Eve’s POV“Mummy!” Jameson cried as soon as I burst into his room. He was huddled in a corner, his small body shaky, and his eyes were wide and terrified.The sight of him scared shattered my heart, and I crossed the room in seconds. Scooping him into my arms, I held him close. “It’s okay, sweetie. Mummy is here. I’ve got you.” I was trying so hard to keep my voice steady despite the chaos erupting around us.I had always known this day would come, but I never thought it would be this early. And that was why I had let my defences down. I was foolish. So foolish.Jameson buried his face in her shoulder, sobbing softly, his small arms circled around my neck. Blinking back tears that had begun to fill up my eyes, I kissed the top of his head. My mind raced as I tried to formulate a plan.We had to get out of here, but with the commotion outside, escaping wasn’t going to be an easy task. “Eve. We need to go!” Jade reappeared by the doorway, pale with fear. “Vesper and his men... They’ve
Stefan’s POV“Stefan! What in the bloody name of the gods do you think you’re doing?” Emilia’s shrill voice echoed through the walls of the mansion as she stomped down the staircase towards me, where I was seated in the foyer. She was steaming with rage. “Why did you bring that woman here?!”I lifted my gaze from my phone and stared up at her, my expression darkening. “I brought her here because she needed help.” I tried my best to keep my tone calm and composed even though my insides were beginning to boil in anger and irritation. “Would you have preferred I left her to die?”Emilia’s eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared. “This has nothing to do with her life. This has everything to do with you bringing her into her home. You could have easily taken her to the hospital to get medical treatment. Our mansion is not a home for treatment!”“Sit yourself down, Emilia.” My patience was beginning to snap now, and my tone bore a strong warning that Emilia knew all too well. “You succeeded
Eve’s POVThankfully, the next morning, I was feeling a bit stronger, although the ache in my body still lingered. Because I had been lying in bed all day yesterday, hurting and beating myself for letting Vesper have his way with the pack, Jade suggested we take a walk in the garden to clear my head. At first, I had tried to turn her down, but her annoying persistence made me give in.As we strolled through the familiar, vast, and colourful garden with Jameson tagging along, I half smiled at myself as I watched him chase after butterflies and point at the vibrant flowers. I felt glad and a little relieved that Jameson was smiling again after the incident of that night. I hated that he had to witness all of that.I breathed in the fresh air with my eyes shutting momentarily. Somehow, it calmed my frayed nerves. Opening my eyes again, I took in my surroundings again, feeling nostalgia wash over me. It amused me that this used to be my home some time in the past. Everything about this ma
Stefan’s POVIn the solitude of my study, where I was going through paper works at my desk, the soft pattering of the feet of a child distracted me, followed by the faint sound of a bouncing ball. Before I could look up, the door of my study burst open, and the small figure of Eve’s son dashed inside. The boy, whose attention was on chasing the ball, didn’t notice any presence right away and accidentally bumped into the side of the desk.The impact caused the ball to ricochet off a shelf and then knock over my coffee cup that I was holding on my hand, causing its content to spill over the white shirt that I was putting on.“Shit.” Stunned, I looked down at the dark stain that was now spreading across my chest. I blinked repeatedly before lifting my gaze to the boy standing in front of me, looking mortified now.“I…I am so sorry.” He stammered, his eyes wide with horror, as he realised what he had done. He quickly bent down to retrieve the ball and clutched it nervously in his hands a
Eve’s POVMaintain at least a five-foot distance from each other at all times.No unnecessary conversations unless they pertain to the safety of Moonsong packAbsolutely NO physical contact under any circumstances.I stared at the list in front of me, playing absentmindedly with the pen between my fingers and my lips tightened in a straight line. I nodded approvingly. This was good.After what had happened between Stefan and me at his study yesterday, I knew that I needed to set clear boundaries if I was really going to be here for this short period of time. Yesterday, my stupid heart had raced again. Even more than they used to. The last thing I needed was Stefan’s proximity to cloud my thoughts. This wasn’t about rekindling old flames or revisiting past mistakes. This was about getting my throne back. Nothing more.Even as I tried to assure myself this, my silly mind travelled back to the moment of yesterday when I had walked in on him looking hot and breathtaking in his shirtless
Eve’s POVThat evening, I was back to Stefan’s study. Again.I hated it here. Every single time I was in this space, things always almost happened between us. Things I could never bring myself to control no matter how much I tried to.I tried to steady my breath and then took a step back as Stefan moved closer to me. “What is it?” He asked me in that low, dangerous whisper that always sent shivers down my spine. “Cautious of me?”Then, he proceeded to close the space between us, his hall figure towering over me. He was so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. I tensed at once as his large hands found the back of my waist. His grip was firm, yet gentle. It sent fire to my skin and the butterflies in my stomach fluttered again. Push him away, Eve!Slowly and gently, he brought my hands up, wrapping them around his neck. I sucked in a shaky breath through my mouth as my hands rested on his broad shoulders. The tension between us was so thick, it felt like it could
Eve’s POV“I love you so much Eve. And if I let this rage this over, I won’t stop. I won’t stop until I destroy everything and everyone that hurts you.”I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to push the words away but it only seemed to grow louder. “Everyday, I am fighting the urge to tear this world apart for you. And that is because I love you, Eve! I know I’ve been a total asshole to you for years but I love you! I’ve always loved you! I love you so much that I might lose myself. And that is why I am holding back.”Ugghhhh!I grunted and threw the bed covers off of me as I sat up on the bed. It was almost two in the midnight and sleep was refusing to take over me. It annoyed the hell out of me.Maybe a drink would help.Sighing, I slipped out of bed and made my way down to the kitchen. My bare feet padded softly against the cool floor as I walked down the stairs. Once I got to the kitchen, I found a glass and poured myself some water. As I drank the water, I let the cold liq
Stefan’s POVAmidst the chattering and the clink of crystal glasses in the ballroom, my mind kept going back to Eve and I checked my wristwatch constantly for her arrival. But she was nowhere in sight. Maybe she was running late.As I moved through the crowd while they greeted me in respect and exchanged pleasantries with me, Emilia hung around me like a leech. Her perfectly manicured hand rested lightly on my arm as she hovered around me. Obviously as a show of possession. She played the role of a Luna so flawlessly just like she had always done. I couldn’t help thinking of that with a mild irritation. Every move she made seemed rehearsed. Her smiles never quite reached her eyes. She was trying to be ‘that’ Luna so hard and it was pretty obvious. I suppressed the urge to shrug off her hand a couple of times and take a step away but I didn’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone. “Lycan Stefan.” Alpha Calder of the Elixir pack greeted me once I reached the table he was sharin
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