Eden's POVI saw the wolf lunge at Zane. But he stopped at the foot of Zane’s bed. I opened my mouth to holler ‘no’. But no sound came out. I had no strength; it was fading away. I reached over and felt my shoulder, where the wolf had sunk his teeth in.Blood was spurting out. The pain was excruciating. I wanted to fight, I really did, but I was in so much pain I could barely breathe.I tried to stop the bleeding by covering the wound with my hands. My blood was warm and thick. The wound was too deep.I looked at Zane. He was still deep in his coma. He wasn’t aware that any of this was happening. I thought about crying out for help. Maybe there was someone nearby? A maid perhaps? But what good would a maid do? The wolf would tear her to shreds within seconds.No. If I called for help I’d just be sentencing whoever answered to death. I couldn’t do that.So what then? What could I do? I was too weak to fight. Was I supposed to just stand by and watch this wolf kill Zane?The bed swooned
Eden's POVMy vision was fading. I flicked my eyes to the side. I wanted to see Zane one last time. My Zane. My love.My eyes found his face. His warm, handsome face. I longed to kiss him one last time. If I had to die, I wished it was in his arms.My hands clung to the paw around my throat. My feet dangled in the air. “Don’t worry, sweet Eden,” the wolf scoffed. “You won’t be apart for long. As soon as I’m through with you, I’ll kill Zane so you can both be together after death.”I’d never felt so much despair. I’d been close to death before, but this time was different. Before, it had only been my life on the line.But now?I’d failed Zane. I’d tried to protect him and I’d failed. The moment I died, the wolf would turn on him, killing him, too.And my dear baby. How long could my baby live inside me if I was dead? Not long, I assumed. So it was the life of my baby, too, that was being taken away.“I’m so sorry,” I said silently to my child. “I tried to protect you, but I couldn’t.
Zane's POVI glanced over the wolf. Alpha Sandon. The one who had attacked me during the ambush in the forest. He was dying. Good. He deserved it. He was like an insect to me, like a little useless ant.Eden was in pain. The wound on her shoulder was bad, oozing thick, crimson blood. She was strong and she tried to hide her fear. But I could see it in her eyes. Her pain and her fear.“Puh, puh please,” Alpha Sandon said, crawling towards me on shaky legs. “Please…”But I marched straight over to him. I lifted him up by the scruff of his neck. He thought he was strong. Thought he could kill me and my Eden. He was no match for me, though.He opened his mouth to speak again, but I gave his neck a good, hard twist. It made a popping sound and then his head dropped to his shoulder, his eyes locked wide open. I dragged his body to the window and tossed him off the deck, like the pile of garbage he was.His lifeless body landed on the ground with a thud. I went back to Eden. She was lying
Zane's POV“Eden has….Eden has passed away.”The doctor’s words hit me like a punch to the stomach.She was…she was dead?My Eden. My love. My life.No. It wasn’t possible I couldn’t breathe. I felt like something was squeezing my heart, suffocating me.“I’m so sorry, Zane,” Beta Brighton said, resting his hand on my shoulder.Was this my fate? I’d found my mate, my one true love. But was it my fate to love and then lose her? To die alone?And worse…To live the rest of my life without her?She looked so peaceful, lying on the clean, white sheets. She had passed out in my arms. So I changed her clothes while I waited for the doctor. I couldn’t bear seeing her covered in that wolf’s blood. I’d stripped off her grungy, blood-stained nightie and dressed her in this clean, light blue night gown. It was one of her favorite ones, silky and soft. I folded her hands over her swollen belly. So she could feel her baby kick.Because the doctor would save her. At least, that’s what I’d told mys
Zane's POV“Her wolf!” I said excitedly, looking at the doctor. “Her wolf has awakened!”I couldn’t believe it. I was still in shock. Eden’s wolf had awakened. I didn’t know how, but she had.Doctor Michael shook his head.“That’s impossible, King Zane,” he said. “Eden is dead.” Beta Brighton looked at me, concerned. “Eden doesn’t have a wolf,” he whispered.I knew what Beta Brighton was thinking. That I was in denial about Eden’s death. That I was losing my mind.“She does,” I told him. “And it just woke up. I’m not crazy. I swear. Eden has a wolf and her wolf is awake now.”He studied my face. Then he nodded. He could see I wasn’t crazy, that I was telling the truth. “That’s…that’s incredible,” he said.“But how did this happen?” the doctor asked. “How did her wolf awaken when she’s…”“It was me,” I said. I realized then what had just happened. It was our mate-bond. Slade had always been able to sense Eden’s wolf. He just hadn’t been able to locate her. But my love for Eden, it a
Eden's POVI felt like I was floating. Weightless, through the air, swathed in white light. As I floated, two figures appeared.The came out of darkness on my left.Caleb and Scarlett, holding hands. Scarlett smirked and Caleb’s eyes were apologetic.How strange, I thought as I watched them float by. They floated clear past me, and into a flash of white on my right.I understood what was happening, but I didn’t have words to express it. There was no more pain in my body. I felt like a feather and calm as the eye of a storm.Adrian appeared. He flashed me his boyish grin and winked at me. I chuckled. “Stay away from the lakes,” he teased. I chuckled.“Stay away from Scarlett,” I teased back.He nodded. We passed a knowing look. Two friends, like a brother and sister. I loved him and he knew and he loved me and I knew it. Then he was gone, into the abyss.Next came Astrid. She appeared like Caleb and Scarlett, from the darkness. She was dressed in her warrior gear. She looked brilliant,
Eden's POV‘My wolf?’ I asked. ‘Zara?’‘Yes, Eden. You need to wake up now. Our mate is waiting for us,’ my wolf, Zara, said.‘But I can’t see you,’ I told her. ‘Why can’t I see you?’‘Because you’re not awake,’ she said.‘Where am I?’ I asked. I hadn’t questioned it before. I had been content to just float here. But now that I heard her voice, a prickling sensation ran through me.What was going on? ‘You’re in between,’ she told me.‘In between what?’ I asked.‘In between death and the afterlife. This is death, Eden. This space. This is the space between life and the afterlife.’‘What is that?’ I asked, pointing to the white abyss.‘That’s the afterlife,’ she said. ‘And any moment now, you’ll be pulled into the abyss. That’s where your afterlife awaits you.’I looked to the white abyss. ‘But that’s where the others went,’ I said, confused.‘No, Eden. That was only your subconscious. They came from the darkness, over there. That’s your conscious mind. Or what little you have left of
Eden's POVMy euphoria was short-lived. An intense pain radiates through my body. I felt like every nerve ending was on fire. The pain was so intense, it took my breath away.Zane saw me gasp and he saw the fear in my eyes.“Eden,” he said, taking my hand in his. “What can I do?”But I couldn’t speak. It was a pain like I’d never felt before. Red hot and angry. Debilitating. I looked at him helplessly.“Doctor Michael!” Zane hollered. “Do something. She’s in agony.”The doctor rushed to my bedside. “Eden, where does it hurt?” he asked, his eyes scanning my body.“Evv…every…where,” I managed to whisper.I’d basically just come back from the dead, but this pain was so horrific, I almost wished I was back there again.‘Eden,’ a soft voice whispered from inside my head. ‘You’re badly injured.’‘Zara?’ I asked, reaching out to her with my mind.I saw her, swathed in stunning white fur, with the most beautiful shade of crystal blue eyes I’d ever seen.‘Yes, it’s me.’This was the first time
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?