SYLVIA
“I can’t sit around here doing nothing, Marcelle. We need to train. I’m much better now.” I told Marcelle. We sat outside watching Nina run around, dancing with her dolly and chasing butterflies. Nina was happy, enjoying the mild weather outside. She seemed to have no memory of her nightmare the other night and it didn’t recur.
Marcelle smiled indulgently. “Are you sure? You know how Kane likes to drill us.” she said.
Anything would be better than sit around doing nothing but watch Nina and spying on the maids crushing on the men. I liked cooking and baking, but Pierre, our cook, gets irritated when we get in his way too much. He is a sweet old man, but set in his ways.
“Yes, I’m sure.” My body healed faster than I thought it would. I don’t want to ever feel so helpless again. “I want to learn to defend myself.”
“I’ll go speak to
HUNTERJoffrey and I waited outside a closed workshop on the outskirts of town. There was no sign of other werewolves or humans. The place was deserted at this time of night. Our senses on high alert, we scoped the area for any sign of impending danger.“Maybe this was a scam.” Joffrey said, as we had been waiting for more than an hour.“Give it a few minutes more.” I replied. My words weren’t even cold when we noticed a vehicle’s headlights approaching.“Showtime.” Joffrey said.The vehicle, a panel van, stopped in front of the building and a man got out. He was human. Did I just cost a man a legitimate job?The man greeted us. He looked like an ordinary worker. “But you aren’t the man I spoke to. Who are you?” he asked, but he didn’t seem too concerned.“We are friends of his. He said we could get a job here. He got another offer an
SYLVIAI woke up with this feeling of uneasiness growing in my gut. Ever since Hunter called me last night, I couldn’t shake it. I tried to phone him when I woke up but there was no answer. He could be busy training the warriors. Or making sure the security is in place for the Norwegian Royals. They would be arriving soon.Not too long ago he said he was willing to start a war to have me. Would he still want to do that? Would he do whatever it took to make me his Luna Queen?Nina came into my room, interrupting my thoughts. She jumped onto my bed. She was my little sunshine. Her smile lit up the whole room, brighter than the sun. She threw her little arms around my neck and hugged me tight.“Mama, Nina’s hungry.” She pouted. Her blue eyes shining brightly from just waking up. “Well then, we should get Nina some breakfast. But first…” I tackled her down on the be
HUNTERThe last thing I remember before everything went to shit is that Joffrey was hurt. I forced myself to consciousness. The truck turned upside down and I must have been thrown out. Picking myself up out of the dirt I looked for him. Dawn was breaking in the east – we no longer had the cover of night to hide.Joffrey was still inside the overturned truck. I heard his heartbeat and raspy breathing. At least he was alive. Keeping low to the ground I hurried to the truck. There was no sign of our attackers, but I was not taking chances. They had silver bullets. It just grazed my arm, but it burned like a bitch. Fortunately for me, I heal fast.“Joffrey! Hey man, wake up.” He groaned slightly. There was a lot of dried blood on his face and shirt. The bullet had grazed his temple, leaving a deep gash which I saw when I examined him. Luck had favored him, a few inches to the left and he would have been a goner.
SYLVIA Darkness surrounded me in the boot of the car. I tried not to panic, breathing slowly, feeling around in the darkness for something, anything to keep me grounded. Cold metal, carpet, more cold metal. It felt like a metal coffin. Must just breathe. The road became bumpy and I was thrown around against the sides of the car. My body hurt. I felt like crying, but I had no tears to cry. I was so thirsty. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Where was he taking me? My poor Nina. She was terrified, but so brave, trying to rescue me from the monster. Yes, he was a monster. What he was going to do to me, I could only imagine. Worst he could do was to kill me. No, I knew from experience that there were things he could do that was worse than death. Death would be merciful. And he had no mercy in him. I prayed to the Moon Goddess to save me. I prayed Hunter should find me. I prayed Drake would kill me. I prayed until I passed ou
HUNTER“Hunter, are you okay?”I heard Marcelle’s voice coming from afar. Clutching my chest, I fell to my knees. Hard to breathe, I gasped for air. The pain in my chest cut me like a knife. It was unbearable and I didn’t know what was happening to me. But then I felt it, Sylvia – she was hurting. I heard her screaming my name in my mind.“Joffrey, do something! What’s happening?” I heard the panic in Marcelle’s voice, but I couldn’t answer.Joffrey bend down next to me. I clawed at the ground, heaving.“He’s hurting her! Joffrey, he’s hurting Sylvia. It’s him, I know it’s him.” I sobbed like a girl. It wrenched out of my gut I couldn’t help it. Couldn’t stop it. Blaze howled in my mind; I was halfway between transformation.“Oh Goddess! Hunter….” I heard Marcelle crying and I felt
