SIERRAI rubbed my temples, frustration and exhaustion clawing at me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldnโt tap into the power they expected from me. I felt useless. Weak. And I hated it.โI just need some air,โ I muttered, pushing past the boys before they could stop me. I didnโt wait for their response, I just walked. The cool breeze kissed my skin, but it did little to soothe the turmoil in my chest. My feet carried me further from the cabin, into the dense trees where the world felt quieter.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, sinking onto the damp forest floor. If there was any chance of connecting to the Moon Goddess, I had to try.Clearing my mind, I focused on my breathing, letting everything else fade. And then, like a ripple through my soul, I felt it, a shift, a pull. The world around me disappeared, and I was somewhere else.The air shimmered with silver light, the scent of moonflowers filling my lungs. And there she stood, radiant and calm, her eyes glowing like twi
SIERRAI sniffled, my vision still blurry from the tears that refused to stop falling. The weight of what the Moon Goddess had told me pressed down on my chest like a stone, suffocating and heavy. I had always known fate was cruel, but this? This was unbearable.Zane's arms tightened around me, his warmth soothing, even as my heart ached. "Weโll survive," he repeated, his voice steady. "Even if we never have a child, weโll be okay."His words should have reassured me, but they didnโt. I shook my head. "I know you all want a family. I know how much it means to you, to all of us." My voice cracked as I spoke, the pain of my fate settling deeper into my bones. "You shouldnโt have to give that up because of me."Kaneโs fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His green eyes were fierce, unwavering, but filled with something I wasnโt expecting, love. "You think weโd ever choose a child over you?"I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I didnโt know what to say."You are ou
SIERRAMy breath came in sharp, shallow gasps as I stared at Ariel, my mind scrambling to make sense of what I was seeing."Howโฆhow are you here?" My voice wavered. "And how can you shapeshift?"Ariel smiled, tilting her head slightly as if amused by my reaction. โIโm trying out new things with my powers. You know, expanding my abilities.โ She took a slow, measured step forward, her gaze flickering to my arm. โBut the real question isโฆ why arenโt you healing?โI swallowed hard. I didnโt know. My wounds always closed within minutes, yet the burn on my arm still stung, the raw skin pulsing with pain. I could still feel the heat radiating from it, the sharp ache making it hard to focus. This wasnโt normal. My body should have already started repairing itself. But it hadnโt.I didnโt answer.Ariel let out a sharp, mocking laugh. โOh, Sierra,โ she said, shaking her head, โyouโre getting weaker.โI clenched my fists, trying to push back the rising panic. โWhat did you do to me?โ My voice ca
SIERRAPain.It burned through me, twisting, searing, leaving me gasping as I clutched my arm. My body trembled, my vision blurring as the wound worsened instead of healing. I barely registered the sound of footsteps before strong arms lifted me off the cold ground.โSierra!โ Zaneโs voice was sharp with panic.I felt another pair of hands on me, Kaneโs. His grip was firm but gentle, his warmth bleeding into my skin. โWhat the hell happened to you?โI could barely get a word out between the waves of agony. โAriel,โ I whispered, my voice hoarse. โSheโฆโ A sharp gasp tore from my lips as the pain spiked again.โShit,โ Dane cursed. โGet her inside. Now.โI felt myself being carried, their worried voices blending into the background. My body ached, my skin felt like it was on fire, but worse than that was the dread settling deep in my chest. Ariel had cursed me. And now, I couldnโt heal.We reached the pack house, and I was placed gently on a couch. A moment later, cool relief spread over m
ASTRID Blood scented the air, thick and intoxicating. The sounds of flesh tearing and bones snapping echoed through the trees as my vampires feasted. Their low growls rumbled in satisfaction, eyes gleaming in the moonlight as they drank deeply from their prey. I stood at the edge of the clearing, watching. Some had taken down deer, others wolves. One particularly bold vampire had pinned a mountain lion beneath him, sinking his fangs into its throat as its struggles grew weaker. The night was filled with the wet, sickening sounds of feeding, slurps, gulps, the occasional crunch of bone splitting under force. Blood dripped from their lips, staining their fingers as they devoured every last drop. They were creatures of hunger, of instinct. They didnโt just drink, they indulged, savoring every mouthful, letting the warmth spread through their veins. A few licked their fingers clean, satisfied. Others were still crouched over their kills, pulling at what little was left. I stood a
SIERRADane ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his eyes dark with concern. "I found something while reading that book," he admitted, his voice tight. "But I didnโt think you would actually go through this."I tried to keep my breathing even, but the burn was worsening, crawling up my skin like fire under my flesh. "What did you find, Dane?" I managed to ask through gritted teeth.He hesitated before finally speaking. "The curseโฆit canโt be broken by anyone but the one who placed it."A heavy silence settled between us. My heart pounded in my chest. "So, Ariel? Sheโs the only way?"Dane nodded solemnly. "But that doesnโt mean we stop looking for another way. Iโll help you research. Weโll figure something out."Kane clenched his fists. "We need to get you medical attention now. The burns are getting worse."Zane didn't wait for further discussion. "Weโre taking her into town. Now."The hospital smelled like antiseptic and something artificially sweet. I sat on the examination table
