[Ashlynd]This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. The day I finally get to marry Slate after 7 long years of engagement. But this day is tainted now. The Grand Warlock made sure of that. Reaching for the nearby wastebasket I vomit for the third time this morning. I've been queasy since he performed that spell, draining some of the life energy from that room full of wolf pups. The surge of power felt amazing as it settled into my bones. Even today I still feel stronger than I ever have been.While also feeling the worst I ever have. This pregnancy is unnatural. I would rid myself of his spawn if I could. Why did I have to be born a witch? Why did my mother ever sew that patchwork soul to mine, giving me the powers and pleasures of a wolf? Did she know what she was doing to me when she made that choice? Did she realize that once it was gone I'd mourn the loss for the rest of my life? Because deep in my heart I am still a wolf. And Slate is my mate. We are meant to be tog

[Hyacinth]As soon as Ash was down the stairs, the music began to play. Lying here, I can hear the sound of the prerecorded wedding march and feel my heart sink with each note. The wedding has officially started. Which means my chance to rescue my mate is almost at an end."It is never too late," Halcyon barks. "I don't care what she does. He is ours and no vow is going to change that." "The problem is," I counter, "Is that Ash thinks the same thing too." "I wish I knew how to do that self-healing trick," I moan. "It would be really useful right now.""I can teach you," Halcyon suggests. "It won't hurt the pup, but you will need to trust me enough to take over."I agree and almost instantly I see her guiding my mind in the steps required to make it work, to look inward and see what is wrong and slowly mend it. Rather than use my powers, it is more like a redirection of energy. Exhausting, but not in the same way as sharing my energy with others is. Soon the pain in my back is almos

[Hyacinth]By the time I make it to the top of the aisle, Ashlynd is already holding Slate's hand as a preacher speaks over the two of them. Next to her are two of her new witch sisters. Next to Slate is nobody. I have already missed the part where they ask those in attendance if they have any objections to this union. Knowing Ashlynd, she probably didn't even include that part. She isn't the type to welcome opposing opinions. Everyone is focused on the scene in front of them. In the audience is my father and his wife, my evil witch step-mother. Also included are all the alphas and their senior cabinet members who came to the summit and Alpha Beta Ball. Every important wolf on the West Coast, as well as a few from the East Coast and one as far away as France. I'd be impressed if I wasn't terrified. All of these wolves are under her compulsion, controlled by the spell worn around Ashlynd's neck. I stand there, unnoticed and numb, unable to move as I listen to his promise to love an

"Mark me?" I whimper as I retake my bipedal form, returning to a body with only two legs instead of four. "You are my Luna," he growls as his form shifts above me. It has been so long since I've had him this close to me, naked and vulnerable, wanting to touch me, that I start to cry as I reach up to touch his chest. "Are you sure that is what you want," I want him, now more than ever, but I don't want him to feel like he is making a mistake. His expression softens as he bends his elbows, lowering himself to me so that he can press his lips to mine gently. "It's all I've wanted for a very long time, Hyacinth. I want you to be my Luna, my wife, and the mother of my pups.""About that, I reach up and touch his face," that night, before you asked Ash to be your mate.His face darkens. "I don't want to talk about that right now," he insists as he kisses me again, this time with more need. "I want you, I want my mate. And I need you to be mine, now. Not just because I want you, but becaus

[Thirty minutes earlier][Roderick]I should have never come here. I should have stayed in my swamp. Wolves and witches are dying all around me, terrified as they watch my illusion unfold around them. This is why others cannot use my power. This is why we stay far, far away from all of this. When a wolf like me interferes, when we join the fight, it often causes more harm than help. We intended to scare the witches, but a spell like this does not discriminate. Everyone in the area is affected, including the wolves who are little more than prisoners. Rushing from their seats, they may run towards the shelter of the auditorium. Those who were sitting closer to the front almost trample the ones towards the back as they make a mad dash to escape. The Beta and her team move forward, eliminating as many witches as they can. Unfortunately, the wolves in the audience are not in control of their bodies, the spell holding them captive is. And right now the remaining witches are terrified