Eden's POVI was determined to have an open, honest conversation with Astrid. She was being so cold to me, so stand-offish, but I didn’t know why. So after dinner, I tracked her down. She was sitting alone on a bench in the grassy area right outside the dining hall.“Astrid,” I said, smiling warmly. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”She raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond.I held out my arms to embrace her, as we usually did. But she didn’t stand. She just remained sitting. I awkwardly withdrew my arms.Her coldness stung. I didn’t get it. It was like she’d just switched off our friendship switch without even a second thought.“Can I….can I talk to you about something?” I started, my voice a bit shaky.“Now’s not a good time,” she said, rolling her eyes.“It won’t take long, I promise,” I replied.“I don’t have time for talks,” she snapped, standing up. “I have a lot of work to do. You know, Gamma stuff.”And before I could even reply, she brushed right by me, clip
Eden's POV“You dumb bitch!”I stopped dead in my tracks. It was Astrid’s voice. And it was coming from her room.“Look what you’ve done! You’ve completely ruined my shirt!”The door was open so I peeked inside.Astrid was standing in the middle of the room. A maid was cowering at her feet, a shocked look on her face.“I’m sorry, Gamma Astrid,” the maid said, her voice shaky.“You’re SORRY!” Astrid snapped. “Well sorry doesn’t fix this stain, now does it?” Astrid was shaking a shirt over the maid’s head. There was a red stain on the front.The maid had fear in her eyes. I balked! I’d NEVER heard Astrid raise her voice before to a maid. She’d always been very kind and compassionate to the maids.“You’re useless, you know that?” Astrid said. The maid shook on the floor.Something prickled in the pit of my stomach.This wasn’t like Astrid at all! She was being cruel to this maid. It was clearly an accident. Couldn’t she see that this poor maid was terrified?“Astrid?” I asked, coming int
Eden's POVI went and sat down beside Astrid. Relief washed through me. I had known something was wrong! She was my best friend. Even if no one else had seen it, I had. Her temper. Her sudden love for orange pop. The cold way she’d been treating me. Something had been amiss and now she was going to confide in me.I took her hand in mine. “Whatever it is, Astrid, I’m here for you,” I consoled her.“I’m so stressed,” she said, looking down at her lap. “All these deaths? These warriors? I’ve been sick with worry. And I’ve just felt…so…useless.”Oh Astrid. My heart hurt for her. “Of course you’re worried sick! As the Gamma, you carry the weight of the pack on your shoulders,” I comforted her.“Right. Yes. I do,” she said.“So it’s only natural you’ve been acting strange.”“Only natural,” she shrugged.“I’ve been a horrible friend,” I realized out loud. I had been. Instead of trying to comfort her through these tough times, I’d been focused on myself. I was so worried that her strange beha
Eden's POV“Yes, Astrid. I will come with you,” I said.I had the feeling it was a trap. I still didn’t know why Astrid was acting like this. I knew she was lying to me and I had suspicions that she was setting me up. But I decided to go with her, to deliberately fall into the trap. This way, I could find out what Astrid’s true secrets were.“I’ll need to change first,” I said. I waved my hand over my ornate dress. “Into something more practical.”Astrid didn’t seem to like this. “We haven’t got a lot of time, Eden,” she said.“I’ll be quick,” I told her.“All right,” she relented. “Meet me in the pack foyer as quickly as you can.”Then she turned and walked off.As soon as Astrid left, I ran to Zane’s office. I needed to tell him that Astrid was planning something, that she was taking me to the pack border. But Zane wasn’t in his office.“Eden,” Beta Brighton said, smiling.“Where’s Zane?” I asked, my eyes frantic. I didn’t have a lot of time. Astrid was waiting. If I took too long,
Eden's POV“Astrid! Why?” I demanded. I was shocked. How could she? How could she betray me like this? “Why are you doing this to me?” I asked.She was the King’s Gamma for crying out loud! She was supposed to be the epitome of honor! Of loyalty! Of integrity.“What happened to you?” I asked her. But she only scoffed. This wasn’t right.She was supposed to PROTECT me. Not CAPTURE me!“Just tell me why, Astrid. Please,” I begged. I needed to understand. This didn’t make any sense.She didn’t respond, though. She only narrowed her eyes at me, a solicitous smile on her face.The rogues were closing in on me. There were a lot of them. Far more than I initially thought. Zane, where are you? I thought to myself. Surely he was on his way by now. I’d never wanted the ability to mindlink so badly. Was he close? He had to be.At least, I hoped he was. I didn’t have a lot of time.Had this been a mistake? Had I been naïve to follow Astrid right into her trap? I’d willingly come here, knowing i
Eden's POVAstrid glared at me with wrath in her eyes. I struggled against the rogue holding me. Who was this Astrid? I hardly even recognize her! She was terrifying.Then it flashed through my mind. A realization.This. Wasn’t. Astrid.“You’re…you’re not Astrid?” I said with horror, the blood draining from my face.“Shut up, bitch,” one of the rogues snapped at me.Astrid smiled an evil smile.“Who are you?” I gasped. “What have you done with the real Astrid?”It all made sense now. Her strange behaviour. The orange soda and the mushroom pasta. The awkward way she stood. The fact that she was surprised when I fought back against the rogues.This wasn’t Astrid! It was an imposter!I’d known something was off! I knew it the moment I saw her in the meeting. But I never dreamed, in a million years, that someone was PRETENDING to be Astrid.My heart pounded in my chest.But if this wasn’t Astrid…then WHO was it?She burst out into a crazed laugh. “You finally figured it out, you stupid fo
Eden's POVZane and his warriors burst through the trees. Beta Brighton stood at his side. They’d arrived just in time.Zane looked at Scarlett, who still looked like Astrid. Then he looked at me, bound by the rogues.“Astrid!” he said, shocked in his voice. “What are…what are you doing?”Scarlett was also shocked to see Zane. In the blink of an eye, she whipped out a knife and stepped behind me. She held the knife at my throat.I felt the blade, sharp against my skin.Zane’s expression said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. As far as he knew, it was Astrid holding a knife at my throat.“Release her,” he said, his voice quiet.But she pressed the knife into my throat harder.I could feel her heart beating against my back.“Astrid?” Zane asked again. “That’s…that’s Eden. What are you?” “It’s not Astrid,” I blurted out. Zane locked his eyes on mine. Scarlett tightened her grip on me.“What do you mean that’s not Astrid?” he asked, his eyes boring into mine.“It’s true,” Scarle
Zane's POVI calmly watched Scarlett creep towards the forest. Did she really think she’d get away with this? That I was just going to let her run off into the forest with Eden. MY Eden?She was too stupid for her own good.I was enraged that Scarlett was holding Eden with a knife at her throat. My heart lurched. Eden was in danger. Again. How had I let this happen? I’d been too slow. I hadn’t gotten here quick enough.No. I had to stay calm.None of that mattered. I am here now.And there was NO WAY I was letting Scarlett leave with Eden.I’d been in the dining hall with Alpha Miles when Beta Brighton had mindlinked me.“King Zane. It’s urgent. Eden has gone to the pack boundary with Astrid. She said you must come find her immediately.”“What?”The pack boundary? Come find her? That didn’t make any sense. Why would Astrid take Eden to the pack boundary? I knew immediately that something was wrong. Eden had tried to voice her concerns about Astrid. She had suspicions that something wa
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?