Eden’s POVI gasped. Of course, Brinsle didn’t hear me. I wasn’t really there. This was her memory, not mine. I was like an apparition, a silent spectator.The boy lay crumpled on the ground. Brinsle was breathing heavy, her eyes still wild. Her pain swirling around her. It was tangible, tinged in a soft violet hue. Eventually, though, the pain dissipated. The leaves fell back to the ground and the air was still again.She didn’t move. Not at first. She just stood, staring at the corpse of her lover. Birds chirped. Flower petals blew gently in the breeze. Other than that, there was no other sound.I couldn’t believe what I’d just seen!Brinsle had KILLED her lover. She’d unleashed some sort of awful magic and bam – just like that, the boy was dead.She’d done it in a fit of fury, an act of blind rage. He’d hurt her. She was in love with him, ready to give up everything for him. He, however, was not so willing to do the same.I stared at the dead body. Brinsle did too. And I realized,
Eden’s POVThe scene crumbled away. I opened my eyes. I was back at the palace, at the lake. My fingers were still touching the pendant around Brinsle’s neck. I could hear her heart beating through her chest.My god.Brinsle had fallen in love with a werewolf. A strong werewolf, who was in line to be Gamma for his pack. She’d slept with him and gotten pregnant. Then they’d decided to run away together.I thought they wanted to run away because it was the only way they could be together. But I could see now that it was even more complicated than that. There was a baby involved. An illegitimate baby. And clearly Brinsle was Lucinda’s protégé. Lucinda was training her, helping her learn about her own, super powerful magic.But what happened then? Brinsle killed her lover, but what happened to the baby?“Eden? Back away. She has Zane’s scent on her.” It was Zara. She was cautioning me.Zane’s scent? She knew where Zane was?“I don’t think we should trust her,” Astrid whispered behind me.
Eden’s POVThe forest fell away, but the smile on Brinsle’s face stayed strong in my mind.This time, I released the pendant as soon as I realized where I was.She’d shown me this. She’d SHOWN me how she’d killed her baby. I was…I had no words.I tried to step back, but she reached out with impossible speed and grabbed my wrist.“Eden, she’s not safe,” Zara said.“Let her go,” Astrid warned, taking a step towards us.Fear ripped through me. Why had she shown me that? Why had she taken me to that last memory? Did she want me to know she was evil? She had no heart, Brinsle. I felt no regret from her. She was righteous and arrogant. She didn’t value life, not at all. She took what she wanted and killed anything she didn’t want.Had they know, her coven? Had they known that she was pregnant. I assumed they hadn’t. She’d forced herself into premature labour. She gave birth alone in the forest, careful not to cry out. So I assumed she’d been hiding her pregnancy.She glared at me, t
Eden’s POVI heard him before I recognized him.Zane.He was moaning, naked, on top of a woman. I squinted and saw that it was Brinsle.But? But?Why was Zane in bed with Brinsle? And why were they both naked?No. That couldn’t be right. Maybe I was seeing things. Maybe that wasn’t Zane?I looked more closely.It was Zane all right. And he was definitely in bed with Brinsle. I watched as he moved his hips up and down. She reached around and dug her nails into his back. Then she let out a loud gasp.They were making love. And they were BOTH enjoying it.This was Brinsle’s memory. She’d forced me to touch her pendant when I demanded to know where Zane was. Zara had been adamant that Zane’s scent was on Brinsle. I’d smelled it too. We all had. So I knew this had actually happened.Where were we?Witch’s territory, I assumed. This must be Brinsle’s coven.Is that…is that where Zane’s been? All this time?But that didn’t make any sense. Why would Zane be at a witch’s coven? And why would h
Eden’s POV“Brighton, NO!”Brinsle’s shrill shriek rang out through the air.The bolt of light hit Beta Brighton. His body went rigid, his eyes wide. Then he fell to the ground, just like her lover had in her memory.I gasped, as did Astrid.That bolt of light was meant for Astrid. Brinsle had just tried to kill Astrid. But Beta Brighton had blocked Astrid, taking the hit himself instead. Brinsle looked at her brother in horror. She’d just HIT Brighton? Her own brother? But no, that’s NOT what she had meant to do. Beta Brighton was in a crumpled heap on the ground. Brinsle ran to him, her eyes wild. She knelt down and cradled his head. His body was limp and lifeless.“What have you done?” she screamed at us.I saw it then, her pain. Just like in her memory. It swirled around his body, tinged in purple, like a breeze you could see. I was strange, seeing someone’s pain on the outside, like this. It felt like we were invading her privacy.Or at least, it felt like that to me.Astrid
Eden’s POV“She just…she just took Beta Brighton?” I asked, as Astrid and I looked up at the sky. Brinsle, in crow form, was struggling to carry a lifeless Beta Brighton away. She clearly wasn’t a great flyer, perhaps because her shapeshifting was still new. But if we hadn’t been so shocked and upset, her haphazard flight would have made us both chuckle.Laughing, though, was the last thing on our minds.We watched, stunned, as Brinsle flew further and further away. She was hardly more than a black dot now on the horizon by the time Astrid spoke. “Nevermind that,” Astrid said. “She KILLED him! That witch bitch actually KILLED her OWN brother!” Astrid’s voice was full of horror. The flash of light had been meant for Astrid. But Beta Brighton had stepped out in front of Astrid, blocking the light. So yes, Brinsle had just killed her sister.My mind reeled. I tried to focus on one thought, but they all blurred together. Zane in bed with Brinsle. My baby and her rising witch. My own tai
Eden’s POVThe moment the words escaped Zara’s lips, I knew what would happen.“What is it?” Astrid asked. She saw the look on my face. My blood ran cold. My skin prickled.“Dying?” I asked Zara. “Are you…sure?”As the words left my mind, the rage in me started to build. Dying? Slade? No. That couldn’t be. Slade was strong. He was a massive, strong, powerful black wolf. I’d seen him myself, with my own two eyes. He was intimidating as hell! He’d scared me so badly that I’d bolted from the palace and straight into the lake, just to get away from him.How could he be dying?Wolves didn’t just die. Wolves survived. That’s what they were designed to do. They healed us, our bodies and bones. They allowed us to overcome substantial obstacles. They made it so that we healed from injuries that even humans, with all their advanced medicines, couldn’t overcome.Our wolves were our power source. And as such, it took a lot, and I mean A LOT to bring them down.Poisons, yes. There were specific po
Zane’s POVAlpha Miles smiled weakly at me.No.There was no way this was happening. The prisoners were all shackled, being led through the coven gathered.I looked from Alpha Miles to the coven. The look in the witch’s eyes made me shudder. They had a famished look, like someone who had just seen food for the first time in thirty days. They rubbed their hands together in eager anticipation. This was the feast they’d been waiting for. They were about to taste werewolf meat.The bonfire blazed behind me. “It’s been a long time since we’ve feasted on werewolf,” Lucinda said, approaching me from behind. “Where’s Brinsle? I was going to let her have the first bite.”Lucinda looked around. I didn’t care where Brinsle was. She’d just been with me a moment ago. She was the one who’d brought me here. She was nowhere to be found now, though.Lucinda looked distraught.“Well, where did she run off to?” Lucinda asked. Lucinda was clearly upset that Brinsle had disappeared. But the eager
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?