CHAPTER 25: A LUNA'S TRUE FORM

Had I gone too far? Had I pushed him past his limits—scared him away forever? The questions clawed at my mind, relentless. Had he finally seen the truth? That I wasn’t just flawed—I was monstrous. Worse than they’d ever imagined. My chest tightened, breaths coming too fast, too shallow. What if he was already telling the others? I froze. What if they had recorded it?

I didn’t know panic attacks, but this—this had to be one. My body moved before my mind could catch up. I bolted from the room, not daring to look back, not waiting to see if Zane would follow. I just needed to escape—from him, from myself, from what I’d done.

The first light of dawn crept over the horizon as I burst through the cell doors. Without hesitation, I plunged into the woods, legs pumping, lungs burning. But no matter how fast I ran, I couldn’t outpace the crushing weight of Zane’s judgment—his horror, his disgust.

And then the dam inside me broke.

Grief surged first—for the pups, for their suffering. Then fury—for the ones who’d tried to steal my mates’ happiness, to shatter the pack’s unity. But worst of all was the revulsion—at what I’d done, at the dark satisfaction I’d taken in it. No wonder they were ashamed.

No footsteps chased me. No voices called my name. I was alone.

Then the itching started—a maddening crawl beneath my skin. Had I brushed against poison ivy? I couldn’t remember. Didn’t care. But as the sensation worsened, Cece’s voice cut through the chaos.

“Zane agreed to give us space, but he seemed… distracted. I’m sorry, love, but we have to shift. The itching? That’s me. You’re panicking, and I can’t stop it. It’s time. Just close your eyes. Let go. It’ll hurt—your bones will break, reshape—but then relief will come. Don’t fight it.”

I stumbled to a halt, gasping. Her words wrapped around me, guiding me as the world spun.

I obeyed. Eyes squeezed shut, I drew in ragged breaths, forcing myself to let go—of the grief, the rage, the self-loathing. My muscles slackened—until the first sickening crack splintered through my back.

Agony erupted.

My spine arched violently—first forward, then backward—as if some unseen force were snapping me in half. The pain wasn’t just breaking bones; it was every wound, every affliction, distilled into pure torment. Burns seared my nerves. Tendons shredded like wet paper. Phantom blades stabbed deep, twisted, withdrew only to plunge in again. My spine stretched, the agony radiating outward, consuming me. I screamed until my voice shattered.

Then my face split apart. My nose and jaw elongated into a muzzle, bones grinding like gravel beneath skin. My limbs snapped at jagged angles, reforming into powerful haunches, claws punching through flesh. A tail tore free from the base of my spine, and I whimpered like a wounded animal.

“Almost there,” Cece urged, her voice a fragile lifeline. “We needed to endure this—to learn to heal it all. You will understand later, just hold on.”

I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think. There was only the crucible of transformation—and then, abruptly, silence.

I stood on four trembling legs, my breath heaving. My body was foreign, immense. Sleek muscle rippled under a pelt of snow-white fur etched with jet-black stripes. The world exploded with new clarity: colors brighter, scents sharper, the distant rustle of leaves as clear as shouted words.

A spider meticulously spun silk ten yards away. A doe and her fawns splashed through a creek, their laughter-carried breaths tangling with the water’s melody. And then—snarls. The wet thud of bodies colliding.

Rogue attack, Cece and I thought in unison.

We launched forward, paws pounding the earth. Why hadn’t they warned me? The doubt curdled in my gut. Were they truly afraid of what I’d become?

As we vaulted onto a narrow bridge, my reflection flashed in the water below. I skidded to a halt, staring.

WE'RE A FUCKING WHITE TIGER?!

My mental roar echoed through Cece’s consciousness, half-terrified, half-thrilled.

She laughed, a wild, feral sound in my mind. “Pretty badass, right? But we’re not just rare—we’re supposed to be extinct. Hunted to oblivion. Our saliva heals, which made us… desirable. Too desirable. Bad Alphas forced matings, hoping to breed more of us. Joke’s on them—white tigers only reproduce with true mates.”

I was still having a hard time believing this.

The distant snarls of battle snapped me back to reality. No time to process. No time to doubt

I surged forward, crashing through the underbrush. A fallen packmate lay in my path—how did I know he was mine?—and I vaulted over him without breaking stride. Ahead, a rogue had one of my Lieutenants pinned, jaws snapping at his throat.

I struck like lightning.

My teeth clamped around the rogue’s skull. I  twisted my body, wrenching him backward. With a brutal twist, his body crumpled as I flung him into a tree—spine cracking on impact.

Movement to my left. Another rogue, claws raised, aiming to decapitate one of my warriors. I lunged, catching his forearm in my jaws. Crunch. Bone shattered under my fangs as I shook him like a chewy toy.

