Elara’s POVI could feel the power pulsing through my veins. It was crazy how different it would be to have a wolf and a mate.All my senses had been heightened. I could see in the dark and far. I picked up sounds faster, and even smell was not a problem.It was nice, but at the same time, it had a downside.The constant pain it brought. I couldn't separate the different sounds. My mind was a mess, even in my sleep.I hadn’t been able to meet my wolf personally. I could feel her—her powers flowed through my veins—but she hadn’t spoken to me yet.The door to my infirmary was pushed open. The sound of the door was so loud.“Ahhhh…”I looked up to see Storm walking in. He had his clipboard with his lab coat.I pressed my hands against my ears, trying to stop the loud noise. It was like a sledgehammer had gone off in my head.“I was going to ask you how you are, but I guess that expression was my answer.”I didn’t reply as I tried to calm down the noise.I looked up at him. “Make it stop,
Liora’s POVThe walls of my room felt too tight, too suffocating, despite their size. I stared at the fading light spilling across the balcony floor, painting long, sharp shadows that seemed to mock me. My mother’s words still echoed in my head, sharp as claws tearing through tender flesh.Weak wolves… I did not raise you to be weak.If only she knew how heavy strength could feel.I leaned against the railing of my balcony, my gaze drifting across the sprawling gardens below. Everything looked the same as when I had been a girl: the clipped hedges, the marble fountains, the statues of ancestors staring sternly across the estate. It was almost insulting how unchanged it all was while my world had collapsed around me.I was supposed to be Luna. I had lived my whole life preparing for that role. I had memorized council politics, endured endless training sessions, and perfected my composure. I had smiled when I wanted to scream, nodded when I wanted to rebel, curtsied when I wanted to fig
Liora’s POVThis week has been the worst.My dad was suspended from the council and is awaiting trial. I was told to leave the palace as I was no longer needed, and Kael was quick to announce his mating ceremony date to the public—while he took two years to announce mine.I was back in my old room, which was almost as big as the palace. There were servants, and nothing much had changed, but it still felt like I wasn’t where I should be.I was supposed to be ruling the kingdom. That’s what I was trained for.To be Luna.Knock. Knock. Knock.My eyes zipped to the door as it was pushed open, and my mum walked in. She looked sophisticated, like the last time I had seen her. Her hair was pinned to perfection, her makeup flawless. She was the perfect wife to my dad. She did nothing but smile, wave, and make sure the house performed flawlessly.She was happy and content.“Liora…”“Mother…” I curtsied.“Come, come, we have a lot of things to catch up on,” she said, her hands hooking mine as s
Elara’s POVThe quiet hum of the infirmary wrapped around me, a soothing contrast to the storm of visions and voices I had endured. For the first time in what felt like forever, there wasn’t danger looming over me—just stillness.Mara fussed over the machines, adjusting my IV line, fluffing the pillow behind my back. Her hands moved so quickly it was almost comical, like if she stopped, she might unravel.“I’m fine,” I said softly.“You say that,” she muttered, “but you’ve been unconscious for two days, Elara. Two days. You don’t just wake up and tell me you’re fine.”Her words carried more worry than anger. I glanced at her face—the dark circles under her eyes, the tension etched around her mouth. She hadn’t slept.“Mara,” I said gently, “you look worse than I do. When’s the last time you rested?”Her cheeks flushed faintly. “That doesn’t matter. You’re the one hooked up to machines, not me.”I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. “It does matter. I’ll be fine. Light is
Elara’s POVThe dark, for the first time, was comforting. I could feel I was not alone. It was like I had a soft blanket wrapped around me.Then I heard a voice: “Wake up…”“Kael?” I yelled, but no answer came back. Then a bright light flashed before my eyes. I shielded them from the blinding glow as an image began to form.“Elara.” The low, comforting voice called me, and I immediately knew who it was.“Mum?” I asked, lowering my hands from my face. Standing in front of me was my mother. Tears clouded my eyes.“Mum!”I ran to her and hugged her tight. She did the same.“Am I dreaming?” I asked, but no answer came.“My daughter, I don’t have much time,” she said, and my smile fell.“What do you mean? Please, don’t go,” I pleaded.Her fingers gently grazed my cheeks, her smile soft. “I will always be with you, but you need to listen, my love.”I nodded quickly.“The journey is not rosy from here, but you are close to the finish line. I am glad you pushed through until you got your wolf
Kael’s POVThe night sky was a black canvas, painted with silver stars that mocked my unease. My wolf, Midnight, prowled in the cage of my chest, restless. Elara still lay in the infirmary, unmoving, her wolf slowly merging with her fragile body. The bond between us thrummed in my veins like wildfire, but another weight pressed on me—the council.Before I could even sit down to plan our next moves, the High Priestess requested my presence. I didn’t like it. She rarely asked unless it was important—or bad.I couldn’t refuse.The temple smelled of sage, ash, and burning herbs. The High Priestess stood in the center, her silver robes flowing like smoke. Her eyes glowed faintly white—I already knew she had been communing with the goddess.“Alpha Kael,” she said softly, though her voice carried the weight of thunder. “You walk with both pride and shadow tonight.”I clenched my fists. “If this is about Elara, she’s fine. She just needs time.”Her gaze cut through me, sharp and unyielding. “