SIERRAArielโs smirk deepened, eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned against the tree, arms crossed. โWell?โ she prompted, tilting her head. โDo we have a deal?โI clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady despite the pain in my arm. โItโs impossible,โ I said, shaking my head. โI donโt mind giving up my powers, but I will never give you my mate.โThe boys tensed beside me, their postures rigid. Daneโs jaw locked, and Kane let out a sharp breath through his nose. Zane took a threatening step forward. โYouโre insane if you think weโd ever agree to that.โAriel threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the darkened woods like a twisted melody. โOh, you poor things,โ she cooed, her eyes flashing with mischief. โI was trying to be polite, but since you insist on making this difficultโฆโShe lifted her hand and flicked her fingers.The pain was immediate and unbearable. A sudden, sharp heat shot through my entire body, like fire licking at my veins, burning
DANEI couldn't take it anymore. Watching Sierra in agony, her body trembling as she fought against the pain, was unbearable. I felt useless, standing there while she suffered, unable to do a damn thing to help her. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my frustration bubbling over until I couldnโt hold it in any longer.โI need some air,โ I muttered, turning on my heel.โDane.โ Kaneโs voice was sharp with suspicion. โWhere are you going?โI didnโt answer. I just kept walking, my strides long and determined as I pushed open the door of the packhouse and stepped into the night. The cool air did nothing to soothe the fire in my chest. Sierraโs pained whimpers echoed in my ears, haunting me with every step I took.Kane cursed under his breath and hurried after me. โDonโt do anything stupid,โ he warned, grabbing my arm. โI know what youโre thinking.โI yanked my arm free. โThen you know I canโt just stand there and watch her suffer, Kane.โ My voice was rough with frustration. โSheโs i
SIERRAI stood frozen, my eyes wide and my stomach turning. The rabbits werenโt 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 couldnโt breathe. I couldnโt even blink. All I could do was stare at what my magic had done.The warlock didnโt 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 allโฆ Ariel. Screaming. Crying. Holding a knife.โWhat the hell?โ I whispered under my breath, my eyes widening.โI said let me in!โ she yelled, her voice cracking. โYouโre not the only one who loves them! I deserve to be in there too!โShe was pointing the knife at her own chest, trembling like she was seconds away from doing something stupid.I didnโt 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.โW
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 Iโd slammed into a wall. But there was no wall. Justโฆ 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 wasnโt someone who got denied things. Not rooms. Not people. Not Dane.I turned on my heels and stormed down the hallway, heading straight for Mayaโs 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 didnโt knock, I kicked it. Hard.โAriel?โ Mayaโs 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. Zaneโs steady heartbeat under my cheek, Daneโs arms around my waist, and the calmness in Kaneโs eyes, everything felt safe here. I felt like I was finally home.But it wasnโt 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 theyโd fight the stars if it meant keeping me safe. I hadnโt realized how much I needed them until this moment. I needed to feel wanted, needed to be touched, loved, needed to feel alive again.โIโve missed this,โ I whispered, glancing up at Zane, my fingers gently resting on his chest.โWeโve missed you more,โ he replied softly, brushing his lips over my forehead.โI donโt like seeing you this stressed,โ Dane murmured behind me, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. โLet us help you relax.โKane was kneeling beside me ag
SIERRAI ran out of the room angrily and frustrated. I didnโt want to talk to anyone. I didnโt 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 thatโs 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 wasnโt 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 didnโt have the patience for his caution. "I donโt care about how tricky it is," I snapped. "I need to stop her. Ariel is... sheโs going to ruin everything. I canโt 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 Arielโs voice cut through the garden like a sharp knife. She just stood there, smirking at us like she hadnโt just interrupted something important, something real.I turned to her, fists clenching at my sides. "Donโt you have anything better to do than irritate me?" I snapped, my voice louder than I intended. Dane shifted uncomfortably behind me, but I didnโt 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 Iโd slept for days, and for a second, I didnโt 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.โYou look so cute when youโre sleeping,โ she said in a sing-song voice.My whole body tensed up instantly. Memories rushed backโฆ.the food, the plan, everything. I shot up, heart pounding.โWhat happened?โ I croaked, throat dry.Ariel gave a playful shrug, almost like she was proud of herself. โYou tried to drug me, silly. But Iโm smarter than that.โ She leaned in closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. โI swapped the plates. You ate the laced one instead.โI cursed under my breath and swung my legs off the bed. I couldnโt 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 didnโt answer. I just left.When I finally made it do
SIERRAI didnโt 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.โOh, my sweet, sweet Sierra,โ she said between giggles, wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye. โYou actually think a few little weeds are going to save your precious sister from me?โI 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. โYou have no idea what youโre dealing with,โ she whispered. โNo idea how deep this bond goes.โI clenched my teeth to keep from flinching. I would not give her t