The Complete Bloodlines series: Books

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 Bloodlines Complete Series
By
Erin O’Kane

Copyright © 2024 Erin O’Kane

Bloodlines Complete Series
First publication: 2024
Editing by Elemental Editing & Proofreading
Formatting by Kaila Duff
Cover art by Logan Keys
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means
now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to places, events or real people are entirely coincidental.
erin.okaneauthor@gmail.com
Written by L. Guyatt as Erin O’Kane
 Contents

Midnight Magic
Midnight Trials
Midnight Deception
Midnight Conviction
Midnight Ascension
Author’s Note
About the Author
Also by Erin O’Kane
 Prologue
Twenty-One Years Ago

T
he wolf lopes through the snow-covered woods, light on his paws as he weaves through the undergrowth. As the alpha’s
second-in-command, he is tasked with the role of communicating with the other local packs, and he is currently returning
home after one such visit. Recently mated, he is eager to see his wife after being apart for so long, and his thoughts are so
focused on her that he almost misses it.
A sound catches his attention, and he skids to a halt, scanning the area with his amber eyes. Raising his muzzle to the air, he
sniffs deeply, trying to pick up any unusual scents, when the sound comes again. It’s a cry, like that of a human infant.
Hesitating for a heartbeat, he tries to decide whether to ignore it and carry on or to investigate the sound. It could be a trap,
but his heart makes the choice for him. Cocking his head to the side, he follows the sound, weaving through the trees until he
comes across a wriggling bundle of fabric and the pink, crying baby within. He approaches slowly, scanning the area for any
traps or tracks in the snow, but no, the baby is completely alone, and the faint, almost non-existent female scent clinging to the
fabric tells him that the child has been here for some time.
Shifting to his human form, he kneels in the snow and picks up the bundle, and the baby immediately calms. Cradling the
baby to his chest, he uses his free hand to gently stroke the child’s cheek, noticing how cold it feels. He’ll have to take it to the
nearest police station. After all, the wolves have nothing to do with the business of humans.
Shaking his head in disbelief and sadness, he quickly checks the baby over, discovering that she’s a girl who appears to be
healthy. He’s just about to cover her again when he spots something over her shoulder. Frowning, he lifts her slightly, his eyes
widening as he realises what he’s looking at—a mate mark, which identifies her as a werewolf who is destined for another.
Mate marks are rare, and those bearing them are meant to be cherished, making this child’s abandonment all the worse.
Leaning closer, he takes a deep inhale of her scent. There is the odour of werewolf around her, but also something else he
can’t quite identify. Whoever this child is, she’s not wholly wolf.
If he takes her to the human authorities, she will most likely grow up with the humans, not knowing she’s any different until
she comes of age and shifts for the first time. No, he can’t abandon her to that life. It wouldn’t be fair.
Running his eyes over the child again, he stops when he sees her eyes are open and she is watching him with a wisdom he
hadn’t known a baby could possess. His wolf shifts in his chest, and he knows he’s made the right choice. Cooing in a low
voice, he wraps the blanket around the tiny baby and holds her close before turning and jogging through the woods, back to his
pack.
 Chapter One

A
fter ensuring the coast is clear, I slip out of the cabin and down the short flight of stairs as the sun’s morning rays just
start to peek through the dense forest that surrounds us. With a quick scan of the clearing, I sneak to the back of the
building, using the wooden walls to hide me.
While it’s early, and most of the pack will still be fast asleep in their beds, there’s still a chance someone will see me,
which is why I need to slip into the treeline as quickly as possible. Taking a deep breath, I make a dash towards the
undergrowth. I’m fast and light on my feet, thanks to my wolf genes, so I’m pretty sure no one saw me. I know it won’t be long
until my family notices I’ve left, though, so I need to put as much distance between us as possible before the inevitable
happens.
I’ve lived in this forest my whole life, so I know it like I know my own body. I’ve also managed to memorise the routes the
pack’s protectors take on their patrols of the perimeter. Weaving past the trees, I jog through our land. I’m not trying to escape, I
just need some time to myself, and I know the perfect place.
Deep into our territory, far away from even where our most reclusive pack member lives, is my favourite place to visit—a
spot I used to run away to when I was younger, and I needed some space. It’s been years since I last came here. Most wolves
thrive on being part of a pack and surrounded by other wolves, and while I love interacting with my family and packmates,
there’s always a part of me that wants to be alone, surrounded only by nature.
A small grove appears before me, the trees giving way to the spring in the middle of the clearing. The water pours between
the rocks and into a clear pond before running down into a little stream that continues farther into the woods. Rocks surround it,
and I pad towards the closest cluster, perching on the edge and watching the water bubble up from the ground.
Peering up through the trees, I see the faint outline of the moon, which fades as its bright cousin rises for the day. This is my
favourite time to be out. Most wolves love the night and howling at the moon, and I do too, but it’s quiet and peaceful here,
with just the moon and me before it sets and the sun fully rises. It’s one of the only times that the twisting, churning feeling
inside me settles and I feel peaceful. I’ve never told my family that I feel this way. It would only upset them, and I’ve seen the
looks they give each other when I do something unexpected and they think I’m not looking.
I become aware that I’m being watched, and for a brief moment, my spine stiffens as I prepare to run and protect myself,
but then the sense of pack settles over me, and I release a sigh. While I’m glad I’m not about to be attacked, I’d hoped to be by
myself for a little longer before someone caught me.
“Laelia,” a familiar voice calls, causing goosebumps to erupt along my arms and my heart to flutter in my chest.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watch Nicolai stride into the clearing. Several years older than me, Nicolai is one of the
pack’s protectors and is working towards being the next third-in-command. He’s shirtless and only wearing loose tracksuit
pants, despite the fact it’s still spring and the sun hasn’t fully risen yet, but I know he’s not cold thanks to his werewolf blood.
Like most of our pack, he has golden skin and wavy dark hair that curls around his ears. His hazel eyes watch me with
disapproval, but honestly, I’m struggling to keep my gaze from the rippling muscles on his chest. He’s always been my
childhood crush, one that I can’t seem to shake, even though we’re close friends.
“What are you doing out here without a protector? You know better than that.” Stepping farther into the clearing, he crosses
his arms over his chest as he chides me. Something seems to occur to him, and a slight smile pulls at the corners of his lips.
“Happy birthday, by the way. On the night of a full moon too. It’s a blessing...” He trails off when he sees my reluctant
expression, and a knowing look crosses his face. “Ah. That’s why you’re out here by yourself.”
Embarrassment heats my cheeks. I don’t want him to know about my insecurities, but it’s pretty hard when the whole pack
knows everyone’s business and I happen to be the pack freak. No one would ever call me that, nor do they treat me any
differently, but I’m not exactly a typical werewolf.
“I just needed some time to myself before…” I trail off, unable to finish my sentence. Having a birthday on a full moon is
one of the greatest blessings you could wish for in our culture, but I don’t want to celebrate my birthday, and certainly not on a
full moon. However, it would be selfish to say it aloud, so instead, I simply shake my head and smile up at my friend and
protector. “You know what my dad is like. I won’t have a minute to myself.” I roll my eyes but keep the smile on my lips as I
speak, so he knows that I’m joking. He snorts and fights his smile as if he’s implying my words are an understatement, not that
he would say anything against my father. As second-in-command, my father is highly respected amongst our pack.
I flash Nicolai my sweetest smile and brush some of my hair back behind my ear. “Do you think I can be alone for a little
longer?”
All humour leaves his face, and although he looks reluctant, he’s already shaking his head. “Laelia, you know the rules…”
A flash of panic tightens my chest at the thought of going back and facing everything that awaits me. “I won’t leave this spot,
I promise. Please, just for a few minutes?”
He must hear the desperation in my voice, because his brows pull down into a frown. I’m pretty sure he’s going to say no,
his hazel eyes watching me closely, until he huffs out a breath. “I won’t be far. Shout if you need me,” he orders, his tone stern.
I know he’s telling the truth. In fact, he’ll probably just hide behind a tree and pretend that he’s farther away, giving me the
illusion of privacy. However, it’s what I want—no, what I need right now. If I’m going to make it through today, I have to
prepare myself. Smiling up at him, I nod and allow my relief to show in my expression. He pins me with an intense look before
he backs away and disappears into the treeline. He’ll make a good third-in-command one day.
Once he’s far enough away that I can no longer feel his gaze on me, I release a long breath and slip off my shoes, dangling
my feet into the spring water. It’s freezing, but it helps to ground me. I don’t know why I haven’t been here in so long, not when
it restores me so. No, that’s not true. I do know why. My family, especially my father, is insanely protective of me in an over-
the-top, I can never be alone sort of way.
Females are cherished in werewolf society, and the pack dotes on me just like any other young female in our ranks. There’s
only just over forty of us, which I’m told is small for a wolf pack, but I’ve never visited another pack, so I wouldn’t know. We
keep to ourselves, and whenever there’s a visit from another pack, I’m sent away with some of the other younger wolves.
That’s long been a sticking point for me. I want to meet other wolves and expand my horizons, but no one here seems to
understand that. They are all perfectly happy living their lives within the pack and not involving themselves with anyone from
the outside.
A ray of sunlight breaks through the tree branches, and I can almost feel the moment the moon disappears. A small, sad
smile pulls at my lips as I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth of the sun on my pale skin. The others will be starting to wake,
and I know my father will raise hell if I’m not back soon. Pulling my feet from the water, I pick up my discarded shoes and
begin to walk home, not bothering to put them back on. Nicolai’s scent gets stronger, and I know he’s following me, but I don’t
turn around or try to spot him. Instead I become lost to my thoughts, mentally preparing myself for today.
The sounds of the pack reach me as I get closer to the heart of our land. Most of us live with our families in wood cabins,
which surround the main meeting point of our camp. In the middle is a fire, which burns constantly, and just beyond is the
alpha’s cabin. It’s much larger than the others because it has meeting rooms inside. Just beyond that, to the right, is the meeting
hall, which doubles as a canteen. The one-story building is large enough to hold all of us together, but it’s not so large that it
looks ostentatious. To the left of the alpha’s cabin is the school. It’s only made up of two rooms, and that’s plenty of space,
since there are only a handful of children currently in the pack.
We live a simple but happy life here.
As I enter the clearing, a couple of pack members call out greetings and birthday wishes. I simply smile and thank them,
picking up my pace ever so slightly as I weave past cabins until I reach mine. Climbing the stairs two at a time, I push open the
front door and bump straight into a male chest with an oomph. From the scent alone, I instantly know it’s my dad. I look up at
him with a sheepish expression.
Busted.
Raising a single brow, he tries to look stern, but I can see the corner of his moustache twitching as he attempts to hold back
his smile. Rolling his eyes, he drops the expression, knowing I can see right through him, and then he smiles broadly at me.
“Laelia, my little moon.” He beams, opening his arms wide. Without a moment of hesitation, I press against him, feeling
safe as his arms wrap tightly around me. I can practically feel his joy. “Happy birthday,” he rumbles as he buries his face in my
hair, scenting me.
“Hey, Dad,” I murmur and wrap my arms around him.
I’m not quite sure how long we stand like this, but I know he would hold me forever if I let him. Wiggling in his embrace, I
manage to untangle myself and take a step back, smiling up at him ruefully. He uses this moment as an opportunity to run his
eyes over me, frowning when he finds my shoes in my hand and my bare legs covered in mud and leaves.
“Laelia,” he starts, his voice full of reproach. “You’ve not slipped away from the pack for years. You know how dangerous
it can be.”
 I’ve heard this so many times before, I have to look away, unable to meet his gaze as shame eats at me. I know they all
worry and that they can’t understand my need to get away from the pack when their whole lives revolve around it. It’s just one
more way that I’m different, and I wish I could change it.
Dad lets out a long, sad sigh and takes a step closer. His hand brushes my cheek and guides my face up so I meet his gaze
once more. “You know we all love you, no matter what happens tonight.”
My chest squeezes tightly as he guesses the true reason for my distress. He’s always known me too well, seeming capable
of reading my mind. Ever since my mother died five years ago, we’ve only gotten closer, and I trust him more than any other
person in the world. He loves me more than life itself, and I know that whatever happens tonight, he’ll still adore me, and I’m
sure the same will go for the rest of the pack. What I’m not so sure about is how I’ll feel about myself.
“I know,” I reply, and I watch as he frowns, picking up on my anxieties.
“Come.” He lowers his hand and squeezes my shoulder, a smile brightening his rugged, bearded face. “Let’s get you back
to the pack. We have a lot to celebrate.”
I can still see the worry in his eyes, but I let myself get swept away by his excitement.

I’ve always known I was different.

Deep in my soul, I’ve always felt like there’s another part of me who’s longing to be free, like I’m trapped within my own
body, but I’ve never spoken about this out loud. Everyone within my pack is so content with their lives, yet I long for more. I’m
so incredibly grateful for the life I have here with my adopted family, however, so I simply keep my thoughts to myself and try
to be useful.
There are several obvious things that prove I’m different, other than the way I feel, that are pretty hard to ignore—one of
them being my constant escort. Ever since I can remember, I’ve never been alone. At least one wolf is my companion at all
times. They told me it was for safety, but none of the other wolves in the pack have protectors, so it just makes me stand out all
the more, as if my looks weren’t enough.
Most of the pack members have varying shades of brown or black hair, golden skin, and muscular physiques, and they are
gorgeous. My natural bright red hair, blue, almost purple eyes, pixie-like features, and slight build just make me stand out as
someone who doesn’t belong—not that anyone in the pack has ever made me feel that way, and I know I’m incredibly lucky for
that. In fact, I’ve always been cherished.
I can never pay back the kindness my pack has shown me. Not many people would take on a baby they found abandoned in
the woods. They tried to track down my birth mother, but to no avail. My adoptive parents showered me with so much love that
I’ve never pined for the woman who gave me up. I sometimes wonder why she did it, or where she might be now, until I’m
reminded of how lucky I am that she abandoned me outside of my pack’s territory. My father, the second-in-command of our
pack, found me when he was returning from visiting another pack, and brought me home to his newly mated wife, Sara. What
they didn’t know at the time was that Sara couldn’t have children of her own. It made them love me all the more, though, and
they called me their miracle child.
“Laelia, are you ready?” Dad calls, lightly knocking on the door and snapping me from my stupor.
Smiling at him sadly, I nod as I stand up from the edge of my bed, brushing down the knee-length white dress I’ve donned
for the occasion. “Sorry, I was just thinking about Mum.”
A wave of emotion crosses his face, and he has to clear his throat before he speaks. “She would have loved to have been
here for this.” He tries to hide it, but I can see the grief in his eyes. Five years on, and he still pines for her like he only lost her
last month. They were mated, and losing that is not something someone can get over easily. Most wolves who lose their mates
never love again.
“Anyway, it’s time for your gift from me.”
After I returned from my little jaunt to the spring, the rest of my morning had been spent greeting pack members and being
wished a happy birthday. Many of them had small, thoughtful gifts for me, including the homemade dress I’m currently wearing,
which was gifted by Selina, a family friend. The alpha had even arranged a celebration lunch for me. Turning twenty-one is
somewhat of a big deal for werewolves.
“Dad, you’ve done enough for—”
Completely ignoring me, he steps into my room and takes my hand, pressing something small and soft into my palm. “This
is from your mum and me. She always planned on giving it to you on your twenty-first birthday, but seeing as she couldn’t be
here, I promised I’d pass it on to you.”
Tears sting my eyes as I look down at the item in my hand. It’s a small, silky drawstring bag, and as I lift it, I feel something
shift within. An emotion too strong for me to describe aches in my chest as I realise what this could be. I glance up at him, and
his expression seems to confirm it. Untying the strings, I open the bag and reach inside, pulling out a delicate silver chain with
a tiny howling wolf pendant attached to it—Mum’s necklace. She wore it everywhere. With my heart pounding painfully, I
clutch it to my chest, squeezing my eyes shut.
“It’s something for you to remember her by, and for you to remember where you come from. We don’t need the ceremony
tonight to tell us that.”
His words are what finally tip me over the edge, a tear escaping as I open my eyes. Reaching out, he brushes his fingers
against my face, catching the tear. He doesn’t speak, he doesn’t need to, our joint grief a powerful thing between us.
Releasing a shaky breath, I hold it up to him. “Help me put it on, please.” Without waiting for a reply, I turn my back to him
and gather my hair up and out of the way. His hands are gentle, and soon I have my mother’s necklace hanging just beneath my
collarbones. Walking over to the mirror, I take in my reflection, fingering the necklace with a smile. I feel closer to my mother
than I have since she died.
“Are you ready?”
Smiling at him through the mirror, I summon my bravery and inner werewolf. “Of course,” I reply with a bravado I don’t
feel. Secretly, I’m dreading tonight, but my dad can see right through my false smile. I pass him and head to the front door, but I
come to a stop when his hand lands on my shoulder.
“Laelia, all will be well. I promise.”
I don’t look at him, instead keeping my gaze straight ahead as I nod, knowing that I’ll fall apart if I look at him. I have to be
strong. I have to be brave.
“Of course it will,” I reply, hoping for all my worth that we’re both right.
Tonight is my moon ceremony. The first full moon following a werewolf’s twenty-first birthday is a special one, as they
come into their full powers and are blessed by the moon goddess. This is when their inner strength is brought to light, along
with any additional talents, and fated mates are finally revealed. They are also able to shift at will, no longer bound to the
moon’s cycle.
Which brings us round to the main reason I’m different from the others.
I can’t shift.
 Chapter Two

