Uncle desires

rees like blades, sharp and b

rough the towering black pines. But she didn't stop. She couldn't. Not when she felt him behind h

. Alpha D

was poison in

once white, now torn and soaked in sweat-clung to her skin. It wasn't supposed to be like

ower. And now, he wanted her.

rest like thunder, calm, steady, cruel. "Yo

nst loose stones. The dark chasm yawned beneath her, deep and deadly.

shadows twisted,

s go silent when he entered a room. But his beauty had always hidden the rot beneath. Jet black hair fell over his

embling,"

. "Because you're

ou used to ca

dn't know what monst

ed inside her, restless, sensing the shift in dominance. But she

some fragile little girl anymore. You're blooming, Scarlett. Your body's chan

up," she spat. "Or is that part

passed through his eyes, and f

k it's because I'm cruel. But it was mercy, Scarlett. If the Council knew w

er die than be

t, she barely h

and fisted in her hair, yanking her head

g to me,"

nst her ribs, but she didn't

smiled. Blood

are you af

fro

n to throb. Heat pulsed under her skin, racing through her veins like ligh

e

her voice laced with somet

d

hand tremble. His jaw clenched. "You'

ong to anyon

he Moon Goddess

's breat

seduction wrapped in prophecy. "You don't remember them yet, b

That's not fate.

ll come to see it's the only path. I've alrea

mark-always silent-burned again, hotter no

esis

ward the cliff's edge. "If yo

nfazed. "Then I'll

"I'll die before I le

the win

w sc

Da

wild. Cold

t something deep in her core-something anci

else was

's territory. Someone doe

ro

how she knew-b

against hers, somewhere in the trees,

turned

ond the tree line. The forest had gone utterly still. No rust

r whateve

but she could feel the heat of his stare. His energy was different fro

ro

ct told her

wolf..

s perked, tail high-not in submissi

rmured, without taking

body tensed like a spring, scen

ds to kill anything tha

curled. "Seems l

sture stiff with suppressed rage. "He has no right

d her head. "S

snapped

," he

er step toward the edge of the cliff. "Maybe I'd

they are. They kill. They mate without honor. The

whispered, "I c

king at her. The connection was instant. Not like Darius's force

something

de

as gone. No sound. No

is presence linge

harply. "He's al

d, voice shak

is furious gaze. "You did. An

might strike. His hand twitched, but th

sn't a

anym

shifted. Somet

us said softly, coldly. "I will

you'd better run. Because I t

t, the pack gro

the heart of the mountain. The old Luna chamber. Sa

rled around her naked form, hiding the scars on her arms, the fresh b

. The shape was ancient. A crescent surrounded by three interlocking stars. Her mother

ty. Of a bloodline

wasn't

s brea

e was

ions across the surface. Images flashed-brief, dizzying. Fire. Wolves. C

ro

ulled back. The

ndone," a voice

ss the pool-Darius. But not Darius as he was. Y

head

," she w

ispered back. "Time. Memory. Blood

ection s

scre

d in, chest heaving, eyes scanning for threats. His gaze

s head. "Forg

una yet,"

in her voice s

s still

t didn'

of ghosts. Her heart pounded, not from fear, but from the raw pull of something she didn't

no male, not even the second-in-command, could

aid n

finally asked, voice l

rius ordered me to watch you. You

curled. "So now

, my lady. You'r

protection when you're the on

it in the tension of his muscles, the sweat on his brow. Marek w

o drag me back to

the Luna Chamber... no one should stop you. That t

eath c

ng. Knew that the bloodline in her veins was reac

testing h

faintly now-markings glowing like breath. Her mark, still burning on her back,

had bee

she sai

up, only

e in a blood ritual under the full moon...

orked. "I se

not an

g in his eyes. "If the Goddess co

e slowly fro

. Una

radi

st her skin. She stepped closer to him-d

she said. "And I command

then fell full

ther had a vision of your death and vanished before you turned five. T

t's pul

hat you would destroy the Alpha who claim

t do you

at her then

the mountai

ched with silver thread. It felt strange against her skin-too formal, too a

n fortress like she owned them. Servants

in the yard paus

egun: She walked through

did-except t

t Hall, Dar

ilt of his ceremonial dagger. The Alpha crown-blackened gold

me," Scarlett sa

on unreadable. "They say yo

they call su

w tigh

n?" he asked. "D

n me, if that's

er, his steps deliber

e water of the Luna Chamber burns imposters aliv

in. "It means your lie

. So sure of yourself. You've tasted powe

ived yo

s only t

inctively prepar

, he held s

cro

and stamped with the sigi

omach

ning them?" s

at you are. To witness your cha

"You invited the El

You'll wear white. I'll bleed for t

's mouth

hing her cheek with a thumb

ed into

saw

verlooking the forest. The wind tangled in

ed to ru

ad, she w

are

gue, wherever he was,

he fe

ser

chi

it

n rose

ed shift, long after the castle grew quiet and the whispers of the Elder

free

answ

r

ver-eye

like a shadow bound to her heartbeat. He was always near now-never s

mething was cal

e fog, ghosting through the trees. The wild obeyed her. Branches didn't snag

wat

wai

eath her skin, pacing, restless. She paused at the stone circle-ruins buried deep in

