THANEI walked into the council chamber, my boots heavy on the stone floor. Every Alpha from the major packs was there, dozens of them, sitting in a half-circle like judges, ready to decide someone’s fate.The air was thick and tense, like a storm waiting to break.I scanned each face, slow and steady. Some looked curious. Some looked nervous. A few wore that smug, fake calm, like they already made their minds up.Then I saw him.The High Alpha.He sat in the center, wearing the traditional red and black cloak. His face gave nothing away.He stood as I reached the middle of the chamber.“Alpha Thane,” he said in a firm voice. “Thank you for answering the summons.”I didn’t bow. I didn’t smile.I folded my arms across my chest and said, “Didn’t come for your thanks.”A few voices murmured from the side. One Alpha frowned. Another whispered something under his breath.I ignored them.The High Alpha kept his face straight. “We’ve received troubling news,” he said. “The two girls, Sierra
SIERRAWe got back to the house, and my heart was still racing. I couldn’t stop smiling.Lila looked at me as we stepped inside. “You’ve got that dreamy look again.”I laughed. “Can you blame me? Did you see what they did for me tonight?”Lila grinned. “They love you, Sierra. And I can see why.”I touched my belly gently, still feeling the butterflies. “I didn’t even know I needed that… until they gave it to me.”“I’m happy for you,” Lila said, kicking off her shoes. “Honestly, it’s been a long time since we just rested. No danger, no secrets.”I nodded. “Yeah… tonight felt normal. Safe.”We walked to the bedroom we shared, the one with soft lights and a big bed that used to be our comfort zone. Just the two of us, no noise. I slipped out of my dress and into a soft tee. Lila did the same.We climbed into bed together, like we used to do when the world felt too heavy. Her hand found mine under the blanket.“Don’t let go,” she whispered sleepily.“I won’t,” I said, my eyes already clos
SIERRA“Where are we going?” I asked, holding onto Zane’s arm as the trees grew thicker around us.Dane looked back and smiled gently. “You’ll see. Just trust us.”“I always trust you,” I said softly, glancing around at the shadowy forest. The trees were tall and wide, their branches stretching so far above that they almost blocked out the moonlight. The ground was soft beneath my feet, covered in fallen leaves and moss.Kane moved beside me, close enough that his hand brushed mine. “Then trust us now. This is something we’ve waited so long to do. Something you deserve.”I swallowed hard. “The forest feels different tonight.”“It should,” Zane said, giving my hand a light squeeze. “The Spirit Forest knows who you are.”His words gave me goosebumps. The deeper we walked, the more I noticed how alive everything felt. The trees whispered quietly in the breeze. The leaves rustled like they were passing secrets between each other. Even the air smelled different—sweet, like flowers I didn’t
MAYA“Are you sure about this?” Thane asked again, his voice low as he held the old scroll with both hands. The parchment shook a little.I looked at him, eyes steady. “Yes. I’m sure. I have to do this, Thane. I need to protect them. All of them.”His brow furrowed. “But this rite…. it hasn’t been performed in centuries. There’s no record of anyone doing it successfully. What if something goes wrong?”I stepped forward. “That’s exactly why it matters. Because it hasn’t been done in so long. Because it’s real. It still holds power. I can feel it in my bones.”He studied me in silence for a moment. “Maya, I’ll help you. You know that. I always will. But are you absolutely sure this is safe? For you?”I swallowed hard and looked away. “I don’t care about me right now,” I whispered. “I care about Lila. About Sierra. They’re drifting, Thane. Slipping out of reach. I need something…. Anything… that can ground them.”He looked at the scroll, then at me. “Okay. Tell me what to do.”We walked
KANEI walked through the dark woods, my boots crushing dry leaves underfoot. The moon was high, casting silver light through the trees. I had one name in my head, Silva.I needed answers. I couldn’t wait any longer. The veil beasts were growing stronger, and I knew Sierra was getting weaker. Every time she used her powers, she looked more drained.I found Silva’s cabin hidden near the edge of the forest, wrapped in silence like a sleeping creature.I knocked hard.“Silva!” I called out. “I need to talk to you!”The door creaked open slowly. She stood there, barefoot, her silver hair glowing faintly in the moonlight.“You again,” she said softly. “You only come when it’s bad.”“It’s worse than bad,” I said, stepping inside. “They’re attacking villages now. These things from the veil… they’re not hiding anymore. And Sierra, she’s not okay.”Silva looked at me with sad eyes. “I warned you all. Ariel’s curse wasn’t just about revenge.”I frowned, my arms crossed tightly. “What do you mea
LILAI woke up shivering.The cold wasn’t normal. It wasn’t just the kind that made you want a blanket. This was deeper. Like it was inside my bones.I sat up slowly and rubbed my arms. My breath came out in white clouds. I looked around.“Why is it so cold?” I whispered to myself.Then I saw it.Outside the window, the lake was frozen. Not just the surface. The whole thing. Trees near the shore were covered in thick frost. Birds sat frozen mid-flight. Even the air looked like it had turned to glass.I gasped and stood up quickly. My hands were shaking, not from the cold, but from fear.I backed away from the window, my heart pounding. “No. No, no, no… I didn’t do this. Did I?”My room was quiet, too quiet. I rushed to the door, pulled it open, and stepped into the hallway. The floor was icy under my bare feet. The walls glistened with frost. It felt like the whole house had been touched by winter overnight.“Mom?” I called out. My voice echoed strangely. “Sierra? Zane? Kane? Dane?”N