T
he sun has set, and the full moon is rising high in the sky. The atmosphere is electric, as it always is just before a pack run,
but tonight is different.
My dad and I make our way to the middle of the camp, and I’m aware of the many looks thrown our way. Excitement
lights my packmates’ eyes, and many call out to us. My father greets them in turn, shaking hands and thanking them for their well
wishes. Keeping quiet, I smile but don’t reply.
Movement out of the corner of my eye has me turning my head, and I see Nicolai. He changed and is now wearing a faded
band T-shirt and loose trousers, with an easy smile on his face as he strolls towards us.
“Laelia,” he greets, running his eyes over me. He seems to do a double take at whatever he sees, and his eyes flash with a
heat I’ve never seen from him before as he takes me in. He’s only ever treated me like a little sister, but the look he’s giving me
now holds none of the sibling-like affection I’m used to receiving from him. Instead, he’s watching me with an interest that
heats my blood.
A low, annoyed growl has him quickly turning his attention to my father, and he gives him a sheepish look. “Sorry, Beck,”
he apologises, rubbing the back of his neck as his cheeks heat. He dips his head in deference to the pack’s second-in-command.
Well, this is an interesting development. My heart flutters in my chest. I know there’s no point in getting excited. He doesn’t
have a mate mark, so I know he’s not meant for me. The goddess has plans for me, I’ve been assured of this, I just wish she’d
make them clearer. Besides, my father is one of the most overprotective males I’ve ever met in my life. I may be twenty-one
and an adult, but to him, I will always be his baby girl. When I finally meet my fated mate, he’ll still have to go through my
father. I don’t think even the goddess could convince him that any male is good enough for me.
Considering my past and differences to the other wolves my age, he’s even more protective of me. As the pack’s second-in-
command, he’s able to protect me from the scrutiny of others.
Werewolves can start to shift at any point during puberty, but unlike their adult counterparts, they can’t control these shifts,
the phases of the moon causing them to shed their human skin for that of their inner wolf. Once the moon ceremony has taken
place on the first full moon after the individual’s twenty-first birthday, they gain full control over their wolf, thanks to the
blessing of the moon goddess, and become one.
I’ve never shifted. I mean, I’ve felt the need to, just like everyone else. The pain of each full moon is agonising as the
creature inside me attempts to break free, but just… can’t. Something always seems to stop me from shifting. Although no one’s
ever made me feel bad about it, I know that they have discussed their concerns with my father. They think I don’t know, but I
see their looks when I fall to the ground in pain. It’s beyond embarrassing when the youngsters are shifting and I’m still unable
to. My father has consoled me over years, telling me I’m special and that I was brought to them for a reason. I just wish I knew
what that reason was.
Alpha Jones has assured me that tonight will be the night that I finally shift. He explained that occasionally, a werewolf
becomes stuck, and that they require the blessing of the moon goddess, and when they do finally shift, they are particularly
strong.
I have the speed and senses of a werewolf in human form, just like everyone else, and the mate mark on my shoulder blade
also indicates that I belong—a mark that only werewolves possess. It indicates that the goddess has predestined my perfect
partner for me. I’ve been told that my scent is different than that of other wolves, but in a way they can’t explain. I always
assumed this was because I wasn’t born into the pack, so my scent was bound to be different. Otherwise, there’s no doubt that
I’m a werewolf. I’m just lacking the very thing that makes us what we are.
In preparation for this evening, my father and the alpha sat me down to explain how the ceremony would work so I knew
what to expect. I’ve seen several ceremonies over the years—in fact, I remember Nicolai’s a couple of years ago—but it’s
completely different when it’s your turn.
My father’s hand is on the small of my back, gently guiding me forward as he pointedly ignores Nicolai as we pass. My
lips curl up at the sides as I try to hide my amusement, and I glance back over my shoulder at my friend just in time to catch his
wink.
The low grumble of my dad’s disapproval makes me roll my eyes. He’s always been crazily overprotective of me, so I’m
used to this sort of behaviour. However, what I don’t expect is for him to pull me to the side, a look of concern crossing his
features. “Do I need to worry about him?”
My brows shoot up and I give him an incredulous look before glancing around at the gathering pack. “Dad, now is not the
time for this conversation,” I hiss under my breath, acutely aware of the fact that everyone here has supernatural hearing.
That’s probably exactly why he did it now, because he knows that even if he whispered it, Nicolai would still hear him.
Trying to push away my embarrassment, I let out a long breath and focus on putting a smile on my face. Tonight is supposed to
be a happy occasion, after all.
“Besides,” I continue, my voice light and airy, “I’m destined for another, you know that.”
My stomach flips. I’ve known my whole life that I’m destined to mate. The rare mark on my shoulder is another thing
marking me as different. I have no idea who it will be, but tonight, the goddess should reveal them to me.
“I do,” my father assures me, pinning me with a serious look. This is not good. I know that look. My dad has doted on me
my entire life, but on the occasion that he has to be serious with me or tell me bad news, it’s always preceded by this
expression. “I need to know that you know that. No good will come from a dalliance with Nicolai.”
He’s not even attempting to keep his voice low now, which is how I know just how seriously he’s taking this. This is about
more than Nicolai, and I know this is part of his nerves over tonight’s ceremony. He won’t acknowledge that tonight might not
go as planned or that I’m anything but a normal werewolf. I know he’s just trying to protect me, yet I can’t help but wonder
what will happen if this doesn’t work tonight. What if I never shift?
Shaking myself to get rid of those toxic thoughts, I pin him with a look of my own, pressing my finger against his chest.
“Seriously, if you keep talking about this, I’m turning around and going home.”
He raises a brow and steps back, taking in my burning cheeks, and he seems to realise how mortified I am by this
conversation.
“Beck, leave the poor girl alone,” Selina calls out.
Glancing over my shoulder, I see her approaching, and a warm smile instantly jumps to my lips. She’s been a gift sent by
the goddess since my mother passed. She was always close with my family, like a surrogate grandmother, but after Sara died,
she helped my dad get through the worst of his grief, and honestly, I don’t know what we would have done without her.
“Happy birthday, Laelia.” She smiles affectionately, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. Pulling away just
enough to look at my face, she brushes back the stray strands of my hair and cups my cheek. “Stop looking so worried. The
goddess brought you to us for a reason. You’re special. You always have been.”
“I don’t want to be special,” I whisper, breaking eye contact to look down at my shoes, shame making me unable to look
either of them in the eye. Usually I’m better than this, and I don’t allow my fears and insecurities to show, but tonight is
different. Tonight could reveal what I’ve always feared—that I don’t belong here.
Her wrinkled hand cups my chin and lifts my head, her expression uncharacteristically solemn. “You carry a heavy burden,
child, but you have a family and a pack who love you for who you are, no matter what. Remember that.”
Her words resonate with something inside me, and I know she’s right. Inhaling deeply, I roll my shoulders back and stand
to my full height, smiling at the older woman. No matter what, I know I have a place here. Glancing up at my dad, I see his eyes
glimmer with suppressed emotion, but his proud smile says it all.
Squeezing Selina’s hand with gratitude, I notice that the alpha is waiting for us at the head of the fire, right in front of the
steps that lead up to his cabin. The sun has set, and the full moon is high in the sky. The atmosphere surrounding the waiting
pack is charged with excitement. It won’t be long until the younger pack members will be forced into their wolf form by the
moon, so I don’t hesitate any longer.
Nodding my head more to myself than anyone else, I step forward with false confidence. My father’s proud gaze gives me
the strength I need, and by the time I reach the alpha, even I feel like I can do this. I stop just before our leader, and my father
stands right behind me with his hand on my shoulder. We both dip our heads in the sign of respect warranted for our alpha.
“Alpha,” we greet in unison.
Alpha Jones smiles at my father, and then his expression softens as his eyes shift over to me. “Laelia, are you ready?” he
asks quietly, his dark eyes not missing a thing as he takes in my hands, which are clutched tightly in front of me.
Not trusting my voice, I nod my head once.
He smiles again and reaches out, squeezing my shoulder. “Trust in the goddess. All will be well.”
Huffing out a nervous breath, I nod once more, feeling my father’s warm hand rub comforting circles on the small of my
back. Having the alpha’s support is important, and knowing that he trusts in me helps to settle my growing worry that tonight
won’t go as planned.
“Pack,” the alpha calls out, and silence instantly falls over the group as everyone turns their attention to us. “Tonight is a
blessed occasion—a moon ceremony.” There are several low murmurs praising the moon goddess, and as I look around, I’m
met with smiles. “Tonight,” the alpha continues, “Laelia will be gifted with her full ability to shift and take her place amongst
the pack. The goddess will bless her, revealing her gifts and talents, and reveal her mate should they be among us.”
This causes a low stir among the pack and is something my father always feared. There are only two in our pack with mate
marks who haven’t found their partner yet, and both are a fair bit older than I am, meaning my mates are probably in another
pack. Tonight, I should discover if I’m right or not.
The alpha gestures for me to kneel, which I do without protest.
“Laelia, are you ready to accept the blessings of the moon goddess and take your place among us?”
Despite my nerves, I finally feel ready. “Yes, Alpha.”
Without warning, power like I’ve never experienced floods my body. Had I not already been kneeling, I would have fallen
to the ground from the force of it. My head falls back, and my spine bows as the goddess floods me with her essence and
power. I can feel her inside me, changing and claiming me as her own. A sense of tranquillity settles over me. It’s blissful, and
I’m sure it shows on my face.
Your powers are now your own, a kind voice speaks in my mind. It’s one I’ve never heard before, yet it feels oh so familiar
at the same time. The goddess is speaking to me, whispering inside my mind, and while the thought of that might have been
terrifying to me before, all I can feel is her love and peace. Your journey will be tough, little moon, but remember that I am
with you always, as are your mates, who await you outside of your pack.
The use of my parents’ pet name for me makes my eyes sting, and the necklace at my throat warms as I feel my mother’s
presence. I know that she’s with the goddess and that they are both looking down on me. The mention of my mates—plural—
has my pulse pounding, and I get a sudden sense of them. I can’t make out faces or what they are like, only that they are far
away. I feel a pull and instinctively know that if I follow this sensation, it will lead me to them.
Gradually, the goddess’s power and presence begins to fade until I’m left with what feels like a bright ball of light within
me. Slowly, I open my eyes and see that all the younger wolves have shifted, and here I am, not writhing in pain as the moon
attempts to force a shift that won’t come. The alpha is smiling down at me, and my father stands at his side, beaming with
pride.
“It’s time to meet your wolf, Laelia. Call to her,” Alpha Jones encourages, and I can’t hold back my excited smile. This is
it, the moment I’ve been waiting for.
Closing my eyes, I look inside myself and reach for the wolf that I’ve felt caged within me my whole life. I can sense her,
and she’s so eager to finally be released. Calling her forward, I feel her press up against my physical boundaries, and for a
second, I think it’s happening, that I’m shifting, but then the pain hits me.
My body buckles, and I fall to the ground, my teeth gritted as I try to hold back my scream of pain. It feels like I’m being
torn apart, and it’s ten times more agonising than it usually is. Writhing on the ground, I can just about make out the sound of the
alpha calling for the others to shift and start the pack run without us over the pounding of my heart.
The presence of the others fades away, and I become aware of someone kneeling beside me. With monumental effort, I
twist my head and manage to peel back my eyelids far enough to see my dad. He looks mortified, and that hurts me more than
any physical pain ever could. I want to howl as the creature inside me paces like a caged beast. I’m never going to be normal
like the other wolves. I’ve failed him.
“Laelia, don’t you dare look at me like that,” he snaps. He’s always been able to read me far too easily, knowing what I’m
thinking before I’ve even fully come to a decision myself. Leaning down, he presses his forehead against mine, a gesture of
love and trust within our pack. My eyes fall closed as a wave of his love washes over me.
“Come on, little moon, you can do this,” he whispers, his voice breaking as he gently strokes my cheek. When he pulls
back, I feel bereft, missing the physical contact despite the fact that it hurt. Now I just feel empty. Opening my eyes, I see him
looking at someone over my shoulder, his expression torn. “Alpha, can you help her?”
There’s a brief pause before a weary sigh sounds from behind me. “I can try to force the shift, but it will hurt.”
“She’s already hurting,” my father pleads, his voice agonised. “I can’t watch her suffer like this any longer.”
There’s a heavy pause, and I sense the alpha’s reluctance. “Okay,” he finally agrees as I writhe in pain.
I’ve never heard of forcing a shift before, and I can’t say that it sounds pleasant, but if it’s going to help, then I’d take that
over this any day. I feel the alpha kneel at my other side and instinctively flinch away as he lays his hands on me, his touch
burning. Gritting my teeth, I try to force myself to stay still, but my wolf is trying to tear her way out of me, and it literally feels
like I’m being torn in two.
“What’s happening? Why isn’t she shifting?”
This time my groan is from embarrassment, not pain, as Nicolai’s voice settles over me, his concern obvious. Of course he
would disobey orders and come back.
“Nicolai, go join the others,” Alpha orders sharply, his disapproval evident.
 Flicking my gaze up, I can just make him out over my father’s shoulder. He’s not even looking at our alpha, just staring
down at me in distress. “I need to know that she’s going to be okay. I promised her that everything would be okay.”
I don’t know whether to be flattered or horrified that he’s choosing to disobey orders again. This could cost him his chance
of ever being third in the pack. If I had the strength, I’d send him away, but if I opened my mouth right now, all that would come
out would be a scream.
“Nicolai, now is not the time to test my patience,” my father growls, his body seeming to grow as he fights the shift.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he snarls back, a challenge in his voice.
Had I not been writhing on the ground in agony, this would be shocking. Nicolai has never disobeyed an order before and
certainly not spoken back to my father like that. He looks up to him, admires him, yet here he is, pissing off my dad while he’s
trying to care for me. However, my most pressing thought right now is that it feels like I’m dying.
My father stands and whirls around to face my friend, but the alpha chooses that very moment to try to force my shift.
“Shift.” The words are filled with his alpha power, and they wrap around me so tightly that I almost can’t breathe.
My eyes roll into the back of my head, and my body starts to shake. My father curses, and I feel him grab my head and rest
it in his lap before running his fingers through my hair as my wolf tries to break out. I can’t see, I can barely hear over the
pounding of my heart, and all I can feel is pain, like claws are slicing me from inside out.
“Don’t fight it, Laelia. Let her out,” he whispers to me.
If I could speak, I’d tell him that I’m trying, that something is stopping me and I don’t know how to break past it. My head
falls back, and without realising what I’m doing, my mouth opens of its own volition, and a long, mournful howl pulls from
deep in my chest. A single tear rolls down my cheek as my eyes open, seeking out the moon. Something moves inside me and,
as the alpha commands that I shift once more, something changes. Like a key has been turned, a door within me opens, and
what’s waiting on the other side wants to be let out.
A shockwave of power rushes from me, shoving the alpha and my father back. Their cries of shock only briefly register
with me, since my attention is fully on my body—my still very human but pain-free body. Everything is tingling, and I feel…
strong and powerful, but different. Cautiously, I push up into a sitting position, my eyes going wide and my mouth dropping
open as I look around me. A glowing orb seems to surround me. I can still see through it. In fact, I can see my father slowly
approaching, his expression carefully blank as he kneels before the glimmering barrier between us. I know before he even tries
that he’s not going to be able to get past it, but that doesn’t stop the fear twisting in my stomach as his hand sizzles against it.
Wincing, I slowly shake my head, my wordless apology written on my face as another tear works its way down my cheek.
Nicolai approaches, awe gleaming in his eyes as he stops a respectful distance from my father.
“Dad—”
My emotion-filled voice is cut off by a deep growl from behind me. Horror fills father’s and Nicolai’s faces, their eyes
shooting to something over my shoulder. Spinning in the dirt on my hands and knees, I’m brought face-to-snout with a wolf—
only it’s not a normal wolf. She’s made up entirely of light, the same glowing blue light the barrier seems to be created from.
She’s gorgeous, glittering and gleaming in the moonlight. I can make out her intense eyes, every strand of her shimmering
silver-blue hair, and her very sharp fangs as she pulls back her muzzle in a snarl.
“Laelia, get out of there!” my father shouts, banging against the barrier, ignoring the burning sizzle of his skin as he
desperately tries to reach me. The more he bangs, however, the more the wolf snarls, her hackles rising.
It’s strange. When I first saw her, my instant reaction was fear—a fairly normal reaction for someone who’s facing off
against a wolf on the attack—but that quickly dissolved. Perhaps it’s just the stress of the day, or maybe forcing the change
damaged me in some way, but I don’t fear her. I have a healthy respect for her. She’s a wild animal, whether real or
incorporeal, but I don’t think she wants to hurt me. Looking her over again, I take in the way she’s standing and the glances she
keeps shooting over my shoulder.
Then it hits me. She’s not being aggressive because she wants to attack or hurt me. She’s afraid. I can see the faint tremble
in her limbs and the way her tail is tucked between her legs despite how brave she’s being.
Alpha Jones seems to realise this at the same time. “Stop, Beck,” he orders gently, stepping around my glowing prison until
he’s in full sight of both myself and the wolf. “Step back and give them some space.”
My father spins on his alpha, his nostrils flaring as he tries to contain his fear and anger. “If you think I’m going to leave my
daughter alone to face whatever that is, then you’ve got another thing coming.”
Thankfully, Alpha Jones is a reasonable male and knows my father isn’t trying to challenge him, he’s just trying to protect
the only family he’s got left. Holding his hands wide, he slowly steps up to my father and claps him on the shoulder. “I’m not
asking you to leave her, I’m just asking you to give her space,” he explains quietly, nodding his head towards me. “I think that’s
her wolf.”
His explanation should make me laugh. Our wolves don’t appear like this. We become our wolves, shedding our human
skin and embracing our inner animal. It should seem impossible, yet as I stare at the glowing wolf before me, I can almost feel
the connection between us tugging me forward. She stops snarling and tilts her head to one side as she assesses me, much as
I’ve been watching her. She’s still wary, but I can see the curiosity in her inquisitive eyes.
 “That’s impossible,” my father states, but even I can hear the doubt in his voice.
“Beck, we’ve always known she wasn’t full werewolf. I think we finally have our answer.”
I can hear the two of them talking, but my full attention is on the wolf—my wolf. Now that I’m not afraid of her, the wolf
seems to settle. She sits back on her haunches and watches me with those intense, deep blue eyes. She’s just as curious about
me as I am of her, and I have no idea how any of this is happening, nor am I really taking in what my father and alpha are
saying. I’ll look back and agonise over those words at a later date, but not now.
“Alpha… I can’t lose her.” The pain in my father’s voice makes me break my study of the wolf. Some would advise against
turning your back on a wolf, especially one we know so little about, but I’m not worried about her hurting me, not anymore. I
turn to look at my father, and my heart shatters at the look of absolute devastation on his face and the knowledge that I have
something to do with that. My wolf whines, sensing my own pain, and a strange, tingling nudge catches my attention. Glancing
down, I’m surprised to see my wolf nudging my hand with her nose. Tentatively, I raise my hand and stroke her neck,
marvelling at the fact that I can touch her, even though she looks like she’s made up of stardust and mist. If I look closely, I can
see through her, yet it feels exactly like I’m stroking one of the other wolves.
“You won’t, I promise,” Alpha Jones replies kindly but firmly. “But let’s not focus on that tonight. Let her enjoy this, and
we’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.” Turning away from his second, he faces me once more. “Laelia,” he calls, startling me. I
hadn’t really been paying attention, merely watching them from the corner of my eye as I marvelled over my wolf.
I jerk my hand away from her as if I’ve done something wrong, and the alpha laughs at my guilty expression, shaking his
head.
“You’re not in trouble,” he assures me with a smile. “Do you think you can lower this shield?”
Startling, I frown at his words, thinking I didn’t hear him right, but as I take in his expectant expression, I realise that’s
exactly what he said.
“Wait, you think I’m the one doing this?”
He crosses his arms over his chest, and his smile stays in place, but I don’t miss the flash of worry in his eyes. It’s gone in
a moment, but it was there all the same. “Yes, the goddess has clearly gifted you with magic.”
“Magic!” My cry of surprise is echoed by Nicolai, who seems just as shocked as I am.
“Yes. You need to call it back. You’re safe. You don’t need to be protected from us.”
That was why the alpha had that look in his eyes. This is absurd. I don’t have magic. Sure, the dome and glowing wolf who
is apparently my own are a little weird, but magic? I know the goddess has blessed others with gifts before, but they tend to be
smaller ones, like encouraging plants to grow or, if they are really lucky, the ability to heal. I’ve never heard of anyone being
able to create shields like this, and I’ve certainly never seen someone’s wolf in this way. Is this normal across other wolf
packs? The look my father is sharing with the alpha tells me otherwise, and my wolf growls quietly at my side.
The noise seems to snap the two of them from their silent conversation, and the alpha glances between me and my wolf.
“You need to run and connect with your wolf. I’m sure Nicolai would love to run with you and show you the ropes for your
first time.”
Nicolai steps right up to the boundary of my glowing shield, his eyes locked on mine as he lowers his head in respect. “I
would be honoured.”
My father growls quietly, but his warning is made loud and clear, and I remember our earlier conversation. That seems like
a million years ago now. Realising that my father’s control is about to snap, Alpha Jones strolls over and claps him on the
shoulder.
“Come, Beck. Let’s find the rest of the pack before they cause chaos without us.” When it looks like my father might argue,
Alpha pins him with a pointed stare. “You need to run too.”
There’s a heavy pause, but my father finally relents. “Yes, Alpha.” He bows his head respectfully before turning to me.
Ignoring Nicolai completely, he sinks to the ground and presses his hand against the sphere, not caring when his skin sizzles as
the magic attempts to protect me. “Be safe, little moon. Enjoy this.”
His eyes stay locked on mine the whole time, only once flicking to the wolf at my side. The corner of his mouth flicks up as
he takes in her form, and then he finally stands, returning to the alpha’s side. The two of them start to go, and a flicker of fear
ignites within me.
“Wait,” I call out, my voice wavering. My father flinches but doesn’t turn around, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
He’s trying to give me the independence that I’ve requested for so long, and it’s terrifying for us both.
The alpha glances back at me, still gripping my father’s shoulder and reminding him of his order.
“I don’t know how to lower this.” I gesture towards the glowing orb that surrounds me, suddenly fearful of being left alone
with this unknown magic.
The alpha smiles kindly, but the look in his eyes is serious and full of confidence. “Yes, you do.” With his free hand, he
gestures at the orb, then back to me. “You created it, so you can control it. Look inside yourself and be guided by the goddess.
She wouldn’t have given you more than you could handle.”
The words help settle something within me. He’s right. The goddess blessed me tonight. Sure, it was in a way none of us
expected, but she gifted me with it all the same. Taking a deep breath, I steel myself and nod at my alpha, determined to master
this.
My father turns and smiles once more, pride and fear warring within him, but he knows that I need to do this myself. I also
think that Alpha Jones would physically drag him away if he stayed any longer. Rolling his shoulders back, he turns to glare at
Nicolai. “Take care of her,” he demands, putting the full force of his role behind his order.
“Yes, sir.” Nicolai dips his head at the strength of the command, but we all know he would look after me with or without
the order. My father wouldn’t have left me otherwise.
As I feel the two of them disappear, I close my eyes and repeat the alpha’s words in my mind.
It’s strange. The feeling of being trapped has eased, and although my wolf is now sitting beside me, I can still feel her, and I
know what she’s doing without having to open my eyes. Beyond my wolf, I feel that powerful sensation that filled me when the
goddess settled over me, like my blood is on fire and my body is full of electricity. The more I focus on it, the stronger that
feeling gets. It becomes so strong, in fact, that it causes me to gasp. The sensation is too much and too overwhelming for my
fragile human body.
I hear Nicolai speaking, but I’m unable to make out what he’s saying, since my mind is too clouded. A low whine cuts
through my fog of growing panic, and a wet nose presses against my hand. I go to open my eyes and look at my wolf, but I
suddenly realise that I’m able to think clearly. Experimentally, and somewhat reluctantly, I pull my hand away, and I am
instantly bombarded with the same powerful sensations once more. Panting, I blindly reach out, and she’s there, pressing her
muzzle into my palm.
Suddenly, clarity hits me. She is the key to controlling this. Taking a few moments to calm my rapid breathing, I stroke my
fingers through her fur, enjoying the low grunts of pleasure she makes as she pushes against my hand for more. When I’m ready,
I silently tell myself that I’m safe, and that nothing bad is going to happen. I repeat those words in my mind over and over,
imagining the glowing sphere around me shrinking until it disappears entirely. Nicolai makes a noise of surprise, but I don’t
stop or open my eyes, afraid that this won’t work if my concentration is broken. Eventually, my skin tingles briefly, like a
strange breeze has passed over me, and I feel pressure, like my ears are about to pop.
Tentatively, I peel my eyes open and find an awestruck Nicolai staring down at me.
“That was…” He shakes his head and seems to be at a loss for words. Glancing between me and my incorporeal wolf at
my side, he looks like he’s about to implode. None of us thought this would happen tonight. “I’ve never seen anything like it,”
he finally manages to murmur. “Magic…” His eyes go distant for a moment.
“Just another thing that makes me different,” I say it with a smile, but I can’t keep the edge from my voice.
That brings him back from wherever his mind wandered, a frown pulling at his brow. “Laelia, you’ve always been special.
Look at what the goddess blessed you with. Look at what you can do!” Gesturing wide, he mimes the dome that was just
surrounding me before motioning to the creature at my side. A slow, wide smile stretches across his lips, and excitement
flashes in his eyes. “Can I meet your wolf?”
His excitement is infectious, and I can’t help my smile as I watch him crawl forward.
“Of course.”
When he reaches me, he sits back on his heels a respectful distance from my wolf and slowly puts his hand out, calling to
her softly. I turn my attention to her and watch with awe as she steps towards him without hesitation. Butting her head against
his hand, she makes a low grumbling sound of pleasure when he rubs his hand through her fur. It’s the strangest sensation,
because although he’s touching her, I can feel it—not directly, but the pleasure of the sensation—and it almost has me closing
my eyes and rolling my head back at how good it feels.
“She’s beautiful,” he mutters, his smile so bright it’s almost blinding as he looks up at me, a cheeky glint entering his eyes.
“But that’s no surprise. She’s part of you, after all.”
A blush heats my cheeks, and I turn my face away, burying it in my wolf’s sparkling fur. It’s strange, because it’s so soft,
and I can feel it, yet at the same time, it feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
He spends another few minutes fussing over my wolf, and it’s clear that she’s enjoying it just as much as he is, rubbing up
against his legs whenever he stops stroking her and staring up at him mournfully. Laughing, he looks over at me, and I take in
the wild expression on his face. “Are you ready?”
I want to laugh at the question. I’ve been waiting for this day for years. I simply nod, my cheeks aching from the force of my
smile.
He grins widely. “Let’s run.”
 Chapter Three

