As we walked back down the main dirt road toward the shops, I could feel the glares and hear the whispers of the other pack members. Only this time it wasn't just about me and my inability to mate; it was about Leo. His arrival turned everything upside down, for me and everyone else, and they were still trying to process this disruption.If I could hear them, I knew he could too. I snuck a sideways glance at him, expecting him to be angered in some fashion. To be honest, I wouldn't blame him. I don't know how I'd react if I were in his shoes. But instead, he appeared unbothered, and regardless of their stares, he somehow managed to nod and give a small smile to everyone we passed on the street. "You're good at that," I spoke as we moved around emerging pedestrians. "Good at what?" "Managing people." Leo smirked. "Well, it is my job. One that, despite what you may think, I take seriously." "What I think?" I repeated. "I–" But Leo stopped me by giving me a side-eye that told m

Leo's body stopped moving, but he didn't turn to look back at me. It was like he was second guessing what he had just heard and taking a moment to process it."What?" I heard Malissa chirp up from behind me, only I was too focused on Leo to pay attention.I caught up to them and touched Leo's shoulder, prompting him to turn and face me."I'm coming with you," I repeated, somewhat out of breath from my random burst of common sense. Leo observed me. I expected him to be excited, eager even, at my proposal. Rather, he was impassive and unreadable. His gaze flicked behind me and then back to my optimistic eyes, and I thought I saw his irises glimmer when the sun caught them. "No," he stated. "You can't." I swore I heard my heart shatter. "W-what do you mean?" "You can't come, Nia… Your family needs you, and your pack. You can't just up and leave with me." "But…the curse. The amulet…""Is my problem," Leo started. "You don't need to get involved."Leo turned back toward the

By the time we returned to Leo's house, it was already getting dark and there was a light haze streaking across the sky as it transformed from dusk to pure night. The visit into town went better than expected, and most of the pack members I conversed with were honest and open about their grief. In speaking with them, I learned of their day-to-day routines and how overall management was handled in Bloodmoon. Although Ronan's reign was comparably different from my father's, it was clear to see that he was just as respected, only in a different manner. A lot of the shifters noted how he wasn't afraid to use force when necessary in order to protect those who resided on his territory, earning him superiority over nearby packs. However, it was evident in their descriptions that his disappearance after Lyndra's death had impacted them the most. Many were quick to compliment Leo and Erylis' quick rise to the challenge and despite the latter's humble response, they shared their appreciation

The sound of a tire screeching woke me the next morning. I opened my eyes, feeling as if I had only slept for a few minutes, and by the look of my disgruntled bedsheets, I knew why. That dream—it was the most realistic and immersive I had had in a while. And similar to my previous one, I had absolutely no idea what it meant. I could still hear the voice coming from the cave, begging me to enter. It chilled me, and I pulled the blankets up to my chest in a weak attempt to warm myself. Just then, a knock was at my door. "Come in," I called out. My heart fluttered at the possibility of it being Leo and I secretly prayed that it was, until I saw Malissa sheepishly peek her head in."Morning," she said, opening the door more so she could enter."Hey," I smiled as I stretched. "Erylis and Leo are downstairs with Gwenna and Orene. I guess Gwenna made breakfast for everyone and asked for us to join them," Malissa noted, still lingering by the door. "Alright. I'll be down in a minut

It started where it left off. Only this time, I was inside the cave. I was standing at the end of it, a giant rock wall directly in front of me. My body was trembling with fear and the voice from before was a faint whisper on my neck. I held a torch—where I had gotten it, I had no idea. I walked closer to the wall; the light shone off of it and reflected off a slab of mud-brick.My breath caught in my throat. Whatever this was, it was what I'd been looking for. Emotions swirled inside of me—despair, heartbreak, guilt, and most of all, absolute joy. I set down the torch and felt the cool material underneath my hands as I pushed off the top of the tomb. It fell onto the ground with a loud clang. The breeze from the motion wafted upwards. I grabbed the torch and shone it down into the coffin. Lying in the hands of a skeleton was the solution to everything. It was the amulet.***My eyes opened to find that it was already the following morning. I rubbed my eyes—the dreams were only ge