ZANESierra had barely left the room when I let out a deep sigh, running a hand through my hair. The tension in my chest refused to settle."She’s never going to forgive herself if we leave without saving these people," I said quietly.Dane let out a frustrated breath. "And if she dies trying, none of this will matter."Kane crossed his arms. "So what do we do? Just stand back and let her keep throwing herself into danger?"I shook my head. "No. The best thing we can do is find a way to help her without putting her in harm’s way."Silence fell over us for a moment before Dane spoke. "We need to know more about the white oak stake. If it’s really the only thing that can kill them, we have to figure out what price Sierra will pay if she uses it."Kane nodded. "Then we start researching. We’re running out of time."We split up, each of us diving into the piles of books and records we’d gathered over time. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, the silence only brok
SIERRAI crossed my arms, glaring at them. “Tell me the truth. Now.”Kane sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Sierra, just let it go.”“No,” I snapped. “I know you’re hiding something. Spill it.”Zane and Dane exchanged uneasy looks, the tension thick between us. My patience was wearing thin. Finally, Dane exhaled sharply and spoke.“It’s about the white oak stake,” he said slowly. “If you use it… there’s a chance you could lose your wolf.”I froze, my heart pounding. “What?”Zane nodded, his expression grim. “We found something in an old text. The stake can only be used by someone with your kind of power, but there’s a price.”I clenched my fists. “And you were just planning to keep this from me?” My voice rose. “You think I wouldn’t want to know?”Kane clenched his jaw, frustration clear on his face. “Because we knew what you’d say. And we were right. You’re still going to do it.”I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “If using that stake means wiping out those vampi
ASTRIDI paced back and forth, my heels clicking against the stone floor. The hunger clawed at my insides, sharp and unrelenting. Around me, the others shifted uncomfortably, their eyes flashing red with frustration. I could feel their anger, their impatience. It mirrored my own.“This is ridiculous,” Marcus snarled, his fangs slipping out. “We haven’t fed in days. We need to hunt.”“Then go,” I snapped, glaring at him. “No one is stopping you.”I narrowed my eyes, feeling the weight of their stares pressing down on me. The room was filled with frustration, the scent of hunger thick in the air. The younger ones shifted uneasily, their fangs already elongating in response to their desperation."You think this is my fault?" I snapped, my voice sharp. "Do you think I enjoy being trapped like this just as much as you do?"The vampire who had spoken, a broad-shouldered male named Lucas, clenched his fists. His lips curled over his fangs as he took a step closer. "You brought her here, Astr
ASTRIDAriel’s words hung in the air like a thick fog, wrapping around me in a suffocating grip. I forced myself to remain calm, but inside, my mind raced.“How do you know this?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, my expression unreadable.Ariel shrugged, tilting her head slightly as if she were just as puzzled. “I don’t know. I just… see things. Through Sierra’s eyes, I think.”My stomach twisted. “Just Sierra?” I asked carefully, keeping my voice light, though my pulse thrummed with unease.Ariel smirked, tilting her head slightly as if she could hear the thoughts I was desperately trying to suppress. Amusement glinted in her sharp eyes, making my skin prickle. “Why?” she asked, her voice teasing but laced with something else, something sharper, more probing. “Is there something you don’t want me to see, Astrid?”I let out a nervous chuckle, forcing my lips into a smirk as I folded my arms across my chest. “Please,” I scoffed, shaking my head. “If I had secrets, you’d be the last to
SIERRAAs I packed my gear, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. My hands hesitated over the fabric of my cloak, my mind drifting back to the old woman’s words.If you lose your wolf… there’s a chance you’ll lose your mate bond, too.I swallowed hard. The thought had been gnawing at me since our conversation. I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.I turned to my mates. “I need to ask you something.”Kane was sharpening his blade, but he paused at my tone. Dane and Zane both looked up from their own tasks, their eyes wary.“If I lose my wolf,” I said carefully, “will I lose my bond with you?”The silence that followed was heavy. They exchanged looks, and my stomach twisted.Dane was the first to speak, his voice tight. “Where did you hear that?”I hesitated. “The old woman… she warned me.”Zane exhaled sharply. “And you believe her?”Kane’s jaw tightened. “We suspected… but we weren’t sure.”I clenched my fists. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”Dane stood, running a hand throug
SIERRAI folded my arms and looked at the old woman, my heart still racing from everything that had just happened. "How do you even know about this dagger? And why didn’t you tell us sooner?"She sighed, her wrinkled hands clasped together. "I didn’t know at first. But when you spoke about losing your wolf… I had to make sure. I spent the last few hours searching for answers. I didn’t want you to make the same mistake I did."I frowned. "What mistake?"The woman exhaled slowly, her eyes dark with pain. "I lost my mate. Not to death, but to something far worse."Zane, who had been leaning against the table, straightened. "Worse than death?"She nodded. "Yes. We lost our bond. It was stripped away, torn apart by magic. We could still see each other, still exist in the same world… but he no longer felt anything for me."A heavy silence fell over the room. I felt a lump form in my throat as I imagined that happening to me and my mates. The thought of looking into their eyes and seeing not
SIERRAStepping out of the house, I barely had a moment to take in the cool night air before I heard the snickers."Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," someone muttered.A chorus of amused chuckles followed, and I felt my cheeks heat up instantly. I frowned, confused at first, but then realization struck like a lightning bolt. My heart plummeted.The sage.We forgot to keep the damn sage burning after the old woman left.My stomach twisted as I remembered the… sounds I had made. Oh, Moon above. The entire town heard me.Heat crawled up my neck, spreading across my cheeks like wildfire. My mortification must have been written all over my face because Kane chuckled, slinging an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close."Relax, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. "It’s nothing to be embarrassed about."I shot him a glare, but it only made him grin wider. "Easy for you to say," I muttered under my breath. "You weren’t the one…" I clamped my mouth
SIERRAI rubbed my arms, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling crawling over my skin. It wasn’t just a shiver or a passing chill, it was deep, creeping, like invisible fingers trailing over my skin, sending goosebumps in their wake. My heart pounded against my ribs, and I swallowed hard, willing myself to push past it.My mates and the locals were staring at me, confusion written all over their faces. I didn’t blame them, I barely understood what was happening myself.“Sierra?” Kane’s voice was gentle, but I could hear the concern underneath.I opened my mouth to respond, but I hesitated. What was I supposed to say? That I felt like someone was watching me? That the weight of unseen eyes was pressing down on me, making my breath come in short, uneven puffs? It sounded ridiculous, even to me. But the feeling wouldn’t leave. It clung to me, heavy and suffocating.I shifted my weight from foot to foot, suddenly hyperaware of my surroundings. It felt crowded, and suffocating. I turne
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