Kristy's POVI paced my chambers impatiently, awaiting word from Orion. He had promised to arrange a covert meeting between myself and the notorious Alpha River, Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. Forming an alliance with our sworn enemies turned my stomach. But I was desperate, willing to stoop to any depth to eliminate Ella and claim Aiden. With Orion's shrewd expertise, he would broker the deal and mask my involvement.A soft knock interrupted my restless pacing. I opened the door to find a hooded figure waiting silently. Orion's trademark subtlety.He had arrived. I quickly pulled him inside, warding the room against eavesdropping. Orion lowered his hood, regarding me intently with gleaming grey eyes. "The meet is set. But Alpha River is...cautious. You must go alone, with proof of your sincerity if you wish to sway him." "Meet him?" I asked, as I suppressed a growl of frustration. Alone in their den? Lunacy. But Orion's expression brooked no argument.I gulped hard. This was my o
Ella's POVI drifted in the void between dreaming and waking, seeking connection along the fragile thread that tied my soul to Aiden's. Our mindlink had been quiescent since our last intimate conversation, his energies focused on the journey home. Or so I guess.But though his spirit was beyond my reach, images still flickered at the edge of my consciousness. Brief glimpses of unfamiliar forests, a cavern lit by firelight...flashing faces wreathed in shadow. Were these Aiden's dreams I was tapping into? Or had the twisting curse infiltrated even our bond, showing me phantoms meant to mislead?I clung desperately to the flashes of sight and sound, straining to decipher meaning in the disjointed mosaic. But just as quickly, they faded, smoke through my grasping fingers. With a gasp, I jolted fully awake, heart racing. The images had vanished like mist under the harsh sun. "What was that again?" I mumbled as I rubbed my temples, struggling to hold on to any sliver, any clue that migh
Ella's POVI jolted awake, heart pounding and skin clammy with sweat. From another of the visions. The grief is still fresh.The vivid dream still flashed before my eyes - Kristy meeting in secret with Alpha River, pledging to help him destroy our pack in exchange for my death. And now she accepts that she did it because she loves Aiden.Could it be real? A prophetic vision, and not just some nightmare conjured from stress? The details had felt so viscerally real...yet how could my dearest friend truly harbour such hatred against me?Is this real? Or is this a warning sent to me by the goddess?To know that she hates me enough to orchestrate my death atop such senseless jealousy...I should rage and weep. Instead, I only felt empty, scooped hollow with loss.Lea's compassion enveloped me as I knelt broken amidst the remnants of our shattered sisterhood. No wisdom or reassurance could erase this pain. But she grieved with me, for the friend we both loved who had been consumed from w
Ella's POVI entered Jayden 's office to help with the plans.I refused to crumple. My pack needed me stronger now more than ever."Jay." I smiled at him weakly."El, you don't have to push yourself." Jayden looked up from the maps he was studying as I entered. His smile of greeting slipped into concern at my wan appearance. "You need rest, El, look at you."he breathed. "You looked so pale." he chided gently. "Pushing yourself to collapse will help no one." He added.I tried to wave off his worry, but swayed on my feet. "Dear Goddess? What's happening?" I murmured.Jayden caught my arm, steadying me as I grabbed my belly bump."When did you last eat or sleep?" he asked with a knowing look. My silence answered for me. Looking anywhere but him.The last time I ate. Was it yesterday in the morning? Even when I sit down to eat I have no appetite."For The Goddess sake El." Jayden exclaimed as he shook his head, guiding me firmly to sit. "You should take care of yourself more, dir the
Ella's POV I slowly opened my eyes as dim pre-dawn light filtered into my chambers. After yesterday's plan. I tried reaching out to Aiden, I went to the elders and Boston gave me some herbs to help me concentrate.And today is the day - the day I would try to reach Aiden one final time before it was too late. "We can do it." Lea whispered. It's the only choice we have against Alpha River. Against the curse of the Twin Mates!Rising quietly, I dressed with calm purpose, steadying my nerves for the enormous task ahead. I had to break through the dark shroud clouding Aiden’s spirit, make him see the ruinous path he now walked. If any part of the brave, loyal mate I loved yet lingered beneath the ambition and jealousy...my voice could call him back to the light.But it would not be easy. The Bond between us had been muted, his thoughts closed to me. Some malevolent influence had sunk deep claws into his psyche, twisted him into a stranger. I would be fighting against more than just
Aiden's POV I stalked through the forest, jaw clenched and shoulders rigid with self-loathing.Whenever I remember her voicey heart breaks even more."I'm such a fool." I mumbled.Ever since Ella had reached me through our mind link, and knowing she now saw all my treachery bare, shame and fury warred within me."Indeed I had been a fool. No, I'm worse than a fool - a pathetically gullible traitor, hung from the strings of his own ambition and pride." I punched my knuckles on the nearby tree.Ella's memories replayed in a relentless cascade, flaying me raw. Her horrified account of seeing my clandestine meeting with Alpha River, pledging their people's downfall in exchange for sole claim over her. I was selfish.The vile visions revealing Alpha River's true plans to betray and slaughter me once he was satisfied was karma on my part."Betrayed the Betrayer!" I let out a bitter laugh.I let out an angry howl trying to find some peace. But only pain and anguish tore from my throat, se
Kristy POVI moved through the darkened forest with swift, silent steps, sticking to the shadows out of a long habit.Soon I would reach the hidden cave where Owen awaited me, another clandestine meeting to further plot Ella's downfall. "I'll make sure you meet your End." I smiled.My pulse quickened at the thought. After long days of preparation, all the tangled threads were finally weaving together.The time I had dreamed of was nearly at hand - a new era dawning, with Ella gone and my rightful place restored. With Aiden!I just had to remain focused and let destiny take its course. Patience and cunning were all that stood between me and everything I had ever desired. I would not fail now, when triumph was so close I could taste it.Up ahead, the faint flicker of firelight marked the cave's concealed entrance.Owen's hulking silhouette paced restlessly at the mouth, visibly relaxing when he caught my scent. Foolish brute. His transparent desire was nauseatingly easy to exploit."T
Ella's POV I paced the training ground restlessly, squinting against the setting sun.Another day gone without sign of attack from the Blood Moons. The waiting grated on everyone's nerves, keeping the pack jumping at shadows. But I welcomed the delay. It gave me more time to marshal our defenses and shore up vulnerabilities. If war was coming, we would be ready.A familiar flutter along the bond with Aiden sent strength flowing through me.He was drawing nearer every day, his unwavering support bolstering my resolve. "Hurry up Aide, we need you." I mumbled to myself.Together we would protect our people, no matter the blood spilled trying to tear us apart.Lea stirred anxiously within as I made another circuit of the walls. Patience, sister. The goddess will reveal her plan in due time. I sent the she-wolf a reassuring caress. Lea spoke truth - this stagnation tested me, but fate's course would unfold as intended. For now, we need only remain watchful.Dusk had nearly faded to nig