LOGINBy bedtime, my body felt heavier than usual, not just with exhaustion, but with everything I had swallowed and not said. Aria helped me slip into my nightgown in silence. She adjusted the straps gently, smoothing the fabric over my shoulders and then over my stomach, where the faintest curve now existed. Her hands lingered there for a second longer than necessary. “You should rest,” she said softly, as if afraid I might break. I nodded. She gave me a small, reassuring smile, then hurried out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Damon was already on the bed. Shirtless. As if my day hadn’t already been difficult enough. He sat against the headboard, one knee bent, laptop balanced on his thigh. The glow of the screen cast sharp shadows across his chest and face. His scars were faint but visible and caught the light, reminders of how close I’d come to losing him. I didn’t look at him for long. I slid onto my side of the bed, pulled the covers up to my chin, and tur
The sight of Damon’s SUV parked in front of the pack house made me stop short.My heart leapt first, relief blooming instinctively then sank just as quickly.Something was wrong.The vehicle sat at an angle, as though he had parked without care, without patience. Damon never parked carelessly.As I stepped inside, the tension hit me like a wall.Aria stood near the entrance, hands clasped tightly in front of her, head bowed. Her shoulders were stiff, her usual brightness completely gone. Damon stood opposite her, arms crossed over his broad chest, jaw clenched so tightly the muscles twitched beneath his skin.His anger was thick. Heavy and alive.And it did not soften when he saw me “Damon,” i said softly, stepping forward. “You’re back.”His golden eyes flicked to me, sharp, cold, and assessing.“We need to talk,” he said flatly. “Now.”He turned without waiting for my response and strode toward our chamber.I hesitated only a second, glancing at Aria. Aria finally lifted her head,
The seer’s house always felt like it existed slightly outside time.The closer Lena got to it, the quieter the path became as though the birds themselves held their breath. Wind chimes made of bone and crystal clinked softly above the doorway, swaying even though there was no wind. The scent of burning sage and crushed herbs hung thick in the air.Lena knocked once.“You may enter, child of moon and blood,” the seer called gently, as if she had been expecting her.Lena smiled faintly and pushed the door open.The old woman sat by the hearth, her silver hair braided loosely down her back, her back straighter than most warriors half her age. A kettle simmered quietly, steam curling upward like whispers seeking the ceiling.They had grown fond of each other, Lena realized that now. Perhaps because the seer had seen her before anyone else truly had. Or perhaps because the seer spoke to her not as Luna, not as Alpha’s mate, but simply as Lena.“I brought you moonbread,” Lena said softly, h
By evening, the sky had turned a soft shade of purple as Aria and I drove toward my aunt’s house. My hands rested on my lap, fingers twisting together. I hadn’t been back here since the last time I heard those moans, Since I had stopped being the girl she could scold and control. My chest felt tight, but I forced myself to breathe. Aria glanced at me. “You don’t have to do this if you’re not ready.” “I am,” I said quietly. “I need answers.” The house came into view, small and unchanged. Same crooked fence. Same narrow windows. Same memories clinging to the walls like ghosts. I knocked. Nothing, then I knocked again. From inside, I heard movement. Then the sound of a lock sliding. The door creaked open slightly. A familiar face peeked out. The younger man. The same one I had seen with my aunt at the ceremony. His confused expression shifted instantly when he recognized me. His eyes widened, mouth falling open. “W…welcome, Luna,” he mouthed, hurriedly opening the door wider
Days passed quietly.Too quietly.The Red Moon pack settled into a rare stretch of peace, the kind that made people lower their guards without realizing it. Laughter returned to the pack square. Children ran freely again. The warriors trained without the tension of looming war.And I? I refused to sit still.Despite Damon’s constant objections, I continued my duties as Luna. I inspected food stores, settled small disputes, checked on the omegas, and made sure the widows from the war were still being cared for. Every time Damon caught me moving about on my own, his jaw tightened.“You’re stubborn,” he told me one morning.“I prefer determined,” I replied.He sighed like a man already defeated.It was on the fifth day of peace that trouble arrived.Not in our pack. But close enough.A messenger arrived just before noon, bearing the council’s seal. Damon read the message once, then again, his expression darkening with every second.“The Crimson Snow pack was attacked,” he said grimly. “
The day of the annual mating ball arrived with the sun barely peeking through the sky. I had been awake since dawn. No….earlier than dawn. This celebration was important. Everyone knew it. But today, it wasn’t just a tradition. It was my responsibility. The first major ceremony I would organize as Luna of the Red Moon pack. The omegas moved around me in a rush, carrying fabrics, candles, flowers, and trays of food. They spoke softly, careful not to overwhelm me, explaining every detail as we went. “This table is for unmated wolves,” one said. “These lanterns will be lit once the moon rises,” another added. I nodded, listening, learning, absorbing everything. My feet ached. My back protested. But I refused to sit. I wanted this to be perfect. I had made one request that morning, one that earned me several surprised looks. Lilies. White lilies. Among wolves, roses were common. Strong, bold. Red like blood and passion. Lilies were considered delicate, odd , and too soft. Bu







