Zane's POVOne of my warriors knocked on my door. It was early. I stretched and yawned, wondering what a warrior could want this early?Then I remembered the night before, and happiness flooded through me.She’d agreed!Eden had agreed to have the Meeting Ceremony with me! We were going to restore our bond. She was mine! All mine!“King Zane?” the warrior said, a little more loudly.Right. The warrior outside my door.“Yes?” I called through the door.“Alpha Miles had requested to see you. He said it’s urgent?”At this ungodly hour? What could possibly be so important? Sometimes, being King was rough. There was always something to attend to, some sort of business, some meeting that ‘requires my immediate attention.’Truth be told, moments like this, I didn’t love being King. I wanted to lounge in bed and let thoughts of my dear, sweet Eden wash over me. But…“What shall I tell him?” the warrior called.“Tell him I’ll meet him in his private office in twenty minutes. But he better have
Eden's POVI stepped out of the bath and wiped the steam from the mirror. I pulled on my silk nightie, and was just about to crawl into bed when there was a knock on my door.“Come in,” I said.Zane appeared. His hair was still damp from a shower and it clung to his forehead. He was wearing his black robe, tied around his black satin sleeping pants.My heart skipped a beat.He was so handsome I could hardly breathe.He came into my room and sat on the edge of my bed.“I can’t let you sleep alone,” he said, fixing me with an intense look. “What if another assassin comes? I need to be here, with you, to protect you.”I didn’t know what to say. Honestly, I’d been a little freaked out ever since that man broke in and tried to kill me. Having Zane here, beside me, made me feel safe. So I nodded.But then he looked at me with lust in his eyes. I met his gaze. The sexual tension between us was so thick, I could almost see it.We stared at each other in complete silence. I knew what he wanted
Eden's POVI paced outside the courtroom, frantic with worry. Right now, inside the room, Serena, Adrian, and Storm were facing the werewolf judge. They’d have their sentencing any moment, and I was sick with anxiety.As the Lycan King, Zane was inside too. I wasn’t allowed inside, though. It was a private trial.Just when I thought I’d explode from the anticipation, I heard a gavel pound the desk.It was over. They’d been sentenced.Moments later, the door swung open. Storm came out first, his hands cuffed behind him. His face was stoic, his head held high. I made eye contact with him. There was fire in his eyes but I didn’t know what that meant!Next came Serena. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her cheeks were damp with tears. Snot ran from her nose but she had no way to wipe it off.“Serena?” I asked, but she refused to look my way.Seconds later, out walked Adrian.He looked like hell. His hair was a disheveled mess and there were dark rings under his eyes. He glanced at me, only for
Zane's POV“What?”What did she just say?This child….the child is mine?But that’s impossible! I’m cursed! I’m destined to have no offspring. How can Eden be carrying my child?“It’s yours,” Eden said, coming towards me. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled. She looked relieved, like the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. She reached for my hand but I shook her off.“That’s not possible, Eden,” I said, incredulous.Her expression changed. Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t believe me?” she said in a measured tone. “You think I’m lying?”“It’s…complicated…” I told her.A deep sorrow sunk into her face. “It’s not complicated,” she said, her voice low. “You’re the only man I’ve been with. Since Caleb. The only one…” her voice trailed off. “That night, Zane. That night we spent together when we?” Again she paused. “We conceived this baby that night. But you think…you think I’m lying…”I wanted to wrap her in my arms. She looked so mournful. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe her.
Zane's POVEden wasn’t even half way down the hall by the time I caught up with her.“I said not to follow me,” she snapped, not even turning around.“I’m cursed,” I blurted out.She stopped.“What?” she asked.“I’m cursed, Eden.” The words felt heavy in my mouth. I’d never willingly told anyone about the curse. It was a secret I held close to my heart.She turned around slowly to face me. Her brows furrowed.“Cursed?” she repeated, her expression wary.Someone came out of the courtroom then. I lowered my eyes. I couldn’t explain it here, not with this many people around. “I want to tell you. But not here. Can we…can we go somewhere more private?”She cocked her head to the side and studied my face. I looked at her earnestly. Then she nodded.“Let’s go to your bedroom,” she said, her voice low. “It’s private there.”I tried to take her hand in mine but she shook it off.Okay. So she wasn’t quite there yet. I understood. She wasn’t sure if she could trust me. But at least she was willi
Eden's POV“Being with me is dangerous,” Zane confided. “There’s always the risk of…of being killed if my wolf gets out of control.”My heart hurt for Zane in a way it never had before. This was a heavy burden to bear. The curse. Thinking he could never have children. Knowing that his bloodline would die with him. And his wolf? I didn’t have a wolf so I had no idea what it felt like to have one that was unhinged. But I’d seen his wolf. I saw the look into its eyes. It had shaken me to my core.“Mate. Luna. Queen. Those are just words, Eden,” Zane continued. “They mean nothing to me. I thought…I thought I was destined to be alone until I died. I’d resigned myself to it. But then you…”He gripped my hand tightly. “You changed everything. You reignited that spark in me. That desire to live, to really live. And to love.”I squeezed his hand back. My poor Zane. What a weight to carry. No wonder things had felt so complicated! They are! But knowing what I now knew, I felt like maybe there w
Eden's POVThe next morning, I joined my grandfather for breakfast. My cheeks were flushed a pink hue from the night before. I felt amazing.“You look lovely today,” my grandpa, Alpha Miles said as I sat down. I reached for a croissant and spooned some fruit salad onto my plate. I blushed. He watched me with calculated eyes. I suddenly had the feeling that this wasn’t just a casual breakfast. He had something he wanted to talk about.“Eden, I have something I want to talk about.” I chuckled. I knew it!“What’s that, grandfather?” I asked, biting into my croissant. I was famished.“Is the King your mate?” he asked. “I’ve heard rumors.”“Yes, King Zane is my mate,” I confessed shyly. He sat, stunned. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. We’re having a Mating Ceremony. To restore our bond.”If he looked shocked before, then he was beside himself now.“But Eden, isn’t King Zane the one you were running away from? The night Adrian found you drowning in the lake?”“Oh that? That was just a
Eden's POVZane was true to his word. He settled into the Silvermist Pack, ready to stay as long as it took to win my grandfather’s approval. I was very grateful for this. I wanted my grandfather’s blessing and Zane was determined to get it.Zane called a meeting with my grandfather and other members of our council. I was allowed to attend. I didn’t know what the meeting was about, but I had the sinking suspicion it had something to do with Astrid and whatever was happening up north. Zane had been mindlinking her a lot.Zane addressed the council and explained that there were mysterious deaths happening, not just here at our pack borders, but in other packs as well. With our Gamma, Storm, being detained, we need extra protection. So Zane offered up his warriors to patrol our borders.This pleased my grandfather, although he didn’t openly admit it. He agreed to Zane’s offer. Zane flashed me a smile. It was the first step in winning over my grandfather.I wanted to ask Zane more about t
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?