Ava's povThe person's grip was so tight that I knew that I was going to bruise up. I clenched my jaw, struggling against the hold, but the man behind me only tightened his grip.The rebels around watched in eerie silence, they lowered their weapons but still held it tightly just in case anything went wrong.Darius stood in front of me, expression unreadable. He didn’t seem surprised.It was then that I realized that he had been expecting me somehow.From the place where the others were hidden, I felt Xander reaching out to me through the bond. I felt his rage— flaming hot, pouring through the bond. He was seconds away from attacking.Leo was barely hanging on; he was demanding to be let out, to rip apart anyone who touched me. But I couldn't let them, I needed to see where this was leading.I exhaled and focused on our bond.“Not yet. Stay back.” I said through the bond.I knew that Xander heard me, we had been practicing on the bond for a while now so that we would always be able to
Ava's pov“The bond between you and Xander is a lie,” he murmured. “A fabricated tale created by gods who feared our bond. What we were. What we could be together now.”I forced myself to speak even though my tongue felt as heavy as lead. “You’re lying.”He chuckled, dark and empty “Am I?”Something shifted. It was like claws were digging into my mind.Suddenly, images began to flash in my mind. Memories of a past I didn't know. Whispers of voices I didn't recognize. And a feeling… a deep, painful love that had been lost long ago.I crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath, fisting the dirt beneath my palm as a sharp ache piercing my chest.“No.” I whispered.No, this wasn’t real. It couldn't be.This was a trick.Zerathos crouched down in front of me, his expression softer than before. “I loved you first, Ava.” His voice was gentle now. “Before any of them. Before Xander. Before the gods tore us apart.”I shook my head, squeezing my eyes shut. “No. That’s not—”“They stole you from
Ava's pov“Stand down,” Darius ordered his men, voice sharp and firm.Slowly, they hesitated but lowered their weapons. The ones in wolf form didn't shift back to humans but they gave us space and seemed less tense. A bitXander didn’t take his eyes off Darius as he held out a hand toward me. “Come here, Ava.”I took a step forward—And then, a voice cut through the tension like a knife.“Kill her.”The air went still.For a moment, everything stopped. Including my heart.Then, the shadows returned, slithering on the ground like snakes until they got behind Darius where a figure took form.Zerathos.This time, everyone seemed to feel the evil in him as the rebels shivered and cowered in fear.But Darius? His face instantly drained of color because he wasn't the one who had just issued that command, it was Zerathos.A ferocious growl left Xander immediately. “Don’t you dare—”“Kill her,” Zerathos repeated, his voice as soft as silk and was filled with malice.Darius took a step back, s
Ava's povI took a step closer, ignoring the heavy exhaustion in my limbs from the large amount of energy I had just used. “Darius, listen to me. You have to fight him.”He gasped, his body jerking violently. “I—”But then Zerathos took control again.Darius’ lips curled into a smirk that wasn’t his. “Oh, how sweet.”The shadows surged forward again, this time they spread like wildfire across the ground. The rebels screamed as the darkness rushed towards them, some scrambled to run while others remained rooted in their spot, frozen by terror.Xander growled, stepping in front of me again.“Enough of this,” he snarled. “Face me yourself, Zerathos. Or are you so weak that you have to hide behind my mate’s brother?”The dark god laughed. A sound that was weird, hollow and made the air feel heavy, pressing down on me.“You think I’m hiding?” he said, voice filled with amusement. “No, dear sweet Alpha King. This is only the beginning.”With a wave of his hand, more darkness spilled out. I
Ava's povI watched as his eyes slowly fluttered open, they were filled with confusion at first as he looked around the tent.Then his gaze finally landed on me.“Ava?” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper since it had been a while since he spoke.Relief washed over me so hard that I nearly fainted out of shock. “You're awake.” I breathed.He groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead. “What… happened?”I sighed. “Zerathos.”His entire body tensed. I could sense that the memories were flooding back in. Our talk, the possession and his fight.His hands curled into fists. “He’ll kill me.”“We won’t let him. I won't.”He let out a dry, bitter, empty laugh. “You don’t understand. I belonged to him. I was his second-in-command, one of his most trusted. If he finds out I survived, he won’t just kill me—he’ll make me wish I was dead.”My chest aches at the deep fear in his voice. I had never heard my brother sound like that before. It was terrible.I reached out and held his hand. “Com
Ava's povLater that day, my father had suggested that we return back to the house because my mother was worried and we needed to have a conversation as a family with Darius.The ride back to my parents’ house was filled with heavy, thick silence. My father led the way, I could see the tension in his shoulders, Darius kept his head down and didn't utter a word while gripping his horse’s reins tightly. Xander rode next to me, his eyes watching our surroundings and his body was still tense, ready to spring into action at any moment.Darius and his men may have sworn the oath and taken outside but that didn't erase the past. It didn't erase the countless bodies that they have left in their wake, the families that had been destroyed by their actions. It most certainly wasn't going to change the hatred that both humans and werewolves alike had for them.”“We should hurry,” my father murmured, breaking the silence. “I don't want it to get too dark before we arrive so that your mother won't
