WINTER POVEven though I glimpsed her briefly on my way to the Silvamemoria Forest, I never imagined she'd come here after all she'd done. No one saw eye to eye with her, and she hadn't offered an official apology for her part in it. I couldn't help but wonder how she'd managed to step in here without being torn apart."What are you doing here?!" It was Kendall who snapped out of his daze first, and he strode toward her, growling lowly with narrowed eyes."Hi, Kenny," Summer smiled, waving at him. "Long time no see.""I'm not delighted to see you," Kendall hissed. "And it would be best if you left.""Don't you think having extra hands could be a help for all of you?" another familiar voice chimed in, and Daniel emerged from his hiding spot."No," I murmured, shaking my head. How had they managed to come here amidst all the chaos?!"We found our way," Daniel said as if he were reading my mind.It felt like the last time I'd seen him was a century ago. His hair was shaggy, and it seemed
WINTER POVI was relieved my mother stayed behind. The process of forcing the Blood Moon was even harder than I had imagined. We had been at it for hours since my arrival, and night hadn't fallen yet.Despite drawing on my mother's strength, I still felt weak. It was as if something was trying to drain my energy."It's the babies," Emily whispered."What?" I furrowed my brow, my hands resting on my stomach."They're taking power from you, Winter, so you can't use all your abilities, or you'll end up magically depleted," she explained."Why would they try to take my powers when they know I need them right now?" I questioned.They should have sensed my distress, especially since I'd been using my powers more frequently lately."It's what keeps them alive," the Eclipse pack seer said.She approached me and placed her hands on my stomach, closing her eyes. "You should talk to them."A few seconds later, she opened her eyes. "Rachel and I can lend you our strength, and I'm sure your mother
WINTER POVMinutes passed as I waited for Rafael or Slade, unsure which one would wake up first. I hoped one of them would regain their memories soon.However, it seemed like my wait might be in vain. He hadn't stirred since he fell, and he wasn't breathing. I couldn't detect any heartbeat. I wondered if I had overexerted myself."When will he wake up?" I asked Rachel. "I thought it would happen soon!"I glanced back at his body. He was growing cold, and his lips were turning blue. The sounds of battle from outside echoed while I cradled the nearly lifeless body of my mate."What should I do, Rachel?" I looked at her, then at my mother and Emily."Give it time," my mother said, reaching out to touch my shoulder, but I shrugged her hand away."Everyone keeps saying that!" I cried out. "Did I do everything wrong, and why is no one telling me the truth?"Was he going to die again? Tears blurred my vision, and I bowed my head, sobbing against his chest. The sudden wave of grief overwhelme
WINTER POVA DAY AFTER THE BATTLEThough we endured many casualties, victory was ours. Our pack was back under our control, and there were no impending threats.No prisoners were taken from the Vordrak Lycans. Those who refused to yield were beheaded, and their remains left for the vultures to feast upon.Most importantly, Slade had returned. However, he hadn't given me the full acknowledgment I sought.At the moment, I was in the room, preparing for the meeting to announce Slade's return. While some felt it, others were still bewildered.Slade had departed the room even before I woke. I wondered if he was intentionally avoiding me, for he wasn't acting like himself."Maybe you're attributing too much to it," Flora suggested."I doubt it," I murmured. "He's distant. I should be the one relishing his presence the most, but now he seems to prefer others' company over mine.""I don't believe that's the case. He still feels the same way about you," Flora assured."How do you know that?" I
WINTER POV"My lady!" Jude exclaimed, rushing towards me. I shook my head, signalling him to halt."I've got this!" I yelled."Whoever stands in my way shall die!" Gloria roared, her voice brimming with fury."Likewise for me," I declared, gripping my dagger tightly.I aimed my dagger at her, noting that she, too, wielded a weapon. Its origin mattered little to me; I focused on disarming her without causing harm. Yet, it was evident that Gloria desired to kill me.The battle continued, and fatigue weighed heavily on my muscles, making my limbs feel sluggish, but I didn't yield. In a moment of determination, I managed to disarm Gloria, knocking her weapon aside and pinning her down. She thrashed beneath me, her eyes blazing with wrath, her voice an animalistic growl."You think you can stop me?! You foolish child!" she spat, venom dripping from her words.I held her gaze unwaveringly. "I don't care how powerful you may be right now; I can and will stop you!"Gloria's laughter cut throug
WINTER'S POVFOUR MONTHS LATERThe door to my room creaked open and closed, signalling the arrival of familiar scents. My mother and Lisa had entered. Without even looking or opening my eyes, I recognised them."Has she even left this spot?" My mother's voice filled the room with concern. "And the stench in here...goodness, it's overwhelming!""I've tried everything to get her up, but all she does is snap at me," Lisa murmured. "That's why I called you. I don't know how else to reach her, and she hasn't been eating properly either.""She hasn't?" My mother's voice echoed, drawing closer to me.The bed sank as my mother sat down, her warm hands tenderly touching my face. Clutching my robe tightly, I bit my lip to suppress my trembling."You can't bring him back," my mother whispered. "He's been gone for four months. You need to find a way to let go."Shaking my head, I groaned as she attempted to pry open my eyes. "No, Mother, you know better than to say that to me.""I do know better,
WINTER'S POVI had lost track of time, crying on the floor until the sound of knocking and Linda's voice snapped me back to reality. Wincing, I stood up and rubbed my numb backside.Dragging myself towards the bathtub, I tested the water's temperature with my leg before easing in. The lukewarm water embraced my body, providing a fleeting sense of solace amidst the storm raging within me. I closed my eyes, allowing the water to soothe my weary muscles and wash away the exhaustion that consumed me, both physically and emotionally.For a brief moment, my eyes fluttered shut, and Slade's image invaded my mind. Memories of our first encounter flooded back—the moment he had rescued me from Kendall and Summer. His captivating smile, the way his eyes gazed at me, and the subtle flirts he would send my way, claiming me as his, even when no one else was watching.I missed it all. The more I reminisced about him, the more impossible it seemed to let go. I couldn't. Slade would forever remain a p
WINTER POV"S-Slade?" I stuttered once again, my heart pounding as I desperately hoped I was not imagining things. The last time I had vivid hallucinations like this was only a month after his death. He walked into the room, looking worn out, and my happiness swelled as I prepared to run into his arms, but then reality hit me—he was just a figment of my imagination.Throughout that month, I had been plagued by this illusion, each feeling so real, only to dissipate into thin air. But this time, it felt different. It felt more tangible, more substantial than the first time.Compelled by my emotions, I approached him; my gaze fixed unwaveringly on his form. My hand instinctively reached out to touch the scruff on his cheek, but Kendall abruptly pulled me back.My back collided with Kendall's chest, jolting me back to my senses."What the hell are you doing?!" he growled, his voice laced with concern."Slade," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "He's Slade!"Kendall's eyes narro