Eden’s POVZane?Was it really him?I saw him across the field of wild flowers. I couldn’t believe it. My heart soared. He ran towards me and I felt like time stood still.And then..I was in his arms. Joy washed through me as he held me tightly. Then his eyes dropped down to my stomach. He looked so relieved. Relieved and shocked. The baby had grown a lot since I’d seen him. I was very pregnant now.He dropped to his knees and pressed his cheek up against my belly. I wrapped my hands in his hair. It felt so good, to be here, with him. Finally.But we didn’t have much time.Alpha Skylar’s army was close by. Much closer than we had anticipated. Astrid had sent out a mindlink telling all the warriors to come immediately to the Northern Field. We had to act fast.Lucia’s wolf moaned. Zane was kissing my belly and his lips felt like heaven. But we had to help Lucia.I told him to go and help her. She was badly wounded from the warrior in the woods and I felt sick to my stomach about it. Z
Zane’s POVThere are no words to express the amount of hate I felt for that bitch.Scarlett.She’d caused me and Eden more grief than I could count. Kidnapping. Torturing. Ridiculing.I Fucking. Hated. Her.Her bow and arrow were aimed at Eden. Yeah right. What did she think? That we were just going to stand here and LET her shoot Eden?I stood up. Astrid and Storm did the same.“Oh look, it’s Eden’s little fan club. How sweet!” Scarlett lowered her bow. “Isn’t that sweet. Don’t you think that’s sweet, Alpha King Skylar?” She enunciated the last few words.“He’s no such thing,” Zane said.“Not technically. Not yet I suppose. But soon enough,” Scarlett scoffed. She fixed her eyes on Astrid. “So nice to see you again,” she said sarcastically. “Still enjoying your hooks?”Astrid clenched her fists. Scarlett was the one who had forced the doctor to put in Astrid’s hooks. She’d also tortured her. Astrid’s hatred for this woman was almost as strong as mine.Almost.Suddenly, the whimper of
Zane’s POV“Brinsle! What the fuck have you done?”Brinsle released her bolt of light before anyone could stop her. Scarlett was hit and then thrown backwards through the air. Thud. She landed against a tree.All eyes turned from Scarlett to Brinsle. Brinsle’s hand was still up, but she dropped it and nonchalantly rubbed it off on her thigh, as though she was wiping off some sort of goo.“That one hurt a bit,” she said lightly. “Probably because I’m out of my own boundary.” Then she giggled, like a little girl.GIGGLED!Like a fucking little girl.For the love of the moon goddess – this young woman was a monster. Eden stood, wide-eyed, staring at Brinsle. I’d seen Brinsle’s magic before, so it wasn’t as shocking to me. But Eden hadn’t. Either had Astrid or Alpha Miles, or Adrian.“What just happened?” Storm called from across the field. He was still with the large, black wolf. Lucia? I think that was her name?“I killed someone,” Brinsle said off-handedly.“Zane?” Eden asked. “Did she
Zane’s POVThe moment Skylar issued his command, the Gammas raised their hands. They were signaling to their warriors.“Astrid?” I asked out loud. As my Gamma, I would take her lead on this.“Eden, go get Storm and Lucia. Take Adrian, Brinsle and your grandfather, get out of here! Go back to the palace and gather the refugees. Run, Eden. Find somewhere safe,” Astrid fired off instructions to Eden in a calm, collected voice.But Eden’s voice was firm. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said.“It’s too dangerous,” I told her. “Please.”“I’m staying with you,” she said, her face resolute.The Gammas were growling now. Any moment, they would shift, and their wolves would come charging at us. We didn’t stand a chance. Not against an army of thousands.“We should all go,” Beta Brighton said. “We might be able to outrun them.”But then what? We just succeed to Alpha Skylar? He crowns himself Alpha King and we live the rest of our lives in hiding? Or we run far away and try to find another pack? O
Zane’s POVOur two armies stood, facing one another. On the front line of our army was me, Eden, Astrid, Alpha Miles, Beta Brighton, and Storm who had left Lucia to join us.On the front line of Skylar’s army was Skylar and all his Gammas.Our army had warriors, but we also had mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, children, teenagers, maids, omegas…anyone and everyone under the sun.Skylar had just warriors.Our original plan was to offer the Gammas whatever Skylar had offered them. We were going to attempt to bribe our way out of this war.But I had another idea.“I want all the children,” I said. “Storm and Astrid, tell the children to come forward.”“What are you doing,” Eden asked, eyes wide.Skylar and his Gammas were also watching with wide eyes. He’d held back his attack when my warriors arrived. Now he was watching me, skepticism etched on his face.“Trust me,” I told Eden.Astrid and Storm did as I asked. They quickly gathered all the children. Their mothers release
Zane’s POVSkylar rampaged a little while longer. We all just stood and watched. He kept ordering his Gammas to attack, but they shook their heads. There was nothing left for him to do but surrender. It was almost comical, watching him. He’d been so sure he would win this war and become the Alpha King. And now that he knew it was over? Well, he was hanging onto his last thread of hope.Eventually, though, like all threads, his snapped.His expression changed. He was accepting his loss. And with that came the realization that he was in deep, deep shit.He had betrayed me. He had ransacked and killed countless packs. He’d murdered werewolves. He’d made a deal with the witches and used illegal potions. He’d kidnapped Eden and tortured Astrid. These were ALL crimes.He came forward and knelt at my feet.“Please, King Zane,” he said, his voice small and humble. “I surrender. Have mercy on me?”I snickered.“Have mercy? Why should I have mercy? You’ve committed unspeakable crimes, Skylar,”
Eden’s POVHe fell to my feet and clutched at my ankles. He wailed and protested. Begged and begged. It was a disgusting display. I was embarrassed for him, Skylar.“Please, Queen Eden, no! Exile me. Imprison me. Give me a different death! Anything but that!”Blah blah blah. I watched him, my eyebrows furrowed. “Are you done yet?” I asked. “You’re making a mockery of yourself. Stand back up. Be a man. I have cast my sentence. Take it like an Alpha.”Beside me, Zane smiled with pride. I was surprised he’d given me this decision. I knew how much he hated Skylar. I knew how much he wanted to tear him to shreds right here, right now. And Slade? I could imagine what he was thinking.I didn’t know yet everything that Zane had been through. Just as he didn’t know what I’d been through. But I could feel his pain and anger. Just as I knew he could feel mine.Skylar wouldn’t stand. He just kept crying at my feet. I kicked him off.Death by white lace poison was a cruel sentence. I knew that. It
Eden’s POVDusk was falling by the time we made it back to the palace. Zane was shocked to see the grounds in such disarray. The gardens were completely ruined, remnants of the refugee camps everywhere. It looked strange to me now, empty and vacant.We all trudged alone, Beta Brighton, Adrian, Astrid, Brinsle, and Storm, who carried Lucia in his arms. She had shifted back and thankfully, with a little help from Brinsle’s healing spell and her own wolf, Lucia was on the mend.We were all too tired to talk, even though we all had a lot to talk about. We decided that everyone would meet tomorrow morning over breakfast so we could start planning our next steps. For the time being, we all just needed a nice, hot shower and a quiet evening.As soon as we entered the palace, though, Chloe came running.“Zane? Oh Zane! I’ve missed you SO much!”She threw her arms around Zane’s neck and kissed his cheek. Truth be told, I’d forgotten about Chloe. Her stomach was swollen now too, but
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?