Dawn breaks with a gentleness that belies the turbulence of my thoughts as it paints the sky in pretty shades of pink and gold.
Birds chirp happily from a nearby tree as I sit outside on a rickety picnic table that seems as old as the motel itself. Witnessing the splendor, I cradle a cup of coffee in a tiny paper cup.
At this point, the coffee is more for warmth than taste because it’s far too bitter for my liking. For all I know, it’s three days old.
Because it’s so early, the world around me is still hushed. I’m grateful for the quiet, for the space away from the room—away from Stone.
God, I never thought I’d feel that way.
After last night’s harsh words, the distance feels necessary.
I mean, he basically told me I wasn’t fit to be Alpha.
I’ve been out here since first light, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts about the dream, the Breath of Selene, and the ominous shadows.
It’s a lot to process, and now that I’m fully awake, part of me wonders if the dream was just that—a dream and nothing more. But the intensity of it, the vividness, feels like a harbinger of something more—something real.
My only hope is it’s not the warning I feared when I woke up.
I don’t think I could take more bad news.
My phone lights up, then buzzes on the table in front of me.
It’s a text from Alanna.
I’d messaged her earlier—a habit born out of concern for the kids and the need to make sure they’re safe. Especially now.
I dial her number and it only rings twice before she answers.
“Hi Ella, everything okay there?” she asks, her voice still groggy, but a welcome sound, nonetheless.
“Yeah, as okay as it can be,” I reply, trying to infuse a bit of lightness into my voice. “How are the kids? How’s everything on your end?”
“They’re doing alright. Still sleeping, of course,” Alanna responds, her voice clearing. “Asher’s been a huge help around here—really stepping up. It’s actually been nice. Avery... she’s been a bit anxious, but given everything, it’s not surprising.”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I’m glad they have you. And each other. I hope this trip goes quickly.”
“They’re strong kids, Ella. They’re handling things in stride, all things considered.” There’s a pause on her end before she continues, “So, have you guys made it to your destination yet?”
I let out a sigh, my gaze drifting to the painted sky. “No, not yet. We’ve still got about twelve hours to go. If we’re lucky, we’ll be close by tonight.”
“Wow, that’s a long drive. Be safe, okay? And keep me posted.”
“I will. Thanks, Alanna. Keep me posted, too. If you need anything, I’m just a call away,” I say, exhaling a deep breath.
“You got it. Don’t worry about us, though. We’re good.”
“I know,” I say, relief and gratitude coursing through me.
Just as I’m about to end the call, Trudie steps out of her motel room, her expression serious. She makes her way straight to me. “Ella, Diana’s on the line. She needs to talk to you.”
My heart skips a beat. “I have to go, Alanna. I’ll call you back later.”
“Okay, good luck,” she says, and then she’s gone.
I take the phone from Trudie, my pulse quickening as I lift it to my ear. “Diana? What’s going on?”
“Ella, I had a vision this morning,” Diana begins without preamble. Her voice is steady, but there’s an undercurrent of urgency that sets my nerves on edge. “It rocked me right out a dead sleep. I’ve been waiting ages for you to be ready to receive this call.”
“Sorry, but what was it about?” I ask, glancing up at Trudie’s concerned expression.
“It was about the Breath of Selene... and it came with a warning. A significant one.”
I grip the phone tighter, bracing myself. “What kind of warning?”
Diana takes a deep breath, and I can almost hear her organizing her thoughts. “There’s a magnetic quality about it now—something that’s intensifying. It’s waking up and wants to be found. Like it has its own consciousness.”
I frown, confusion and concern knitting my brow as I glance over at Trudie, who takes a seat on the other side of the table, bathed in the soft light of dawn.
“It’s part of the prophecy, isn’t it? The Moon Wolf thing you and Stone seem to be wrapped up in?” Diana’s question makes me sit up straighter. We hadn’t discussed the prophecy with her. However, before I can say anything, she continues, “From what I got, it won’t allow just anyone to acquire it. I think it wants someone worthy.”
I shake my head slightly. “Honestly, Diana, I don’t know much about how any of this works. The prophecy wasn’t exactly detailed instructions.”
Diana’s sigh crackles through the phone, a sound of frustration and concern mingled into one. “Typical. Well, based on what I sensed, acquiring it might involve a different plane of existence.”
I blink hard, my gaze flitting again to Trudie.
“Have you ever gone to the astral realms?” Diana asks.
Astral realms?
The term is as foreign as it is intriguing and sends a ripple of curiosity through me.
“The astral plane? Diana, I’m not even sure what that means.”
“Yeah, okay. It’s... complicated,” she admits. “But it’s something you might need to explore. The prophecy, this journey you’re on—it’s tied to powers and realms beyond the ordinary. Just keep an open mind, Ella. You and Stone might be capable of more than you realize, especially where the Breath of Selene is concerned. Hell, maybe all of it.”
I nod slowly, digesting her words. It feels like we’re stepping into a world that’s larger and far more complex than I’d ever imagined.
It’s like learning I was about to become a werewolf all over again.
“But,” Diana interjects, pulling me back from the edge of my thoughts, “that’s not the only reason I called. My vision... it was unsettling. There was this intense sense of... betrayal. Someone close is working against you. So, please, watch your back.”
Betrayal?
The word sends a shiver down my spine, echoing the shadows and warnings from my own dream.
Is this a warning about Stone and the curse?
Or someone else?
“Did you see who it might be?” I ask, my heart thumping unevenly in my chest.
