led around the forest still, but most scattered a while ago. Nate left my side, but it wasn't far enough to not feel his em

ave it to me. It was his 'gift' when I turned fifteen. As he explained to me what it did, I didn't understand. When I became Alpha, after

writing that I couldn't read. The coin was perfectly balanced as I flipped it up and let it fall back into my

. Magic comes at a price. There is no guarantee of the out

ast it at the flames lapping up at the sky. 'U

een destroyed years ago! Don't do this. It will not end like you think

way I can contin

am begging you. There are other ways. We can figure

to give it time. Aelia was wrong. The Moon Goddess was

at their strength would reach a limit. I felt mine. It hurt, knowing that I wasn't enough to keep my pack safe. That as Alpha, if I had

could protect my pack. I could be the Alpha I needed to be. I could be everything. All it took

that his ability to protect the pack against the Hunters was in jeopardy. Yes, he made the wrong choices

and cry. They made me make decisions I shouldn't be making as Alpha. Including these feelings for Nate. Including this bond that was going to tear everything apart.

nown what it was like to have a bond unfulfilled. If I didn't reciprocate, then eventually the bo

would lessen. I could break through this weakness. Being Alpha meant I needed to be strong, stronger than any of my pack. More than that, I needed to be

nct ruled him. He would probably always be affected, but I wouldn't. This seemed like the answer, no matter how I looked at

riting I didn't know. They weren't in a language I knew, but it was how to activate the coin. Swallowing, I held the ruby

. "You wouldn't understand, though. You would be screaming at me. Calling me a damn idiot. That I was weak." Chuc

t wait. Give it some time. That's all I ask. Don't do this now.

ros. I n

and frustrated. You're in pain. I get it. I really do. I can feel everything you do, hear your thoughts.' He growled, fin

ned down. "M

become that? You want to agree to whatever fucked up magic is in that coin? It could break you. It could b

le he owned up to what he did, his reasoning was madness. There was never a real reason why he felt that was okay to make the decisions he had. The

a curse. I still felt the need to take that chance. The need to set things straight and

.that's

n't kno

survived Aelia leav

shouldn't have to go

ren't

crumble. If I let this all take over. I am weak

ength. He's our best friend and brother. Who better to make sure we rise above? You aren't weak

ros. I'm sorry,

ords the best I could figure. "Incipe magicae. Congrega. Aedific

the shape melting in my hand. My mouth finally opened and I let out a scream. It burned, but as I tried to let

ling up my arms, it flowed through my veins. As it made its way through my veins, it hurt more and more as it spread across my chest. Gasp

e foaming at the mouth. My hands shifted to claws as they dug further into my skin, as though more pain

felt cool hands on me. Looking up, Nate was absolutely panicked. He was looking over at me, yelling at me. What wa

te pulled me to him, his arms wrapping around as he rocked. His cries; those I could hear. Still, there wasn't anything I could do. My soul fel

d I slumped over onto Nate's shoulder. The darkness took me an