he circle, palms flat against the

touched

Time obeys. But t

eath c

ce it was-her mother's? T

and warmed. A vision st

er armor, bleedi

t, screaming as fi

ing above a gra

her hand away. Her puls

th

l behi

arning

n, teet

here

st a tree, ha

athers, bare arms inked in tribal markings that pulsed faintl

ro

dn't

watch

e p

pro

he tremble in her knees. "

s head. "You

silk-low, foreign, t

ot," she

you knew my scent. You searched for me in

fr

do

ot fro

tuttered. "

ced hers. "No

k something lo

tep back. "Y

isions. The echoes. You think they're dreams,

her fists. "Why ar

ful. His presence was overwhel

me fo

ed at her ribs, not in fear-

't even

ed. I knew you before your uncle became Alpha

ees bu

ever me

arks erupted where he touched her. Not like Darius's

efore the Godd

's visio

everythin

apped. The

ding wolves into fire. She saw Darius, bleeding at her fee

r ch

away with

snappe

her before

ed in his arms.

thread of what once wa

p at him, breathl

glowed

your mate. Before

the circle li

ered boulder nearby, s

me to believe I had another life

el said. "Only that you fee

rt pounding. "That's not truth

l s

ckened as h

wers to you because you were born from a Luna who touched it. Your mo

t tightened. "My

"She hid herself. She knew

f feel in years. Her mother had vanished when she was five. The memory was buried, fog

e," Scarlet

er incarnate. He tried to mark you as his even as a child. Your mother made a blood-

jaw. "You speak in rid

, his eyes bright w

t Darius betrayed us. He used forbidden blood magic to sever your bond to me and chai

ed at hi

your death... and rewrote fate. You sent your younger sel

between them,

ay, dazed. "And yo

idn't break. It stretched across time. I searche

akened. "Thi

urmured, taking he

ched hers again, anothe

barefoot across a

of her, covered in wo

silver light as she wh

and burning, snarled

led back

hit the ground. He held h

ths came

see this?

in," he said. "But the more you awa

hy

-he'll kill you before your power fully ret

t the

king the forest. The wind howled, but not

ached silen

t in her

't look awa

t me to

Let her feel like she's free. The trap is sw

d. "And if she

s eyes

spers. Guards spotted movement at the northern b

nds curled

s ba

said n

"We bring the ceremony forward. The Elder

idened. "But t

ake her

he f

l now, no longer shakin

your time," she said slowly. "Bu

the only one who can bless or condemn the L

op it," Scarl

also fear you. The Moon Church is

ett s

ll speak

e too. "

the mating ceremony, if I can d

ght he

t ready to

rned t

y to belong t

, torn between pro

sguise to get pas

d. "Then help

– Outer T

ed her through forgotten hunter tunnels beneath the fortress wall. Old blood sta

ned the cliffs in silver. The mo

aid softly. "Once you pass through

t the spires above.

Oracle is not your ally. She answers only to the Moon. She'll te

yes burned.

od up and climbed the

Oracle'

ed with incense

ver veils, her white hair braided with bones of wolves long dead. Her eyes-sightl

loak, child,"

e silence pressed in.

t you seem," the

the Darkfang line

ughter of Seranna, bearer of the bloodlight. I see the thr

hard. "Then you k

he mark." The Oracle paused. "To

s's Luna," Scar

to be. But the timeline you now walk is not your

moth

the Moon's will. She shattered time

iffened. "I

t know what t

n't c

When the hour of truth arrives, you will have to choose

ward. "Tell me how t

iled faintly.

s heart s

st endu

N

ll your power awaken. Only the

d. "You want me

"I want you to survive

– The We

s the scent hit him

gu

ot hi

s's h

ees without warning-bla

the bea

n-bones cracking, fur erupting, claws extending. The rogue

scream-Kael ripped out his thro

expected. Meaner than an

pun, snapped the second's leg and cr

he fo

ilver. Darius's

his ribs. He roared, fury making his fur ripple li

ard enough to splinter bark and bon

, panting, blood dr

lled th

was onl

ason-to test Kael's presence. Next t

wasn't sa

ther wa

le – Secr

the altar. Moonlight filtered down through crystal m

f every future you've denied,"

sitated. "W

t was, what is, and what could be. But

t looke

uid shi

dr

me sha

ning p

torn from

name as he was dra

choing across the

ering her name as

l to her kne

ed up, the Or

basin

reflectio

sn't just

eyes-glow

me as

t just ti

s Time

ess – Cer

ed with the howls o

th silver thread. The veil over her face did little to hide

gue. The Elders raised torches. A cir

k and crimson. Alpha's armor. He was power

s gaze craw

on, "the Moon witnesses the unification of

nch. She remembered

will your power awaken. Only

ndure. Just

rd with the ceremonial

, Scarlett Dark

the tip t

blad

d we

thing wa

d along the cut. The runes beneath h

s?" one of t

raised

ed off t

t yours,

ed with power that s

eranna's heir. I am Sca

e. "What di

d. "Your mark cannot bind me.

