Reborn From the Bone Cellar
My son, Flynn, had been sick for six months. Every time I used my healing power on him, the wolf within him seemed to fade a little more.
I finally believed the pack elder's prophecy: I was cursed. My own power was unconsciously siphoning the life from my child.
I went to the Geode Vein Grotto, pouring my life essence into the Heartstone, hoping to suppress the "curse."
My Alpha mate, Darryl, flew with Flynn on a private jet every day to see me in that remote grotto. They crossed hundreds of miles of rugged mountains just for a few moments together, and our bond felt stronger than ever.
Until today. A group of rogues broke into the grotto and pushed me into the lake.
I sent Darryl urgent mind-links all night. Nothing but silence.
Then I received an anonymous mind-link.
Darryl was kneeling before a woman, branding a protective rune onto her skin with his own blood.
Flynn stood beside them, his face beaming with pride. "I was pretty convincing with that 'Fading' act, wasn't I? Mom totally fell for it—believed she was cursed and ran off to that stupid grotto all by herself."
"But what if she finds out? She'll be furious, won't she?"
Darryl didn't seem worried. "Don't worry. I've sealed the entire grotto with wards. She won't find out."
The truth crashed down on me.
It was all a lie, orchestrated by my mate and my son.
Without a second thought, I turned and shattered the Heartstone—the very crystal I had poured my life force into for six long months, all for Flynn.
This crystal was forged from the very essence of my inner wolf, an offering to the Moon Goddess in hopes she would cure Flynn's "Fading Sickness."
Through the shimmering cloud of dust from the Heartstone I'd just shattered, a familiar figure lunged toward me.