prologue
Natalie was overcome with sadness. She looked silently at her husband’s body, adorned with flowers gathered from the fields of the territory they occupied. Herd symbols were scattered among the floral arrangements, showing how much they loved the alpha. Her favorite was a pendant with a blue stone that hung from her neck; it represented the love of each couple that the Moon Goddess linked in the herd. It was the pendant Xander wore when they first met.
Natalie’s throat caught in a tear-induced lump. Only three days had passed, and already she felt lost without her other half. He had been her everything until the birth of her children.
She closed her eyes, remembering the past. Images came to mind of the moment she met her husband. It was a sunny day like that. She was hiding from her mother and had entered the forest to escape the visit of a man her family wanted to marry off. When she entered that grove, she did not believe she would meet the love of her life.
As she ran through the trees, she collided with a half-naked man growling like a wolf.
Discovering the existence of supernatural creatures was a huge surprise. In her innocence, she thought that the inhabitants of the small town where she lived referred to the Wild Moon pack as monsters, just because they occupied a vast territory that outsiders were forbidden to enter. They were envied for the riches they possessed.
From the first moment he saw her, Xander recognized her as his Luna. He did not stop pursuing her until she accepted him and went to live with him, much to the dismay of her mother, who assumed she had won the lottery because of the position of power he possessed. Serena Hancock was in for a disappointment when she was told she was not welcome. Her lousy attitude toward her daughter vetoed her as a member of the pack.
Natalie didn’t regret joining him for a second. The best things in her life had happened at his side; he gave her purpose. Despite the reluctance of the clan members because she was human, they accepted her when they had their first child. Her little Grace had stolen everyone’s heart.
She opened her eyes back to the present as her son, Shane, wrapped his arms around her waist in a tight embrace.
“We’ll be okay, Mom; we’ll protect you.” Her son’s words made her shed the tears that refused to come.
At fifteen, Shane was very mature for his age. She was sure he would be a great support for his sister when Grace took over leadership of the pack. Which was going to happen the instant she came of age.
“Dad isn’t going to take care of us anymore?”
The little voice of Allyn, her four-year-old daughter, made her heart ache. The little girl didn’t understand death or why Xander would no longer be with them.
Natalie lifted her in her arms and hid her face in her black curls. She didn’t feel in a position to explain to him in detail what had happened. Despite that, she was aware that she had to; however, it would not be at that instant; the ceremony was not over.
The ceremonial chants and traditional music added an atmosphere of solemnity that elevated the sadness that everyone felt. The chants were so moving that the members of the herd, who gathered around the body, were crying. All were paying their respects to the most beloved alpha up to that moment. The elders stood silently with their heads lowered, looking somber and dejected.
Natalie knew that uncertainty had gripped everyone. Grace was still a year away from being able to take over the herd. Meanwhile, she would have to take the lead, and not everyone was happy to have a human leading them.
Inwardly, she was grateful that Jaggar, her husband’s uncle, was giving the final speech. Since her father-in-law had passed away a few years ago, Jaggar took his position. When he finished speaking, Xander’s body was placed in a coffin. The explosion that ended his life left him so unrecognizable that, in order not to frighten the little ones, he was wrapped in a blanket with the colors of the clan. The alpha was to be buried in a sacred place; he would be in a place of honor next to his father.
Natalie walked surrounded by her sons behind the coffin, while the rest of the family and pack members advanced in the rear of them. If she didn’t have the support of her offspring, she knew she wouldn’t have been able to make it to the end of the ceremony. Watching the casket being lowered further cracked her heart.
As her children left her side to receive their condolences, Brogan, her brother-in-law, approached her. She thought he would tell her how sorry he was for her brother’s death; however, his words were something she never expected.
“I think it’s best for you to join me. You won’t be able to lead the herd alone.”
“What are you talking about? I’m your sister-in-law; my husband has just been buried.”
“Most people say you’re not strong. You don’t belong to our species, and you won’t know how to meet our needs. It’s me, or your daughter won’t be able to take over when she’s old enough.”
Natalie’s mouth fell open in astonishment. Her astonishment increased with every word she heard.
“What’s going on?” asked Grace, approaching them and giving her uncle a suspicious look.
“Uncle Brogan wants our mother to marry him,” Allyn replied, stepping in front of her mother. The little girl spoke without malice; the only thing she wanted was to tell her sister what the adults had discussed: “He says the pack doesn’t want mom, and Grace is not yet the alpha.”
“We’ll take care of her, Uncle; you don’t have to sacrifice yourself and give up your life,” Grace told him angrily. She couldn’t believe Brogan was so inopportune.
“Our mother doesn’t have to find a mate to be accepted.” Shane joined them and stood next to Natalie. He didn’t want there to be any doubt about his love for her.
Brogan held up his hands as he said he didn’t want any regrets later. Having a human lead, even for a short time, would have consequences. Then he walked away and joined the rest of the family.
“A year goes by fast, Mom. I would rather not take on such a big responsibility at such a young age, but I’ll do it for you. We’ll be fine; Uncle Brogan doesn’t know what he’s talking about; you’re very dear to everyone.” Grace looked around with a frown. If they were trouble, she would see to it that they didn’t get to her mother.
When he looked in the mirror, he did not recognize the image of the man whose reflection he saw back to his.
“Good job the witch did, right?” Kaelen boasted behind him.
“She’s a very talented sorceress. She turned me into another man,” he agreed, not even recognizing himself. How long does the spell last?
“Until you decide to return to her and ask her to return your body to you, Stephen,” Kaelen replied, broadening the smile that was already on his face.
Both men smiled. Stephen believed the witch’s reward was high, but it was worth it. He would pay every penny without hesitation.
