LOGINAstaroth POVPerched on a ridge above the packhouse, I sat like a shadow stretched long by twilight—still, silent, soaked in rot and thought. The trees around me stood bare and brittle, stripped of bark, stinking of sulfur and secrets. I watched them. The packhouse stood like a monument of misplaced
Knox POVMy father's words hung in the air like smoke."She's not fooling me," my once-father muttered, stepping closer. "I see her. I see through all of you.""Pa," Kane replied coldly, his tone firm, a warning wrapped in ice. A warning Leigh ignored as his gaze narrowed in on my angel.The air in
Kane POVThe kitchen had never felt smaller. Tension bled from every surface, thickening the air, coiling like smoke. I leaned against the edge of the island, one eye on Charlotte—who sat pale but stubborn beside the stove—and the other on the ticking clock. The steady hum of the refrigerator was th
"I'm getting water," I muttered, needing something to do. My back ached. My hips screamed. I was one emotionally frazzled breath away from punching someone."I'll get it." Liam moved toward me, brushing his knuckles across my forehead with a frown. "You're hot.""She's fine." Knox growled."No, she'
Lottie POV"Seems we can't have one peaceful morning," Knox grumbled, dragging a shirt over his head. The bitterness in his tone wasn't aimed at me—but at the world, maybe. I reached out, brushing my fingers over his hand as he adjusted the hem."Soon, we'll have all the time in the world." I tried
"I didn't get anything," I confirmed, shooting a quick look at Liam, to see him checking his phone for the millionth time this hour."He mindlinked the entire pack last night—" She shifted her weight, and her confusion quickly turned to alarm. "Everyone was told we were under attack. Apparently, he'
Kane POV "You insulted the Moon goddess, and there will be consequences for that." Astaraoth announced, making my jaw clench, because I knew he was most likely right. She would have to make an example of us. "I imagine the second Lottie here rejects you," he declared, stepping toward us, as I inst
Kane POV I stood there, frozen, my eyes fixed on the empty space where the portal had closed just moments ago. My girl had been taken from me, ripped away by some demon with unknown powers. "Charlotte!" I whispered, my mind spinning, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Tears streamed down
Knox POV Lifting my eyes to my father, who was pacing back and forth at the head of the table. I sighed, I could feel the weight of Kane's truths weighing heavy on him. Kane had filled everyone in on the fact that Lottie was pregnant, that she had bargained with the moon goddess to save Pa and Seba
Lottie POV As Astaroth's words hung in the air, a chill swept through me, freezing my thoughts in place. 'I want your daughter.' The very idea seemed absurd, impossible even. Yet, there he sat atop the altar, the picture of innocence, as if he hadn't just demanded my firstborn. His crimson eyes bu







