Talia's POVThe night of celebration has barely ended when the morning sun brings a different kind of gathering. A gathering filled with bittersweet sorrow.The town square is quiet than usual, the usual clatter and laughter replaced by a solemn hush. The Misfits stand in clusters, their expressions range from confusion to sadness as they await Axton's arrival.They all know why we're here.Today, we say goodbye to the man who built this town from nothing. The man who gave us all a home when no one else would.The man who saved me.I inhale, trying to steady my emotions as I sit on my throne, Luna, Lyric, Jasper, and Greta beside me. Even Bran is there, watching from the edge of the crowd. I can feel his eyes on me, but for once, my thoughts aren't on him.They're on Axton.A man who was more than just a leader.He was the heart of this place.And now, he's leaving.Axton steps forward onto the raised platform, his dark cloak fluttering in the breeze. He looks over the town members fro
Talia's POVAxton's gone, and everywhere feels quiet now. Misfit Town's been feeling unusual for a while now. Less noisy. It feels more hollow like part of its base got taken out, and we're all just hanging around to see if it all collapses.Life doesn't stop, right?The town keeps growing, the warriors keep practising, and I keep guiding.But still, I can feel a change in the atmosphere.It all starts off gently.I get this odd sensation that prickles my skin whenever I walk around the boundaries. I always get this creepy vibe like someone's watching me, even when I'm by myself. The wind rustles through the trees, bringing along strange sounds.At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was just fatigue and the emotional toll of losing Axton.That's when people start going missing. For days we searched for the missing but they were never found. I set my warriors on patrols every day and night each of them rotating shifts.The first sign gets discovered by Lyric.She bursts into the meet
Talia's POVEver since we got that message from Starlight, there's been a weird heaviness in the air over at Misfit Town. The town that used to be filled with laughter and jokes now feels pretty tense. The Warriors are pushing themselves more, we've got double the patrols, but still... I sense something hiding nearby.Something's about to happen.I'm at the training spot, watching my fighters go head-to-head in their sparring sessions. Lyric's putting the younger warriors through their paces, shouting commands at them just like she always does with her no-nonsense style. Luna is right there, whispering to the healers and making sure they're set for whatever comes. No matter how much I train or prepare, I can't shake this gut feeling.We are running out of time.A soft voice snaps me out of my daydreams."We need to talk."I glance back and spot Bran with his arms crossed behind me. Ever since that letter came in, he's been watching me like a hawk, but I haven't paid any attention to
Talia's POVWar is coming. The weight of it presses down on me unrelentingly.The moment we returned from the forest, I wasted no time. Messages were sent, alliances were called upon, and preparations began. Misfit Town was no longer just a haven for outcasts. It was a fortress, and we would defend it with everything we had.Bran's pack arrived in the Misfit town two days ago, warriors moving through our town like a force of nature. Since the attacker's target is not only on the Starlight but also on the Misfits, it is wise for us to merge. There was tension in the air- wolves who once mocked the Misfits now had to fight beside them. And I could feel their doubts, they glanced at us like we were weak.They were in for a surprise.I stand in the middle of the training grounds, watching as Misfit warriors spar with Starlight wolves. It's messy.Jasper is wrestling with a Starlight warrior twice his size, using every dirty trick he can think of. Lyric has already tripped two arrogant fig
Bran's POVJealousy is a bitter thing.It's really getting to me right now.I watch from the training grounds as Talia stands with Jasper and Lyric, laughing at something I can't hear. Her head tilts back slightly, her eyes crinkling at the edges. It's a rare sight, seeing her laugh so freely.I should be glad Talia has people who make her feel at ease. I should be relieved she has warriors she trusts.Instead, I want to rip Jasper away from her and throw him across the field and hug Talia, then take her away into a quiet place while I place a passionate kiss on her lips before bringing her back to carry on her duties. But that's a mere dream. At least for now.Fabian huffs. "Pathetic."I grit my teeth. "Shut up."Fabian just chuckles. "You had your chance to be the one by her side. Now you have to fight for it."That's the problem. I don't know how.Talia is warm with them in a way she isn't with me. She teases Lyric, nudges Jasper's shoulder, and moves fluidly around them like they'
Talia's POVIt's a quiet night.Way too quiet.I'm out in the middle of the training ground, checking out the shadowy woods past our limits. I can feel this thick tension in the air, tightening around my ribs. The Misfits are all set, their weapons shining in the moonlight, and they look determined.We've prepped for this. We're all set for this.But nothing ever prepares you for war.As the wind whips past the trees, it carries away all sound.Suddenly, a lone howl pierces the night air.The first strike comes fast.The foe steps out of the shadows, with darkness wrapping around them like it's alive. Wolves with bright red eyes, moving fast and precise.These guys are no regular rogues.They battle like there's no tomorrow.I let out a growl and change my stance, my claws sinking into the ground. The fight kicks off in a whirlwind of teeth and metal. Bran appears by my side, his huge silver body crashing into the first guy before he can touch me."Stay close!" he growls through our
