20 hours until the moon is fullAVAThe sun would set at about 7pm, so five hours before the moon peaked. In fifteen hours… I needed to be at that clearing, ready to confront Elijah. If what Artemis and I had put together was true, the Rogue King was planning to attempt to force the mark on me when the moon peaked…So at that point he planned to either have me restrained, unconscious or force me into a situation where I had to agree to him marking me.Being in the direct light of a full moon could make mate bonds stronger, so that just meant I’d have to make sure that one way or another, one of my Kings was there. From my conversation with Selene… it had to be Callum and/or Oscar.She specifically talked about my protector and lover… so did she mean it had to be Oscar?It was incredibly unlikely Theo would wake up in time to help, and if he did, he wouldn’t be well yet. Noah needed to be here, not just for his family, but because if it came down to it, the Lycan warriors would turn to
15 hours until the moon is fullAVAI sent Callum and Oscar off to make sure safe rooms were set up and ready to go for the night. We’d agreed that everyone would be in safe houses and the hospital would be locked down from two hours before sunset, and everyone would stay in those safe rooms until everything blows over, so probably tomorrow.The rest of the pack warriors were getting involved too, making sure that the safe houses were stocked, and that they were ready to protect the borders. It was a big job… but I will admit that I had a second motive to get Callum and Oscar to do it.Yes, I trusted them to pull it off. But, I also needed them out of earshot so I could get everything arranged with Jeremiah.“Take a seat, Jeremiah,” I motioned when Oscar and Callum left. We’d even moved the other warrior outside the office. This was need to know.“Before I start, Jeremiah, I need to ask you a question.”“Of course, my Queen. What do you need?”“What I am about to tell you needs to be
9 hours before the moon is fullAVABy 3pm, most of the pack was ready to go. Oscar and Callum had the safe houses ready, and they were now helping set up patrols around the pack house. Once that was done, they were getting the hospital ready to go into lockdown.Busy, busy…I sunk down into my chair, sighing as I tried to work out how to tell Callum and Oscar what they needed to know. I thought back over what the Moon Goddess had told me. Don’t trust the spoken word… What does that even mean?! Does that just mean I’m being listened to?I felt a strange warmth at that thought. Instinct said Selene was agreeing with me. So I was right to be suspicious.Before going any further, I opened a link to Jeremiah. “I need my office swept for bugs, as soon as possible please, Jeremiah. Both audio and visual.”“Fuck,” he swore. “Apologies for my language, my Queen,” he added quickly.“It’s fine, Jeremiah, ‘fuck’ covers it. When can you make it happen? I don’t want to write this letter if I migh
8 hours until the moon is fullAVAJeremiah picked up the envelope as planned, and within what felt like no time at all, it was time for me to get going. Now, just to help Jeremiah with his distraction… whatever that was going to be.“Hey Jeremiah,” I called through the mindlink, trying to sound lighthearted in case Oscar was listening. “I beat my half-mile record.”I could feel something in the back of my mind, like another presence. Oscar. He was definitely listening.Jeremiah snorted through the link, evidently having put two and two together. “Well done, my Queen. Once this is all over, we’ll race.”I smirked, slamming the link shut, before standing to leave my office and the pack house.We’d already dealt with the Lycan warriors I had guarding me; they’d stay in position until Jeremiah called for them later. Commanding this lot had been a mess, but I needed to get out of the pack grounds alone.“I’m proud of you, my child,” Selene whispered through my mind. “This has been hard, I
Seven hours until the moon is fullCALLUMOscar and I were going out of our minds. Ava had somehow gotten around us and slipped out of the pack territory on her own. She’d hidden her scent very well, so we didn’t even have a clue which direction she’d gone in.We knew she would be looking for the Rogue King, but she hadn’t told us where he would be.“Ava has been linking Jeremiah a lot today,” Oscar said, voice stressed. “Even before that, she was talking to him in her office for a good while.”“What did they link about?”“Most of it didn’t make sense, I assume because she knew that I’d listen in.”“What did she say?”“First she said she’d set a new personal best over half a mile, and then a while later, over a mile. He challenged her to race once this has all blown over.”“Okay, yeah. That was in code. She hates running.”“Yup. But what is it code for? Who knows.”“I also heard her saying something about sage and wolfsbane, but either she was too far away for me to hear the entire co