“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry. The vision didn’t reveal a face or a name. Just the imminent threat of it,” Diana’s voice is heavy with regret. “Sometimes that happens so you aren’t derailed from your current trajectory. Or if they haven’t yet made the decision to betray. However, it also means anyone could be a suspect. You need to tread carefully. This betrayal... it feels like it could unravel everything you’re working toward if you’re not careful.”
The gravity of her words settles over me like a cold blanket of dread. My mind races, cycling through faces and names, wondering who could betray us—and why.
The mistrust Diana’s warning sows is toxic, seeping into cracks I didn’t know existed, and threatening to widen them into chasms.
I don’t like the feeling. I don’t like it at all.
“Thank you for telling me, Diana,” I manage to say, though my voice sounds distant, even to my own ears. “We’ll... We’ll be careful.”
“Good. That’s what I want to hear. Reach out if you need anything. Trudie has my number,” Diana says, then the line goes dead.
She’s clearly not one to hang around when a conversation is over.
As I hand Trudie back her phone, the morning suddenly feels less peaceful.
We need to get moving.
Jinx’s sudden laughter breaks through my contemplation, pulling me back to the present.
I turn to see her emerging from her room, stretching elaborately, her movements exaggerated and playful. She’s donned what can only be described as a shockingly bright ensemble, even for her, as she hobbles her way over to us.
”Morning, sunshines! Ready to hit the road or what? We’ve got a prophecy to fulfill and a curse to kick in the crotch,” she announces, striking a pose that’s part superhero, part grandma in need of a cane.
I can’t help but crack a smile, despite the heaviness in my heart.
“Yeah, we do,” I agree, standing up. “Just give me a minute to wake Stone.”
Her expression softens for a moment as she glances quickly to Trudie and back again.
“You got this, Ella. We’ve got your back, curse and all. And hey, if Stone gives you any trouble, just remind him who’s the Alpha around here,” she says with a wink, her tone light but firm.
Trudie grins, nodding in agreement.
However, her words only stir up Stone’s venom from last night.
Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for the task ahead. Going back into that room and dealing with Stone right now feels like the last thing I want to do.
Yet, Jinx’s words and Diana’s warning—they all forge a resolve within me.
We have to move forward. Fuck the obstacles.
The Supermoon isn’t going to wait for us and I have kids to get back to, dammit.
As I make my way to our hotel room, the key feels heavy in my hand. When I open the door, I expect to find Stone still asleep. Instead, I find him sitting on the edge of his bed, bags packed and ready by his feet.
He looks up, his emerald gaze a tumultuous sea of conflict and determination.
“Already up?” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he replies curtly, his voice tinged with something I can’t quite place.
There’s a moment of silence as we both face-off, the space between us charged with unspoken words and tensions. It’s like we’re on the edge of a precipice and the stupid curse is a gust of wind ready to push us over.
“I talked to Diana again. She had a vision this morning,” I start, hoping to bridge the gap between us, even slightly. “About the Breath of Selene... and she had a warning. She was getting vibes of betrayal and she—”
He stands abruptly, his movements sharp. “So, what? Let me guess—you think I’m going to be the one to stab you in the back?”
There’s a challenge in his eyes, a defiance there begging to be called out.
“No,” I answer quickly, too quickly maybe. Because it certainly crossed my mind. I sigh, dropping my gaze to the carpet, as I say, “But it has me on edge. It’s hard to know what to believe—or who to trust.”
When I look up, his gaze softens for a split second, hinting at the real Stone beneath the curse’s shadow. “Ella, you know me—or at least, I thought you did. Do you really think I’d turn on you?”
I cross my arms, trying to mask the hurt. “The Stone I knew wouldn’t. But this curse... It’s making you say things, do things— You’ve turned once. How do I know you won’t do it again when the time comes?”
“Fuck, that’s not—” He cuts in, frustration evident in his voice. “Even cursed, I’m still me. Deep down, I’m me. I wouldn’t hurt you or the kids. You have to believe that.”
I want to believe him—I do. But Diana’s warning and my own dream cloud my judgment, casting long shadows of doubt.
“It’s not just about you and me, Stone. It’s about all of us. Diana’s vision... it didn’t specify who. Anyone could be the threat,” I say, tugging my lips to one side.
He takes a step closer, his expression torn between anger and desperation. “But I’m still on the list, right?”
“It crossed my mind,” I admit, hoping the honesty in my voice will bridge the distance between us.
A chuckle escapes him, bitter and laced with sorrow. “Great. Cursed and now a suspect of betrayal in my own mate’s eyes. Fuck my life.”
My heart aches to reach out for him—to console him.
“It’s not like that, Stone,” I say, softening. “We’re just... on edge. All of us.”
He runs a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. “This is tearing us apart, Ella. It’s only been a day and it’s tearing us apart. How are we going to survive if we can’t fix this? Hell, how are we supposed to fight something we can’t even see?”
I sigh, feeling the weight of our situation. “Together. We fight it together. Despite the curse, the doubts, the warnings... We don’t have a choice, Stone. We need to trust each other.”
His gaze meets mine, intense and searching. “Do you trust me, Ella?”
The question hangs heavy in the air, charged with meaning.
After a moment of hesitation, I nod. “I do. Despite everything happening right now—I do.”
A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Well, I guess that’s something.”
“Come on. We have a long trip ahead of us,” I say, tipping my head toward the door.
Stone nods, picking up our bags and following me out.
As we leave the hotel room behind, my only hope is I didn’t lie to Stone—that my trust for him can remain unshakeable.
Because I still feel our connection—our bond—nestled somewhere in the center of my chest.
I just pray I can continue to hang onto it.