LOGINThe 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
Golden sunlight streamed down from the domed glass ceiling, warming the top of my head. It caught the dust motes dancing in the air and glinted off Gisela’s horn-rimmed glasses.I backed away, keeping the rough slab between us. There was a slight tang of blood coming off the surface of the stone, as if the recent sacrifice hadn’t stilled its hunger and it was waiting for more. “What makes you think he would die?” I asked Gisela. The stillness of the temple swallowed my words. It was as if noise had no substance in this place. No one would hear the screams.I shivered.“He will and I can only blame you for it.” Gisela replied, her voice solemn with certainty. “You aren’t supposed to survive this tournament, Erina. It’s inevitable.” She looked at me with a hint of sadness. “Magnus should have rejected you long ago. But no matter… I have the solution.”She stayed where she was, infused by the sunlight, while I backed away into the shadows.“Gisela, I don’t know what you’re up to. but you
ErinaMagnus’ stormy blue-gray eyes haunted me as I followed Elder Muller out of the castle. I felt guilty for not telling him earlier that I was supposed to go into isolation. Didn’t want to spoil our short time together, but unfortunately, not even that worked out as planned thanks to my brother.Before I went to join them in the office, I had gone to say goodbye to my baby. He was content sleeping in his crib while the dependable Helen watched over him. It broke my heart to kiss him goodbye, and it was even harder leaving Magnus behind. Especially when he looked as if I had mortally injured him by leaving. I would have given my soul to stay, but there was no other way. I needed to see this through to prove myself worthy.I didn’t know what to expect, having never seen the Temple of Selene. Something grand, perhaps. There were no actual depictions of it in the books our father had us study. Elder Muller and I walked down narrow cobbled pathways at the back of the castle. Our footste
MagnusWas it too much to ask for one day of privacy? I didn’t bother to hide my annoyance with Eric.“Couldn’t it wait?” I snarled at him, leaving my robe unfastened to let him know exactly what he had interrupted. My cock was a hard, angry spear, pointing accusatory at him.“I’m sorry, my king.” He flushed a deep shade of crimson and averted his eyes. “There has been a… development.”“Don’t mind him, Eric,” Erina tsked. “I’m sure it must be important.” She touched her brother’s arm in passing, smiling at him with affection.I left them in the lounge to get dressed. There were no formal appointments scheduled, but I expected the contestants to arrive soon.“Wait for me in my office.” I called out to Eric from the bedroom. “I’ll be there shortly.” An ominous feeling had taken permanent residence in my gut. My beast mirrored my dread, pacing restlessly in my mind.I wasn’t superstitious, but it wasn’t a coincidence that the date of the tournament coincided with the blood moon and lunar
MagnusA sleepless night. Worry kept me by her side while she lay unmoving, pale and beautiful. I undressed her gently, leaving her naked and spread out on my bed, in my new suite. The full moon bathed her in silver from the open windows. My goddess. The sight of her made me feel a warmth I hadn't
MagnusThe castle was a hive of activity, and I spent my time at countless meetings with the alphas and elders from different regions. The news of the Crescent pack’s betrayal had spread everywhere, and many alphas wanted to meet with me to pledge their loyalty. Smite one pack and the rest come ass
The elder council, dressed in their official robes, stood when I strode through the double doors of the throne room, their anticipation humming in the atmosphere. They had thousands of questions and doubts running through their minds. I felt their thoughts like an electric current running through t
ErinaThe days went by too fast and yet, not fast enough. I hardly saw Magnus. He came in late when I was already asleep and left before I woke. It felt as if he were evading me, but I berated myself for being so needy. He was a busy man. We both were.He was in countless meetings, and I went throu







