The best thing about being a werewolf is the fact that I heal fast. A day after Adare’s birth, the incision in my stomach is healed, and the doctor can take out the stitches. I can move around easier, and my body doesn’t ache as much as it did in the hours after Adare’s birth. “That doesn’t mean you’re ready to run a marathon,” the doctor says sternly. “It will take a few weeks for you to heal properly, so take it easy.” I nod, barely listening to the doctor. I’m eager to get back up to the apartment so I can be alone with my pup and mate. Kane stands off to the side, cradling the baby in his arms while the doctor examines me. He only has eyes for his son and isn’t paying much attention to the doctor either. “I want you to come and see me next week,” the doctor goes on and lowers my gown. “No sex for at least three weeks.” I didn’t even think about sex, and judging by the surprise on my mate’s face, neither did Kane, but he smiles and winks at me. “Not every werewolf is a sex maniac,
Kane’s POV:I can feel Willow’s apprehension. She’s not in the mood for my mother, or anyone else for that matter, and the right thing to do would be to kick my mother out and be done with it. “Mother,” I say. “Willow is tired. You know better than anyone else how difficult the pregnancy was. Come back some other time. You’ve met the pup, now give us some time to settle in.”“After everything I’ve done to get her through the pregnancy, she can give me ten minutes of her time.”Helpless, I look at Willow, who just shrugs and nods. “Fine. Say what you want to say, mother.”“He can’t stay up here with you. It’s…unseemly,” Erica starts.I narrow my eyes at my mother. “That’s an old custom, mother. No one cares anymore.”She huffs and stares daggers at me. “That’s our family’s tradition.”“I’m not letting a bunch of strange she-wolves raise my baby,” Willow says.My mother’s mouth pulls down in disgust. “I am not a stranger.”Willow’s eyes flit to me then back to my mother. “What do you me
Kane's POV“Do you know what’s great about being a werewolf?” Willow asks four days after we came home with Adare.“Literally everything?”She snorts. “No, not everything. Werewolves are too emotional, and our hearts rule our heads all the time. No, the fast healing.”“Aren’t you used to that?” I ask. “Didn’t the witches instantly heal you when you were hurt or sick?”Willow shakes her head. “Depended on how long my father wanted me to suffer.”She says it matter of factly, like the thought doesn’t hurt, but I can feel it. I choose to ignore it because she’s trying to hide it from me. She jumps out of bed and stretches. I cringe inwardly. I want her to rest. After the difficult pregnancy and the C-section, all I want to do is wrap her up in cotton wool and stick her in a glass case to keep her safe.She leans over the cot and lifts Adare into her arms, walking back to the bed to nurse him. No one has been able to come near our apartment. Willow is easily the most protective she-wolf I
My legs turn to jelly, the world tilts on its side. Blindly, I start to feel around for the chair. I need to sit down before I fall over with my baby in my arms. All I can think about is that night after I shifted for the first time when Kane said he wouldn’t be able to choose between Dani and me.Blood rushes to my head, the droning sound drowning out the world around me. I’m vaguely aware of Kane’s strong arms lifting us into the air and planting us on his lap. His lips flutter over the mark on my shoulder, and slowly the world rights itself, and the blood stops whooshing through my ears. “What are you going to do?” I ask, hating the breathless sound of my own voice. I don’t want him to know how insecure that woman makes me.“What do you mean?”“You told me you still love her.”“No, no I did not. I said that I missed her because of the bond we shared. I don’t anymore. I haven’t thought about her in weeks…months.”“Who will you choose?”“You,” he says without any hesitation.I relax
“Kane’s in his office,” I tell Patrick when they arrive. I want to talk to Mina alone, and I hope Patrick takes the hint and goes to Kane so I’ll have some time with Mina. Patrick nods and without another word, turns around and walks down the hallway towards Kane’s office. I grab Mina’s hand and pull her inside. “Can I talk to you?” I ask. She nods, a worried frown between her eyes. “Is this about Erica?” “How did you know?” “As soon as we arrived last night, she started complaining about you. I’ve honestly never heard her go on and on and on like that. Usually, she doesn’t talk about you with me. Why she’s doing it now--” Mina shakes her head --“I just don’t know.” “Will you let anyone else raise your pups if you have them?” “No, but I’m not a queen, so she won’t care.” “She’s been in contact with Dani.” Mina’s eyes widen. “What?” “Dani abjured her mate. He died. She’s here…well, not here. Kane says she’s in the human town. I honest to gods never thought Erica hated me…not in
Kane’s POVI mind link with Willow the moment we step outside the apartment. “Listen to me quickly and don’t interrupt. Right before you gave birth, your mother asked me if I’ll give you permission to travel to Crystal Rose--”“No, I would--”I hold up my hand. “Be quiet and listen. I told her it’s up to you, but you should know that I would never forbid you from visiting your family. She said the council has been re-established and they need their high priestess.” I can feel the emotions rolling off her, all of them negative. “I told her that the council can operate from the castle--”“Kane I don’t want it. I don’t want anything to do--”“Willow…there’s a war coming. We’ll need the witches. If the council is receptive to working from the castle where you’ll be protected, you have to consider it.” It kills me to say it. I know she doesn’t want it, and I equally know that it will more than likely destroy her soul if she has to go back to the coven. “It’s the only solution I have. Do yo
