Zane’s POVBrinsle dressed quickly, so I followed suit and did the same. She seemed anxious to get this over with.“We’ll have to keep sleeping in here together,” she said as she pulled on her blouse. “But I think Lucinda was satisfied with what she saw. So we can keep our clothes on at night.”I nodded, agreeing that was best.“Follow me,” she said, leaving the small hut. Out on the trail, she veered to the left, further down the trail than I’d been.“Where are we going?” I asked.“You’ll see,” she sighed.We walked under some more tree houses. Some of the witches looked down at us as we walked. The younger ones couldn’t hide their jealousy. They wished they were with me, that they had been chosen as my first sex partners. I saw the look in their eye.Suddenly, a red rose fell in front of me. I looked up. A young girl with braids smiled down at me. I bent to pick up the rose, but Brinsle slapped my hand. “Don’t you dare,” she said.I looked quizzically at her.“It’s probably la
Zane’s POV“I don’t understand,” I said.Brinsle had promised to SHOW me the witch’s weakness, since she couldn’t tell me. The weakness was protected by a tongue tie spell, so no witch could actually say it outloud.But I failed to see what this place had to do with the witch’s weakness.I was trying not to be mad, but my patience was running thin. I didn’t want to stand here, looking at these poor wolves that had been taken prisoner, only to be barbequed during some ridiculous witch feast!I didn’t recognize any of these wolves, but I had a feeling they were from small packs, packs that hadn’t been able to defend themselves, like Thistlethorn.The image of that poor pack flashed through my mind. The corpses, the fire, the billowing smoke. There was nothing left of it.And I’d wager my life on the fact that some of THESE wolves were from that pack.“I don’t want to be here anymore,” I told her.“You need to be,” she said firmly. “I promised you I would help you. This is me helping you
Zane’s POVIt made perfect sense.I’d seen Sullivan’s power, and it was enough to obliterate anything in its path. But there was a weakness. The reason her ancestors hadn’t killed off all the wolves years ago was because they COULDN’T.There was something about our wolves that prevented them from doing so. That’s why the wolves above me were bound with blue light. It had something to do with their weakness.Brinsle hadn’t been able to tell me. But she’d shown me. I saw it now.“It’s our wolves,” I told her.She nodded. “There is no such thing as limitless power. Even the greatest power has a weakness. It’s to keep the universe balanced.”A thought hit me then. “Is that why you eat the werewolves? To ingest their power?”She chuckled and shook her head. “No. We don’t want nor need the power of the wolf. We just like the taste. It’s a delicacy for us. It makes us…how shall I put this…euphoric?”I could understand that. The taste of blood and flesh made us wolves feel something, too. It
Zane’s POVCallie’s arms reached out through the wooden bars of the cage.“Callie! No!” I exclaimed. How could this be? Why was she in a cage? And her eyes? What had happened?I looked again.It was like someone had covered her eyes with flesh. It was just a band of skin, straight across where her eyes were supposed to be. She was groping around the cage.She didn’t know where she was.“Zane? Where am I?” Callie asked.Brinsle came to my side. This was unbelievable! They were holding one of their own in a cage? And they’d BLINDED her?Lucinda had mentioned a punishment for Callie, but this seemed extreme.“You’re in a cage, Calista,” Brinsle said plainly. There wasn’t an ounce of sympathy in her voice. I scowled at her. “Is this how you treat your own kind?” I asked.“You imprison your own kind too,” she replied banally.Her comment caught me off guard. It was true, though. We did imprison werewolves who had committed crimes. We also exiled them and condemned to a life of b
Zane’s POV“You can’t be fucking serious!” Brinsle stopped, putting her hands on her hips.“Afraid so,” I sighed.I’d just told Brinsle that I couldn’t unleash Slade. I explained that he’d been injured during a big fall. And he wasn’t quite right now. He was weak and disabled.Brinsle was incredulous.“But you HAVE to escape!” she said. “We can’t keep faking sex forever. Eveuntually, she’ll find out. Lucinda. And then she’ll MAKE me have sex with you and…”I put my hand on her arm.“Calm down,” I said. “I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry. Just because I can’t use my own wolf doesn’t mean I can’t escape.”She blinked and then narrowed her eyes. “Well, you better find a way,” she told me. “If you don’t, I’ll tell Lucinda that you’re trying to help Calista escape. Lucinda will kill her.” Brinsle shrugged and kept walking.Great. So now Callie’s life was on my shoulders, too.The next few days flew by in a blur. Brinsle and I spent a lot of time holed up in our hut. Lucinda assumed we
Zane’s POV“I want you,” Eden whispered, her eyes soft with lust.I didn’t know it was a dream while I was having it. But I must say, the pill that Brinsle gave me the Heart’s Desire, worked like a charm. Not only did I have the most wonderful dream, but I remembered every moment of it.Eden was lying on my bed back at the palace. There was snow falling softly out the window and it was dusk. The fireplace had a nice, warm fire going. Eden was wearing a green silk negligée. Her hair was freshly brushed and it fanned out over the pillow.“Please, Zane,” she said, biting her lower lip. Seeing her there, lying on the bed, waiting for me, was enough to send me over the edge.But I wanted to be patient, slow. I wanted this to last.I came over to the bed and kissed one of her ankles. She sighed deeply. I kissed farther up, to her calves. Her skin was smooth as silk. She sighed again, clearly enjoying the sensation.“I want to kiss every inch of your body,” I told her, my voice husky.“What’
Zane’s POVThe feast?It was today?I was instantly pulled from my sweet reverie of my dear, sexy Eden. I ripped off my blankets.“What do you mean, today you feast on wolves?” I asked, incredulous.“I mean,” Brinsle replied, annoyed, pulling a dress over her head, “that today we’re having a huge bonfire. So we can barbeque the wolves we’ve been keeping in the cages.”“And you’re okay with this?”“Why wouldn’t I be?” she shrugged.“Because!” I declared. My voice trailed off though. She was right. Why WOULDN’T she be okay with this. She was a witch, after all. And witches loved to eat werewolf meat. I was expecting too much from Brinsle. She’d agreed to help me escape, but she wasn’t doing it for me. She was doing it for her. Because she didn’t want to get pregnant with my baby.I’d misconstrued the situation.Just because she was helping me escape didn’t mean she suddenly liked werewolves. The look in her eyes was clear. She still destested me and my kind.And she was VERY much lookin
Zane’s POVI looked away. I had to. Seeing all the wolves, tied up like that, being led to their death….it was just too much.I couldn’t stay here. I couldn’t watch this. I didn’t know what to do.“Zane,” Slade called to me again. His breathing was really slow. Like, really, REALLY slow. It was raspy too. “It hurts, Zane,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.I had to look away from him, though too.My once strong and virile wolf! Slade had been a force to be reckoned with. SO much so, that I didn’t unleash him very often. The first time Eden had seen Slade, she’d been so scared she ran straight into the lake and tried to swim away. And yes, I knew that Slade had been a little unhinged over the years. But it was because he was so obsessed with Eden.My mind flashed back to Slade and Zara snuggled up together. His large, black frame a stark contrast against Zara’s snow white fur. I’d been so happy then. Slade had been so happy, too.So how had it all come to this?I felt like, on
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?