RAMON’S POV

Through my windows, I saw the faintest hint of the full moon rising in the sky. The drums had started to beat in the distance, and everyone was probably making their way to the festivity ground.

I had stopped the urge to search for Sonia and give us the release we both needed by sketching. By the time I was done, it was late.

Sonia was not the only thing I had to distract myself from. It was on a full moon night like this one that the pack was attacked by Ferins. Tonight, we would honour the dead and pray their light continued to guide us to victory.

Garbed in the official ceremonial robe, I grabbed my staff and stepped out of the room.

"I didn’t want to interrupt you," Blane, who was standing outside my door, said.

"Everything’s ready?" I asked.

"Yes, Alpha."

We arrived at the ground, and Blane stepped aside for me to walk ahead. As I made it to the burning circle, I stood beside the flames. In honour, the wolves dropped to their knees.

My eyes went to the heavens, and I began to pray. I didn’t like to pray for too long because I knew the elders loved to show out on that front. I stepped aside shortly after, and one of the oldest elders in the pack took over.

My eyes began to scan the crowd, my wolf in desperate search of Sonia. The heat was getting more provocative. The urge, a little more consuming.

I wasn’t paying attention to the ongoing prayers. All I could think of was finding Sonia with my eyes. I just needed to see her. Just a little glimpse, and everything would be fine.

It didn’t take long for me to realise it wasn’t just Sonia who was missing. I couldn’t spot Ivy either.

My heart skipped a beat as my thoughts went rampant. Pulling away from the crowd, I broke away from a sacred tradition. No one was supposed to interrupt the ritual proceedings. But my sister was missing. Nothing else mattered but to find her.

I began the long walk to their house. I had walked for a few minutes when I felt someone behind me.

"You shouldn’t be here, Blane," I called, catching his scent.

"I swore my loyalty to you. I have to be around you when I sense danger."

He hurried forward until he was beside me.

"I didn’t spot Ivy. Sonia too."

"I thought it was just me. I was going to come to you, but didn’t want to risk the wrath of the elders."

"Let them handle the ceremony. I’m going to search for my sister."

"Your sister? I actually don’t know about her. But I do know where Sonia is," Lorena said, coming out of nowhere.

I grabbed her hand roughly and yanked it. "You tell me the truth right now. Where’s Ivy?"

"I can never understand why you’re so concerned about her. Anyway, I told you already. I have no idea where she is. But I did see Sonia."

"If you saw Sonia, then you should have also seen Ivy. They’re practically always together."

"Well not tonight. You know that slut of yours is really one horny freak. Thankfully, Moon was there to cure her hunger."

"You’re lying!" I yanked her hand again.

"Don’t listen to her, Alpha. You know how manipulative she is. She’s just trying to get under your skin," Blane advised from behind.

I understood he was trying to protect me. But the image of Sonia with Moon, true or untrue, sent my blood boiling.

"Tell me the truth for once, Lorena!"

"I’ve never lied to you, Ramon."

"Bullshit! And it’s Alpha Ramon to you. Alpha Ramon!"

She bowed, and when she raised her head again, there was a smile on her face.

"You don’t believe me? Follow me then."

I didn’t move, because I didn’t know what my action would be if I took that step and came to find out Lorena had been right all along.

"Chickening out already?" She looked into the sky, and her smile widened. "Look, the full moon will form soon. You don’t want to miss it because of a whore. It’s better you find out early, than when it’s too late. But to do that, you have to let go of my hand, so I can lead the way."

I was going to kill her! Either Lorena or Sonia, I would kill one of them!

If I found out Lorena had been lying all along, she was as good as dead. And Sonia—I couldn’t even think about it. Every time an image formed, all I wanted to do was throw up.

My hands dropped from hers, and I turned to Blane.

"If it’s true, get her out of my sight before I can kill her."

He nodded. "Yes, Alpha."

Lorena scoffed. "Like I’d let you take her away. The Alpha needs to kill her. Now, let’s go."

"Alpha Ramon?" I heard just as I was about to take the first step.

It was Ivy. I was close to breaking character and pulling her in for a hug.

"Why are you out here?"

"So many questions for a maid," Lorena snickered. "Come on, Alpha, we don’t have all night."

Ivy fell into place, and we allowed Lorena to lead the way.

"What’s going on?" I saw Ivy mouth to me in the dark.

I shrugged in response, and she sighed.

We arrived at the house, and Ivy led us behind it. With every step I took, my heart thumped loudly against my chest. I didn’t know what to expect, but judging by how confident Lorena was, I hoped for the best.

But the worst was what I encountered.

As we rounded the corner, I stumbled upon a naked Moon lying on an equally naked Sonia. They looked like they had passed out from the intensity of their lovemaking. Their bodies were tangled together, skin glistening under the faint moonlight.

I stumbled back, my heart breaking right in front of me.

"No," Ivy shook her head. "This isn’t real. An illusion maybe."

She turned to me and grabbed my shoulders. "Don’t believe Lorena. She’s lying!"

I didn’t mean to, but I pushed her to the side and stormed forward.

However, before I could grab hold of Sonia, Blane went ahead of me and whisked her into his arms.

"You’re not going anywhere," Lorena said, blocking his path.

I turned and lunged toward him.

Ivy broke into a loud scream, following after me.

I had lifted my hand to strike Sonia awake when Blane’s terrified eyes shifted to me.

"She’s limp," he said in the faintest voice.

My hand froze in the air. "What do you mean?"

"She’s not breathing. I can’t feel her breathing," Ivy said beside me.

"No," I shook my head. "Not possible."

"Look," Blane stretched her body toward me.

I touched her, and it felt lifeless. At the same time, I felt a movement behind us.

Turning, I saw Moon had risen from his slumber.

"What did you do to her!" I leaped into the air and caught him by the throat.

"Speak!" I growled thunderously, my voice causing a quake on the earth.