ZANEThe moment I heard that howl, my heart stopped. It was Sierra. I would know her howl anywhere. My chest tightened as my wolf stirred inside me, howling back in recognition, even though I didn’t make a sound."Did you hear that?" I turned to Kane and Dane, who were flipping through the latest useless book we’d found on ancient spells.They froze, their ears twitching. Kane tilted his head, listening. “Is that—?”“Sierra,” I confirmed, already moving toward the door. “That’s her.”Dane stood, his jaw clenching. “You’re sure?”I didn’t stop. “I’ll never forget her howl. Let’s go.”We shifted without another word, our wolves surging forward with renewed energy. I felt the wind whip through my fur as we raced toward the cave. The closer we got, the more her howl cut through the air, louder and more distinct. She was alive. She was waiting.When we broke through the tree line, I skidded to a stop, nearly crashing into Kane. There she was. Sierra. In her wolf form, she was pacing, tail
SIERRAThe darkness wrapped around me like a second skin, thick and suffocating. The cold air of the cave seeped into my bones, making me shiver. I was back. Back in the cave with them.The vampires stood around me, their red eyes glowing in the dim light. Their faces twisted with anger and impatience, their expressions a mix of hunger and frustration. My breathing quickened, my pulse racing. I had escaped this place. I knew I had. But here I was again, trapped like an animal in a cage.One of them stepped forward—the elder, his sharp features unreadable. He looked at me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience, something standing in the way of his freedom. His cold, thin lips curled into a sneer."You think you can leave us here to rot?" he hissed, his voice smooth but laced with venom. "You think we’ll just sit back and do nothing?"I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand my ground. "I don’t know how to help you," I said, my voice unsteady but firm. "I barely understand what’
SIERRAI froze in the doorway, my breath catching in my throat. My mother stood over Kiara’s crib, her fingers clenched tight around a dagger, the blade glinting under the dim light. Her posture was all wrong; she was rigid and tense as if she were being controlled by something unseen. My stomach twisted in fear."Mom?" My voice was barely a whisper, but she heard me.Her head snapped toward me, and for a moment, I thought I was looking at a stranger. Once warm and filled with love, her eyes were now cold and empty, dark shadows swirling in them. Her hair was wild, strands falling over her face, and the way she held the dagger sent chills through my entire body."Stay back," she warned, her voice low and unrecognizable.My heart pounded against my ribs. "Mom, it’s me. It’s Sierra. Put the knife down. Please." I stepped forward slowly, hands raised, trying not to startle her.She flinched, gripping the dagger even tighter. "No! You don’t understand. I have to do this. They said I have
MAYAThe wind had been sharp against my skin as I ran through the woods, my feet pounding the earth, my breath ragged and fast. The trees blurred past me, their branches scratching at my arms and legs, but I barely felt it. I was consumed by the chaos in my mind. I could still hear their voices, those cursed vampires, echoing in my head, forcing their way into my thoughts, twisting everything. My daughter... I almost hurt her. I couldn’t stop replaying the moment over and over, the way I almost lost control, the way they made me feel like I was no longer myself.A wave of anger had built up in me, surging like a storm. I had stopped, thrown my head back, and let out a loud, guttural howl. The sound had torn from my throat, a mix of fury and frustration. It had almost felt like I was trying to shake off the weight of it all. They had no right. No right to do this to me. No right to take over my mind. I should have been stronger. I shouldn’t have let them win.I had paced, my heart raci
SIERRAI watched Mom disappear into the woods, Alpha Thane right behind her. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me, but I couldn’t let it overwhelm me. My mother was struggling, feeling lost, and I knew the only way to bring her back was to get Kiara back to her.I looked at the boys, all standing around me, trying to make sense of what was going on. Dane spoke up, concern written all over his face. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”I shook my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I don’t know. But I do know we need to get Kiara back to her.”Kane stepped forward. “What about the rogues? What if they attack again?”I nodded toward the woods where Mom had gone. “I know. But we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Kiara is the key. She’s the one thing that can bring her mother back. We need to make sure she’s safe.”“Stay back. Let her fight it out,” Thane’s voice rang through the trees, pulling me out of my thoughts.I frowned, glancing around at the boys. “Wh
MAYAI woke up with a jolt, my heart racing, and my breath shallow. The dark room felt unfamiliar at first, and I was overwhelmed with fear, my mind clouded with panic. My thoughts were all over the place until I turned my head and saw the soft, rhythmic rise and fall of Kiara’s chest beside me.Her tiny form was sleeping soundly next to me, her small hand curled around the edge of my blanket. My heart settled a little as I stared at her. She was fine. Everything was fine.I breathed in deeply, trying to calm myself. The fear slowly faded as I began to remember everything. The vampire attack, the fight, the confusion… But now, there was peace. The evil thoughts I’d been plagued with were gone, and I could think clearly for the first time in what felt like forever.I heard Thane’s voice behind me, soft but filled with concern. “Maya, it’s okay. Calm down.”I stiffened slightly, but then I saw him. He was standing in the doorway, watching me with that same calm, steady expression he alw
