Page 49 of Luna's New Reign
It’s wrong.
The sunlight doesn’t touch it, doesn’tpierceit. It’s like the light doesn’t want to go near it. I feel it even from up here—a gnawing, unnatural cold that makes my feathers bristle. The darkness slithers along the ground, pulsing faintly, as though alive.
>>> Mateo.My voice cracks through the mindlink.>>> The darkness. It’s moving. It’s…”I pause, trying to find the words to describe the wrongness curling through my senses.>>> It’s growing.
I hover, beating my wings hard to keep myself steady as I look down at the darkness twisting beyond the veil. It’s like staring into something ancient—something that doesn’t belong in this world. Ithatesthe magic of the veil; I can see it clawing at the edge, unable to cross, but it’s relentless.
>>> It’s testing it,”I murmur through the link, my voice tight.>>> It’s looking for a way through.”
I dip my wings again, gliding back toward Mateo, the air rushing past me in a steady rhythm. I don’t look back at the darkness. I don’t need to. It’s burned into my mind—the way it moved, the way it felt—alive and wrong, waiting for its chance to consume us. The thought makes my feathers bristle, my talons flexing in the air.
Mateo’s wolf emerges into a clearing, stopping dead center as he shifts back to human form in a fluid motion, sweat slicking his brow despite the cold air. I swoop low, landing hard on the ground just in front of him as the magic hums through me.
My form melts seamlessly back into my human body, the crow giving way to flesh and bone, but the shift isn’t as smooth as it should be. My body shudders, my knees buckling at the last second, Mateo rushing to catch me.
“Easy there,” he mutters, grabbing me by the arm as the world tilts slightly.
I snort, even as I lean on him for balance. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Just… give me a second.”
“Fine my ass,” Mateo says, steadying me until I find my footing again. “You nearly face-planted.”
I grin up at him, energy still pulsating through me. “That’s because shifting into afucking crowis confusing as hell. Do you know what it feels like to suddenly havewings?”
Mateo raises a brow, crossing his arms as he observes me. “No, Maverick. I don’t know what it’s like to have wings.”
I let out another laugh, one hand running through my hair as I take a shaky breath. “It’s a rush, though,” I admit, shaking my head. “Like I could just—” I lift my arms, mimicking the flap of wings. “Take off and leave everything behind.”
Mateo hangs onto me for another few seconds before kneeling by my feet, reaching for something on the ground. When he stands back up, he’s holding a black feather between his fingers, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Guess we’re cleaning up feathers now,” Mateo jokes, waving it lightly for emphasis.
A scowl plays at the edge of my tongue. “You’re fucking hilarious.” I swipe the feather, still unable to believe that I shiftedandflew. “One time,” I mutter. “One shift and I’m already shedding.”
“The first few shifts are always confusing. A flurry of hair and chaos.” Mateo shrugs like it’s no big deal.
My scowl softens a little, but I’m not letting the Alpha off the hook that easily. “Yeah, well, most wolves don’t lose half theirdignityin feathers, Mateo.”
Mateo barks out a laugh, shaking his head as he takes a step back, watching me pull myself together. There’s concern in his eyes, no doubt the exhaustion of a first full shift pulling at my expression. He steps closer again, supporting my weight. “You mentioned the darkness. What did you really see?”
“Almost like it’s fighting with the veil, trying to pass through it. I know the magic has returned to the packlands but I’m not sure it’s going to hold.” I hate saying it but that’s how I feel. As if we only just begun to do things that Mother Nature needs of us.
“This isn’t going to get easier,” Mateo muses as we start heading for the house. “But there is an end to this. I’m just hoping it’s sooner rather than later. I don’t want to bring our child into a world of chaos.”
25
NEPHELINE
The morning light streams through the window as it dances across the edges of my nest. I stretch out like a lazy cat, my body sinking deeper into the plush blankets surrounding me. My nest is perfect, layered with items that smell like my mates and I swear it’s the only reason I’m not losing my mind these days.
Darius sleeps beside me, his arm draped across my waist, his face buried against my shoulder. He’s dead to the world and for a moment, I just stay there. Listening. Enjoying the quiet that’s so rare these days.
My mates have been doting on me nonstop—bringing me food, helping me walk anywhere when I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself, fussing over me like I’m glass. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it. They’re impossible to resist when they’re like this and even if I roll my eyes every now and then, deep down? I melt.
The best part is that I haven’t been sick, not even once. It feels like the universe’s one gift to me, considering all the other chaos that’s been thrown my way. I’ve been sitting on the council,keeping up with my duties as Luna, making my way through the pack houses with Mateo to meet everyone individually. I don’t remember a single name, but that’s beside the point. It’s theeffortthat matters, right?
I let out a satisfied hum and stretch my arms over my head, feeling the soft pull in my muscles. Something flickers at my fingertips—magic. My magic has been dancing closer to the surface lately, a constant hum under my skin and Ilovethe way it feels. Like fire and light and life itself, something alive that belongs only to me.
The lessons with Victoria have been going surprisingly well. I’ve learned to channel it, to push it into something purposeful instead of chaotic. Just yesterday, I brought a dying flower back to life, its petals unfurling like they were breathing for the first time. The look of satisfaction on Victoria’s face had been annoying, but even I couldn’t deny the pride bubbling in my chest.
With a soft sigh, I swing my legs out of the nest, my bare feet pressing against the cool floor as I stand up. My muscles groan slightly, a faint ache lingering in my body, but I shake it off as I move toward the dresser. I grab a pair of leggings and start tugging them up, barely stifling a laugh when I hear Darius shift behind me.