SYLVIA“You are out of your mind. I would have remembered if I had given birth.” I snarled back at him. What devilish game was he playing at?His rough hand cupped my face. I wanted to recoil from his touch, but his fingers on my arm tightened to the extent I wanted to faint from the pain.“No, Sylvia, you have blocked it out of your mind. You almost died giving birth to Nina.” Drake placed his forehead on mine, his red eyes staring into mine.“No, no, I don’t know who told you her name, but you’re lying. She was found abandoned in the forest.” I was done listening to his lies. But he kept holding on to me. “Leave me alone, Drake.”He laughed in my face. “Never, my little Mouse. But you are getting very brave, aren’t you? I don’t know whether I like it or not.”A shiver went down my spine when I saw the look of lust on his face. I wish
HUNTER“I’m sorry, Hunter.” Kane linked me. The third lash fell and my body was on fire. The silver tips burned through my skin like acid and the wolfsbane soaked leather slowed the healing process. What hurt more was the mental flogging my father gave me.“Say the word and we will stop, Hunter. Say you will take a chosen mate. Forget about that weak, broken she-wolf. She is not worthy.” Father stood in front of me, lifting my chin to meet his eyes.Weak and naked, hanging spread-eagled on the silver chains, the only thought that kept me from not giving up was Sylvia. I kept seeing her sweet face, those pink full lips that I loved to kiss and her blue eyes.“Proceed.” I heard my father say.I took a deep breath and waited for the fourth lash. It didn’t come. Kane threw the whip at my father.“Fuck you! I’m not doing this.”“You dare defy me
SYLVIA “Except for what you need. Someone to love you.” I said as I watched him snarling into my face, more wolf than human. “I don’t need love, you stupid bitch! Do you see my face? This is what so-called love did to me!” The sudden release on my clothes had me sprawling on the table, my face almost hitting his plate. “This is how much my father loved us. He ruled us with an iron fist. We feared him and I learnt that fear was much more powerful than love.” Drake pulled my face up by my hair, my neck bent so far back I could hardly breathe. I grabbed at his hand, trying to release his fingers. “Then one day he was drunk and high on drugs. He raped my sister while my whore of a mother watched. I killed them, all three of them, ripped them to pieces when I transformed into my wolf. And I liked it.” He laughed, a monstrous sound. “Are you satisfied now, my curious little mouse? Have you heard enough? Are you still feeling
SYLVIA Home at last. Safe in my own bed with my handsome mate and my pups. All four of us cuddling together. Magnus held onto Hunter’s finger while sleeping at my breast and Nina lay in my free arm, snoring softly like a cat.“This is heaven.” Hunter smiled at me, his amber eyes glowing with a soft light. “I couldn’t ask for anything more than this, my Angel.”I couldn’t agree with him more, this was more than I ever wanted, my own family with the one I loved. I felt complete. He kissed me gently, careful not to disturb his sleeping son.“Don’t ever leave me again, Love.” I whispered to him. “I couldn’t live without you, you know. Promise me we would die together.” I thought about Marcelle and how Joffrey’s life ended. The horrible sight was never far from my mind.Hunter tapped me on the nose. “Stop it. We’re going to grow old together and fill this castle with our offspring.” He winked, “And we do have a lot of rooms.”I laughed softly. “That’s what you say now. Remember how much t
SYLVIA“Let’s go.” I said, running toward the open mausoleum. Hunter grabbed my arm and pulled me back.“I go first.” He was taking no arguments.“Wait!” Selena snapped. “You need protection.”Rebecca held her hands out in front of her and a shimmering light shot out from her fingertips and surrounded Hunter and me. It formed a bubble around us. I touched it and it moved with my hand without bursting. It was cold to the touch.“That ought to last a while. It will hide you from them. Be quick.” Rebecca urged us on.“She probably knows we’re here already. Do you have the wand?” I heard him ask Selena as we moved towards the gate.“Yes.” Selena said.I didn’t look back. Hunter held my hand, and we went inside. The stench of death and decay made me gag. We walked in silence down the narrow passage. Debris and old broken coffins lay strewn about, the bones long gone. A large stone sarcophagus stood in the middle of the crypt.“Look there’s something underneath it.” Hunter said and he moved
SYLVIAHis crib was empty. I could still smell his newborn scent. I ran from the room down the passage, colliding with Tasha.“Luna Sylvia, what is it? You shouldn’t be running around like this.”I grabbed her by the shoulders. “She took Magnus! She took my baby!”“Who?”“Aldine! We must find them, Tasha. She’s taken him to Joffrey.” I was in such a state I couldn’t think properly.“I’ll alert the castle guards.” I watched Tasha’s eyes turn opaque while she sent a mind link to the guards.I rushed to King Lucien’s rooms, not caring that I wasn’t properly dressed, and it was not proper for me to go to another male’s room in the middle of the night.King Lucien opened the door to my insistent hammering. I fell into his arms, babbling incoherently and crying.“Gods, Sylvia! Whatever has gotten you into such a state?” He pulled me away from him and held me at arm’s length. I didn’t even notice Tasha had followed me. She stood in the doorway.“She took him, Father. They took my son to the
