LOGINSeraphina’s POVI could tell Zephyr was in a terrible mood so I decided to take my leave.As long as he kept to his side of the deal and helped my plans along, I had no fear of him.The camp was quieter, as the news of the attack must have travelled by now.Everyone spoke in whispers, and there was a tension in the air that hadn't been there before.I placed the illusion over myself as I returned to the pack through the western border again, my mind whirling as I fumed about the news of the rogue camps being attacked one after another. Four packs destroyed.It was unfathomable. I would have understood having one or two camps getting caught, but with the packs getting distracted with that poison we spread, they shouldn't have been so organized.How could this have happened?What had I truly missed?Asura continued to chastise and curse me through the mindlink while I stomped home, leaving my chest burning with hatred.It had to be because of her.Has she been trained?I had thought sh
SeraphinaBeing the formidable rogue leader he was, he didn't show any surprise, only raised a brow.I spread my energy about the tent, watching for any signs of an infiltration.I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply once.Here, was a veritable well of energy for me. Not as good as the Shadowpine Pack was, if not for the fact that my efforts to harvest were being destroyed.“I suppose you have a reason?” Zephyr’s voice made me open my eyes again.I scowled at the red-eyed man.Ever since I knew I was going to embark on this journey I had decided that allying myself to this powerful man was the best way to ensure my success.But this wasn't the first time he had questioned me. I had used many people to get to where I wanted but he was one of the most unwilling pawns.“Of course there is,” I crossed my arms, scoffing.“Remember that I suggested attacking quickly, Priestess. And you bluntly rejected that idea. He leaned back on his fur-covered seat, staring at me with the ease of a man w
Seraphina’s POVAlaric left me standing there, and as soon as I heard the door to his study slam shut, I felt an overwhelming sense of anger.My hands clenched.Damn him.Damn all this.Damn this fucking pretense.I growled, turning to glare at the nearby maid who had been busy cleaning the surfaces in the foyer.She jumped, startled.I clicked my fingers, sending a stream of my essence into her.She choked, suddenly turning pale, her body convulsing.I closed my eyes, relishing in the feeling of warmth, of energy, of life force flowing into me.It was… exhilarating.I stopped just as I sensed the girl might faint.Damn weaklings.I withdrew my essence, watching her stumble and collapse to the ground.My lips curled into a sneer.“Get up,” I said, my tone sickly sweet. “You should rest if you cannot take the work.”The girl whimpered, her eyes closed but I knew she could sense every bit of my emotions, every anger and contempt and disdain that I felt.The connection was temporary, but
Alaric’s POVMy jaw clenched as the weight of Elder Miriam’s words fell upon me.This wasn't right, I thought with a grim countenance that darkened even more with each passing second.This wasn't how things were supposed to go.Beside me, Aurora’s silence was telling. She didn't speak up for me, didn't even try to defend me. She didn't look at me, not like I expected her to anyway.But she also didn't disparage me, or try to use this as a trump card.She simply ignored it all, as though none of it had anything to do with her.Her calm demeanor left more of a void in my chest than I anticipated.Upon Elder Miriam’s questions thrown at me, various Elders in their seats had already begun to turn and look at me with weird, unfathomable looks that continued to drive some part of me insane.A growl tore through my throat as I stood, trying to prove myself. Elder Miriam was a respected, most venerable Elder. But in this, she was wrong.“I have no affair with Seraphina in any way, shape or f
Everyone was silent.Until Alaric stepped forward, his tone was still full of power but reflected respect.“Elder Miriam,” he said. “What brings you here?”Elder Miriam’s eyes gleamed, and I could sense her power emanating from her.“Alpha Alaric,” she spoke earnestly, bowing deeply, showing his immense station as the Shadowpines pack Alpha due respect.I noticed that Alaric’s gaze softened somewhat as she rose, her voice a soft, yet intense timbre. “It has been a while since I attended a Pack Council meeting, has it not? It is a good thing I sought to come here today. After all,” she paused, looking around again. Everyone lowered their gazes. If it wasn't out of fear for her abilities, then it was for her age and sage wisdom. “If I hadn't, there would have been a bloodbath today, and the target would have been unjustly convicted.”“This is not a trial, Elder Miriam,” Alaric stated. I clenched my hands at the innocence in his voice, which only read to me as an attempt to regain cont
Aurora’s POVFor a second, I was reminded of the way the Elders and the pack had treated me in the final days of my last life. They had, in many ways, disrespected me, disrespected my station, accused me of doing things I didn't do. And they also supported Seraphina.The same thing was happening again.This wasn't a meeting, it was a tribunal. And the target was me.The meeting hall was quiet, no one dared to speak after the Elder had stated his accusations. Several elders stared at me with deep, dark looks, and others lowered their gazes, not looking in any direction, avoiding the eyes of others.Control, I thought, taking a deeper breath and slowly exhaling.I found the voice to respond seconds later.“I have never fallen short in my duties as a Luna and as a doctor of this pack, Elder. If there is anything you or everyone else wishes to accuse me of,” I raised my voice and turned to Alaric who was seated at the head of the table. My chair beside him was empty and I had no desire to
Aurora’s POV“Asher, baby,” I called my son by his name.I took a step forward, only for Asher to turn to me, and then I froze.His gaze was full of hatred, something that sent a sharp pang through my heart.“Asher,” my tone was low. “It’s me, it’s Mum.”“I want Aunt Sera!” he yelled at me, his chi
Aurora’s POVAnd so she led me into the back to her kitchen. Not her normal, food kitchen, but the place where she concocted all sorts of herbs, where she had taught me to make those sachets from before. Already I saw two large round cauldrons on stovetops, smoke billowing from both of them. I leane
Aurora’s POVThis time, I went to search for her myself. I removed the white ward coat and went to Asher’s ward to check on him. Lyra was seated by the edge of the bed, reading what looked to be one of her many romance novels. She raised her head when she saw me and her eyes warmed.“You look exhau
Aurora’s POVOf course he was going to be difficult.I tried to keep my mind clear, but there was a slight pang as I thought of the way Nurse Fallon had run to me, her pale face suddenly turning as red as a tomato as she whispered, “The Alpha insists you check him yourself.”And worse, many other s







