Heather's POV
A hand-span above the treetops the moon hangs fat and golden, smudging silver along the rim of the royal clearing. Honeysuckle rides the late-summer breeze, thick enough to taste, and the bonfire sends a roar of sparks up to meet the stars. Laughter rolls around the circle of benches, louder than the crack of pine knots splitting inside the flames.
Nicholas—my big brother, the king’s Beta and tonight’s groom—throws his head back and bellows at one of Anthony’s terrible stories. The firelight catches the edge of his smile and I cannot help answering it. Home wouldn’t be home without Nick’s laughter.
I have missed this din, this firelit chaos. Four years ago, Cole rode in with Alpha Lucas on a diplomatic visit, our eyes met, the bond snapped into place—and I left for Blood Moon in the same car that carried the delegation home. Since then, Cole’s work as Beta and the Shadow Pack border skirmishes have kept us pinned to our territory. I brought Zach to meet my parents once after his birth. Once. That ache sits under my ribs like an old bruise. Tonight, almost heals it.
Cole eases onto the bench behind me, long legs bracketing mine, his scent of Tobacco and eucalyptus wrapping around my shoulders. When his arms settle across my waist the noise of the party blurs, leaving the steady drum of his heart against my back.
“You have gone quiet on me again, my love.” His voice is velvet, low enough that only I can hear. A pleasant shiver sparks along my spine.
“I am soaking it in,” I whisper. “The people, the heat, the terrible jokes.” I tip my head until our cheeks touch. “You, getting along with my family.”
He huffs a soft laugh against my temple, this man has been expertly navigating my father’s jibes, and my brothers’ subtle challenges all day. It was only when they saw him playing with Zach did they both calm down slightly. Cole Larkin, the fiercest fighter in Blood Moon, turns to molten sugar whenever our boy toddles into view. He will melt just the same for the pup now no bigger than a poppy seed in my womb.
My palm drifts over my flat stomach and wonder blooms like dawn. Helena confirmed it at sunrise, her voice ringing with certainty.
‘He will be overjoyed,’ Helena hums. ‘This one is a daughter.’
My throat tightens. I have not told Cole yet. No wolf should miss the scent of his mate’s pregnancy, but the pup must be only days along, her heartbeat still shy. I want the moment to be perfect.
The bonfire flares, sending a sheet of sparks into the dark. For a breath the clearing hushes, and in that hush I feel it—eyes. Cold. Measuring. I lift my gaze to the wall of trees. Between two trunks a silhouette lingers, cloak shifting like liquid shadow.
Helena growls. The hairs on my arms rise.
Cole’s hands tighten. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” I force a smile that fools no one. “Zach is with Mother. I promised one bedtime story, and you know how Grandmother’s stories turn into three.”
He pushes to his feet at once. Protective. Certain. “Early night then.”
We make our farewells. Nicholas clasps Cole’s wrist, Kayla hugs me, her little bump pressing against my flat one. Four-year-old Aiden darts around our knees with a wooden sword, already defending his new baby sister on the way.
Beyond the fire’s glow the forest feels different. The crickets have fallen silent. The breeze has died. Sap-scent and moss should comfort me, but unease crawls under my skin.
He senses it. Cole steps ahead of me, shoulders squared, every inch the warrior.
Something moves.
“Do not be afraid, my children,” a voice intones—deep as mountain stone, smooth as river water.
The figure from the trees glides forward. Moonlight catches her face, and the night seems to bend away from her. Skin like alabaster veiled in starlight, lips pale, almost blue, and eyes—blank, milky, staring straight through flesh and bone to whatever lies beneath.
An Oracle.