A desperate howl cut through the chaos—Sergeant Miller, surrounded. Two rogues. One had his hind leg, dragging him. The other went for his throat.

No. I screamed.

Jason and I charged toward them, but I was faster.

Too late.

The rogue’s teeth sank into Miller’s neck. Panic spiked—how could I save him without tearing his throat open?

“Shift,” said Cece.

Human hands grabbed knives from my belt. I hurled them—thunk, thunk—both blades burying in the attackers’ skulls. Jason tackled the other attacker.

Miller’s pulse fluttered under my fingers. Weak, but there.

“He’s unconscious, but alive,” I rasped to Jason. He nodded, already turning back to the fray.

Enough!

I shift back to Cece with a roar, the sound freezing every fighter in place.

I shifted again. Back in human form, I snarled, “Leave. Now. Or my tiger finishes what I started.”

The rogues hesitated—until their Alpha tried to ambush me from behind.

How did I know it was him? Didn’t matter.

One pounce. One snap of my jaws.

Their Alpha is dead.

The rogues broke.

Dean lay bleeding, wolfsbane poisoning his wounds. His wolf was too weak to heal him. My mates barked orders—get him to Doc, now—but I knew the truth.

“He won’t make it,” I said.

Then I shoved through the crowd, lowering my head to his gashed leg and start licking.

A cadet gagged. “Eww!”

I huffed a laugh before dragging my tongue along the wound. The flesh knit itself back together, wolfsbane purged with every lick.

“This is why we endured that agony during the shift,” Cece murmured. “To heal pain, we had to know it first. The Moon Goddess demands balance—so we bear the entire weight of others’ suffering during our first shift.”

Still sucks.

She agreed.

Cadet Summers’ voice pierced the exhaustion. “Alphas—you gotta see this!”

If I’d been human, I’d have rolled my eyes.

My mates watched, stunned, as Dean’s wounds vanished like they’d never existed. I moved to the next warrior, then the next, ignoring the Alphas’ growls of protest.

One sharp bark shut them up.

By the time I finished, there were just a few that would heal naturally. I ducked behind a tree to shift back—and froze.

My clothes were intact.

What the hell?

“No idea,” Cece admitted. “We are not an exception to the rule. Tigers don’t get magic wardrobe perks. Our gift is healing. But… somehow, we can… Cool.”

A laugh bubbled up, desperate and relieved. Thanks. I needed that.

Emotions still raw, I trailed my mates as they carried Dean to the infirmary, hanging back.

I needed to know he’d live.

Then—then —I’d fall apart.

After arriving at the hospital and making sure Dean was comfortable, Luke and I stayed by his side while Jason and Zane handled the aftermath of the attack. The doctor gave Dean a sedative to help him recover from his wolf’s injuries and other minor wounds.

“So… you’re a tiger,” Luke finally said, breaking the silence.

I hesitated before asking, “Does it bother you that I’m not a wolf?” My voice was quiet, nerves tightening in my chest. What if they didn’t want me anymore?

“Not at all,” he replied without hesitation. “Honestly, I think it’s badass that my mate is a tiger. Though I’ll admit, seeing a white tiger leap out of nowhere into battle threw me off for a second. You’re just as fierce as your tiger—just as fierce as Cece. Actually, now that I think about it, if you two ever fought, I wonder who’d win,” he added with a soft laugh.

"Good thing that’ll never happen, I told Cece, sensing her silent agreement.

Swallowing hard, I glanced down at my tightly clasped hands. “Did Zane tell you… what I did?” Might as well face it now. If they rejected me, I’d go. Zane said our monsters matched, but what if mine was too much?

“Yeah,” Luke answered simply.

“And?” I pressed. He stayed quiet, and my pulse quickened. After several tense minutes, he stood and walked out without another word.

Tears welled up as I pressed my forehead against Dean’s hand. I cried for the future I’d hoped for—the mates I might lose. Their rejection cut deeper than anything, a pain worse than any wound. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted into an uneasy sleep, still clinging to Dean’s hand—maybe for the last time.

I woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the gentle stroke of fingers through my hair. Blinking up, I met Dean’s warm smile. Relief flooded me, and I threw my arms around him, pulling him into a fierce embrace before crushing my lips to his in a desperate kiss.

“Next time, be more careful,” I ordered, my voice rough with lingering fear.

“Yes, ma’am,” Dean teased, still grinning.

A pointed cough broke the moment. Flushing, I scrambled off the bed, shame creeping in as last night’s tears resurfaced.

This is it. They’re going to reject me, I whispered to Cece, my stomach twisting.

“No, we’re not,” Zane snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. “I told you—you are ours. Monsters, demons, all of it. How many times do I have to say it? Our monsters match.”

