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
Zane’s POVThe morning after the Celebration Feast, I woke up with Eden tangled in my arms. We had still until the bitter end last night, and now we had slept in. It was already past ten by the time I woke up. She was still asleep. For a moment, I watched her naked chest rise and fall as she breathed in and out, peacefully.Then I pulled back the covers to sneak a peek at her belly.I loved looking at her pregnant belly. Gently, I placed my hand on her stomach, careful not to wake her up.The baby kicked.I was elated!But just then, a dark feeling washed over me.Lucinda’s belly was growing, too. My child was inside of her. It was a deep dark secret that I was keeping from Eden.And it was eating me alive.She had seduced me, Lucinda. She had blackmailed me and then forced me to have sex with her. Of course, I never thought I’d get her pregnant. I was ignorant about the ways of witches. I didn’t know she had the power to pretty much ensure she got pregnant.I tried not to think about
Zane’s POVI led Eden through the garden.I was nervous. REALLY nervous. I knew I had to tell her about Lucinda. But I was nervous about her reaction.What would she say? Everything was so perfect between us. I didn’t want to fuck this up. Not again.The gardeners were hard at work trying to restore it to its natural splendor since the flowers had been ruined by the refugee camps.“What is it, Zane?” Eden asked. She knew me well. She could tell there was something on my mind. “Should I be worried? Is something wrong?”I looked at her beautiful face. I couldn’t lie to her any longer.“Yes,” I said. “There’s something I need to tell you.”She stopped walking and turned to me. “Whatever it is, Zane, it will be fine. I promise. There’s nothing you can say that will stop me from loving you.”I wished that were true. I took a deep breath and was just about to spit it out, when we heard a stern voice.“I can’t keep living this lie.”It was a male voice and it was coming from behind a tall he
Eden’s POVMy first reaction was to gag.Beta Brighton was in love with….her? But how? Chloe was so…so…just…no.I respected Beta Brighton. I adored him, actually. He was loyal and good and kind. I didn’t understand. How could someone like him love someone like her?But then I realized I was being overly judgemental. Love came in all shapes and forms. And love was something everyone deserved, even Chloe.Zane, however, didn’t see it that way.The moment Beta Brighton’s words left his lips, Zane shifted. Slade burst forth, in all his magnificent glory.“You’ve betrayed me,” Slade growled, his voice low and dangerous.Beta Brighton shifted too. In an instant, his human form morphed into his auburn wolf. His wolf was impressively large, but he was no Lycan. And therefore, his wolf paled in comparison to Zane’s.Chloe watched, wide-eyed. She looked very frightened.“Step to the side, Chloe,” I instructed. The last I wanted was for her to get injured in this wolf fight.“Calm down, please,”
Eden’s POVIn the following weeks, the palace started to regain its sense of normalcy. The gardens were restored and the refugees went back to their packs. Thanks to the generous donation from Murietta, we were able to expedite the rebuilding of the packs. The Gammas that had fought on Alpha Sylar’s side were true to their word – they helped build new pack houses and homes for all the packs they’d destroyed.Every time a pack was rebuilt, Zane and I toured it. We went to make sure the pack was better and stronger than it had been before. So far, every pack was. They thanked us profusely. It was a wonderful thing, watching the pride in the people’s eyes as they toured us around their packs.I got bigger and bigger every day. So big, that I was sure I was going to burst wide open at a moment’s notice. I was still terrified that the witch would take over the wolf in my baby. I knew I should talk to Zane about it, but I just kept putting it off.Zara said the baby had a strong wolf in her
Eden’s POVI never thought I would get the chance to have a burial for my mother. I spent my whole life thinking she was already dead. So being present at her burial was both a blessing and a bittersweet event. Zane handled all the arrangements, with the help of Brinsle, since they had known her better than anyone else at the palace.Zane assured me that the burial was just the way Calista would have wanted it. Of course, my grandfather came too. He had such sad eyes while he watched the ceremony. He was burying his daughter, after all.I couldn’t help feel like it was such a shame. All those years, I could have known her. Yes, she was a witch and had to live in the coven. But maybe we could have met sometimes. Then again, maybe not. Maybe it would have been too hard. Maybe it was better this way.We all wore red. It was a color wolves wore for the most serious, revered burials. We were going against tradition a little bit by giving Calista this burial, since she wasn’t a witch. But w
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?