HUNTER
The guards walked me to the dungeon and I went quietly, swallowing the urge to rip them apart. They were only following my father’s orders. There was a rank smell in the place of sweat and excrement. How could they lock Marcelle in here in her condition? I felt awful to have her go through this situation. Kane would be here soon. If he found out they locked his sister in the dungeon he will go ballistic.
“Our mother did this.” Blaze whimpered and hung his head. His shame and disappointment mirrored mine.
“She’s no longer our mother. I don’t know who she is any more.” I was bitter.
The guard opened the cell door for me and I went inside. There were silver chains attached to the stone wall, but to my surprise he didn’t chain me up. Probably afraid I would resist.
“I’m sorry, Alpha. King Lucien ordered a trial. They are waiting for the elders of the council to a
SYLVIA The guards at the dungeon door let me pass without saying anything. The stench in the place was unbearable. I held my hand over my nose and breathed through my mouth, but it didn’t help much. It was cold and dark too, giving me the shivers. “Hunter?” I called out to him. “Here.” I saw him sitting on the floor in the cell. Relieved to see he was unharmed, but there was something in his eyes, he looked troubled. He got up and went to the bars where I stood. I reached out to him and he took both my hands in his and brought it to his nose to inhale my scent with his eyes closed. “Hunter…” My throat closed up with emotion. I wanted to scream, to cry, but most of all I hated seeing him caged like an animal. “It’s alright, Angel. I’m surprised they let you in here.” He touched my face and I placed a soft kiss in his palm. “Did you see anyone of my parents?” “I did. Oh, my love, what are we going to do? King Ulberg is threatening war. And your father…” I chocked on my words, tear
SYLVIA“I hope your sister keeps her mouth shut.” I told Frigg. We didn’t need more confrontation from the parents. “Your other sister? Where is she?”“Sigrun? Probably with Mother. They’re very close. She would do whatever they tell her. she hasn’t found her soulmate yet.” Frigg sighed. “I wouldn’t bank on getting her on our side, Sylvia.”I shrugged. It didn’t really matter. Our only hope was to expose Myra to the council and shift their focus away from Hunter and my friends.“Don’t worry about it. I have to go though. I left Nina with the kitchen staff. They will feed her too much cookies and sweet things if I let them.” I said, smiling at the thought of my little imp’s face covered in chocolate.Frigg hugged me again. I decided I really liked her. “Be strong, Frigg. Everything will work out.”She wiped a tear from her face. “I hope so, Sylvia. I really do.”I left her in the room to find Nina in the kitchen drinking milk and chatting happily to the maids.“There you are, baby girl
SYLVIA“Bring in the prisoners.” King Lucien demanded.The royal guards entered with Hunter, Joffrey and Marcelle in their midst. There were silver chains on their wrists and feet. Tears slipped down my cheeks when I saw them. My fists balled so tight I felt my nails cut through my palms. The hurt I felt from it couldn’t come close to the hurt and anger I felt in my chest. Guilt gnawed at my insides to see my poor friend looking ghostly pale and sick. I wanted to jump up in outrage. How dare they treat a pregnant woman like that!Kira intervened. “Be still. They will chase you out.” She was right. I felt Myra’s eyes on me, waiting for one move from me and she will have me thrown out. Or worse.Hunter stared straight ahead at his parents. His lips were drawn in a thin line. For a moment he turned his head in my direction and gave me a brief nod and a smile. I tried to smile back at him but my lips were quivering too much. I was on the verge of bawling my eyes out. I had to stay strong
HUNTER “I’ll be damned, Kane found his soulmate.” I said out loud. Not the best timing though. The elders are waiting for my proof and there’s my Gamma making goo-goo eyes at the youngest princess.King Ulberg looked as if he was ready to explode. Nana and Kane welded together, shamelessly making out in front of everyone. I could see Frigg was enjoying this little scene, because she sported an ear-splitting smile. Her eldest sister clapped a beringed hand over her gaping mouth.King Ulberg rushed over to the happy couple, his face scarlet. “This is an outrage! Get away from my daughter, you – you…” he sputtered.Kane growled at him, a rumble as deep as the sound of a freight train. Nana turned to her father.“Father, he is mine! I will not let you keep us apart. I have never felt like this.” She looked up into Kane’s face. “This is what Frigg meant, I understand now. We are connected.”She was tall but still Kane towered over her. The man was a giant. He looked down at his mate and I
