(Aurora's POV)Alexander's hands rested firmly on my waist as he stood behind me. His amber eyes met mine in the mirror, filled with unmistakable desire."You look stunning," he murmured, his breath warm against my neck.The silver-threaded ceremonial robe with healing runes along the hem shimmered in the light. I had to admit, I looked every bit the Luna of a powerful pack."Thank you," I replied, trying to maintain composure despite the heat of his touch.His fingers traced the silver mate mark on my neck. "We should skip the gathering."I turned to face him, placing a hand against his chest to create distance."We can't. Elder Thornwood specifically requested our presence."Alexander's eyes darkened as he closed the gap between us. "They can wait."His lips found mine in a kiss that threatened to undo all Eva's careful preparations. For a moment, I allowed myself to respond, my wolf Zoe stirring with familiar longing."Alexander," I pulled away breathlessly. "You'll ruin t
I stepped onto the moonlit terrace, intending to escape the stifling atmosphere of the gathering. What I found instead was Beta Lawrence and Elder Thornwood locked in what appeared to be a tense confrontation.They both turned at my approach, their expressions shifting from anger to composed neutrality with practiced ease."Future Luna," Beta Lawrence greeted stiffly, his eyes darting nervously between Elara and me.Elara's face had paled considerably, and I noticed her hand trembling slightly against the stone balustrade."Are you unwell, Elder?" I asked, my healer's instincts immediately taking over.She waved dismissively. "Just the crowd... my wolf senses are more sensitive these days."I moved to her side, noting how her normally piercing gray eyes seemed unfocused. "Let me help you to a quieter room.""Thank you, Aurora," she said, leaning slightly against me. Her use of my given name rather than my title felt strangely intimate.As I guided her toward the door, Beta Lawr
(Aurora's POV)But suddenly, Alexander stopped.His powerful form trembled above me, his wolf Alex clearly struggling beneath the surface. A low growl escaped his throat as he fought for control."Alexander?" I whispered, confused by his hesitation.He closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths before releasing me completely. The sudden absence of his warmth left me disoriented."Go wash up," he commanded, his voice rough with restraint. "Use the moonlight-infused bathroom."I stared at him, stunned by this unexpected turn. Alexander Blackwood never denied himself anything he wanted—and moments ago, he had made it very clear he wanted me.Without another word, I slipped from the bed and retreated to the bathroom, my legs unsteady beneath me.The moonlight streamed through the skylight, bathing the marble surfaces in silver light. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and froze. My ceremonial robe hung partially open, exposing the curve of my breast and the silver mate mark o
(Alexander's POV)I left Elder Callahan's office and made my way back to the VIP healing wing where Grandmother Grace was being treated.Through the glass panel, I could see Aurora sitting beside her grandmother's bed, her delicate hands arranging healing herbs in precise patterns.Dr. Fergus, the legendary Northern healer, stood over Grace with a contemplative expression. His unusual gold-flecked green eyes narrowed in concentration as he examined the complex charts.I entered quietly, not wanting to disturb their consultation."Alpha heir," Dr. Fergus acknowledged with a respectful nod. "We were just discussing the healing ritual."Aurora glanced up, her green eyes meeting mine briefly before returning to her grandmother. The silver moonstone ring I'd given her caught the light as she moved her hands."What's the prognosis?" I asked, moving closer to Aurora than necessary.Dr. Fergus gestured to the charts. "The silver poisoning has formed a tumor-like growth in a precarious
### (Alexander's POV)The council meeting dragged on. Politics, hunting disputes, patrol schedules—it all blurred. Normally, I would have been focused. Today, my thoughts wandered. Aurora’s face consumed my mind.My phone buzzed. A message popped up from the pack attendant at our den: *Luna Blackwood has wolf fever. Temp: 39°C. Still rising.*I bolted up, cutting off Elder Callahan mid-sentence. His words froze in the room’s tense silence.“This meeting can wait.” My tone was final. Without waiting, I strode toward the exit, the sound of my boots striking sharply with each determined step.Eva Dawnrunner caught up to me in the corridor, matching my hurried pace. “Reschedule today’s territory negotiations. We’ll cover it tomorrow,” I ordered. “Remove Ivy Lawrence from the Moonstone Project immediately.”Eva faltered. “Dismiss her entirely?” she asked cautiously.“Yes. Also, strip her access to all healing grounds.” My voice was sharper than intended, but I didn’t care.She compl
But I stopped the kiss and held myself back. Aurora was sick and she needed rest.The soft hiss of the shower helped her drift into sleep. I moved quietly through our den, preparing for the night ahead.When I emerged from the washroom at 1 AM, water droplets still clinging to my hair, I found Aurora's eyes open, watching me. The moonlight streaming through our window cast silver patterns across her face."You're awake," I said softly, settling into the chair beside our bed. "How do you feel?"Aurora shifted away slightly. "Better. The fever's subsiding."I reached for her hand, but she withdrew it, claiming discomfort. "The fever makes my skin sensitive."My wolf didn't believe her excuse, but I nodded anyway. "You need more rest."Pack documents lay scattered on the bedside table - territory reports I'd been reviewing while watching over her. Her green eyes flickered toward them curiously."Working even at this hour?" she asked.Her voice sounded stronger than it had all day
