I stopped by the bookstore to get Zion a few new books, since we were all done with the bedtime stories we had at home. Last week, he asked if I was about to read him The Ninja Turtle, where the short, bad guy got caught in the end.I didn’t need another clue to know he was tired of the always-repeated story already.I made plans to branch out at the bookstore today before going home. I would get four new storybooks for now, and once they got exhausted, I would go for another.“Good evening, ma’am,” the older lady behind the counter said at my entrance into the bookstore, her eyes staying on me.I flashed a bright smile. “Good evening.” I moved over to the counter, where she stood behind it, and placed my hands on it.“What can I get you?” the polite lady asked.“I need at least four intriguing storybooks for a five-year-old boy.”Her brow rose in interest. “Ah, the ever-curious five-year-old boys, eh?”I chuckled. “Yeah, he is.”“Does he have a preference for the stories he listens to

I smiled and kissed him back, wrapping my arms around him. We hadn’t seen or spoken to each other since yesterday, and it was nice to know I wasn’t the only one missing him. His thumb softly grazed my cheeks, making me melt into him more.“Your phone has been unreachable since yesterday. I left a few missed calls.” I pointed it out, and he nodded in agreement.“I know. I haven’t picked it out of my car since yesterday. I’ve been occupied with the arrangements for this meeting. I’m sorry you couldn’t reach me. I hope you’re not mad at me?” He said that, glancing at me with curious eyes.“I’m not. I’m here for something else.” I tightened my grip on the books in my hand. “But it might take a long time, and you’re needed at the meeting.”He clicked on his wristwatch and turned away from me. “Please continue without me; I won’t be coming back,” he said before turning his attention to me. “Now we have all the time in the world.”I immediately felt nervous, and I nodded. “Okay, very good.” M

The full moon, which we had highly expected in the last few days, was up in the sky, and we were out in the cottage Aaron had built up this past week in the field. It was created to appear as if we were out in the open yet provide the safety and comfort of any regular room. They covered the roof of the cottage with see-through glass, and that way we could see the moon setting in the night sky while inside. It was noble of him to think about my well-being through all of this.As an alpha, Aaron should have led his pack on the full moon to explore territory and hunt like an alpha does. However, he allowed Damor to take the lead, like he had in the past when he could not. He didn’t tell Damor why he was taking a step back, but his brother concluded it could be because he was counting his days. He did not make our discovery known to anyone else. The three of us were enough, and so he left Damor and Sesi in the dark. It was the best way to keep the wrong ears from hearing it, at least until

“Thank you so much for visiting,” Diya said as she escorted us to my car.“No need to thank me. I should do more.”“This is enough. You have a life.” She told me with an understanding tone.We got to the car, and while Zion opened the door and got in, I turned to her. “I pray all goes well for you. I want you happy and with your baby.” I pulled her in for a quick hug.She waved us off, and I looked forward to visiting again.Driving home took forty-five minutes. I did a mental calculation of my time. Including traffic jams, it would take an hour and thirty minutes to reach the house.“Mommy, sleep!” Zion yelled, and I glanced back to see his weary eyes.I strapped him into the back seat and made sure it was comfortable. That way, he could easily do that without stressing himself if he wanted to sleep.“Okay, Zion.” I beamed at him, and I knew he’d be asleep in no time. After thirty minutes of driving, the empty fuel tank icon popped up on the front screen, and I took the turn to the ne

Ivan’s interpretation of the first ritual had brought about its success, but the second one, which he had interpreted, felt impossible. According to his interpretation, the marking would take place when the lunar eclipse was at its apex. For the lunar eclipse to reach its apex, I had to be in my wolf form.The lunar eclipse had a different effect on werewolves as compared to the other full moon shifts. On the lunar eclipse, our wolves would have complete control over their form, with minds of their own to do what they liked. I would be in my wolf’s form, where I would have little to no control. Unless Ron, my wolf, would give me control (which never happens when he takes over), I could do nothing.Ron had always had a mind of his own. Three years ago, when he last took over control, it was a disaster. He attacked and terrified the entire pack, and he didn’t stop until Ivan forced him out of the lights. I haven’t given him control since then.Knowing that Ron would be in control has sta