N
icolai stands and strips from his remaining clothing, and I call my wolf to me, holding my hand out for her to return as I
avert my eyes.
Nudity is common within wolf packs. I grew up seeing all of my pack brothers and sisters undress before the moon,
knowing there’s nothing to be ashamed about. However, it seems different with Nicolai, partially because he’s my childhood
crush, but also because it feels like things have changed between us recently—or at least they have the potential to change. I
know rationally that I shouldn’t lust for him, not when I’m destined for others, except my rational brain is not in charge right
now.
I’m about to go on my first pack run, and the excitement is making me giddy, which is starting to be mirrored by my wolf.
Her ears are raised, and her tongue hangs out as she pants, bouncing around like an eager pup. The familiar energy of someone
shifting alerts me to the fact Nicolai is now in wolf form, and when I glance over my shoulder, I’m met with a large, wet
muzzle as he greets me. Laughing, I fall back and push him away to give myself space.
A low growl stops him in his tracks, and when I look over, my wolf is watching him with suspicion as she looks between
the two of us, and I suddenly understand. This is her first interaction with other wolves. She may be part of me and made from
starlight, but she’s still a wild animal.
Nicolai seems to realise this at the same time and whines, dropping to his belly and slowly crawling forward. He looks
ridiculous, and I can’t stop my snigger as I watch. However, the two wolves seem to be taking this seriously, and after a
moment, my wolf lowers her muzzle and sniffs him. Much more sniffing ensues, and I’m about to step in, not quite sure what’s
happening, when my wolf pounces onto Nicolai.
Gasping, I wonder how the hell I’m going to break up a fight between a fully grown male werewolf and one made of
stardust when I realise that they are playing. Wide-eyed, I watch the two of them roll around and play fight until, as one, they
turn to me expectantly. I know what they want, because it’s exactly what I want—to run.
Grinning, I stand and start running without warning, knowing the two of them will catch up with me. Weaving through the
trees, I push myself as fast as my human body will let me, laughing as the two wolves chase me, keeping pace with me the
whole time. The moon shines down on us, and I can almost feel the goddess’s pleasure as she watches from above.
We stay away from the main pack, with Nicolai subtly steering me away whenever we get too close. They are going to have
to meet my wolf soon. There are no secrets within the pack, so I’m not sure why he’s keeping me away right now. However,
I’m having the time of my life, and I can feel the bond between my wolf and me strengthening the longer we run together. I
never expected it to be like this, but I can’t find it in me to be disappointed that my wolf is so different. I’ve always been
different, and my pack loved me. It’s obvious that the goddess loves me too, so I’m going to fully embrace it. I also have mates
waiting for me. I should probably be more surprised by this, but it just feels right. Having multiple mates is rare, but it’s not
unheard of, and now that my moon ceremony is complete, I wonder if they can feel the same pull towards me that I can feel for
them.
The moon is starting to lower in the sky, and I know it’s time to return. I don’t want to, and the idea of my wolf
disappearing is like losing a limb. However, I should now be able to call her out at will.
Exhausted but happy, I slow to a jog before coming to a stop. Nicolai’s wolf sits down on its haunches, and I feel the air
grow heavy as he calls the shift, his very naked body appearing where his wolf had been only moments before. Keeping my
attention on my wolf, I try to ignore the nervous flip of excitement in my stomach from Nicolai being so close while only
wearing his skin.
The wolf in question is standing only a few feet away, her head cocked to one side as she listens closely to something I’m
not able to hear. My eyes trail over her, taking in every detail. She really is beautiful. Her fur is silky and soft to the touch,
gleaming in the moonlight despite being made of stardust. I’ve never seen anything like her, although my experiences so far
have been limited to my pack, so who knows what it’s like beyond our lands?
Kneeling, I hold out my hand. “Come,” I command. She turns her head, meets my gaze with those blue, star-flecked eyes,
and gives me a look. She may not have human facial features, but I can feel the sarcasm, and if she were able to talk, she’d be
saying, “Really?.” It’s obvious she doesn’t like the order, but I have no idea how to do any of this. None of the other pack
members have this issue.
Nicolai snorts, pulling on the clothes he shed earlier. “You can’t train her like a dog. Treats and positive affirmation won’t
work,” he says with a shake of his head, and I can tell he’s trying not to smile, sensing that I’m not amused by his comment.
“She’s not a normal wolf. She’s part of you, an extension of your soul.”
Trying not to lash out in frustration, I take a deep breath and raise a brow as I force a smile on my face. “Okay, Mr. Expert,
how exactly do I call her back to me? Your wolf is you, so you’re in one form or another. You can’t be both at the same time
like this.”
“I’m sure the process is the same,” he replies, but there’s a hint of a tease in his voice. Rolling his eyes, he gestures for me
to sit back. “Get comfortable and close your eyes.”
I watch him with a hint of a frown, trying to decide if he’s being serious or not. I don’t scent any signs of deception, and
although Nicolai can be a trickster, he’s grown up a lot and taken on many responsibilities in the last couple of years. My gut
says to trust him, so I reluctantly close my eyes and let out a long breath.
“That’s it. Steady breaths in and out,” he instructs, his voice taking on a melodic quality. “Look within yourself and find
your wolf. They sit in our chests, waiting to come out, so it’s a little different for you, but there will be a connection there,
something that will lead you to her, and her to you.”
As I follow his instructions, I realise that he’s right. Although I can’t feel my wolf inside me like I’ve always been able to,
a piece of her is still with me, or vice versa.
In fact, that part is calling to me right now. Although Nicolai hasn’t said to do this, I reach out and touch the connection.
Suddenly, the whole world feels like it’s spinning and I’m upside down. Jerking my eyes open, I almost fall back in shock as I
see myself kneeling in the dirt only a few steps away from me. A low, confused whine comes from my mouth, and I realise
what’s happened. Looking down at where my hands should be, I see two glowing paws, confirming what I suspect. I’m in my
wolf.
Somehow, I’ve managed to enter her mind. Excitement and fear war within me. Now that I know I can enter this form, I
realise there are so many possibilities I can explore. Raising my glowing eyes to take in my human body once more, I can’t
quite comprehend what I’m seeing. I’m sitting there serenely, and it’s not obvious that I’m no longer in my own mind. In fact,
Nicolai is still talking to me, guiding me through calling my wolf back.
This is insane.
Before I can freak out, I focus on my human body and put all of my will into returning to it. The whole universe shifts again,
nausea twisting in my stomach, and I know I’m back to being me.
“Once you can feel her, you just pull slightly on that connection between you.”
Nicolai’s voice snaps me from my musing, and I realise that barely more than a couple of seconds have passed during the
time I switched bodies—twice. Trying to keep my breathing even and my mind calm and connected, I reach out to my wolf
again.
It’s strange. With my mind’s eye, I can almost see the connection between us, and just like my wolf, it looks like stardust,
glistening in my mind. When I try to reach for it, my fingers just pass through it. Frowning, I focus on it, putting my intent into
the action, and I’m amazed when the connection solidifies, creating a bridge of starlight between us in my mind.
Of course, as I open my eyes, the image disappears, and I find her watching me with her head tilted to one side and her
tongue lolling from her mouth. Laughing, I push up onto my knees and reach for her, brushing my fingers through her fur again.
“Good attempt,” Nicolai says with a chuckle. “Try again.”
Sitting back with a smile on my lips, I begin to close my eyes when I hear the familiar sound of many paws hitting the
ground. The air is practically shimmering with the energy of the pack shifting back into their human forms.
Jumping up with more energy than should be possible, I gesture for my wolf to follow me. Although my body is exhausted, I
feel alive, as though running beneath the moon has restored my energy.
“The pack is back!” I exclaim, glancing over my shoulder at Nicolai. “I’m going to go say hi before I call her back to me. I
want them all to meet her.” She may be different, but I’m stupidly proud of my wolf. She’s beautiful, fast, and smart, and even
more than I ever dreamt she’d be.
Nicolai stumbles to his feet as he tries to keep up with me with an uncharacteristically serious expression, reaching out his
hand as if to stop me. “Laelia, wait—”
Laughing, I dart around him, knowing he’ll catch up with me soon enough as I jog through the pack grounds, rounding the
buildings. I can hear his feet hitting the ground as he races to my side, his hand reaching out, grabbing my shoulder, and pulling
me to a stop.
I turn to scowl at him, shrugging off his touch. Hurt swells inside me as I stare at him. What the hell is going on? Why is he
trying to stall me? The first thought that flashes into my mind is that he’s ashamed of my wolf and doesn’t want the rest of the
pack to meet her. Crossing my arms over my chest to hide my pain, I scowl up at him. “They are going to have to see my wolf
sooner or later…”
I trail off as a strange scent wafts over me. It shouldn’t have taken me so long to sense it in the first place, but I was so
caught up with excitement that I didn’t realise there’s a stranger in the pack. Several strangers.
I glance at the path that leads to the main gathering point, and then I look up at Nicolai with confusion. Strangers aren’t
welcome here. I don’t know the exact reason why we’re so cut off from the rest of the world, but I know that it’s to keep us
safe. Have they been invited here? If so, why would Nicolai be keeping me away from them? No, for whatever reason, he must
fear that I’m in danger, which means the rest of the pack could be too. If he thinks that I’m just going to stay here and hide when
my pack could be in danger, then he doesn’t know me.
My wolf whines, pawing at the ground with her gaze locked on the path that will lead us towards the strangers. I know what
I’m going to do. If there’s a chance that I can help protect my pack, then I will to my very last breath. I just need to convince
Nicolai to let me go. Gritting my teeth, I turn to face him. He must see the decision in my expression, because he curses and
takes an angry step forward.
“Laelia, come with me, please.”
I take a step back from him and towards the pathway. I don’t think he’ll try to stop me, but it’s never wise to turn your back
on a werewolf, even one you know well. Something is going on here, and it’s making me nervous. My father always taught me
to face my fears, and that’s exactly what I’m about to do.
Slowly, I back away from my friend, watching as his expression becomes conflicted. He swipes a hand through his hair
with frustration. “Damn it, Laelia, it’s not safe.”
I don’t stop moving, my wolf at my side. “You really think that will stop me?”
After putting enough distance between us, I spin on my heel and run along the path, hurtling around the side of the building
that’s currently blocking my view of the pack meeting place. With my wolf at my side, I feel confident, knowing that we can
face whatever has happened together. I round the corner and come to a sudden stop, taking a moment to understand what’s
happening.
None of the younger wolves and vulnerable members of the pack are anywhere to be seen, and my instincts tell me they
have been moved for their safety. Everyone who’s left are either our strongest fighters or have goddess blessed gifts. They
stand in a crescent formation with the pack buildings behind them, all facing the five strangers who are standing in the middle
of the space. Two of the strangers are in wolf form, their hackles raised and low snarls emitting from their muzzles at
occasional intervals. The three males at the front are like nothing I’ve ever seen. Ferocity is cut into every toned and exposed
muscle on their bodies.
Alpha Jones is facing off with the male in the middle of the group, and barely contained anger ripples from him. I’ve never
seen my alpha so angry before. He’s always been a fair, patient man, listening to each person carefully before passing any
judgements. However, when it comes to the safety of his pack, he’d never take any chances.
There’s no doubt that the other male is an alpha, since it’s practically oozing from his pores. He’s tall, but not as tall as
Alpha Jones or even my father who’s standing beside him, ready to jump in to defend him should anyone attack. The stranger
smirks, obviously knowing that his presence is causing disruption and revelling in that fact. He has dark hair, which has been
slicked back, and a large black tattoo working up the right side of his neck. I can’t quite make out what it is, as the alpha
suddenly stiffens and jerks his head towards me, his dark gaze locking first on me and then my glittering wolf. His eyes flash
with the power of his wolf as he fights for control, his harsh face twisting first in disgust and then glee.
“Well, well, well,” he croons, stalking past the alpha and slowly making his way towards me. “You’ve been holding out on
us, Jones.”
He only makes it two steps before my father is in his path, growling so loudly I can practically feel the vibration of it from
here. Several of our pack members echo that growl, moving closer towards me. I almost jump when someone appears at my
side, but I release a long breath when I realise it’s just Nicolai. My heart thumps in my chest, and my breath comes in quick
gasps. Why do I get the feeling I’ve stumbled across something that was far more dangerous than I thought possible? Have I just
made a huge mistake?
My eyes pull from the strange alpha and move to the other two outsiders still in human form. They are both alphas too, and I
get the feeling that these five aren’t a true pack, but are travelling together for some other purpose. The male on the right is
slim, which is not a usual body type for a werewolf, but his alpha power is strong. He looks like he could have just walked off
a runway, his bare chest showing off an array of tattoos. However, he’s got a violent aura around him, and my instincts are
warning me to stay far away from him.
I hadn’t paid much attention to the third male because he’s been so still, therefore not registering as a threat, but as my gaze
settles on him, his entire body tenses. Barefoot and wearing only a loose pair of jeans, he’s also shirtless, his chest rippling
with muscles. He’s not covered in tattoos like the other two, his tanned skin smooth and unblemished. It’s impressive for an
alpha not to bear a single scar. It takes a lot to mark a werewolf, but the jaws and claws of another wolf are one of the few
things that can scar. I’ve been told stories of what it’s like in other packs, with constant fights for dominance, so either this
alpha is different in his approach or very good at fighting. Looking at his powerful stance and his body that practically
shimmers with his power, I’d guess the latter.
Continuing with my assessment, I take in his short, dark brown hair, which is buzzed close at the sides and slightly longer
on top, just long enough to run your fingers through—not that I’d get close enough to do that with the venomous look he’s
shooting my way.
There’s something about him, and although I know I should avert my gaze, I can’t. As soon as our eyes meet, everything
seems to shift, and I know this male is important. I don’t know why. Surely if he were one of my mates I’d know. The longer I
stare, the more furious his expression becomes, but he makes no move towards me, seemingly frozen in place. I take back my
original assessment of him not being a threat. This male is probably the most dangerous of the lot.
“And this is why we shouldn’t allow rogue packs.”
The words slowly filter into my brain, and I’m able to break my stare with the dark alpha. Turning, I find the first alpha
glaring at me, a smile pulling at his lips that makes him look like the predator he is, and then I realise that he’s talking about our
pack, and somehow, this has something to do with me.
“Witch,” the tall male hisses at me, his teeth bared and hands balled into fists at his sides. He looks about two seconds
away from losing control and shifting into his wolf form. What I don’t understand is why. What’s going on, and what do I have
to do with it?
Nicolai snarls, startling me as he jumps in front of me, shielding me from their gazes.
They think I’m a witch, which is impossible since witches don’t exist. There is no such thing. Glancing around at my pack, I
see the uneasy looks on their faces and the grim expression Alpha Jones wears. None of them are going to back down, but the
atmosphere has certainly shifted.
Confused, I look at my father.
“Dad?” I call, the question clear in my voice.
He doesn’t look at me, his jaw tightening as he steps closer, moving to Nicolai’s side to stand in front of me. “I’ll explain
everything later,” he murmurs over his shoulder, still not meeting my gaze.
I can’t be a witch, there’s no way. I’m a werewolf. I can feel my wolf within me and the urge to shift with the moon. Sure,
I’m different from everyone else in my pack, but they all accept me for who I am, like there’s nothing wrong with our
differences. If witches are real, then why is everyone suddenly so on guard about it? And what did the stranger mean when he
called us a rogue pack?
The tall alpha steps closer to the one at the front, his eyes locked on my wolf who is snarling quietly at my side. “We
should kill her now and drag the pack before the council.”
“What in the goddess’s name is going on here?” I demand, not bothering to hide the confusion in my voice. I also can’t hide
my fear. These strangers are talking about killing me, and for some reason, the fate of the pack appears to be in jeopardy too.
No one answers me. Instead, my father steps forward, his body trembling as he holds back his wolf. “You won’t lay a
finger on my daughter unless you’re planning on dying today, Grove,” he retorts, his voice loud and steady despite his anger as
he addresses the tall alpha.
As if this was the reassurance they needed, the rest of the pack fully converges on us, surrounding me and creating a barrier
between me and the strangers. My heart warms, the feel of their love and support making me stronger. Many of them reach out,
brushing my arms with comforting touches and reaffirming how strong our pack is. Touch keeps werewolves close and builds
the bond between us as a pack, and it’s something that they intrinsically know I desperately need right now.
My wolf stays by my side, her hackles raised. Everyone gives her the space she needs, and while there are several glances
of surprise, none of them look at us with fear or distrust.
Alpha Jones moves to the front of our group, and I watch with bated breath as he faces off with the strangers.
“This is my pack, and we protect each other. If you try to hurt Laelia, we will retaliate.” He puts particular emphasis on the
last couple of words, his voice deepening as his wolf comes to the surface, adding some of his alpha power. Several of the
lower-level wolves from our pack buckle under the strength of his words, bowing their heads as they succumb despite it not
being aimed at them. “Heed this warning, Bates,” he says to the alpha at the front of the group.
Our other pack members nod their heads, snarling in agreement, and I realise that they’d fight to the death for me. I would
do the same for them, but seeing it so clearly and knowing that any fighting would be because of me… The responsibility of
that piece of knowledge is huge, and I know that I’d step in before it came to that. I’m not one for grand gestures, but these
people are my family. I couldn’t have any of their deaths on my conscience.
The atmosphere is electric, our next steps poised and ready should the strangers choose to attack. The two wolves at the
back are snarling and ready to attack, however, the dark alpha at the front, Bates, is frowning and taking in our numbers. They
may all be alphas and therefore strong fighters, but there are over twenty of our strongest and fastest wolves here, and more on
the other side of our lands who would help if it came to a fight.
The tall alpha, Grove, is still talking in a low voice, trying to convince Bates to attack. He’s oozing dangerous energy and
is practically begging for a fight. His eyes flick to mine as he continues to whisper venom to the other male, and a shudder goes
down my spine at the hatred I see staring back at me. I vow right here and now not to ever be alone with that male.
Finally, I look back to the last of the three alphas in human form, the one who feels… important. I don’t know if this is a
warning from the goddess that he means me harm, but I just don’t get that vibe from him. He seems angry at my presence, but
not like the other two who are enraged by my very existence.
I don’t have time to figure out why as Bates waves off Grove with a snarl, warning him to give him space. Having five
alphas together in one group can’t be easy, and it’s obvious that they are not in a pack together. Alphas don’t play well together,
which is why the few alphas who have grown up in this pack have all left to start their own. So why have these five alphas
come together, and why are they here?
Jaw clenched tightly, Bates lets out a hiss of breath through his teeth. “You win today. I can’t afford to waste my time
fighting the likes of you.”
Relief floods me so strongly that it threatens to knock me over, and I only remain standing thanks to Nicolai’s hand on my
shoulder. The rest of the pack seems just as relieved. They are furious at the insult, but the tension has eased now that we know
we’re not in immediate danger.
“However,” Bates continues with a snarl, attempting to get control of the situation again, “you can’t ignore the call of the
council. If you don’t attend, we have full rein to hunt you down like the filthy rogues you are.”
More growls come from our wolves at the insult, and some even lunge forward as if to attack, but Alpha Jones holds up his
hand. We all immediately fall in line. “We’ll be there,” he responds calmly.
“Good.” Bates flashes him a condescending smile before his eyes land on me. “I look forward to seeing the council tear
into you.” He looks at me as he speaks, but I get the feeling he’s not addressing me. “Perhaps they’ll allow the winners to chase
down the witch.”
Jones steps forward menacingly with a growl in his throat, his alpha power rising with his anger. I’ve never seen him so
furious before. He’s always been a cool-headed male and a fair leader—traits I’ve always admired about him.
“Get off my land,” he snarls, my father standing just behind him, backing his alpha just like a good second. “You’ve given
me the message, so your task is complete,” Jones continues, his gaze moving from male to male. “Now you’re just trespassing.”
Bates says something too quietly for me to pick up, but it makes both Jones and my father snarl. With a smirk, the strange
alpha turns and starts to walk from the clearing, Grove and the two alphas in wolf form following behind him.
That just leaves the quiet alpha, the one who makes me feel… I’m still not quite sure what he makes me feel, but it’s both
unsettling and comforting. The goddess is definitely trying to tell me something about this male. I just wish she was a little
clearer in her message.
I watch as the alpha eventually backs away, leaving with the others, a strange pull in my chest stretching as he finally
breaks eye contact and shifts into his wolf. He’s a gorgeous huge black wolf with golden eyes. Lifting his head, he howls
loudly, then spins on his back feet and takes off after his companions, his howl still echoing in the air. I’ve heard a lot of howls
in my time, and this one is laced with frustration. I echo that frustration. What was that strange new sensation in my chest, and
what does it mean? I just wish I knew his name.
We all continue to stand in this formation for some time, until the scent of the strangers is blown away by the light breeze.
Jones gestures to two of our sentry wolves, and they immediately shift, running in the direction the strangers took. I assume he’s
making sure that the alphas really did leave and we’re safe once more.
No one says a word, and I can see how tense my father is. Nicolai is stiff at my side, and even the alpha won’t meet my
eyes. Eventually, I can’t stay silent any longer.
“Witches? Rogue packs? Council? What the hell were they talking about?” I demand, taking a step away from Nicolai,
needing some space as I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s time someone explained what’s going on.”
 Chapter Four

