LOGINErinaPain was irrelevant when your life was at stake. She fought like a demon. Despite having the other wolf’s canines embedded in her right leg. Despite the tearing of sinew, muscle and bone. The bigger wolf pinned her, suffocating us with its weight. Ribs cracked under pressure. Putrid breath, saliva dripping from the wolf’s snarling maw while my wolf struggled to avoid the snapping canines.Was this how it ended? Being torn apart by power-hungry she-wolves? Another woman holding my child, making love to my mate? Would he take another? He said he would follow me into the underworld.No! I refused to give up. My baby needed me, needed both of us.I summoned every ounce of my strength and poured it into my wolf. She got away from under the larger wolf. Where was the moon fire? Why couldn’t I control it? I needed it now! Did I use it all?The runes were still there, glowing faintly on my skin. But my wolf was fading fast. She was exhausted. Blood loss had taken its toll. The wolves we
MagnusFrustration consumed me. Sitting there on this stone throne, watching while my mate was down in the labyrinth fighting for her life. I shouldn’t have let this happen. Should’ve fought harder for her from the start. I had a lot of regrets, done so many things differently. Erina had changed me. That is undeniable. She was the ruler of my heart, my end and my beginning. I would rather die than lose her.“They could’ve at least allowed the drones,” Hein grumbled next to me, pulling me out of my musings. “How are we supposed to see what’s happening?” he sounded almost as frustrated as I felt.Alpha Klaus and his circus had scrambled all my plans. There was nothing I could have done on such short notice to help Erina. Well played, Klaus, but it still won’t stop me from ending all of you.“It’s against tradition,” I sneered. “Funny how they use that word when it suits them.”Hein mumbled an agreement. Servants moved between the stone seats like shadows, offering heated wine to my ‘gue
The light of the moon did not reach into the labyrinth. It was a darkness that threatened to suffocate, reeking of death and forgotten time. My wolf ran, light-footed, jumping over obstacles, masking our scent as we’ve learned. Five minutes wasn’t a long time.The ground was constantly shifting, making new passages and new dead ends. As we moved, I still felt them, my family, our connection through our bond, keeping me grounded, telling me they believed in me. And Magnus, his love, surrounding me like a shield of warmth. I held onto that as my wolf surged through the darkness.‘Keep moving,’ I spurred the wolf on. ‘Find the exit.’She sprinted down a long, dark corridor that seemed to go on forever. The passage split into two different paths. For a few seconds, we stood indecisive.‘Choose,’ I told the wolf, depending on her instincts.She dashed down the left path. We had gone but a few feet when suddenly the ground shook and gave way to a deep chasm. She stopped just in time.A figu
The black cliffs formed a natural amphitheater surrounding the cursed grounds. I couldn’t see the faces of the spectators lined on the ridges of the cliffs. They stood in silence, their forms obscured by darkness and distance. The moon’s orange glow cast long shadows, turning them into faceless silhouettes watching from above. Whether they were judging me or waiting in anticipation for my demise, I couldn’t say. But their presence added an oppressive weight to the atmosphere, adding to my anxiety.But I knew he was there among them. I felt his presence through our bond, sharp with tension. Rage thrumming beneath the surface. Not with me, but with the situation and all those who caused it.‘I am here, my love,’ he messaged me through our link.‘Yes, I know.’ I reached for him through the bond, needing his strength to ground me through this night.‘Keep your mind clear. Remember what you’ve learned.’‘I will try.’ My mouth tasted bitter, the bile rising from my empty stomach, but I refu
ErinaThe room spun after I drank the potion, and for a second, I panicked. Did I make a mistake in trusting Gisela? She’d tricked me before, made me believe Magnus would not accept my son as his. But it was too late to run, too late to regret my choice. Be brave, Erina. But fear had a firm grip on my heart.“There, there, little mouse…” she helped me lie on the altar. “Don’t fight it. Close your eyes.” I tried to tell her I couldn’t go through with this. But no sound came. Only the throbbing of my heart resounded in my ears. Cold seeped into my bones from the stone slab beneath me. I looked up at the domed glass ceiling. The sun had moved, and its golden warmth had disappeared, casting the temple in dim light.“You must trust me, Erina,” Gisela’s weathered face appeared in my vision. “I promise you will be fine.”I felt rather than saw her hands move over my body, muttering some strange incantation on repeat. Her voice rose and fell in a hypnotic rhythm that grew stronger in intensi
MagnusIt was no use. There was no time to come up with another plan to save my mate and I was getting desperate. I dismissed them all, but Klaus lingered. I didn’t want to spend another second than necessary speaking to the snake.“What do you want, Klaus? I do not need you to watch me, if that is your intention.” I made no secret of my dislike for the guy, but he was either unaware, or he just had an incredibly thick skin.“Not at all, my king. I am merely here to offer my support.” He sounded surprised by my statement. Laughable.“Your support…” I murmured. “Is that what you call it?”He shook his head, smiling his usual condescending little smirk. “Despite what you might think, Magnus, we all have the best interests of the werewolf kingdom in mind.” Klaus raised himself out of the armchair he was sitting on to approach me.“Of course you do.” I walked to the door, holding it open for him. “That is why you are so eager to replace me,” I added with a sneer.“Whatever gave you that i
ErinaSleep. It terrified me. The wolf paced restlessly in mind, waiting for me to lower my defenses. Who knew who she would go after next. Gisela? Magnus? My sister? Elise…‘They hurt us. Betrayed us. All must suffer,’ she growled, pushing against the walls I’ve tried to erect in my mind.No, I to
With Fritz dead, I gave the High Council orders to begin annulling my wedding to Elise. My reasons were simple. Elise had found her soulmate, and I wouldn’t stand in their way to happiness. Yes, I’m such a hypocrite. Being mortal had apparently given me a conscience. It accused me of denying Erina
Erina‘What is she doing here?’ I pretended to be interested in the food on my plate while linking Magnus.Instead of answering me, Magnus pressed my thigh under the table, his hand firm, a warning. Do not make a scene was the message it conveyed. I swallowed a huff. He should have told her to leav
Blood painted the walls, the ceiling, pooling at my feet. The smell, coppery, nauseating and somehow satisfying. My heartbeat pounded steadily in my ears; lub-dub, lub-dub… This was some weird dream. A nightmare? But it felt too real. There was a weight in my hand, something soft, almost rubbery. I