Darius' POVI have seen men die before. In countless different ways.Some went out screaming until their voice was raw and their throat burned. Others went out silent, their eyes were lifeless before their body even hit the ground. I have seen warriors break, the light of hope dimming from their eyes as the shadows took over.And yet, through it all, I remained by Zerathos' side, unflinching and loyal to the cause. I always obeyed.I had killed innocent people both young and old because I thought it was right. It was just.Now, sitting at my parents’ dinner table, surrounded by the family I had abandoned long ago, I realized something.I had never been more afraid in my life than I was at this very moment.I wasn't afraid of zerathos not the war. I was afraid of them. My family.I was scared of their judgement and hatred.But worst of all? Their disappointment.****After the Silverclaw alpha and warriors left, the house fell silent. We were back at the dining table. My father sat acr
Ava's povThe cold was harsh as it bit through my skin and down to my bones,but I barely felt it. I was on a walk because I needed to clear my head with everything that was happening.I had spent my childhood in this land. I would spend hours walking through these woods with frostbitten, stiff fingers and toes due to my weak cloak and an empty stomach. I would dream about a life where I didn't have to worry about my next meal, the selection or werewolves in general.Now, here I was again. Not as the weak girl who had been dragged away from her family during the selection but as the mate to the alpha king, the queen Luna, a warrior and direct descendant of the moon goddess.I inhaled deeply, letting the cold fill my lungs and settle there. The sound of snow crunching underneath my boots was soothing as a sneeze of nostalgia washed over me.It was peaceful. But it was a facade, the war was nearing and one day, this may all be burnt down to the ground. I welcomed the peace even though I
Ava's povI always thought pregnancy would feel magical. Glowing skin, cute bump, a sense of purpose, maybe even that mythical "pregnancy glow" everyone swore existed.Instead, it felt like I was being hunted… by my own body.“Move,” I growled at Xander, who stood directly between me and the basket of moonberry tarts I’d been craving since sunrise and asked the cooks to make.He turned slowly, blinking. “You’ve already had three.”I narrowed my eyes. “And?”“And… I love you,” he said quickly, stepping aside and lifting both hands like I was some scary creature.Which I kind of was.Pregnancy had changed me. It was like I had become Ava 2.0—crying over songs with puppies, getting irrationally upset when Xander didn’t refill the honey jar, then five minutes later curling against him like nothing ever happened. The mood swings weren’t just real. They were ruthless.The moonberry tart was cold by the time I got to it, but I didn’t care. I devoured it with all the speed of a starved animal
Xander’s POVThe moonlight spilled through the open balcony, casting soft silver over the sheets tangled at the foot of the bed. The fire in the hearth had died a while back, quiet and tired like the rest of the castle.The day has taken an unexpected turn which I loved so much. A twist that made my heart race and a smile light up my face.She was asleep.Ava.My mate. My Luna. My light.Her hair was fanned across the pillow, her face relaxed and peaceful—something I never took for granted anymore. I didn’t move, just sat at the edge of the bed, eyes watching the delicate rise and fall of her chest.Her unexpected words echoed in my head like a metal being hit by something.She’s pregnant.It should have been a simple announcement. But for me, it cracked something wide open.For weeks, I’d noticed something different in her scent. Not wrong—just new. I hadn’t placed it, not until she stood before me and told me herself. There had been no grand preparation. No expectations. Just her an
Ava's povSunlight spilled through the high windows of the grand hall, gleaming on the silver fixtures and dishware. For the first time in months, the hall wasn't empty. Laughter echoed all around me, mingling with the clinking of cutlery and the smell of warm bread and honeyed meats.I sat between Xander and Vanessa, my fingers curled around a steaming cup of tea. My stomach fluttered—not from nerves, but from something far newer. Something growing.The thought never failed to pull a smile to my face.I glanced around at the faces gathered at the table. Rowan was teasing Kael over a burnt piece of toast, Kaida sat beside him, her hand resting lightly on his wrist. Lyra was at the far end, wrapped in a thick shawl, her expression quiet but calm, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched them. There was no tension in her shoulders.They were all here.All of them.And that meant more to me than any feast ever could.“Gods,” Vanessa said, stretching back in her seat. “It’s been f
