Eden’s POVEveryone at the table fell uncomfortably silent. They all avoided my eyes.“What’s going on?” I asked, feeling uneasy. Beta Brighton had just mentioned a burial? For a woman with the same name as my mom? And now everyone was sitting in awkward silence?Even my grandfather wouldn’t look at me.“Zane?” I asked, confused.“Eden, I think we should go for a walk,” he said gently. “There’s something we need to talk about.”“I don’t want to go for a walk. Just tell me now.” The tension at the table only increased. “Why are you planning a burial for a woman named Calista?” Zara stood on alert. She felt the same uneasiness I felt.“I officially adjourn the meeting,” Zane said. “Everyone can go. We all have things to do. Eden, come with me.” He stood and held out his hand. His eyes were earnest. I relented. Whatever he had to tell me, he didn’t want to say it in front of everyone.Everyone went their separate ways. I walked with Zane through the palace and outside into the fre
Eden’s POVI sat there, by the lake, reflecting on everything Zane had told me. I think I felt just about every emotion possible.I was angry that she’d lied. She was alive this whole time and she let me believe she was dead. I felt betrayed by that, even though I knew Zane was right…it was complicated.And of course I felt sad. My heart went out to her. From the sounds of it, she wanted to be a werewolf. She was raised in a pack, but she harboured a deep, dark secret. There was a witch in her. That couldn’t have been easy, carrying that secret around. And then?She’d been married. And she’d had a child. And all the while, she could feel the witch inside of her, rising.She HAD to leave. She didn’t want to. I was sure of it. She tried so hard for so long to belong. But in the end, the witch won out and Calista’s hands had been tied.What was it like for her, I wondered. Leaving the pack and asking to join her half-sister’s coven? I didn’t know much about this ‘Lucinda’ person, but fro
Eden’s POVAn hour later and Adrian were pacing the hall outside the surgery room. Adrian looked even more nervous than me, which was strange, since she was MY best friend. And I was the one who had arranged this! If anyone should be worried, it was me! “How long do you think it will take?” Adrian asked, his hair askance and his eyebrows furrowed.“As long as it takes, I guess,” I shrugged. I was trying to look calm, even though my stomach was doing flip-flops. Astrid was behind that door, getting the surgery that would finally remove her iron hooks. It was a risky surgery, the doctor told me. The hooks had been surgically implanted right into her bones. They were supposed to be permanent. But he assured me he could do the surgery and that Astrid would be fine.I’d found the doctor as soon as we got back to the palace after the war. He was an expert who was willing to come on short notice. He cost a fortune, but I happily doled out the money. Astrid had done so much for me. I wanted
Eden’s POVAstrid’s eyes flew open.“What?” she snapped. Again, she tried to sit up. But again, Adrian pushed her back down gently.“You know it’s true. You’ve just been ignoring it. But I know you feel it, too. Our connection.” Adrian looked like a love sick puppy.Astrid turned to me with a look that said ‘help me’. What could I do though? Nothing.“I knew if from the first moment I saw you. At the cave. Just after Serena kidnapped Eden. Do you remember? I thought I was in love with Serena. But then I saw you..“Adrian, just stop,” Astrid said, holding up a hand. “Serena forced me to reject our matebond. It’s broken now. It’s…non-existent.”Astrid was right. Serena had come unglued when Adrian identified Astrid as his mate. She was so in love with Adrian. She’d kidnapped me because she thought Adrian had feelings for me. Which he didn’t. I heard all about it. I was missing. And Serena knew where I was, but she wouldn’t tell anyone. I was with Caleb and Scarlett, in an abandoned cabi
Eden’s POV“250 million dollars!” I gasped.Murietta laughed and sipped her coffee from the maid.Was that really what Murietta just said? That was SO much money. Surely, I hadn’t heard her right.“You looked shocked,” she smiled.“Murietta, that’s a LOT of money.”Murietta had just told me that she wanted to help rebuild our packs. She felt partly responsible for the war, since her family had been supplying some of the funds and the weapons. This was her way of apologizing.“I know,” she said. “It is a lot of money. But it’s the least I can do.”“Murietta, it’s too much,” I told her. “It was your husband, Demetrius who gave Skylar weapons. Not you. We don’t have any ill feelings towards you.”It was true. Murietta had nothing to do with her family’s involvement in the war. It had all been that asshole, Demetrius. He’d been head of the family. Until Murietta lost it and stabbed him into a bloody pulp on the beach the night we escaped.“Right now, our family name is synonymous with cri
Eden’s POVI wasn’t sure I wanted to go and watch Skylar get injected with White Lace poison. It sounded like a horrible thing. But since I was the one who had sentenced it to him, I figured I best be present. Besides, Murietta had my hand grasped so tightly, I didn’t think I could get away even if I tried.There was already quite the crowd gathered when we got there. It wasn’t unusual to bring children to these types of things. Death as a punishment was just part of our world. It was natural for children to witness someone who had committed a crime get punished. Werewolves take their rules and codes of conduct very seriously. There is seldom leniency, especially for crimes as bad as Skylar’s.So I wasn’t surprised to see tiny children amongst the crowd. Some watched wide-eyed with fascination. Others cowered behind their mother skirts.Skylar was tied to a wooden pylon, his hands behind his back. Another rope was tied around his chest to keep him from slumping over. He was high up, o
Zane’s POVI tried to follow the conversation. I really did. This was important stuff, after all! But I couldn’t take my eyes off her lips.This woman was driving me wild.“Zane? Yes? Do you agree to the menu?” I nodded.What had I just agreed to? All eyes were on me. I tore my eyes away from Eden’s lips and looked confidently around.“Yes, I agree,” I said. Whatever. What did it matter? It was a celebration feast. It would be wonderful no matter what we decided.We were all seated in the grand dining room having afternoon tea. It was a meeting to put the final touches on the plans for the celebration feast, which was happening tomorrow night. Anyone and everyone who had come to fight alongside us during the final battle against Alpha Skylar was invited. It was going to be a grand feast. I didn’t understand what their was to plan though. As far as I was concerned, just get some food, put it out, and let everyone celebrate.Eden licked her lips just then.My member hardened instantly
Zane’s POVThe flowers looked good. I had to admit. A mix of roses and peonies. Although I stand firmly by my opinion that it didn’t matter one fucking bit what types of flowers decorated the feast table.The celebration feast was in full swing, and everyone looked fabulously happy. All around me, werewolves danced and ate and laughed. It had cost me a pretty penny, this feast, but seeing all my people so jubilant, it was well worth the price.Eden was stunning as always, decked out in a new maternity chiffon dress that fell to the floor and billowed out behind her when she walked. Her cheeks were glowing and her eyes were bright. Astrid pulled her out onto the dance floor. At first Eden tried to resist because of her belly. But Eden was no match for Astrid. So onto the floor they both went. Eden did her best to dance, swaying her hips back and forth.I smiled. She was mine. She was all mine.She saw me looking at her and smiled back. Then she laughed at something Astrid said.Astrid