(Alexander's POV)"Excuse me," I said, abruptly rising from the table.Lydia Silvercoat's blue eyes widened. "We're in the middle of dinner."I ignored her protest and strode across the restaurant. Several wolves lowered their gazes as I passed, instinctively responding to my Alpha presence.Aurora spotted me approaching. Her expression remained perfectly neutral – not a hint of jealousy or anger. This bothered me more than I wanted to admit."Aurora," I said, stopping before her."Alpha heir," she replied formally, the distance in her tone unmistakable. "I was just leaving."The herbalist beside her shifted uncomfortably. "I should go. We'll finalize the details later, Aurora."After the herbalist departed, I stepped closer. "Having dinner with business associates?""Yes. Unlike you, my dinner was strictly professional." Her green eyes flickered toward Lydia, who was watching us intently."You could have joined us," I said, though we both knew that was the last thing either
(Third Person's POV)Alexander Blackwood sat behind his massive oak desk at Blackwood Pack headquarters, his amber eyes scanning territory charts without really seeing them. His thoughts kept drifting to Aurora.The morning light filtered through tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. He absently traced the pack symbol etched into his desk.Aurora wasn't what he'd expected when they first formed their mate bond. She was stubborn, intelligent, and surprisingly resilient. In their intimate moments, her green eyes would flash with something that stirred his wolf.Not love, he reminded himself firmly. Strategic appreciation.His communication device emitted a low howl tone. Alexander glanced at the message, his expression tightening.Eva Dawnrunner entered with a stack of documents. Her keen eyes missed nothing, including his reaction to the message."Northern Territories again?" she asked, setting the papers on his desk. "That's the third time this week."Al
(Richard's mate's POV)I hurried back to the Blackwood Ancestral Den, my heart racing with an unexplainable sense of dread. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the territory, but my thoughts were darker still. Something felt wrong.The large house stood eerily silent when I entered. Usually, there would be pack members moving about, attending to their duties, but today an unnatural stillness permeated the air."Has my mate returned?" I called out, my voice echoing through the empty hallway.A pack member serving the household appeared from the kitchen area. The moment she saw me, her eyes welled with tears."Madam," she choked out, her voice breaking. "Please go to the Pack Healing Den! Alpha Heir Dominic has been in a terrible vehicle accident."My blood ran cold. "Dominic?""One of his arms has been crushed," she continued, tears streaming down her face. "The Pack Healers don't know if it can be saved. He's undergoing an intensive healing procedure now."I didn't wait
(Alexander's POV)The early morning light streamed through the nursery windows of Mooncrest Villa, catching the fine dark hair of my daughter as she slept peacefully in her crib. Three days. That was our bargain – three days with Aurora fulfilling the role of my mate before she took Silverleaf to the Northern Territories.I stood in the doorway, watching Aurora gently tuck the soft blanket around our daughter. Time was slipping through my fingers like fine sand, impossible to grasp no matter how tightly I clenched my fist."I'll need to leave soon," I said softly, ensuring my voice was clear enough for her to understand despite her damaged hearing. "Pack business."Aurora looked up, her green eyes meeting mine briefly before darting away. She nodded once, the gesture curt and dismissive. The distance between us stretched like an unbridgeable canyon."Eva will be here if you need anything," I added, lingering longer than necessary. "Anything at all."Another silent nod. This was h
(Alexander's POV)I stared down at the small bundle in my arms, my heart hammering against my ribs. Silverleaf Winters shifted within her soft nesting furs, her tiny eyelids fluttering as she woke.My daughter. My pup.She was only ten days old, so incredibly tiny and perfect. As the furs fell away from her face, I couldn't help the sharp intake of breath. She was unmistakably mine - the distinctive amber eyes so like my own, the angular Blackwood facial structure already evident despite her infancy, even the faint dimple in her left cheek that was an exact mirror of my own.My large hands, hands that had torn rival wolves apart in territory disputes, now cradled her with trembling gentleness. As I held her closer, I inhaled deeply, catching the sweet scent of pup milk clinging to her. My wolf Alex rumbled with contentment inside me, recognizing our offspring."Hello, little one," I whispered, my voice rough with emotion. "I'm your father."To my surprise, tears welled in my eyes
(Aurora's POV)The rain pounded against the windows of the black SUV as we pulled up to the imposing Blackwood Pack Headquarters. Each drop seemed to echo the rapid beating of my heart. I hadn't been back here since before Daniel's birth—since before I believed he had died.I stared up at the gleaming building, memories washing over me like the rain outside. This place had once been my domain as Chief Healer. These halls had witnessed my rise in pack hierarchy, my mate bond with Alexander, and ultimately, my heartbreak.The driver opened my door, holding an umbrella over me as I stepped out. The familiar scent of power and wolfsbane smoke clung to the air. My wolf, Zoe, stirred within me, anxious and uncertain.Eva Dawnrunner greeted me in the marble lobby, her face professionally neutral though I caught the flash of sympathy in her eyes."Healer Winters," she said. "Alpha Heir Blackwood is currently in a crucial pack council meeting. May I escort you to his private study to wait?