W
ith my ear pressed up against the wooden wall of the alpha’s residence, I squint as I try to listen. At the moment, all I
can hear are my father’s steps as he paces. He’s been in there with the alpha for about ten minutes now, yet nothing’s
been said. I can just imagine the two of them—my father wearing marks into the carpet while Jones leans against his
desk with his arms crossed over his chest.
Once the strangers left and the sentries confirmed they were gone, the pack broke up, and everyone returned to their homes
on the alpha’s order. However, Jones pulled my father aside, and they disappeared into the building. I managed to call my wolf
back to me, but instead of returning to my house as ordered, I found myself here.
The silence between them continues, the ticking of the clock on the other side of the wall and my pounding heart the only
sounds I can hear. The footsteps suddenly stop, and I become alert, ready to dash away from the wall if either of them go to
leave the room.
“You can’t let her go, Jones. It’s too dangerous,” my father starts, and my eyes widen. The wood is rough against my ear
and presses splinters into my skin, but I’m so focused on what’s happening in the room on the other side of the wall, I barely
feel it.
Jones sighs, the sound low but distinct. “They know about her now. If we go without her, it will look suspicious and they’ll
have cause to hunt her down. They’ll see her as a rogue.”
Go without her? Where are they going? I know they are talking about me, but I’m so confused about how I fit into all this.
My chest tightens as I realise that this is somehow all my fault. If only I’d listened to Nicolai and stayed behind with him to
avoid being seen, we wouldn’t be in this mess.
“Then the whole pack stays behind. Screw the council,” my father barks, and his pacing starts up again. He sounds harsh,
but I know him well enough that I can hear the fear in his voice, and that’s what really scares me. My dad is one of the strongest
people I know, so if he’s afraid, then we should all be.
“Beck, you know we can’t do that.” Alpha Jones sounds reluctant. “The entire pack would be on their kill list. They would
eradicate us.”
I feel like I can’t breathe. My chest is too tight, and my heart feels like it’s been stabbed with a dagger. I take gasping
breaths, struggling to breathe, and then I press my hand against my mouth in a bid to stop my pained whines from escaping.
Images of the pack’s lifeless bodies strewn at my feet flash in my mind. No, I won’t let this happen. I won’t let everyone be
killed because of me, even if I don’t understand what the hell is happening.
“They’ll kill her!”
I wince as my father shouts loudly enough to rattle the windows.
“Beck, we’ll do everything we can to protect her. We all love Laelia, and she’s one of us no matter what the council says.”
Jones’s voice moves closer. “We can’t ignore the council. You know this.”
“No, they’ll find a way to pin something on her, and she’ll disappear, just like all those other wolves. No one stands against
the council and survives.” Despite his strong words, his voice sounds weak, like he knows the alpha is right and that there’s no
fighting this.
My father never gives up on anything that he’s passionate about, and he’s dedicated the last twenty-one years to giving me
the best life a werewolf could ask for. Hearing him like this, broken and fearful, hurts me more than anything.
“Beck, trust in the goddess, and trust in me. I won’t let them hurt her.”
The alpha’s words fill me with hope and reassurance. He’s never let us down, and I have to believe that he’ll continue to
keep us safe.
 “I thought you were a little old for eavesdropping.”
With a muted screech, I jerk away from the wall, my heart in my throat at being caught out. Spinning around, I find Selina
watching me with a raised brow and a crooked smile. How she snuck up on me, I have no idea. She might be one of the oldest
members of the pack, but she’s still light on her feet.
“Goddess above!” I gasp, pressing my hand to my chest. Seeing her familiar face does something to me, and the strong wall
that I’d built around my emotions begins to fracture and crumble. My bottom lip begins to tremble, and my eyes sting with tears,
and despite my best effort, they spill over my lashes and drop onto my cheeks.
“I know I’m not following orders, but I need to know what’s going on.” My words spill out in a hurry, all of my feelings
finally being released in the presence of someone I trust. “I feel like I’ve been living with a veil over my head and it’s just been
ripped off, and now I don’t recognise the world without it.” Gasping breaths rip from my chest as tears roll unbidden down my
face. “I’m just so confused, Selina.”
“Oh, child.” Her face crumples, and my own pain is echoed on her face as she opens her arms, pulling me against her chest.
Falling into her embrace, I bury my face against her neck and breathe in her familiar scent, using it to help ground myself.
“Life is going to be hard for you,” she murmurs, her voice full of pain and regret as she slowly strokes her hand down my
back. “Just remember, you’re goddess blessed. She watches over you constantly, not to mention your mates are waiting for you
and they will help protect you.”
Snorting, I shake my head, not reassured by her last comment. “What if I don’t want to wait for a male to rescue me?”
Whoever my mates are, I’ve lived without them for this long, so I don’t see why I should be sitting around for them to show up
now. I need to be able to look after myself.
Pushing back from Selina’s embrace, I stare into her eyes, each fleck of colour so familiar to me. We may not be directly
related, but she’s as close to me as a grandmother would be, and I trust her to tell me the truth.
Straightening up, I swipe my arm across my face, drying up my tears. “I need to know what’s happening, especially when
my presence could harm the pack.” My voice cracks, but I refuse to allow any more tears to fall.
Pride flashes across her face as she watches me pull myself together. She nods her head in affirmation before a sad smile
appears on her lips as she reaches out and cups my cheeks. “You were a blessing to this pack. I still remember the day Beck
brought you back to us. It was obvious that you belonged here.”
Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I glance over to the clearing where everyone had been gathered not long ago.
Her words would usually reassure me and make me feel loved, but something in me changed when that stranger, Alpha Bates,
accused me of being a witch. It was as though a crucial part of me, my very identity, had been altered. Like a bruise within me,
it aches, not letting me forget it’s there.
“Those strangers, the alphas, they called me a witch.” I bite down on my lip, not wanting to voice my concerns out loud. “Is
that because my wolf is… different?”
I love my wolf and am overjoyed that I can finally run with my pack. None of them made me feel different, yet now I’m
beginning to doubt myself. I’m not daft, I know that I’m different and I always have been, but the way that stranger looked at
me, how they all looked at me, just brought back all my insecurities that I’ve tried to bury over the years.
“Those alphas,” Selina snarls, showing a rare display of anger, “are superstitious scumbags, puppets for the council.” If
she was in her wolf form, her ears would be back and her hackles raised. Her disgust is clear as she stares at something over
my shoulder.
Reaching out, I catch her hand with my own, squeezing slightly to bring her attention back to me. “Who is this council
everyone keeps mentioning?”
The smile she gives me is apologetic, and I know she’s not going to answer my question. “Alpha Jones will explain
everything, dear.” She squeezes my hand, and I wonder if she doesn’t want to tell me about the council or if she can’t. If the
alpha specifically gave a direct order, it would be difficult for her to disobey.
Before I can protest, the door to the alpha’s house swings open. Startling at the sound, I pull away from Selina and round
the corner of the building to find Alpha Jones waiting for me by the doorway. He doesn’t seem surprised to find me here, which
makes me wonder if he knew I was listening in to the whole conversation.
“Laelia, will you come in?” Alpha asks. His expression is solemn, but he attempts to give me a smile as I step up onto the
deck and pass him to enter the building. He doesn’t follow behind me immediately, and as I twist to look back, I see why.
“Selina, your support might be beneficial,” he says in a low voice, his body tense.
I don’t hear her answer, but her silhouette appears in the doorway, and I let out a quiet sigh of gratitude. Without any
pleasantries, the alpha gestures for us to go into his office. This room makes me nervous. I’ve only ever been brought here to be
told bad news or when I’m in trouble, so I don’t have the best memories of it. It’s simply laid out with a worn wooden desk
and equally used green leather chairs. Bookcases line the walls, and an old patterned rug lies in the middle of the floor.
My father is already here, and when I look to him for reassurance, I immediately feel sick as I take in his despondent
expression. Selina and Alpha Jones enter the room behind me, but I don’t move from my spot near the door, still watching my
father. He looks like he’s given up as he leans back against the wall, running his sad eyes over me as if he’s drinking in every
inch of me like he will never see me again.
Alpha Jones stalks over to the desk and leans against it, sighing as he sets his sights on me. “I’m sure you have a lot of
questions.”
He’s right, I do, and his comment breaks the dam I built around my confusion. Focusing my attention on him, I take a step
forward, holding my hands out as if I’m pleading for the truth. “Who were those strangers?” I demand, my voice tight. “Why
were they here? Why did they accuse me of being a witch? Who’s the council and why does it have you all worked up?”
Selina snorts at the flood of questions, but I don’t turn to look at her, keeping my focus on the alpha. If anyone’s going to tell
me, it will be him.
His brow is raised, and he takes a moment to think through my questions, pursing his lips and nodding slowly as he
contemplates where to start. I don’t miss the quick look that he sends my father, appearing to check on the welfare of his friend.
Jones and my father have been close friends since before I was born, and it’s obvious my father isn’t coping well with this.
The alpha’s brow furrows with concern. “We always knew this would happen eventually,” he says quietly, focusing on my
father, and I realise he’s talking only to him.
As I mull over the words, something sticks out in my mind—they knew this was coming.
“They came early,” my father replies, baring his teeth. “We should have had time to leave the pack, to hide her before they
arrived.”
Jones doesn’t reply, just stares at his friend with a sad expression. In a normal situation, if anyone had spoken to the alpha
like that, they would have been put in their place. However, this isn’t a usual situation, and my father is clearly not dealing with
any of this well. I want to go over to him, wrap my arms around his waist, and tell him it’s okay, that we’ll get through this, but
I don’t know if any of that’s true, so instead, I refrain and force myself to wait for the alpha to answer my questions.
Thankfully, my patience is rewarded. With a sigh, Jones turns from my father and looks at me. “The five strangers who
were on our land tonight were alphas who had been sent by the council. They had a message to give us, one they had to deliver
in person,” he begins, his voice even and calm, but I can see his anger simmering in his eyes. “I didn’t recognise the two who
were in wolf form, their scents were new to me, however, I did know the three in human form—Alphas Bates, Grove, and
Syn.”
I already knew Bates and Grove, the former being the one who called me a witch, and the latter the tall alpha who wanted
me killed, so the third, Alpha Syn, must have been the alpha who didn’t speak, the one who the goddess marked as important.
Somehow, having a name for him settles something within me and makes him more real.
I realise after a few moments that the room is silent and all eyes are on me as they give me time to absorb everything they
said. My cheeks tinge pink at the knowledge that I’ve been thinking about one alpha in particular, and I force myself to focus.
Clearing my throat, I replay his words in my mind. There’s so much here that I don’t understand, and I’m beginning to feel
overwhelmed. Releasing a slow, shaky breath, I attempt to order my thoughts.
“What message did they bring?” I ask, my brows furrowing as I realise I don’t even know who it is that’s sending the
message. “And who is the council?”
Jones sighs and slowly nods his head as if he knew he’d have to explain this one day. “All the packs in the land are
governed by the Council of Wolves. They act as our police, and they are supposed to keep the peace and track down rogues.
They also help settle pack disputes before things get out of hand.”
My father snorts. “They slaughter whole packs for minor infractions. They don’t keep the peace, they fracture it.”
With a grimace, Jones nods again. “They have become corrupt over time.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he glances at
my father and then Selina, silently communicating before continuing with his explanation. “They are one of the reasons why
we’re such a remote pack and keep to ourselves. We want a quiet life. We don’t outwardly oppose the council, which is the
only reason why we’re allowed to continue as we do, but we stay as far away from its politics as we can.”
I swallow, my throat feeling dry. All this time, there was a whole group ruling above us that I didn’t know about. Do the
rest of the pack know? I think back to how they all reacted to the strangers and how they surrounded me to protect me, so they
must have known… even Nicolai. Pain lances through my chest that he knew about all of this and never told me.
My wolf shifts inside me, wanting to be released. Gritting my teeth, I push her back, needing to focus on this, and then I jerk
my head. “So why were they here?”
“Every twenty-two years, the council calls everyone together to have the Fang and Claw Trials.” Jones’s eyes flick over to
my father before returning to me. “For some reason, they have brought the trials forward a year.”
My mouth drops open as I turn to my father. His earlier comment makes more sense now. Was he going to run away with me
so the council wouldn’t find out about me? However, from what I’ve learned tonight, I recognise that even though it would have
kept the council from knowing about me, it would have made my father an outcast, and he’d never be able to return.
“Every pack is ordered to attend with every able-bodied wolf. Only the unwell and very young pups are allowed to miss
the event,” Jones says, reciting those facts like they have been ingrained in his mind. “It’s their way of keeping tabs on the more
distant packs and reminding us who’s in charge.”
Soft footsteps sound from beside me, and Selina comes into view, taking a seat in one of the leather armchairs at the side of
the room. “They say it’s a chance for packs to mingle, see how large our numbers are, and for potential mates to find each
other.”
From the way she rolls her eyes, I get the impression that she thinks this is a load of crap.
Clearing his throat, Jones reclaims my attention. “Every pack has to nominate two champions to represent them in the trials.
They are dangerous, and wolves have died in the past.” A heavy atmosphere settles over us at the notion that some of our pack
could die, all for some bullshit powerplay by a council I knew nothing about.
“The winners win respect for their pack, but the bigger packs tend to win, and it’s their way of recruiting new werewolves.
Bragging rights mean everything for those packs.”
“Okay, so we all have to travel to watch the trials.” I glance around at the three of them, and although I wouldn’t have
thought it possible, the atmosphere gets even more tense as a heavy silence settles over us. “What am I missing? Why are you
so concerned?”
They are beginning to freak me out. I know for a fact they are not going to nominate me to be one of their champions, so
why are they all looking at me like that? I play everything over in my mind, and an insidious thought creeps through my head,
growing until I can’t possibly ignore it any longer.
“Does this have to do with what that alpha called me?” I don’t want to repeat the word that was hurled at me like a curse.
“Is there something wrong with me?” My voice is small and full of hurt.
“No,” my father growls, pushing away from the wall and coming to kneel in front of me, gripping the tops of my arms and
staring into my eyes. “There is nothing wrong with you,” he insists.
“Oh, sweet girl.” Selina’s presence grows closer, and her hand lands on the back of my head, stroking my hair. Our pack
bond hums in my chest as they hold me close. Squeezing my eyes shut, I fight against the tears, worried if I allow them to fall,
they will never stop.
“They are right, Laelia. You were brought to us as a blessing from the goddess,” Jones confirms, but there’s an edge to his
voice that I can’t figure out.
Pulling back from my father’s embrace, I look up at the alpha to see his hesitation.
“However,” he continues, “you are different.”
Hurt pangs in my chest as the pain that I’ve tried to bury over the years rises to the surface. Despite how loving my pack
are, and how they do everything within their power to make me feel like one of them, inherently, I am different. He doesn’t
mean it as an insult, and I can see the apology in his eyes.
Grumbling, he scrubs his hand over his face before standing and clapping his hand on my father’s shoulder. “Beck, do you
want to take this?”
My father sits back on his heels, scanning my face as he strokes my arm. “When I found you in the forest, there was a scent
around you that wasn’t fully wolf.” He pauses, his gaze going distant as he recollects that moment all those years ago. “In fact, I
didn’t know you were part wolf until I picked you up and found the mark on your shoulder.”
The mate mark is only given to wolves who are blessed by the goddess. I’ve been told many, many times over the years that
this mark is exclusive to werewolves, so I must be a wolf. Right?
“What was the other scent?” My voice is scratchy and sore from the emotional rollercoaster I’ve been on, but I have to
know.
Dad’s gaze is steady as he watches me. “It smelled like magic.”
“Magic…” I trail off, confused. It takes me a few moments, but when it clicks, my brows rise, and I take a step back,
almost bumping into Selina in the process. “You’re not telling me that witches are real!”
I’m half expecting him to laugh and tell me this was all some elaborate birthday setup, because there’s no way witches
exist. Women who can do spells over cauldrons and fly on wooden broomsticks? No, not possible. Sure, I know the humans
would probably say the same about werewolves, but how could I have gone through my whole life and not known about them,
especially when I could be related to them?
“Witches and werewolves have been at war for hundreds of years. We believe their magic is unholy, an insult to the
goddess,” Selina explains, walking back over to her chair and easing herself down with a shake of her head. “They think they
are above us and that we’re nothing better than animals.” Her lips pull back in a snarl, and I realise she’s being deadly serious.
Jones makes a noise in the back of his throat, and I pull my wide eyes from Selina to the alpha. They are serious. They are
truly telling me that witches exist.
“There’s never been a werewolf who kept their own human form and had a separate wolf during a shift,” he explains.
“When those alphas saw your wolf, one made of stardust that’s separate from you, they assumed that you were a witch.”
I’m already shaking my head and backing up from them. “Then we just tell them at the trials that they were wrong. I’m not a
witch, I don’t have magic. My wolf just manifests in a different way.” I throw my hands up as if to stop any objection.
The alpha has the decency to give me an apologetic look before continuing, shaking his head slowly. “They have already
made up their minds, Laelia. Your scent isn’t full wolf, and your wolf is… different. Magical.”
Each breath feels like knives to my chest as I try to comprehend what they are saying. “So I’m a witch?”
 Jones’s expression is grim as he nods. “There’s a possibility that you’re part witch.” He pauses and looks at my father, who
shakes his head. He gives my father an apologetic grimace. “She needs to know, Beck.” Sighing, he turns back to me. “There’s
a possibility that you’re part witch, and they are going to try to kill you because of it.”
 Chapter Five

M
y bare feet pound against the deck as I hurtle away from the alpha’s house, my father desperately calling out for me as I
run. Leaping down the steps, I land lightly on the ground of the clearing, not stopping to answer my father’s cries.
Weaving through trees that I know better than the back of my hand, the breeze whips through my long scarlet hair, my
tears rolling uncontrolled down my face.
I have no idea who I am anymore. Everything that I thought I was, that I thought I knew about the world, was a lie. They
knew, and they kept it from me. Would my father have ever told me, or would he have made up an excuse when the two of us
had to run away from the pack next year? Did he always plan to keep me in the dark?
Poor little Laelia, abandoned by her biological parents, and she’s not even a real werewolf. We better keep her in the
dark, since she won’t be able to cope with the truth. Toxic thoughts spin over and over in my mind, blinding me to the many
good memories I have here, making me question everything.
My world feels like it’s imploding, as though my life is crumbling down around me and I’m having to try to catch all the
broken pieces. I’m so hurt that I can’t even begin to understand why they would keep this from me. I knew if I didn’t get away
from them in that moment, I would say something that I’d regret later.
My wolf swells within me, wanting to comfort and protect me, and with a cry of pain, she rips from my chest, materialising
beside me. She keeps pace with me, racing at my side.
I’m not sure how long we run, but I stay within pack boundaries. With the potential risk of the unknown alphas still being
nearby, I won’t risk being found outside the protection of my pack, even if I don’t know where I belong any longer. My legs
eventually feel like they can’t carry me any farther, and my lungs burn in my chest. Stopping, I press my hands against my hips
and lean forward as I try to catch my breath. Sobbing, I stumble over to the nearest tree, leaning against it and slowly sinking to
the ground. Wrapping my arms around my legs, I bury my face against my knees.
I’m stronger than this, I know I am, and tomorrow, I’ll begin piecing my life back together again, one fractured fragment at a
time. However, right now, I don’t want to be strong. I want to cry and rage and scream. My heart feels like it’s tearing with
each fluttering pulse, my tears never-ending. Will this pain ever stop?
A low whine makes me jerk my head up, and I find my wolf sitting only inches from me. A choked laugh escapes me at the
confused expression on her face, and I hold out a hand to call her closer. She presses herself against me, and I rub her between
the ears, immediately feeling comforted by her presence.
“I’m sorry, girl,” I whisper into her fur, burying my face into her soft neck. It still feels strange to have her here with me, yet
at the same time it feels like I’ve known her forever and I can’t imagine being without her.
We sit like this in silence for a long time with the full moon in the sky watching us. The tears have stopped now, but it still
feels like I have a gaping hole in my chest. My wolf helps with this, taking away the sting of the betrayal I feel with the
knowledge that even if everyone else lies to me, I’ll always have her.
My legs cramp, and I groan with how stiff and uncomfortable I feel from staying still for so long. Uncurling from my
position, I stand and stretch out, a ghost of a smile on my lips as my wolf does the same. Clicking my tongue, I begin to run
again, not really sure where I’m going but just needing to connect with her and feel the wind in my hair.
I’ve not been running long when my wolf begins to growl. Slowing, I turn to see what’s caught her attention and find
Nicolai racing through the trees in wolf form. Skidding to a halt in front of me, he shifts, his naked form crouching in the grass.
He stands and hurries over to me, not ashamed by his lack of clothing.
I back away and shake my head, holding up a hand and silently asking him to stop. He pauses, confusion written all over his
face before taking in my snarling wolf, who’s positioned herself between us.
 “Laelia, wait!” he chokes out. When he glances around and sees how close I am to the pack border, he seems to still as
realisation hits him. “Where are you going?”
His eyes take in my tearstained face, my puffy eyes, and my wolf, who stays protectively positioned before me. Pain flashes
across his face, and he reaches out for me, but I take a step back, not wanting to be touched right now.
He doesn’t seem to know what to say, but that’s fine. I know exactly what I want to know.
“Did you know?”
My question doesn’t seem to take him by surprise, but the silence that follows tells me everything I need to know.
Disappointment and betrayal must show on my face, because he reaches for me again.
“Laelia…”
“You did,” I accuse, stepping back once more to put more space between us. My wolf senses my intentions and jumps into
the gap, making sure he can’t get any closer to me as she growls in warning. “You knew that I’m part witch, a race that
werewolves despise.” My voice breaks, and a tear rolls down my cheek. “A race that I didn’t even know existed until a few
moments ago.”
He grimaces, his face showing every thought and emotion he feels. “Alpha Jones and your father told me a little while ago,
but it doesn’t change how I feel.” He emphasises the last couple of words as he moves towards me despite my growling wolf.
“You could be part harpy for all I care, you’re still Laelia to me.”
If this were any other situation, I’d be mooning over the fact that he’s implying his feelings for me are deeper than I first
thought. However, the last thing I want right now is for him to touch me when he’s been lying about who I am. He may have
been ordered not to tell me, but he should have fought the alpha’s command.
“You all knew personal information about me, and it never occurred to you that I should know?”
I’m mad, but if I’m honest, it’s not Nicolai whom I’m most angry at. Oh, he’s in trouble for not telling me, but it’s my father,
Selina, and Jones’s betrayal that hurts the most. Jones is like an uncle to me, an old family friend like Selina, so I trusted them
implicitly, and now I discover that they have always known what I am and kept that from me my entire life. Sure, they have
never treated me any differently for it, but this is information that I needed to know.
“It’s not an excuse, but I was ordered not to tell you.”
He confirms my suspicions, and I laugh bitterly, wrapping my arms around my waist. He wants to step forward and pull me
into his arms, his wolf’s instincts driving him. I know this because I’m feeling it too. Comfort is given physically in our pack.
Large puppy piles and gentle touches help to reassure and bind the pack. However, I don’t want him to comfort me. I want to be
mad at him, and I’m allowed to be angry considering what I’ve just learned.
“Alpha Jones and your dad were going to tell you after you shifted tonight. They weren’t sure what was going to happen.”
Neither of them had so much as hinted that they weren’t sure if I was going to shift. Sure, Jones sat me down to talk through
how it all worked, but nothing was said about what would happen if I didn’t shift. Why didn’t they say anything?
Suddenly overrun with sadness, I shake my head, more tears stinging my eyes. “How can I return? I’m a laughingstock.” My
throat is tight, and my voice is barely more than a croak. “Anyone who didn’t already know is bound to find out, and then what?
The alpha said that werewolves hate witches. I won’t be accepted.”
“Oh, Laelia,” he whispers, hurt in his voice as he forces himself to stay back, trying to respect my wishes for space. “We
always knew you were different and accepted you as you are. There’s a reason we all live off the grid and not in a pack under
the council. Most of us have our own secrets,” he says cryptically, and it piques my curiosity. Just what could he be hiding?
I’ve known the wolves in the pack my whole life, so the idea that they have their own secrets… Is that why they support and
accept me so much? Because they know what it’s like not to be accepted?
Nicolai distracts me from my thoughts by crossing his arms over his chest. “If I told you right now that I’m a witch, would
you hate me?”
I think about it, but the answer comes to me pretty quickly. I’d be shocked and annoyed that he only just told me, but I
wouldn’t hate him. Frowning, I slowly shake my head. Now that I’ve calmed down from my initial hurt, I’m finding it difficult
to have this conversation with him while he’s naked. I may be used to nudity within the pack, but it’s different when it’s just the
two of us, since he’s someone I’ve had a crush on for years. Keeping my eyes on his face, I sigh and roll my shoulders back.
“I don’t know how I feel anymore,” I admit, feeling lost.
“That’s understandable.” Stepping forward, he casts a wary look at my wolf before offering me his hand. “Come back with
me. Your father isn’t dealing with this very well.”
That’s all it takes for the anger to drain from me. My father is my whole world, and he’s dedicated his entire life to caring
for me. I’m mad at him for lying, but I know why he did it. He was afraid and trying to keep me safe. In his mind, whether I was
a witch or not, I was still his daughter. The only reason the news was broken to me this way was because of the strangers’
unexpected visit.
I’ve not forgiven him, and we’ll be having a long conversation about all of this, but he’s still my dad, and if he’s hurting, I
need to be with him.
I silently call my wolf back to me, and she trots to my side, leaning up against my leg. Dropping my hand, I run my fingers
through her soft fur and gesture for him to lead the way. Keeping a good distance and my wolf between us, we start walking
back. At first, we stay silent, but my mind keeps replaying what I learned tonight.
“What do you know about these trials?” I eventually ask.
Nicolai looks at me, his face carefully blank, but I saw the concern that flashed across it before he schooled his expression.
“I was only a couple of years old the last time they were called, so I didn’t go. From what I’ve been told, they are brutal. We
don’t stand a chance of winning, not against the bigger packs.”
That’s a scary thought. Some of our wolves are strong and fast, so to think they wouldn’t win… They said that wolves die,
but it finally hits me that not all of us will come back from this. If it’s guaranteed that we won’t win, then why in the goddess
are we going?
I voice the question to Nicolai, and he just laughs bitterly.
“If we don’t go, we’ll all be slaughtered.”
I don’t understand. I’ve lived my whole life without knowing about this council, and now, in the space of a few minutes,
they have turned my life upside down, threatening not only my pack, but my own life too. If it were as simple as handing myself
over to protect everyone, I would do it, but I get the impression that’s not enough for them. There’s a heavy tension in the air,
and the closer we get to the middle of the camp, the greater the weight presses down on my shoulders.
I slow to a stop, my wolf whining at my side as she senses my tumbling thoughts. Nicolai also stops, concern etched into
his expression, but he doesn’t push me to voice my concerns, trusting me to speak when I’m ready.
I stare ahead to where I know my father will be waiting in our cabin, but I’m not really seeing anything, the world is a blur.
“They are going to want to kill me.”
There’s movement beside me, and then Nicolai’s face comes into focus, his hands gripping my shoulders. Staring at me
with a fierce expression, he bares his teeth, but I know this display of anger isn’t aimed at me.
“I’m not going to let that happen,” he snarls, shaking me slightly when I start to drop my gaze. “Do you hear me?”
There’s a spark of power behind his demand, almost like an alpha’s, but I don’t think he notices. My vision sharpens as I
take in the familiar features of my friend. Now this is interesting. Alphas are rare in werewolf society, and usually only one can
live in a pack at a time. Nicolai isn’t an alpha and has certainly never shown anything like this before, so I probably just
imagined it.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts and focus on the issue at hand, I take a deep breath and nod my head. “Yes.”
I know that he and the rest of the pack will do everything in their power to keep me safe, but if this council is so powerful,
is there really anything we can do about it if they decide that my life is forfeit?
He stares into my eyes for a few more moments, his gaze intense. Finally, he nods and takes a step back. “We better get
back before your father tears up the grounds trying to find you.”

