Zane’s POVI didn’t understand what was happening. The crow circled above us, a body in its grasp. Lucinda tapped her foot impatiently.“Get down here at once,” Lucinda ordered. “What have I said about shapeshifting, Brinsle.”It took me a moment to put two and two together.The bird was Brinsle. Apparently, Brinsle could shapeshift too, like Lucinda. But while Lucinda’s shapeshift form was an elegant, regal falcon, Brinsle’s was a horrifically ugly crow.The bird came down then. It released the body it was holding, letting it fall a few feet to the ground.Thud.Then the crow landed. It immediately changed, shapeshifting back, and Brinsle stood up. “Please, Lucinda. He’s hurt. He’s…”Brinsle was frantic. She was clawing at her hair, her eyes wild. She ran to the body on the ground. I couldn’t see clearly from where I was.“This is a fucking werewolf,” Lucinda said, looming over the body. “And a dead one at that. Why did you bring him here?”“It’s my brother,” Brinsle told her. She
Zane’s POVCalista was pulling me backwards. The cage was engulfed in flames. I only then noticed the heat. She was right, we had to get out of there. The entire cage would be on fire soon!I went with her. We took a deep breath and leapt through the flames. Her robe caught on fire on the way through though. I tackled her to the ground and rolled on top of her, putting out the fire.Everything was happening so fast. I didn’t have time to think. She stood up. Her cheek was badly burned but she didn’t seem to notice.“Come on,” she said.“I’m not asking you again,” Brinsle cried. “Do as I say. Save him. Or else…”“Or else what, Brinsle?” Lucinda asked. They were still in a stand off. All the other witches were still backing away. There was no more feasting. No more sex.Just fear.The witches were afraid.The Brotherhood of Breeders were backing away, too.On the ground, a werewolf lay beside the pile of bones. His stomach was half-devoured, one of hind legs picked clean. His bone shone
Zane’s POVThe trees had fallen. They blocked our way.Someone was behind us. We’d been caught. She’d brought down the trees. There was no point in trying to run around them.Callie and I looked at each other.“What do we do?” I whispered.Callie flashed me a defeated look.“Where do you think you’re going?” the voice asked.Callie shrugged, then she slowly turned around. I did the same. What choice did I have?We turned around and came face to face with Sullivan.Sullivan Black. The powerful witch, Lucinda’s grandmother. She hadn’t been at the feast of wolves. At least, not as far as I knew.But she was here now.“Come.” She held out her hand and crooked her finger. We were pulled towards her. We had no choice.“Follow,” she sighed.She turned and headed back for the fire. We followed, clearly under a spell of some sort.My heart sunk. We’d been so close. But now?She was leading us right back into the heart of this fucking coven. I tried to catch Callie’s eyes, but she was avoiding
Eden’s POVZara ran.She ran fast through the forest, in full force. I felt her padded paws hit the ground as she propelled herself through the myriad of trees. She had only one thing on her mind as she ran…Slade.I had no idea where the Falcon Crest Coven was. Somewhere far beyond the territory of the werewolves. Zara ran on instinct. She weaved through the trees expertly. I realized in that moment that I’d never let her out to run. Not like this. I could only imagine what she looked like, a mass of pure white, a blur in the trees.I felt her muscles, strong and sinewy. Her eyes were sharp and her sense of smell was acute. The forest looked differently, felt differently, as I hovered inside her.So this is what it was to a wolf, I thought. The adrenaline. The sheer velocity. The pump and pull of her muscles.It was exhilarating.I knew we shouldn’t be going. Not yet. We should have waited, gathered some resources, made a plan. Witches were a force to be reckoned with, and it was rec
Eden’s POVZara ran, dead south. Miva followed close behind. Zara had picked up Slade’s scent again. She was hoping and wishing that this time, his scent would lead us to the Falcon Crest Coven. So she followed it, optimistic but wary.Thistlethorn, I thought to myself.Zane had come to see me when I was on the island. By magic, I now realized. It made sense since he was with witches. Somehow, he’d cast a spell that allowed him to travel through the nether region to come and see me.That made sense. Of course he wanted to see me. I was his mate. And his presence had given me strength. Courage. It had allowed me to escape being raped by Demetrius.But what didn’t make sense is why Zane would be at Thistlethorn. According to Zara, he was though. In spirit form.I was very, very confused.Where had Zane been all this time? Why was he traveling through the nether region, visiting obscure packs? Was he being forced to do that?Zara let out a low howl, pulling me from my thoughts.We’d come
Eden’s POVWe left the deserted castle, with the intention of picking up Slade’s scent again. We were planning on going to the coven first to rescue Zane and the others. Then we’d go back to the palace and gather our defenses, so we could launch a surprise attack on Alpha Sylar’s army, just like Astrid had planned.The problem was, we didn’t know where the coven was. And Zara had completely lost his scent. We knew it was somewhere South, so we were heading in the right direction, more or less. But we didn’t know exactly where.So we just kept running through the forest, hoping that we’d pick up something sooner or later.That’s when we ran into Skylar’s army.We hadn’t meant to. We weren’t looking for his army. It was a complete accident. But as soon as we saw his army, well, we REALLY wished we hadn’t.We were running along the top of a canyon when we glanced down. At first, we only saw a thin line of warriors. We wondered if they were heading out to attack another pack. But as we we
Eden’s POV“What do we do?” I asked, my voice low.At first, Astrid didn’t answer. She knew it was bad. And she knew that I knew that she knew.We didn’t have Zane. We would soon, moon goddess willing, but even then, we had no idea what sort of shape he was in. Beta Brighton could very well be dead. Which left Storm and Astrid to run everything.And me.Some of this fell on my shoulders.My baby rolled just then. I put my hand on my stomach.Plus there was that.My baby was growing bigger by the day. In fact, I was precariously close to going into labour now. I wasn’t quite due yet, but if the baby wanted to come early….“Astrid?” I asked. My voice sounded small. Unconfident. Scared.“I can’t believe how many packs turned against us,” Astrid sighed, looking down. “Why?”Below us, the warriors moved in slow succession. From our vantage point up on the cliff, we could see them weave their way miles down the canyon.“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe he offered them something? Something they
Eden’s POVGoodbye?“Zara, what do you mean he said good-bye?” I asked. She looked frazzled. The tears streamed down her face, wetting her fur in large, damp streaks.“He doesn’t have much longer. He found me. Reached out. Because he wanted to say goodbye.”This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good at all.We needed to find this coven and we needed to find it fast.“Zara, can you pick up his scent?” I asked.“It’s no use,” she said softly. “Eden, I think it’s too late.”Astrid watched me with a concerned look on her face.“Zara, we have to try. We’re close. I know it. Please, just try to pick up his scent.”“We need to shift again,” I told Astrid. “It’s Slade. It’s not good. We’re running out of time.”Astrid said nothing. She only nodded quickly. Then she started removing her clothes. I did the same. We tied our clothes around our legs and let our wolves out.Zara was forlorn but she sniffed the air. She couldn’t smell him though. So she tried again. We tried running back into the forest, a
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?