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
Eden’s POVMy vision went dark. But as I fell, I felt strong arms catch me before I hit the ground. I tried to see but there was only darkness. My body felt like glass that had been shattered into a thousand tiny shards. The arms holding me up wrapped around me as my consciousness gradually faded away.“Eden.” I heard someone calling my name. The sound was distant at first, but it gradually got louder. Where am I? “Eden! Wake up! Why won’t she wake up?” All the faint sounds around me suddenly became clearer. I struggled to open my eyes. The pain in my head was too much, the light was too bright. I snapped my eyes shut.“She’s unconscious.” I listened, my eyes shut. This was a voice I didn’t recognize. “Her body is very weak right now. She’s in critical condition.”“What are you going to do for her, Dr. Devonworth.” That’s who the unfamiliar voice must be, I thought to myself. It was Dr. Devonworth, the pack doctor. I had never met him before; I’d only heard of him. Apparently, he was
Eden’s POVI was floating in a void of white. I had no idea where I was or who I was with. I couldn’t see myself or anyone else – I was just suspended, floating peacefully through a white void.But then, suddenly, the white dissipated. I was now standing at the foot of a forest. It was an old forest, with ancient trees that reached up high, threatening to pierce the sky. The scent of pine was thick in the air. I stepped into the forest and looked up, through the cracks in the branches, to where the sun shone overhead. But then I shivered. It was chilly in the shade so I stepped into one of the patches of sunlight. That was better. The sun was warm on my skin there. I rubbed my arms.I heard a quiet whimper then and turned my head. There was a massive black wolf, not too far away, staring at me. Its gaze was fixed on me, intensely. I should have been frightened; the wolf was very big and very strong.But I didn’t feel threatened by this wolf. Not at all. I didn’t feel like this wolf w
Zane’s POVSlade was going crazy again. He couldn’t handle seeing Eden lying there, so weak and bruised. She’d taken a real beating during the fight and she now bore the wounds to show it. Deep down, I was really proud of her. Most girls would have given up half-way through. But not Eden. She had just kept on fighting.Seth had torn clear through all the tendons in her left shoulder. Her ribs were crushed and broken, as well as her femur. Other assorted welts, bruises, and gashes covered her body. Slade whined and paced around in my head. He was not happy about this. Not. At. All.When Dr. Devonworth told me she might die, Slade nearly pounced right out of my head. I held him back, but it wasn’t easy. It was clear to me then that if Eden died, Slade would never recover from the loss. So I had told the doctor that she was my mate and that I would do anything and everything to save her. Slade was already on the brink of insanity. Eden’s death would DEFINITELY push him over the edge.
Eden’s POV“What do you mean ‘can't be with me’?” Zane was furious. His anger made me tremble.“I mean, I can’t be with you like this.” I pointed to my body and then to his. I assumed something had happened between us while I was unconscious. I mean, we were both naked and snuggled up together in bed. What was I supposed to think?“You think…” His voice trailed off for a moment. Then he realized what I had insinuated, that we’d had sex. Realization dawned on his face. He shook his head. “You thought I was taking advantage of you? You were unconscious, Eden. I was trying to save you!”I was stunned. Trying to save me?He sighed. “If you don’t believe me, check your wounds.” I lifted my arm and saw that a large gash was almost completely healed. Then I lifted a mirror and looked at my shoulder, where Seth had torn it with his claws. Instead of a deep cut, I only saw the faint outline of a pink wound. It too had almost completely healed.I shied away from him, embarrassed by my accusatio
Zane’s POVAstrid?I blinked, completely shocked.She thinks…she actually thinks I love Astrid?I was speechless. What was she talking about? Who gave her that crazy idea?“Everyone knows it,” she said calmly. “The maids talk about it all the time. And I can see it. I see the way you look at her.”I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. Was she for real? Astrid was my Gamma, nothing more. This was insane! But still, she continued. “I’ll accept your rejection, gracefully. Honestly, I will. And then I can leave. I adore Astrid. I won’t stand in your way.”She was serious. She actually believed that I loved Astrid. And that I was going to reject her? This was so silly. Whatever gave her that idea? Astrid and I were close, yes, but close like a brother and sister. Astrid was my most respected warrior, a title that she had earned over the years. She was strong and loyal. She led my warriors with an iron fist. I trusted her with my life. I revered her, and was loyal to her, and ado
Eden’s POVOkay, so when Zane asked me to go to a wedding with him, I never imagined in a million years it would be Caleb’s! He didn’t tell me until we got there. I don’t blame him. I might not have gone otherwise.But as we arrived, I put two and two together pretty quickly. I immediately saw the guest book with Caleb and Scarlett’s name scrawled across the top.“Seriously?” I asked dryly. “THIS is the wedding you take me to?”“What better way to prove you’re over him than to attend his wedding?” Zane chuckled mischievously. “With me,” he added, pulling me in close to his side.I looked around. It was a grand affair, with dazzling lights and elegant decorations. Scarlett had clearly spent a long time planning it; it was decadent and elaborate. Caleb and I had been married hastily in a very basic ceremony. This was the complete opposite.Surprisingly, though, I didn’t feel too upset or jealous. Maybe it was because I was with Zane. Or maybe I was actually really over Caleb and I had p
Eden’s POV“This wolfless girl is the Lycan King’s mate?” The crowd erupted in shocked whispers. I stood, smiling smugly at Scarlett. Then I lifted my stupid drink in mock cheers. She’d just been publicly embarrassed at her own wedding. Suddenly, her ‘signature drink’ tasted a little sweeter.“So to do that to you,” Zane whispered in my ear. “I didn’t have a choice. Their behavior was disgusting.” I couldn’t have agreed more so I whispered back,“It’s perfectly fine.”Although, deep down, I was a little worried. I knew how shameless Scarlett and Caleb could be. Would they really just let this go? I highly doubted it.Eventually, though, the whispers died down. The guests returned to whatever they’d been doing before. Zane was quickly swarmed by Alphas.“Your highness,” one Alpha said. “I could really use your esteemed advice on some pack matters.” He bowed his head.“As could I,” another said, also bowing.“I have an issue with rogues,” a third one said. “I was hoping for your direct