Staring up at our family cabin, I’m filled with a sense of trepidation.

This has always been a safe place for me, one filled with love and happy memories, so I hate that I’m now dreading
stepping inside. I don’t want to go in. I don’t want to face the man who’s lied to me my whole life. Even though I know he did it
to protect me, it doesn’t take away the pain of learning I’m not who I thought I was. I never really cared that I didn’t know my
birth parents—it didn’t seem to matter, not when I had such a wonderful family who cared for me here—however, now I’m
beginning to see that bloodlines do matter.
I can hear my dad racing around inside, the wooden floorboards creaking as he moves in a frenzy, and I know I can’t put
this off any longer.
Feeling Nicolai’s eyes on my back as he watches from a distance, I take a deep breath and climb the steps. As soon as I
step into our cabin, my father appears at the other side of the room and hurries over to me, slamming the door shut and flicking
the lock.
“Thank God you’re back.” Grabbing my shoulders, he pulls me against his chest, his arms tight around me as he kisses the
top of my head. “I know you have a lot of questions, but they’ll have to wait for now.”
He pulls away, and I watch with raised brows as he hurries through the cabin, shutting all the curtains, his movements jerky
and erratic. He disappears into the back bedroom where he sleeps, only to appear at the door with an empty duffel bag seconds
later.
“Pack your bags, we’re leaving,” he orders, not looking at me as he swoops around the room and grabs everything he thinks
we’ll need.
It takes me a moment to process what he just said. “Dad,” I start, reaching for him, but he moves past me and back into his
bedroom. I hear drawers slamming, and when he hurries back out, his arms are full of clothes. Frankly, he’s scaring me. I’ve
never seen him act like this. Even after Mum died, he wasn’t like this.
“Why aren’t you packing?” he demands, coming to an abrupt stop when he realises I’m not following his order. Panic
flashes in his eyes, and he finally meets my gaze, seeing the truth that he won’t allow himself to admit.
“You heard the alpha, Dad,” I start gently, stepping forward with my arms out to take the bundle from his arms. “We can’t
leave. They’ll hunt us down.”
Snarling quietly, he steps out of reach. “They’ll try to kill you at the trials. It’s not safe.” His gaze becomes distant for a
moment as he nods to himself. “I can keep you safe.”
My heart squeezes painfully in my chest. Seeing him like this is heartbreaking, and I can understand why he chose not to tell
me—even just the thought of losing me is tearing him apart.
“We can’t leave the pack. You’ll be a lone wolf on the run for the rest of your life.”
He knows all of this, he just doesn’t want to admit it. I recognise the stubborn expression on his face, and my stomach
twists. Once he has an idea in his mind, it’s almost impossible to change it, especially if it involves my safety.
Stepping forward, I paste a tight smile on my lips. “I just need to prove to the council that I’m a wolf and not a witch.” I
shrug as though it’s that easy, but I know he sees right through my display of confidence. “I’ll show them my mark. I’ll do it in
public where they can’t possibly deny it.” Before he can even attempt to change my mind, I drop my smile and cross my arms
over my chest. “I won’t put you or the pack in danger.”
There’s a heavy pause as he stares at me, my stubborn look mirroring his. I won’t be moved on this because I refuse to be
the reason why any of my pack is hurt. We’ll travel to the trials and deal with whatever comes our way, but we’ll do it together,
as a pack.
He must see that I’m not going to back down, because he lets out a huge sigh, all the fight draining from him. “You’re too
good for us all,” he murmurs, dropping his armful of clothing onto the couch beside him and slowly closing the distance
between us. His eyes search my face, committing every part of it to memory. “I can’t lose you too.” His voice breaks, and my
strong façade threatens to crumble, but I force myself to keep it together.
“You won’t, I promise.”
As I wrap my arms around him, inhaling his comforting scent, I just pray that this is a promise I won’t have to break.
 Chapter Six

C
lutching the room key in my hand, I stalk down the corridor until I find the corresponding door that matches the number
on the keyring.
I never thought that something like werewolf trials would be held in a place that has its own hotels, but that’s not
even the most surprising thing about all this. It turns out this whole town is entirely made up of werewolves and is where the
council is based. Hotels, restaurants, shops… you name it, they have it, and not a single human lives here.
When we first arrived, I went for a walk with some of the other wolves from my pack who are my age. The town isn’t huge,
but it’s nothing like what I expected. It feels just like any other town I’ve visited, except there’s an excited atmosphere
surrounding everyone we pass. It’s as though there’s a huge sporting event about to take place, and not a potential fight to the
death.
There are even posters up on the sides of buildings advertising for the bigger packs, not to mention the souvenir shops
where you can buy shirts with your favourite pack’s logo on it. It’s… crazy. Werewolves are supposed to be fiercely loyal to
their packs, so the fact that you can buy merchandise for another pack just goes against every instinct in my body. I’ve never
known anything like it.
I know I live a sheltered life in my small pack, and that’s the way we like it, but I can’t get over the differences. No one
even tries to disguise their second natures here. Although, I suppose with no humans around, there’s no need to hide.
Frankly, I find it all disturbing, and I can see why my pack chooses to live far away, and that’s without taking the council
into consideration. I feel their presence every moment that we’re here, and there are symbols of them everywhere—little
golden plaques adorn the doorways of all the council approved businesses, and signs line the park with reminders of the rules
as set out by them. It’s oppressive.
Finally reaching my room, I unlock my door, and as I push it open, I find my suitcase already waiting for me. The hotel is a
three-story building that’s longer than it is tall, sprawling over a large area right at the edge of the town. I was told the rooms
are ranked, so the higher the pack, the nicer the hotel is and the closer they are positioned to the heart of the city. I’m sure it
was meant as an insult to place us in the most basic hotel the farthest away, but honestly, it suits us better. We’re used to living
a simple life in the forest. Even the idea of being in one of those tall buildings makes me shudder.
Glancing around, I take in the place where I’ll be staying for the next couple of weeks. The room is basic. A double bed
with pale blue sheets takes up most of the space, with tired-looking bedside tables. The cream-coloured walls have generic
pictures, and the blue curtains are pulled back to reveal a large window. Crossing the room, I take in the view. I can see the
forest from here, and a sense of longing fills my chest. My wolf hates that we’re confined in this building.
Alpha Jones told me that most of the trials will take place in the forest and not in the town itself, so at least we can
surround ourselves with nature during our forced stay here. Silver linings.
Sighing, I step away from the window and take another look around. By the door is a wardrobe built into the wall, and
opposite is a small bathroom. Heading over, I turn on the light and step inside, briefly taking in the shower, toilet, and basin
that fill the space. Running the cold tap, I splash some water onto my face, bracing my arms on either side of the sink as I take a
moment to organise my thoughts.
Ever since that awful day when the strangers arrived on our land, everything has felt strained within the pack—not their
relationship with me, exactly. I’m still treated with the same affection as always, but tensions have been high. Knowing that
two of our own will have to fight in the trials is causing a lot of friction. Since the trials have been brought forward a year, no
one has trained or prepared for it, leaving us all scrambling.
Another huge stress is the council. We have no idea how the council will react to me. I’ve not been called in to them yet,
but I know it’s only a matter of time. My poor father has barely been keeping it together, acting more overprotective than ever.
In fact, I was surprised that he even let me go into the town with the others from my pack without one of the protectors as a
personal escort.
I’ve not seen much of Nicolai since that day either. Jones has been preparing him for the role of third-in-command, and it’s
kept him busy. I know this, but it also feels like he’s avoiding me. Selina has been the only one who seems to be acting
normally—well, normal for her at least.
Sighing, I glance up from the basin and stare at my reflection. My skin looks even paler in this light, almost translucent, and
my scarlet hair is a mess. Combing it with my fingers, I pull it back and attempt a simple braid. I look… stressed and tired.
Grey circles mar the skin beneath my eyes, giving away the fact I’ve barely slept since my birthday. Shrugging at my reflection,
I push away from the countertop and leave the bathroom, flicking off the light as I walk back into the bedroom.
Only to find I’m not alone.
My wolf rips from my chest at my surprise, leaping in front of me and snarling at the intruder. It hurts like hell, and I press a
hand over my heart, gasping from the pain but trying to stay on my feet in case I need to fight off the intruder. That’s when my
eyes focus, and I realise I know the person who is currently lying across my bed—Alpha Syn.
Making himself comfortable, he lies on his side, fully clothed in biker’s leathers. With his ankles crossed and his head
propped up with his hand, he acts like he owns the room. His eyes narrow on me, scanning me from head to toe. He glances at
the growling wolf of stars and slowly sits up. There’s no fear there, which only makes her snarl more, snapping her jaw in
agitation at the insult. I swear I see interest flash in his eyes, but it’s quickly tamped down. He’s making an effort to keep his
alpha power in check, which I’m grateful for, but even so, being in an enclosed space with a male this powerful is a heady
experience.
Keeping his expression neutral, he looks up at me again. “You came.”
I’ve never heard him speak before, but his voice is somehow familiar. Arching a brow, I place my hands on my hips with a
bravado I don’t feel. I’m not sure what I expected from him, but this was not it. Why the hell is he here? Did he really expect
me not to come?
“How did you get in here?” I’m proud of myself when my voice comes out even and smooth, not giving away that I’m a ball
of anxiety.
I know I locked the door behind me when I came in, and he certainly wasn’t here then. Risking a quick glance over my
shoulder, I see that the lock is still flipped into place. How is it that I’m in a locked room with him, alone? Thank the goddess
for my wolf, who’s currently creating a barrier between the two of us. A small voice in the back of my mind reminds me that I
have magic and could protect myself with my shield of stars, but I ignore it. I’m trying to prove I’m a wolf and that I belong
here, not make a spectacle of myself.
“I have my methods.” He smirks, and I get the impression he can see straight through my confident act. His arrogance rolls
off him in waves as he tilts his head to one side. He’s looking at me like I’m his next snack, and it’s making me nervous.
“Get out,” I order with a jerk of my head.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he leans back, getting comfortable and showing no signs of leaving. “You never answered
my question.”
Frowning in confusion, I replay our conversation. “You didn’t ask me anything.”
Rolling his eyes, he leans forward and rests his elbows on his legs, the smirk replaced with agitation. “You came,” he
grinds out between clenched teeth. “Why?”
Taken aback, I let out a small laugh. They really did expect me to run. Just what kind of wolf do they think I am? I’m no
lone wolf, and my pack means everything to me. I wait for the rest of the question, but I get nothing other than that dark stare of
his.
“Do you really think I’d put my pack at risk by not coming? It was pretty clear what would happen if I didn’t,” I reply
quietly. He doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t need to, since his lack of answer is clear enough.
Pursing his lips, he seems confused. “You’re not afraid.” Again, it’s not a question, but I know he wants an answer.
“Of course I’m afraid.” My wolf moves closer to me at the admission, no longer openly snarling now that we know he’s not
going to attack. Instead, she just watches the alpha closely, pressed up against my legs. Dropping my arm, I run my fingers
through her soft fur, keeping my eyes locked on him. “But I’m not going to let my fear get in the way of protecting my pack.”
My response seems to surprise him. Pressing his hand to his chin, he contemplates his next move, as though trying to decide
whether to tell me something. My body is tense as I wait for him to speak, to move, to do something. Eventually, he nods to
himself.
“You need to be careful here,” he says as he stands from the bed. “Don’t trust anyone, especially not the council.”
I take his warning to heart, nodding my head once. He didn’t have to tell me this, but for some reason, despite his obvious
dislike of me, he’s helping me.
He begins to walk over, and I step back to allow him to pass, thinking he’s leaving, but he stops when he reaches me. His
eyes bore into mine, and his brow furrows as he stares at me. He seems confused and as though he’s looking for an answer. His
irises flash as his wolf comes to the surface, and seemingly without realising what he’s doing, he leans forward and inhales
deeply.
I hardly breathe, keeping completely still. This is a strange alpha that I know nothing about, and he’s just inches from my
jugular. It would be so easy for him to kill me, but something tells me he won’t. His eyes shoot open, and his entire body
stiffens as anger flashes across his face. My wolf growls from my side, trying to push her way between the two of us, but I’m
trapped against the wall, and he’s refusing to move.
“What are you?” he snarls.
He can’t be talking about my half-witch heritage, since he knew about that already, so why is he looking at me with that
wild, desperate expression? Initially, I thought he was just insulting me and trying to make me feel bad about who I am, but now
I’m not so sure.
A knock on the door saves me from answering. We stare at each other, locked in a battle of wills, neither of us moving. In
fact, I don’t know if I can move. My body feels like it’s glued in place. No, that’s not right, because I do want to move. I feel
like I’m being pulled towards him. I didn’t notice it so much before, but this close, it’s almost impossible to stay away from
him, and it’s taking everything in me to stop myself from being dragged forward.
“Laelia?” Nicolai calls out, his voice muffled by the door. “Is everything okay?”
Before I can reply, Syn snarls quietly, glaring at me, and stalks over to the door. He practically rips it off its hinges as he
fills the whole doorway, staring down at my friend.
Released from the spell Syn seemed to weave over me, I blink several times and turn to the doorway, groaning at what I
see. The two males snarl at each other, their postures tense and hands balled into fists. This is going to break out into a fight if I
don’t do something soon.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Nicolai demands, his hatred for the other male evident. He’s only just managing to
hold his wolf back, his eyes flashing and hands shaking.
Syn barks out a humourless, dark laugh. “I could ask you the same thing, pup.”
Whatever control Nicolai has over himself is about to snap as he starts forward, teeth bared. “If you’ve so much as laid a
hand on her—”
“Nicolai!” Leaping between the two of them, I press my hands against his chest. It’s a really fucking stupid move, but if he
shifts, I have no doubt that Syn will attack him. One of the things we’re taught when growing up in a wolf pack is to never get in
front of a werewolf who’s shifting, since this is the point where they have the least control.
Thankfully, Nicolai manages to regain his control. I’m going to get shouted at later for this little move, but I’ll gladly take it
if it means he’s still alive to do the shouting. Shaking him a little, I make sure he’s looking at me and not the alpha who’s
preening behind me.
“I’m okay. He’s leaving.” I put emphasis on the final word so there’s no option for any denial. It’s risky to speak about an
alpha like this, especially one I don’t know and currently have my back to.
I can feel Syn’s gaze on me, so I slowly drop one arm and turn side on, so I can see both of them. Syn is pinning me in place
with a dark stare and a crooked smile that promises violence. Nicolai snarls at the threat behind the smile, but he doesn’t
move, my hand on his chest reminding him what’s at risk here.
The alpha takes a lazy step forward, only stopping when my wolf appears between us once more, growling fiercely up at
him. That lip quirks again as he looks down at my stardust protector. When he glances back up at me, there’s a dark promise in
his eyes.
“I’ll be seeing you, Laelia.” The way he pronounces my name makes my toes curl and causes desire to surge through me.
He must scent it, because a smirk appears on his face, and his eyes lock on the blush staining my cheeks. He doesn’t even
bother to glance at Nicolai again, the ultimate insult, as he spins on his heels and stalks down the corridor.
Neither of us moves until the alpha is out of view, and when he is, my body slumps, fatigue hitting me so hard I have to lean
against the wall to keep myself standing. My hands shake as the effects of my adrenaline crash through me, and my wolf brushes
up against me, whining her distress. That snaps Nicolai into action. He curses as he hurries to my side, wrapping an arm
around me and helping me into my room.
Crossing to the bed, he helps me sit on the edge before going over to shut the door, locking it for good measure. My wolf,
whom I really need to name, jumps up onto the bed beside me, resting her head in my lap as she lies down. I rest my hand
between her ears and scratch her there, smiling softly as she makes happy noises.
“What do you think about Star?” I ask, looking up as I suggest it.
“What?” Nicolai asks with a frown as he crosses the room. The confusion on his face almost makes me laugh, but I bite
down on my lip to stop the hysteria.
“Star, what do you think of it as a name for my wolf?”
He looks at me like I’m mad, glancing between me and my wolf. I suppose he wouldn’t be too far off in his assumption,
since my mind is an absolute mess and I need something to focus on to stop me from having a breakdown. We’ve been here for
less than a handful of hours, and I’m already being tracked down by the council’s alphas.
 Thankfully, the physical contact with my wolf, Star, seems to help keep me calm. Smiling when all I feel like doing is
crying, I lean down and press a kiss to the top of Star’s head. “Well, I can’t just keep calling her ‘wolf.’”
Blinking, he doesn’t seem to know what to say. A whole array of emotions flash across his face, from concern to
amusement to anger, however, after a moment, he seems to settle on frustration.
“Laelia, are we going to talk about what just happened?” Raising a brow, he gestures wide as he waits for my response.
When I don’t immediately reply, he shakes his head, looking like he wants to shake me, so instead, he crosses his arms. “You
need to stay away from him, he’s dangerous.”
My head jerks up, and my eyes narrow. “I didn’t exactly let him in, Nicolai. He just appeared in my room.” Anger laces my
voice, and to his credit, he looks a little shamefaced at lecturing me. “As if I’d just let a strange alpha into my room. I’m trying
to stay alive here.”
Nicolai nods stiffly and starts pacing the small space of my room. Star and I watch him go from left to right, staying quiet as
he tries to pull himself together.
“Syn is not to be trusted,” he insists, coming to a stop in front of me.
Jones and my father had already sat me down before we left and warned me not to trust any alphas while we were here,
something they hadn’t needed to tell me. I don’t trust anyone here, alpha or not. However, the way Nicolai’s speaking about him
makes me think there’s more to this.
“Why?” Leaning forward on the bed, I meet his gaze. “What’s so bad about him compared to the others?”
Of the five alphas who stormed our land, Syn had been the least aggressive. Oh, I’m not daft, I know he would have
attacked if I’d have given them reason, but compared to Bates and Grove, who wanted to publicly drag me back to the council
to have me killed, he seemed more reasonable. Sure, mysteriously turning up in the room of a lone female wolf doesn’t scream
safe and reasonable, but he didn’t hurt me, he just asked me some questions and gave me a warning.
Nicolai lets out a hissing breath between clenched teeth and runs his hands through his hair. “Syn used to be the alpha of a
large pack. Something happened, and a whole lot of his pack died, including a couple of pups.” Seeing the devastation on my
face, he nods solemnly. The death of even one of our children is a tragedy, so to know that several of them died makes my heart
hurt.
“He failed them,” Nicolai continues, “and he was stripped of his pack as a result. He should have been an outcast, but the
council offered him a job with them, so he’s their lapdog now.”
To lose so much, not only the death of the people under your care, but then to be thrown from the pack? I can’t even imagine
how difficult that would be, and now he’s packless. An alpha without a pack is a ticking time bomb. Alphas are genetically
programmed to lead, and without a pack, that’s not possible, so over time, they become more unstable. If they are unable to find
a pack or create their own, they often lose control of their wolf completely. My father once told me about an alpha this
happened to. He went on a rampage, killing indiscriminately until someone was able to stop him.
Syn didn’t seem like he wasn’t in control. He seemed dark and broody, but I thought that was just a part of his character—
knowing some of his history explains that. Does working for the council fulfil his need to protect and lead?
“How awful,” I murmur, and Star makes a noise of agreement from my lap.
“You feel sorry for him.” Astonished, he stops in front of me and gapes like he doesn’t even know me. “He just threatened
you, and you’re feeling sorry for him.”
I rear back at the force of his anger, my brows shooting up as I stare up at him. I feel Star climb from my lap and leap to the
ground in front of me, positioning herself at my feet. She doesn’t growl or snarl at Nicolai, but it’s clear that she’s ready to
protect me if she feels the need. However, I don’t need her to protect me from him. Tilting my head to one side, I try to figure
out what’s causing this anger. I won’t apologise, not about this.
“I’d feel sorry for anyone in that situation. Whether he did something wrong or not, people died, people he would have
cared about. Pups died.”
My response is apparently not what he was expecting. He stares at me in astonishment before throwing his hands up in the
air. “I can’t even be around you right now.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stare at his back as he storms off, slamming the door behind him. Looking down at Star, I
meet her dark eyes. “What the hell just happened?”
 Chapter Seven

“S top fussing, child. You look lovely.”

