MasukELISE’S POVYEARS LATER.The sun was warm that morning. The golden light filled the gardens. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could just sit and breathe without fear sitting heavy in my chest. The air smelled sweet, full of roses, and the world felt gentle again.I sat under the will
Elise’s POVThe world stopped spinning the moment I saw it.The devourer.The thing Gina had called forth twisted behind her in a storm of shadows. Its form shifted into many forms. It was almost too terrible for the eyes to follow. It looked like smoke given flesh, like nightmares sculpted into bei
I swallowed hard. My tears blurred my vision.“Gina,” I whispered “This ends tonight. You and me.”The fight exploded in an instant.The courtyard shook beneath my feet as Gina and I circled each other.Gina tilted her head. Lyra whimpered in her arms. Every time my daughter screamed, the earth spli
ELISE’S POVJackson’s body was warm in my arms, but the life had already drained from his eyes. His lips were parted slightly, as if he still wanted to say something—something he hadn’t gotten the chance to tell me. My throat burned as I swallowed hard. Tears rolled down my eyes.Gina laughed loudly
ELISE’S POVI ran out of the battle field. I let my wolf guide me to Gina’s location. I could already perceive her scent in the air. But then I heard it.The scream.“Help! Someone—please!”My blood ran cold. That voice… it was my mother’s.I didn’t even think. My feet carried me , tracing her voice
ELISE’S POVThe sky darkened, swallowing every trace of sunlight. The eclipse had come.I stood at the window, staring at the darkness in the heavens. My heart was pounding so loud it drowned out the silence. The shadows crawled across the walls of the castle. The air was heavy with dread, and deep
FERRIS' POV The laughter and chatter of the nobles got on my nerves. Most of them hadn't lifted a single finger during the hunt, but here they were, boasting and teasing each other with exaggerated stories. Their flattery was endless, their laughter too loud. It was a front—a way to get into my goo
FERRIS' POV For me, the feast was filled with forced smiles and hollow toasts. The noblemen all clamored for a spot in my line of sight as usual. Everywhere I turned, one of them was reaching out with some meaningless gesture—handing me a goblet, pouring me more wine, speaking far too loudly about
ELISE'S POV I woke up to the soft sound of Ferris breathing beside me. For a moment, I lay there, soaking in the warmth of his body against mine. His arms were wrapped around me, just as they had been when we fell asleep. I missed this—waking up next to him, feeling his presence so close. It felt l
ELISE'S POV The day of the hunt finally came the next morning, and despite the anxiety twisting my stomach, I was determined to face it. The sun had barely risen when I joined the other Luna candidates outside. The men and women bustling around, horses being saddled, and the murmurs of anticipati







