Looking around the Tian Pack’s indoor training arena I take slow deep breaths to centre myself. Am I really doing this? Am I really about to lead a war to take down the Emperor of the nagata? This isn’t something I ever imagined for my life, but I know it’s something I have to do. If I stood by and allowed him to continue to hurt people – MY people – I’d be just as bad as him. And what if he ended up hurting someone I love again? Zixin has taken too much from me and everyone else and it has to stop. I have to stop it. I refuse to sit by and continue to be that scared girl anymore. I did not spend all these months training, learning how to fight to protect myself and others to not put it to use when it’s called for. Things got a little heated between the Tian Pack warriors and the Invictus Pack warriors. The Invictus Pack are my pack, so naturally, they want to back me in this fight, but for the Tian Pack, it’s personal since Zixin murdered their previous Luna. Ultimately we all decide
“I can’t believe our Alpha is allowing this. I mean, a female Alpha? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. What does she do, teach the pack to crochet?” Qianfan sniggers. “Don’t forget they have a male Luna. Bet he bends over for his animai at home. It’s disgusting. Women aren’t meant to be warriors, sure as shit aren’t meant to run a pack. Their pack is doomed, and we’ll be doomed if we’re forced to fight alongside them. They’ll be nothing but dead weight and get us killed,” Feng spits in indignation. “Then we have to do what we have to do, for the good of the pack,” says Qianfan ominously. They plan to do something to Amelia, to my Alpha! Over my dead body. I quickly release Qiang and move at top speed to where the Beta and Gamma were whispering – they’re not very bright, would have been smarter to use the pack-link. I wrap my tail around their waists and with a fast spin, send them flying across the arena smashing into a wall. “MEI! What the hell are you doing?!” Shouts Jia
The last few days have been filled with back-to-back training. Vitali and I have been monitoring the Tian Pack closely since their dipshit Beta and Gamma basically planned to nearly assassinate our Alpha. She can’t seem to go a minute without someone plotting to kill her, but Amelia being Amelia, never lets it get to her. I don’t know how she does it. Right now, we don’t trust this pack as far as we can throw them. We’re doing our best to act civil, but we’re not prepared to turn our backs on them in case we end up with a silver dagger between our shoulder blades.That being said – and I’m not trying to downplay the seriousness of what happened – it was all slightly overshadowed by how terrific Mei has shown herself to be over these few days. People are in awe of her, and some are even intimidated by her. She’s been training with Qiang to better prepare her for how to fight her own kind, and she’s been training with Yildiz, Setia and Defne. I thought seeing her train with Setia was en
We start walking a bit away from the packhouse, passing pack members who smile and nod politely and we return the gesture. I soon guide her over a small stone bridge to a small pavilion on the water with the most exquisite view of the sunset over the water. Red Chinese lanterns hang from the roof, casting a warm glow as the night slowly approaches and cushions have been scattered across the pavilion ground with blankets and a basket of goodies. I owe a great deal of thanks to Luna Yan; this looks perfect in every way and is exactly the kind of setting I wanted. I reluctantly let Mei’s hand go as she steps into the pavilion taking everything in. Slowly her eyes look up at me with a thousand emotions dancing in her chocolate pools. She truly takes my breath away. 'And mine. There’s not a creature alive as wonderful as she is,' Axel says in awe. 'And we’re the lucky pair who have her heart,' I sigh, like a love-sick fool. I was hit by the love bug the moment I caught her scent, and I g
Each day that we’ve gotten closer to this war I’ve become more and more anxious to the point of actually becoming sick. Chris couldn’t sit back and watch anymore so he put his grievances aside and asked that an irshiust be near me at all times to help keep my anxiety at a more manageable level. It’s actually worked, though now I feel like I’m being babysat. I’ve asked them about this calming effect they have. They explained it’s not something they can control, that it works much like pheromones do. I asked if it works on each other, and they told me no, which is a shame. I wish I had that power and could use it on myself, that would be nice. Then it would at least be one thing I don’t need other people for. It’s not that I hate that I need help… okay, I do sometimes. It’s just... I am some special being created by a God, born to be an Empress and save my people and yet here I am needing babysitters to manage my panic attacks. Some hero. Chris has gone off to do some training with Am
One minute I’m managing to be neck and neck in a fight with Amelia – both of us partially shifted – the next my knees are giving out and I’m shifting back as DEFCON one level fear hits me like an avalanche. This isn’t like anything I’ve felt from Mei before, this isn’t like her normal panic attacks or even what I felt in the woods that night. This is terror in its purest form and it’s hitting her like a tsunami.“Chris, are you alright? What happened?” Amelia asks in a worried voice, kneeling beside me.“Something is happening to Mei,” I say in a breathless voice as I manage to get to my feet and sprint off following the pull to Mei as Amelia follows, keeping up.'Whoever has hurt Sweet One, we’re killing them, no questions asked,' Axel snarls.I find myself at the front of the packhouse, Mei on all fours puking her guts out, and the Alpha’s sister in a panic trying to comfort her. I race over kneeling in front of Mei grabbing her shoulders. Her skin is icy cold to the touch - far mor