Talia's POVThe battle is over, but the war inside me is just beginning.I'm standing outside the healer's tent with my arms folded, glaring at the entrance like I can somehow improve things in there just by wishing it. The town's calm now; those celebrations from a few days ago feel like we had them ages ago. The scent of blood is still in the air, and the weight of it all settles in my bones.Luna is stable. That's what they tell me.That she'll survive and that she just needs rest. I should feel relief with this information, but all I feel is guilt. Guilt of a failed Alpha and friend. Luna was the first person I met when I came to the Misfit town.I should have been faster. I should have protected her better.I should have-A presence shifts behind me.I don't need to turn around to know it's him again. Bran won't stop stalking me.Neither of us says anything for a while. The silence between us is packed with stuff we're too proud to bring up. At last, Bran lets out a breath and mo
The traces of sunlight fade behind the treetops, leaving a sky painted in purple and gold. The air carries the scent of foods from the kitchen mixed with the remnants of the victory bonfires from yesterday's festival. Laughter ripples through the streets, and I can see the Misfits already feel safe, but I can't stop feeling that those creatures aren't yet done.I've got this sense that the battle's still on, and those creatures that ran away are definitely returning.I'm on the watchtower, keeping an eye on the town with my arms crossed. The atmosphere feels peaceful except for the celebration noise. Even when my intuition is on high alert, sending warning signals, I still can't stop them from celebrating.Bran's beside me, watching the town with me. He's been clingy lately, and it's annoying how much I've noticed that. I've gotten used to having him around. And this sucks more.We stay quiet for a while before he eventually starts talking."You never used to be this quiet," he murmur
Marlik's POV (The Head of the Dark Council)They call me the Hand of Silence. The One Who Casts the Longest Shadow. But names lose meaning after centuries. What matters is control and purpose. And keeping chaos chained at the edge of the world.And yet, even now, even with the full strength of the Dark Council bent beneath my voice, my mind lingers elsewhere.Bella.Her name lingers like a thorn in my breath. It's distracting.I remember the first time I saw her. She was clearly broken, but not crushed. That's the type of woman I like. A young woman with fire behind her betrayal. Most who betray their pack run with shame and regret. But she held no regret. Only bitterness, and hunger-for power, recognition and for something more than what the Starlight Pack ever allowed her to be.She was cast out after her deception-the foolish plot to replace Bran's fated mate with a rogue's child in disguise. A gamble as bold as it was stupid. And when it failed, she expected death. Instead, she wa
Author's NarrationTalia stirs beneath her blanket, but her eyes remain shut. She's gone again, not in body, but in spirit.This is the second trance. The next gate is as the Moon Goddess has instructed.She wakes in a place where everything hums. The sky is gold. The ground feels like air. Light moves like water, rising and falling in waves. There's no wind, scent, or sound-just the heavy presence of something waiting.She stands, heart quiet but alert. She knows now not to speak because the Trials don't answer to voice, only to action. The Moonstone glows faintly on her chest, and she grazes it with her fingers. It feels warm and ticking, like her heartbeat.The light around her shifts, pulling itself into a straight path which leads her on as she takes cautious steps.After walking on air for some seconds, the golden air fades, and she finds herself in a clearing ringed by tall glass walls. Each one shows a version of her. In one, she's small again, clutching her mother's scarf. In
POV: The Dark Council Head "You should be scared of the man you're becoming. Despite all the powers and fights, you lack that inner peace you've always wanted. You have no mate, no children and most of all no joy. It's painful because I'm tied to you. And now I cannot even have my fair share of happiness just because you chose the dark part." Fen my wolf purrs. He won't just keep quiet for once. "I am Malrik. This is the life I have chosen, and as a part of me, you deal with it." When I said everyone turned against me when I was a nobody, I mean everyone including my wolf. Don't get this wrong. He was once my ally, but since I chose this part he turned. Fen and I had never agreed since then. At first, I was not happy about it, and I cursed Selene for giving me a wolf who was not always on the same page with me, but not anymore. He can think whatever or say anything. My plan stays. I had once been hidden. But not anymore. Now I shake the ground of every supernatural court. Vampi
