Erin’s POVThis is like deja vu. I remember feeling like this before, trapped in a cold dark place. “Mother! Please, don’t leave me here. I promise to be good. Just don't leave me here. I can not stand the dark. Mother, I am afraid of the dark!" I I heard a familiar voice shouting pitifully in the dark. She cried until her voice became hoarse. The sound of her pain and fear breaks my heart. I could feel the little girl’s pain from her plaintive cries, and my heart constricted hearing her. It brought tears to my eyes. Then the situation changed. The girl disappeared. I could still feel the cold seeping through my skin, but this time, I knew this was real.I remember swimming in the lake before a giant whirlpool sucked Alaric and me.I almost wished Alaric and I did not swim in the lake. What people often say is true. Do not trust calm water. It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man. I felt a noose tightening my esophagus. I peeled it off with my hands only to

Alaric’s POVI could feel Erin attempting to open our communication channel, but I continued to shut her out. I am so pissed off with her right now. After several tries and getting no positive results for her efforts, she stopped trying, leaving me in peace.When I did not feel her presence in my head any longer, I looked around me, realizing I was deep into the woods and was very near the lake where the water sucked us in to meet Xavier, the legendary forebears of the Crescent Moon State. According to historians, Xavier used to own all the lands, air, and water that make up the state. When he passed away, the high-ranking members of his pack drew lots to split the territory among themselves to make up little packs of their own. It was obvious the people he trusted wanted to be little Alpha of their own pack. They do not want to follow orders anymore. They wanted to lead. They wanted to elevate their status to the highest rung, not contented with being second or third to anyone

Erin’s POVThe morning light cast a warm glow on my skin, and for a moment, I let myself soak up the warmth it bestowed upon me freely.Last night, I was in pain. Seeing my sister and mate together was a nightmare from the past.  If given a choice, it was something I would never go back to revisit at any time in my life. It reminded me of Boris’s duplicity and the excruciating pain it cost me. I almost died in his hands. More than that, Boris' rejection has taught me that I would never have any place in my family.  It dug up years of repressed hurt.  For a moment, it blinded me. I almost killed my sister! Without Alaric's intervention, I would have strangled Lyla to death, bringing insurmountable repercussions for Alaric and his pack. If I succeeded, I would have unwittingly given my father another reason to cause trouble for Alaric's pack. It could trigger a war. &

Erin's POVOne of the magical things that can happen to a person is that of welcoming a new life into this world.The pain notwithstanding, childbirth is one of the most precious miracles in life. To bring another creature into this world, conceived through love and nurtured by love, gives purpose to our existence. It allows us to create meaning in our world. “Push!” Dr. Martin ordered. I pushed in time with the contraction that hit my stomach, gnashing my teeth in a pain that no other could rival, in my opinion. It is like being torn apart. I was strapped in a birthing chair, panting while my belly contracted within seconds of each other in preparation for the birthing process. “Arggh!” I screamed as another pain shot through me. My body trembled as I tilted my head back to gather strength. Tears mixed with tears and mucus coming from my nose covered my face while I tried to push the baby out. “Come on, one more push! We are almost there. The baby is almost out. ” Dr. Mar

“Do not tell me you are letting her get away just like that father?” Lyla’s shrill voice echoed in the vast hall halting Erin in her tracks.Alaric, not partial to the possibility of a confrontation between Erin and her family escalating, chose the best course - to leave. He guided Erin out of the hall, arms wrapped protectively around her waist while the other held their baby. His first plan was to mingle with other guests for a while, but seeing Alpha Leo and the effect of his presence on his mate, he chose to pull back.Today is Cirala’s celebration. They would not let anyone dampen it and cast a glow on the event. Let Alpha Leo make a fool of himself. They would not be a participant in his show. But Erin’s sister was the one causing a scene, putting shade on her character in front of everyone else. Lyla was painting an ugly picture of Erin for the guests to feast on. “Erin blatantly disrespected you. She disregarded your position as the oldest Alpha in the council.” Lyla