ZANEThe air was thick with tension as we stood under the moonlight. I looked at the woman standing a few feet away, her hood casting shadows over her face. She had offered to lead us to a convent where she claimed we might find Sierra or at least some clue about her.I turned to my brothers, my gut twisting. “Do you guys really think this is a good idea?” I asked, my voice tight. “We don’t know this woman. For all we know, this could be a trap.”Kane shrugged, his tone calm but firm. “We don’t have many options, Zane. Sierra and her baby sister are out there somewhere, and every second we waste could mean danger for them.”Dane chimed in, his voice more relaxed but equally determined. “She said she knows something, and we need all the help we can get. If this leads us to Sierra, then it’s worth the risk.”I crossed my arms, shaking my head. “Something feels off, though. Think about it. Everything’s been too smooth. This random stranger just happens to know where we should go? It does
SIERRAI opened my eyes slowly, groaning as the blinding lights stabbed into my skull like a thousand needles. Everything felt wrong, my head spun, my body ached, and I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Days? Weeks? The haze that clouded my mind was only now starting to lift. I tried to move, but the ropes digging into my wrists reminded me I wasn’t going anywhere.The room was dark except for a harsh light hanging above me. My voice cracked as I called out weakly, “Hello? Is anyone there? Please, help me!”The heavy creak of a door opening made my heart pound. I turned my head to see him, Harold. His smug grin made my skin crawl.“Well, well,” Harold said, strolling into the room like he owned it. “The mighty Sierra, brought down by her own desperation. I knew you’d fall into my trap.”I clenched my fists, feeling the ropes bite deeper into my skin as I glared at Harold. My voice cracked as I demanded, “Where’s my sister? Where’s the baby?”Harold’s laugh was low and chilling.
DANEThe first thing I felt was the cold. The second thing was the tight grip of chains around my wrists and ankles. My head throbbed as I forced my eyes open, and it took me a moment to realize I was sitting on a stone floor. Panic surged through me when I saw Zane and Kane slumped nearby, also chained.“Guys,” I rasped, my throat dry. “Wake up!”Kane groaned again, his body shifting slightly as he started to regain full consciousness. Zane blinked a few times, his eyes narrowing as he took in the strange, dimly lit room. He looked around quickly, his face hardening.“What the hell happened?” Zane’s voice was rough, but there was an edge of anger to it. He was trying to make sense of everything.I shook my head, the confusion still clouding my mind. “I don’t know. Last thing I remember… Gerald’s laugh.” The sound still echoed in my ears, haunting, twisted, and so unnatural. It made my skin crawl just thinking about it. The memory of that laugh made my stomach churn like I had just sw
KANEMy voice was rough, and demanding, as I pulled against the chains that bound me.“What are you doing with Harold, Gerald?” My eyes narrowed with frustration. Gerald’s laugh echoed through the room, dark and chilling. It made my blood run cold.“Isn’t it obvious, Kane?” he said, almost mocking him. “I’ve been the one pulling the strings from the very beginning. Everything you’ve seen, all of this, it’s been my plan.”I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Gerald, of all people, was behind all of this. The betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut. He had been working with Harold this whole time. I was already furious, and it only got worse as Gerald laughed at us, a smug, almost gleeful look on his face.“If it’s not clear by now, I’m the one who organized everything from the start,” Gerald said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “I wanted Sierra all to myself. She’s special, you know. I knew from the moment she came into our pack that she had something... something unique.”My
DANEThe sound of the heavy wooden door creaking open made my heart lurch, but I kept my face stoic. It was Gerald. Of course, it was Gerald.“Ah, Dane,” he drawled, stepping into the room with his trademark smirk. “How’s our brave warrior holding up?”“What do you want, Gerald?” I snapped, glaring at him with all the venom I could muster. “Haven’t you had your fun yet?”He chuckled, his eyes glinting with malice. “Oh, not even close. You see, there’s still something I need from you. From all of you, actually. But let’s start with you.”I narrowed my eyes, my chest heaving. “Spit it out already.”Gerald’s grin widened. “I need you to reject Sierra. One by one, all of you must sever your ties with her. Do that, and maybe I’ll consider letting you all go."The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I didn’t let it show. I leaned forward as much as the chains allowed and sneered. “You’re delusional if you think I’ll ever do that. Go to hell, Gerald.”The smirk never left his face. He
SIERRAThe sound of Dane’s voice echoed through the room, raw and filled with pain. I could barely see through my tears as I watched the screen. Harold’s laughter cut through my heart like a knife, and every scream from Dane felt like a stab in my chest.“Please, stop this!” I begged, my voice cracking. “Let him go! He hasn’t done anything to you!”Harold smirked, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “Oh, Sierra,” he said, his tone mockingly sweet. “This is entirely up to you. Give up your powers, reject your mates, and agree to marry Gerald, and I’ll let your precious Dane go.”My body trembled, not with fear but with fury. “You’re a monster,” I spat, tears streaming down my face. “You’ll never win.”Harold shrugged, unbothered. “I’ve heard that before,” he said. Then he gestured to the screen, where Gerald’s smug face appeared, holding a silver dagger.“No!” I screamed, my voice piercing. “Please, don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything!”Gerald chuckled, his eyes cold. “Anything? Then
