Eden’s POV“Eden?” Astrid rushed towards me. “What is it, Eden? What’s wrong?”I clutched at my stomach. Everyone looked at me with concern.The blue light flashed again against my eyes. I squinted. The heat in my stomach intensified. I clenched my teeth.“Please, Eden, tell me.” Astrid looked frantic. “Is it the baby? Is it…is it coming?”I shook my head. No. These weren’t labour pains. I’d never been in labour before but my instincts told me this was something else entirely. I focused on my breathing. In through my nose, out through my mouth.Almost as quickly as it had started, it faded. The heat dissipated. The blue flashing light stopped.Everything was fine again.Except that it wasn’t.“Astrid,” I said, taking her hand. “Can we go some place quiet?”She looked into my eyes and nodded. She knew me well. She knew that whatever was happening, I didn’t want anyone else to know.I caught Chloe’s eyes just then. They were flooded with gratitude. In that moment, she looked like she ha
Eden’s POVAstrid let go of my hand. I’m sure she didn’t mean to, she was just shocked.I let the words sink in.It sounded horrific, I know.Witch’s blood.It wasn’t exactly something you wanted in a werewolf baby. Plus, it could be dangerous. The baby could….No.I didn’t even want to think those thoughts, let alone say them out loud.“What makes you think that?” Astrid finally asked after a long pause.“It’s just a…a feeling,” I told her.“A feeling?”I knew it sounded stupid. A werewolf baby with witch’s blood was a serious thing. Having a ‘feeling’ about it sounded silly.“I can’t explain it,” I confessed, shrugging. “I just…it’s like an instinct.”“Have you always felt like this? Through the whole pregnancy?”I shook my head. “No. Not at all.”“When did it start?” Astrid asked.“On the island. The night of the gala,” I told her.“Maybe it has something to do with the potion Demetrius gave Zara?” Astrid suggested.“Maybe.” I nodded. “But I really don’t think so, Astrid. I think…I
Eden’s POVAstrid was right, Beta Brighton had been angry at first.“WHAT?” he’d snapped at Astrid, his eyes wide. “You TOLD her? Astrid, you promised you’d NEVER tell.”Astrid and I had gone straight from the lake to find Beta Brighton. I didn’t know what was wrong with my baby but I didn’t want to take any chances. I wasn’t even sure it WAS witch blood, but everything seemed to be pointing that way. So…if Beta Brighton knew anything about witch blood in babies, well…I had to find out everything I could.Beta Brighton had been with the others in the dining hall. They all looked so relaxed and happy, for a moment, I’d thought twice about disturbing them. We’d all been through so much, and we still had a lot to go through. But time was of the essence.Beta Brighton had followed us into Zane’s private study. That’s where we were now.“Calm down,” Astrid warned him. “You’ll understand once we explain.”He looked from me to Astrid. “You better have a REALLY good explanation,” he said, poi
Eden’s POVI clasped my hand over my mouth.What?No.I began to shake. The room became blurry. I had to get out of there. I was dizzy and my heart was racing.“Eden,” Astrid reached for me.“I could be wrong,” Beta Brighton’s voice trailed off.He wasn’t wrong. He was right.He knew all about witches. About tainted blood. About babies in the womb.This is what had happened to his sister. Her witch had risen in the womb. It had defeated the werewolf. It had won.I didn’t need any proof. I didn’t need my grandfather to confirm this. I already knew. Deep down, I knew the baby had witch blood. I knew that I had witch blood.This had happened to me, too. My war between wolf and witch had happened in the womb. My wolf had won, just like Beta Brighton’s. But I’d been born a wolf. True, it had taken a long time for Zara to awaken. But there had never been any trace of witch in me.Because my witch died while I was still in the womb.I lurched for the door. My knees were shaky.“Eden, stop. M
Eden’s POVI knew I was getting desperately lost inside the maze, but I didn’t care. I just kept running. My lungs burned from the exertion. Somewhere, Astrid was also in the maze, trying to find me. She’d get lost too. But again, I didn’t care.My face was wet with tears. I couldn’t reconcile the fact that my baby had witch blood. And I certainly couldn’t accept the fact that I’d given it to her.I was going to lose everything. My beloved Silvermist pack. My friends. And worst of all, my mate and love, Zane.If my baby was born a witch, which I was pretty sure she would be, I couldn’t stay here in werewolf society. Giving my baby away wasn’t an option. My breaths were coming in jagged gasps. If I didn’t slow down, I’d pass out.I veered left. The green walls were tall all around me. The maze was huge. So huge, that people could get lost in it for hours. That’s exactly what I planned to do. I wanted to be lost. I wanted to be alone. I didn’t want to face anyone. Not now. Not until the
Eden’s POVAstrid and I awoke the next morning with the sunrise. My neck was stiff from sleeping on the ground and our clothes were damp from morning dew. My eyes were still puffy from crying. I sat up, hoping for a moment that it had all been a horrible dream. Maybe I had imagined it all – my conversation with Beta Brighton and his information about his sister and witches. The strange heat. The flashes of blue light. ‘Her witch is rising’…The field of wild flowers and the arrow in my back. But as the tall walls of the hedge maze came into view, I knew in my heart that none of it had been a dream. My baby had witch blood. And her witch was strong. Astrid was still fast asleep. She looked peaceful as the morning sun shone on her iron hooks. She had held me until I cried myself to sleep. She felt my pain. We were close, like sisters. She didn’t even need to say anything. I knew she understood. I picked at the grass, my mind swirling with hard realizations. If my baby was born a
Eden’s POVWhat? I wasn’t expecting that. Her wolf was rising too? My baby? Along with her witch? What did that mean? Zara shook herself, her white fur rippling. Then she stretched. She’d been asleep for awhile and was still feeling a bit groggy from the effects of the potion. I waited patiently for her to continue. I knew the baby’s witch had been rising. But apparently her wolf was too?“They’re both strong, Eden,” Zara said. “Her witch and her wolf. They are rising together. Have you felt her witch?”I nodded. I told Zara about the warm sensation and the blue flashes of light. Then I told her about the field of wild flowers. I was confused by the field of flowers. It felt too real to be a dream. Zara listened intently, still standing watch over my baby. “Yes. That’s her magic, the warmth and the blue light. Her witch must be very strong for you to feel it like that. The field of flowers…though, that’s something else. That sounds like a vision. Perhaps she has the gift of sight?
Eden’s POVAdrian looked wrecked. He wrung his hands and averted his eyes. “What?” I asked. “What do you mean they captured him?”It wasn’t possible. MY grandfather was out helping other packs. That’s why no one had been able to mindlink him. Because he was busy. Because…“It must have happened during the attack on Silvermist,” Beta Brighton said sadly. “Did no one see it?” I asked. This didn’t make any sense. “Surely someone would have seen my grandfather get captured!”“I wasn’t there,” Beta Brighton replied. “It was a surprise attack, Eden. And they were very, very fast. They came in and went out within minutes. They didn’t even kill very many people. It seemed like it was more of a warning. Most of the pack members were able to escape. But I guess…well…I guess they captured a few.”“How do you know? How do you know he was captured if no one saw?”They were wrong. They had to be. They were just jumping to conclusions. If no one saw then…“Someone did see,” Beta Brighton told me t
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?