Caleb’s POVShit. Scarlett was really worked up.I knew that look. She was bad at controlling her wolf. I’d told her many times that she had to get a better handle on it. She didn’t care. She figured if her wolf wanted out, it should be allowed out.“You’re Luna now,” I told her. “Lunas don’t just go around shifting on a whim. Get your damn wolf under control.”It was just one of the many things I’d had to teach her. She lacked basic manners. Proper etiquette. She swore too much. Had too many opinions. Said some really stupid, low class shit.But she was hot as hell. And a very eager and willing participant in the bedroom. For whatever reason, she found a way into my heart.I was obsessed with Scarlett.At the beginning….Lately though?She’d really been getting on my nerves. Maybe it’s because we were locked together in a cell. I don’t know. But I felt like it wasn’t just the cell I wanted to escape – it was also her.Her lips curled into a sneer.“Not now, Scarlett,” I sighed. “Push
Scarlett’s POVCaleb hesitated. In fact, he stood a step back from me.I saw, clear as day on his face.Disgust.He was disgusted by me.I was right and I knew it. Ever since I slept with those guards, his opinion of me changed. But why? It had been his idea! He swore it was the only way for us to escape. I hadn’t wanted to! It was awful! Screwing those slimy, sweaty guards!Caleb took a deep breath. “Don’t be ridiculous, Scarlett,” he sighed.Anger rose in me. “Don’t call me ridiculous!” I snapped. I’d all but thrown myself at him since our escape. But he’d completely ignored my advances! And now? The way he was looking at Eden? Giving her his damn coat to clean up her cuts! She was our PRISONER for crying out loud. I didn’t give a rat’s ass if she was pregnant. Who cares? Eden was nothing. She was SUPPOSED to be nothing.It was a reasonable request! If he loved me, if he didn’t think I was some sleazy two-bit whore, then all he had to do was prove it!“Come on, Caleb!” I was coaxed.
Serena’s POVAdrian.He promised. The Lycan King. He promised he wouldn’t hurt Adrian.My Adrian.Where was he? Was he hurt? Was he being held captive, like me? The King and that bitch Astrid had left. Off to look for Eden. AGAIN! This was getting old.I tossed a prayer to the Moon Goddess. Eden was with Scarlett, Jacob, and Caleb. ‘Please don’t let King Zane’s men find them,’ I prayed. ‘And please keep my Adrian safe.’Just then, I heard a noise.Footsteps walking down the corridor.I stood up.The Lycan King? Back already? Or that stupid Gamma Astrid? Or maybe it was Adrian, come to save me?But when the door swung up I was surprised to find myself face to face with Storm.“Storm!” I said, falling into his arms. It was so good to see him, my strong, sweet brother. I cried into his shoulder. “It’s been so awful, Storm,” I said. “They…they threw me in the…the dungeon! They threatened to…to hurt me. I’ve been so scared.” My words came out in a rush. He held me close while I cried on hi
Serena’s POVStorm’s hand was firm in mine. We heard a noise. He stopped. He put his finger to his lips in a shush motion. I held my breath.Footsteps.The reality of the situation dawned on me. If Storm was caught sneaking me out of the dungeon, he’d be in big shit. He might even lose his Gamma position.My heart raced as we listened to the footsteps. They got louder. Storm pressed his back up against the wall. I did the same.Just when I was sure that we were caught, the footsteps started to get quieter. Whoever had been coming had turned and was now walking in the other direction.Storm jerked his head to the side to show me it was time to go. Hand in hand, we scuttled down the corridor. Soon we came to a cement staircase. We took the steps two at a time. But halfway up, Storm stopped. There was a small window. He forced it open.“You first,” he whispered. As soon as you’re out, hunch down and wait for me. There shouldn’t be anyone on the other side.The window was small, but I sli
