MasukThe night after Christmas wasn’t a Lycan night at all.It was Fae night.And tonight was Solstice of the First Light — the oldest holiday in the Dark Fae realm, the night where magic was said to breathe again after the long winter veil. Thorn, Oliver, and Kira had prepared for it all week, but for Jenna… this was her very first time stepping into a world that only existed in whispered stories.Thorn opened the shimmering portal in the den — a swirl of silver frost and soft blue fire, humming like a living heartbeat.“Stay close to me,” Oliver said gently to Jenna, sliding his fingers between hers. He glanced down at her small but noticeable bump — pride glowing in his eyes. “And do not wander. Its beauty can distract you, but the realm listens… and remembers.”Jenna nodded, breath thick with nerves and wonder.The Fae Kingdom was breathtakingly beautiful.Jenna gasped before her second foot even touched the ground. Snow fell in spirals of glowing gold. The sky above shimmered like liv
“I think this has been the best Christmas ever.” The words slipped out before I could stop them — soft, real, honest.I sat curled up on the sofa with a blanket around my legs, watching Sarah on the floor with Storm. Blaise had just finished snapping the last piece of the train track together, and now Storm and Sarah were lying on their stomachs, watching the trains go around in circles and making ridiculous sound effects that had Storm giggling so hard he hiccupped.Sarah tapped the roof of the engine. “Look, — choo choo!”Storm squealed. “Make it crash!” He crashed his engine gently into hers and rolled onto his back with laughter as they derailed.The room glowed from the fire. Wrapping paper was piled in mountains in the corner. Hot cocoa cups sat half-finished on the coffee table. Beth and Sam were taking photos of Storm’s train track domination, Jenna and Oliver were curled up in the oversized chair together, and Ryker and Lyra were arguing quietly about who ate the last c
A few weeks passed in rare quiet. No shadows. No sickness. No fear.Just winter.Just family.Christmas Eve settled over the packhouse like a soft blanket, and for once, nothing felt threatening. The den glowed with firelight, the Christmas tree twinkling in the corner — silver garland, red and green bulbs, and Storm’s uneven paper star hanging proudly at the top.All of us piled into the den: Me, Blaise, Storm, Beth, and Sam. Jenna and Oliver eventually wandered in with cocoa and more presents. Sam had come early with his gifts already wrapped, insisting he stay the night “because Christmas morning isn’t Christmas morning without chaos.”Blankets covered every lap. The lights were dim. And a Christmas movie marathon flickered across the TV.Storm curled up in my arms, warm and soft, little breaths brushing my shoulder as he drifted off. I leaned back into Blaise, his arm around me, steady and protective. Beth and Sam shared a huge blanket on the other couch, whisper-laughing thr
“The Shadow Man… he isn’t supposed to—”“He hunts power,” Thorn snapped. “And you interfered.” He watched her try to process it all.Her heart slammed.“I didn’t kill Bram for him,” she hissed defensively.Thorn stepped closer.“You killed Bram to take control of Storm. And now the creature who manipulated the Old Witch before you, the one who promised him Storm… wants to devour you next.”Doreana swallowed.Hard. She didn't have time to think.“Help me,” she whispered, pleading.Thorn’s eyes narrowed.“On one condition.” his eyes narrowedShe didn’t even hesitate.“Deal. Whatever you want.”His voice was thunder.“You will never go after Storm again.”“No hidden agenda, no tricks,” she said quickly, in a soft whisper. She knew he was close to her door. “You have my word.”“Good.”Thorn moved faster than her eyes could follow.He lifted his hands, palms glowing. Her runes carved into the cellar walls flared awake, but they were dim. His power charged them all. Her entire mountain
His voice cracked, layered with something ancient.Blaise cupped the back of his head. “Storm, hey—hey—slow down. Breathe. Daddy’s here.”Storm wasn’t hearing either of us.His tiny hands trembled, gripping the blankets tight.“He’s angry.”The storm outside howled harder, reacting to his terror.And then—A rush of cold swept through the room.Not wind.Magic.Thorn appeared in the doorway, tall, grim, his ancient power vibrating off him like heat.Kira materialized half a heartbeat later, eyes wide and silvering, hair lifting slightly from the static in the air.“I felt the surge,” she gasped. “Something pierced the mountain wards—”“And something dark is moving beneath them,” Thorn finished, stepping closer.Storm pointed blindly toward the window.“Shadow man…” he whispered. “Shadow man chase her… she hiding… he angry…”My stomach collapsed inward.“Who, baby? Who is he chasing?”Storm’s breath hitched, and for a moment, he froze.“He’s tracking someone.” Thorn said, “A female.”
Her cauldron woke before she touched it.A low ripple shivered across the surface — ink-dark water stirred by power she hadn’t summoned yet. Doreana’s mouth curved into satisfaction as she stepped closer, fingertips trailing over the rim.“Show me,” she whispered, flicking one crimson drop from the high Councilman's vial into the center. Bram didn’t mind giving her those weapons.The water brightened.Then bled deep red.Swirls sharpened into shapes.Faces.A long table.Council chambers.The Alpha King Ryker.Doreana leaned in, arms braced on either side of the cauldron.“Well, well…”The image was focused with crystal clarity.Ryker stood there, surrounded by his Warriors. His stance was rigid, fire — authority wrapped in a predator's silence. His presence alone had halted an entire room of politicians.Doreana let out a slow, appreciative hum.“This one is smart,” she murmured. “Too smart.”Her smile curved, wicked and pleased.“I like smart men. They make things interesting.”But







