BFTA 30 Eleanor beamed at the mirror as she pulled the last lock of hair into place. It had been too easy. She giggled, recalling the sound of Cassy’s crying and pleading. It had been music to her ears. The moved gleefully, twirling in her nightdress and humming a sound she’d picked up during a festival from not too long ago. Burn the witch. That was the name of the song. Cassy might have as well been the witch tonight. If she had given the right push, perhaps, they would have tied her to a stake and burned her as well. Eleanor giggled again as she picked up the scented oils and massaged her temples with them. Lino would come to her tonight. To take off the edge. She had to look good for him, smell good for him. Tonight had been a test for him. Duty over useless feelings. He had chosen duty like she knew he would. What a sight it had been to watch Cassy fall apart. Jessica had been collateral damage. When Cassy had come for Lino, she had known the w

BFTA 32 The journey to the peaks would take roughly three days. Two if they were fast. It was only the first day and Cassy’s thighs felt sore from riding on the horse’s back. The beast had been calm for the entirety of the journey but she had never had to ride a horse before or travel away from home. She didn’t have a reason to do so before. “Here,” Zane said, extending a water skin to her and she smiled faintly as she took it from him, murmuring her gratitude. He had chosen to escort her all the way to the lands that marked his territory apart from Lino’s, but he would leave in a few to rendezvous with his pack. It was his duty to be there and arrive with them at the peaks. She would follow him as she had agreed to be his Luna last night but the traditions required that the ceremonies be completed first—those were Lino’s words when Zane had sought his permission to take Cassy home as his bride. The bastard had blatantly refused and spoken some horse shit ab

BFTA 34 Lino and Eleanor returned an hour later and Cassy picked up the smell of sex rolling off them. Eleanor’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright and—Cassy hated them. Both of them. Lino wouldn’t meet her gaze. He would not even gaze in her direction. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he felt guilty about whatever nonsense he and his mate had done in the forest—but somehow, Cassy understood why he had to do it. She hated that she did, but she understood. He mounted his horse without sparing them a glance and they resumed the journey after him. Eleanor winked at Cassy when no one else was looking and proceeded to lick the bottom of her lips in a way Cassy found beyond disgusting. Apparently, having sex with Lino was more than enough to change her mind about attending the procession. Perhaps, she’d thrown the tantrum just to make a point. A point that she had sway over Lino and the people. A point that she was Luna and Cassy would never be we

BFTA 36 Cassy didn't know what to expect of the peaks but she had surely not expected another castle. Considering its size, it surpassed the size of a castle. It had countless wings and numerous rooms, all structured to house everyone. One Hundred Packs were converging at the Castle and it was big enough to house all of them and their members. Being Head Alpha, Lino and his pack were given the center wing. They were shown to their rooms by children acolytes and Cassy found the little girl who led her to her room extremely adorable. Lino and Eleanor would sleep separately for the night before the Hunt. Traditions of some sort. It didn't stop them from being touchy and sneaking in a few kisses as they walked through the halls of the castle. Cassy found it irritating and annoying and had she been up to it, she would find Eleanor and tie her to her bedpost for the entire night. Or forever. As long as she didn't have to see her cooing and kissing Lino everywhere.

BFTA 38 The Hunt was an hour away and Cassy found herself on the verge of a nervous breakdown. A faint feeling of deja vu gripped her as she stood in a straight line of maidens, who were awaiting the Moon Goddess's blessings before venturing into the peaks beyond the Castle. Months ago, she had stood in a similar line, confused. Her life had changed so much since then. She had gone from that woman to who she was now. But who was she now? She was still a very confused Cassy who was waiting in line to be chosen by an Alpha. How utterly hilarious. Where Lino had stood months ago, the priestess stood, raising a silver bowl to the sky and chanting to the Goddess and muttering prayers to her. Simultaneously, an Elder was walking along the length of the line, giving instructions to them on what was to be done in the peaks. He was halfway in and Cassy wondered when he would stop talking already. She'd gotten the hang of it. Or some of it at least. The Hu