LOGINSeren“Thank the Goddess!”I spent the next forty-five minutes or so with them, soaking in the moments before they became the rulers of the kingdom and their time became much more scarce. Things were going to change today, but we’d already proven that sometimes change was for the best. The tournament grounds from five years ago had been transformed into a royal oasis. White lilies and red roses wrapped in royal blue ribbons were everywhere. Royal banners waved in the wind next to the more permanent sigils of the New Moon Pack. The stage held two thrones, duplicates of those that had remained in the main hall of the Palace. These were made of lighter wood, easier to transport. Dad had been adamant that they were needed for the ceremony, and artisans had spent months working on them. Secretly, I suspected Dad just wanted another set for the new house he and Mom bought, but I wasn’t going to call him on it. The day was bright and sunny, not a hint of a cloud in sight. The breeze was g
SerenThe children’s laughter drifted across the courtyard, bright and careless in the warm afternoon sun. I leaned back against the stone railing, watching them chase each other between the garden beds. Duncan and Julian stood a few steps away, pretending not to notice that the boys were very obviously winning their game.Five years ago, this place had been a battlefield. Now, as I stood here and watched my family, it smelled of roses.Historians were already arguing about what to call it all. The Elder Archivists at the palace preferred the Mikhail Rebellion, something neat and politically precise that placed the blame exactly where it belonged. The vampire archives leaned toward the Black Vein War, after the blood magic that had bound the hybrids together.The bards, of course, had their own opinions. I’d heard at least three songs calling it the War of the Silver Light, which made Duncan laugh every time he heard it.Personally, I suspected history would settle on something far le
GideonThere were more people doing the same all around the hall, and I heard a voice behind me giving orders to a group of warriors. “Keep bringing the survivors here, get them what they need, and then we’ll worry about getting them settled. Medical attention and food are the priority. We’ll figure out the rest later.”“Yes, Kyler.” The group turned and spread out. I met the leader’s eyes and recognized him as one of the Beta’s sons from Silver Crest Pack. He bowed his head, acknowledging me, then moved on to the next task. It suddenly hit me. I knew what Dad meant earlier. We were seeing in real time which of the candidates could function under pressure. I shoved the rest of my sandwich into my mouth before I stood and headed out to look for my father. I needed to speak with him.I found him in the alpha’s office of the pack house. He was with Mom, looking over some documents. I knocked on the door. He looked up and motioned me in. “What is it?”“You’re making the selection based
GideonMom nodded. “Their own pack. Or coven. However they’d like to be styled, but it gives them their own new identity. A way to grow and move on from the trauma. I like it.”Agreement flowed all around us. “We can give them an advisory council, a blend of shifters, vampires, and witches to help them get started. People who are truly invested in not just their survival, but who also want them to flourish,” I said. “I would be a part of that,” Elaine’s tired voice spoke up from behind me. She moved forward, stepping up beside Cassian. “Forgive me. It took a moment for me to…recover.”I looked her over, taking in the dirt smeared on her face, the fatigue weighing her shoulders down. The sorrow in her eyes. I gave her a small smile.“My sister was a part of the problem. I’d like to be part of the solution, if you’d allow me,” she continued.“Elaine,” Seren walked to her and took her hand. “You already were. You don’t need to continue to atone for your sister’s actions.”Elaine smiled
GideonAdrenaline had barely faded from my system before it spiked again. “Dad!” I met Seren’s wide eyes, then we took off running. I had to weave through awakening hybrids, injured warriors, and the chaos our battle with Mikhail had left in its wake. I used my powers to clear rubble, to reroute water, to put out fires as I went. My sister kept pace beside me, scanning the crowd, until finally she pointed. “There! With Finlay! And Mom!” Her voice cracked. It barely registered that Duncan and Cora were behind us. I needed to see for myself that my father was still alive, that I hadn’t inherited the kingdom before it was mine to rule. I skidded to a stop in front of him, hitting my knees as I took in his pale face and closed eyes. “Is he…?” I croaked.Mom shook her head vigorously. “No, son. He’s alive. He’s still alive.” She gripped my arm, squeezing tightly, even as Dad let out a low moan. His eyelids fluttered, but remained closed.Seren stepped over to him. She was exhausted aft
SerenMy power shifted, strengthened, built until it was bigger than me, bigger than my bond with my twin, with my mate. It pulsed out of me, bright silver light meeting the dark. The screaming changed. Pain turned into clarity, and fear became breath. The black veins snaking from me flickered once, then twice, before dimming. Mikhail’s smile faltered. “What are you doing?” He looked around, eyes wild. Sweat beaded on Meredith’s temples as she watched.
Kayla
Gideon
Julian