Lucas's POVBy the time we make it back to my office, I glance at the clock on the wall and note that training is starting soon. Zahra will need time to change and get ready. Everyone files into the office, but with too many bodies and not enough chairs, I grab Ali by the waist and pull her onto my lap. Her cheeks flush, and I can feel her squirm slightly, embarrassed, but I grin at her and hold her there. Greg, Tobias, and Nicholas remain standing, leaving Zahra and James to take the chairs in front of my desk. I haven’t called Austin in—I know he’s busy setting up for training. Besides, he hasn’t seen Zanthe yet, and I’m not even sure if he knows she’s a white wolf.“Right, James,” I begin, keeping my tone calm but direct. “What’s this all about?”James turns to Zahra, and I notice her fidgeting in her seat, her anxiet
Lucas's POV“What’s going on here then?” James asks, his tone light, but his curiosity evident.I glance at Zahra, silently asking for permission. This is her secret to share.“Tobias already knows,” she says quietly, her voice steady but soft. The surprise must show on my face because I turn to the prince. The way Zahra skips his title doesn’t escape me, nor him, judging by the wide grin stretching across his face.“Are you and Zanthe training?” Tobias asks her, his voice low and careful, his eyes locked on hers. Zahra blushes and nods, biting her lip as she glances at the ground.Nicholas’s head jerks back and forth between the two of them so quickly I half-expect it to spin off, while James looks outright baffled.“Who’s
Lucas's POVWe arrive at the clearing and shift back to our human forms. I grab the shorts Ladon carried in his mouth, slipping them on quickly, while Ali pulls on a simple shift dress. The clearing is quiet, and the others haven’t arrived yet. I glance at Ali and feel a sudden wave of affection. Pulling her close, I press my lips to hers, relishing the moment.Goddess, I’ve missed her.The kiss deepens as I pin her gently against the nearest tree, my hands on her hips, but the sound of a throat clearing pulls me from the moment. Turning, I see Greg striding into the clearing with a blushing Zahra in tow.Greg smirks. “Afternoon, Alpha, Luna. Hope we’re not interrupting…?”Ali pushes me away with a soft laugh and strides into the clearing, her composure returning effortlessly
Lucas's POVAs it turns out, I didn’t catch up on any work this afternoon. Instead, I spent a few hours chatting with James, Sophie and Ali relaxing in the garden before heading back to the office for a postponed meeting with the boys. My body is sore all over, and I can feel Ladon quietly working to heal the strain from this morning’s training. I’m pleased we all completed it, but it’s a stark reminder of how much more I need to work on my fitness.I take a sip of my coffee as there’s a knock on the door.“Come in,” I call, already knowing it’s Xander and the others.They troop in—Xander, his team, Max, and Sebastian.“Afternoon, boys. How was school?”“Afternoon, Alpha,” they say almost in unison, with Xander adding, “Good, thanks, Dad.”“Take a seat at the table. I’m just waiting for Drew to arrive. The others will be up in a second as well.”I watch as they file down to the conference table and settle into their seats. My gaze shifts to Max, Sebastian’s Beta. I’ve never really tak
Zahra's POVBefore I fully recover, Tobias walks over, standing in front of us with that soft, almost mesmerizing smile of his.“That was the best wolf sparring I’ve ever seen,” he says, his voice calm but with a strange intensity beneath it. “I think I need you to teach me some of your moves.”He’s looking at us oddly, his expression unreadable. Then I see it—the flash of his wolf’s eyes. His voice drops, rough and gravelly as his wolf’s tone mingles with his own. “Hello, Zanthe,” I hear them both say.Zanthe’s attention sharpens as Tobias’s wolf introduces himself. “I’m Thor. It’s nice to meet you,” they say, and Zanthe dips her head slightly in acknowledgment, unable to communicate directly.Moments later, Tobias&rsqu
Zarah's POVI’m just about to rush forward when a scent hits me—several, actually. Wolves are approaching. Tobias, his dad, and my uncle are heading this way. Glancing around, I can see the others have noticed it too. My stomach knots.Shit. What’s going to happen? I’m not ready for people to know about Zanthe yet.‘Tobias already knows,’Zanthe reminds me with a croon.‘And I want to meet him. Maybe we can even meet his wolf too!’ Her excitement radiates through me, and I groan inwardly. She’s way too into the prince for my liking.There’s a rustle of leaves, and then King James, Uncle Nicholas, and Tobias step into the clearing. The King’s warm smile lights up as he spots Alpha Lucas. “Ah, here you are. I was wondering where you’d d