Moons forbidden claim

ver power coursing through my veins, heard Kieran's words about the price of power. When dawn fi

o a deck overlooking the forest. Someone had already made coffee strong and black, just the way I preferred

e up e

offee cup in hand. She looked as perfectly pu

I admitted. "Too

me on the deck railing, her violet eyes studying my face. "How

ly healed, leaving only the faintest pink mark. My muscles felt strong

n good, actually.

for days. But then, you're not most wolves." Elena's expression was thoughtf

the morning chill. "It was like... like tapping into something a

s, revealing intricate tattoos that seemed to shift and move in the morning light. "I'm not just t

nd

dess herself walked the earth. They were her chosen, blessed with a d

ind of

yond mortal understanding. They couldn't maintain stable human relationships, couldn't in

thing to do with the morning air. "Ar

ern who found balance through a mate bond with an Alpha strong enough to

u're no

wolves. The last confirmed sighting was over two

e w

cks before her own mate

coffee with shaking hands, staring out at the peacefu

e from the doorway, sharp w

," Elena replied, not backing down. "Ignor

ything else is academic." Kieran stepped onto the deck, his pr

k inside. But as she passed me, she leaned close and whis

the railing. He was fully dressed despite the early h

conversation did y

r. "Elena means well, but she's filling your hea

h? The silver wolf who went m

moment, his amber eyes fix

weak Alpha who couldn't handle her power, couldn't provide the anchor s

ou're strong eno

tense. "I know I am. The question is wh

mon appeared in the doorw

, not tomorrow. And it's not just regional Alphas anymore. Word has spread. We're

in what sounded like th

ny?" he

, witch covens, even some of the dragon clans are sending observers." Damon's voice was gri

ach turned to acid. "

source of power to be claimed and wielded. The mat

anger flaring. "And I'm not a

ng tonight specifically to decide your fate." Kieran's voice was sharp with frustration.

ave. Disappear before t

of witnesses. Every supernatural in North America knows you exist, and they all want to claim you

es I didn't understand and couldn't

le Marcus and anyone else who wants to challenge

u can't? I

th something danger

ing, but I couldn't shake Elena's words about the p

, setting down my empty m

d. "We have scouts posted th

m not helpless an

mation was smoother this time, more controlled, and within s

ected. I could smell the pack's boundaries marked throughout the territory, could hear the heartbeats of

ess that made my hackles rise. I slowed my pace,

idn't belong to Kieran's pack. They were larger than average, with the discipl

s's s

o human form in perfect synchronization. They were dressed in dark tac

a slight accent I couldn't place. "The silver wolf hers

ck to human form but keeping my power close t

ight," another scout said. "Along with everything

e, and I realized with growing alarm that they

said. "Marcus prefers his prizes undamaged

e the silver power. It rose like a tide, washing away my human c

," I said, and le

mine. But this time, something was different. The silver light didn't just pulse bene

es wide with shock and fear. Whatever

I took down the first scout with a leap that carried me twenty feet through th

electricity coursed through my body, but instead of weakening me, it seemed to feed the silver power. I shredded th

marter. Instead of tr

bout what he'd seen, about the power that waited

attlefield. Two unconscious scouts, shredded trees, and patches

ce said from the ed

elegant, with pale skin and dark hair pulled back in a perfect ponytail. His clothe

mp

y aware that I was naked and p

." He executed a perfect bow, his movements fluid as water. "

try and claim me

ely amused. "My dear girl, I have no interest in claiming

ich

oser, careful to keep his movements non threatening. "A way to take

not to trust a vampire, I found mysel

and most importantly, independence." His dark eyes glittered with promise. "No mate bond to

you get out of t

pernatural weapon in North America. Think of the possibilities,

on anyone, of making my own choices without the complication

feel complete in a way I'd never experienced. Of Elena's gentle care and Da

d politely. "But I'll take my ch

old flickered in his eyes. "How disappointing. I had

that your version of freedom wou

, his demeanor shifting from charming to businesslike. "The offer remains open, sh

ng me alone with two unconscious scouts and the growing

I needed to tell Kieran about the scouts, about Sebastian's offer, about the growing certa