LOGINCOLE'S POV The realization settles leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.Back then, I gave in.I took Damon and the chief healer to the lab so they could look through Mia's research.Nothing more.At least, that's what I'd told myself.We'd agreed not to tell her. Not to open old wounds.The moment Damon stepped through those doors, something changed.I noticed it immediately.Not because he said anything.He didn't.Not at first.But his eyes moved across the room differently than I'd expected.Slowly.Carefully.As though he was taking everything in.The journals stacked along the shelves.The scattered notes.The countless records.Years of Mia's life laid bare for anyone willing to look closely enough.And Damon looked.I hated that he looked.Hated that he was seeing pieces of her that most people never would.Her determination.Her grief.The things she'd buried inside that place.The things she'd never say aloud.Yet what unsettled me most was what had happened after.It was the
COLE'S POVI lie there on the bed, staring at the ceiling.Unmoving.Unblinking.I don't move.I don't sleep.I don't even try.I have absolutely no idea what to do.And it's already been hours.My jaw aches from how tightly I've been clenching it.Every time I think about Mia disappearing into those trees, the anger comes rushing back.Hot, sharp and relentless.Goddess.She wouldn't listen.I knew she wouldn't.I had known it long before she turned away from me.Long before I was forced to stand there and watch her walk into the forest while I did absolutely nothing.I could tell from the determined set of her jaw.The hardness in her eyes.The rigid line of her shoulders.Once Mia made up her mind, changing it was like trying to stop a river with your bare hands.She was going after that damned plant.And the moment I saw that look on her face, I knew I wasn't going to be able to convince her otherwise.She has always been stubborn.I knew that.But over the years we'd barely disag
MICHAELA'S POV"You can't do this."The words settle heavily between us as I stare at Cole.Partly because of what he said.Mostly because of how he said it.Cole isn't shouting.He isn't pacing.Somehow that makes it worse.His voice is quiet.Steady.And absolutely terrified.A muscle jumps in his jaw."You can't do this," he repeats."Cole...""No."He cuts me off.His hands fall to his sides as he takes a step back."This isn't a trial, Mia."The words come out sharper this time.He turns, pushing a hand through his tousled hair."This isn't fair," he mutters under his breath."I know," I say quietly, looking away from his profile and the devastation written across it.The room falls silent.Even Rhoda doesn't argue. Doesn't say a word.Cole shakes his head as his gaze returns to me.Willing me to understand.Willing me to see his fear."An Alpha wouldn't venture into the Northern Wilds alone."My stomach tightens."Entire scouting teams only skirt the outer regions and avoid the
MICHAELA'S POV The Moonshade Root earned its name because it grows only where moonlight reaches the forest floor. The people of ancient times believed the Moon Goddess hid the first Moonshade Root within the Northern Wilds as a gift for those willing to brave the darkness. The vampires called it the Silver Curse because of its extreme toxicity to their species. During the era of the united territory of Lyvros, Moonshade Roots had been far more accessible than they are now. It seemed the people of Lyvros possessed a far greater understanding of the Northern Wilds. Or maybe they had simply been braver than the wolves of this age and were therefore willing to venture into the wilderness to retrieve the rare plant. Whatever the reason, Moonshade had been one of the factors that helped tip the scales in favor of the werewolves during the Crimson War. Rubbing my temples with my thumb and forefinger, I close the book and lean my head back against the wall of the study. It is hopeles
MICHAELA'S POV There are three ways to survive a disaster. The first is preparation. The second is luck. The third is denial. Personally, I have always preferred denial. Not because it works. It absolutely does not. But there is something comforting about convincing yourself that a terrible thing isn't happening while it is actively happening. Take today, for example. Thousands of werewolves and humans are staring at me. Representatives from neighboring territories are staring at me. The council is staring at me. The giant screens are staring at me. Somewhere out there, there is probably a boy staring at me. A girl. A mother. A father. All of them trying to predict my fate. All of them calculating the odds of this human embarrassing herself in a spectacular fashion. And despite all available evidence to the contrary, a small part of my brain still insists that if I simply avoid making eye contact with anyone for long enough, the Luna Trials might somehow forget I e
MICHAELA'S POVRepresenting the currently absent Alpha, Mason delivers the opening speech, which, I suppose, is to be expected of him as Beta.Still, nothing prepares me for the sight of it.Mason.Being serious.Truly serious.Not a joke in sight.It is, quite frankly, unsettling.He welcomes the pack members, the council, and the representatives from neighboring territories before offering a formal apology for the Alpha's absence due to health-related circumstances.Despite myself, a snort escapes me before I can stop it.I'm grateful the massive screens are currently focused entirely on Mason and his speech.The whole thing sounds rehearsed.Professional.Responsible.I barely recognize him in that moment.Mason continues speaking as though he hasn't spent his entire life making terrible jokes at every available opportunity and inappropriate moment.Murmurs ripple through the arena at the mention of Damon.Some attendees look disappointed.Others concerned.Others openly suspicious
The room falls silent. I probably look like a gaping fish. Humans are usually paired with weaker weres. Something about “matched capabilities.” Ridiculous. I could put half this class on their backs—provided no one starts flashing claws. But the future Alpha? That’s different. Damon ha
MICHAELA'S POV Dorion is already moving.His expression sharpens as he crosses the room and leans over the bed."How is he?" Rhoda asks.She moves to the opposite side of the bed, not sparing me another glance.Her attention never leaves Damon.Things between Rhoda and me have been even worse sinc
MICHAELA'S POVDamon still hasn't woken up.Five days.Five entire days.The healing sleep is taking longer than Dorion anticipated.For werewolves, it is rare.For an Alpha, rarer still.From what I've understood, the body shuts everything else down and focuses on one thing only.Survival.Repair.
Rule number one for anyone living in a werewolf pack—especially if that person is human: Never humiliate the future Alpha. Rule number two? If you do, don’t get caught. I broke rule number one three hours ago. And right now, I just broke rule number two. “You can run, but you can't hide, h







