(Raya’s POV) An almost deafening silence has descended upon the whole island. The anticipation is palpable in the air as wisps of daylight linger, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape, as if nature itself is holding its breath as it bears witness to this spectacular cosmic show. I dare not blink lest I miss anything of this surreal experience. A thin veil of darkness nibbles at the brightness of the sun at first. As the moon’s silhouette softly approaches the solar canvas, things begin to change, the shadows becoming more defined and sharp. Slowly but surely, the gentle moon claims the mighty sun, descending upon its head like an invading celestial crown. I turn to look at Kaan and I see that just as everyone else, he is staring at the sky like a fanatic, utterly mesmerized and with bated breath. If I hadn’t looked down, I would have missed the moment when the guests started to take off their clothes, before shifting into their wolf or lycan form. My jaw drops as I realize

(Raya’s POV)It has been two weeks since we have returned home to the States, after a week of being confined at The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands. We’re back in Kaan’s apartment and I’m bored out of my skull. He’s home with me most days, refusing to leave my side unless it’s something very important, but today there’s an important board meeting and he has to personally be there so now I’m here, reading a book on the couch, with Elijah typing away on his laptop on the breakfast table just a few yards away.Outside the apartment, two burly security guards stand. They’re probably shifters too, the way they growl at anyone daring to walk too close to our hallway.Kaan’s parents will be returning to their own home next week and have invited us to join them there, where there will be higher level of security given the threat the sons of Fenrir are posing but I asked Kaan if we can stay at our own place, where there will be less eyes who might report back to the old howlers, even in

(Raya’s POV) When I next open my eyes, the first thing I see is the color green. That’s weird…I thought for sure heaven is blue with white clouds while hell is— Wait, did I really die!? The last thing I remember is the car spinning out of control and then a sharp thud…followed by… nothing. I blink several times as I try to feel my own body to make sure everything is in working order. I can definitely feel my fingers…so my hands seem ok. It takes me a few extra seconds to find my legs but I sigh with relief as soon as I am able to raise one knee, followed by the other. Nothing is painful, really but everything feels foreign, the sensations muted, as if in a dream. I turn my head to my left and I see more green. With a frown, I focus my eyes better to see that I am lying on a grassy field. I look up again and my blurry eyes take a little bit to adjust from the distance but the green things above appear to be…leaves of the branches of a tree I’m lying under. Where the heck am I!? S

(Kaan’s POV)“My Cynric. How wonderful to see you again…”My wolf’s emotions were overwhelming and I had to reign him in because he was so happy to see his mother. As it was, I bowed low in sign of reverence and it seemed to delight her because she laughed, the sound like delicate silver bells that I would never forget as long as I lived.“Lakàn, dear child. You have finally found what you were looking for, I see. I am glad.”I dared to raise my eyes again. “Moon Goddess…never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that you would be visiting us…” She smiled. “As it should be. It is only during these rare eclipses that I can visit the earth and I am only visible to those of the line of kings and their mates. These meetings are kept secret because I need to remain incognito and maintain some kind of mystery for things will become uninteresting without the desire for the unknown, which makes it a precious thing. Also, having something that only you know about is always preferable, don’t you

(Raya’s POV) “Sylvana!” I have finally been released from the hospital after a week and I have just returned home to Kaan and I’s apartment to find Sylvana is sitting on the couch, looking tired but relieved. She gives me a weak smile. “I was told I have you to thank for finally being fished out of that horrid, rat-infested place.” She shudders at the memory. “Oh, dearest, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” I sit beside her, holding her hand. “I am now, thanks. But I never want to go through that again.” She leans back and closes her eyes. Kaan closes the door behind him and places my bag from the hospital on the breakfast table. “Don’t worry, cousin, I promise you, it won’t happen again. The tribunal is set in three days time. I already told them that I intend to make sure they will pay for what they have done to you.” Sylvana grimaces. “I don’t know, little prince. I have been found trespassing and by law they had the right to…but I—” She rubs her face with both hands in frustration