6 hours until the moon is fullOSCARBy the time 6pm rolled around, Callum and I were bored out of our minds. Everything was sorted, we were literally just waiting for the moment that Ava had decided was the right one for Jeremiah to tell us what the hell was going on.At twenty past, Jeremiah’s eyes glazed over as someone linked him. I jumped in; Ava.“Jeremiah, tell them now,” she started, even in a link, her voice sounded stressed. “Give them the letter and the prophecies. I’ve found Elijah. Don’t bring wolves.”“Don’t bring wolves, my Queen?”“Rogue Lycans.”“Fuck,” I growled, out loud. “She’s found him, Callum. She’s found Elijah. He has rogue Lycans with him.”Jeremiah’s eyes cleared as he passed us over the envelope, and Callum ripped it open.My heart sank as I started reading the letter, and the look on Callum’s face said he felt the same. I was about to start reading it out loud when Jeremiah stopped me. “My Kings, the Queen was very clear that not everything she’s given you
5 hours until the full moonAVAAt 7pm on the dot, I burst into the clearing to see Elijah waiting for me, just as expected. I shifted back, standing opposite him, not really caring that I was naked.I dropped my guard, making sure that my scent would be all over this clearing if anything were to happen.“Oh, Avelina,” he drawled. “You really did grow up to be a beauty, didn’t you?”I didn't answer, instead, I just stood and watched him. The longer I silently watched him, the more agitated he got.“Avelina,” Selene whispered in my mind. “From here on, I'm limited on how much I can help you, my child. As soon as you truly confront him, you're on your own, I cannot interfere.”“Selene… What should I do? How do I… win this?”“Avelina… There are no true winners tonight. You live, as do your mates. But sacrifices will have to be made before the night is over.”“What sacrifices?”“Your lover will have to make a choice, Avelina. A choice that will cut him deeply for the rest of his life.”“O
4 hours until the moon is fullAVAI woke up freezing cold and wet. At some point whilst I was unconscious, someone had pulled clothes on me, so at least I wasn’t naked.I could hear Elijah talking to someone near me, and decided that my best chance of survival was to pretend to still be asleep.“Artemis, are you okay?”She didn’t respond.“Artemis!” I shouted in my mind.Fuck, why can’t I talk to Artemis?I heard footsteps walking towards me, and felt someone kneel by my side, just before fingertips stroked my cheek. “Soon, my dear, you will be mine,” Elijah drawled. His fingers moved to my neck, scratching the three marks on my neck. “These will be gone, and you’ll be bonded to me. I will control you. Together, we’ll rule Eclipse Mountain. We will reinstate the old ways, where the Lycans hunt werewolves without retribution. Together, we’ll remake the world.”I fought to stay still, to keep my body limp and my breathing even, even though his touch made me want to be violently sick.
AVAThe Crown Suite was a whirlwind of colour and laughter as we decorated for Christmas. Tinsel glittered everywhere, catching the light and sending sparkles dancing across the walls. I perched precariously on a ladder, trying to hang a particularly stubborn strand of lights.“Careful up there, love,” Theo called from below, his hands steadying the ladder.I grinned down at him. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this under con—” My words were cut off as I wobbled slightly, eliciting a chorus of concerned noises from my mates.“Maybe I should do that part,” Noah suggested, already moving toward me.I waved him off. “I’m fine, really. Just focus on not tangling yourself
AVAI placed my fork down, feeling pleasantly full and warm. The energy in the room shifted subtly, a familiar tension building. Callum’s eyes met mine across the table, the heat in his gaze sending a shiver down my spine.“Shall we retire for the evening?” Oscar suggested, his tone deceptively casual.I nodded, my heart rate already rising. As we moved toward the bedroom, anticipation thrummed through our bond.Noah reached me first and pulled me close. His kiss was gentle but insistent, and I melted into it. When we parted, I turned to Oscar, who waited patiently. His lips met mine with passionate intensity, leaving me breathless.Theo was next, his kiss tender and reverent. “My queen,” he m
AVAThe sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in swathes of crimson and gold. I felt the familiar tingle of anticipation as we stepped outside, the cool evening air caressing my skin. The Queen’s Guard fanned out around us, a protective circle of silent strength.“Ready?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Four pairs of eyes met mine, each burning with an intensity that made my heart race. Callum nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Always, my love.”I closed my eyes, letting the shift take me. It had been a rush of power, of primal energy surging through every cell. When I opened them again, the world was sharper—scents and sounds amplified. My midnight-black fur rippled in the breeze, the silver moon on my chest