POV: The Dark Council HeadI walk down the corridor in silence. The floor beneath my boots is cold, each step I take echoing through the hall. I don't enjoy the silence, but I've grown used to it. These halls remember everything. Every lie. Every betrayal. Every choice I made.She floats beside me, her spirit glowing faintly in the light. Elara. The keeper's grandmother. She was once a powerful wolf. Now, just a spirit. But still dangerous and still strong. I guess that's my mistake. I should have ended her life that night. I shouldn't have locked her spirit up. "You walked without permission," I say. My tone is calm, but it has a warning behind it. "Again."She lets out a dry laugh. "I don't belong to you."We keep walking. The torches along the walls flicker more brightly as she passes. Even fire respects her. That's always been the case."No," I object. "But you are bound here. You should know your boundaries. You can't just keep roaming about any time you feel like, you know; som
POV: The Old Keeper (The New Seer)I was never supposed to hear her voice again. But she never seems to stop calling and coming. The hall glows, a hint of her presence.The old runes on the walls emit a dim shimmer-not bright enough to chase away shadows, but enough to remind me that I'm not alone down here. I sit with my back against the cold stone wall, my legs stretched before me and one foot bouncing softly in rhythm with the whispers in my head. The whispers never stopped since she returned. Or let's say since she had been aware of my presence here.I remember once being brave and knowing who I was. Now I count moments by the number of breaths I can take before my past claws its way into my thoughts.And just like every time before, here she comes.Her voice reaches me before her form does-soft, low, and carried like wind through bone."You remember more than you should."It echoes through the hall like it's soaked in moonlight. Her hunting yet comforting voice. She's closer now
POV: The Old Keeper (The New Seer)I was meant to be the Stone Keeper. I was chosen right before birth. So says my grandmother. My parents were killed because they weren't supposed to bring me to life. But it happened somehow and they got punished for it. The stone started calling to me when I was young. I heard its voice, felt its pull and sometimes touched it. But that was in my dreams. I was happy, and proud or maybe the right word is overjoyed to be the chosen one.The Moon Goddess chose me. Not because someone told her to, or because I asked. The stone chose me itself. So I heard. I stood alone on Starlight Crest, high above the land, with the wind pushing at my back. The light of the moonstone reached out to me, surrounding me. I felt its warmth settle inside my chest. At that moment, I truly believed I had found my purpose.I was proud and brave. Maybe even foolish.That night, everything changed.I was meant to complete the trials to become the official Keeper. I had already
POV: The New Seer of the Dark Council (Council of the East)I see her.Even before the stars split.Even before the Moon Goddess lays her hand on her heart.I see the girl awakening.Not with my eyes or with the cursed black things that smoulder in my head and glow when they shouldn't. But deeper. The way roots see water underground. The way wolves hear a storm coming before the first drop falls.Talia.Her name echoes inside me like it's written behind my teeth.She stands in that dream-space, her spirit wide open, and I'm there-barely, briefly. A shadow just outside the light.I wasn't supposed to see her that clearly.But I did.And now I can't unsee her.Her light. Her fear. Her power.The Moonstone has chosen her, and the trials have begun.I sit motionless in the far end of the council chamber, body still as bone, even as the fire in the center crackles and spits dark orange sparks.I don't speak until I must.Until I feel them watching me. The Council of the East-seven old clo
POV: TaliaTalia's body is still in Misfit Town.She lies motionless in her bunk, one hand still faintly glowing with the pulse of the stone. Bran is the first to find her. He had followed the ripple of magic that burst through the trees when she touched the stone. Now, he kneels beside her, his face pale with fear, trying not to panic.But this isn't about her body. It's about where her spirit has gone.Talia opens her eyes to skyless light. She's no longer in the woods or her room or anything that feels familiar. Everything around her is soft and glowing, like the space between stars had taken shape.This place isn't real in the way real places are. It feels more like memory and meaning stitched together. There's no ground, but she doesn't fall. No air, but she can breathe.In front of her, a tall stone arch rises out of nothing. Symbols glow along its edges-the same ones that had appeared on her arms. The same rhythm and same pull.A voice echoes across the space.Talia, Keeper of
Aunt MerleComing back to Misfit Town without being seen was never simple. But this time, it was more than just secrecy-I couldn't let anyone see me carrying the stone. Only the one meant to carry its power should lay eyes on me right now.That's why I used the bone ash spell. Just enough to hide myself from the senses of others. The magic made sound slip away from me and light bent around me. It wasn't perfect. But it was enough.I moved quietly past the outer trees of the town just before sunrise, the stone wrapped tightly in moon cloth and held close to my chest. It wasn't heavy, not in the usual way, but it throbbed with heat and energy-like it had its heartbeat. It didn't feel human. It didn't feel alive. But it was something old. Ancient.With each step closer to the heart of the town, the air changed. It started to hum softly. Like the ground and the trees could sense what I was bringing. Like the town itself was deciding if I should be allowed in.The streets and homes hadn't