I lifted my head slightly but still couldn’t meet his eyes. “You’re not… disgusted?”

“No.” His answer was absolute, leaving no room for doubt.

After a pause, I finally dared to look up—and the raw emotion in Zane’s gaze stole my breath. Love. Devotion. Hunger. He was letting me see everything.

“Why?” I needed to understand. “Why aren’t you ashamed of me?”

“Because our monsters match,” he said, stepping up to me and brushing his thumb along my jaw. When I just stared, waiting, he smirked. “I was fucking impressed watching you. It would’ve taken us weeks to get a fraction of the intel you ripped out of them in minutes. The way you tore through muscle like it was nothing? When Ortiz challenged you, you didn’t just rise to it—you destroyed it. No mercy. Pure fucking savagery. And that punishment?” He let out an appreciative chuckle. “Even I couldn’t have dreamed up something that brutal. It was epic. If you want, I’ll happily finish what you started.” His grin turned wicked. “Oh, and those pressure points? You’re teaching me that. No shame here—I’d learn from the master.” With a playful bow, he dipped his head like a student to a sensei.

A laugh bubbled up despite myself. “I designed that combo after experiencing some of it firsthand while captured by the Russian military.”

Zane’s eyes gleamed. “You’re telling me that story later.” Then he closed the distance, claiming my mouth in a deep, possessive kiss.

“Hey, what about us?” Jason mock-whined.

I rolled my eyes as Cece giggled in my mind. They’re like pups pouting when one gets attention.

“Hey, we heard that, Cece!” Luke grumbled, making us both laugh.

My amusement faded as I turned to him, my chest tight. “Zane’s okay with it… but what about the rest of you?” I couldn’t bring myself to meet Luke’s eyes—not after he’d walked out earlier without a word.

Gently, Luke cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. “I’m sorry, Max. We agreed to talk to you together, and instead of explaining, I left—made you think the worst. And yesterday…” He exhaled roughly. “I was wrong. I never meant to make you feel like I didn’t trust you. Forgive me.”

“Look at me, my Alpha.” I pressed my palm to his cheek, using the title I knew he loved. His gaze lifted, hesitant. “I forgive you. And I’m sorry too. It wasn’t easy for you to hear, and I wasn’t exactly supportive—”

Luke silenced me with a tender kiss, his apology melting into something sweeter.

Stepping back, I herded them all to Dean’s bedside, letting them surround me. “Thank you,” I murmured, throat tight. “After everything—after every reason I’ve given you to walk away—you’ve stayed. Been patient. Let me remember what family feels like.” Their faces softened, even Zane’s. “I don’t expect you to feel the same, but… I’ve come to care about you. To need you.”

With a soft sigh, I settled onto Dean’s lap, cupping his face in my hands before pressing a lingering kiss to his lips. The words I spoke next were ones I never thought would leave my heart again—not like this, not with this much certainty.

Through the mind-link, I let my emotions pour into him. Out of all of us, you are the gentlest. You know my needs before I even recognize them. You do things—small, unspoken things—that make me feel cherished in ways I didn’t know were possible. When I thought I might lose you… My voice wavered in his mind. I never want to feel that fear again. I love you, my gentle mate. Promise me you’ll never leave me.

Dean’s answer was immediate. He pulled me down onto the bed, his kiss deepening, pouring every ounce of his love into the way his lips moved against mine. It was warmth, joy, devotion—everything we were, everything we would always be.

When we parted, his thumb brushed the tear from my cheek. “I love you too, mi alma,” he murmured. “Where you go, I go. From the first moment I saw you, my heart was yours. Never change—not for me, not for anyone.”

My chest tightened, but I forced myself to stand, crossing the room to Luke. He tilted his head, curiosity burning in his gaze, but he didn’t rush me. Rising onto my toes, I met him halfway as he bent down, his breath warm against my lips.

Luke. My Alpha, my scholar. The keeper of our history, our traditions. I could listen to you speak for hours—about our pack, about our past. You are fierce when you need to be, yet so patient with me. So loyal. So passionate. I traced his jaw with my fingertips. I love you, My Alpha.

His arms banded around me, lifting me off my feet in a whirl of laughter. “Max,” he breathed against my ear, his voice rough with emotion. “I’ve loved you since the moment I held you in my arms. You give us everything without losing yourself. Never change. I couldn’t bear it if you did.”

Another tear escaped, and he caught it with his thumb before passing me to Jason, who was already reaching for me with an impatient growl. Luke smirked at him, so I elbowed Luke in the ribs. I barely had time to laugh before Jason’s mouth claimed mine in a searing kiss.

Jason. My playful, reckless, endlessly charming Alpha. You make me laugh, roll my eyes, and shake my head at your shenanigans when I need it most. You pull me into your chaos, and somehow, it feels like home. But the moment someone threatens what’s ours, you turn into a storm—fierce, unstoppable. I love you for all of it, my captivating mate.

