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A blood moon rises on the horizon, painting the ground with a bloody glow as it creeps closer and closer to the grounds of Emerald Moon, where a woman is beginning to feel the signs of labor.

The packhouse comes alive in preparation for the arrival of an heir, while a group of cloak-clad figures also gather around a circle where a single woman lays bleeding from her wrists, ankles, and neck.

As her blood stains the carved pendulum beneath her, the wind begins to swirl, and the dark beast's grunts and groans can be heard echoing around the cave they are safely tucked away in.

“The cursed child is almost here,” one of the figures announces, causing excitement to grow around the group.

For months, they felt the stirrings of the child and knew that the one they waited so long for was finally being reincarnated. Once the child was there, they simply had to capture it and raise it as their own so that it did exactly what it was that they wanted it to do.

“Soon,” another murmurs, making their way toward the bleeding woman in front of them. “Soon it will belong to us, and when that happens, the dark beast will be under our control.”

Kneeling down, the cloaked person presses their knife against the woman’s throat and then begins to draw it across her skin.

Gasping, the woman’s eyes grow wide as blood begins to trickle from the corner of her lips while her mouth moves in a silent plea for freedom.

“Your sacrifice is appreciated,” the cloaked figure grins, standing up and joining the group once more. “You will be welcomed with open arms into the netherrealm.”

As the words leave the cloaked figure's lips, an image begins to form above the woman. An image of a luxurious room with a large bed that is surrounded by doctors and nurses. Laying on the bed is a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and piercing blue eyes.

The woman’s stomach is heavy with child, and her body shakes with the pain of labor. Beside her stands a man with a strong presence. He clutches the woman’s hand as his dark eyes take her in.

“The birth has begun,” the group chants together. “Welcome to the world, savior.”

Together, they watch as the cursed child begins to come into the world, inch by inch, until finally it can be seen screaming in the hands of a doctor, while the woman and man watch on with awe in their eyes.

“It’s a girl!” One of the doctors announces. “Carrying the child to be cleaned and weighed. "Congratulations, Alpha and Luna, for your healthy princess.”

“Alpha and Luna,” one of the cloaked figures murmurs. “So the child is the child of leaders.”

Although the group was aware that the child was being born to wolves, they didn’t know who the actual parents were, as there were many different ranks.

“This will make matters more difficult,” one of the cloaked figures says, causing the group to murmur in agreement. “But we will still take what is meant to be ours.”

Growing quiet, the group continues to watch as the child is handed to her parents for the first time. They weren’t sure if the parents were even aware of the dark aura that radiated from their child, but it was an indication that this child was the one destined to be the bride of the beast.

Soon, the image begins to fade and then disappear entirely as the vessel of sacrifice takes her last breath, but that is fine since the group got to see what they wanted.

Pulling down their hoods, the group stares at the ceiling of the cave as the dark markings on their skin begin to glow red and the madness that the blood moon brings for them begins to stir.

Snarling and snapping, they attack, ripping the woman in front of them piece by piece so they can devour her blood, flesh, and muscle. Only when she is nothing more than a skeleton do they begin to undress and then start to mate right there in the blood of their victim and in the presence of the beast that still makes its presence known.

[Elise’s POV]

My eyes fly open and my breath comes in puffs as I sit up on my cot and begin to look around while the images I just witnessed continue to dance in my mind.

“What was that?” I gasp, wiping away the cold sweat that soaks my skin. “What did I just see?”

Frowning, I try to push away the faces of those masked men and women and the gruesome scene of them devouring a human. How was it possible that something like that could exist, and what did any of this even mean?

“Excuse me.” The voice is soft as it drifts through the darkness toward me. “But I’ve been sent to escort you to Denali.”

“Denali,” I repeat, examining the man who stands in front of me.

He’s handsome, with a clean-shaven face and a well-defined face that is surrounded by messy brown hair.

“What does she need me for?” I continue, letting my eyes trail down the man’s muscular body. “And who are you?”

I don’t know why, but I’m drawn to this man, and when he lets a slow smile spread across his face, I feel my breath hitch. Goddess, he was gorgeous when he smiled, and he looked almost innocent.

No. I couldn’t have any intentions toward someone like him, or anyone for that matter. Even if I was allowed to live here in Emerald Moon with Denali and Rosco, I was still a prisoner doing her time for all her sins.

“I’m William,” the man responds, his smooth, deep voice washing over me. “I’m Rosco’s cousin. I was sent to fetch you so that you can meet your niece.”

“Niece,” I repeat, once again remembering the dream I just had. “So that wasn’t a nightmare. It was a vision.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing,” I murmur, not wanting to ruin this happy event with bad news. “Please take me to meet the new princess.”

Nodding, William opens my cell and steps aside so that I can step out of it. However, as I move, I don’t miss his dark eyes trailing along my body.

“Take a picture,” I smirk, leaning close to him. “Or are you wanting to touch?”

As I speak, I reach out and grab his wrist, then lift his hand so that I can place it against my breast.

“No point in eating me alive with your eyes.”

“What?” He hisses, yanking back as his cheeks flush a bright pink. “I wasn’t doing such a thing.”

“Of course you weren’t,” I giggle, enjoying his reaction. “No need to lie, cutie.”

“I’m not,” William counters. “How could.”

“Princess,” I remind him, wishing I could stay here and flirt with him. “Weren’t you going to take me?”

“R-right,” he stammers, seeming genuinely embarrassed. “Follow me.”

Nodding, I wait until he begins to move, and only when I’ve completely shaken off the unease I feel after my vision do I begin to walk while my mind wanders. Clearly, that vision was a warning of what the future would hold, and it meant that we would have to keep a close eye on the child. It seemed that even when we thought the worst was over, it was nothing compared to the true evil that awaited us, and I guess protecting my niece with my life would be my way of atoning for all that I had done.

“Don’t worry, little one,” I whisper. “I won’t let anything hurt you.”

Even if it killed me in the end, she would survive, and she would make way for a world of peace.