SYLVIAI sat in the rose garden alone. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the castle and the grounds. I closed my eyes to take in the sweet perfume of the roses and lilacs that abounded there. It calmed my overloaded emotions a bit. Hunter had so much bitterness and hurt flowing from him and I felt everything.Kira longed to go on a long run and I shared that feeling, but now would not be the right time. Soon we would be called back into the throne room to hear what the queen has to say.I was startled when Kane came to sit down next to me.“Luna Sylvia. I’m glad to see you look well.” his deep voice had an extra lilt to it which I suppose was because of him finding his mate. He looked happier than what I have ever seen him, his dark eyes glowed from it.“I guess congratulations are in order.” I chuckled.He grinned at me. “Not without problems though. Her father wants to kill me.” A frown deepened between his dark brows.“There has to be a way around this.” I sighed.“She’
HUNTERI woke from my slumber when the door to my cell opened and the guard ushered me out. Joffrey and Marcelle were already out of their respective cages, Marcelle looking hollow-eyed and pale.“The council is ready for you, Alpha Hunter.” The guard said as he guided us along the narrow passages of the dungeon to the throne room. “Seems like they have come to a decision. We didn’t think it would be so soon.”I just grunted in reply. It was almost midnight. This had been one of the longest days in my life. The sooner it ended, the better. I heard Joffrey’s heartbeat sped up. He must be going out of his mind with worry for Marcelle.“We won’t go down without a fight, Joffrey.” I mind linked him.“Never, Alpha. I will fight by your side. Until death.” he linked back.“Until death.” I replied and hoped it won’t come to that.They were waiting for us, the council in their black robes and the remaining Alphas of some of our allied packs. My eyes searched for Sylvia but she was nowhere to
SYLVIAQueen Eira touched Frigg’s shoulder, “Pull yourself together, daughter. This is not how a princess should behave.”I watched Frigg’s demeanor change. Her icy blue eyes shone with a green fire as her wolf fought to take over.“Easy now,” King Ulberg warned as the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered strawberry blonde warrior strode in.“You called for me, My King?” Gunnor bowed respectfully. He had a deep, sultry voice and I just knew it sent all kind of shivers through Frigg.I couldn’t help but smile. I know the feeling. Every time Hunter spoke to me, I melted.Hunter lifted a brow at me, questioning my smile as I looked from Frigg to Gunnor. He pulled me closer to his side, so close I felt welded to him. My possessive Alpha!“Yes, Gunnor.” He walked closer to his body guard, looking him up and down.Gunnor kept his eyes averted. Frigg’s heart beat at an impossible pace, but Gunnor’s remained even.“You have always been one of my most trusted bodyguards and warriors, Gunno
SYLVIAThe autumn moon shone round and pale in the violet sky as we made our way to the ceremonial grounds high upon a hilly outcrop. Our pack gathered there to watch King Lucien bless our union and my initiation into the pack.Dressed in a shimmering white robe with gold trimmings and a crown of white roses on my head I was accompanied by seven unmated girls dressed in white. They led the way up the hill, singing and dancing and strewing rose petals on the path.At the top of the hill Hunter and King Lucien stood waiting for me. My breath caught in my throat seeing my mate, also dressed in a loose white top with gold trim at the neck and cuffs and white pants. He looked like a celestial being, his wavy gold locks loose around his shoulders.King Lucien smiled and held out his hand to me which I took. His grip was warm and firm. He seemed a different person from the cold man I met on that fateful day, a man set free from his chains.“Welcome Sylvia. You have been waiting a long time f
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