Selina’s amused voice breaks my stare off with my reflection. Glancing over my shoulder, I smile weakly at her in
gratitude before turning back to the mirror. My red hair is unbound and falls in gentle waves down my back. My simple
white off the shoulder shirt and stretchy denim jeans look plain considering we’re about to go to a social event. However, I
was warned not to dress up for it, to look casual and not to stand out. Of course, this only makes me a hundred times more
anxious than I would have been otherwise.
“What do you even wear to a social event like this?” I mumble more to myself than my old family friend, not really
expecting a response as I run my fingers through my hair for the hundredth time.
Of course, this is Selina and offering unasked for advice is something she excels at. “Something you can easily run away
in,” she comments dryly from where she perches on the end of my bed.
Shooting her a look via the mirror, I purse my lips, my stomach flipping with nerves. “That’s not funny.”
She snorts and stands behind me, placing both hands on my shoulders comfortingly and meeting my eyes in the reflection.
“I’m not joking.”
Brilliant.
“Selina, stop scaring her,” my father mumbles as he enters my room. Walking over, he leans down to kiss me on the cheek
in greeting. “You’ll be safe and protected at all times.”
I run my eyes over his familiar frame, frowning at the shirt he’s wearing. It has palm trees on it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen
my father wear a collared shirt before, not even at my mother’s funeral. He’s much more of a T-shirt and jeans kind of guy, and
honestly, seeing him like this makes me more nervous than anything.
“You’re sure I can’t just stay here?” My voice is tight, but I plaster on a fake smile and pretend that I’m fine.
“No, it will show weakness. We have to attend,” he replies reluctantly.
Attempting to hide my disappointment, I look away and reach for my phone, sliding it into my back pocket since no
handbags or purses are allowed at this gathering. When I turn back around, both of them are watching me with sympathetic
expressions.
Gesturing for them to get moving, I follow close behind them. “Right, let’s get this over with.”
We’re silent as I lock my door, and then the three of us make our way from the hotel. We meet with several more of our
pack members on the way, and we all head out into the woods. I don’t know where I’m going, but that doesn’t matter. There are
so many wolves all travelling in the same direction that we can just follow them.
My father is practically buzzing with energy, his face set in a permanent scowl and his lip curling up if anyone so much as
looks in our direction. I can feel his wolf and know it’s just below the surface, ready to defend me if needed.
My companions take note of those who pass us, looking at the competition we face here and assessing who might be a
threat. I should be doing the same, but my focus is on the trees. The forest feels different here. Back on our pack lands, I know
every inch of the woods and it feels like home. Here, it feels… cold, devoid of feeling and memories, or at least the memories
it does hold aren’t the ones that make you feel good or welcome.
Up ahead, I see a pathway marked by glowing lanterns, and beyond that, a huge clearing lit by more lanterns and a large
fire in the middle. As soon as we step into the clearing, I feel everyone’s eyes fall on us. I try to ignore it as my father guides us
over to where our alpha and the rest of our pack are waiting. As soon as we join them, my pack surrounds me, protecting me
with their bodies. I don’t know if this was previously arranged, or if they did it instinctively, but I’m so grateful and feel so
much safer already.
 Everyone speaks in low voices, and I can hear how anxious they all are. Also in the heart of our little huddle, looking a
little pale, is Sanjay, one of the werewolves who’s going to compete in our name in the trials. He’s one of our strongest
wolves, his muscled body rippling with each movement. I smile at him, and he returns it, albeit weakly. He looks anxious, and
I’m about to ask if he’s okay when I hear the whispers.
“Is that her? The witch?”
“She doesn’t look any different.”
“Did you catch a whiff of her? She smelled like a wolf to me.”
They are talking about me and trying to figure out what I am. It seems like gossip really does travel fast. The council will
know about me, since Bates and the others would have told them, but how does everyone else know? Our game plan was to
stay under the radar as much as possible, and not do anything to piss off the council or come under their attention, but if
everyone is staring and whispering, that’s going to be difficult to achieve—not to mention it makes me feel uncomfortable. I try
to ignore them, but they are relentless, and the comments get worse and worse.
“Look at her, hiding away. They are all ashamed of her, so they are trying to keep her from view. Wise move.”
My father hears the comment at the same time I do, his body stiffening as a deep growl rumbles through him. He turns in the
direction the comment came from, scanning the area and trying to track down the wolf who spoke.
No. I won’t cower and hide. That will just add fuel to their rumours. I’m also not going to let my father get into a fight
because of me. Placing my hand on his back to get his attention, I use his movement to squeeze between him and Nicolai. He
curses, reaching to stop me, but I slip past so I’m standing outside the circle of their bodies. Turning back to face them, I cross
my arms over my chest and raise a single brow, looking from one male to the other.
“I’m not going to hide,” I tell them, making sure my voice is loud enough for anyone close by to hear. “If they want to stare,
let them stare.”
Pride flashes in my father’s eyes, his inner wolf pleased by the fact that I won’t bow down, but it’s quickly replaced by
disapproval as his overprotective fathering instincts rise to the surface. “What happened to keeping a low profile?”
Shrugging, I glance around, not shying away from others’ gazes. “I’m not causing a scene. I’m just standing with my pack.”
Looking back at him, I see how nervous he is. Most people think he’s stoic and unmoving, the strict second-in-command of the
pack who’s fair but firm when doling out the alpha’s commands, but they don’t know him like I do. He’s trying to hide his
overwhelming fear that I’m going to get hurt, but he’s never been able to keep these things from me. He might be an expert at
reading my moods, but it goes both ways. Reaching out, I place my hand on his arm and squeeze lightly. “Hiding away makes it
look like I have something to hide.”
Selina cackles, suddenly appearing at my side. “She’s got you there, Beck.”
Jumping slightly, I raise my brow at her, always surprised at how such an old woman can move so quickly and silently.
However, in this instance, I smile at her in thanks before turning back to my father with a pointed look.
He just lets out a long-suffering sigh and shakes his head, used to Selina and me ganging up on him when he’s being too
overprotective.
Alpha Jones moves forward, the pack parting to allow him through. Clapping a hand on my father’s shoulder, they share a
reluctant smile. “She’s right. We have nothing to hide here.” Shifting his attention to me, he smiles again, but there’s tension
behind it. “Just make sure you stay close.”
When I see the tightness around his eyes, my chest constricts with guilt as I nod in agreement. I know none of this is my
fault. I didn’t ask for any of this, yet I’m putting our pack at risk. Being alpha means everyone’s welfare and safety is your
responsibility, and that’s a heavy burden. While he’s trying to make sure his best friend’s daughter is safe, he has to put the
welfare of the whole pack over the safety of one.
Everyone is tense, but after a few minutes, a couple of the pack members start up a quiet conversation with each other. This
encourages the others to relax a little, and some even wave to people from other packs that they recognise. No one leaves our
group, and no one seems to want to join us, and that’s just fine by me. I know it’s because of me, I can feel their gazes, but I pay
no heed. Instead, I watch everyone arrive. The dynamics here are odd. There are several large packs who take up most of the
central space, all of whom are loud and energetic. They mingle, talking among the different packs, but there’s an air of
competition and barely suppressed violence that surrounds them. The rest of the packs congregate in their own groups at the
edges of the clearing. None of them seem to stray beyond their own pack, so I’m starting to think that perhaps it’s not just me
who’s keeping everyone away from us.
My instincts tingle in warning, so I pull my gaze from the large packs and find someone I recognise skulking our way. A
low growl rumbles in the back of my throat, one that’s echoed by my father. Nicolai, Selina, and several other pack members
walk over, creating a barrier behind me to protect my back as I face the alpha who’s scowling at me.
“Well, well, well, look who’s crawled out of the woodwork,” Grove sneers. He looks the same as he did that night on our
lands, only now he’s surrounded by what I assume is his pack. They all have the same tall, skinny, and half-feral look about
them that their alpha does. This is something I noticed when I was watching the packs arrive earlier—they all seem to share
similar characteristics. Do the alphas draw wolves to them that are similar in appearance? Genetics can account for some of it
if families have lived within the pack for generations, but not to this extent.
As if to prove my point, another pack arrives from the other side of the clearing, and my eyes lock on the alpha. He’s huge,
both in height and build. He has short dark brown, almost black hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and shocking blue eyes.
Something in my chest thumps, like I’ve just been kicked, and without realising that I’m doing it, I press my hand there,
frowning as I stare at this new alpha. Behind him is a group of the largest males I’ve ever seen. When he was building his pack,
did he put out an advert for bodybuilders? I suddenly realise that there are females in the group, many of which are just as large
as the males. However, like a magnet, my gaze is pulled back to the muscled alpha. I’m about to look away when his eyes snap
up to meet mine. He takes a step forward, seemingly without meaning to, only to stop suddenly. Frowning, he looks me over,
those striking eyes not missing a thing before flicking to the males surrounding me. When he sees Grove, his frown deepens into
a scowl, and he turns to speak to the male behind him, never taking his eyes from me.
A loud, obnoxious laugh snaps me from my gawking, and I remember where I am and just who’s standing before me. Grove
snickers, enjoying my discomfort as he scans my body, and I fight the urge to shudder.
“We’re in for an entertaining time, boys. There’s not been an execution of a witch in decades.” He extends the last word so
it ends on a hiss, and his smile makes me feel sick to my stomach. Unable to take anymore, my father lunges forward, only to
stop with a jerk as Alpha Jones’s hand lands on his shoulder. They lock eyes and communicate silently. My father’s jaw locks,
but he nods once, accepting the alpha’s silent request not to attack.
If the smirk on his face is anything to go by, Grove loves every minute of this, as do his pack who are grinning behind their
alpha. Knowing that my father can’t do anything about it, and that the best way to wind him up is to threaten me, he steps closer.
He’s almost within touching distance now, and I can smell his rotten breath, but I don’t move, holding my ground.
“The council was very interested in you,” he coos, leaning in so we’re face to face. “They were also interested in why this
was the first they’d ever heard of you.”
I know that everything he’s saying is to wind me up, and it’s working. Execution. The word keeps circling round in my
mind, over and over, and the reality of the situation finally settles in. I could die here. Back at the pack, the threat seemed
distant, and I was sure I could convince the council that I was a wolf. From the sound of it, I might not even get the chance to
speak to them, let alone prove it.
“Alpha Grove.” Jones’s smooth voice cuts in, bringing me back to reality. “I would say it’s good to see you again, but it’s
really not.” Jones glances over Grove’s shoulder to the males that gather behind him before raising a brow. “Still having
trouble recruiting females to your pack?”
Although it’s said lightly, there must be some truth behind it, as Grove snarls. We must have hit a sore spot. “We have
enough,” the alpha spits, his packmates grunting in agreement behind him.
I have to admit that I’m not all that surprised that females don’t want to join his pack. I’ve seen the way he watches other
females with a hungry look that gives me the shivers. Now that I’ve seen what the rest of the pack is like, I understand even
more why they are having recruitment issues. A shuffling sound catches my attention, and I realise that there are three heavily
pregnant females at the back of the pack group. My eyes widen with horror. They all look thin and exhausted. If this is how
Grove treats his females, there’s no wonder no one wants to join. The three women keep their heads down and won’t meet my
gaze as I stare at them.
One of the males sees what I’m doing and snarls at me, pushing a female back and stepping in front of her so my view is
blocked. Anger pulses through me, and I have to take several deep breaths until I’m able to control my wolf. Letting her out
here wouldn’t be the best, and it certainly wouldn’t be keeping a low profile.
My father snorts at whatever Grove barks back, crossing his arms over his chest. “You know inbreeding is illegal, right?”
I try to hold back my surprised laugh, but I don’t quite manage it, and a snort escapes. Grove growls and turns his attention
back to me, narrowing his eyes, and I know that if we weren’t surrounded by witnesses, he’d attack me without hesitation.
“You just wait, you’ll get what you deserve, filthy witch.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up on end as my pack converges behind me, their growls merging together so I can’t
make out any one person’s individual voice. Of course, this sets off Grove’s wolves too, until everyone is growling at each
other. Alpha Jones steps forward, his lips pulled back in his own snarl as he blocks me with his body, staring down the other
alpha.
“Save it for the trials, Grove.” Syn’s voice sounds from nowhere.
With my heart in my chest, I step from the protection of Jones’s body and stare at the alpha. He’s standing close to Grove,
and although his voice is smooth and his body language is calm, there’s a threat there. I don’t know how I know this, since
there’s no physical tells that give it away, yet somehow I know he’s promising repercussions if the other alpha were to attack
right now. Grove seems to sense it too, because he backs away with a snarl, glaring at Syn before storming off, the rest of his
pack following on his heels.
There’s a pause as we watch him walk away, and the rest of my pack holds their breath like we’re expecting him to come
back. Syn suddenly appears in my line of sight, making me automatically take a stumbling step back. He reaches out with
reflexes so swift, I don’t even see him move. Nicolai and my father snarl quietly, but we both ignore them, our eyes locked.
 “Remember what I said,” Syn says quietly, waiting for my wide-eyed nod before disappearing among the mass of wolves
now filling the clearing.
As soon as he’s gone from my sight, I feel like I snap back into my body. Shaking my head, I glance around, not feeling like
myself. What the hell just happened?
“Laelia, are you okay?” Nicolai asks softly, touching my shoulder in a gesture of comfort, but I pull away, not wanting to be
touched right now.
“Yeah, I’m fine. All this alpha power is making me feel queasy,” I joke, but my smile feels forced. Nicolai can see right
through it, and his expression tightens.
Everyone goes back to mingling, including Nicolai, who moves over to speak to some of the other wolves our age. I feel a
twinge of guilt at how I acted, since pulling away from his touch is an insult in pack culture. My father and Jones are talking
quietly on the other side of our pack group, but I can feel their gazes, so I know they are discussing me. The pack seems to
settle amongst themselves, but I can’t shift this feeling that something’s off. Maybe my joke wasn’t that far from the truth. I’ve
only ever been around this group of wolves, and there are a lot of alphas here, so I could be feeling strange because of all the
testosterone and power in the air.
Wrapping my arms around my middle, I turn to Selina, unable to shake the image of the pregnant women from my mind.
“Did you see the females in Grove’s pack?”
Selina sighs and nods her head, glancing over to where Grove is now standing with his pack on the other side of the
clearing. “Yes, we’ve offered them refuge with us before, but they always say they are happy with Grove.”
They didn’t look particularly happy to be here. They looked scared and unsure, and from the way the males were pushing
them around, I get the feeling they weren’t afraid of us.
“Happy,” I repeat the word as though saying it again will make it make sense.
Selina spits on the ground, her anger rising hot and fast. She’s not the type to anger easily, but when she does, you better
stand back, or you’ll get burnt. “They are used as breeding machines. They have been brainwashed, and there’s nothing we can
do about it.”
Surprised, I frown and tilt my head to one side, not quite believing what I’m hearing.
“So, you’ve just given up on them?”
Her attention snaps back to me, her eyes narrowing. “What would you have us do, Laelia?” she asks. “If we just take them,
it puts our packs at war.” There’s a note of hopelessness in her voice, and I see her eyes sparkling as she looks back towards
Grove’s pack. “They have to want this for themselves.”
I remember Selina once telling me that she wasn’t born into our pack, and that she’d come from a big city where she hadn’t
been treated well. Because of that, she left and joined our pack. That was back before Jones was in charge, and she was only
planning on staying for a bit until she healed and found another pack, but she loved our simple life so much she decided to stay.
Her anger at the way Grove’s females are being treated makes more sense now, as does the air of sadness that descended over
her.
Still, it doesn’t feel right to just leave those females when we know they are being mistreated. I have no idea what I can do
to help, but that feeling I’m linking with the goddess settles over me again, a tingling in my chest that warms to a glow that fills
my entire body. For a moment, I feel completely at peace, and I know that trying to find a way to help those females is the right
thing to do.
“Alpha Jones, I need a word with you.”
The deep, masculine voice snaps me from the moment I was having, and reality hits me hard as I remember where I am.
Why do I know that voice? I’m fairly certain I’ve not heard it before, something that’s now happened to me twice today.
Turning my head towards the voice, I see the muscled alpha standing before Jones and my father.
“Alpha Green,” Jones greets with a raised brow, clapping their hands together in the formal way we greet each other. He’s
surprised, but my alpha quickly wipes it from his face. “What did you need to discuss?”
“Not here.” Green glances over at me, his blue eyes stealing my breath for a moment before he drags his gaze away. “Will
you meet with me after the social? It’s important.”
My alpha frowns but nods immediately, recognising the other alpha’s seriousness, his own expression stoic. “Yes, of
course.”
Alpha Green doesn’t speak again, just nods at Jones and turns to walk away. I feel a strange sense of grief as he goes, a
yearning for something I don’t understand, and my wolf mourns that he doesn’t acknowledge us. Chest tight, I go to turn away,
unable to watch him leave, but then he glances over his shoulder. I know he’s trying not to, and that he’s fighting with himself,
but as soon as our eyes meet, that strange feeling slams into me again. He seems to feel it as well, almost stumbling, and I think
he’s going to turn back and come to me, but he recovers and returns to his pack.
I can feel several sets of eyes on me, and when I turn back to my companions, my father is frowning, slowly shifting his
gaze from me to Green. Selina is smirking, but neither of them say anything. Turning to Jones, I find him still watching the other
alpha and his pack with a look of contemplation.
 “Who was that?”
He shifts his attention to me, raising a brow. “Alpha Green,” he answers. “The pack he runs is one of our closest
neighbours. Like us, they keep to themselves, but they stand in fairly good stead with the council because he and several of his
strongest pack members lend some of their time to them, teaching self-defence.”
Looking over my shoulder at the collection of huge men and women, I’m not at all surprised by this. The whole group is
glancing over here now, only turning away to listen to their alpha, who’s begun speaking.
Humming in acknowledgement of what Alpha Jones just said, I force myself to stop looking at the muscled alpha and focus
on mine. “You seemed surprised when he came over. Do our packs not get on?”
“I was surprised,” he confirms with a nod. “Like I said, they keep to themselves. We occasionally help out if they ever need
some extra wolves for anything, or vice versa, so we have a fairly good relationship. We have reasons we don’t want to mix
with the council, though, so it makes us a little wary of them. If they saw anything we didn’t want them to, they would be
obliged to report it, friendship or not.”
He gives me a pointed look, and I realise what he’s implying—me. They were worried that their wolves might see me, and
because of their position with the council, they could say something. I’ve since learned that there are many reasons we don’t
want the council paying too much attention to our pack, but having a half-wolf who possesses magic is probably the biggest
issue.
“But what surprised me,” he continues, “was the fact that he came over when we’re currently under the scrutiny of the
council.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he glances around the clearing at the other pack groups. “If he was backing them, he
would have approached me in private to speak about whatever issue he wants to bring to me. Instead, he came over here where
everyone could see, which makes me believe that he could be offering his support should we need it.”
I pray to the goddess that we don’t.
 Chapter Eight

