Jade’s POVThat bitch is using me.I cursed under my breath as I carried a tray of drinks from the mansion to the garden, my face reddening in anger. Emilia’s friends had stopped over to visit her and Emilia had ‘kindly’ asked me to get them some drinks. I knew very well that Emilia was only keeping me around as her lackey, her personal errand girl. And I had been stupid enough to go along with it. Or maybe it wasn’t her fault but mine. I was the one who wanted to get back at Eve so bad by making her jealous of my newfound friendship with Emilia.It was all my fault. And even though I had told myself a thousand times that Eve had lied to me, that she had hidden things from me, especially about Apollo’s feelings for her, deep down, I knew she had been honest. I knew that she would never intentionally hurt me. Yet, I was just too angry and hell bent on blaming someone for my misfortune. As I neared the garden, I heard Emilia and her friends’ voices filter through the air, followed by E
Stefan’s POV I was at the training field, training with my soldiers, when I noticed Eve standing at the edge of the training ground, watching me. She was unmoving and there was barely any expression on her face. I figured it was because of two things. Either she was tired from her journey to the Broken Moon Kingdom or she was angry at me. Even though I was pretty sure I didn’t do anything to offend her. Either way, I found it cute.With a small grin on my face, I signaled my men to keep going without me."Eve!" I called out to her, and yet, she did not move and her expression remained blank. Just stood there like she was carved from stone.“Did you miss me that much?” I teased, reaching for the towel a servant handed me and used it to wipe off the sweat on my body. “Was Broken Moon Kingdom not as exciting without me?” My grin widened as I approached her but as I got closer, my grin faded. Her eyes. Something was wrong. The color was off, colder, almost an unnatural shade of blue. H
Stefan’s POVAs Queen Morwenna stepped into the packhouse with hastened paces, my mother, who seemed as though she had been waiting for us in the hallway, rushed to us. Her eyes were wide and filled with panic and fear.“What the hell did you do to Eve?” She snapped at Queen Morwenna as soon as she reached us, anger crossing her face and her tone sharp.“I… I didn’t do anything.” Queen Morwenna swallowed and managed to say. Her face was pale and her shoulders were slumped. “What did you mean you didn’t do anything to her?!” My mother raised her voice this time, clearly enraged. “She has turned into something else because she accepted your stupid invitation to your evil kingdom. And you’re telling me you didn’t do anything to her?!”I exhaled in frustration and stepped between them to stop my mother. “Not now, Mother. Whatever anger you have with her can wait. She’s here to help get Eve out of this whatever curse she’s trapped in. Whether she is able to help or not, we will then know
Eve’s POVI struggled to open my eyes and when I finally did, it felt like I had been buried under a mountain of weight. My whole body ached badly and my throat burned with thirst. It felt as if I had been beaten all over. Even my bones felt like they had cracked all over. As my eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light of my room, I felt hollow. Like an empty shell. What had happened to me?For a moment, I lay there, confused and trying to search through my brain for an answer. The next minute, all of my memories came flooding back. The memories of that nightmare, when I had witnessed myself move, and act but without any control of my own mind. I recalled clearly how I had almost killed Jade and tried to hurt Apollo and Stefan too. I was literally like a zombie.I felt my chest tighten and hurt bitterly with guilt. Tears escaped my eyes even before I even had the strength to hold them back. I had tried to hurt the people who had loved me. How could I? How could I have done that? What if
Jade’s POVIn the kitchen, I poured water into a small pot, watching the steam rise as it started to simmer. I reached for the chamomile flowers, their gentle, earthy aroma filling the room as I dropped them in. Eve always said this tea felt like a hug from the inside out. After everything that she had gone through, I hoped it would do a little healing for her.A creak from behind startled me, and I turned slightly to see Apollo walking into the kitchen. He paused momentarily as if stunned by my presence. After we both spent a round of seconds staring at each other, completely dumbfounded with neither of us knowing what to say, he backed me and walked over to the counter. I watched from the side of my eyes as he reached for a mug and set up the coffee maker. I turned back to the tea I was making, feeling the silent awkwardness between us hang heavy. I had been replaying that night of the Full Moon Festival in my head ever since. The way I had slapped him in front of everyone for r
Eve’s POV“What I’m about to say will change your life, Eve.” Luna Jessica said to me as soon as Jade had left the room, leaving us alone to ourselves. “And asides from that, I would also be breaking the promise I had made to keep this a secret. But sometimes, promises must be broken for the greater good. Emotions should not cloud judgment. Always remember that.”I frowned and my heart started to beat faster than usual. What was it that was so important that she wanted to tell me? Whatever it was, it seemed quite serious by the way she sounded and by the cold and calculated expression on her face.“Eve…” She maintained eye contact with me, letting her words sink properly into my head. “Years ago, Queen Morwenna. once had an affair with a werewolf. And from that affair, she gave birth to a hybrid child.”She paused again and just when I was beginning to wonder why she was telling me this and what this had to do with me, she added.“That child is you, Eve.”I blinked and froze as the ma