Zane’s POVDisappointment doesn’t even BEGIN to describe my feelings. Gamma Storm? With Serena? HE was the one who helped her escape? This was NOT how a Gamma behaved.I’ll admit, I was surprised to learn that Serena had escaped. I knew instantly that someone had helped her. There was no way she could orchestrate her own escape. She was two claws short of a paw, that one.But a gamma? Tsk. Tsk.I hollered out for them to stop.They did.Gamma Storm turned around to face me as we approached.“Adrian?” Serena’s eyes lit up when she saw Adrian at my side. As much as I detested Adrian, he knew this forest well and had been very useful in our efforts to find Eden. He cared for Serena but he was a righteous wolf with a strong sense of loyalty.He wanted Eden back almost as much as I did.ALMOST.“Your highness,” Gamma Storm said, holding up his hand. “Please understand. This is my sister. I had to help her. She’s my blood.”“You had to do NO such thing,” I said sternly. “Your loyalty is to
Zane's POVJust as I was about to seriously lose my shit, Astrid arrived. Everyone immediately stopped fighting. Astrid took one look at my face and came straight for me.She could tell Slade was close to the surface.“Zane,” she said in that calm, steady voice of hers. She locked eyes with mine. “You can’t.”That was all it took. She was right. I couldn’t shift, as badly as Slade wanted out. I instantly calmed down. Slade didn’t like this, though. He howled, a painful, mournful howl. He hated the woman who had taken Eden.He wanted her dead.But Astrid was right. I couldn’t release Slade. Slade was unhinged, manic, crazy. Who knew what he’d do?Astrid turned to Serena then. She glared at her. Serena struggled. The warriors holding her tightened their grip.“Enough games,” Astrid said, her voice firm. “Tell us where Eden is.”“We’ve tried that,” I said to Astrid. “She won’t talk. No matter what we do. We even threatened Adrian’s life.”My eyes flashed to Adrian. He was staring at Astr
Zane's POVWell I didn’t see that coming.Reject Adrian?Serena’s words hung heavy in the air. We were all a little shocked, I think.It was a desperate, last-ditch attempt to keep Adrian. I could see that. Astrid could see that. My warriors could see that.But still, it was a well-played card.Adrian looked incredulously at Serena. Serena was still smiling slyly. “Serena, no!” he gasped, horrified by her ultimatum. Then he looked back to Astrid. He begged her, with his eyes. ‘Please, no. Don’t listen to her. Don’t reject me.’We could smell his desperation. It stank, like rotten eggs left out in the sun too long. I had to admit, it was a bit awkward, seeing Adrian like this. At the mercy of his matebond to Astrid. So much so, that some warriors averted their eyes, pretending to study their fingernails instead.Rejection isn’t taken lightly in the werewolf world. No one wants to bear witness to it.For a few minutes, no one said anything. Then Serena broke the silence.“I know exact
Zane's POVI had Serena tossed back into the dungeon, where she belonged. For the time being, anyway. Then Astrid, my warriors, and I raced through the forest, following Serena’s directions.Sure enough, we quickly came upon a small shack.I burst through the door. There was an opening in the floor. We scrambled down the stairs. Hope soared in my heart.Eden!We’d finally found Eden!But the basement was empty.“DAMNIT!” I roared, looking around the empty room. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling. It flickered and buzzed.“Do you think she was lying? Serena?” Astrid asked. I saw the look on her face. ‘Have I just rejected someone for nothing?’ Astrid was thinking.“That conniving little bitch!” I snapped. Then I smelt it. The soft scent of bread cookies.I tried to reach Slade, to see if he could smell it too. But he was pissed at me for not releasing him. He’d gone into hiding.Was I imagining it?There were no signs of anyone. But Eden’s soft scent had me clinging onto hope.“
Eden’s POVEighteen today. How the time flies by! It seems like only yesterday I was lying on the bed, crying in agony as wave after wave of labor crashed over me. She was a difficult birth, Jupiter. But I made it through, of course.Who could have known the woman she would grow into?She is standing in front of the full-length mirror, admiring herself in her new gown. She’s glorious. Soft, pink cheeks and glacier blue eyes, just like Zara’s. She is the best of witches and the best of wolves – a unique hybrid that brings out both in this fluid, magical way.“Aunty Brinsle and Aunty Astrid?” she asked, looking at my reflection standing behind her. “Are they ready?”“Yes, love,” I tell her. “They are both waiting.” There’s a gentle knock on the door, and as if on cue, Brinsle and Astrid enter.“Oh Jupes,” Brinsle says, rushing to her side. “Look at you. All grown up.” Tears well in her eyes and she turns away.“I told you, no tears today,” Jupiter scolds Brinsle. But then she smiles sof
