Eden’s POVThe shadow lurked in the window.“Who’s there?” I demanded again. But it didn’t move. Fear prickled through me. Was this figure…was it dangerous? Why else would it be lurking outside my window like this? The night air was silent, still. My fear rose until…I could defend myself. I am a trained warrior now. I wasn’t weak and useless. So I reacted. I grabbed the knife on my bedside stand and ran to the window. The figure bolted. I threw back the doors that opened out to the garden. Moonlight flooded the grass. I looked left, then right. And that’s when I saw it, a dark shadow running through the garden. I gripped my knife and chased after it.I tore through the grass. I was stronger and faster now because of all my training. He didn’t have much of a head start; it wasn’t long before I caught up with him. I lunged at the tall, dark finger, my knife poised to stab it in the back.But just as I lunged, the figure turned around. He grabbed my wrist, stopping the knife in mid-air.
Eden’s POV“Stay still,” he ordered. “I’m healing you. Lycan saliva speeds up the healing process,” he said between licks. So that’s why he was licking me? To heal me? I didn’t know that about Lycans. I stopped trying to pull away. It tickled. His tongue was wet and warm. I quivered from the sensation.“I feel you quivering,” he said, his voice husky. He looked at me with desire in his eyes. “Why are you trying to fight this, Eden?”“Fight what?” I asked, confused. I had stopped struggling. I was letting him lick my wound.“Your feelings for me.”I balked and my mouth fell open. My what?“You have feelings for me,” he stated. I tried to withdraw my arm. He held it tightly. He blew on my wound, now wet from his saliva. “I know you do. I can sense it. You’re restraining yourself though. And I don’t know why.”His breath was hot on my arm. Why was he looking at me like that, like he wanted me, like he desired me, like he cared about me?I bit my lip. “I don’t understand you, Zane. Why
Eden’s POVMy wolf was powerful? But why hadn’t she revealed herself to me? My thoughts spun. If he could feel her, why couldn’t I?This was crazy! I had spent my whole life thinking, no – BELIEVING – that I didn’t have a wolf. I had been ridiculed and tormented for it. Just a weak, wolfless girl. No good to anyone. No power. No strength.But now the Lycan King was telling me otherwise.He was smiling at me, a sinful smile, a smile that spoke of desire.“You’re so beautiful,” he said, stroking my cheek with his thumb. My heart raced. He was so damned sexy. So strong. His scent washed over me – white pine and amber. His face inched towards mine as he cupped my chin in his big, strong hand.He gazed wistfully into my eyes. And the world fell away. I was powerless to stop him. That’s how I felt. Powerless in his hold. Slowly, he brought his lips towards mine. They were so close now, only inches apart. I could feel his breath. He tipped my chin back. His heart pounded in his chest. I h
Zane’s POVFor me, Eden is like a magical cure for Slade. There are many things she doesn’t need to know. That’s how I felt until tonight. When I saw her vulnerability, my heart tightened, and I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing.I told her I could feel her she-wolf, and she seemed to blossom like a withered flower being given new life. Slade is happy because she’s happy, and so am I.Because we’re mates.Yes, Eden is my mate, I can feel her she-wolf. I knew it when we met again in the dark forest. But I didn’t tell her. It means nothing for both of us. I’m destined to have no offspring. It’s a curse on Lycans. So whether I have a mate or not, it doesn’t make a difference to me. As the last Lycan and a powerful King, I’ll be lonely until the end of my life.I won’t tell her about our mate-bond. She won’t know the truth, until her wolf shows up.If it weren’t for Slade’s instability, I would have let her go already. But Slade relies on her too much. She can’t feel our mate-bond, so
Eden’s POVIt was the day! Finally, the day had come! Today, I would fight on the stage, in front of all the other werewolves. I would use everything that Astrid had taught me, all the moves, the attacks, the strategies.I would win.And then, I would be free to train with the warriors.I got dressed and pushed open my bedroom door, nervous and excited to start the day. But as I did, I found myself face to face with Zane.“What are you doing? Lurking outside my bedroom again?” He was momentarily taken aback by my sarcasm, but then he shook his head.“Will you join me for breakfast?” he asked.What? He’d come to my room to ask me to breakfast? This was odd. He didn’t have to come in person. In the past, he always sent for the maids to come and get me when he wanted to see me. I was confused by this.Was it because of last night? Memories of the kiss washed over me. His eyes, his lips…No. The fight was today. I had to focus on that. I bit my lip and hesitated. He looked gorgeous, as
Eden’s POVI stood on the battlefield, full of nervous energy. Astrid rushed towards me. She grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes.“Focus. Stay alert. Remember the things we practiced. Defend and attack. Yes?”“Yes, yes, yes,” I nodded. Then she gave me a big hug.Applause broke out and I looked at the audience. It was packed. Everyone had come to watch the big fight.Oh my goddess. I was doing this. I was ACTUALLY doing this.Warrior Seth strode onto the stage, all confidence and bravado. The audience roared. They clearly loved him. He raised his hands and they just kept cheering. He was the crowd favorite. I watched.“Don’t worry about that,” Astrid said. “You’re the underdog. They’re just cheering for what they know. You’ll win them over. You’ll see.” Her words gave me the boost of confidence I needed.It was my turn. So I took a deep breath and lifted my chin. I strode onto the stage. The applause for me was not so big. In fact, it was paltry. A few shy werewolves called m
Eden’s POVHe was pissed. His face contorted with rage. I tried to take a step back but he was too quick. He punched me hard in the jaw. The force of it caused my body to spin in the air. I fell to my knees. For a moment, I saw stars, dizzy from the punch. But I shook it off and stood up. Blow spilled from my mouth, the taste warm and metallic. I wiped it off with my sleeve and smiled.The werewolves were cheering for him.“Come on, finish her off!” “Enough already, end this.” “What’s taking you so long?”“She’s just a girl. She doesn’t even have a wolf! KILL her!”This is what I heard from the stands. Blood gushed from his stomach, but his eyes were locked on mine.I was a worthy opponent. He could see that now. A sense of accomplishment washed over me. My heart surged with pride.I was strong, and he had underestimated me. So had the crowd. I can sense it – a shift in the air. They were surprised I was still standing. They all thought I’d be long dead by now.
Eden’s POV“EDEN!” The king’s voice was more urgent now. I lifted my arm off the ground, but then I placed it back down. NO! I couldn’t give up. I had to prove myself. I had to prove that I could train to be a warrior. I couldn’t just keep living like this, waiting to be saved. This was my chance, my chance to become someone different, someone strong.A force to be reckoned with.Like Astrid.The pain in my left shoulder was excruciating. The wolves in the stands were cheering wildly now. I struggled, trying to get him off me. But he had me completely pinned.They were talking about my death – the wolves in the stands. I could hear them. I gasped violently.I had trained so hard! Astrid had said I was better than some of her most skilled warriors. Why can’t I win? He snapped his mouth at me, growling constantly. To him, I was already as good as dead.Is it because I don’t have a wolf? Is that why I can’t win?But I do have a wolf. Zane said so. He said she’s strong and powerful. I was