Kane’s POV We fall backward on the rug, Willow opening her legs and wrapping her feet around my waist, pulling me closer to her. Goddess, what I wouldn't do to get lost in her, forget about everything and everyone for just a few minutes. I want her back, want her to break through the wall and drag me out of the darkness. Moaning softly, I nestle between her legs, pushing the painful erection tightly against her, feeling my resolve to stay emotionless slip away when her hands curl around my ass and she starts to urge me on. Dario comes panting to the surface. There’s little of the intelligent creature I know and love present tonight. He’s more animal and desperate instinct than anything else. “Our mate,” he growls. “I'll fix it.” He’s been desperate to break the wall, aching to feel the full strength of our bond with Willow. As always, he’s hurting so much worse than I am. “Back off, buddy,” I say, trying my best to be gentle with him. “You’ll scare her.” But there’s no holding him
Kane's POV Four hours later, I sneak through the quiet castle, ignoring the few Omegas that are still awake and going about their work. They’re not used to seeing my wolf in the castle, and most of them cower away in fear. The guards, on the other hand, give me curious looks, following me with their eyes. I have no idea what Dario did or where he went, but I woke up right on the boundary of the witches’ forest, naked and freezing cold. I did a quick self-check to reassure myself that I didn’t kill someone or inadvertently hurt myself. I am hungry and thirsty, so at least I haven’t eaten some poor, helpless witch child. Without any interference from Dario this time, I shifted back to wolf form and ran home. He must have really pushed himself to the brink because everything hurt. Within seconds of starting the run home, my lungs burned and every muscle screamed at me to stop, but the worst was my paws. They’re ragged and raw and each step sent sparks of pain up my legs. I forced myse
When I saw the dead witches, my first instinct was to call out to Kane, but I realised my mistake a few minutes later when I felt the presence of the Templars hiding everywhere in the village. I walked right into their trap. My instincts didn't warn me, but I'm not too surprised. Templars know how to block witches' abilities. I look around me, then straight up to where a Templar is hiding in a tree. “It’s against the law to kill witches.” Modern Templars wear black uniforms with white Templar crosses on their left sleeve. Like the Templars of old, women aren't allowed to join their order. Some will get the cross tattooed on their chest, believing it will protect them against supernatural forces. They’re wrong. The government funds them, but witches are off-limits because most of the people in power only made their way to the top thanks to our magic. I cast the power and influence spell that put the current prime minister in his seat. “But we are allowed to kill witches that work w
Trust my father to ruin my life, even from beyond the grave. “Fine,” I say. “You’ve got me. Go ahead and kill me. I hope you have silver bullets in those rifles because I have no desire to suffer.” “Kill you? Oh no, no, no, you are of no use to us if you’re dead. I told you already, Miss Jones, we have orders to bring you in alive.” Oh lovely. Here we go again. Back to dungeons and endless torture, I suppose. “To Rome?” “Yes. The Pope desires an audience.” I snort loudly and fold my legs under me, sitting hip-deep in someone’s blood and not caring. “Why?” Lester crouches next to me. “I don’t know why, Miss Jones. I’m just a soldier. As you’ve said, the kings don’t reveal their plans to the peasants.” “You are hardly a peasant.” Lester chuckles but doesn’t comment. “Bind her with silver.” Oh great. Just what I need. My only fear now is that Kane will feel my terror and pain – he can’t think rationally when that happens. I try to remember how the witches blocked our bond when the
Kane’s POV For several moments, I stand rooted to the spot, trying to connect with Willow again, but she’s blocking me. With a roar, I unstick myself and tear through the apartment to the bedroom, pulling on a pair of shorts and nothing else. I wouldn’t bother with clothes at all, but the castle is teeming with the visiting Alphas and their families, and if Willow survives whatever is happening to her, she’ll have my head on a spike for running around naked in front of strangers' pups. Her guards aren’t at the door, which means they went with her, but it's a hollow comfort, because at best it means they're dead, at worst it means they left her alone and vulnerable, in which case their oaths will kill them. Several Alphas stop as I dash past them, trying to ask me what's going on, and when I don't answer, most of them turn around to follow me outside. They don't need to talk to me to know something is seriously wrong, it's written all over my face. I find Glenn on the steps leading
Kane's POV On my way to the forest, I stop feeling Willow. It’s as if someone flipped a switch. One moment, I can still feel all her sorrow and regret, and the next…nothing. If the Templars were hoping this would make me back off, they are sorely mistaken. It has the opposite effect on me. I rip my shorts off and shift, increasing my speed. I’m aware that several more Alphas have joined us and are charging after Jackson and me, determined to help or prove their worth to me – whichever one of the two it is doesn’t matter, they can fight and that’s all I care about. I find Willow’s guards, Mario and Arlene, pacing up and down right outside the boundary. They can’t enter and they’re frantic. I see red, and go straight for them, throwing Mario on his back and clamping my mouth around his exposed neck. The guard lets out a frightened yelp and desperately tries to push me off him, but his efforts are in vain. He needs to die. He should be with her or dead, not out here safe and sound whi
We are on the road for what feels like hours. At first, we’re thrown around the trailer like ragdolls as we travel over rough terrain, and all I can do is hold on to Adare to make sure he doesn’t get hurt. By the time the bumpy ride smooths out and we enter the human territory, I'm covered in bruises, and every bit of me aches. It’s almost nighttime by the time we finally come to a stop on a seemingly deserted stretch of road. I desperately need to pee, and Adare’s nappy is soaked through. The doors to the truck fly open, and Lester holds out a hand to help us down. I’d kick him in the face, but I’m afraid that I’ll lose control of my bladder if I do. “Adare needs a clean nappy,” I say. “And we need the toilet.” The Chaplain nods and waves someone over. My heart sinks when I see who it is. Claire, the woman who pretended to be one of my guards. “I knew she was off,” Tully says softly. “Hm-hm.” “Leave the child,” Lester says. “I’ll change him and make sure he’s comfortable.” Every i
Kane's POV We followed the Templars’ trail all the way to Drummond’s territory. The Alpha was already waiting for us at the border, wringing his hands and looking terrified. “They came this way,” he said and took us to an unused dirt road. “I swear, King, if I had known they were here--” “You’d be dead.” “What are they planning? A war?” “Yes,” I said. “I had a premonition some weeks ago…I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. I thought we’d have a few years at least.” “Why? Why did you think we had time?” Drummond asked. “Because the last time an Ultima was born, the war didn’t start until fifteen years later. It's happening too fast, he's not even grown yet.” “When did you plan on telling us this?” Drummond was clearly upset at the news, and offended because I didn't tell him sooner. “Tomorrow, after my father’s judgment.” “Now what?” “I don’t know. We can’t attack them on their territory.” “Why not?” one of the other Alphas asked. “They attacked us. Came to our home,
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