AVAI sank into the plush armchair, my body feeling like lead. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the fireplace crackles softly. Oscar lay on the chaise lounge nearby, his chest rising and falling steadily. Relief washed over me, but it was tinged with a lingering anxiety that refused to dissipate."How are you feeling, love?" Theo's voice broke through my thoughts.I met his concerned gaze, and I knew my eyes were full of pain. "Like I've been hit by a truck, then run over by a train for good measure."A weak chuckle escaped Oscar's lips. "That's my girl, always with the colourful descriptions."My heart clenched. He nearly died saving me, and there he was, still trying to make me smile. I reached out, grasping his hand tightly. "We need to talk about what happened," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Callum leaned against the mantle, his jaw clenched. "Agreed. We can't let something like this happen again."I could feel the weight of their worry, their lov
AVAI couldn't bear it anymore. The pain of feeling Oscar slipping away was too much. With a surge of desperate strength, I pushed against Theo's chest. "Let me go," I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.Theo's arms loosened, surprise flashing across his face. I took advantage of his momentary hesitation and scrambled away, my legs giving out as I reached Oscar's side. I collapsed to my knees, my hand finding his."Oscar," I whispered, squeezing his fingers. They felt so cold. Too cold. "Don't you dare leave me."I could feel our bond stretching, thinning like a gossamer thread about to snap. Panic clawed at my throat. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything we'd been through."Ava," Callum's deep voice c
CALLUMI could feel Theo's anger radiating off him in waves as we strode down the dimly lit corridor toward Sera's cell. My own fury simmered just beneath the surface, barely contained."Remember, we need information," I said, my voice low and tight. "Don't let her provoke you."Theo's jaw clenched. "I'll try."As we approached the heavy iron door, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. The guard unlocked it with a harsh clang that echoed off the stone walls.Sera sat on a narrow cot, her raven hair tumbling over her shoulders. Those unnerving violet eyes locked onto us as we entered."Well, well," she purred. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a royal visit?"
OSCARI couldn’t tear my eyes away from Ava's lifeless gaze as the healers swarmed around us like agitated bees. The scent of herbs and magic hung thick in the air, mingling with the acrid tang of fear emanating from my brothers and me. My fingers tightened around Ava's limp hand, desperately seeking some flicker of response."Damn it, why isn't anything working?" I growled, frustration boiling over as another potion fails to elicit even a twitch from our mate.Noah placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. "They're doing everything they can, Oscar. We have to be patient."Patient? How could I be patient when the love of my life is lying there like an empty shell? The urge to lash out, to find that witch and tear her apart with my bare hands, was nearly overwhelming.
AVAThe moon's absence cast an eerie darkness over the ritual circle, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of herbs. I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I stepped into the silver-etched boundary of the circle, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. Sera's violet eyes gleamed in the flickering candlelight, her raven hair seeming to absorb the shadows around us. I could feel the tension radiating from my Kings through our bond, their worry and love intertwining with my own determination."Are you ready to begin, Your Majesty?" Sera's melodic voice carried an undercurrent of excitement that set my nerves on edge.I swallowed hard, casting a glance at my mates. Callum's jaw was clenched, his blue eyes stormy with concern. Theo's hands were balled into fists at his sides, while Noah's gaze was fix
AVAI bolted upright, a scream tearing from my throat. The room spun, shadows dancing in the dim light of dawn. My heart pounded, sweat plastering my nightgown to my skin."Ava!" Noah's voice, thick with sleep, cut through my panic. His strong arms encircled me, pulling me against his chest. "It's okay, love. You're safe."I couldn’t stop shaking, the nightmare's grip still tight around my mind. The empty crib, the hollow ache in my arms - it felt so real."The nightmare again?" Theo asked softly, his hand finding mine in the tangle of blankets.I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Oscar shifted closer, his warmth a comforting presence at my back. Callum's fingers brushed my cheek, wiping away tears I hadn't realised I'd shed."Talk to us, Ava," Callum urged gently.I took a shuddering breath. "It was... worse this time. I could hear a baby crying, but no matter