Jade’s POVThe movie that Apollo had selected for us to watch at the theater had started innocently enough. Just a run-of-the-mill rom-com, the kind with a quirky heroine and a clueless but lovable hero who took two hours to figure out they were perfect for each other. But halfway through, the plot swerved. Hard. The two main characters, who had been teasing each other for an hour, finally threw themselves together in a moment of over-the-top, cinematic passion. Like the type where naked bodies filled the screen. Yes.I blinked my eyes, cleared my throat and leaned over to Apollo.“You picked this movie?”Apollo squirmed in his seat, looking at me with a half-apologetic, half-embarrassed smile. “I swear, I didn’t know it would turn into this.” His cheeks were flushed red with embarrassment. “If you like, we can leave and try something else…” “Nah. It’s fine.” I shook my head at his idea and we turned our attention back to the screen where things had escalated pretty quickly. I cou
Eve’s POVThe next morning, I was feeling much better after faithfully consuming all of the herbs and medicines that were prepared for me. Jade and I strolled down the path that led to the training field where I heard that Stefan was training. I hadn’t seen him since the day he had come to check on me after I had woken up. That day, he had stayed by my side longer than I expected, and I had fallen asleep knowing he was there. But since then, I had not seen him and from what I had learned, he had traveled for an urgent council meeting. Now he was back, and I needed to see him. Majorly regarding Queen Morwenna’s issue.Jade and I continued to walk slowly down the path with Jade’s hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket to spare herself from the cold. Winter was approaching and the weather was becoming colder by the day. "So," Jade finally broke our peaceful silence, turning her head to look at me. "What are you going to do now? Are you going to follow Luna Jessica’s advice and for
Eve’s POVTWO YEARS LATERAs the midday sun cast a gentle warmth over the packhouse, I moved around the garden, directing the maids with the final touches for our lunch setup. I was engrossed in the details, ensuring that every plate was perfectly placed and every napkin was folded just so. Across the yard, Jameson was playing and practicing his newfound powers by sending tiny ripples through the grass and shifting little pebbles in the air. I glanced at his direction and a small smile crossed my lips. But that didn’t stop me from calling him and reprimanding him.“Jameson. Careful, okay? You’ll wear yourself out.”He stopped and sent me a mischievous grin that spread across his face. The older he was getting, the more he looked just like Stefan. The resemblance was uncanny. “I won’t, Mommy! I’m strong!”I laughed, shaking my head. “Yes, you’re very strong, but don’t go overboard. You don’t want to spend the afternoon recovering, do you?”He gave me a proud, stubborn look before tu
Eve’s POVI woke up slowly, stretching out my arm across the bed, expecting to feel Stefan’s warmth beside me. Instead, my hand brushed empty sheets. My heart fell in disappointment and I sighed, blinking my eyes open to the early morning light filtering in through the window. The waves crashed softly outside, tempting me to go back to sleep. But Stefan’s absence pulled me out of bed. It was a week after our mating ceremony and we were on our honeymoon at Stefan’s private beach house. Apollo and Jade were here too as it was a double honeymoon.Rubbing the last bits of sleep from my eyes, I slid out from under the covers, my feet brushing the cool wood floors as I padded toward the door. My steps were lazy, still a little groggy from waking up, but I kept walking. As I opened the door and stepped outside the beach house, the faint smell of smoke and something savory and delicious reached me. And there he was, standing over a barbecue grill with Apollo and Jade beside him, the three
Stefan’s POVI stood at the altar, my hands clasped in front of me, trying to steady the slow hum of nerves thrumming beneath my skin. Beside me, Apollo shifted, glancing over his shoulder at the door for what had to be the tenth time in as many minutes. The place was filled with soft chatter and expectant whispers, and anyone could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. Apollo gave a low whistle, nudging me with his elbow. “I still can’t believe it, Stefan. Your aura point is literally a thousand out of a hundred. You bagged one of the realm’s most beautiful women.”I chuckled softly under my breath. “Well, you don’t have to sound so shocked. I’ve always had my way with women.”Apollo shrugged and a smirk danced on his lips. “Honestly, I thought you would end up with someone a lot more intimidated by you. Not Eve. She matches you in every way.”I smirked back at him, unable to hold back my satisfaction. “Trust me, Apollo, I know exactly what I’m in for. And besides, I
