LOGINThe stone floor of the cell was freezing, biting through Gina’s thin trousers. She sat with her back pressed against the cold wall, her wrists locked in heavy silver chains that hummed with a faint, nauseating blue light. Every time she tried to draw a single breath of her Moonborn magic, the chains pulsed, sending a sharp, shocking pain straight up her arms that left her gasping for air.The heavy iron door of the dungeon screeched open, scraping against the stone.Malakai stepped into the dim cell. He had removed his heavy battle armor, wearing a fine tunic of midnight-blue silk, but his presence was still as suffocating as a mountain landslide. In his large, scarred hands, he held a thick iron collar embedded with glowing black crystal shards. The dark magic radiating from the collar made the air in the small room feel thick and oily.He walked closer, his heavy leather boots stopping right in front of Gina. He looked down at her, his cosmic purple eyes swirling with a toxic, terri
"Get away from him!" Trevor roared.He didn't hesitate. He lunged across the snow, drawing his daggers in a flash of silver. But before his blades could bite into Tasha’s skin, a sudden blast of cold green magic erupted from her outstretched palm. The impact hit Trevor square in the chest, lifting him off his feet and throwing him hard against the stone steps. He hit the ground with a painful groan, his daggers clattering across the ice.Lyra jumped in front of Gabriel’s unmoving body, her hands glowing with bright silver healing light. "Tasha, stop! You are a daughter of the Council! If you kill the Alpha, the whole northern territory will hunt you down!"Tasha let out a loud, mocking laugh. The sweet, innocent girl from the courtyard was completely gone. Her green eyes were wide and crazy with obsession. She kept the sharp silver dagger pointed right at Gabriel’s throat."Let them hunt me," Tasha sneered, her voice full of pure venom. "The Council is already shifting. Evelyn has pro
The dark droplet of black blood splashed silently against the freezing snow, carving a tiny, dark hole into the white powder. Gina’s breath hitched in her throat, her entire body freezing under Malakai’s heavy arm. She desperately tried to pull her leather sleeve further down to hide her wrist, but Roxie’s sharp, dangerous eyes were already locked onto the stain.Malakai frowned, his cosmic purple eyes narrowing as he felt Gina stiffen. "What is the meaning of this, vanguard?" he sneered, his grip tightening around Gina's waist. "Step aside before my guards cut you down where you stand."Roxie didn't move an inch. She slowly lowered her massive training sword, the iron tip resting heavily against the frozen ground. She completely ignored Malakai, keeping her fierce gaze pinned entirely on Gina's pale face."I told you yesterday that I don't like vultures, Malakai," Roxie said, her rough voice carrying easily over the silent, terrified courtyard. "But I hate liars even more. The prince
Gina’s breath locked in her throat. The cold fingers wrapping around her wrist felt like frozen iron, sending a sharp, terrifying shiver straight up her arm. The shadows in the corner of her bedroom seemed to stretch and twist, swallowing the pale moonlight.She stared into the face of the woman standing before her. It was Evelyn. Her mother.Evelyn’s elegant, cruel face was illuminated by the dying embers of the hearth. Her long, dark hair was pinned back neatly, and her eyes—the same sharp shape as Gina’s, but entirely devoid of warmth—glowed with a faint, malicious green light. She didn't look like a prisoner who had escaped a southern dungeon; she looked like a queen stepping back onto her throne."Mother..." Gina choked out, her weak voice trembling as she tried to pull her wrist away. But her muscles felt heavy and unresponsive, the poison in her blood making her struggle for air. "How... how are you here? The Southern Guard locked you away."Evelyn let out a low, musical laugh
The sight of the black blood on Gina’s palm felt like a heavy stone dropping into the quiet dark of the room. The crackling wood in the fireplace threw long, dancing shadows across the stone walls, making the dark liquid on her skin look like a stain of pure ink. Gina’s breath hitched in her throat. She closed her hand tightly, curling her fingers into a fist before Gabriel could look down and see what she had coughed up."Gina?" Gabriel asked, his voice dropping into a low, worried rumble. He noticed the sudden stiffness in her body, his large hands still resting flat against her waist. He could feel her heart racing like a trapped bird through the thin fabric of her tunic. "What is it? Are you hurting?""No," Gina lied quickly, her voice a soft whisper as she forced a small, tired smile onto her face. She slipped her stained hand behind her back, rubbing her palm against the wool of her trousers to erase the black stain. "I am just... so tired, Gabriel. The fight with Roxie, and the
The grand dining hall of the Nightfang pack house was usually a place of loud talking and laughter, but tonight, it was dead silent. A long wooden table ran down the center of the room. On one side sat Gabriel, Gina, and Lucien. On the other side sat Malakai and his dark-armored commanders.Large platters of roasted meat and fresh bread sat between them, but nobody was eating. The air felt thick and heavy, like the moments right before a massive thunderstorm hits.Malakai sat back in his chair, a cruel smile on his face. He picked up his silver cup and swirled the wine inside. Every time he moved his hands, small sparks of purple cosmic magic danced across his fingers. He wanted everyone to see his power. He wanted everyone to know he was not a normal wolf."This meat is a bit tough, Alpha Gabriel," Malakai said, his deep voice mocking and loud in the quiet room. "But I suppose we cannot expect luxury in a frozen swamp like this. Back in our southern palace, Gina was used to eating th
Gina swallowed the warm herbal tea, letting the sweet, earthy liquid coat her aching throat. Almost instantly, a strange, cooling sensation washed through her veins. The sharp throb in her jaw dullled, and she let out a soft sigh, handing the flask back to Tasha."Thank you," Gina whispered, wiping
The wind howled through the open courtyard as Roxie’s heavy wooden sword sliced through the air. Gina didn't try to block the hit directly. She knew Roxie was twice as strong as her. Instead, she dropped low, letting the massive blade whistle just inches above her silver hair.The force of Roxie's
The heavy silence in the courtyard was suffocating. Hundreds of eyes were locked on the wooden sword standing upright in the dirt. Gabriel’s face turned into a mask of pure, terrifying rage. His eyes glowed a dark, dangerous crimson, and a low, thunderous growl ripped from his chest, vibrating the
The heavy iron gates of the courtyard groaned loudly as they were thrown open from the outside. A massive white horse trotted into the yard, its hooves clattering against the damp stone.Sitting gracefully in the saddle was a stunningly beautiful female wolf with long, cascading dark hair and pierc







