Hey guys! What do you think’s gonna happen at tomorrow’s dinner? I’m so excited! Drop your guesses in the comments! ^^
Talia’s POV“Colin Ashford?” I repeated. “That sounds familiar, but I can’t remember where I heard it.”“You don’t remember?" Solon asked in surprise, and I shook my head. "Colin’s father used to visit during the early spring festivals. You and Colin used to play together all the time.”Della nodded enthusiastically. "You two were so cute playing."I could only nod. I didn't remember Colin, nor did I remember playing with anyone outside of Della and Solon.“Colin is already here. You have to go see him, Talia," Della said gleefully.Solon grinned. “Of course. I should greet him properly. It has been years since we last met.”“Okay, I'm sorry. Who exactly is he again?” I asked.Della sighed dramatically, putting her hands on her hips. “You really don’t remember, do you? You used to call him Colly. He followed you everywhere when we were little.”The memory hit me then. A lanky green-eyed boy who would offer me candy whenever he had it. He always stuck by my side even when I was being m
Talia’s POVI spent the morning in Solon’s office helping him organize letters from the other packs. His desk was buried under envelopes. I opened them one by one, read the contents, and sorted them into neat piles according to arrival dates.“How many so far?” Solon asked.“Almost thirty,” I said. “Half of them will arrive the day of the Sacrifice Ceremony, and the rest will arrive the day before. Some of them sent gifts too. I don’t even know where we’re going to store all of this.”“That happens every year. The wealthier the Alpha, usually the more generous the gift,” Solon stated.“So, every year each pack tries to gain Father’s favor?” I asked.“Yes,” Solon replied. “Every pack wants the same thing: an alliance through marriage if their Alpha hasn’t found their Luna yet. They come to the Sacrifice Ceremony to find mates or be provided with a chosen mate. It’s the fastest way to strengthen their position. The difference this time is that they’re trying to win the Alpha King’s daug
Nolan’s POVI watched Talia walk away. I rubbed a hand over my face. I should go back to my room and take more of the herbs. Maybe they could dull the noise in my head.'That won’t fix anything,' my wolf growled. 'You drove her away, and now you’re going to reject her? If you do, I’ll never forgive you.'“I had to,” I muttered. “It’s better this way.”'Better for whom? You or her?' my wolf growled.I didn’t answer.Even now, I could still feel the faint pulse of our bond. We were her second mates, but she was our only one. It must mean something, and yet, here I am trying to ignore it.I thought about what would happen after the Sacrifice Ceremony. The Alpha King would stand before the gathered Alphas, praising the Moon Goddess, and then, he’d choose a mate for his daughter. He’d pick someone with a strong lineage, a political advantage. It would be someone to strengthen his alliances. The idea of another man touching her caused irrational rage.'You have no reason to be upset. You ag
Talia’s POVDella and I trained on the south practice grounds after breakfast. We started with simple combinations to warm up and then moved into defensive drills. I focused on my footing and kept my guard up. Without my wolf, I had to rely on technique.“Good,” she said, circling me. “Again. Elbow higher on the block. You drop it when you pivot.”I adjusted and repeated the move. The strike landed square on the padded post. Della nodded with approval.“You’re still a strong fighter,” she said. “You just have to work harder until your wolf returns.”I caught my breath and rolled my wrists. “Harder is fine. I just need to get used to this being my new normal.”“Don’t get too comfortable with it. Your wolf will be back in no time. If not before, then after the ceremony. Once you find your mate and complete the bond, she’ll come back. You know that,” Della said.“I know, I know. That’s what the doctor keeps saying,” I said.“We have records and elders who have lived through this,” Della
Jason’s POVThis was wrong.I had Henry send the wine back to Shadowclaw for testing. It was the same toxin. How could it not be lethal?Father, as stunned as I was, finally found his voice and said, “Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding. My son saw Alpha Nolan poison the wine himself. He wouldn’t lie about that.”“It’s true,” I said. “The sample we sent confirmed that the wine contained traces of a toxin identical to what was found in the mad rogues’ blood samples.”Nolan laughed and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Care to enlighten us on what is so funny?”“Inadequacy must be an inherited trait,” Nolan answered. I could feel my father’s aura flare briefly before he composed himself.“Your taunts won’t save you, boy,” Father said.“I just find it interesting that you know so much about the rogues’ blood, perhaps you’ve spent more time with them than I ever did,” Nolan said.“Watch your tongue, boy. It is you who is on trial,” Father snapped.Before the argument could escalat
Jason’s POVLunch with Father was usually quiet, but today he seemed almost pleased. It unnerved me how happy he was. ‘Enjoy the moment while it lasts,’ my wolf said, and I couldn’t help but agree. We had barely started eating when a firm knock came at the door. Beta Logan entered and bowed. “Alpha Jason. Elder Michael. The Alpha King has requested your presence in his office at noon,” he said.Father took a sip of his orange juice and asked, “For what reason?”“The King said he’s reached a conclusion regarding Alpha Nolan’s poisoning case,” Logan explained.“Understood,” Father said, his voice smooth. “You may tell the King we’ll be there.”Logan nodded and said, "Of course."As soon as the door closed, Father smiled and said, “It seems the King finally came to his senses.”“Honestly, I had expected the Alpha King to execute Nolan once we revealed the report. Better late than never,” I responded.Father leaned back in his chair. “With Nolan gone, Blood Moon will be in chaos and wil