A
hush settles over the clearing, and a chill tingles down my spine. Rubbing my arms that are now suddenly covered in
goose pimples, I glance around to find the cause of the sudden change of atmosphere. At first, I don’t see anything
different, and that’s when they appear.
Five hooded figures exit the pathway of glowing lanterns and walk into the clearing. Everyone close to them steps back,
giving them plenty of space and dipping their heads in respect. I don’t blame them, since the feeling they give off is strange. I
wouldn’t want to be anywhere near them either. Their auras don’t feel like werewolves, at least, not like any other werewolf
I’ve ever met.
“The council has arrived,” Selina supplies for me, confirming my suspicion.
The pack has all come together, shoulder to shoulder, the council’s presence making us all wary. Now that the five figures
are closer, I can see that they are all wearing mesh-like masks over their faces, reminding me of the face shields humans wear
when fencing. Not being able to see their faces somehow makes them seem alien, and the lack of emotion or expression makes
it impossible to work out their true feelings. The fact that they are all dressed in dark, loose shirts, trousers, and large black
cloaks that hide their figures also adds to this. It’s impossible to tell who is who, or even what sex they are.
“Who are they, and why do they look like that?” I ask quietly, unable to tear my eyes off them.
My father makes a quiet snorting noise, his arm brushing mine as he glances down at me. “When they become members of
the council, they are supposed to cut all ties and alliances to their packs. The face coverings are so you can’t see who they are.
The sacrifices are high when you join the council. You give up everything you are, even your name,” he explains quietly,
shaking his head in disapproval.
“How are you supposed to tell them apart?” Nicolai asks quietly from behind me, making me jump and press a hand to my
chest. He smiles and mouths an apology before he looks back up at the silent council as they walk through the clearing.
“There are five seats on the council,” Alpha Jones replies, joining the teaching session. “Each of those seats is represented
by a precious stone. The council members are only to be referred to by their stone.”
My father gestures towards the one at the front. “You see him? Look at the top of his robe, around his left arm.”
Looking closely, I see a band of gold with a glittering red stone in the middle. “A ruby?” Glancing at the others, I confirm
that they are also wearing the golden bands with different coloured stones.
Our alpha nods. “That’s Councilman Ruby.” He’s trying to keep his expression blank, but I can hear the edge in his voice
he’s trying to hide. I don’t know if it’s the whole council or just that particular male, but there’s definitely some history there.
They may have given up their true names, but that doesn’t stop them from gaining a reputation with their new ones.
“There’s Ruby, Topaz, Diamond, Emerald, and Quartz. Although most of them just go by Councilman,” Jones finishes,
nodding at each one in turn.
The council members are making their way to the bottom of the clearing and have chosen to walk around the far side of the
fire, giving me plenty of time to ogle them without fear of repercussions. As I mull over everything I just learned, something
irritates me, and it takes me a few moments to work out what it is. When I do, I turn to my father.
“There are no females on the council?” I try to hold back my judgement, but it doesn’t work. My mother always taught me
that women deserve positions of power, just the same as men, and warned me that I would eventually meet people who thought
otherwise. Everyone in our pack is treated fairly, so I wonder if part of her knew this was coming.
Selina chuckles quietly at my side, patting me on the arm in a silent gesture of approval. My father shoots her a look to
convey his displeasure at her encouragement, and I’m reminded that I’m not supposed to be drawing attention to myself.
“There have been in the past, but not currently.”
 That just rankles something inside me, but who am I to come along and change everything? I didn’t even know the council
existed until recently, and I certainly don’t know its history.
The council members have reached the far side of the clearing now, and seemingly as one, they turn out to face the gathered
werewolves. There’s a nervous but excited tension in the air as they stare out at us. I find it eerie, their faceless bodies just
standing there. For all I know, they could be staring right at me. A shudder passes through my body at the thought.
“Welcome to the Fang and Claw Trials,” a strong male voice calls out from behind the mask of Councilman Ruby. My eyes
are instantly drawn to him, watching as he extends his arms out.
The largest packs, which have converged near the front of the group, all whoop with their fists raised in the air in
excitement. The rest of us watch quietly, some clapping, but not like those at the front. I get the sense that, like us, none of the
outer packs chose to be here.
“We know many were surprised that we chose to bring the trials forward by a year, and some feel like they are at a
disadvantage because of this,” the councilman continues after waiting for the cheers to calm down.
I get the feeling he’s trying to sound apologetic and supportive, but to me, he just sounds smug.
“We didn’t do this to catch anyone out,” he explains. “We felt that the goddess was saying it was important we move
proceedings forward, and that she has great things planned for us all.”
Lie. A feeling of nausea hits me so hard, I buckle and think I’m going to throw up, the taste of their lies thick on my tongue.
I’ve never reacted like this before when sensing lies—something I’ve always been good at. The presence of the goddess lands
on me then, moving through me and confirming what I already know—they are lying. Anger quickly replaces my nausea. How
dare they use the goddess as an excuse? Whatever reason they have for moving the trials, it’s to suit them and nothing more.
“As most of you know, the trials are an important part of our culture,” Councilman Ruby continues, his hands clasped in
front of him. “Because they only occur every twenty-two years, many of you will be experiencing your first one. As such, we
shall recap the rules.”
Councilman Emerald steps forward now, clasping his hands behind his back. He’s larger in stature than his counterpart, and
his bulging belly is one of the only things that helps to distinguish him from the others if you’re unable to see his golden band.
“All packs are required by law to enter two champions. There will be a series of challenges, and the wolves who perform
worst in each round will be eliminated until we reach the final four competitors. They will then compete against each other
until we have our champion.”
Another whoop arises from the watching packs, and the councilman stops to let them finish, an air of annoyance rising from
him.
“There are no exceptions to the rules. Two competitors over the age of twenty-one must be entered. Once the trials begin,
you cannot change your champions.”
Ruby clears his throat, and Councilman Emerald steps back so he can take his place. “Remember, the trials are a great
chance for all packs to mingle and for our younger wolves to find their mates—not to mention the opportunity to audition for
other packs.”
“Audition?” I ask my father quietly, not sure I’m understanding what they are talking about. I thought they meant joining
another pack, but why would anyone have to audition?
My father grumbles with disapproval. “In the bigger packs, they have so many wolves who want to join, they make the
prospective new members audition for a place.” The disgust in his voice is clear.
“We’ve never done that,” Alpha Jones answers before I can ask. “If someone needs a home, they are welcome with us.”
And that, right there, is the reason I love my pack. We may live a simple life, but it’s one filled with love, community, and
understanding. Everything here is so different and alien, it doesn’t feel real. Scanning the clearing again, I take in the divide
across the space. I hadn’t noticed it at first, but now that I’m paying attention, I notice there’s a clear space separating the larger
packs from the smaller ones.
Frowning, I try to understand why. From what I comprehend, my pack is unusual by staying so separate from the rest of our
community, so it doesn’t make sense that all the smaller packs are apart from the larger ones. Is the line drawn in the sand
already and the upcoming trials are separating us?
Like an itch in the back of my mind, I find my gaze drawn to the council members. I may not be able to see their faces, but I
can feel the sense of smugness coming off them in waves. They are living for this.
Everything suddenly makes sense. The excitement in the larger packs is almost at a fever pitch now as the councilman’s
words spur them on. These packs obviously train year-round if the specimens they have parading around are anything to go by,
and even just by having larger numbers, they have a huge pool of talent to pick from when entering their champions. Moving the
trials forward by a year won’t affect them.
Then you have the smaller packs who are only really here because it’s the law. They are the ones who have been caught out
by this change—my pack included. This serves the council well. The larger packs worship the council, and this change just
ensures that those packs will do better in the trials. Therefore, they will receive more auditionees, while the smaller packs will
suffer and continue to stay small. This just reinforces the message the council is putting out—follow their rules and you will
thrive.
Trying to hide my disgust, I turn back to catch what the councilmen are saying, Ruby’s voice droning on in the background.
Syn’s warning flashes in my mind. Don’t trust the council. He’s right, and I can’t let my guard down while we’re here. Forcing
myself to pay attention, I see a different councilman step forward.
“This is also a time for us to remember why obedience is important.” This male’s voice is croaky, making me think he’s
much older than the others, and I have to squint to see the stone on his golden band. It glitters in the firelight as he shifts.
Councilman Diamond.
“Hierarchy is so important within werewolf culture. You all have your alphas, the leaders of your pack. The council is the
alpha to you all, and you should all remember what happens to those who disobey.”
A terrible feeling of trepidation settles over me. Something awful is about to happen.
I feel a strange tug in my chest, and without meaning to, my eyes are pulled to movement just beyond the council, where Syn
is leaning against a tree. I didn’t see him at first, his dark clothing making him blend in. His gaze shifts my way, and he
somehow picks me out of the crowd. I stare at him for a moment with bated breath. His bored expression shifts, turning grim,
and an uncomfortable twisting sensation tightens my chest, like he’s confirming my suspicion about what’s going to happen.
“Bring him out.”
Councilman Ruby’s voice rings out over the gathered crowd like a death knell, and a hush falls upon us. A sick sense of
excitement seems to change the atmosphere into something different, as they all know what’s about to happen next.
From between the trees, several large males drag out a bound man. He’s thin and covered in dirt, as though he’s not seen a
shower in a long time. He stumbles as his legs give out on him, but that doesn’t stop the males from dragging him across the
ground. His teeth are gritted, but he makes no sound. I can make out the purplish bruises on his jaw, and the raw, red lesions on
his arms where the rope they have bound him in cuts into his skin.
I stare at the male, taking in his rough state. Is this how the council treats their prisoners? At least, I’m assuming that’s what
this man is.
Once he’s deposited in front of the councilmen, he sways on his feet, only just managing to stay upright. Councilman Ruby
steps forward, and from the tilt of his head, I know he’s staring at the bound man.
“This sorry excuse of a wolf is here because he thought he was better than the council.” His tone tells me how absurd he
finds that idea. “He tried to run away from his summons to attend. He was too afraid to compete in the trials.” He hisses the
word “afraid,” making it clear exactly what he thinks of that. After taking a moment to recompose himself, the masked male
looks up and gestures wide to encompass us. “Unlike you all, he chose to disobey us. You know what happens to lone wolves
who don’t have the council to keep them on the straight and narrow.” He turns his head from left to right, as if he’s watching us
all, his tone placating. “They turn feral.”
I find his words odd, and a strange feeling sits on my chest, like the statement doesn’t fully ring true. I’ve never heard of
this before, and the topic of lone wolves has come up on several occasions at home. Lessons on packs and communities are an
important part of a pup’s education, so of course we learned about lone wolves and how their lives differ. The topic of feral
wolves is another important lesson. We learned how a wolf can go rogue and turn feral. Sometimes, we don’t always know the
reason a wolf goes rogue, and we believe that something like an illness can trigger it. However, I have never once heard of
wolves turning rogue because they don’t have a connection to the council. Such an important piece of information seems pretty
vital to be teaching your pups.
Glancing across at Nicolai to ask more, I close my mouth when I see him shake his head. It’s so slight that I almost miss it,
but his warning is there—don’t question it, don’t speak out, and don’t stand out. He’ll tell me later once it’s safe to speak.
There’s a low hum around the clearing as voices rise. Unfortunately, most of us will have seen or heard of the chaos caused
by rogue wolves, so it’s certainly a worry. My eyes move to find Syn once more, thinking this must be the reason he works for
the council now that he’s packless. However, he’s no longer leaning against the tree trunk. I scan the area but don’t see him.
Ruby’s voice rings out again, and I shake my head at myself and stop looking for Syn. What’s happening here feels
dangerous. I need to be paying attention, not watching some male who works for the very people I should fear.
“We cannot allow this blatant disregard of orders to slide. It’s not safe to allow him to roam free. As such, we will pass
our judgement.” The councilman turns and gestures to the other hooded males. “The sentence is death. We need a majority vote
from the council.” Clearing his throat, he turns back towards us. “I find the rogue guilty.”
I hold my breath as each of the council members gives their answer.
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
The verdict is clear, and I can’t quite believe what I’m hearing. They are not going to give him a chance to defend himself
or look at any of the facts. This can’t be right, taking his life based on the whims of five men who had already made up their
minds before he was even brought out. However, as I look around, I realise no one seems surprised by what’s happening.
There are several grim faces, but no one says anything, no one dares to.
Before I can even begin to contemplate what could happen next, Syn appears in front of the lone wolf, and in a move so
quick I almost miss it, he slams his hand into the guilty wolf’s chest. At first, I think he just hit him, but as a cheer rings out from
the wolves closest, I see five long claws extending from the male’s back. With his head thrown back, the guilty wolf’s face is a
mask of pure pain. Thankfully, it doesn’t last long, and I can see the life draining from his eyes. Syn jerks his arm backward in
one sharp movement, causing the other male to fall to the ground. I don’t need to look to know he’s dead. It takes a lot to kill a
werewolf, but even we can’t survive that.
Slowly, I move my eyes from the body to Syn. He’s looking at me now, his half-shifted hand dripping with blood as he
pants from exertion. He looks exhausted, and I don’t blame him—half-shifting is rare, and it takes a huge amount of energy and
control to stop mid-shift. However, he seems to be waiting for something, his brow furrowed as he stares at me.
Horrified by what I just witnessed and the male who just slaughtered another without giving him an opportunity to defend
himself, I automatically take a small step back. My back bumps against someone, and as I gasp in surprise. I look up and see
my father. He wraps an arm around me, holding me close as he continues to stare at the council. I take the comfort he’s offering,
feeling more uncertain than I have in my whole life.
When I finally look back at Syn, I see his expression has shut down, and a darkness has settled over him. For a moment, I
swear I see disappointment flash across his face, but I’m probably just imagining things. This is what he does, this is his job
now that his pack was taken from him. He’s accepted this part of his life, and as such, is so much more dangerous than I first
thought.
Howls of celebration rise up from the large packs, with some of the smaller ones joining in, and I realise that many of them
believe that the council has acted in their best interests. That they hunted down a rogue before he turned feral, saving us all.
They may not like witnessing the council’s justice, but not enough for anyone to speak out. This whole situation is madness.
“Before we let you return to your celebrations, we have one more matter of business,” Councilman Emerald says, and my
instincts start twitching.
“Yes, a shocking revelation that we have to address,” Councilman Ruby takes over, obviously the mouthpiece of the group.
He pauses dramatically, waiting for silence to descend around the clearing. “It’s been brought to our attention that there’s a
witch in our ranks.”
Growls fill the space, and the air practically vibrates, making the hair on my arms stand on end. I feel the collective intake
of breath from my pack as everyone steps closer, penning me in and attempting to hide me from anyone who might be looking.
Even those wolves who had been stoic and quiet before are now scanning the clearing with their teeth bared, their hatred of
witches ingrained into them.
My heart pounds in my chest, and my palms sweat as I try to stay calm, but the environment is so hostile that I’m thinking
the only way out of this is in a casket.
Most wolves are eyeing each other up, trying to work out who the secret witch is—all except Alpha Green, the huge,
muscled male who wanted to talk with Jones after the social. He knows it’s me. His eyes are locked on me, and his expression
is stern, but there’s no hatred like I suspected there might be.
“Bring her forward.”
The order rings out, and four huge males seem to appear out of nowhere just feet away from where my pack is gathered, all
heading towards me menacingly. My father bellows and jumps in front of me, forcing them back with bared teeth. Nicolai is
close behind him, forming a wall of bodies and blocking me from view. The rest of the pack quickly converges around me,
crouched into defensive positions, growls rumbling from their throats.
I’m terrified but also choked up that they would all risk their lives for me. However, if this turned into a fight, I know we
would lose. There are too many wolves here who follow the council’s orders, so we wouldn’t stand a chance. There’s no point
in even trying to think about escaping on my own. I’d be tracked down in a heartbeat.
Am I about to be slaughtered like the lone wolf whose body is still lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood? Is this
it? Just as I get to leave pack lands and see more of the world, my life is going to be snatched from me because they believe
I’m something I’m not.
“You can’t take her,” my father growls.
The males who have come to take me pause, eyeing up my father to see how much of a threat he is, and it must be
significant, because they all stop. Their upper lips curl back as they snarl, shifting their gazes from my father to the others who
have stepped up to protect me. They weren’t expecting this sort of loyalty. After all, they think I’m a witch, the enemy of their
kind.
Alpha Jones strides forward and steps in front of my father, facing the four males who want to get to me. He’s taking his
rightful position as the head of the pack, but also taking my father out of the spotlight and offering him protection, even though
as second-in-command, it’s my father’s job to protect the alpha at all costs.
After eyeing up the four males, Alpha Jones decides they are not the true threat here and turns to the council members.
“Laelia is part of my pack and under my protection. She is not what you say she is,” he calls, his voice carrying clearly across
the clearing, and several of those watching mutter their confusion, straining their necks to try to get a look at me.
“Alpha Jones, do not put your entire pack at risk over one,” Councilman Topaz comments, speaking for the first time. His
voice makes him sound more like a snake than a werewolf, his words ending in a hiss. “I can smell her strangeness from here.”
Shuddering, I rub my hands up and down my arms, trying to shift the odd feeling his voice gives me. There is something off
about these councilmen, but I just can’t place what it is.
“She’s part wolf,” Jones insists, his voice firm but calm. “She came to us as an orphan. We don’t know the rest of her
heritage.”
I sense the change in atmosphere as he mentions my half-wolf status. I’ve never been treated any differently within my pack
for who I am, but it seems from the hissed insults of “half-breed,” that’s not the case here.
Councilman Ruby steps forward slowly, menacingly, from the other side of the clearing, his masked head tilting to one side.
“You say she’s a wolf, then prove it.” His voice is deceptively light, but I feel a sense of malevolence coming off him.
I have no idea how I’m supposed to prove myself. They have clearly already made up their minds, and I don’t know how to
convince them to change it. At least I’m being given a chance, unlike the wolf who was slaughtered only minutes ago. I’m
looking up at my father for reassurance when I feel the mood change.
“Shift.”
That’s a word I’ve heard many times before, and it has many mixed emotions tied to it. After all, shifting is something I’ve
dreamed of doing for years, but it has evaded me, all while I wished I was the same as the rest of my pack. However, it’s never
made me feel like this before. The word wraps around me as an order, and all of my control is completely taken away as my
wolf is ripped from my chest. Even when Alpha Jones helped me shift the first time, it didn’t feel like this. The councilman
isn’t even touching me. In fact, he’s far away, so how does he have this much control over me? There must be something about
them being the council, some magic they possess to help them control even the strongest of alphas.
Despite my best efforts, a grunt of pain escapes me at the violent separation of me from my wolf, and had my father not
been supporting me, I would have fallen to the ground. It’s difficult to stay strong when part of your soul is being ripped from
your chest. Panting, I look up and meet the dark, star-speckled eyes of my wolf. She whines quietly, butting up against my legs.
A tiny smile pulls at my lips.
Gathering my composure, I stand up straight, threading my fingers through Star’s fur. Surely this will prove I’m a wolf.
Alphas can only order other wolves to shift, so if I was something else, their power wouldn’t work on me, and nothing would
happen. I’m sure this is what most of those gathered here expected would transpire. However, I’m almost a hundred percent
sure that my starlight wolf is certainly not what any of them expected.
Gasps and shouts prove me right as many of them point at the glittering form beside me. The tension in the air becomes
dangerous, and the accusations and slurs become so loud it’s all I can hear.
“This abomination has proved herself for what she is—witch,” Ruby hisses, his angry tone somehow cutting through all the
other noise. “Bring her here.”
Alpha Jones drops into a defensive position, a low warning growl rumbling from his chest. My father and Nicolai are at his
side, ready to protect me. “You will not take her.”
The power rolling from Jones almost knocks me back. I knew he was a powerful alpha—he wouldn’t be able to run the
pack if he wasn’t—but he’s so mild-mannered that I forget just how strong he really is. He rarely has to resort to using his
alpha power within our pack, so the fact that he’s resorting to it now shows that he’s prepared to fight for me. Glancing behind
me, I see the rest of the pack are doing the same, and there’s not even one ounce of hesitation to be seen.
My stomach flips, and I know I can’t let them do this. Even the idea that one of them might get hurt because of me makes me
feel sick. No, I have to be brave and do my bit for my pack, and if that means handing myself over, then so be it. I’m not giving
up. I still plan on trying to make them change their minds, but not at the expense of my family.
“Alpha,” I call softly, stepping forward to rest my hand on his back. He stiffens for a moment before glancing over his
shoulder at me, his expression stern. When he meets my gaze, the tension around his eyes softens. He seems to deflate as he
nods, holding out his hand for me to take. He knows what I’m offering, what I’m risking.
“Laelia,” my father protests, staring at me with a look of desperation. “Don’t do this.” Turning to his alpha, he grabs
Jones’s arm, stopping him from taking my hand. “Please, don’t let her do this.”
I’ve never heard my father beg before, and it’s heartbreaking. He’s a proud man, so for him to resort to this, and in front of
so many people, shows me how much this is hurting him.
Before Jones can speak, I take my father’s hand with my free one, squeezing it gently until he looks at me. “I won’t let
anyone get hurt because of me.” My voice is low, and my expression begs for him to understand.
Snarling, he shakes his head and yanks his hand out of mine like my touch burns. “They will kill you,” my father grits out,
turning into a man I don’t recognise.
I understand why he’s acting like he is. He’s angry and terrified of losing me. The decision I’m making could tear us apart,
but seeing him like this hurts. This is potentially the last conversation I’ll ever have with him, and this is not how I wanted it to
go.
 “Beck, she’s right,” Alpha Jones comments, resting a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “She won’t be alone. I’ll be with her.”
Realising that he’s not going to change my mind, he rolls his shoulders back and stands at his full height as he turns to the
alpha. “No, I should go.”
Jones is already shaking his head, his expression apologetic but firm. “No, you’ll stay here. You can’t control yourself
when it comes to Laelia, and I need you to protect the pack.” His alpha power backs up his words, and I see how hard my
father is trying to fight against the order.
Seeing how much this is hurting his friend, Alpha Jones sighs and squeezes his shoulder. “I won’t give up on her, Beck,” he
promises. Once he’s assured my father isn’t going to do something stupid, Alpha Jones turns to me. “Are you ready?”
I nod, wanting to get this over with. Alpha Jones steps aside to let me pass. The four strange males converge on me
instantly, and it takes everything in me not to pull away from them. Honestly, I’m surprised they backed off enough to let me
have that conversation with my father, but I suppose it’s better if I hand myself over. After all, they want me dead, not the rest
of my pack. My wolf snarls and snaps at the males who grab me, but I look over and shake my head, needing her to back down.
She does reluctantly, sticking close to Alpha Jones’s side instead.
The four males drag me towards the front of the clearing. I attempt to walk down, trying to maintain my dignity, but they
walk so fast that I end up stumbling and tripping the whole way to the front of the clearing where the council waits for me.
Jones follows closely behind, snarling at the males for their rough handling and barking comments about their treatment of
me. It makes me feel better knowing he’s there to stand up for me, but it does nothing to change the way the males treat me. I try
not to appear cowed or afraid, but I’m terrified. I feel everyone’s eyes on me and my wolf.
After what feels like a lifetime, we finally reach the council members, and I’m roughly shoved to the ground. Smacking into
the rough dirt, I gasp as I cut my palms open, shocked at the violent action. My father bellows, and I hear a scuffle as he loses
his battle with his control and has to be held back by the others. My heart feels like it’s being torn apart, but I don’t look back.
If I do, I’ll lose control of my emotions.
Star jumps in front of me, her hackles raised, and snarls at anyone who gets too close. She looks ferocious, and I’ve never
been more proud of her.
The males who dragged me here step back, moving behind the councilmen who stare down at me, their hooded, masked
faces all turned towards me. It’s disconcerting, and I’m sure this is exactly why they do it. Alpha Jones steps up behind me and
places a hand on my shoulder in support. Having him here helps settle me, but I have this tugging sensation in my chest. The last
couple of times it’s led me to one person, but this is different—it extends in all directions and just leaves me feeling
overwhelmed.
“This witch will die for her lies,” Councilman Ruby announces, his voice loud in my sensitive ears. “Does the council find
her guilty or not guilty?”
“Wait!” my alpha shouts, stepping in front of me and pulling the council’s attention onto him. He looks furious. “Her wolf
manifests in a different way, but she is a werewolf. She has the mate mark on her shoulder.”
I can practically feel the shock of those watching on. Mate marks are rare and only ever seen in werewolves blessed by the
goddess herself.
A choked laugh comes from Councilman Emerald. “Lies. As though the goddess would bless one such as her.”
“It’s true,” a booming voice shouts from across the clearing.
Gasps of surprise and low whispers arise. From the corner of my eye, I see the crowd part to let a large figure pass.
Through the fog of my mind and the twisting, pulsing feeling in my chest, I manage to glance over my shoulder to look at
whoever is confirming my status as a werewolf. Surprise makes my eyes widen as I see the large alpha from before.
The council seems stunned by this new revelation, shifting from foot to foot and turning their masked heads to look at each
other as though they can gain the answers.
Councilman Ruby steps forward, his tone disapproving. “Alpha Green, what—”
“I know,” the alpha interrupts, his face set in a mask of fury, “because she’s my mate, and I won’t allow you to harm her.”
Another random document with
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corresponded with the boundary between Cup Field and Purse Field.
Definite proof of this has not been obtained, but it will be shown that
the St. John’s property must have extended to within a little of this,
thus occupying the site of about thirty numbers. Obviously, the
houses must have been very scattered. It is also possible that certain
buildings were in existence further to the west, towards Little
Turnstile, as early as the reign of Edward II.,[13] and certainly the
whole of this part of the frontage to High Holborn was covered in the
early part of Elizabeth’s reign.
Agas’s map (Plate 1) shows a single line of buildings extending
between the two turnstiles, but this is not an adequate representation
of the state of affairs in the closing years of the sixteenth century. In
order to describe this, so far as the records which have come to light
in the course of the investigation for this volume will allow, it will be
necessary to go into some detail, but as the point has never before
been dealt with, it has been thought desirable to do so. Although the
results in some cases fall short of certainty, it is hoped that thereby
an idea may be gained of the somewhat complex system of houses,
gardens and orchards that existed between High Holborn and the
site of Whetstone Park. The accompanying plan will render the
description of the properties more easy to follow. It should be
understood that the plan is quite a rough one, and intended merely
to give a general idea of the situation about the year 1590. The
discovery of further records would, no doubt, modify it in certain
details.

HIGH HOLBORN, BETWEEN THE TURNSTILES, CIRC. 1590.