HUNTER As soon as the alpha wolf submitted, the whole pack followed. It was not my intention to take over the pack, but I had no choice. They accepted us, welcoming us into the pack with whines, displays of submissions and licking our faces.“This is so gross, but so awesome.” Teo said through our mind link.“There’s no telling how they would react if we should return to our human form.” I was worried about the young alpha. He would have to take his pack back when we leave, and it won’t be easy for him.“What would King Thorin do when we arrive at his village with a real wolf pack?” Teo laughed.I didn’t think the wolves would go that far though it may be out of their territory. The pack moved higher up the mountain and we followed. They led us to their den, a large opening between two rocks – it could hardly be called a cave. There were a few cubs and omegas, the lower ranks looked after the pups. At first, they were wary of us, but soon welcomed us and the pups sniffed at us, being
SYLVIANo, this can’t be happening now. The baby was coming, and Hunter wasn’t here. I was not ready!“Just breathe, Sylvia. Breathe.” Selena grabbed hold of my hands.“I can’t… give birth now…” I panted and cried out when the contractions racked my body.“You have no choice! This pup wants out. Work with me, Sylvia. Breathe.” Selena turned to Arno. “Call the King. Now.”Arno rushed from the room.“Why?” I asked. Why did she call for King Lucien. I needed my mate. Then I remembered the horrible vision. He was in danger far from here.“Be strong, Sylvia. For your child’s sake. Now push!” she demanded.I howled in pain as another contraction made me bend backwards. The door burst open, and I sensed King Lucien, followed closely by Tasha and Aldine.King Lucien grabbed my hand. “You’re doing fine, my child. We’re here for you.”Pressing down on his strong hand I looked up into his blazing blue eyes. He smiled down at me, wiping my sweat drenched hair from my face.“Father, Hunter is in d
HUNTERI was bored out of my mind. Will this day never end? Gods! Some of these Alpha’s were like old women, carrying on and on about things and not coming to a point. Teo fell asleep at some stage, head thrown back and mouth agape, snoring softly. He had partied himself to exhaustion with the unmated she-wolves. Lucky bastard.Feeling spiteful, I kicked the chair from under him and he crashed to ground amidst raucous laughter. Blushing a deep red, he picked himself up, righted the chair and mumbled an apology.King Thorin chuckled. “Looks like our she-wolves kept you up all night, young Teo. I thought the Blood Fang pack’s warriors had more stamina?”Teo for once was tongue-tied.“He needs more practice.” I said, winking at the king.Teo smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck with one hand.***The meeting went well, new alliances were formed, and some old issues were resolved. Kane pulled me to the side while the others went back to the feast.“I hope you don’t mind, Hun
SYLVIA I received countless messages and photos from Hunter, saying he was so bored, but it looked like he was having a great time. The photos he sent were of people dancing, tables laden with all sorts of food and drink. They were busy wrapping up the Alpha Meeting, but the party was still going on until the end of December.My phone rang in the middle of the night. It was him.“Hunter?” I breathed, half asleep.“I miss you.” His voice slurred.“Are you drunk?” I asked laughing.“Maybe.”Werewolves don’t get drunk easily.“They have no end. These people are in party mood, and they don’t take prisoners,” he groaned.I giggled; I can’t imagine him being drunk. I’ve seen him slightly tipsy when he drank too much Absinthe and then he was horny as hell.“Are you alone?” I asked, a little apprehensively. There better not be another she-wolf after him.He laughed softly, “Of course, Angel. Teo is having a blast here. He’s proving to be a huge hit with the she-wolves here. So funny.” His
HUNTERGetting on that plane was one of the hardest things I had to do. This annual Alpha meeting couldn’t have come at the worst time. At least I get to see Kane. But leaving my angel behind especially with everything we went through drove a knife in my heart.I will make it up to her, I promised myself. At least Father was there, and I had more confidence in the witches to protect her. Selena assured me the castle grounds were well protected that no supernatural force was going to break through. I believed her because I saw how powerful they were. It helped assuage the guilt I felt for leaving.Teo babbled non-stop on about the gods knew what. I tuned him out, lost in my own thoughts. Thinking about Sylvia clinging to me and crying like she was never going to see me again. I was worried about her. Could be the effects of what happened, I tried to reason her behavior away. Or maybe just the pregnancy hormones affecting her. I sent a text to Selena to keep an eye on her and maybe give
SYLVIAWinter was upon us. The days were colder and grey as December drew near. Not that cold ever bothered us. I watched from my windows as the clouds rolled in low over the grounds. Winter always made me restless, and I longed to be out there with the wind in my hair and the scents of forest around me.“Will it snow, Mama?” Nina danced around the room. She spent a lot of time with me here in the castle as Hunter refused to let me go out.“I don’t know, Nina.” I smiled at my little princess who seemed to be growing up way too fast. She was turning into a formidable little fighter as well, according to Tasha who trained her diligently. Tasha adored Nina and Nina adored her right back.“I hope it will. I love snow.” She announced, spinning dizzyingly around and around until she fell at my feet, giggling and out of breath.“Oh, you do? Well, let’s hope it does so we can build a snowman.” I knew it probably won’t snow, but you never know…Hunter came to check up on me. He kissed me deepl