Mag-log inRemi POVWarmth flooded through every part of me. The moment the shift settled, the cold vanished as though it had never existed. Rain hammered against my thick fur, but instead of freezing me, it rolled off in heavy streams. My wolf shook herself once, spraying droplets across the unfinished cabin.Bram stared at me, rubbing both hands together. His lips had already started turning pale." You’re Lucky," he muttered through chattering teeth.I snorted "Don't look at me like that," he said. "You look comfortable."I was ,more than comfortable. I felt... alive. The forest called to me. Every scent drifted through the rain. Wet earth. Pine. Moss. Rabbits hiding beneath roots. Deer somewhere to the east. The entire mountain breathed around me.Meanwhile Bram shivered harder. He glanced around the cabin. "No dry wood." I followed his eyes.Every corner leaked. Water dripped through cracks in the roof. The few blankets we'd brought were soaked. Even the storage room wasn't dry anymore."T
Nero PovThen I heard footsteps. They were running. I didn't think so I moved taking the stairs two at a time, I sprinted toward the second floor.A door slammed open. "Damn it! I charged down the hallway just as a bedroom window exploded outward.Glass burst into the morning air. By the time I reached it, a dark figure had already landed on the roof of the neighboring house with impossible balance.Black cloak. With his face completely hidden beneath a hood.The figure turned for the briefest second. Then the figure ran.I jumped through the broken window without slowing.Wood cracked beneath my boots as I landed on the roof "Stop!"The assassin never looked back. They leaped across the narrow alley with effortless speed.I followed and the rooftops blurred beneath us. Loose tiles shattered under every landing.The gap between us stayed exactly the same. It was like they already knew where every roof would give way. Who are you?The figure reached the edge of the village and launched i
Nero POVSleep never came. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the old woman's voice.The curse is worse. Complete the Luna Ceremony with your true mate. Time is running out.I let out a slow breath and stepped onto the balcony of the Voss Manor.The sky above the mining town was only beginning to brighten. Thin ribbons of mist curled between the rooftops while smoke drifted lazily from chimneys. Somewhere below, miners were already beginning another day. Iron carts rattled over worn tracks. A rooster crowed in the distance. It should have felt peaceful.It didn't. My fingers found the object hanging from my belt without thinking.The Seal. It felt cool beneath my thumb.One order from Lord Voss and every guard in the kingdom would answer to me while the king remained away.Exactly what I'd asked for. But somehow it felt heavier than it had yesterday.Because now I knew time wasn't on my side.The curse had nearly broken me last night. If those villagers hadn't recognized it...I looke
Nero POVThe music hadn't stopped.The villagers were still dancing around the bonfires, their laughter carrying through the cool mountain air. Someone beat a drum carved from old oak. Children chased one another between the tables while women passed around roasted meat and warm bread. Smoke curled into the night sky, carrying the smell of pine and fresh venison.The moon had climbed higher Too high.My smile disappeared "Caya."She looked at me. "What?""What time is it?"She frowned before following my eyes to the moon.Her expression changed immediately."...almost Midnight."I nodded once "We're out of time. The moon hung high and full, silver light pouring through the branches like judgment. I could feel it already, that familiar burn under my skin, the curse stretching its claws.Caya was nearby, leaning against a trunk, watching him with the quiet patience only an old friend could manage.. “I need the chains. I need to be caged so I don’t hurt anyone. Especially the villagers.”Th
Remi POV"Mordor?" I asked.Bram nodded slowly. "If he wanted to destroy the place..." I looked around the room. "He would've burned it.""But for what?" Bram didn't answer.He kept staring at the floor as though hoping it would answer for him.I folded my arms. "Out with it. You're a terrible liar."His hand stopped moving. "I don't know what you're talking about.""Every time I say Mordor's name, your face changes."He finally looked at me and His expression wasn't angry. "I can't tell you.I promised Nero."I let out a frustrated laugh "Of course.""He asked me to keep you safe.""I'm tired of everyone deciding what keeps me safe.I'm not some fragile little princess anymore."Bram rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "I wish I could. But I can't."I stepped closer. "Then I'll find out for myself."His eyes met mine. "I know you will."For a few seconds neither of us spoke. Finally he sighed."Let's survive rebuilding the cabin first."He reached into an old wooden toolbox and tosse
Remi POVWarm water ran down my arms as I scooped another handful from the wooden bucket and poured it over myself. The morning air was crisp enough to raise goosebumps, but after yesterday, I didn't mind. I scrubbed the last traces from my skin with a rough cloth, humming quietly to myself.For the first time in weeks, I didn't wake up with that heavy knot in my chest.Nero’s message ..He missed me just as much as I missed him. He had made Bram carry every one of those messages all this way because he knew I'd need to hear them.I smiled to myself."Idiot," I murmured fondly. "You couldn't just say it once."I poured another bucket of water over my head, squeezing the water from my hair before reaching for the towel hanging nearby. As I dried my arms, something caught my eye.I froze. The runes. My brows knitted together.I lifted my right arm closer to the light spilling through the window.I lifted my right arm closer to the light spilling through the window. The silver markings s