Ava's povThe morning sunlight filtered in through the tall windows, casting soft golden glow across the stone walls of our chambers. The fire from last night had burned down to glowing embers, but I still felt warm—safe in the memory of the stars and the enormity of the secret I’d carried all night.I smiled, rubbing my tummy even though it didn't have a bump. It all still felt like a dream to me. I couldn't believe that I was carrying my child— out child— and would soon be able to hold him or her in my arms.This was like a reward from the gods for taking down zerathos. It was the most perfect gift.Xander’s scent hit me before I heard his footsteps. Woodsy. Earthy and a hint of citrus.He pushed the door open with ease, stridijg in, he was already halfway out of his ceremonial coat, his black shirt clinging to his chest beneath it. His eyes found me immediately—still seated at the edge of the bed, half-dressed, barefoot, lost in my thoughts.“There you are,” he said, his voice soft
Ava's povPregnant.The word sat on my tongue like a secret not yet ready for the world to know. Heavy and new. Sacred. My hands trembled as I exited the healer’s wing, the soft glow of lanterns lining the path doing little to light the darkness within me.It wasn't a bad darkness, it was just confusion.The corridor behind me felt like it belonged to another world—a place of certainty and whispered truths. Healers always knew things, some that we wanted to hear and the ones that we didn't want to hear. Out here, beneath the dark sky things felt more real.Too real.I walked slowly, aimlessly, not ready to return to the castle after what I had just learned. Not ready to face anyone. Especially not Xander.Not yet.The gardens were quiet this time of night. Peaceful. A hush had settled over the grounds, as though the very earth was holding its breath. The petals of Kaida’s cherry blossom tree glowed pale pink in the moonlight, and I found myself drawn toward it. Toward the spot we alwa
Ava's povSunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Blackthorn castle, warm and golden as it spilled across the newly polished floors. I stood at the balcony just outside the council chamber, my eyes tracing the distant tree lines. Smoke no longer rose from the hills. Screams no longer echoed through the valley.Peace.It was strange how something we fought so long and hard for could feel so… quiet.I placed a hand over my stomach. That now familiar queasiness cane again, subtle but persistent. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, grounding myself the way I’d been practicing since taking on the Luna title. Calm. Poise. Grace.“Luna Ava?” A voice called gently from behind. One of the omegas.“Yes?”“Lady Vanessa and the others are waiting in the courtyard. You said you wanted to walk with them today?”“Yes. Thank you.”I smiled and nodded, but the moment I turned my back, the nausea returned—like it never left. I gritted my teeth and blinked back the faint dizziness. I've been
Xander's povThe night was quiet, save for the faint crackling of the fire still burning at the center of camp.But Ava… she had curled up beside me, her head on my shoulder, her fingers gently tucked against my arm. Her breathing slowed sometime between Rowan’s quiet jokes, Vanessa blushing with Kael teasing her and Lyra sitting in silence after her brief confession.She fell asleep there, in the circle of firelight and friends and whispered memories.I couldn’t bear to wake her.So I carried her.Her warmth pressed against my chest as I walked us to the chambers we’d been assigned in the temporary Ashville pack house. The bed was a bit small but clean, sheets tucked in and blankets folded. I laid her down carefully, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek before covering her with the blanket.I wanted to stay awake and watch over her. Zerathos may be gone but he has left a lasting trauma and fear of the shadows. I was scared that if I closed my eyes and opened it I would real
Rowan's POVLyra’s breathing had finally evened out beside me, a soft, steady rhythm that showed that she was finally at ease and I was glad. She didn’t say another word after I wrapped the blanket around her and sat by her side. She didn’t need to.I looked at her, really looked.Her face had lost weight in the past months, the edges sharper now—grief had carved out the softness she once had so effortlessly. The dark, sunken circles beneath her eyes told me she hadn’t been sleeping much. And even now, in the calm after the war, her body was tense beneath the blanket, like she was ready to spring awake at any given time if someone so much as touched her. .But she had opened up.That alone made something in my chest unclench for the first time in weeks.I tilted my head back, let my eyes gaze up to the stars, but even their beauty felt muted tonight. Everything felt… dulled. Like we’d survived the fire, only to emerge into the ashes.But she talked. She talked.And I’d take that over
Lyra’s POVThe fire had burned down to little fire, and one by one, they drifted off to sleep. Ava had fallen asleep curled against Xander’s chest. Vanessa and Kael were tangled up on a blanket near the edge of the camp, whispering and grinning like the war had never happened and they were in some sort of fairytale. Like they’d known peace all their lives.I was happy and envious of them so I forced myself to look away.Rowan had stayed with me.He always did.By the time the last bit of fire was snuffed and silence had settled over the camp, he rose, wordless, and offered me his hand. I took it, letting him guide me away from the others, deeper into the shadows where the weight of their stares couldn’t follow.We walked to a place in Ashville that we liked. It was a little hill above the camp where the entire land could be seen and the sky felt so close. The stars were particularly bright on that night, I just stood there and took a deep breath.The night air was cold, crisp, almost