ZANEThe moment Sierra’s body slumped, I caught her instinctively, my arms curling around her trembling form. Her weight was light, too light, and it terrified me.“Kane, grab Dane! We need to get out of here,” I barked, my voice cracking under the pressure. Sierra’s shallow breathing filled my ears, and her baby sister, bundled in a cloth, let out a weak cry. I adjusted the child in my grip, cradling her carefully while holding onto Sierra.Kane didn’t hesitate. He hoisted Dane over his shoulder, though he struggled under the weight. “Let’s move,” Kane growled, his tone sharp with urgency.The halls felt endless as we ran, each step echoing like a drumbeat in my chest. Sierra was still out cold, her head resting against my shoulder. The baby’s cries grew louder, a desperate, heart-wrenching sound.“Hold on, Sierra,” I whispered, my throat tightening. “We’re almost there.”We burst out into the open air, the cool breeze stinging our sweat-drenched skin. Luna Maya and Alpha Thane were
SIERRAI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Kane’s words stung, deep in my chest, like a dagger twisted to make sure it hurt.“What do you mean by that?” I asked, trying to stay calm, but my voice wavered. I could feel the anger bubbling inside me, but I didn’t want to lose control. Not yet.Kane’s eyes were dark, his face twisted in frustration. “You know exactly what I mean, Sierra,” he spat, his voice rising. “Stop your bullshit right now. We’re all dealing with enough, and you’re still acting like everything’s about you!”I opened my mouth to respond, but Zane cut in before I could.“Hey, Kane, chill out,” Zane said, his voice firm but trying to be soothing. He stepped in front of me, putting a hand on Kane’s chest to push him back. “You’re going too far.”But Kane wasn’t having it. “No, Zane, I’m done holding back!” he yelled. “She went against our wishes and went there alone. Look at the mess she made!”I flinched at his words, but I couldn’t stop myself from defending what I
SIERRAI stood frozen, my eyes wide and my stomach turning. The rabbits weren’t moving anymore. The white one had stopped twitching first, then the brown one slumped beside it. My hands were still outstretched, fingers trembling as the energy from the failed spell faded into the air like smoke.The silence that followed was unbearable. It was as if the whole world had paused to judge me, to make me feel the weight of what I had just done. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even blink. All I could do was stare at what my magic had done.The warlock didn’t say anything at first. He just walked up to the small wooden pen, stood over the lifeless bodies, and looked down with a heavy sigh. His face gave nothing away, no anger, no sadness, just quiet acceptance of the outcome. Then he slowly turned to face me."This," he said, his voice low and sharp like a blade slicing through still air, "is what would have happened to your sister and Ariel if you had jumped into this blindly."The words hit
SIERRAI had just finished spending time with my mates. My body still felt warm, and for once, my mind was quiet. I was finally beginning to feel like myself again.But then I heard shouting from outside.My heart jumped. I threw on a robe and rushed out.I barely made it past the hallway before I saw everyone gathered in the courtyard. And in the middle of it all… Ariel. Screaming. Crying. Holding a knife.“What the hell?” I whispered under my breath, my eyes widening.“I said let me in!” she yelled, her voice cracking. “You’re not the only one who loves them! I deserve to be in there too!”She was pointing the knife at her own chest, trembling like she was seconds away from doing something stupid.I didn’t even think twice.I raised my hand and whispered the first protection spell that came to mind. A shield burst around her in a dome of blue light. The moment it closed around her, the knife fell from her hand and clattered to the floor.She looked around in confusion, then rage.“W
ARIELI paced the hallway, scowling, my arms folded tightly across my chest. For the fifth time, I tried to step forward, right into the damn hallway, and for the fifth time, it felt like I’d slammed into a wall. But there was no wall. Just… air. Heavy, invisible, and impossible to pass through."What the hell is going on?" I growled, pushing again, harder this time. Nothing. It was like the space itself refused to let me through. My breath hitched as anger flared in my chest. I wasn’t someone who got denied things. Not rooms. Not people. Not Dane.I turned on my heels and stormed down the hallway, heading straight for Maya’s quarters. If anyone knew what kind of stupid magic trick was being pulled, it had to be Sierra. I knew her mother was always around the others. Always listening. Watching, and I needed to see her, and I asked what the hell was going on.When I got to her door, I didn’t knock, I kicked it. Hard.“Ariel?” Maya’s voice called out, soft and hesitant. She opened the d
