A week after finding out I'd been involved with the murderer Alexander Romanov I'd managed to keep it together. It was the first full moon since my arrival, the White Forest Ball would shortly be underway, the castle full of the Alpha and Beta family groups. The next ball would be the day of my eighteenth birthday so I wanted to sneak a preview. I helped Bella and Kyra into their dresses and styled their make-up as best I could. Bella’s long straight dark hair was set off beautifully in a shimmering silver gown that clung to her slender shape whilst dripping with sparkling crystals. Kyra’s more petite frame and unusual grey hair was tightly wrapped up in a mermaid style neon blue gown which made her look like something from another realm. Neither of them had found mates yet and they didn’t sound hopeful of the night yielding any better results. “Wait until you see the Dance of Connection,” Bella sighed, “all that twirling around into the arms of everyone on the dance floor is just t

For the next five minutes I couldn't focus on the dance. I pulled on my sweatshirt, sat on the floor and listened to the music floating around me, trying to make sense of everything Alexander had said...and done to me. There was no way to truly believe the version of events he had given me, Fyre was drawn to him and I was massively attracted to him, but it wasn't proof. The music soared around me as the dance reached its climax and I made myself peep through the curtain. Over thirty men stood in four rows and as the music built to a spinning peak the partners broke and ladies swirled into the arms of a new partner. It was an intricate dance whose pace built up to the switch between partners heightening the drama. I spied Bella and Kyra, Bella still didn't look happy even as she whirled into the arms of a smiling Alpha Bram, her glistening dress and gorgeous figure couldn't compensate for a sour face I mused. Kyra looked to be having a lovely time as she glided into a tall brunette h

The two weeks after the ball had dragged so slowly it was torturous. All I seemed to do was fighter training, roam around the castle and read Pack histories in the library although I couldn't find anything further on my parents. The Five Lake scout discovery was common knowledge around the castle and whispers began of an impending war or skirmish to reset the balance. I was conflicted, I loved to fight and spar but against Five Lakes, I would go up against people I had known my whole life, what if I came up against Beta Dawes…it wasn’t worth thinking about. People had started to treat me differently, whereas I had been working my way into the community, most people just saw me as Five Lakes property, a potential traitor and there was a definite coldness. Not from Ivan, Bella and Kyra though. Ivan was a sweetheart, his soft red hair and kind eyes brightened up my day for he had the best sense of humour and took me as I was. Kyras stillness helped me improve my own impulsive nature. B

It’s only been a month since I first came across this girl and she is ruining me. I should have known from watching that fight with Caleb she was something else. The Fates never warned me that I would fall for her even though she isn’t meant to be mine. That’s why people don’t trust the Fates, they only tell you so much of the truth. It drives men insane trying to pick apart the meaning in their words. Hydra growled at my negativity, /she seeks you out every time doesn’t she?/ I can’t allow myself to believe her heart is involved, I argue back. She doesn’t know me really, only the accusations, she might have got caught up in the heat of the moment a few weeks ago. When Bram offers her the Luna throne, when their mate bond is established, I will be beyond gutted. I might as well allow myself to turn rogue even though that would be against my promise to father. Hydra growled even more aggressively at the idea of betraying him, we won’t go rogue whilst we remain undetected in White For

I clutched the note to my chest, how was I meant to know where he would be, it had all been coincidence so far surely. Fyre murmured something that had been bubbling away at me for weeks, /aren’t you meant to be a Fate, course you can find him if you try hard enough./ I lay on the bed, his note clasped in my hands and closed my eyes, hoping for any kind of inspiration. Images and memories from childhood float by randomly, Beta Dawes, Celeste, Runa, my ruby dress, finding out I was coming here it all floated in front of my eyes. I tried to concentrate, see if anything would emerge, a great big clue or hint but there was nothing. A frustrated growl of annoyance escaped me, still clutching the note I got off the bed and stormed out of my room for a walk. Maybe fresh air would help. I went down the stairs of the castle, weaving through the corridors to the ground floor, through the great grey-stone foyer covered in hanging flags, stomping out towards the edge of the castle walls. I nee