(Aurora's POV)The morning light filtered through the silk curtains of the Thornwood guest den. I sat by the window, watching Silverleaf sleep peacefully in her basket. My father had been making arrangements for our move to the Northern Territories, securing everything with the efficiency that marked his leadership style."The Northern Territories in June, the air is crisp, suitable for recovery," he had told my mother yesterday, his voice carrying that familiar tone of assurance I'd grown to recognize.I watched him now from the doorway of our sitting room, noting how his shoulders seemed to carry an invisible weight. My mother bustled about, organizing our belongings with meticulous care. Four large traveling chests stood by the door, filled with ceremonial robes and everything Silverleaf would need.My mother wiped her brow, exhaustion evident in her every movement. "That should be everything," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.When she entered the sitting room, s
(Alexander's POV)I stared through the transparent wall of the healing pod, my heart breaking anew each time I watched my son's tiny chest struggle to rise and fall. Little Silver Moon—Daniel—was impossibly small, each breath a battle, each heartbeat a miracle.The specialized healing den hummed with advanced equipment, the sterile scent mingling with the faint herbal notes of healing salves. I'd barely left this room in days, unable to tear myself away from my son's side."Alexander."I turned to find my father, Richard Blackwood, and my mother entering the private wing. Their expressions were a mixture of hope and heartbreak as they approached the healing pod.My mother's eyes filled with tears as she gazed down at the tiny form of her grandson. "Oh, Alexander," she whispered, her voice catching. "He's so small.""But alive," my father added, his usually commanding voice uncharacteristically gentle.I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. My wolf Alex whined insi
(Alexander's POV)I watched Aurora's slender form move around the bedroom, her steps careful but determined. The moonlight streaming through the windows cast her in a silvery glow, highlighting the fragility of her recovery."May I have my communication device back?" she asked quietly, not meeting my eyes.I remained silent, my hand instinctively tightening around the small device in my pocket. It was childish, perhaps even cruel, but I couldn't bear the thought of her contacting someone to take her away from me so soon.Aurora's green eyes finally lifted to mine, a storm of emotions swirling behind them. Her voice was soft but carried the weight of her suffering when she spoke again."Alexander Blackwood, do you want to lock me up again? But this time..." Her voice faltered slightly. "I don't have Grandmother Grace anymore."The mention of Grace's name struck me like a silver blade to the heart. The elderly healer who had sacrificed herself to save Aurora and our pups—pups I had
(Aurora's POV)The moon cast long shadows across the grounds of the secluded villa. I found myself wandering outside, my feet moving without conscious thought. The night air was cool against my skin, but I barely felt it."Daniel," I whispered, the name of my lost son a prayer on my lips.I hadn't meant to leave my room. Hadn't meant to wander the unfamiliar grounds of this place Alexander had brought me to after our visit to the sacred memorial grounds. But sleep eluded me, and the walls of the bedroom felt like they were closing in.The grief was a physical presence, a weight crushing my chest, making each breath an effort. Each heartbeat a reminder that my son's heart would never beat."You shouldn't be out here alone."Alexander's voice came from the shadows. He stepped into the moonlight, his amber eyes reflecting the silver glow. He approached cautiously, as one might approach a wounded animal.Without speaking, he draped his heavy ceremonial cloak over my shoulders. Its w
(Alexander's POV)Ten days had passed since I buried my son. Ten days of existing between moments of crushing grief and the mechanical performance of duty.I stepped into the Blackwood Pack Headquarters, the familiar scent of power and privilege doing nothing to ease the hollowness in my chest. The private elevator hummed softly as it carried me upward, each floor passing in a blur.When the doors slid open, Eva Dawnrunner stood waiting, her usually composed expression troubled."Alpha Heir," she said, her voice hushed. "Aurora Winters is here."I froze mid-step. "Aurora? Here?"Eva nodded, her eyes carefully watching my reaction. "She arrived twenty minutes ago. She... insisted on seeing you."My wolf Alex stirred within me, alert and anxious at the mere mention of our mate. Aurora hadn't set foot in these headquarters since severing ties nearly seven moons ago. Her presence now could only mean one thing – she had come about our son."Daniel," I whispered, more to myself than