Cassidy Moonveil

I ran hard. My sneakers slapped the dirt. A drunk man at the alehouse grabbed me again so I smashed a tray on his head and ran. "Stupid shortcut," I muttered. I passed the boundary stones. The air got thick. My scar burned. Howls ripped through the night. Three deep ones. I burst into a clearing by the lake where there were huge guys standing there with glowing eyes. The biggest one grabbed me fast. "You crossed the Veil." "Let go!" I yelled. "I was just running from some creep." "I am Wyatt Blackthorn," he said. "You are mine." Another guy stepped up. "I am Silas. This bond should not happen." The third grinned. "Colt. You feel it too, right?" My chest pulled. Three golden threads connected me to them. My scar glowed. "What is this?" I asked. "Why do I feel all three of you?" Wyatt held me tighter. "You are our mate." "I am Cassidy Moonveil," I said. "I work at a tavern. This is crazy." Colt touched my hand. "Moon Queen blood. I can smell it." Silas watched me. "This could break the kingdom." A howl cut him off. Rogues. Wyatt shoved me behind him. "They are here." Wolves and men charged. Wyatt slammed one. "Touch her and die." Colt stabbed another and laughed. "Nice swing, Cassidy!" I grabbed a branch and hit one hard. Wyatt picked me up. "We run." We jumped in a truck. Colt drove fast. Wyatt pulled me close. "You okay?" "My heart is pounding," I said. I stayed against him. He rubbed my back. Silas turned. "Your old life is over." Wyatt kissed me hard. I kissed him back. His hand gripped my waist. Colt whistled. "Save some for us." Bullets hit the truck. Wyatt covered me. "Stay down." We reached the Citadel. Alarms screamed. A guard ran up. "The Shadow Council knows!" Another yelled, "Rogues at the north wall!" Wyatt kissed me quickly. "We protect you." Colt squeezed my hand. "Stick with us." We ran for the doors. The ground shook. A voice hit my head. *They are not the only ones bonded to you.* I tripped. Wyatt caught me. "What is it?" "Another voice," I said. "Another bond." The ground split. Elias stepped out. Tall and dark. "Hello, my queen." Wyatt pushed me back. "Who are you?" Elias smiled. "The fourth. And one of your brothers is already mine." Colt froze. "What?" Shadows poured out. Wyatt charged. "Stay behind me!" I grabbed a sword and swung. "I am fighting too!" Colt looked at me with guilty eyes. "Cassidy..." The voice laughed. *Colt knows the truth.* Wyatt kissed me between strikes. "Do not listen." Elias laughed louder. "Choose wrong and they die tonight." The walls cracked. Creatures came from everywhere. I fought next to Wyatt. "What is happening?" Colt fought beside us but something felt off. Silas yelled, "Stay together!" The fight got worse. Elias watched with that smile. One rogue grabbed me. Wyatt ripped him off and kissed me fast. "You are ours." But the doubt hit hard. Colt took a hit and fell back. "Cassidy, I..." Elias stepped closer. "Time to choose." The Citadel started collapsing around us.