Zeke's POVPain. That's all I felt as we ran through the dark tube. Each step sent fire through my body. The First Wolf—my father—had nearly torn me in half. Only Isolde's magic had saved me.But that magic was disappearing fast."Stop," I gasped, falling against the rocky wall. "I can't go any further."Sienna was at my side in an instant, her hands sparkling with new power—Isolde's final gift."Zeke, hold on," she begged, putting her glowing hands to my wounds.The blood slowed, but the pain didn't stop. Something was wrong inside me. I could feel it—a fight between the different kinds of magic in my blood."The experimental serum," I whispered, remembering the shots the Midnight Syndicate had given me since childhood. "It's fighting Isolde's magic."Caius emerged beside us, his red eyes studying me with a cold, calculating look."He's dying," the vampire prince said frankly. "The witch's magic is fading, and without it, his wound
Isolde's POVI felt the dark power before I saw it. Like oil spreading through water, the Midnight Queen's spell tainted the air around the temple. From my hiding place behind a stone pillar, I watched in fear as the First Wolf's eyes turned black and he lunged for Zeke.No one had noticed me yet. That was good. I had been following them since they entered the mountain pass, staying hidden in the dark, waiting for the right moment."Not like this," I whispered, holding my staff. "Not after everything I've done to protect them."Sienna's fire erupted in a frantic attempt to save her brother, but it was too late. The huge wolf had Zeke in his jaws. Blood spilled across the stone floor.I moved without thinking. My hands flew through the air, drawing old symbols that glowed blue against the night. Words of power spilled from my lips—not the dark magic the Midnight Syndicate had taught me, but the pure magic of my ancestors."Protego Maxima!" I yel
Midnight Queen's POVI watched them from my hidden throne room. The crystal orb before me showed everything—my daughter's flames, the vampire prince's speed, the two dogs fighting side by side. All exactly as I had planned."My Queen, the gate is opening," whispered Vex, my shadow helper who never left my side.I smiled as I watched the golden light spill from the ancient doorway. After ages of waiting, my love was returning. The father of my children. The First Wolf."Look at her, Vex," I said, running my fingers along the crystal's cool surface where Sienna's image burned bright. "My daughter thinks she has won.""Has she not?" Vex asked, his face hidden beneath his black hat. "The gate is open. The god is free."I laughed softly. "That was only the first part of my plan."Rising from my throne, I walked to the window facing the dark forest below. From this mountain top, I could see for miles—all the way to the temple where my children st
Sienna's POVThe world looked different through my new eyes. Colors were brighter. Scents were stronger. And the power that flowed through my blood made my skin tingle with energy."The mountain pass is just ahead," Ronan said, pointing to the narrow path that cut between two tall cliffs.I stopped, my wolf senses suddenly on high alert. "It's a trap."Ronan's hand tightened around mine. "Are you sure?"I closed my eyes, focusing on the strange new awareness that had woken inside me. Since drinking Isolde's potion, I could feel things I never could before—like invisible threads linking everything in the forest."Yes," I whispered. "They're waiting for us there. At least twenty of them."Caius appeared beside us, his pale face grim in the moonlight. Where he had come from, I had no idea. But right now, I was glad to see him."The vampire prince returns," Ronan said bitterly.Caius ignored him. "The Queen's forces have circled around.
Ronan's POVPain shot through my head as memories flooded back like a broken dam. Sienna's hand in mine as we ran through the forest felt so familiar—because we had done this before. Three years ago. Running for our lives."Faster," I pushed, pulling her deeper into the woods. Each step away from Kieran felt wrong and right at the same time. He had given her up. For her. For me. Why?Because somehow, he knew what I was only now remembering."Ronan, slow down!" Sienna gasped. "What did Kieran mean? About you being my first mate?"I couldn't answer yet. The memories were still sorting themselves out. Images flashed before my eyes: Sienna and me as teens, our first meeting in the border woods, our secret bonding ceremony under a half moon. And then—blood, yells, and Isolde's face as she cast the spell that tore us apart.We reached a small opening where moonlight streamed through the trees. I finally stopped, letting go of Sienna's hand."We n
Kieran's POVThe trees around me blurred as I ran faster than I ever had before. The Queen wanted to sacrifice Sienna. Tonight. Under the Blood Moon. Caius's warning repeated in my head, making my wolf howl with rage.No one would touch her. Not while I still lived.I found her by the river, where the moonlight turned her red hair to fire. She looked up, a small smile on her face when she saw me. That smile hit me like a punch to the chest."Kieran," she said. "I was wondering where you disappeared to."I reached for her hand before I could stop myself. Her skin was warm against mine, telling me that she was alive. Safe. For now."We need to talk," I said, moving her away from the others. Ronan watched us with narrowed eyes, but I didn't care.When we were far enough away, I stopped and turned to face her. "The Queen is coming. Tonight."Her face went white. "How do you know?""Caius. He found his court members murdered. It was a me