Eden’s POVI blinked.I loved Astrid. I really did. And I respected her.But I failed to see how Astrid could defeat an entire army. Especially an army made up of some of the most powerful packs around, equipped with wolf-stunning witch’s potions, with the mafia’s backing.Astrid’s face broke out into a wide smile.“I know what you’re thinking. I can see it on your face. No, Eden. I’m not so vain as to think that I can beat this army on my own. But I overheard a lot while they kept me chained up. And I mean A LOT. My wolf – she has extraordinary hearing. She can hear right through walls. So while Alpha Skylar was having his little strategy meetings with the other alphas, I overheard.”I didn’t understand. How did overhearing alpha meetings help us?“I know what their strategy is,” Astrid said. “I know exactly which packs they’re planning to attack and when. Their whole plan. I know it all. So I know where to cut them off.”Oh. My. Moon Goddess!Yes!That was amazing. If Astrid knew wh
Eden’s POVI told Astrid and Adrian about the plan.“So this key will open everything?” Astrid asked, skeptical. “And Murietta gave it to you? Are you sure you can trust her?”I nodded. “Yes. She wants to save Lucia. Get her off the island. She’s afraid for her, I think. She knows that Lucia and Storm are mates. But Demetrius wants to marry Lucia off to Alpha Skylar. Once he crowns himself as the Alpha King.”“IF he crowns himself,” Adrian interrupted.“Yes. Of course,” I said. “But in his mind, they’re going to win. Murietta doesn’t want that, though. She already lost all seven of her sons. She wants Lucia to find protection with Zane. So I trust her. She’s even willing to sacrifice herself. Like I told you, part of the plan hinges on Murietta causing a distraction so I can sneak out. There’s a good chance Murietta won’t make it to the helicopter in time. If that’s the case, I promised her we’d leave without her.”“If you trust her, then I trust her,” Astrid said.I took a step back
Eden’s POVAttacked? Silvermist Pack?The room spun. I felt dizzy. My knees were about to give out.No. That couldn’t be. Not Silvermist Pack. The pack that had taken me in with open arms after I almost drowned in the lake trying to escape Zane.My grandfather’s Pack.The only place I’d ever actually felt like I belonged.I couldn’t be.I felt woozy. I was about to faint, so I lurched forward and clutched the bars of the cage to steady myself.“Breathe,” Astrid counselled. I did as she said, taking in smooth, steady breaths until my heart beat calmed.Once I felt like I wasn’t going to faint anymore, I looked at Astrid.This was NOT the time to fall apart. I had to be strong, resolved. I had to be like Astrid.“How bad is it?”I glanced at Adrian. There wasn’t a trace of color in his face. His eyes had a faraway look. He too was gripping the bars, but from the inside of his cage.Oh, Adrian.Silvermist was HIS pack, too. Even more so than mine. He’d grown up there. This was as hard fo
Eden’s POVI already knew. Deep down, I already knew.From the moment I heard about the surprise attack on Silvermist, I knew. I tried to mindlink my grandfather, but as soon as he didn’t answer, I knew he’d been shot with an arrow.I just didn’t want to admit it.He wasn’t responding because he couldn’t. His wolf was stunned by Oak Ridden Root. It was immobilized.“Eden? Are you…are you okay?” Astrid asked softly.No. I wasn’t okay. None of this was okay. My pack had just been attacked and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it! Astrid was wearing a tutu. Adrian’s wolf was a little wolf pup. We were in the middle of a massive estate hidden in a mountain on a secluded tropical island with a lunatic mafia king pin. A mafia king who wanted to rape my wolf in front of a room full of high society people who were PAYING to watch. Storm had found his mate, which just happened to be the king pin’s daughter, AFTER he slept with his mate’s mother. Zara was drugged. Scarlett was Luna o
Eden’s POVA sample?I eyed Demetrius cautiously. I knew exactly what he meant. He leered at me while he puffed away on his cigar. The smoke was thick in the room. I coughed loudly.“The cigar smoke isn’t good for my baby,” I told him.He chuckled. Then he held up his cigar and made a show of stabbing it out in a nearby ashtray. “Better?” he asked.I waved the smoke away from my face. He shifted in his seat and uncrossed his legs. His silk robe fell off his knees, revealing his hard member.My heart started to race but I tried to remain calm.“What do you say, Eden?” he asked, standing up. “I know you find me attractive.”What? No, I did not. Not even in the slightest.“I don’t want to fuck your wolf right now. I really want to wait for that. I have a lot of guests paying a lot of money to watch. But that doesn’t mean I can’t fuck you.”He curled his finger at me in a ‘come here’ motion. I stayed fixed in place.“Don’t be shy,” he said. “I won’t hurt you. Not MUCH, anyway.”I recoiled
Zane’s POVMother? Did she just say mother?As in…Eden’s mother?But that was impossible. Eden’s mother was dead. At least, that’s what both Alpha Miles and Eden had told me.I stared in bewilderment at this strange woman. The woman who had risked herself to save me from Lucinda. The woman who was nursing me back to health in this cave.The scent of bread cookies still loomed in the air.For a brief moment, I felt Slade. But it was only a flicker. He must have smelled the cookies. Where was he? Why couldn’t I reach him?The image of Slade, broken and bloody on the floor of the canyon crossed my mind. I could see him, in a crumpled mess. The force of the fall had caused one of his eyes to pop right out of its sockets. Would it heal? Or would Slade forever only have one eye now.“Did it work?” the woman asked, her eyes hopeful. I looked deep into her eyes. She did look a lot like Eden. So much so, that I’d almost mistaken her for Eden at the bottom of the canyon. But then the woman had
Zane’s POVHer witch ate her wolf? I blinked, wide-eyed. I’d never heard of such a thing. There were babies born with both wolf and witch in them, yes. That’s exactly what Lucinda was banking on. It’s why she forced me to impregnate her. But I didn’t realize that the witch in someone could eat their wolf.It sounded pretty horrific.“I was raised as a werewolf,” Callie explained. “Both my mother and my father were werewolves. Miles and Diane. I was an ordinary wolf pup. Just like all the other kids. We all played together. My parents loved me fiercely. My father took over the alpha role. Everything was normal. Well, except for one thing.”I listened intently. I wondered how much of this Eden knew. Not much, I surmised.“I had visions,” she said. “Sometimes they came to me in my sleep. Sometimes I’d just have them right in the middle of the day. Some were disturbing. Some were simple. And others? Well, they were just strange. At first, I didn’t tell anyone. I knew it wasn’t normal. I k
Zane’s POV“What happened?” I asked. “I mean, you said that your witch ate your wolf. How?”She chuckled softly. The lantern cast a soft glow across her face. “Not literally. I mean, at least I don’t think it did. I turned eighteen and my wolf awakened. She was a lovely wolf. With light brown fur tinged with white. She was a bit shy and apprehensive. But I loved her.”She paused and took a bite of the cookie. “My witch blood was strong, though. The witch in me was rising.” She shook the cookie at me. “There was nothing I could do. I tried to control the witch, to push her down. But I could feel her pulsing through my veins. It was like my insides were in constant turmoil. My wolf managed to suppress her, though. At least for awhile.”“The witch just went away?” I asked.“Sort of? I’m not really sure. I just…I didn’t feel her anymore. I mean, I knew she was still there. But I wasn’t having any more visions. And my wolf seemed perfectly fine. Life went on. I found my mate. Sigmund Stone
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?