Zane’s POVShe was beautiful. There was no denying that. The rain pelted down on Lucinda’s naked body. She leered at me, her hair wild in the wind.I didn’t want to have sex with her. But I had to. To save our baby. I would do anything to save our baby.“Take off your clothes,” she demanded. “Or shall I do it for you?”The rain ran from her plump breasts, causing them to glisten. If I was going to have sex with her, I had to get hard.“Don’t worry,” she smiled, reading my thoughts. “I’ll help you with that.”The lightning crashed across the sky, illuminating the cliff we were on. The air had turned dark, with the storm thick in the air. To our left was the massive drop-off of the cliff. To our right were trees.I wanted to kill her. I really did. But I was in witch’s territory and Slade was bound by her blue spell. She was more powerful than me here, in her domain. And she had the power to reactive the curse, the curse that would kill mine and Eden’s baby.“What are you waiting for?”
Zane’s POV“Not bad,” she smiled, looking at my hard member. “You’re bigger than I thought. I actually might enjoy this.”Without another word, she came at me with lightning speed. She was breathing heavy, her hair wet and matter to her face. It felt the rain trickled down my chest and dripped onto my cock. It felt sensational.I was overcome with lust and desire. This was the witch's sexual energy. It exuded from her like sweat. Hot and heavy. I could smell her sex. I had never experienced the witch’s sexual pull before, but I’d heard plenty about it. It wasn’t a spell; it was just their nature. Witches LOVED sex and they weren’t afraid to show it.She reached for cock but I stopped her. I wanted to taste her. I was driven mad by my desire for her. I wasn’t even in my right mind. I grabbed her hair at the back of her head and pulled, forcing her chin up. Then I slowly licked her lips with the tip of my tongue. She pressed into me. Her nipples brushed across my naked chest.I smashed
Zane’s POV“What did you just say, bitch?”My blood ran hot. Dead? No, that wasn’t possible.“I said,” she replied sarcastically. “Your baby is already dead. Or at least, it’s well on its way. It will die soon.”I didn’t understand. “We had a deal!” I spat at her. She stood up then, slowly. She was still naked. “You agreed not to reactivate the curse if I had sex with you!”“I did agree to that, yes” she quipped.“Then what are you talking about?” I asked, incredulous.“I lied,” she shrugged.I opened my mouth but no sound came out. “You…you lied? But you gave me your word.”“Come on Zane,” she said. “You should know better. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to trust the word of a witch?”My face went pale. Was this really happening? Was it really that simple? She’d lied? She said she wouldn’t reactive the curse if I slept with her. So I’d slept with her. And then she’d killed my baby anyway?Slade’s fury was palpable, even with the blue binding. I could feel him shake with rage.“When?
Zane’s POV“That’s a nice story,” I scoffed sarcastically. “But I don’t see what that has to do with the curse.” She sighed. Then she turned to face me full on. “You’re not so bright. I literally just told you. The curse PREVENTS you from having children, Zane. If I initiated the curse BEFORE we had sex, then…” She paused, waiting for me to put it together.“Then YOU couldn’t get pregnant.”“Exactly. No one could. Not with the curse reactivated.”I understood then. This all had been a massive trap. A massive ploy. She had a vision of our child. But we needed to have sex before she reactivated the curse. Otherwise, she couldn’t get pregnant.She had tricked me.“You always intended on reactivating the curse?”“Yes.”Well at least she was being honest.“But why?”What did she care if I had more children? Was it really just to avenge her ancestors? She had her baby now. A baby with MY bloodline. So what did it matter if I had a baby with Eden? Or more babies for that matter?This bitch
Zane’s POVWhat the fuck?I watched as Lucinda rose into the air and shapeshifted right before my eyes.She curled into a tight ball and then…Massive wings unfurled, feathered and flapping in the sky. Her feet revealed razor sharp talons. Her eyes shone yellow over her long, slender beak. “You’re a fucking falcon?” I was frozen in spot. What…what had just happened? How had she done that?“I’m a witch, you fool,” she said. Only she didn’t open her beak to speak. Instead, her voice came straight into my head. “Many witches can shapeshift. Do you know nothing of witches?”I did know that. At least, I’d heard it. Some witches, the most powerful, extraordinary ones, could take on the shape of something else. It was similar to us with our wolves, only their animals didn’t live inside them, like our wolves did. Instead, they just called on the spirit of the animal when they wanted to shift.Apparently, this bitch witch Lucinda had ties to a bloody falcon. And a MASSIVE one at that.I did
Eden’s POVI awoke in a strange bed. My eyelids struggled to open. The air smelled strange, thick, salty.I was groggy. I didn’t know where I was. What had happened? I had no memory. Not of anything. Who…who was I?Suddenly, the silhouette of a woman appeared. But I didn’t know who she was. She dipped a wash cloth in a water basin and dabbed my head. It felt deliciously cool.“There there,” the woman soothed. “You have a fever. You need to rest.”Yes. That made sense. I was sick. I had a fever. She was my nurse. She was looking after me. I vaguely remembered waking up a few times before this. And she was there every time.My body felt heavy, like lead.“Where am I?” I mumbled. My vision was fuzzy. I wiggled my legs and felt silk sheets whisper across my skin.“You’re safe,” the lady said. She leaned over me and I saw her face. She was lovely, with tiny freckles across her nose and dark hair in a high bun.I let my head sink back into the pillow. I tried to think but the thoughts would
Eden’s POVNo.Absolutely not. There was no way my baby was dead. My mind flashed back to the horrible nightmare I’d had. The one where we were dressed in silly clothes, at some sort of deranged dinner party. And then…Oh my moon goddess, I realized.That wasn’t a dream.That had really happened.We were at the Santonio Estate. Demetrius was unhinged. A mafia boss with a messed up mind. I remembered the menagerie. That’s where they were going to put Adrian. And then the cruel maids who had mocked me and dressed me up like an idiot. The dining hall. The feast of seafood and fruit and vegetables. Adrian on Murietta’s lap, suckling her breast like a baby.And then?Out of nowhere, this pain had ripped through my womb. It was sharp at first, like a knife, but then it radiated outwards, pulsating through my entire stomach. I’d called for help, but the pain was crippling.I don’t know how I knew, but I did.It was my baby. Something was killing my baby. And then I’d blacked out.How long ha
Eden’s POV“ZARA!” I exclaimed.“SHssss,” she said. “She’s sleeping. I saved her.”She?“Oh Zara.” I couldn’t even put into words the love and relief I felt. I don’t know what had tried to kill me baby, but Zara had saved it. Her.Zane had been right. The baby was a girl.“Let me look again,” I said.The baby was curled up, its fist against its chin. Its skin was wrinkly.“She’s not finished growing yet,” Zara said. “She still needs a few months.”Tears brimmed in my eyes. She was perfect.“Zara, do you know what happened?” I asked.“It was a green light,” she told me. “A strange green light. It swarmed around her. Then it descended on her and sunk into her skin. It hurt her, Eden. I could feel it. Her pain. It was killing her. I don’t know for sure, but I think it was a witch’s spell.”A witch’s spell? How strange. Why would a witch want to kill my baby?“Time to bathe.” Murietta pulled on my hand.“I don’t know either,” Zara said. “But don’t worry. I will protect her.”“I didn’t kno
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?