Chris and I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. I guess the bright side about not knowing when war is coming is that you’re not constantly worrying about it, which means you can actually sleep and rest. Today is the day we go to Longsang and the energy around the packhouse is like there is a dark cloud hanging over it. All night Chris and I just watched each other. We didn’t speak. Words weren’t needed. We just stared at each other and took comfort in being together. Chances are we’re going to lose a lot of people and that thought hurts me deeply, but the thought of losing Chris… Setia said the future isn’t written in stone, so I know that just because Oshmin told me I would have children and what their destiny is, doesn’t mean it will happen. I could die and then that future would never come true. A million things could happen, and that uncertainty has Chris and me on edge. We haven’t talked about it; we don’t need to. But I know he’ll fight hard to stay alive for me and I will d
We proceed to walk through the portal until we come face to face with the wall of a mountain. I take a deep breath remembering this mountain from when I first arrived at Longsang. It’s not really there, it’s just an illusion. As the others talk amongst themselves, I detach myself from Chris and walk over to the mountain. Slowly I reach my hand out and to my amazement, my hand passes right through until I can’t see it. It looks like my arm got chopped off. I pull my hand back and sure enough, it’s still attached to me. “A barrier and an illusion spell in one. Not hard to do, but the size of it is most impressive,” says Arthwin as he comes to stand beside me. “How does this work? I mean, if it answers to me, how do I let everyone pass through?” “It’s simple. You tell it to. Just say, I, Empress insert name, grant whoever, entrance into Longsang,” he says with a shrug. “Do I have to say everyone’s names?” “No, you can simply say ‘all those standing before me’ or something to that ef
Thank you to everyone who has read this book and for all the positive feedback you readers have shown me. It has been beyond heartwarming. I have enjoyed all of your comments with each passing day. Seeing you all connect with the story and characters truly touched me. I truly hope that if you are in the mood you will consider donating gems, and most importantly, leaving a review of this book on the book's main page. It would do me and my book a huge favour and will also allow me to hear your thoughts on the story. Speaking of story... Here is a breakdown of the series so far, what currently exists and what is to come! Currently Available: Book 1 - A Queen Among Alphas (completed and also available on paperback) Bite-Size Luna - A prequel spin-off to A Queen Among Alphas (completed and coming soon to paperback) Book 2 - A Queen Among Snakes (completed and coming soon to paperback) Book 3 - A Queen Among Blood (completed and coming soon to paperback) Book 4 - A Queen Among Darkn
“Mei?” I hear Eric ask. I zone back into the conversation; I really need to learn how to stop doing that. “Sorry, Eric,” I say sheepishly. “It’s okay,” he assures me with a kind smile, “Now that I have your attention again, there’s something I wanted to ask you in today’s session.” “What’s that?” I ask curiously. “In the past couple months you’ve interacted with Irshiusts on numerous occasions, but you haven’t once thought to ask them what became of the Alpha and Luna of Albus Mons.” “That’s not a question,” I point out. “You’re right,” he smiles, “I’m just wondering why.” “Because I don’t want to. It’s not something I ever think about. They were brought to justice and can’t hurt me or anyone else again, I don’t need to know more than that.” “Does that mean you’ve forgiven them?” I feel taken aback by his question. Forgiven them? How can anyone who has done such monstrous things be forgiven? “Why would I do that?” I ask warily. “Forgiveness isn’t about the other person; it’s
I take a deep breath as I eye my target. Everything is resting on what happens next. One wrong move and it’s all over for me but I’m not about to let that happen. I’ve come too far to lose now. I watch as the puck glides quickly in my direction and with a quick flick of my wrist, I hit the mallet at the puck sending it across the table where it shoots right into the gap at the end of the table. I throw my arms up in victory and dance around. “Oh, come on!” Vitali exclaims, “There’s no way you’ve never played air hockey before. You’re a devious snake and I think you’re hustling me,” he accuses, pointing a finger at me. “What does hustling mean?” I ask, stopping my dance to look at him curiously. “It means he’s a sore loser,” Amelia teases from the couch where she and Marcus are cuddling. “I am not a sore loser, I just find it hard to believe that someone who claims to have never played air hockey has beaten every single one of us,” he says, narrowing his eyes at me. “I swear I’ve n
