LOGINElena point of view.I couldn’t eat.I couldn’t drink.All I could do was sit there, one hand pressed against my stomach, the other clenched into my lap, whispering prayers to the Moon Goddess until my lips felt dry and numb.Please let him be okay.Please bring him back to me.The room felt too quiet, too heavy. Every second stretched until it hurt. My wolf paced inside me, restless and afraid, mirroring the tight knot twisting in my chest.“Elena.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft as she held out a small plate. “Take some biscuits. You need something in your system.”I shook my head immediately. The thought of food made my stomach turn. “I can’t,” I whispered. “Not yet.”“He will be okay,” Seleran said gently from where she stood near the window. “Vanda is strong. Stronger than most.”I wanted to believe her. I really did. But strength had limits, and I knew—deep down—I knew he’d already crossed them today.Minutes passed. Or maybe hours. Time didn’t make sense anymore.Then I smelled him
Vanda point of view.I had barely watched my mother’s carriage disappear down the forest path toward the Gold Pack when the bond snapped tight around my chest.Grief still clung to the air—Alexa’s loss had shaken all of us—and I’d thought the worst of the day was already behind us. I was wrong.“Vanda.”Charles’s voice cut through my mind, sharp and urgent, carried through the mind link like a blade drawn too fast.“What is it?” I asked, already bracing myself.“The Eastern Wing is under attack.”I froze. The wind stirred the trees around me, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, but beneath it all was the faint echo of danger. “By who?” I demanded. “Who would dare attack my pack?”There was a brief pause, just long enough to make my blood run cold.“They’re masking their scent.”That was all it took.I didn’t respond. I didn’t waste another second. I turned and ran for the pack house, my boots pounding against the stone steps as I took them two at a time.“Vanda!” Elena’s voice
Elena's point of view I walk with Serena to the fields when it’s time for her training session. The warriors are finishing up, some shifting back or changing in the open. Serena's group gathers on the right side of the field. She hugs me goodbye and jogs over. The women welcome her, making room in their conversation. A few glance my way, so I move off to find Vanda or Corbin.Vanda is usually at the field’s edge at this hour. I spot him near a group of recently-shifted, half-dressed men. I wait until the crowd thins, then approach.A large brown wolf reaches him first. I slow—don’t want to interrupt—but Vanda waves me over. The wolf’s scent hits me. It’s Corbin.Vanda crosses his arms. “You haven’t seen Corbin shifted yet, have you?”“No. I thought he was someone else at first,” I say. Corbin lowers his head, so I pet him.“Corbin’s taken over the shifted duties,” Vanda says. “You’ve been good? Not using your shoulder?”He glances at Corbin. “She’s happy as long as I stay off the bat
Elena's point of view I spot Ineo slouched on Rosa's couch, shirtless and coated in bruises—some patched, some still dripping blood. His shoulder is a mess of purple, green, and red. When he sees me, he gives Corbin a hard, disapproving stare.I’m at Vanda’s side in a heartbeat. Others—men and women alike—move around the room, tending to wounded warriors. Rosa must’ve called for help.“I told him not to get you,” Vanda says, voice worn and a little rough.He holds a cloth in his hand; I take it and dab at the sweat clinging to his brow. “Where’s Rosa?”He nods toward the back room.I don’t realize how badly my hand is shaking until Vanda reaches up and folds it gently in his. I continue wiping his forehead.“I hate seeing you like this but—”“I told Corbin—”“But,” I cut in, “that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be here to help you.”“I can handle it. I would’ve been home soon.”Rosa returns with a large bowl. “Luna,” she greets shortly, then starts lathering Vanda’s shoulder with a thi
"Corrine?" I questioned, glancing over my shoulder as Corrine entered the foyer with a smile."Serena, darling! It's so good to see you again," Corrine said, beaming as she swept my sister into a warm hug."It’s... great. Really great. Your advice helped a lot," Serena said, replying with a stiff smile."Come, let’s chat in the living room. Are you two living together now?" Corrine said, nodding warmly."We are," Serena said, pressing her lips tight as she followed Corrine."I’m just going to prep a few things for dinner so Ben’s not overwhelmed when he gets here," I said, brushing my fingertips over my lips."Perfect, thank you, Elena," Corrine said, smiling.I walked into the kitchen and switched on the light, I said to myself.The sun was setting, sky a fading yellow. If all went well, Vanda would be home soon. He usually helped keep peace, and tonight we needed it—Corrine, Serena, Ben... all together.Corrine didn’t know the full story between Ben and Alexa, and if the wrong thing
After dinner, Corrine and I sat in the living room talking about her first pregnancy. The house was quiet. Vanda had gone to the study, Ben had returned home to Serena, and even with guards outside, it felt like we were the only ones for miles. The warm lamplight and the crackling fire calmed my mind. I listened to Corrine’s stories until she got to her labor. She said she was too tired to finish but promised she’d tell me the rest tomorrow.I walked her to the stairs and wished her goodnight. She kissed my forehead with a smile that crinkled her eyes, then went up to her guest room.It had been a long time since my real mother kissed me goodnight, but Corrine’s kiss brought the memory back. Mother used to tuck Serena in first, then come to my room, check the window, close the curtains, kiss my hairline, tell me to sleep well, and leave the door cracked just enough for light.I held the stair railing until I heard Corrine’s door close. I put out the fire, fluffed the pillows on the co







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