Kane helps me to my feet and starts to gather my tattered clothes, bundling them all together when he stops and turns to look at me. “You’re bleeding.” I look down at the thin trickle of blood running down my leg. “Shit. I thought that was over with.” He kneels next to mean and cleans the blood off my leg with his torn shirt. “Even werewolves need time to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. You’re not an exception.” I just nod. I want to die of embarrassment, but Kane just takes it in his stride, as he always does. “Let’s get you back to the apartment.” I nod and follow him down the hallway, acutely aware of the fact that I’m still bleeding. We’re fast though, and he has me through the apartment and in the shower before anyone can really see me or say anything. When I come back out, dressed in one of my own shirts for once, I find him on the couch with Adare, talking to Mina and Patrick about their upcoming move to the city. Kane opens his arm to me, and I slide against him with
I’m a nervous wreck by the time Kane shows me to Erica’s room. She’s on the bottom floor, clear on the other side of the castle. “I’ll wait for you in my office,” he whispers and leans over to brush his lips over my cheeks before he disappears down one of the many, many halls. Shaking, I lift my hand and knock on the door. Immediately, an Omega opens the door and bows to me as I enter. It’s clear, just by looking around, that Erica lives a very different life. She has servants at her beck and call, and unlike Kane, she doesn’t have a living room, but something resembling an old-fashioned parlour. This woman somehow managed to get herself stuck in the 18th century. “Good afternoon, Queen,” the Omega says. “Will you please take a seat?” “Thank you,” I say, and push the buggy carrying Adare deeper into the room. “Would you like us to take care of the prince while you enjoy refreshments?” “No, he’s fine right here.” The Omega looks surprised, but I have a feeling the older woman has n
Dear readers, I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read Willow and Kane's story. This has been one of the longest books I've ever written, and when I started out I did not expect it to turn into this epic saga, but I regret nothing. Nothing I tell you :). I fell in love with Willow and Kane, and I am genuinely sad to say goodbye to these two, but unfortunately all stories must come to an end. Thank you for your support througout this wild ride. It means the world to me. I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Until we meet again. All my love, Celice
Kane Madden, Lycan King of Felan, wakes up to an unearthly racket right outside his bedroom door. Slightly concerned, he glances at his heavily pregnant wife and smiles despite his annoyance at his oldest son’s shenanigans in the hallway. Willow Madden, his mate of fifteen years is heavily pregnant with their second set of twins, two boys this time, and Kane sincerely hopes this is the last time. Goddess knows he loves his children, all eight of them, and he’s sure he’ll love numbers nine and ten just as much, but it’s getting difficult to keep up with all the pups. They are exhausting. For a time, he was sure that they’d never have more children, but after one wild afternoon in the forest, Willow did get pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl, as their remarkable son predicted. She named the twins Josiah and Jocelyn, after the previous occupants of their home. Kane thought it was macabre, but Willow insisted, saying they had to honour their ancestors. That would be the same twins wh
It’s a beautiful summer’s day, and the drive up to the cabin is pleasant enough. Kane and I have found a peaceful kind of comfort in each other’s silence, and we rarely need to fill the quiet with inane background chatter. We are content, just being together. I inhale the lovely fresh air, remembering the first time I came here. The night Suri was born, the sheer exhilaration of feeling my wolf come to life...and that was all thanks to Agatha. Dear, sweet Agatha who never found a final resting place because we went to war and in the chaos, we forgot all about her. Our funeral home has since been bombed off the planet, and we just take care of our dead our own way as we'd done during the war. There aren’t that many of us left anyway. The few surviving wolves live here now, and those that refuse to come to safety are dying off – Templars bearing a lingering grudge either murder them, or the wolves yield to their unrelenting urge to join a good war. Kane once told me that wolves had be
