* * * Eve’s POV * * * * * Six Months Later * * The New Moon pack has grown tremendously. It’s become its own town in the countryside. Amid the chattering trees, amid the cheer of laughing meadows, lives the country town. The country town is a hug of houses amid green pastures. In this expanse of green, there are more hues than anyone has ever named, yet here they are for any eye to see. The land rolls as it always has, as if it feels that time and space are one thing, that it moves through the ages as much as to the horizon. Over it is laid a path that branches through the open landscape, and as I begin to walk, there is a frisson of joy for all the choices to come, each one laden with discoveries. The pack has managed to build this town without imposing on the natural beauty of the countryside. There is a structure to the streets and buildings that house our hundreds of members. We were about to start work on the old derelict Blood Eclipse pack. However, its members have all begge

* * * Eve’s POV * * * There are an infinite number of ways to be a man, as I suppose there are an endless number of ways to be a woman. For all, personality traits exist in both. Yet this man in front of me has both empathy and a very masculine form of strength and love. He’s divine. I don’t know how else to say it. But it has been so effortless to fall in love with every part of who he is, and there’s no reverse gear. I’m hopelessly and irrevocably in love with him, and I thank my lucky stars every day that the Moon Goddess blessed me with his soul and this bond. Whatever the decision I have to make, my answer will always be him. I know within my core that my life will feel empty without him and choosing a life without him will never be a possibility. I hope the Moon Goddess understands this. ‘Mother knows how precious the bond is; she created it. And she would never ask you to choose’, Cora tells me firmly. ‘I agree; I just wish she would share her full vision with me and tell

* * * Eve’s POV * * ** * * Three Weeks Later * * * The last three weeks have passed in a blur; sometimes, it feels like you will miss out on life if you blink. Becca and Damian have lost themselves in a sleep-deprived state, so we babysat for a few nights to allow them to sleep. I have no idea how they do it. The babies are not in sync at all; they take it in turns to wake and cry. Efficiently tag-teaming against us. But they’re so adorable and watching Max coo and sing to them hurts my ovaries. In a good way, of course. There’s something so special about watching a big man dote upon babies that makes him instantly more attractive and desirable. Every time I watch him with the babies, I fall more in love with him and indescribably desire to have him. When Becca and Damian collect the babies, I pounce. At first, it had caught him by surprise, but once he realises how much I crave him after seeing him with them, he volunteers for more babysitting duties. Our days have been spent sor

* * * Eve’s POV * * * I have barely gotten over the seagull trauma; if I’m honest, I’m in a bit of a mood over it. If those humans hadn’t been there or if they were aware of us, I would’ve totally cooked the pesky sky pirates and saved my sausage roll. I’ve been bested by a feathery devil with a brain the size of a walnut.We’ve spent time with the Royal pack members who have arrived; they aren’t able to tell us much more than we already know. But it’s been a pleasant evening. We lay cosy in bed with the window cracked open, allowing the sea breeze air to fill the room.Something about the scent of the sea air makes me feel sleepy, and I don’t remember falling asleep. I’m comfortable in my deep slumber, vaguely aware of Max’s arm draped over my waist. “INTRUDERS!” a voice rings out, startling me from my sleep and almost giving me a heart attack. “It’s a tannoy. Come, we need to help them. Out the window,” Max says quickly as he rushes to the window.“Out the window?” I repeat, alm

* * * Eve’s POV * * *Cradling the sweet young girl close to my chest, I watch amused as Sarah rushes up the stairs to the packhouse in a trance-like state and claims him as her mate. I laugh as his eyes pop wide in shock, and as he tries to process what is happening. He’s rooted to the spot and if it’s at all possible, he appears even paler than usual. How can this be? ‘Mother has a plan’, Cora tells me. ‘Has this match ever been made before?’ I ask her.‘I can’t recall, but it’s happened for a reason,’ she tells me.“Will you accept the bond?” Sarah asks him. When her declaration has gone unanswered. “Do you know what I am?” He asks her, looking nervous and shifting from foot to foot. It saddens me to think that he places his worth on his race. “You are mine to love and cherish,” she tells him.“I’m a vampire, does that not bother you?” He asks her.“Not unless you don’t like dogs,” she laughs nervously. “You’re a vampire and I’m a new werewolf and a mother. Will you accept me