LOGINThe morning of the wedding dawned clear and beautiful, as if the Moon Goddess herself was blessing the union. Aria stood in her room, surrounded by the women who'd become her family. Elena was pinning flowers into her hair while Lyra fussed with the train of her dress."Stop fidgeting," Lyra scolded, though her eyes were bright with happy tears. "You're going to wrinkle the silk."The dress was simple but stunning. Flowing white silk that draped elegantly over her curves, with delicate silver embroidery along the hem and neckline. Maya's crescent moon pendant rested at her throat, and the bracelet from Dante's mother circled her wrist. On her finger, the moonstone engagement ring caught the light."You look like a dream," Elena said softly, stepping back to admire her work. "Dante's going to cry when he sees you.""I hope not. Then I'll cry, and my makeup will run," Aria laughed, but her own eyes were misty.A knock at the door, and Catherine poked her head in. In the two weeks since
Kade arrived at the neutral meeting point alone, as requested. The abandoned cabin on the border between territories was the perfect place for a secret meeting. His expression was wary but curious when he saw Aria, Dante, and a woman he didn't recognize."This better be important," Kade said, though his eyes lingered on Aria with barely concealed longing. "Your message said it was urgent.""It is," Dante said. "Kade, do you know Catherine Moore?"Kade's eyes narrowed as he studied the woman. "You were a healer in my pack. You disappeared three years ago, right after..." His voice trailed off."Right after Elena died," Catherine finished. "I didn't disappear, Alpha. I ran for my life."For the next hour, they laid out everything. Catherine's findings, Elena's notes, the inconsistencies in the attack, the financial records. Kade listened in silence, his expression growing darker with each revelation.When they finished, he sat completely still for a long moment."You're telling me Garre
The wedding preparations consumed Nightshade Pack with joyful chaos. Aria had insisted on keeping it simple, but the pack had other ideas. Everyone wanted to contribute something to celebrate their Alpha and future Luna.Aria was reviewing seating arrangements with Elena when a messenger arrived, breathless and urgent."Luna-to-be, there's a woman at the border requesting entry. She says her name is Catherine, and she needs to speak with you about Alpha Kade."Aria's stomach dropped. "Catherine? I don't know anyone by that name.""She says it's about his past. About Elena." The messenger shifted uncomfortably. "She seems... distressed."Aria exchanged glances with Elena, who nodded. "I'll come with you."At the border, they found a woman in her late twenties, thin and exhausted, with the haunted look of someone who'd been running for a long time. Her clothes were travel-worn, and she clutched a leather satchel like it contained something precious."Aria Blackwood?" the woman asked, he
Aria stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the emerald green dress Lyra had helped her pick out. It hugged her curves in all the right places, the color bringing out the amber in her eyes. Maya's pendant rested at her throat, a reminder of how far she'd come."You look stunning," Lyra said, practically bouncing with excitement. "Dante's going to lose his mind when he sees you.""Do you know what this is about?" Aria asked, trying to calm her racing heart."Maybe," Lyra said with a knowing grin. "But I'm sworn to secrecy. Just trust me when I say you're going to want to remember tonight for the rest of your life."Elena appeared in the doorway with a small wooden box. "Before you go, I have something for you. It belonged to Dante's mother."Inside was a delicate silver bracelet etched with moon phases. "Elena, I can't...""You can, and you will. Dante asked me to give it to you. His mother would have loved you, Aria. You're exactly what he needs." Elena fastened the bracelet around A
Three weeks after the battle, life in Nightshade had returned to a peaceful rhythm. Aria's wound had healed into a scar she wore with pride, a mark of the day she'd proven herself as both warrior and healer.The surrendered rogues had been distributed among the five packs, given probationary membership and a chance to rebuild their lives. It was working better than anyone expected. Turned out most rogues just wanted belonging, not war.Aria was in the garden behind the pack house, gathering herbs for Elena, when she heard raised voices from the front entrance."I don't care what protocol says. I need to see her. Now."That voice. Aria's blood ran cold. She knew that voice, even though she hadn't heard it in months.Kade.She hurried around the building to find Kade arguing with two Nightshade guards. He looked worse than she'd ever seen him. Wild-eyed, desperate, his clothes disheveled. He smelled of whiskey and desperation."Aria!" He spotted her and lunged forward. The guards immedi
The battlefield was chaos.Aria had never seen anything like it. Hundreds of wolves clashing in a valley outside River Valley territory, the sound of snarls and yelps filling the air. The metallic scent of blood was overwhelming.She stayed in human form initially, as planned. Warrior-healers fought when needed but prioritized treating the wounded. Elena had taught her well, prepare for the worst, hope for the best."Aria, with me!" Lyra shouted, already engaging two rogues who'd broken through the line.Aria shifted mid-run, her silver wolf form smaller but faster than most. She darted in, using the tactics Lyra had drilled into her. Don't engage directly, use speed and agility, go for weak points.She caught one rogue's hind leg in her jaws, tearing muscle. He yelped and turned on her, but Lyra took him down before he could strike. The teamwork was perfect, practiced."Behind you!" Marcus's voice in her mind through the pack bond.Aria spun just in time to avoid a massive grey rogue