Eve’s POVThe entire room was buzzing with life, not just the room but the packhouse and the entire realm in a whole. Around Jade and I, stylists fluttered around us, adjusting and smoothing out the lace on our sleeves and adding the final touches to our intricate updo. The entire space felt surreal. A room of mirrors, flowers, and stylists. We were getting ready for our big moments.It was the mating ceremony of Jade and I. Because Apollo and Stefan had proposed to the both of us on the same day, they had arranged for the mating ceremony to be held together and to be honest, that was the best thing that Jade and I could have ever asked for. Just me and my best friend, side by side in a place we never thought we would be.As the stylists and makeup artists worked on me, I glanced over at Jade, catching her in the mirror. Her gaze was distant and thoughtful as she stared at her reflection. Her gown was breathtaking. It was a cascade of ivory lace that spilled around her like a soft, sh
Eve’s POVWhen Stefan returned to the room again, he was carrying a tray of food and my mouth practically watered at the sight of it. He set it gently on my laps. “Breakfast in bed. How romantic!” I blinked at him, musing and teasing as I picked up the cutleries.M“I know right? Give me my flowers.” There was a tinge of pride visibly in his voice as he sat down beside me again.On the tray sat a spread that looked straight out of a gourmet magazine with eggs that were perfectly golden, buttery toast, and a delicate arrangement of fresh berries. The aroma filled the room and as I perceived the aroma, I shut my eyes briefly and hummed. This was the kind of breakfast that promised the start of a good day.I finally dug in, savoring the first bite. It tasted just as good as it looked, and I couldn’t help but smile impressively at Stefan again. For the second time, his breakfast had blown my mind again. I guess he was never bluffing when he said he was a good cook.“This is amazing, Stef
Jade’s POVApollo’s room was a stark contrast to the way it was the first time that he had brought me here. It was not filled with his shy laughter or the way he talked about his art, or the sounds of our moans as we made love for the first time. It was quiet. Too quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages as I turned them. I was seated at Apollo’s bedside while he was lying unconscious on the bed. His arm and the side of his stomach where he had been wounded was bandaged. Even though he was lying peacefully, I couldn’t forget the pain he had passed through last night when they had brought him and Eve back to the packhouse. Thankfully, we had Queen Morwenna around and she had saved both of them. Since that night, I had remained in his room and close to his bedside. The only times I excused myself from him for a moment were the times that I had gone to check in on Eve too. It ached my heart that the two people who were most precious to me were hurting at the same time and there was
Eve’s POVI opened my eyes slowly, squinting against the soft and muted light filtering in through the window. As my eyes scanned the familiar walls of my room, I felt a sense of deja vu and nostalgia. This wasn’t the first time I was waking up in my room like this. Or even the second. It had become almost like a routine. This room had become a marker of survival. I had lost count of how many times that I had woken up here, teetering somewhere between life and death, and with my body piecing itself back together. And each time, I half-expected that maybe I wouldn’t make it, that this would be the end. Yet, here I was again, breathing, alive.As if reading my thoughts, a familiar low, amused voice murmured beside me. “You’ve died and come back to life so many times now that I’m starting to think you’re immortal.”I blinked, my gaze sliding over to the side of the bed where Stefan sat with a faint smile on his dangerously handsome face. He was holding a tiny brush in his hand, and focu
Stefan’s POV“Eve! No!” I screamed at the same time that Eve’s body collapsed to the ground. A chill raced through my spine and I stared wide eyed, unable to believe that Lukas had got her just in one second that I had looked away.“Fuck!” I rushed to her, scooping my body into my arms. Blood pooled around her and her eyes were shut now with her skin now turning pale. Tears clouded my vision as I held her body closer, my heart shattering to pieces.How could I have missed this? How could I have failed to protect her when I promised her that? How? “My apologies, Stefan. And like I said the other time, there are no hard feelings involved. This is for my own political interest.” Lukas’ voice coming from behind me made the hurt I was feeling to turn into rage. Hot, flaming rage. I lifted my gaze to meet him, glaring at him through blood red eyes. I was going to kill him. There was no way he would get out of this alive. As if betraying me wasn’t enough for him, he had gone ahead to touch
Eve’s POV“Attack!” Stefan’s battle cry came and in an instant, his soldiers shifted seamlessly into their ferocious wolf forms and with a thunderous cry, they surged forward and towards Vesper’s men who had also shifted into their wolf forms. Apollo was at their helm with his brown fur glinting as he launched himself into the chaos. Within seconds, Stefan’s soldiers and Vesper’s men clashed and the battle began.“Remember what I told you yesterday.” Stefan turned his gaze to me. The expression on his face was the most serious that I had ever seen him. “When I tell you to run, you fucking run. Understand me?”“I understand.” I nodded my head at him and my heart melted as he gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before unsheathing his silver sword and headed straight for Vesper who was waiting for him with a dark, amused smile on his face. “I still don’t get why you’re doing all these for that slut.” I heard Vesper yell to Stefan over the noise of the battle clash and howls as he prod