re throug

a

g with silver veins, eyes bright with moonlight. He crashed into t

rriors drew blade

rled. "Rog

didn'

lun

ided, teeth and fur

her palm shimmered-runes in the floor sh

shi

erup

attle

. Darius struck with the strength of greed

d through it

Moon's power-her v

by fate undone-let t

k he tried to place on h

herous-lit

ugh to send him flying.

ink you

ld up her b

't even

– The Fo

er woods. Darius's private army surged forward-but some of hi

he old Luna. They

it again in S

tuary –

d from the

uins. Bodies lay still-s

s unconscious form, blo

oached, hand

ll him now,

hed his

ooked

"He still holds the final piece o

ly. "Then we cag

to the gath

eclared. "And I cl

e b

tre

hear

e brighter than i

ready to snap. Scarlett stood in the center, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath her feet - alive, fierce, an

ay fur, eyes glinting with raw challenge. He was a threat not just in strength but in ambition - a wolf who

tinct - the wolf inside her ignited like wildfire. She twisted aside, the swish of her own claws barely missing him a

Scarlett's mind was clear - every strike was a statement, every dodge a demonstration of control.

nd potential rippled like wind through the trees. The power she wielded wa

lash of claws echoing like thunder. Pain blossomed where his strikes landed, but

ber eyes blazing with pride and warning. "She is the blood o

cold storm, calculating and unyielding. He knew the pack's loyalty was fracturing. Scarl

play his hand soon, weaving webs of deception

final, furious strike, she sent Harrek sprawling to the dirt, chest heaving

aving, silver eyes gleaming w

t a Luna - she was a

and air like a warning. Scarlett hadn't just won a challenge. She had claimed something deeper. Anc

e nape of her neck. Her eyes, silver and stormy, swept over the pack. No one dared meet her gaze except the old on

st beat Harrek," he murmured low, "you sil

a slow, dangerous smile. "

ers. She could feel it in her bones - something unnatural stirre

watching," s

ded slowly.

– The Ro

ouched against a pine. His eyes were amber - sharp, reflective, filled with se

nymore. The pack had abandoned him. Betrayed

rle

ils. Something in her aura called to him like a howl in the dead of night

is chest wasn't one of hostility - it was longi

stepping into a world

the Mo

over open flame. The pack began their feast, drums pounding in ritual rhythm. Laugh

ed by his most loyal guards. A twisted smirk cut across his face a

, "but I haven't bled this long jus

leaned closer.

e map with blood, circling the very plac

ight – Scarl

ett slipped into a deep sleep, he

eamt o

s run

lowing beneath a

broken timelines - her bro

hing for

ising sa

her...

d from the Rite of Strength, muscles warm, heart pounding with both triumph and unease. She sat up on her furs, silver e

curling on the night breeze: smoke, pine, and somet

ght against the night chill, an

Scarlett moved through them like a silent tide, every eye bowing in respect or flickering with envy as she p

d there, nostrils flaring. Her gaze cut through the trees-tracking movement. A cloak

alled softly, voice threade

ow of torchlight. Tall, lean, wolf-fur coll

desire wrapped in one silent package. Legends said rogue

," he said, voice low, rich with woodsmoke and

ing. "You've trespassed on sacred

you are." He stepped closer, the torchlight dancing across the pl

oftly-a warning. "You spe

red of a Luna reborn-of a mate unclaimed by darkness. My pack fell to Darius's hunter

y muscle in her body

f truth. It came from Varin's envoy-torn from his cloak when I protected

ther's edge. Its metal barbs pricked her finger

die on your side, Luna, t

Wolves paused their revelry, dra

ht heavy in her hand. Choices flickered befo

Rise, then," she said, voice firm. "St

nelt and pressed a hand to his heart-a warrior's o

t, wolf and Luna forged th

full of fear, others thick with suspicion. No rogue had ever been permitted this close to a pack gathe

eth-watched the stranger with subtle aggression. Not because he was rogue, but becau

ust him too quickly," she whispered, voice sharp lik

dn't flinch

bloody and limping. "Scarlett," he gasped. "There's been an attack... on the southern patrol

iffened. "Sh

urned sharply. "

lied. "Mercenaries loyal only to Varin.

r fists. "He dares c

rd. "You've weakened

gleamed. "Desperate w

nd her like smoke. "Ready the Blood Circle.

Night – The

Circle-an ancient arena carved into the earth by the claws of the First A

r. She sliced her palm and let blood drip

of Luna, born of time's wound. I sum

ind h

rees

th

ion s

Vi

es fought in twisted, chaotic flashes. Her uncle Varin sto

nd him..

ing obsidian. Wearing

stood bloodied but unbrok

nst her, whispering, You are not th

to Re

blood trailing down her wrist. Crimson c

you see?

haken but defian

e?" Crims

e tree line, where the rog

said. "He

tightened. "

d. Her li

ther is