SIERRAI sat with Dane, Kane, and Zane in the living room, feeling the tension in the air. We had been waiting for Alpha Thane to return for what felt like hours, and the longer it took, the more anxious I became. My thoughts kept drifting to the mission ahead. We were going into dangerous territory, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something could go wrong.Dane glanced over at me, concern written on his face. “You okay, Sierra?”I gave him a forced smile, but I knew it wasn’t convincing. “Yeah, just thinking.”“You sure?” Kane asked, his tone soft. “You’ve been quiet. Something’s on your mind?”I nodded, but I could feel my stomach knotting. “Just... wondering what’s taking Dad so long. He’s usually faster with this kind of thing.”“They probably got held up,” Zane said, shrugging. “You know how Dad is, sometimes he likes to take his time with things.”“Yeah, but this feels different,” I muttered. “We have a dangerous mission ahead of us, and I just don’t know if I’m ready to l
SIERRAThe moment we entered the small town, the atmosphere felt thick with tension. The locals eyed us warily, their gazes flickering between me and the Lycan King, Alpha Thane. I could feel their suspicion, their fear. It was clear they didn’t want any trouble, and the sight of my family, especially Thane, seemed to make them even more uneasy.“I can feel their eyes on us,” I muttered under my breath, glancing at Alpha Thane. His expression was unreadable, though I knew he was aware of the hostility too.“We’re not here to cause trouble,” Alpha Thane said, his voice calm but firm. “We just need to talk to them.”But the moment we walked deeper into town, the murmurs from the locals grew louder. Some of them were already retreating into their homes, their doors closing with a soft but swift thud. Others stood, watching us from a distance, with angry eyes. They didn’t want to be involved. They didn’t want to see us here, especially not with Alpha Thane at my side.“I knew this was a b
SIERRAI crossed my arms, glaring at them. “Tell me the truth. Now.”Kane sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Sierra, just let it go.”“No,” I snapped. “I know you’re hiding something. Spill it.”Zane and Dane exchanged uneasy looks, the tension thick between us. My patience was wearing thin. Finally, Dane exhaled sharply and spoke.“It’s about the white oak stake,” he said slowly. “If you use it… there’s a chance you could lose your wolf.”I froze, my heart pounding. “What?”Zane nodded, his expression grim. “We found something in an old text. The stake can only be used by someone with your kind of power, but there’s a price.”I clenched my fists. “And you were just planning to keep this from me?” My voice rose. “You think I wouldn’t want to know?”Kane clenched his jaw, frustration clear on his face. “Because we knew what you’d say. And we were right. You’re still going to do it.”I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “If using that stake means wiping out those vampi
ZANESierra had barely left the room when I let out a deep sigh, running a hand through my hair. The tension in my chest refused to settle."She’s never going to forgive herself if we leave without saving these people," I said quietly.Dane let out a frustrated breath. "And if she dies trying, none of this will matter."Kane crossed his arms. "So what do we do? Just stand back and let her keep throwing herself into danger?"I shook my head. "No. The best thing we can do is find a way to help her without putting her in harm’s way."Silence fell over us for a moment before Dane spoke. "We need to know more about the white oak stake. If it’s really the only thing that can kill them, we have to figure out what price Sierra will pay if she uses it."Kane nodded. "Then we start researching. We’re running out of time."We split up, each of us diving into the piles of books and records we’d gathered over time. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, the silence only brok
SIERRAI stepped into the house, my body heavy with exhaustion. My mind was still reeling from my conversation with Ariel, and the weight of her final words lingered like a shadow in my heart.The moment I walked in, I was met with the hard stares of my mates, Dane, Kane, and Zane. Their arms were crossed, their expressions a mixture of frustration, worry, and disappointment.Dane was the first to speak. "Sierra, do you even think before you act?"I frowned, taken aback by his tone. "What?""You’re always making reckless decisions!" Kane snapped. "Running after Ariel alone? What were you thinking?""I was thinking about helping her!" I shot back. "She’s being manipulated, and if someone doesn’t reach her, she’ll be lost!"Zane exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "And what about us? What about the people who care about you? You keep throwing yourself into danger without thinking about how it affects the rest of us."I clenched my fists. "That’s not fair. Everything I do, I do for the pe
