MasukOn the eve of that day, the Wildings and werewolves had chosen a spot deep inside the forest and decorated it. Lit lanterns hung from tree branches, illuminating the forest in a warm glow. Flowers were strewn about, leading a path from the edge of the clearing to the front. Gwendolyn stood by the window in Kieran's bedroom, staring at the shimmering lights in the forest. Kieran had insisted on celebrating her coronation again, since the first one had been interrupted. She was in a white gown this time, an elegant gown which clung tightly to her curves. Her hair flowed freely down her back, reaching her waist. Golden ornaments adorned her arms and wrists, and a golden tiara perched on her hair. She wrung her arms nervously as she gazed outside. The door opened and she turned her head, thinking it was Kieran. But it was Ryder. He paused at the door, his eyes fixed on her, his lips parted. "Ryder." She whispered his name, turning around to face him. "I don't think I've ever seen
Cae was the first to jump to her feet. "Goddess above." She gasped in shock. "Your eyes. They changed."Kieran remained silent, staring unbelievably into Gwendolyn's eyes. His own eyes were unreadable as he gazed at her. "Kieran?" Gwendolyn whispered. "Is something wrong?"He shook his head, and a slow smile curled his lips. "Nothing's wrong. I never thought I would see you with dark eyes.""Do they look bad?""Of course not." His smile widened. "They're perfect. Everything about you is perfect."Cae forcefully cleared her throat and looked away awkwardly. "I don't mean to disrupt this intimate moment, Alpha, but we need to find out why Gwen's eyes are different.""Relax, Cae." Gwendolyn chuckled. "It's not something bad. I've just embraced my powers. I'm transformed into the Black Onyx completely.""How do you know that?" Kieran asked. Gwendolyn didn't reply immediately. She opened her hand, and black fog swirled on the surface of her palm. Cae moved back instantly, terrified, b
Gwendolyn was unconscious for a week. According to Cae, she had wandered through the forest of no return for days. The forest of no return was spelled with dark magic. Only those who had been touched by that same dark magic could navigate through it. Julian was able to because when he joined Ragnar's pack, he took an oath, and Ragnar initiated him with dark magic. With Julian's death, Gwendolyn couldn't escape the forest on her own. What seemed like hours was actually three days as she walked around in circles with no sense of time. Her ability to break out of the forest was still a mystery, but because she spent days wandering, she was severely dehydrated and weak. Kieran never left her bedside. He stayed with her, whispering in her ear because he knew she could hear him. Cae did all she could with her healing herbs, but after five days, she gave up. Gwendolyn's body kept rejecting every healing potion. Kieran sensed that her wolf was absent, making him wonder if she had trans
Hours after Julian's death, Gwendolyn remained where she stood. The back fog swirled around her, as if tethered to her soul. She felt empty. Her eyes were dried, devoid of tears. She didn't regret killing the one man who had been her best friend, who had grown with her all through the years. She had no regret, because when it came to choosing between her unborn child and a threat, she would protect her own. After a moment, she turned away from the spot and walked off without a backward glance. With Julian gone, she and her mother were the last surviving members of the earth realm pack. If her mother was even still alive. For hours, she walked deeper into the forest, unsure of where she was going. She didn't know how she would get back to Nightshade pack. She was in the middle of nowhere, and with the black fog following her, she was in danger. The Immortals could find her. She could die of thirst and starvation before she reached Kieran. She walked for hours until she grew tire
As Gwendolyn started to reach out to grab the dagger, Julian pulled her into his arms. She stiffened against him as his hands lowered to her waist. Then he buried his face in the curve of her neck and sighed. "I can't believe you're mine again." He whispered. "I thought I lost you to that hybrid. I thought it was the end."He pulled back and cupped her face. "I always knew nothing would ever come between us. We were meant to be together. The moon goddess must have made a mistake pairing you with him.""You know you can say his name." Gwendolyn said. "He won't be coming between us ever again. Mentioning his name wouldn't change that.""I don't want a reminder of him. Whenever I think back to that night he put his hands on you, I get so angry and enraged. You're mine, Gwen."He turned her head to the side suddenly. When he saw the mark, his expression darkened. "He had the guts to mark you." He snarled. "We'll have to take care of that."Gwendolyn's eyes widened. "Julian, that's not
Gwendolyn looked up sharply, stunned at the sudden entrance. Julian snapped out of the daze he slipped into and whirled around. His frown deepened when he saw Medea standing at the door, fists planted on her hips. "You." He snarled. "What are you doing here?"Gwendolyn looked at him in shock. "You know her?"Medea's lips lifted in a scornful smile as she stepped further into the room. "Of course he knows me. Surprised, Gwendolyn?"Gwendolyn was utterly confused. How did Medea and Julian know each other? She looked at Julian, waiting for an explanation. Julian got up and fixed the door, then he pushed Medea aside. "You shouldn't have come here, Medea.""Where else was I supposed to go? Ragnar is dead. Kieran killed him.""Don't mention that name here. I don't want to hear it.""Well, Ragnar is dead. And 'you know who' is on a killing rampage, searching for her."She pointed her chin at Gwendolyn who gasped in surprise. Kieran was searching for her. There was hope after all. She jus