Zane’s POVSometimes, I don’t know who I love more, Eden or Jupiter. What a I saying? I love them equally.I was shocked, of course, the night our baby was born. I couldn’t believe it when Eden said the name, Jupiter. It all came together in that moment. Calista told me that visions always come true. Lucinda has the vision of a young girl born with both wolf and witch, a girl that would rule over both.Lucinda assumed it would be her daughter.She was wrong.It was ours.Eden has witch blood and wolf blood. Jupiter was born with both. She is our daughter and she will one day unite the wolves and the witches. For now, though, she’s just a bright-eyed, mischievous little five year old girl.And she is our world.Brinsle counsels Jupiter on the ways of witches. Sometimes, she takes Jupiter to different covens. The covens welcome her, this little daughter of ours. Astrid is in charge of Jupiter’s wolf training. And of course, Astrid is Jupiter’s god-mother. I know she is in good hands wit
Eden’s POVThe wedding was small but lovely. Zane gave Brinsle away and he was so honored to do so. It was a traditional human wedding, and Brinsle was lovely in her white dress. Adrian was handsome in his traditional human tuxedo. They chose a human wedding because they couldn’t have a werewolf one since Brinsle wasn’t a werewolf and they couldn’t have a witch wedding since Adrian wasn’t a witch. So they chose a human wedding instead.After the ceremony, we all mingled and sipped champagne while the children ran around playing tag on the grassy knoll. I was so happy for Adrian as I watched him great his guests, as was Zane. We both had a soft spot for Adrian and Brinsle. They were family as far as we were concerned.But it hadn’t always been easy. It had been a slow love between Brinsle and Adrian. They were both a bit broken and they both had serious trust issues. Brinsle had a magic that was too powerful for her and a history of lashing out. She had some pretty dark secrets in her
Eden’s POV“Lucia, how many times I have told you – get off the warrior training grounds!”I giggled. Lucia had a basket in her arms. It was lunch for Storm. I was sure of it. Lucia was notorious for this. She’d just scuttle right out onto the field, a basket full of food for Storm, and completely disrupt his warriors.“But it’s lunch time,” she said, cocking her head to the side.Storm was clearly embarrassed as she shook his head. His warriors smiled slyly. They were used to it. Lucia was a doting wife. She brought Storm lunch every day without fail.I was visiting for our monthly dinner date. Once a month, I made the trek out to see Lucia at her pack, the Santonio Pack. It was a bit of a hike, since her pack boundary was up in the hills. We’d chosen the location because of the view. After spending all those years on the island at the estate, Lucia swore she never wanted to see water ever again. So her pack was built up on the mountain on a flat plateau, surrounded only by tree tops
Eden’s POVI cursed Zane. I cursed sex. I cursed every one in that room and the sun and the moon and anything and everything I could think of. I had known pain in my life, really bad physical pain, but nothing had prepared me for the pain that ripped through my insides every time I had a contraction.We were back in my room. The doctor and several maids were by my side, as well as Astrid and Zane. Those were the only two people I wanted in the room with me. I gritted my teeth and did my best to breathe while contraction after contraction ripped through me. Zane wiped my forehead with cold clothes. Astrid held my hand, even though I was pretty sure I’d broken her fingers with my tight grip.I was only vaguely aware of the time, but I knew it was night.“It’s a long labour,” the doctor said. “I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”Outside my window, the guests waited with baited breath. It hadn’t taken long for word to spread right after the crowning that the queen was i