SIERRAI turned at the sound of the familiar voice, my body tensing slightly as I saw my brother standing there. Kyle.He smirked as he took a few steps forward. “What? No warm welcome for your brother?”I crossed my arms. “Didn’t expect to see you back here, Kyle.”He shrugged. “I’m not going to miss my brother’s wedding. Besides, someone needs to make sure you don’t screw this up.”Before I could respond, our mother jumped in, clearly eager to gain an ally. “Tell him, Kyle. Tell him how wrong he is for treating me this way! He’s turned his back on me because of Shawna!”I scoffed. “Oh, come on, Mother. Stop blowing things out of proportion. I’m marrying Shawna, and I’m making decisions with her in mind. That doesn’t mean I’ve turned my back on you.”Kyle looked between us, his smirk fading. “Well, this is awkward. I just got here, and I’m already caught in the middle of something.”I sighed. “Then stay out of it.”I turned and walked away. I didn’t have the patience for another argu
SIERRAI stormed into the house, my chest rising and falling rapidly, frustration burning hotter with every breath. The door slammed behind me, rattling the walls, but I didn’t care. Let them all hear it. Let them know I was angry.Inside, my mates stood waiting, their arms crossed, their eyes dark with disappointment, anger, and something else—something close to fear. I could still hear the villagers outside, their hushed voices carrying through the open windows. Fear thickened the air like smoke.I didn’t care.They were all wrong.“I could have helped her!” I snapped, my gaze darting between them. “You just stood there, watching! You let your fear control you!”Dane, the one who always met my fire with calm, wasn’t calm now. His jaw tightened as he took a step toward me. “Sierra, you don’t understand,” he growled, his voice rough with frustration. “She’s dangerous.”I scoffed. “She’s just a scared girl.”“She’s not just anything,” another voice muttered, but I ignored it.Dane didn
ARIELI knew when I wasn’t wanted. The way they looked at me, the way they whispered behind my back, the way their eyes darkened with fear and suspicion—it was all too clear. I could feel it in the way they avoided me, how they stepped back when I walked past, how mothers clutched their children closer as if I was some kind of monster.Sierra had tried to help. She stood by me when no one else would, shielding me from their harsh words and cold stares. She spoke up for me when I was too exhausted to defend myself, but her voice fell on deaf ears. The people had already made up their minds. They didn’t trust me. And honestly? I didn’t blame them.“She’s dangerous,” one of them hissed from the crowd, not even bothering to lower their voice.“We can’t let her stay,” another added, their tone sharp and final.Sierra squared her shoulders, placing herself between me and them. “She needs help,” she insisted, her voice firm. “She didn’t ask for this.”“She didn’t ask?” someone scoffed. “That
SIERRAThe world around me blurred as I gasped, my chest tightening with panic. Dane, Kane, Zane, everyone was in danger. The storm was still raging, the ground still cracking beneath us. But something was off. My thoughts felt heavy, my mind clouded. Then, it hit me.The vampires. They were in my head.They had done this so I wouldn’t be able to save them. My heart pounded as I forced myself to push past the haze. I reached deep inside, tapping into the energy that had always been there but now felt like it was slipping away. No. I wasn’t going to let them win. I clenched my fists, focused, and let my power surge through me.A sharp pain stabbed through my skull, but I didn’t let it stop me. The vampires were trying to break me, to keep me locked in this mental prison, but they underestimated me. I took a deep breath, drowning out the chaos, and reached for the bond that connected me to my pack. Dane, Kane, and Zane were fighting, struggling, and I could feel their desperation. They
SIERRAThe sun's warmth kissed my skin as I walked barefoot along the soft sand. The ocean stretched endlessly before me, its waves rolling gently onto the shore. The sky was clear, a brilliant blue, with the sun shining bright and high. Everything was perfect and peaceful.And yet, deep inside, I knew something was wrong. I shouldn’t be here.Frowning, I stopped walking and turned my gaze to the sky. “Moon Goddess,” I called out. “Why am I here?”Silence. Only the soothing crash of waves answered me. The air was fresh, carrying the faint scent of salt and warmth. My fingers curled at my sides. Something about this place felt… too perfect.I turned in a slow circle, searching for any sign of movement. Nothing. Just endless sand and water, stretching far beyond what seemed real. My heart pounded.“Moon Goddess,” I tried again, louder this time. “Please, show yourself.”A gentle breeze wrapped around me, warm and soft, like a mother’s embrace. Then, she appeared.The Moon Goddess stood
ZANESierra still wasn’t waking up.I ran a hand through my hair, pacing the length of the room while Dane and Kane hovered around her unconscious form. It had been hours since she blacked out, and no matter what we did, shaking her, calling her name, even trying to tap into our bond, nothing worked.“She’s never been out this long before,” Dane muttered, his voice laced with frustration and worry. He sat at the edge of the bed, gripping Sierra’s limp hand. “What if…”“Don’t say it,” I snapped, cutting him off before he could voice the worst possible outcome. The thought of losing her, of something worse happening, made my chest tighten. “She’ll wake up. She has to.”Dane exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His jaw was clenched, his eyes never leaving Sierra’s still form. Her breathing was steady but shallow, her face pale against the pillows. It had been hours, longer than any of the other times she had blacked out. This wasn’t normal.Kane leaned against the wall, arms