All Chapters of Balance of Light and Shadow: Chapter 241 - Chapter 250

Connor POVThat night, it was time for the hunter initiation ceremony. I head outside to where the other hunters are gathered in the forest clearing. We set up the ceremonial table and start laying out our ancient artefacts, our tombs, and clean needles so they can get their hunter marks. We always do the ceremony at sunset. The symbolism of a new night with new hunters protecting the world from what lurks in the darkness. As head of the hunters, I normally lead the proceedings, but I knew I wouldn't be able to mark my own baby girl, so I asked one of the others to step in. We are inducting four hunters tonight. The two that killed Anthony and Cordelia, one who killed a rouge wolf in the battle with Malik, and my little Stella. The hunter council had spoken to Valerie beforehand, and she had agreed to take pictures and video, allowing us to start our own network for hunters. We realized that after the battle, we need to train the women and reconnect all the hunters. Most of us are he

Conrad POV Even though the war was technically over, many battles and cleanups remained. We have identified some of the packs that sided with Malik. They were identified via pack marks from the ones that died on my territory, but none of the Alphas died on the battlefield. The cowards stayed home. They have all been removed from power, but we were too late to arrest some of them and they have now gone rogue. Within some of the packs, the members turned on the Alpha instantly when they realised he betrayed the crown and sacrifice their family members. Most literally tore them to shreds. Remaining members are trying to join other packs, while some are considering going rogue. Other packs have left alliance land with their Alpha and refused to be governed under the leadership of Lewana and me. That's their choice, and those not in the alliance are always considered a threat. On the plus side, many new packs are requesting to join, which is expanding the royal alliance territory overall

Trigger warning - pregnancy complications Lewana POVI’m sprinting through the forest as fast as I can. The wind howls like wolves chasing me, but with a chill that freezes my skin. I cradle my belly as I leap over tree roots and ignore the wounds caused by the thorns in the vines slicing me as I run past. I try to shift, but Serena is not within me. I can’t feel her. I scream for Conrad in the darkness. Plead for him to save our pups, but my voice gets carried away as a whisper in the night. I trip over a root and spin to take the impact on my side and shield my pups. It’s only when I look back that I can see it wasn’t a root. It’s a shadow. They crawl out of the earth around me and reach for my limbs as I thrash against them. It’s no use. They pull down with such force, I’m sure the bones in my ankles and wrists have cracked. The largest of the shadows hovers above me and lifts my shirt to see my precious bump. It caresses my skin as I scream at them to leave, only to hear a mock

Lewana POVIt's been a few days since the conversation with Mary about the Order of Light, but my mind hasn't stopped racing with questions. The care she has been giving me is amazing and so specialized. To think that knowledge will be lost when she passes is devastating. I know it is needed in this world. What about when my daughter becomes pregnant, or when my grandson or great-grandson is blessed with their own gift from the Moon Goddess? I am more part of the pack now, thanks to Mary's recommendations. I refused the wheelchair but did agree to Conrad carrying me up and down the stairs and leaving me to rest in the living room as it has a bathroom close by. Today I’m sitting in the kitchen with Mary, cutting food for meal prep. I know she doesn't need the help, but she knows I want to feel useful. I've been in the kitchen for about twenty minutes, silently chopping, when Mary breaks the silence. "So, what did you want to ask me?" I let out a nervous laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

Arthur POV I grabbed this pathetic excuse of a wolf by the collar of his shirt and dragged him through the back kitchen door. As soon as we were clear of my beloved's kitchen, I threw him on the ground like the trash he was. He landed with a satisfying thump, making me smile. He stayed on his knees, looking at Conrad with pleading eyes. "I don't understand my Alpha King. What did I do wrong? I know she is not your mother. She can't be anyone's mother."Liam reacted before Conrad could and kicked him in the head, knocking out a tooth before snarling at him. "We know exactly who you are, you BASTARD. Mary raised me with such care and compassion that I vowed to protect her till her dying day. She cared for your Alpha King since he was a pup and supported him in every way possible when he had no one, so he could reclaim the throne and save us all. That's why he calls her mother."The colour drained from his face with each word spoken. I knelt to deliver the final message with chilling