Eden’s POVI knew we invited a lot of people, but I didn’t really know how many until I saw them all sprawled out there in the garden. Thousands of people, for as far as I could see. Little children waved excitedly as I passed. Little girls giggled and whispered to their mothers:“She’s the most beautiful queen I’ve ever seen.”We walked slowly, through the crowds. I took my time, nodding and smiling as I went along. Everyone smiled back.Once or twice, a strange cramp ran through my stomach and I gripped Astrid’s hand. She looked at me, a worried expression on her face.“Eden, tell me the next time you feel a cramp, okay?” she asked.“Sure,” I said.The walk to the stage took a long time. I was so humbled that this many people had come to see my coronation. Some of them had travelled a very long way. I saw the pile of presents Astrid had commented on. Holy crap was right; it was massive!My eyes swelled. Such generosity from my people.“Oh,” I said, suddenly stopping. It was a cramp
Eden’s POVThe sun burst through the window and I bolted out of bed. I was so happy I could sing. It was here, it was finally here! Coronation day!The baby kicked, really hard. I pressed my hand on my stomach.“No no no,” I said. “You be a good girl and stay in there just one more day.” Then I went straight to the washroom to shower.Zane and I had stayed in separate rooms last night. The girls had stayed in my room with me: Astrid, Brinsle, Murietta, Lucia, and Chloe. We’d played silly games and talked late into the night. It had been a perfect evening, with the exception of a few major cramps. It was probably just too much food I told myself. We had, after all, stuffed our faces all night long.The women were still fast asleep when I got out of the shower. I jumped onto the bed and said in a sing-song voice:“Get up! It’s coronation day!”They all groaned. Astrid rolled over sleepily, tossing her arm over her head. “Not yet,” she said.Brinsle sat up immediately, as did Chloe. I’d
Eden’s POVMy mind reeled. A hundred thoughts ripped through my head. My heart and my stomach hurt.There was a baby?A baby with that…witch?But how? Why? This didn’t make any sense. I looked to Brinsle. If anyone would know, besides Zane, it was her. The look on her face said it all – apologetic.There WAS a baby.“Just listen,” Zane said.“You didn’t tell me?” I asked, embarrassed and angry. “You and…her? She’s carrying your baby?”“Eden, please. Just…come with me. Let’s talk.”But I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to run. I wanted to jump back into the lake and swim away again, like I had all those months ago.Had he been unfaithful to me? With a witch?He rushed towards me then and reached for my hand. But I shrugged him off.“I don’t understand,” I said.“So let me explain,” he told me.“Eden?” It was Brinsle. She was suddenly beside me. I felt like the world was spinning. I felt like I was going to be sick. “Just…just hear him out. Okay. It’s not what you think. I promise.”Her e
Eden’s POV“Excuse me?” I asked.The woman stopped in front of us. I was furious. Who the hell did she think she was? This was a private affair! This was an intimate, royal burial for MY mother. What was she talking about?“I’m guessing my invitation got lost in the mail?” the woman asked sardonically. “Zane, Brighton, Alpha so and so, nice to see you all again. Although I wish it were on happier terms.”I let Zane tense beside me. How did she know Brighton? And Zane? And was that my grandfather she was referring to.“What are you doing here?” Zane said, his voice low.“What do you mean?” she asked. “Of course I’m here. You’re burying my sister.”“This is a wolf’s burial. On wolf territory. You’re not welcome here, Lucinda,” Zane hissed.Lucinda?I knew that name. She was the head of the coven, the Falcon Crest Coven. She was the woman who had kept Zane and all the others prisoners. The woman who had personally provided Skylar with the potion for his warriors.What WAS she doing here?