There hasn’t been a dull moment since the coronation. Aulen returned and put up a permanent portal between Longsang and Invictus. Mei requested it be placed in a specific room in the palace so that it would be easy to find and prevent anyone from stumbling upon it by accident. My sweet, little Empress is a genius. Amelia followed her lead and requested the other side of the portal open inside the Temple of Morrtemis, again so no one would accidentally find it. Within days of the coronation, several members of the den packed up their belongings and came to live at Invictus. Their new homes aren’t ready yet so in the meantime, they’re staying in the guest house. Mei and I have been helping them to integrate into the pack. Some pack members – the troublemakers and the old-fashioned people – weren’t as welcoming to our new members, but they’re smart enough to keep their mouths shut. The rest of the pack, however, welcomed the nagata with open arms and have been helping them assimilate, es
After the ceremony, everyone gathered outside and what I saw was like I was seeing colours for the first time. More red lanterns hung from strings reaching from tree to tree and as the sun set they cast a soft red glow over everyone. There were performances, music, and plenty of food to go around. Everyone was together celebrating what just happened and if that wasn’t enough to make me happy, getting to see more of my Chinese heritage in action, was. For fourteen years I never even dared to dream I’d experience a day like this one, and yet now it kind of feels like a dream. A beautiful dream that I never want to wake up from. Logic tells me fate brought me here, it wasn’t an easy journey, and it wasn’t one I wish on anyone else, but boy does getting here feel worth it.I’m sure that sounds crazy. Who could ever feel the horrors I’ve lived through are worth it? But the truth is, those horrors allow me to appreciate all of this so much more. Joy, pleasure, love; I treasure and feel thes
Watching Mei take her oath standing before me looking like a Goddess has me captivated. I hoped and prayed every day and night since we met that she would find her strength and become who she was meant to be. I never knew this was what the future had in store for her, but watching it happen before my eyes, it feels right and as I feel the pride radiating off her, I’m filled with pride for her.I force myself to focus back on Qiang as he begins to address the crowd one more time.“Today is a day of many firsts, for today we not only welcome our new Empress who is the first of her kind, but we welcome our new Emperor, the first mutolupus to govern over our people. To those who may disagree with this, I remind you of our most sacred beliefs. The bond between soulmates is the purest gift of love and strength ever given to us by the Goddess Zarseti. It is through our soulmate we find peace, wholeness, and a pillar for life. The Gods have chosen this man to be not only the pillar for our Em
I can’t believe this is really happening. I’ve spent all day in Nuo’s bedroom as she helped me get ready for the ceremony. I’m used to the women back at Invictus helping me get ready for something, but those times took maybe an hour at the most. This, however, has been a day-long process, one I’m very grateful to have had Nuo’s help with. Looking at the final result, I no longer recognise myself.My creamy skin is glowing and luminescent from the makeup she did, shaping and accentuating the shape of my eyes while giving them a small cat eye and a dusting of gold on the lids to match the gold lipstick on my lips. My hair has been pulled up and styled into I guess what looks like several buns elegantly tied together and golden clips pinned throughout. I don’t have pierced ears so finding earrings was tricky, but she managed to find a beautiful pair of gold chandelier clip-on earrings, but all of that is nothing compared to the stunning gold embroidered hanfu I’m wearing. The inner layer
It’s one week till the coronation and things have been hectic as hell, although Mei seems to be thriving. She’s embracing her new role with gusto and watching it is inspirational. She’s been working closely with Nuo, who is overseeing the entire ceremony. She’s organised the decorations and what we’ll be wearing and teaching Mei and myself the words and customs of the ceremony. It’s a lot more than what I experienced for my Delta ascension and to be honest, I’m getting excited and to top it off it’s a crash course in Mandarin. I’m also anxious as hell, but I think it would be weird if I wasn’t. In between learning the words for the ceremony and the ceremony itself I’ve been juggling the fittings for what I’ll be wearing and doing a lot of finance work not just for Invictus but Longsang as well. The people of Longsang know how to be self-sustaining but so much there has been left in squaller because of their selfish prick of an Emperor. Oh sure, he had no issues with buying jets and ex
We had lunch with Qiang and Nuo and then they took us around showing us more of Longsang. Seeing this place as a guest instead of a prisoner helps me to appreciate it more. Longsang is a truly breathtaking place, even Chris was in awe as we walked around. It did give Chris and me a chance to see what changes need to be made. The school here looks like no one has cared about it in years, which makes me sad. It hurts to think there are children here growing up without an education just like I did. The medical centre has definitely seen better days. Everyone’s homes are in good condition because they take care of them themselves, but anything that involves community or public wellbeing has been horribly neglected. When I think I’ve learned all there is to know about Zixin’s cruelty I learn something new that devastates me. Nuo, however, told me that my mother loved the school and actually was one of the teachers. Hearing this has made me even more determined to fix this place up and turn