gather as many of you as possible and discuss our growing concerns.”He scanned the room, his expression unreadable.“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors,” he continued. “I’m here to confirm them—and to put any doubt to rest. The attacks are real. And they’re growing bolder. Our lands were recently targeted by something... monstrous.”The words hit like thunder.“They stood taller than any creature we’ve ever recorded
Ares' POVThis ball was a crazy idea. I wasn’t privy to most of the conversations swirling around the pack, but it was obvious this event was a strategy. A smart one. It brought in people, sparked bonds, and created the perfect cover to talk about the real issue—the attacks—without tipping off any potential enemies. The Council rarely met—once a year, tops—and only when something serious hit the fan. Alpha Rhett was smart. Maybe even brilliant. Honorable, too. I saw the way he looked at my sister. He hadn’t made a move, but the tension was thick. Maybe they were mates. Maybe not. Either way, the guy had restraint.The ball itself? It was a blast. I met a bunch of girls who made it very clear what they were after. Lucky for them, I’m available. Willing. But not a liar. When they asked, I kept it simple: I don’t date. I fuck. I’m waiting for my mate.My wolf growled about it sometimes—he didn’t love the casual flings. But my body? Well, that part of me didn’t exactly complain.The gue
I noticed Mom dancing with Brandon—rather closely. They were smiling, laughing, and whispering like no one else existed. I wondered when they’d finally admit their relationship. They were so cute together.Werewolves could live up to two hundred years. We grew up like any human would until we reached adulthood at eighteen. After that, our aging slowed thanks to our regenerative abilities. Mom was only forty-six, and Brandon was probably around one-twenty. A big age gap by human standards—but nothing unusual for us. They could even start a new family… though fertility was rare among older wolves.Rhett walked up on stage, and the room fell into silence.“Good evening, everyone,” he said, his voice smooth and commanding. “I hope you're enjoying the
The party was in full swing. Some people from my previous pack were here. Melissa hadn’t come this time—each pack had a limited number of guests, and priority went to those over 25 and unmated.You could see some pairs forming. The fated ones were obvious. You could also see all the hopefuls looking around, waiting for their moment.I was once that bright-eyed hopeful too. Now I was a little jaded.While chatting with Jasmine, I felt a weight settle on me. A gaze. I looked for the source—and there he was. Alpha Rhett. Watching me like he was starving. It was exhilarating… and terrifying. I was so drawn to that man, and I was scared of falling.I was being as guarded as my heart would allow, but Goddess, I wanted to run through the forest of his eyes.We stared at each other.I caved and smiled.He smirked back. Took a sip of champagne. Looked away, pretended to listen to someone, then looked back at me.I got pulled into a conversation, and the moment passed.As I headed to the bathroo
Aurelia's POVMy heart beat loud enough to drown out the music as Rhett extended his hand.He looked like a carved statue come to life—tuxedo tailored perfectly to his broad frame, jaw sharp enough to cut, that dark hair pulled back into a man bun I had no business liking as much as I did.His eyes were fixed on me like I was the only thing in the room. And Goddess help me, I wanted to walk into that gaze and never come out.But then I remembered who stood beside him.Jeremy.Shanika.My ex and his mate. Her dark eyes caught mine, unreadable. Jeremy looked… tired. And
Aurelia’s POVThe day before the ball felt like an entire lifetime compressed into twenty-four hours.There were wolves everywhere—unmated guests arriving by the hour, laughter and footsteps echoing through the corridors, flurries of movement between the apartments, dorms, tents, and the grand hall that would serve as the ballroom.I stood in the center of that hall, hands on my hips, staring up at the ceiling. It had once been a training arena—all cold concrete and sharp echoes. Now? It shimmered.Ares and his entourage had transformed the space. Silk drapes billowed from the ceiling like swirling snowstorms, catching the breeze from the AC vents and dancing in the air. Jasmine had strung fairy lights across the beams, woven with dried herbs and sprigs of pine that released a warm, woodsy scent when the bulbs heated them. It smelled like winter in the middle of summer—comforting, nostalgic, and a little wild.We’d gone with a winter elegance theme: dark woods and chrome accents, soft
Aurelia’s POVThe parchment was thick and slightly textured, dyed with the faintest hint of rose gold. The script shimmered slightly with silver ink, old-fashioned and elegant.You are honorably invited to the Mate-Matching Ball at the Foraker Mountain Pack. All unmated wolves are welcome. We hope this gathering helps you find a union—whether fated by the Moon Goddess or chosen by your heart.I stared at the invitation in my hands, heart fluttering. It was official. Real. Somehow, this felt like more than just a ball.Rhett’s POVInvitations had gone out to every corner of the world—Alaska, Canada, across the states, even overseas. We were expecting a massive turnout.Luckily, we were prepared—at least in terms of infrastructure.We had two three-story buildings just inside the front gates. They looked like government bunkers from the outside—plain, cold, intimidating. That was the point. It was all part of the façade of a military base meant to keep outsiders wary. But in truth, th
Chapter 51: Recounting Rhett’s POVThe attacks had become routine. That was the real horror of it all. People no longer screamed in terror or scrambled blindly. They just reacted—defended, regrouped, and returned to what they were doing as if an ambush by demonic beasts was just another line item on the daily agenda.It was too much.The numbers were dwindling. Every attack left behind fewer warriors. Fewer civilians. Fewer healers. It wasn’t just a battle anymore. This was a war. And we were losing.And yet, that night—our night—was different.The fire crackled beside us, casting a warm glow on her face. I had prepared this spot in secret: a soft blanket spread across a bed of moss, a thermos filled with hot chocolate, and a picnic basket holding a few sandwiches, chocolate-covered berries, and some marshmallow snacks I had seen her sneak from the pantry once. She thought no one noticed. I did.Aury’s eyes had widened when she saw it. Her surprise surprised me.We had trained togeth