Zane's POVI personally escorted Eden back to the Silvermist Pack. I wasn’t about to leave her side. If that’s where she wanted to be, then that’s where we’d BOTH be.As soon as we returned, I summoned Alpha Miles.He took one look at Eden and wrapped his arms around her.“Thank you, King Zane,” he said, cupping Eden’s head in his hands. Her eye was still swollen but the cuts on her arms were healing. “You brought my granddaughter back to me. I am forever in your debt.”Alpha Miles bowed his head to me. The highest show of respect. I smiled.“She means a lot to both of us,” I told him. Alpha Miles turned to leave, but I stopped him. “Alpha Miles, I am returning control of the pack back to you, effective immediately.”Alpha Miles beamed. “As you wish, King Zane,” he said.Eden clung onto my arm. “Thank you,” she whispered. I pulled her into my body. Slade sighed, deeply content at having Eden so close by.Just then, a man rushed towards us.“Your highness,” he said, his eyes frantic. “
Eden's POVAlpha Skylar walked away, his head hung low. I watched. Zane wrapped his arm around me, protectively. Zane was right. There was NOTHING innocent about Jacob. He was a sleaze. But he was young. And he wasn’t entirely to blame for everything. Zane’s punishment was just and fair.“Eden!”I turned to see Astrid emerging from the forest. Without a second thought I ran to her. We embraced. At the rogue camp, she’d stayed behind at the Easy Spit to help the battered women. So I hadn’t really had a chance to talk to her.“I’m so glad you’re safe,” she said to me. She linked her arm to mine. “Zane, I’ll be stealing Eden away for a bit. We have a lot to catch up on.”Zane nodded and smiled. He knew I was safe with Astrid. He didn’t want to let me out of his sight, but he trusted Astrid. “Of course,” he said.Astrid and I walked arm in arm to the garden. We sat on a small bench. The flowers were in full bloom, and the air was fresh and sweet. Sitting there, beside Astrid, a sense of c
Eden's POVI went to see Serena first. They were all being held separately. I wanted to talk to Serena. To get the whole story from her. Adrian was being held for treason. I needed to know exactly what he had done.The dungeon door swung open and as soon as Serena saw me, she narrowed her eyes.She looked like hell. Her face was covered in dirt and her hair was a tangled mess. Her clothes were torn. She was a far cry from the put-together, well-dressed Serena I’d known before this whole incident.My heart felt heavy for her. She was so young. It was love that had driven her to this. She was guilty, yes. But is anyone REALLY guilty when it comes to love? We all do crazy things for love. I had sympathy for her.Serena, however, was clearly NOT happy to see me.“Come to gloat?” she scoffed.“Not at all,” I responded, softly.“Yeah right. I bet. The Lycan King’s girlfriend! So what? You’re just dropping by to say ‘hello’? I don’t think so. You’ve come here to make fun of me. You’re a sadi
Eden's POVI backed away, to the dungeon door. Serena continued to cackle, clearly pleased with herself. I felt sick to my stomach.Astrid was Adrian’s mate? And she’d rejected him? For me?“He…was…devastated,” Serena laughed. “But now he’ll see. He’ll see how much I love him.” She was hardly even coherent. It was like she’d completely lost her mind.I ran out of the dungeon. The guards locked the door behind me. I could hear Serena cackling all the way down the hall.I had to find Astrid. I had to ask her myself. It…it couldn’t be true.Astrid was in the dining hall. She smiled when she saw me. I made a beeline for her. The hall was pretty empty.“Soup? Salad? Cookies?” she asked, fanning her hand out over the food on the table. “I was famished. There’s too much food here. Join me.”Her eyes shone, as they always did. If what Serena told me was true, why didn’t Astrid tell me herself.Rejecting a mate was a pretty big deal. It’s not something you just casually sweep under the rug.I
Eden's POVI watched Astrid stride away.Something strange was going on in the Northern packs, but neither Zane nor Astrid wanted me to know about it.I decided to ask around myself. Maybe someone else had heard something?I was walking out of the dining room, when Zane grabbed my arm.His fingers curled over my bicep, tightly. “Eden,” he said, a half-smile on his face. “Will you go for a walk with me? We should talk.”I couldn’t have agreed more. Things between Zane and I were really complicated. I’d seen him snap at Caleb. I didn’t like that. In a jealous rage, he’d even accused me of still harboring feelings for Caleb. I didn’t like that either. He was so possessive. That rubbed me the wrong way. I wanted to be with him, but I couldn’t be a prisoner. And I wasn’t sure he could ever let me be free. These were all things I didn’t like.But my heart? My heart liked Zane. It really did. I was wildly attracted to him. There was no denying that. Plus, I was carrying his child. Maybe, th
Eden's POVI was fast asleep when a loud noise woke me up. Glass. Shattering glass. I bolted upright, clutching my blanket.I listened.It was silent.I glanced at my bedside stand. 12:00am. Midnight. Maybe it had all just been part of a dream? I was just about to sink back down into the pillows, when I heard it.The unmistakable sound of glass crunching under someone’s foot.My heart started beating wildly.A gust of wind blew across my face. Wind? But how was that possible? I always slept with the window open.Realization dawned on me.Broken glass. Footsteps. A gust of wind.Someone had broken my bedroom window.I whipped my head towards the window, and sure enough, it was shattered. Shards of glass lay on the floor, glistening in the moonlight.I panicked.‘Stay calm, Eden. Think,’ I told myself.Maybe I could make a run for it? Maybe I could reach the door before whoever it was inside my room reached me?I took a huge breath and then ripped back my blankets.“Not so fast,” a voic
Eden's POVI gasped.I was…I was still alive!I reached for my throat, as though I needed proof. It hadn’t been sliced. I scrambled to my feet.The man made choking noises, his eyes wide with fear as he looked down at Zane. Zane’s eyes were full of fury and wrath. I had no idea where Zane had come from. How did he get in? How did I know I was in trouble?I didn’t care.All that mattered was that I was still alive.Zane held the intruder up in the air for a few more moments.“Drop it,” Zane demanded. The man released the knife. Even in the darkness, I could see his face turning an awful shade of purple. Then Zane released him. He fell to the floor with an awful thud.Zane towered over him. The man sputtered, trying to take in breath. He rubbed his neck. Zane reached down and grabbed the knife. He tossed it onto the bed.“Get up,” he ordered the man. The man stood, his legs visibly shaking. “Do you know who I am?” Zane asked. The man backed himself up against the bed. Another gust of wi
Eden's POVI clasped my hand over my mouth.The man was dead, lifeless, in a pool of his own blood. It was horrific! I’d never seen anyone take their own life! And in such a violent way? “Why would he do that?” I gasped. “Zane…he…he…”Zane scooped me up and brought me to the other side of the room, away from the corpse with the giant gash in his throat.I…I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t catch my breath. I felt faint and dizzy. What the hell had just happened? A man tried to kill me and then he killed himself?My…my bed….it was covered in his blood.His throat…I felt woozy.“I think I’m going to be sick,” I told Zane. Bile rose in my throat.“Sshhhh,” Zane said. He set me down on a seat by the window. “Here, get some fresh air.” I looked at the window. It was broken, with sharp pieces of glass still clinging onto the frame.It was only then that I noticed Zane's arm. There was blood on his robe.“Zane?” I asked, pulling up the sleeve of his robe.“It’s nothing,” he said. “Don’t worry
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?