Chapter 24Mia's POVLittne's gnarled claws rake across the aged parchment almost reverently as she outlines the obscene ritual. "To summon a force capable of countering this...Angelicus threat you speak of, a most profane covenant must be undertaken. One requiring the vital essence of your enemy herself as primer."She fixes me with those hollow pits that pass for eyes. "You must present me with a substantial offering of Selene's blood, hair, anything bearing her life force. Only then can the rite be properly channeled."My brow furrows slightly at the daunting prospect. Selene has been granted sanctuary with the full might of the Blood Moon pack protecting her. Extracting anything from her, let alone some kind of biological sample, won't be easy."And I'm supposed to obtain these...offerings directly from under Logan's watchful eye?" I can't quite disguise the mocking skepticism in my tone. "In case you haven't noticed, that arrogant dog has made it his life's mission to keep his ne
Chapter 25Mia's POVThe putrid, swampy reek of Littne's lair clings to my clothes like a viscous miasma as I finally emerge, wrinkling my nose in distaste. Honestly, I'll never understand why that twisted old crone insists on dwelling in such repulsive squalor.I pause to draw in several steadying breaths of fresh forest air, allowing the familiar scents of pine and petrichor to chase away the foulness as I re-center myself. My gaze shifts toward the lightening sky just peeking through the canopy overhead, streaks of pre-dawn violet already starting to bleed across the horizon.A cruel smirk twists my lips as I think of the seeds of beautiful, glorious ruination I've planted this long, profane night. Soon enough, everything in that sacred celestial expanse will come to fear the name of the one true Lich Queen ascending.But first, there's the delicate matter of upholding certain...domestic pretenses in the interim, lest I arouse suspicion about my nefarious schemes from any undue cor
Chapter 26Nathan's POVI wake up with a start, heart pounding. Mia's side of bed is cold and empty. She not here again. I frown, looking around our small den. No sign of her nowhere. Where she go at this hour before sunrise?Worry twist my gut. Mia been acting strange lately, like part of her drift away somewhere I can't follow. I want help her, be good mate, but she not let me in no more.Rustle outside make me tense. Ears perk up, catching familiar bootsteps and sweet herbal scent. Just Mia coming back from one of her lone forest walks. But why she out roaming alone so early, before light even? Not like her to take such risks these days, not after all the troubles that plague us.Making up my mind quick, I tug on clothes and slip out after her trail. Need to understand what troubling her so. If she won't confide, at least I can settle my own fears about how she been lately.I follow her winding path through the dark trees. The quiet only broke by night critters and soft footfal
Chapter 27 Mia's POVI wake before the sun peek over the trees. Time to set next move in motion. I slip quiet from bed, not want to wake Nathan yet. He make bad actor and I need him blind for now. I grab quill and parchment from my pack sitting by the door.The words flow easy, practiced lies dripping from my pen:"Dear Luke, You surprised to hear from me, but no need. I occupied with pack work Logan don't want to hear. Feel he never let rogues like us get too close now. I think we should meet, talk in person. Just you and me.Mia"I smirk reading it over. Just enough truth sprinkled in to not raise too much suspicion from that half-feral lout.Outside, I hear the cawing cry of the raven Littne send to be my herald. Bony talons scrape at the window shutter as the clever bird waits for its message. I hurry over and gently tie the folded note to its scaly leg. One firm look in those beady black eyes is all it need to screech out a hoarse cry and take wing over the canopy. Off to f
Chapter 28Mia's POVI lay back on the rumpled furs, feeling Nathan's solid weight shift off me. That was...satisfactory enough, I suppose. He certainly seemed pacified and pliant for the time being after our joining, as usual.Though in truth, the entire ritual of physical intimacy grows more distasteful with each repetition these days. I can't even muster the faintest flickers of arousal or release anymore, simply going through the motions out of pragmatic necessity to maintain control over this pathetic pawn.With a slight frown, I drag myself into a sitting position and survey Nathan's prone, sated form beside me. He's already drifting back toward unconsciousness, chest rising and falling in the steady cadence of meaningless slumber. How utterly oblivious he remains to the cataclysms steadily engulfing his paltry existence.Well, I can't have him getting too complacent just yet. Not when there's still so much delicious discord left to sow before this day is through. One slender ha
Chapter 29Nathan's POVI woke up early in the morning, expecting to find Mia by my side, but to my surprise, she was nowhere to be found. The empty space beside me felt cold, and a sense of unease crept over me. I recalled our discussion from the previous night about her Luna ceremony, and I couldn't help but wonder if her absence had something to do with it.Pushing aside my concerns, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As the warm water cascaded over my body, my mind raced with thoughts of Mia and her whereabouts. I hoped she wasn't still upset about our disagreement.After my bath, I made my way to the training ground, hoping to clear my mind and focus on my duties as the alpha. As I approached, I spotted Gaza, my trusted beta, already engaged in his training routine."Gaza!" I called out, grabbing his attention.He immediately stopped and bowed his head in respect. "Good morning, Alpha. How can I assist you?"I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Have yo
Mia's POV:I returned to the Night Fall pack, my heart heavy with worry. As soon as I stepped foot inside the pack's boundaries, I heard the news that made my blood run cold: Nathan was sick. I felt my face crumble, tears threatening to spill from my eyes as I raced towards the pack hospital, my feet carrying me as fast as they could.Bursting through the doors, I saw Nathan lying on a bed, looking pale and weak. I rushed to his side, my heart pounding in my chest."Nathan!" I cried out, my voice filled with anguish. I turned to Gaza, who was standing nearby, his face etched with concern. "What happened?"Gaza shook his head sadly. "He went out looking for you and collapsed. We brought him here as quickly as we could."I fell to my knees beside Nathan's bed, clasping his hand in mine. Tears streamed down my face as I pleaded with the moon goddess to spare my mate. "Please, please don't take him from me," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper.As I wept, a single tear fell from my
Logan's POV:Days had passed since the attack in the dinner hall, and I found myself growing weaker with each passing moment. Olie, my wolf, was restless and unhappy, yearning for Selena's presence. Her disappearance, orchestrated by Mia, had left a gaping hole in both of us."Luke!" I called out from my office, my voice strained. "Luke!"But there was no response. I knew he was just outside the pack office, yet he pretended not to hear me. Frustration bubbled up inside me, mixing with the ever-present pain.The door creaked open, and Gina, my sister and Luke's mate, stepped inside. "Brother, are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.I kept my face hidden, not wanting her to see the weakness etched upon it. "No, Gina. I'm not okay. Please, you have to get Luke."Gina nodded and left the room, her footsteps echoing as she descended the stairs. I could hear their muffled conversation, Luke feigning ignorance to my calls. Finally, he entered the office, a look of feigned co