Ao3 Astro Novels & Stories

She growls at him when she steps closer to the natural water hole, the waterfall falls into. He looks up and then backs up, just enough so, he can still see her, but not be intruding on her space to much. Astro is happier, just being able to see their mate. McKenzie is wondering how long she is going to stay mad at her for. “This is all your fault, so keep you bloody thoughts to yourself” Astro snarls at him. McKenzie sighs as everyone is angry with him. He looks up at Realm and smiles “she is majestic” he thinks to himself.

But here, tonight, under the rising moon, I felt a bond stronger than blood, stronger than fire, stronger than war. Rafe and I wolf and human, alpha and lone wolf stood together in the ruins, unbroken. And I finally allowed myself to believe that nothing, not even the distant threat of war, could undo what we had forged in blood, pain, and heartache. The moon rose higher, silver and commanding, witness to our oath. Our survival. Our bond. Our choice.

He looked broken. I stepped closer, reaching out my hand. "Alaric, are you okay?" The moment my fingers touched his arm, the "soul-link" snapped back into place. It was like a dam breaking. A flood of images hit me. I saw a dark room. I saw a man in a black cloak pouring a potion into a cup. I saw a younger Alaric drinking it. It wasn't a family curse. It was a poison. Alaric’s eyes met mine. He looked terrified.

I don't think I have ever seen anything quite as beautiful. The professor clears her throat as she scans the room. Her gaze falling on mine just along enough to make my skin crawl. Something flashing in her eyes that I don't quite recognize as she continues to scan the room. Weird. "I am Professor Cecillia Starling. This is my bonded, Aries," she says as she gestures to the moon serpent who has now taken place alongside where she stands. She continues, "Yes, I possess gifts granted to me by Aries. No, I will not be telling you my gifts. My job is to simply teach you everything you need to know about the bonds."

"Owen, I'll never forget the day you saved me at the marking ceremony. At first, I thought it was just pity, and that you were trying to spare my dignity. But over time, your gentle care for me made me fall hopelessly in love with you. "You promised to give me the grandest marking ceremony, but even without it, I was already content. I just wanted to be with you and be your Luna. But soon, I realized that the one you loved wasn't me. It was Ashley. You were even disgusted by the pup in my belly. You didn't want it. "Don't worry, I won't make things hard for you. I already took care of it and ended the pregnancy myself before I drank the potion you gave me. I'll leave, and I hope you find hap