LOGINI exchanged a glance with my brother, feeling our connection strengthen with each passing moment. "With both of us channelling the goddess's power, yes. Diamond believes it is.""As does Apollo," Lucious added, his hand unconsciously moving to touch the sunburst pattern on his chest. "He says this is what we were born to do, to bring balance, to restore the true connection between wolves and the goddess."Alpha Maxwell looked between us, his expression grave. "This is unprecedented. And dangerous. If it fails...""It won't," I interrupted with a certainty that surprised even me. "The goddess has been preparing us for this moment. Everything that's happened, my awakening, finding Lucious, breaking the Northern Alliance's hold over him, it's all been leading to t
"They complement each other perfectly," Liam observed, his scholarly mind already analysing the significance of our wolves' appearances. "The golden sun and silver moon, day and night in balance."Kane remained vigilant by the door, his tactical mind never fully at rest despite the beauty of the moment. "We should still proceed with caution. Helena's people are still out there."He was right, of course. As much as I wanted to lose myself in this precious moment with my brother, the threat remained. Even though Helena was now stripped of her wolf, and in one of our cells, there were many more of her people out there. As my mates and I watched the transformation, I couldn't help but feel the significance of this moment. The Northern Alliance had spent seventeen years trying to corrupt my brother, to turn his golden light into shadow, and they had failed. Apollo stood before us in his true form, radiant and powerful, exactly as he was meant to be.A sudden commotion outside the door inte
"I'll be with him through it," I promised, squeezing his hand. "Diamond and I both."Lucious nodded, gratitude flowing through our strengthening bond. "I can feel him pushing closer to the surface with each passing minute. It's... overwhelming.""That's normal," Kane assured him. "The first shift is always intense."We moved quickly to the shift room Brent had mentioned, a specially reinforced chamber in the east wing designed to safely contain newly shifting werewolves. The walls were padded, the door secured with both physical and magical locks that could only be opened from the outside."You'll stay with me?" Lucious asked as we entered the room, vulnerability plain in his voice despite his efforts to hide it."Of course," I said without hesitation. "I wouldn't leave you to face this alone."The Priestess began preparing the space, burning herbs that would help ease the transition between human and wolf forms. My mates arranged themselves strategically around the shifting spot clos
I could feel the battle raging within my brother, seventeen years of shadow essence fighting against his true nature. Diamond pushed harder, her determination matching my own as we fought to cleanse what had been tainted."Lucious," I called to him, hoping he could hear me through his pain. "Focus on my voice. Remember who you really are. You are light, not darkness. Golden, not shadow."His golden eyes locked with mine, recognition flickering through the supernatural glow. Through our bond, I felt him struggling to hold on to himself amid the transformation."I can feel it," he gasped, his voice distorted by pain. "Both sides are pulling at me. The shadow...it's strong.""You're stronger," I insisted, pressing my hands more firmly against his chest. "You're a Blackthorne. The goddess's light flows in your veins, just as it does in mine."A howl echoed through the ritual room, not a physical sound, but a spiritual one that resonated through our bond. Diamond responded immediately, her
"They've been giving me... treatments," Lucious explained, shame colouring his voice. "Infusions of something they called 'shadow essence.' For years. Helena said it was preparing my wolf to emerge as something greater."The Priestess approached from the main house, her ancient eyes sharp with concern. "We must cleanse his blood before moonrise," she declared without preamble. "If what he says is true, the Northern Alliance has been systematically corrupting his connection to his wolf.""How?" I asked, urgency making my voice sharp. "How do we undo seventeen years of their influence in a matter of hours?""The same way you freed the wolves from their corrupted humans," she replied calmly. "Through the goddess's power flowing through your bloodline connection."I felt Diamond stir within me, her presence suddenly alert and focused. Through our bond, I could feel her certainty; this was why we had found each other now, why everything had aligned as it had."Will it hurt him?" I asked, f
A shadow crossed her face. "Trees. Lots of trees. And water, a lake, I think. My father used to shift and let me ride on his back through the forest.""That's good," I encouraged. "Those memories will help us find where you belong."Maya's fingers resumed their restless tracing on the window glass. "What if I don't belong anywhere anymore? What if I'm too... broken?"I reached out slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted, and gently covered her hand with mine. "You're not broken, Maya. Changed, yes. Hurt, certainly. But not broken. Your wolf is still there, and she loves you just as much as she did before the Northern Alliance interfered."Through our touch, I felt Diamond reach out, sensing the suppressed wolf within the girl. Not trying to force anything, just a gentle acknowledgment, one wolf greeting another.Maya gasped softly. "I felt that," she whispered, wonder in her voice. "Just for a second, I felt her.""She's still with you," I assured her. "And with proper care







