SLADE'S POVWinter was still in my arms, sobbing softly. I struggled to understand our situation and how we ended up in the forest, but my mind felt empty and confused.The more I attempted to inquire about what was happening, the more Winter's sobs continued. So, I chose to let her cry it out and patiently awaited her explanation.After a while, her tears gradually subsided, and as soon as she met my gaze, I couldn't help but stare back. Her eyes were rimmed with red."What's happening? Why are we here?" I inquired."I can't believe you're alive," she whispered, clutching my shirt in her hands. "Oh my god, you're alive, and it feels like a dream!"She exclaimed, her eyes welling up with more tears."As long as I understand the situation, I don't think I can fathom what's going on," I admitted, guiding her to a nearby timber."It's complicated, Slade," she sighed."I'm all ears for a story like that, and I've got all day," I reassured her.Winter shook her head, wincing slightly, her
WINTER'S POVI groaned as I woke up, sitting up abruptly as the memories from the previous night flooded back to me.It wasn't a dream; it felt too magical for that. It seemed like we had both given each other everything, as if it might be the last time we'd see each other.A grimace crossed my face as I noticed my clothes strewn across the forest floor, and Slade was nowhere in sight.Slade or Rafael? Despite him mentioning that he was the former, it still felt surreal. I tried to piece together what had happened without getting lost in the passion, but all I could understand was that the goddess had spared me from venturing into the dangerous forest to seek Slade's memory.A smile lit up my lips, and I rose gingerly from my spot, forgetting my earlier shyness due to my nakedness. It had been an insecurity I struggled with, and though I knew Slade would make me feel better, I didn't want to dwell on that too much.Once I was dressed, Slade returned from who knows where, and I raised
WINTER'S POV"Winter, you're hurting me!" Slade cried out."Please, stop!" Rafael choked."You can't kill me without killing them!" chuckled the monstrous figure before me. "I told you, but you're too stubborn to listen!"Stunned, I let go and stumbled backward, my eyes widening as I tried to make sense of the situation. I thought I had finally achieved what I wanted, but it seemed like wishful thinking.I couldn't hurt the monstrous figure without hurting them.Now, I was a pawn in the goddess's twisted game, and I couldn't find a way out, no matter how hard I thought.It felt as if there was no escape for me. Whatever I did, it seemed certain that I would either end up harming Slade or Rafael. Shaking my head slightly, I asked, "Who sent you? Are you here to kill me, and why?""Who sent me?" He scoffed, his lips twisting into a sneer as if I had said something absurd and awful. "Who sent me doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm here to kill you so that the darkness within you nev
WINTER'S POV"Summer," I breathed out, my eyes wide.I couldn't believe she was standing before me.There was no way! It felt like an eternity since I last saw her, and her presence was a strange mix of comfort and disbelief."Well, won't you give your favorite sibling a hug?" She asked, tilting her head.I noticed her blonde hair was shorter than I remembered, now shoulder-length. But that wasn't the only change. The color appeared darker as if it had been tinted. Her outfit was different too, a khaki sleeveless dress that fell just above her knees cinched at the waist with a belt for a better fit.A bow slung across her shoulder, and an arrow gripped in her hand. Summer never struck me as the arrow-and-bow kind of girl. Seeing her with one felt oddly out of place.She moved toward me, and I instinctively stepped back, my eyes narrowing at her. "Don't think I've forgotten everything you did to me. There's no way I'm pretending we're on good terms.""I'm glad you still feel that way a
RAFAEL'S POV"What happened while I was away?" I couldn't help but ask Winter; she was acting strangely. It was the first time I had seen her so enthusiastic to be in my presence.She still held my hand, and even as I tried to pull it away, she wouldn't let go. It felt as though I might vanish if she did."Winter..." I nudged her, and she snapped her gaze towards me. "I asked you a question," I said, and she raised a brow."On?" She queried."You seem overly happy to see me, and it's a first for me. Am I in trouble or something?" I chuckled softly as she snorted.She released my hand, and in that instant, I wished she was still holding on. It felt like something left me as she let go. Winter crossed her arms over my belly, giving her an alluring air. The way her hair flowed down as if the wind were in it, and the twist of her lips, it was all too cute. Even though she looked upset, I still found her irresistible."I should be asking you where you left me." She retorted."I told you I
RAFAEL'S POVI attempted to breach the barrier once more, but it relentlessly repelled me with each try—frustration built within me.Gritting my teeth, my gaze fixed on Winter. Her countenance had adopted a sinister edge, and a smile danced on her lips, a facet of her I hadn't deemed possible. Granted, she was a werewolf, but I'd never witnessed her bare her canines like this. It rendered her unexpectedly dangerous, even more so than I'd imagined, or perhaps, dreaded if someone had described it to me and I hadn't witnessed it firsthand."Rafael," she murmured, her lips moving, yet I couldn't discern her words. I strained, attempting to catch any sound, but all I heard was the howl of the wind assaulting my eardrums."Winter," I implored once more. "Come back to yourself."My eyes darted skyward as thunder rumbled above. In response, Winter threw back her head, emitting a chilling cackle, leaving me perplexed."It's the forest," a voice resonated in my mind.It wasn't my own. My wolf r
WINTER's POV"Me," a voice said before I could reply.The voice was unlike anything I had ever heard before. It sent shivers down my spine, and every nerve in my body stood on alert. Frowning, I gazed around the forest while Rafael stepped closer to me, and I muttered, "Who was that?" I couldn't help the tremble evident in my voice. I suppose anyone, even if they were powerful, would feel that way."I have no idea," Rafael whispered, "but I felt something strange."I nodded in response to his reply because I felt it, too. Taking a breath as no one showed themselves, my eyes narrowed, and I muttered, "Why don't you show yourself?!"Instead of emerging from the shrubs or wherever she was hiding, the leaves rustled, and the wind started to howl. I grimaced, squinting as it picked up some debris from the forest floor."Is it you, Winter?" Rafael groaned. "Can't you control this darned wind power of yours?!""It's not me," I said. "Whoever is coming forward is doing this."Rafael grunted,
WINTER'S POVTWO DAYS LATERClosing the journal in front of me, I opened it again, then closed it with an eye roll. I had been doing this for two days now, ever since we emerged from the silvamemoria forest. I wanted to uncover the journal's secrets, yet I found nothing of relevance.Don't get me wrong, what it contained wasn't entirely irrelevant. It mainly delved into my mother's childhood, but right now, that was not what I needed. I needed answers for Slade.I couldn't tell if Slade had returned with me from the forest, as it was Rafael who responded whenever I tried to reach out. I wondered if things had worsened, for he'd been keeping his distance for the past two days. Also, he seemed to be more lost in thought and oblivious to what was happening around him.Yes, Rafael was still in the Moonstone Pack. I had pleaded with him to stay close so I could keep an eye on him. I couldn't bear the thought of him being far away, fearing something might happen that I couldn't control.A s