Kane's POV I wasn’t sure what would happen in the months and years that followed after we signed the peace treaty, so we went with the tried and tested 'go with the flow' method. For a time, everything went back to normal. Drake and Patrick ran the business, and more and more my little brother took over my duties in the company. Proof, Willow liked to remind me, that Omegas are just as competent as any other wolf. The overseas wolves went home, and as soon as they were sure the threat had really passed, the European wolves followed suit. The only ones that stayed were the humans. I claimed the human town as part of my territory during the peace talks, and the residents now affectionately call it Wolftonia. Leif left, taking his strange sister with him. Only later did we learn that Silke’s time on earth was limited and that she had foreseen her own death long before she ever came here. Unbeknownst to all of us, including Willow, a völva’s dying energy projects outwards, and what we m
Adare runs around the garden with Roland. The two boys growl and stalk each other like prey. My motherly instinct is to jump up and stop them before one of them gets seriously hurt, but Rosie quickly grabs me and pulls me back to my chair. “No Queen,” she says. “That’s how they learn. They won’t hurt each other.” “Are you sure?” “I’ve seen them play this game a hundred times. I’m sure.” Dammit. My throat burns and I have to fight against the tears. I’m so happy that my son is home, but I’ve missed so much. He is the size of an average three-year-old and when I talk to him, I sometimes forget that he’s not even two yet. I choose not the think about it. I choose to focus on the here and now. My family is whole and complete and that's what matters “Mama! Look!” Adare squeals and tackles Roland to the ground. “Good job, buddy,” Kane says behind me. I look over my shoulder at my mate. “You’re back early.” “Yes. Peace talks broke down.” “Why?” “Clement wants my humans.” “I thought
Kane rolls over to my side and pulls me into his embrace. I don’t even bother to open my eyes. It’s been a wild few days. “Oh Goddess, no,” I complain. “Haven’t you had enough?” He laughs breezily in my ear. “Never…but for now, yes.” He flutters kisses over my jaw and neck. “How do you feel?” “Like I got run over by a penis-shaped bulldozer.” “Hey, you wanted it.” I finally manage to drag my eyelids apart. “I did.” I smile at my impressive mate. “The first two days were great.” “I know.” He rolls away and swings his legs off the bed. “The last day always feels more like a punishment than pleasure.” I turn over onto my side and stare at his broad back, the strong muscles flexing under his skin. “No regrets though, right?” He looks over his shoulder at me. “None.” He gets up and stretches, scratching his ass as he walks to the bathroom. A minute later, I hear him open the tap. We don’t have electricity yet, but I’m not so sure I miss it. Life is kind of peaceful without the cons
Kane’s POV I sit on the couch in the dark living room, watching the glowing embers in the fireplace, trying to ignore the call of Willow’s heat and the fever that's trying to consume me. I'd go to her, but she's still asleep. t’s not time, she can’t feel it yet, but she will in another few hours. I should be sleeping, prepare myself properly this time, but I can’t switch my milling thoughts tumbling through my head off long enough so I can go to sleep. I’ve already sent orders out to bring the power stations back online and ordered our army to stand its ground. There’s nothing else to do now but wait for Clement to come back so we can finish up the peace agreement. In the absence of entertainment or imminent danger, the only thing I have to keep myself occupied is my own thoughts, and all I can think about is the possibility that Willow will get pregnant. Here, in the quiet of the night, all by myself, I have to admit the truth. I never want her to get pregnant again – not becaus
Kane’s POV For the next few hours, we talk about the meeting with Clement, the future, and a whole lot of nothing. There’s something comforting in it, just friends having a chat about life, love, and everything in between. I glance at my watch, surprised to see that it was well past midday. “That’s it,” I say and get up, stretching my too-tight muscles. “We’re taking the week off. I don't know about you, but I've had enough of war to last me a lifetime.” “Shall I collect Adare?” Zael asks on our way out. “Not yet. I don’t…Willow thinks he’ll be safe here, but I want to make sure.” “If what she said about The Goddess is true, she’s probably right. She hasn’t been wrong so far, has she?” I scrunch up my face and rub my forehead. “I don’t know. I can’t think straight anymore.” Zael nods. “I know the feeling.” “Did you get any retaliation over the Raymond thing?” “Of course I did.” “And?” “And nothing. I handled it...it won't come back to you.” “Do you think this war is over?”
Kane's POVIt had been weeks since we slept comfortably, and even though we both sort of hinted at passing the night making love, neither of us could actually gather the energy to do more than snuggle down in each other’s arms.For the first time in weeks, perhaps months, I wake with a smile on my face, completely relaxed and almost happy. The only thing I need to complete my joy is my son, and he'll be here soon enough.I stretch languidly, and slip out from under Willow and go to the bathroom to get ready for my meeting with Clement. I hope against all hope that Willow misunderstood The Goddess and that there would be no human war. I hope, and I pray, that Clement would listen to my advice and stop it before it even starts.The castle is freezing, and I’m shivering so much that I cut myself several times while I shave. Rattling like an excited dog, I run back to the bedroom, pull an extra blanket over Willow, then rush to the closet so I can dress in one of my suits and my long, thi