SIERRAThe warmth of their arms around me made it easier to breathe. The tension that had wrapped around my chest like a tight rope was starting to loosen, bit by bit. Zane’s steady heartbeat under my cheek, Dane’s arms around my waist, and the calmness in Kane’s eyes, everything felt safe here. I felt like I was finally home.But it wasn’t just the comfort. It was the way they looked at me. The way they held me was like I was the most precious thing in the world. Like they’d fight the stars if it meant keeping me safe. I hadn’t realized how much I needed them until this moment. I needed to feel wanted, needed to be touched, loved, needed to feel alive again.“I’ve missed this,” I whispered, glancing up at Zane, my fingers gently resting on his chest.“We’ve missed you more,” he replied softly, brushing his lips over my forehead.“I don’t like seeing you this stressed,” Dane murmured behind me, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. “Let us help you relax.”Kane was kneeling beside me ag
SIERRAI ran out of the room angrily and frustrated. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t want to explain how I felt, not even to Alpha Thane. I just needed to get away, to let the frustration and fear out in a way that made sense. And that’s why I shifted.The air felt cold on my fur as I ran, my paws pounding the earth beneath me, my mind barely able to process anything except the need to escape. My heart was racing, and the adrenaline pumping through my body only made the anger and fear swirl together like a violent storm.I ran deeper into the woods, ignoring the world around me, just focused on the rhythmic pounding of my paws. The trees blurred by in a mixture of green and brown, the earth beneath me firm and solid. But even in my wolf form, the worry gnawed at my insides, and all I wanted was for the weight to lift, even if just for a moment.Eventually, the tension in my body started to ease just a little, but I wasn’t running anymore. I slowed down and then stopped, my b
SIERRAI walked into the room, my mind racing with questions. The man, the warlock, was standing by a table covered in books and strange artifacts. His eyes flickered up when I entered, and I could feel the weight of his gaze. He knew why I was here."You are here," he said, his voice calm but heavy with something I couldn't place.I didn't waste time with pleasantries. "I need your help," I said bluntly. "I need to learn how to use my powers. And I need to do it fast."The warlock raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Binding spells," he said slowly, almost to himself, "are tricky. Especially one like the one you're asking for."I didn’t have the patience for his caution. "I don’t care about how tricky it is," I snapped. "I need to stop her. Ariel is... she’s going to ruin everything. I can’t let that happen. I just need to know how to make it work."He looked at me, the seriousness in his eyes growing. "Binding spells are not something to take lightly. They tie you to someo
SIERRAI could feel my whole body burning with anger as Ariel’s voice cut through the garden like a sharp knife. She just stood there, smirking at us like she hadn’t just interrupted something important, something real.I turned to her, fists clenching at my sides. "Don’t you have anything better to do than irritate me?" I snapped, my voice louder than I intended. Dane shifted uncomfortably behind me, but I didn’t care. I was tired of her games.Ariel just giggled like I had told her a joke. "Nope," she said with a sweet shrug. "Turns out, irritating you is way more fun than I ever thought it would be."I wanted to slap that smug smile off her face. I really did. But I held myself back because that's exactly what she wanted, to push me until I broke.Then she turned her full attention to Dane, her smile softening in a way that made my stomach twist in disgust. "I miss Dane," she said in a whiny voice. "I want him to stay with me for a while."I stepped protectively in front of Dane w
DANEI woke up to the sound of soft giggles.My head felt heavy, like I’d slept for days, and for a second, I didn’t even know where I was. But then I blinked and saw her, Ariel, sitting at the edge of the bed, grinning at me like I was some kind of adorable pet.“You look so cute when you’re sleeping,” she said in a sing-song voice.My whole body tensed up instantly. Memories rushed back….the food, the plan, everything. I shot up, heart pounding.“What happened?” I croaked, throat dry.Ariel gave a playful shrug, almost like she was proud of herself. “You tried to drug me, silly. But I’m smarter than that.” She leaned in closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. “I swapped the plates. You ate the laced one instead.”I cursed under my breath and swung my legs off the bed. I couldn’t even look at her as I stood up."Aw, don't be mad," Ariel called after me as I stormed toward the door. "You needed the rest anyway!"I didn’t answer. I just left.When I finally made it do
SIERRAI didn’t move. None of us did. We just stood there and took it as Ariel laughed like we were the biggest fools she had ever seen. Her voice echoed off the walls, high and sharp, like a knife digging into my already shredded nerves.“Oh, my sweet, sweet Sierra,” she said between giggles, wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye. “You actually think a few little weeds are going to save your precious sister from me?”I kept my face blank, even though my heart was hammering against my ribs. If I gave her any more reason to doubt me, she would tear us all apart.Ariel circled slowly around me, hands clasped behind her back, her boots clicking softly against the floor. I could feel the others tense up, ready to move if she tried anything.She leaned in close, so close I could smell the sickly sweet scent of her perfume. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with,” she whispered. “No idea how deep this bond goes.”I clenched my teeth to keep from flinching. I would not give her t