LOGINAaronne’s POVBlood drained from Anya's face. She paused for a while, almost as though she hadn't heard me but I knew she had. Her eyes grew big and I could see that she wasn't breathing.Shoving her gently to snap her out of the shock, I whispered, “Breathe.”As if controlled, she sucked in a sharp breath, shaking her head negatively. “What?” I nodded to confirm it but she was having a hard time believing it. I could understand her confusion anyways.“Aaronne… no. That’s not possible. You were scared, you were hurt, you were confused from the… the change. You felt gratitude, not a bond,” She argued, squeezing my palms.This was the first time in a long time Anya had ever lost it like this. She was frenzied and confused and it was all a mix of emotions put together.“It wasn’t gratitude,” I said, pulling one of her hands. My heart was pounding, but it felt so good to finally say it out loud. “When I saw him, Anya, everything stopped. The pain, the fear… Everything. There was this… p
Aaronne’s POVThree weeks pass and I am sitting at my dressing table, dressed in a silk robe as some of my maids fuss over me.Today is the beginning of the coming of age ceremony. I will be doused in precious oil, chalk, native glitter and perfumes daily till the day my father officially hands me over to Ronan.My mother is to prepare me for the ritual but for some reason, stepmother Lyra claims to be very busy. I am missing my mother. If she were here, if lay on her lap and tell her all my worries.I stand at the window, staring at the full moon and thinking that I am left with two more moons. Two more moons and I'd be mated to Ronan.‘The first moon….’ I think, trailing off as I watch how it glows. It is so beautiful, I think to myself, wondering if I can go to the cove tonight.I keep dreaming of the waters, thinking of the boy I met that day. Who is he? And what was he up to? Why was he loitering around the cove? Is he a wolf too?Sigh...I didn't even get a chance to know his n
Aaronne's POVA thousand needles prick at my skin–suddenly, I feel sick in my stomach and my finger tips are chilling cold. But Ronan isn’t finished yet. He raises a hand again, and the room slowly quiets, eager for more.“This is not a new dream!” he proclaims, his voice rings passionately. “It is my grandfather’s dream! He had always dreamt of a pure world, a strong world, ruled by the true power of the Wolf!”Ripples move through the crowd. Everyone is saying something yet I cannot hear anything. “A world where the Wolf will reign supreme and other shifters will cower at our feet!!” Roman continues to declare. Alpha Borin shifts in his seat, his proud smile tightens by a fraction.“My own father’s… recent ill health,” Ronan continues, glancing at Borin, who now stares stiffly ahead, “has delayed our family’s destiny. But no more! He has handed over the baton to me. After my wedding, I will officially be pronounced Alpha and we will go on to conquer new lands.”My father gives Alp
AARONNE“What is it about extinction?” My father stands in the doorway, arms crossed.My heart stutters. “I thought—”“Your beauty is still as radiant as the morning sun,” Father takes a step inside. “Or, are you scared about your wolf who has delayed to come? I had asked you to have patience. Is that what you are afraid of?”“Father, I didn’t hear you.” I shift, trying to block his view of the fallen book.“Anya said you felt sick. Is this your remedy? Hiding in the library?”“I need to read about Ronan’s pack,” I lie. “They seem so powerful. I need to have a bit of knowledge.”“Read? With a headache?” He scoffs. “That's quite unusual.”After all these years, Anya is still a terrible liar.“The ceremony is starting. You are the center of it. The library is not a place for a lady's daydreams. Besides, all this dust can make you sick. What if a spider bites you?”That's true, I did not think of that. He turns, expecting me to follow him. As his back is to me, I scramble, using my han
AARONNE Finally, the day I dread has come. The day that holds the first rite of my marriage–the betrothal ceremony.A calling howl sounds in the distance. The guests are arriving.I straighten my spine, tip my chin up and rise. I smoothen my gown while Anya lifts the cape behind me as I descend the stairs.Father and Stepmother Lyra are standing, waiting on the red carpet while Lyra has a warm smile. Father extends his hand, and I go to him. I position myself in front of him and cross my hands, observing all my etiquette–grace and poise.“Ronnie, darling,” Stepmother Lyra whispers, her manicured nails pressing lightly into my elbow. “You look as if you’ve swallowed a fly. Is your belly still troubled from last night’s stew?”“Lyra, I—”“This is not the time, you have to smile. Our guests will be watching.”My stomach isn’t troubled by stew. It’s knotted because today, I will meet Ronan, my betrothed. I force a smile. From the corner of my eye, Anya gives a subtle nod of encouragemen
AARONNE No!! This is a joke!! The moon goddess cannot play with me like that. I think this is not true and Anya is just out of breath because she wants to be dramatic. I try to lift my hands but rather, wings flap and the droplets of water splash on my face. I bend my head in shame. It is true. I AM A SWAN!!What could have caused this? Did something bite me? Or could it be the cursed cove? Does it turn people into swans and hand them over to the bears as food? Horror!!!I should’ve listened. I should not have lured Anya to this place. Why didn’t I stay at home? Why did I enter the water? Why did I defy my father’s orders? This is all my fault!My swan’s feathers glows faintly in the twilight and its neck curves in a perfect way. It's dark eyes, wide with terror, are all that holds a faint reminder of the girl I had been.I am in far too much pain, trying to understand why I am even a swan in the first place. Would Anya run from me? Where would I go? Would I ever transform bac







