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?
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 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 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 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