For once, Jason was speechless. Then he was spinning me, kissing me again between breathless laughter. “I’ve wanted to say it since the day we met,” he finally admitted. “You made my world better just by being in it. You are my everything. I love you.”

Short, sweet, and to the point. I love it, I told him, and he winked.

Before I could respond, Zane stole me away, his grip firm yet tender as his hands settled on my hips.

“I love you too, mi alma,” he said with devotion, already claiming my lips.

I pulled back just enough to smirk at him. That wasn’t what I wanted to say. His fingers tightened, and I laughed. Oh, my dangerous, beautiful mate. Our monsters match. You understand me in ways no one else ever has. You know my darkness, my pain, my monster. My lips brushed his ear as I whispered, I love you, my reaper.

His kiss was fire, possession, devotion—everything I craved. When we finally broke apart, I turned to face them all, my outstretched hands finding theirs.

“I love you,” I said, pouring every ounce of my soul into the words. “All of you. You are my home.”

And in that moment, I knew—I was theirs, and they were mine. Always.

“Mi alma, we have never told you the story of how we met,” said Zane.

Dean started, voice low as steel, “you and Zane aren’t the only ones who know torture.” The admission caught me off guard.

Jason’s grin was razor-thin. “That’s how we met.”

Luke’s fingers traced the scar along his ribs absently. “Captured. Tortured in turns. We pieced each other back together.” His gaze locked onto mine, unflinching.

Dean’s jaw flexed, his gaze locked on the floor. When he spoke, it was so low I barely caught it. “They picked me first. Every time. Knew I’d…falter.” A muscle twitched in his throat. “Took turns with the others, but me? I was their favorite fucking toy.”

Silence.

My chest caved in. Weakest. The word hung in the air, poison-tipped. Dean—my gentle Dean, who carried me like I weighed nothing, who kissed like a claiming—had been the one they broke the most.

A growl ripped from my throat. “Names. Locations. I’ll carve those bastards apart for touching what’s mine.”

Dean yanked me against him before I could lunge, his mouth crashing over mine. He tasted like fury and salt, his tongue forcing its way past my lips until my knees buckled. Rough. Possessive. Perfect. When he finally pulled back, I was molten against him, anger drowned under a wave of want.

“We left none alive when we escaped,” he panted, gripping my hair.

My rage flared again, but Dean seized my mouth once more, swallowing my snarl into a moan. The world narrowed to his hands, his heat—until I tore away, chest heaving. “Luke,” I demanded, spotting him nearest the door. “Lock it.”

The chuckle that rumbled through my mates was dark with promise, their arousal thick in the air.

My hips lifted, granting Jason access to strip away my pants and panties. In the same breath, I tore the sheet from Dean’s body and sank onto him in one ruthless plunge, his cock stretching me to the hilt. A fractured gasp escaped me as I began riding him, his hands anchoring my waist, lifting me with each desperate thrust. Luke returned, his fingers hooking under my shirt to rip it away, exposing me to the hungry mouths of Jason and Luke—each claiming a nipple, teeth and tongue wringing sharp pleasure from my oversensitive flesh.

It was too much. The overload of sensation coiled tight in my core, threatening to shatter me. Blindly, I reached for Zane. He caught my hand, letting me drag him to Jason’s side, his dark eyes burning with restraint.

“Kiss me,” I demanded, arching back to fist my hand in Zane’s hair. He obeyed without hesitation—his mouth crashing into mine with the same possessive fury as Dean’s. The moment his tongue plunged deep, my climax detonated, a white-hot burst that ripped through me like a blade. Zane swallowed every scream, every broken whimper, his grip on my jaw relentless as I unraveled against him.

When the tremors subsided, I slid off Dean, my legs unsteady, and turned to Luke. With a shove, I pinned him to the armrest of the double couch, straddling him backward. Jason moved behind me, his cock brushing my lips—an unspoken command. I took him into my mouth, hollowing my cheeks as I flicked a glance at Zane, beckoning him closer.

“No, mi alma,” Zane murmured, his voice rough. “I want to watch.” The filthy promise in his gaze wrenched a moan from me, sending vibrations down Jason’s length. It didn’t take long—soon, we were all lost again, pleasure wringing us dry.

Just as I turned to claim Zane, a knock rattled the door. He adjusted his still-clothed frame with infuriating calm and went to answer, while the rest of us scrambled for the bathroom, laughter bubbling between gasps.

“Well,” I mused, pulling on my discarded clothes, “sex in a hospital? A first for me.”

My mates’ answering laughter was dark with satisfaction.

I looked Zane in the eyes and whispered later.