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
Zane’s POVI called to Slade.I begged him. He HAD to answer. He was my only hope.I tried to look away from the werewolf’s eyes, but I couldn’t. He was paralyzed, unable to move, unable to do anything as a new group of witches approached him.They were exactly like the last ones. They rubbed their hands in anticipation as they circled the poor, half-eaten werewolf.I saw the fear flash through his eyes. The pain.And then he disappeared to the witches.“SLADE!” I hollered, my voice desperate.Behind me, the massive bonfire crackled. Over by the werewolf, I couldn’t block out the distinctive sounds of tearing flesh.They chewed with their mouths open, smacking and licking their lips.It was positively revolting.Slade didn’t answer.Had he…had he already died? He was close to death, I knew that much. But surely he hadn’t already passed over to the other side?No.I would feel it. I would sense it.He searched deep inside myself to find his connection. At first, I couldn’t find it and
Zane’s POV“Aren’t you at least curious?” Lucinda asked. “Don’t you want to know the deal I’m offering?”Her nails were so sharp I was sure she was drawing blood. The witches continued to devour the wolves right before my eyes. For the time being, Alpha Miles was safe, as he was pretty far down the line.But he wouldn’t be safe for ever.To my left, another strange thing was happening. Witches shimmered with a strange, pale light. The lights came in a plethora of colors. They looked like they were glowing.That wasn’t the only thing they were doing though.I watched as they rubbed themselves. They tore off their dresses, revealing their breasts. My eyes landed on two specific witches. One leered at another. They stared, then they charged at each other, colliding. They rubbed their bodies against one another. Their breasts slid together. Their hands roamed the length of one another’s legs. One of them grabbed the other’s ass. She threw her head back and chuckled wildly.“What the fuck?
Zane’s POVIt took me a moment before the words really settled in.Callista? Was she for real?I didn’t respond at first. She continued to stroke my chest. To my left, the witches were engaged in what could only be described as a full-on sexual fever pitch.Five werewolves had been eaten clean to the bone. The fire crackled. Men sobbed. Flesh tore. And witches groaned and moaned in ecstasy.I saw the Brotherhood of Breeders step forward. In the firelight, the witches snapped their heads towards the men. Almost in unison, they began tiptoeing towards the men, their hands outstretched.The men, in anticipation, began tearing off their tunics.“I’d be careful if I were them,” Lucinda said. “The witches can be rough.”Right on cue, four witches pounced onto one of the men, slamming him backwards into the ground. They slithered onto him, groping and clawing at his chest.I had no sympathy for them. They had come here of their own free will. They had hunted down this coven. They
Zane’s POVLucinda cackles wildlyI can’t believe what I just agreed to. But it’s the only way. I can’t just sit by and watch them devour Alpha Miles alive. I don’t want to sleep with Callista. She’s Eden’s mom for crying out loud! And I already slept with Eden’s aunt, Lucinda.But what choice do I have?“I knew you would make the right choice,” Lucinda said slyly. Then she turned to a witch beside her. “Bring me Calista,” she said.All around us, witches were in a frenzy. The sounds of rabid sex reverberating through the air. The fire crackled loudly, angrily. Werewolf meat was torn clean from the bone. The only saving grace was that the werewolves being eaten were paralyzed, so they couldn’t scream as the witches tore their flesh. I don’t think I could have withstood that.The sound of their agony.Moments later, Calista was brought in. She was still in one of those cages, with wooden bars. It looked like an oversized bird cage, rounded at the top. It was on wheels and they dragged
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?