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
Talia's POV"No, This is a mistake! A wolfless, overweight werewolf can't be my mate."His words hit me hard; Whispers erupt from the crowd, murmurs of disbelief and judgement that swirls me like a storm. But I don't let them see how much it hurts. I don't give him the satisfaction.I square my shoulders, forcing a smile that feels like it's going to crack my face. "Well, Bran, I guess the Moon Goddess has a sense of humour after all," I say, despite the pain running through me. "Too bad she didn't give you one."Everywhere is silent now, shocked by my words. Bran's eyes are turning red from anger. But I hold my ground, refusing to let him see how much I'm breaking inside."Talia," he begins, but I cut him off before he can say more. He was going to reject me anyway."Don't worry, Bran," I say, sarcastically. "I'm sure there's some loophole you can find to get out of this. After all, you can't have someone like me ruining your perfect reputation, right?"The tension in the air is suff
I sigh, poking at the pancakes with my fork. "Why do I even care?" I mumble. "It's not like their opinions matter." But the truth is that no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, their words always stick to me like glue, making it hard to stop the feeling that I will always be an outsider in my pack, no matter how hard I try to fit in.My last bite of the pancake, I can say, is bitter and, at the same time, sweet. The reason is that it reminds me that breakfast can't last forever. I push the plate away, lean back in my chair, and take a long breath. I returned to my room, looking at myself again through the mirror. This is what I always do, but the mirror never seems to work in my favour. My reflection always stares back at me, showing me a combination of resistance and acceptance. My figure and my curves are fuller than the sleek, toned-bodied of the others. My hair is stubborn and refuses to be tamed, no matter how much I brush or smooth it down. And to make matters w
Talia's POV"Yes, Alpha?" I say, quieter than I intend.He steps closer, narrowing his eyes as he looks me up and down. "I've noticed how you present yourself these days Talia. The way you dress, eat, and carry yourself is not appropriate for someone in our Pack, especially not with the gathering tonight."My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard after hearing his words. Of course, it's about how I look. That has always been everyone's headache."The dignitaries from the neighbouring Packs will be there," he continues, firmly and unkind. "We can't afford any embarrassment, Talia. You need to cushion yourself, understand? Dress properly and eat with restraint. Don't draw any unwanted attention to yourself."If he has a baton, I would prefer he hit me to those words. I knew the pack didn't think much of me, but hearing it plainly from the Alpha himself stings more than I expected. I grip the edge of my plate, and my knuckles turn white."I... I understand," I manage to say, though the
Talia's POVBut it's hard. So dmn hard. And as much as I try to convince myself that I don't care what they think, a part of me does. A part of me wants to be accepted. A part of me wants to have what they have - a place in the Pack, a sense of purpose, and, most of all, a wolf to call my own.But that's not my reality. Eventually, I force myself to get up, brushing the dirt from my jeans. I can't stay out here forever, much as I'd like to. The day is only just beginning, and there are still preparations for tonight - a gathering I'd much rather avoid but one I know I have no choice but to attend.With one last look at the trees, I head back toward the pack, straight to the grocery store, pick some and go back home.On my return, I see the house is already busy with activity. My mother is in full-on preparation mode, flitting about the kitchen as she oversees the final touches for tonight's feast. My father is polishing his boots by the fireplace, while Jackson lays out on the couch,
Talia's POV "Talia, are you ready?" My mother asks through the door, snapping me from my thoughts."Yes, I'm coming," I respond though I hesitate before opening the door. My mind is a blur of thoughts as I walk down the stairs. I can hear the Packs hum and murmur from a distance; the gathering is already starting outside. The air is cooler now, the sun setting, casting shadows across the pack's territory.Jackson is waiting by the door, tapping his foot impatiently. "Took you long enough," he says.I ignore him, keeping my breathing steady as I step outside. The atmosphere is heavy with tension, or maybe that's just me. The pack is already gathered near the large clearing, where lanterns hang from the trees, casting a warm glow over the scene. The sound of laughter and music fills the air, and everyone seems to be in high spirits.But I'm not like everyone else."Stay close, Talia," my father says calmly as he leads toward the gathering. My mother walks beside me, her hand resting on
Talia's POV A warm sensation arises from the back of my neck and flows down my spine. My vision blurs for some time, and when it clears, everywhere becomes clearer. The voices around me fade, and all I can feel is his presence, his energy as if an invisible thread is pulling me toward him.A series of thoughts on my mind. I'm at a point of confusion, but something suddenly stops my confusion, and then I realize I am feeling the mate bond. It's overwhelming as I am feeling a sudden connection to someone I never expected, someone I barely know outside his role as Alpha. My breath seizes, and I struggle to keep my emotions in check as the realization of my feelings becomes clearer. Alpha Bran is my mate.I freeze. This can't be happening. Not now and definitely not with him. My thoughts are bouncing between disbelief and the undeniable bond, about how it's supposed to feel, but nothing could have prepared me for this. I feel dizzy.Jackson's voice snaps me back to reality "Talia, are yo
Alpha Bran's POV"Make sure the dignitaries are settled in," I instruct one of the pack members. The gathering is in full swing, and I'm doing what I always do - managing, overseeing, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. This gathering comes only once in a year; it is the time of the year when wolves from different Packs come together. Deals will be sealed, and we get the time to speak with dignitaries about establishing companies and investing in businesses, which helps in developing the Pack. The gathering tonight, I can say is second to the Full Moon, where all wolves get more strength.The responsibility that comes with leading a Pack is second to none. Tonight is also about strengthening alliances and showing the neighbouring packs that we are strong, united, and capable. Nothing must go wrong.I glance around, seeing how the lanterns glow warmly over the scene. Everything is going as planned.As I move through the crowd, exchanging nods and brief words with some Alpha friends
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