 Where now is the entrance to Little Turnstile, there then
existed an open ditch or sewer. In the Survey of Crown Lands[14]
taken in 1650, reference is made to a certain property “scituate and
adjoyninge to Lincolnes Inn Fields alias Pursefeild,” being 214 feet
long from Purse Field south, to Mr. Lane’s houses on the north, and
22 feet wide, which ground was “heertofore a ditch or comon sewer
and filled upp to bee part of the Pursefeild.” Lane’s houses were on
the projecting north side of Little Turnstile, and the sewer lay 21 feet
to the east of the present line of Gate Street.[15]
In 1560, Lord and Lady Mountjoy sold[16] to Thomas Doughty
and Henry Heron “syxtene meses, mesuages or tenementes
adioyninge nere together ... scytuate and being in Holborne,” called
by the name of Purse Rents, together with six additional gardens.
From the inquisition[17] held on the death of Doughty in 1568 it
appears that he held eight of the houses and three of the gardens.
Eight years later (1576) Thomas Doughty, junior, sold[18] that
part of the property to “Buckharte Cranighe,[19] doctor of physyke.” In
the same year Queen Elizabeth granted[20] to John Farnham, one of
her gentlemen pensioners, the whole of the combined Doughty and
Heron property, increased on the Heron side by two houses, five
cottages, three stables and an orchard, none of which are mentioned
in the previous deeds. Farnham immediately sold the property afresh
to Doughty[21] and Heron.[22] The latter in 1589 sold to [23]Rowland
Watson and Thomas Owen, nine houses, which, by the names of the
occupiers, can be identified as nine of the ten sold by Farnham, and
which are stated to contain in length together on the street side 35½
yards. In 1669 the same property, then consisting of seven houses,
was sold[24] by William Watson to Emmanuel College, Cambridge,
and is obviously to be identified with the six houses in High Holborn
leased by the college in 1800,[25] and described as Nos. 246 to 251,
High Holborn. The length of the Holborn frontage of Nos. 246 to 251
accords well with the dimension required (35½ yards), and the
identification of these houses with the property sold by Heron to
Watson (B on accompanying plan) may be regarded as fairly certain.
In 1592 Heron sold a further portion of his property[26], the
purchaser this time being Anne Carew.[27] This consisted of (i.) six
messuages (C on plan) abutting north upon the lands and tenements
of Master Watson (i.e. B), and south upon Heron’s garden; (ii.) a
messuage in the occupation of Sir Thomas Gerrard,[28] abutting north
on Heron’s garden and south on “the White Hart feilde”, (i.e., Purse
Field, which was held with The White Hart); (iii.) the said garden
and an orchard[29] lying together and containing three roods, the
garden adjoining west on “the lands late Burcharde Crainck,” and the
orchard towards the east, abutting on the messuage and garden of
William Cook; and (iv.) the messuage and garden of Cook (H on
plan) abutting south on Cup Field, on the north on a tenement of
Mistress Buck, widow, and east on a garden late of Thomas
Raynesford. In the light of (iii.) it is now possible to assign the
Doughty property (afterwards Burrard Cranigh) to position A.
Plots A to F are thus roughly settled, but before leaving them
it is necessary to trace further the history of F until its development
by building. On the death of Anne Carew the property seems to have
passed[30] to her son George, afterwards Baron Carew of Clopton and
Earl of Totnes, and by him to have been bequeathed to Peter Apsley,
grandson of his brother Peter. In 1640, John Apsley sold[31] to Daniel
Thelwall and William Byerly, together with other adjacent property,
a messuage with an orchard containing half an acre, “scituate over
against the said messuage and extending from the way or path there
to the feild side,” all formerly in the occupation of John Waldron. Of
this William Whetstone held a lease, which he had obtained certainly
before 1646[32], and in 1653 reference is made[33] to “all the newe
buildings thereon erected.” It is most probable, therefore, that this
was the scene of the building operations described in the Earl of
Dorset’s report to the Privy Council on 11th December, 1636, when
he complained that “one William Whetstone,” having lately erected
five brick houses in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, without proper permission,
had “for the better countenanceing of himselfe therein, and for the
finishinge and mayntayneing the said buildings, counterfeited his
Lopps hand, as also the hand of his Secre, frameing a false lycence,” etc.
It having been decided that this was “a presumption of a high nature,
and a fraud and offence not fitt to be passed by wthout exemplary
punishment,” instructions were given for the demolition of the
houses,[34] but it is not known whether this was actually done.
At any rate, Whetstone succeeded in stamping his name on
the new thoroughfare which parted the property in High Holborn
from that in the adjoining fields, though the western part was at first
known as Phillips Rents. The Phillips in question was perhaps the
John Phillips mentioned in a document[35] of 1672, as having lately
been in occupation of a piece of land in the rear of Purse Rents,
“being southward upon a way [i.e., Whetstone Park] leading from
Partridge Alley towarde Great Queene Street.”
Notice must now be taken of another property of Heron,
“parcell of the lands of the late dissolved Hospital of St. John of
Jerusalem.” In 1586 he sold to John Buck[36] eight houses (seven with
gardens attached) and one garden plot, the first house being
described as “all that messuage or tenement with a garden and
backsyde, now in the tenure, farme or occupacion of one Thomas
Raynesford or his assignes.” The position of Raynesford’s messuage
and garden is obviously J (see above) and as H is distinctly stated to
be bounded on the north by a tenement of Mistress Buck,[37] the Buck
property may be assigned to position G.
In October 1583, Heron had sold[38] to Anne Carew five houses
with gardens, a garden with a little house, and three other gardens.
The only information given as to the position of the property is that it
was situated in St. Giles-in-the-Fields. It is, however, possible to
locate it approximately. In 1634, Peter Apsley sold[39] to Sir John
Banks, the attorney general, “all that messuage or tenement with
appurtenances, scituate in High Holborne, in St. Giles, together with
the court or yard lying on the south part of the said messuage, and
the garden beyond the said court, extending to the feildes lying on
the south of the said messuage, as the same is enclosed with a brick
wall, and as the said premises were lately heretofore in the
occupation of Sir John Cowper, Knt. and Bart. deceased, and
formerly in the occupation of Sir Anthony Asheley, Knt. and Bart.
deceased.” In 1661 Sir Ralph Banks sold[40] the house to William
Goldsborough, and in 1716 Edward Goldsborough assigned[41] the
remainder of a lease of 500 years granted in January, 1692, by Grace
and Robert Goldsborough in respect of premises described as “all
that messuage, tenement or inn, with appurtenances, scituate in
High Holborne in St. Giles-in-the-Fields, known by the name of The
George, together with a courtyard or backside lying on the south part
thereof, and the peice of vacant ground or garden beyond the said
court and belonging to the said messuage and extending to a certain
street or place there called Whetstones Park, lying on the south side
of the said messuage or inn.” There can be little doubt that the
premises are identical with those described in the deed of 1634, and
it may therefore be assumed that the Carew property included the
site of The George, which a reference to Horwood’s Map of 1819 will
show is now occupied by the eastern portion (No. 270) of the Inns of
Court Hotel.
This identification is confirmed by the following. Sir Ralph
Banks owned two other houses, one behind the other, adjoining
Goldsborough’s house on the east, and these Goldsborough bought at
the same time as he purchased his own house. In 1663, he sold them
to Edmond Newcombe, and in the indenture[42] embodying the
transaction they are described as being 40 feet broad and 160 feet
long, and bounded on the east by “the house in which Firman now
dwelleth.” In June, 1716, a mortgage was effected by Prescott
Pennyston and Thomasin, his wife, of two messuages in High
Holborn, adjoining the inn called The Unicorn. Thomasin was the
daughter and heir of Elizabeth Hollinghurst, formerly Tompson,
cousin and devisee of William Firmin. Now Unicorn Yard occupied a
position corresponding approximately to the western half of the
present No. 274 (the position is well shown on Horwood’s Map,
though the numbering does not quite accord with that of the present
day), and distant about 58 feet from No. 270. Assuming the two
houses to be one behind the other, as was the case in Newcombe’s
property, this leaves the 40 feet required for Newcombe’s house, and
18 feet for Firmin’s house, corresponding almost exactly with the old
No. 274 shown by Horwood. The Carew property may therefore be
assigned definitely to position K with a fixed eastern limit at No. 270.
It has not proved possible to determine its frontage towards the west,
and perhaps it did not extend as far as Raynesford’s house (J). It is,
however, known that it included a tavern called The Three Feathers.
[43]
It seems a reasonable assumption that this was in the
neighbourhood of Feathers Court, shown in Horwood’s Map as
occupying much the same position as the present Holborn Place, but
entering High Holborn somewhat further east. The Three Feathers
would therefore correspond approximately to the present No. 263.
The adjoining properties (L and M) have already been
referred to. The house (M) next to The Unicorn was in Elizabeth’s
reign in the possession of John Miller, and in 1607 was described as
“all that messuage, cottage, tenement or house with a forge,” in High
Holborn, “reaching to a certeyne pasture adjoyninge to Lincolnes
Inne on the south syde,” and bounded on the west by the house and
land of John Thornton.[44] Beatrice Thornton, widow, is shown in the
Subsidy Rolls as far back as 1588 as resident at or near this spot, and
this circumstance is undoubtedly to be connected with the name of
Thornton’s Alley, which was hereabouts.[45]
The premises (N), which in the early part of the seventeenth
century comprised a single inn, The Unicorn, had in 1574 been
purchased by Francis Johnson from John and Margaret Cowper, as
three messuages and three gardens,[46] and are described in 1626[47]
as having been “now longe since converted into one messuage or inn
commonly called The Unicorne.” Apparently its use as an inn was of
recent date, for in the description of (M), dated 1607, the eastern
boundary of that property is said to be “a tenement in the occupation
of John Larchin, baker,” and in 1629, when the premises had been
re-divided into two, one is said to be[48] “now in the tenure of Mary
Larchin, widdowe, and is now used by her as a common inne, and is
called by the name or signe of The Unycorne.” The dimensions of the
premises are given as 45 feet wide on the north, 40 feet on the south
on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and 156 feet long.
No records of the time of Elizabeth relating to property
between The Unicorn and the house at the corner of Great Turnstile
have, so far, been discovered. The latter (O), having a frontage to
High Holborn of 39 feet, was certainly at the time in the possession
of the same John Miller[49] who held the property (M).
XXIII-XXIV.—Nos. 3 and 4, GATE STREET.
Ground landlord.
The ground landlord of No. 3 is the London County Council.
General description and date of
structure.
The area lying between Great Queen Street, Little Queen
Street and Gate Street (the east to west portion of which street was
formerly known as Princes Street) was originally a portion of Purse
Field, the early history of which has already been detailed.[50]
On 27th May, 1639, William Newton sold to John Fortescue[51]
“all that peece or parcell of ground, being part of Pursefeild and the
pightells, designed for two messuages to be built thereon by the said
John Fortescue, the foundations whereof be now laid.” The ground is
described as measuring 50 feet 3 inches from north to south, and 127
feet from east to west. Between the ground and Princes Street (“a
way leading upon a backgate of an Inn lately called The Falcon and
Greyhound”) lay the houses (or their sites) of Lewis Richard and
John Giffard, and a slip of ground afterwards bought by Arthur
Newman, having widths of 25 feet, 25 feet and 8½ feet
respectively[52]. From these measurements it can be shown that the
ground sold to Fortescue was the site of what afterwards became
Nos. 3 and 4, Gate Street. The indenture contained, in common with
those relating to Richard’s and Giffard’s houses, a provision “that
there doth and soe perpetually shall lye open from the front of the
said messuage eastward, three score foote of assize, wherein there
shall be noe building erected or builded by the said William Newton,
his heirs ... or any other person or persons whatsoever, it being the
principall motive of the said John Fortescue to purchase the estate
and interest aforesaid, to have the said 60 foote in front to lye open
for an open place from the front of the building, except 11 foote to be
inclosed in before the house, and that there shal be noe buildinges
erected at the south-east end of the said open place by the space of
30 foote, to take away the prospect of the greate fielde, otherwise
than a fence wall, whether he, the said William Newton or his
assignes, keepe the same in his or their owne hands, or doth or doe
depart with it to any other.” It was also agreed “that there shall not at
any tyme or tymes hereafter be erected or built any manner of
building whatsoever” in the gardens of any of the four messuages[53]
in question. These conditions, as will be seen, have been more than
observed.
From the above it is clear that the foundations of the two
houses had already been laid by 27th May, 1639, and the premises
were accordingly probably completed by the end of the year. No
exact date can be assigned to the rebuilding of the houses, but it
seems probable that this took place about the middle of the 18th
century. The carved mouldings of the joinery on the first floor of No.
3 are interesting, and details are given in Plate 7.
Condition of repair.
No. 4 was demolished about 1905. No. 3 has been much cut about,
and is now used as a workshop.
Biographical notes.
The occupants of these two houses[54], up to the year 1800, so far as
it has been possible to ascertain them, were as follows:—

No. 3. No. 4.
1667. Richd. Sherbourne. 1659 until after 1675. Thomas Povey.
1675. Judge Twisden.
1683. Sir John Markham. 1683. “Jervas Perepont.”
Before Thomas 1708. John Partington.
1708. Broomwhoerwood.
1708– Phineas Cheek. 1715. Mrs. Ann
1732. Partington.
1732– J. Winstanley. 1723. William Thomson.
1735.
1735– Phineas Cheek. From before 1730 Mrs. Anne
1753. until 1732. Thomson.
1755– Wm. Mackworth
1763. Praed.
1763– Dr. Jas. Walker.
1767.
1768– William Hamilton. 1732–1736. Elizabeth
1772. Partington.
1773. Wm. Everard. 1736–1743. [55]Henry Perrin.

1774– The Rev. Chas. 1744–1746. Thomas Smith.

1786. Everard.
1786– The Rev. Chas. 1746–1748. R. Symonds.
1792. Booth.
1794– Robert Kekewitch. 1749–1753. Joseph Martin.
1800.
1753–1755. Thomas Western.
1760–1794. Charles Catton.
1795–1797. Messrs. Burton
and Co.
1798– Thomas Burton.
 Sir Thomas Twisden, second son of Sir William Twisden, was born at
East Peckham in 1602. In 1617 he was admitted to the Inner Temple, and
called to the Bar in 1626. Although a staunch royalist, he prospered during
the Commonwealth, and in 1653 was made serjeant at law. At the
Restoration he was confirmed in this dignity, advanced to a puisne
judgeship in the King’s Bench, and knighted. In 1664 he was created a
baronet. He died in 1683.
Thomas Povey was the son of Justinian Povey, auditor of the
exchequer and accountant general to Anne of Denmark. At the outbreak of
the civil war he at first joined neither party, and published a treatise called
The Moderator: expecting sudden Peace or certaine Ruine. In 1647,
however, he entered the Long Parliament, and was subsequently appointed
a member of the council for the colonies. At the Restoration he was taken
into favour, and many lucrative appointments were bestowed on him. The
dates of his birth and death are unknown. His residence in Gate Street, then
known as Lincoln’s Inn Fields, seems to date from the latter part of 1658 or
the very commencement of 1659. A letter from him is extant written from
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, dated 9th February, 1658–9, while one dated 20th
July, 1658 is written from “Graies Inn.”[56] Apparently he took the house on
the occasion of his marriage, as in an undated letter, after mentioning
certain family bereavements, he proceeds: “I was [thus] driven to meditat
on a settlement of myself; and did therefore accept of such an oportunitie,
as it pleased God about that time to offer mee, of adventuringe upon
marriage, wch I have donn upon such grounds as you have all waies
heretofore proposed to myself, my wife being a widdowe, about my own
yeares, never having had a child; of a fortune capable of giving a reasonable
assistance to mine, and of a humour privat and retired. Soe that I am now
become a settled person in a house of my own in Lincolnes Inn Fields.”[57]
His house was famous, and both Evelyn and Pepys have, in their diaries, left
a description of it. The former thus records a visit paid by him on 1st July,
1664. “Went to see Mr. Povey’s elegant house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, where
the perspective in his court, painted by Streeter, is indeed excellent, with the
vases in imitation of porphyry, and fountains; the inlaying of his closet;
above all, his pretty cellar and ranging of his wine-bottles.” Pepys had been
there a few weeks before, and under date of 29–30th May, 1664, writes:
“Thence with Mr. Povy home to dinner; where extraordinary cheer. And
after dinner up and down to see his house. And in a word, methinks, for his
perspective upon his wall in his garden, and the springs rising up with the
perspective in the little closet; his room floored above with woods of several
colours, like but above the best cabinetwork I ever saw; his grotto and vault,
with his bottles of wine, and a well therein to keep them cool; his furniture
of all sorts; his bath at the top of his house, good pictures, and his manner
of eating and drinking; do surpass all that ever I did see of one man in all
my life.”
 Charles Catton, the elder, was born in Norwich in 1728. He was
apprenticed to a London coach painter, and attained eminence, not only in
this branch of the profession, but as a painter of landscapes, cattle and
subject pictures. He was appointed the king’s coach painter, and was one of
the foundation members of the Royal Academy. He died in Judd Place, in
1798.
For a number of years (1776–1781) his son, Charles Catton, the
younger, is shown in the Royal Academy Catalogues as residing at his
father’s house in Gate Street. He was born in London in 1756, and acquired
a certain reputation as a scene-painter and topographical draughtsman. He
died in the United States in 1819.
In the Council’s collection are:—
Exterior of No. 3 and cross to the memory of Mr. Booker, 1837
(photograph).
[58]Joinery details on first floor of No. 3 (measured drawing).

The Ship Tavern, Gate Street—exterior, showing Little Turnstile

(photograph).
Twyford Buildings—View of court in 1906 (photograph).
 XXV.—HIGH HOLBORN, BETWEEN LITTLE
TURNSTILE AND KINGSWAY.

In 1592 a Commission on Incroached Lands reported[59] the

existence of certain property in St. Giles, held without any grant,
state, or demise from the sovereign. On 29th August, 1609, James I.
granted the whole of this to Robert Angell and John Walker. As the
point is of importance, the description of the premises included in
the grant is here given in some detail.[60]
“All that one messuage of ours with appurtenances in the
tenure of Thomas Greene, and one cottage with appurtenances, with
garden, in the tenure of Thomas Roberts, situated in the parish of St.
Giles-in-the-Fields ... and all those four cottages with appurtenances
lying and being on the south side of the public way leading from the
said town called St. Giles-in-the-Fields towards Holborne ... and all
those small cottages built within the small pightell called Pale Pingle,
lying and being within the parish of St. Giles opposite the aforesaid
cottages, namely, on the north side of the royal way between the
town of St. Giles aforesaid ... and Holborne.”
In 1650 a survey[61] was made of certain property “late
belonginge to Charles Stuart, late king of England,” and included
therein were a number of premises, which extended along the south
side of High Holborn for a distance of 234½ feet eastwards from
Little Queen Street, and the easternmost house of which was The
Falcon.
To the reversion in fee farm of this property a Mr. Gibbert laid
claim, basing his pretensions on the identification of the property
with certain of that included in the grant of James I. above referred
to, and the surveyors reviewed at length his title, annexing a “plott of
ye ground” (Plate 2). The conclusion to which they came was, that it
was “clere and aparent” that Green’s messuage and Roberts’ cottage
and garden, together with the four cottages opposite the Pale Pingle,
were the tenements granted to Gibbert, and that these were “at the
least 40tie pole” distant from the houses which he claimed. “Soe yt his
clayme in those aforesaid houses is very unreasonable, false,
imperfect and untrue. And wee, whose names are heerunto
subscribed, shall (if Gibbert should bee so uncivell or shameles
heereafter to lay clayme to them before yor honors) make it clerely
appeare to the contrary if at any tyme required.”
In spite of this emphatic condemnation of the unfortunate Mr.
Gibbert, there can be no doubt that the surveyors were wrong. They
seem entirely to have overlooked the possibility that the houses of
Green and Roberts were not adjacent to the four cottages opposite
the Pale Pingle; in fact, a perusal of the royal grant is sufficient to
make it reasonably certain that they were quite distinct. The matter
is, however, capable of definite proof.
A fortnight after the grant by James I., Angell and Walker
conveyed the whole of the property to Richard Reade and Henry
Huddleston,[62] and they in turn, on 23rd November, 1610, sold it to
John Lee.[63] In the indenture accompanying this sale the two first
mentioned houses are described as “all that messuage or tenement
with appurtenances, late in the tenure of one Thomas Greene ... now
called the signe of The Falcon, also one messuage or tenement or
cottage there late in the tenure of one Thomas Roberts.”
It is quite clear therefore that Gibbert was right in his
contention, and that the premises extending from Little Queen Street
up to and including The Falcon had had their origin in the house of
Green and the cottage of Roberts, which had first been officially
noticed in 1592. There is also evidence (see below) that the land
included in the grant reached as far east as Little Turnstile.
With the above information it is possible to date the
interesting plan (Plate 2) appended by the surveyors to their report.
It will be apparent that this has almost exclusive reference to the
property granted to Angell and Walker in 1609. Thus, there are
shown the four cottages by the White Hart, opposite the Pale Pingle,
the Pale Pingle itself, and the land extending from Little Turnstile to
Little Queen Street, including Green’s premises, the only building
which in the royal grant is dignified with the name of “house.” It is
therefore suggested with confidence that the plan in question is a
copy of the one appended to the grant of 1609. With this assumption
the title “Queene streete,” given to the still unformed thoroughfare
entering Purse Field is in entire accord.[64]
Immediately after or shortly before Lee’s purchase, additional
buildings were erected, for on 11th December, 1610, he and Nicholas
Hawley sold The Falcon to William Woodward,[65] “with all yards,
wayes, waste groundes, stables and appurtenances,” excepting,
however, from the sale “four little houses, cottages or tenements
latelie builded on the west side of the Falcon yarde.” Moreover, in
1612–13, the same vendors sold to William Lane, junior, one
messuage, two cottages, two gardens, and a rood of land with
appurtenances in the parish of St. Giles.[66] As in 1661 the property
immediately to the west of Little Turnstile is described as “now or
late” in the possession of Mistress Lane,[67] it is practically certain
that the land sold in 1612 was identical therewith, and Hollar’s plan
of 1658 (Plate 3), which shows the area fully built on, indicates the
development which had taken place in the course of the half century.
Building on the remaining portion of the land had also greatly
increased.[68] The survey of 1650 contains a detailed description of
the property, giving much interesting information as to the building
materials, arrangement of the rooms, outhouses, etc. The following is
a list of the premises. In most cases there were garrets in addition to
the storeys mentioned.
The Falcon (2 storeys), and a house (3 storeys) in the rear.
Frontage 15 feet. (Present No. 233.)
A house of three storeys. Frontage 33 feet. (Present No. 232
and site of New Turnstile.)
The King’s Head Inn (3 storeys), with an addition (2 storeys),
a gateway, a smith’s shop with room, stables, sadler’s house,
tenement of 2 storeys, shed and coachhouses, houses of office.
Frontage 54 feet. (Present Nos. 229–231.)
Two small tenements lying in front of The King’s Head (3
storeys), a house (3 storeys), with small back addition. Frontage 19
feet.
A house (3 storeys), a garden with coach house and stable.
Frontage 26 feet. (The site of these last two houses is now occupied
by the Holborn Station of the Piccadilly tube railway.)
 The Gate Tavern (3 storeys.) Special mention is made of the
“very faire and spacious dyneinge room, 38 feet in length,” on the
first floor. A bowling alley and gardens were in the rear. Frontage 38
feet. The site is occupied partly by the Holborn station and partly by
Kingsway.
A house of 3 storeys, with a garden containing a small
tenement of 2 storeys. Frontage 16 feet.
A similar house, with a garden containing a “small decayed
tenement.” Frontage 16 feet.
A tenement of 2 storeys, with a shop on the ground floor, a
back addition of 2 storeys. In the garden behind were two small
tenements of 2 storeys. Frontage 17½ feet. The site of the three last
mentioned houses is now covered by Kingsway.
It will be seen from the above that New Turnstile was not
included in the original scheme for building. It is not shown in
Morden and Lea’s Map of 1682, nor in the map accompanying
Hatton’s New Guide to London of 1708, but appears in the sewer rate
book for 1723.
XXVI.—No. 211, HIGH HOLBORN
(Demolished).