Eden’s POV
In the dark forest, danger never ceased. It attracted the very worst of the worst, cruel rogues with no morals. I needed to get out of this forest, to find somewhere safe. But even as careful as I was, the rogues lurked everywhere. I soon came face to face with two rogues.
“See?” one of them said, clucking his tongue. “Told you she was pretty.” They both lifted their noses into the air.
“I’m the Luna of the Sequoia Pack,” I said, trying to steady my trembling legs and intimidate them. “If you lay a finger on me, the Sequoia Pack will come down hard on you.”
“You? Hahaha...” the other burst into laughter. “You don’t even have a wolf.”
They knew I didn't have a wolf!
Of course they did. I was foolish to believe otherwise. Any werewolf could feel it.
“What kind of Alpha would want a Luna without a wolf? Pathetic,” one chimed in, joining the laughter. “If the Alpha of the Sequoia Pack found out you were damaging his reputation, he’d waste no time killing you.”
Kill me?
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. He was right. Caleb wouldn't lift a finger to help me. In fact, he probably wanted me dead more than anyone else. He banished me from the pack afterall. That was pretty much a death sentence. Sadness washed over me once again.
“Now, get her!” the other commanded, moving towards me.
They lunged at me but I kicked back. The other one tried to grab me, but I punched him in the face. I had just escaped a dangerous wolf! There was no way I was letting these rogues take me.
I fought as hard as I could, but they were stronger than me. Eventually, one grabbed me from behind. He placed a knife at my throat.
“Got you! Naughty girl.”
With the knife at my throat, I had no choice. I stopped struggling as they tied my hands.
“What…what are you going to do with me?” I feared the answer. Rape? Murder? Rape then murder? I shuddered. They smelled disgusting, like sweat and rotten meat.
“Easy, we’re going to sell you.” I turned my head from his rank breath. “At the auction house.”
Sell me? Well, that couldn’t be worse than death, could it?
How wrong I was.
***
The auction house was in an old warehouse. They brought me in and lined me up with the other omegas.
“Where are we?” I whispered to an omega beside me.
“Flooders. It’s a well known auction site. They specialize in…in providing ‘playthings’ and ‘breeders’ for powerful Alphas. If you know what I mean.”
I didn’t, not exactly. But I caught the gist of it. A suffocating feeling washed over me; I was unable to control my own destiny. My nose tingled with the onset of tears.
Just then, a man entered the room. He looked us over, one at a time.
“This one here,” he said, pointing at me. “She’s pretty. But she doesn’t have a wolf. You won’t get much for her.”
The two men that had brought me in were clearly disappointed.
“What if we clean her up a bit? Make her more presentable?”
He eyed me again and grabbed me by the chin. “Sure. Ansaldo might take her.” Then he walked away.
“Ansaldo,” I hissed at the girl beside me. “Who’s that?”
“Alpha Ansaldo? He buys beautiful women. He comes here often. Rumor has it, he’s really depraved. Cruel. Sick and twisted. Treating girls as toys.”
Being wolfless, I'd faced judgment since I was young. However, since I was from an Alpha family, most pack members didn't openly show their disdain, except for Alice. For the most part, they just ignored me. Looking back, that was probably the best treatment I could hope for.
“Look, I’m going to be straight with you,” the girl said. “You don’t have a wolf. No one will buy you for breeding. Alpha Ansaldo’s really your only option. He’s really rich so the traders all try to find beautiful girls for him. You’re pretty, that’s your fate.”
At this moment, fear filled my heart.
“Shut up,” a voice snapped at us. Two women stepped forward. “I am Missy and this is Kate. We’re bringing you to the bathing rooms now. Follow us. No talking.”
The girl beside me cautioned me with her eyes. Her look said, ‘Listen to them.’ We were led into a massive bathroom.
“Wash yourself. You’re filthy,” the one name Missy snapped at me. She forced my head under the scalding hot water. “We’re going to clean you up. Then we’re going to teach you how to be submissive. Got it?”
The water stung my skin. I pushed back against her. I couldn’t shake off those words about Alpha Ansaldo. They were too damn frightening. No way! I wasn’t going to let them ‘clean me up’ to sell me to that sick, twisted Alpha Ansaldo.
“NO,” I mustered up the courage to protest.
I said firmly. The girl I had been talking to sighed deeply and shook her head. But before I could wonder why, Missy punched me hard in the face.
“NO?” Missy punched me hard in the face. “You think you’re better than us, you little bitch! You’ll do as I say. I’ll show you who’s in charge.”
Kate kicked me in the stomach. I keeled over, clutching at my stomach, while blood gushed from my nose.
But then, just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, a man burst into the bathroom.
“Everyone stop immediately,” he barked. “The Lycan King has closed off this area. His warriors have taken over. We’ve been instructed to take all the omega girls to the square.”
The Lycan King, I thought to myself. I could see the fear on the man’s face. The Lycan King was the ONLY person who had any real power over rogues. His power stems from his lineage and the fear he instills is unconscious. The rogues were free, but they fear him, so although he doesn’t directly manage them, in the same way an Alpha manages pack members, rogues will do whatever he tells them to do.
This is an unwritten werewolf rule but since the Lycan King had been missing for 100 years, no one had ever seen the rule in action.
Until now.
“The Lycan King?” Missy asked, her eyes wide with fear and awe. “But he’s a legend.”
“He disappeared,” Kate added. “Does this mean he’s back?”
“Yes,” the man confirmed. “I had heard a rumor that he attended an Alpha’s banquet a few days ago. I thought it was a rumor. Apparently, I was wrong. He’s back.”
“Does this mean…” Kate asked, nervously. “Is he going to take over our warehouse?”
“No,” the man said. “He wants us to bring all the girls to the square. Apparently the Lycan King is looking for an omega.”
Eden’s POVMy cell door swung open. “Put this on,” Kate hissed at me. “It’s time for auction, you filthy bitch.”I’ve been locked up in this cell for a few days now. Kate threw me in here. She said since I don’t have a wolf, and I’m not even an omega, the Lycan King wouldn’t want me. So they didn’t take me to the square. They’ve given me barely any food and water, but at least my bruises have healed, more or less.I fingered the beautiful silk gown. I put on the dress and she came back. She brushed my hair and put make-up on me.“Now smile nicely,” she instructed me. I shot her a satirical smile. “NICER!” she yelled. “They want to see pretty girls. And pretty girls SMILE.” I flashed her a fake smile. My ribs were still sore from the beating. I didn’t want that to happen again. At least if someone bought me, I could get out of this cell.I was then led to a large stage. The audience was full of men, mostly Alphas I assumed. I was instructed to stand in line and wait my turn. I watched
Eden’s POV“Lycans?” The auction house broke out into exclamations. “Is it true? Are they Lycans?” Everyone whispered, wide-eyed at the thought. Anxiety and confusion rippled through the room.But then, the man at the table calmly took off his coat. Everyone watched as he hung it on the back of his chair, revealing a crisp white shirt and navy suit vest. He strode to the stage, letting loose a powerful Lycan aura. His air of nobility was palpable. His aura emanated from him and spread out through the room, passing over everyone, one at a time, and as it did, each person felt like they had been hit by an invisible force. Then his aura settled over them, like a heavy blanket. They were powerless under the suffocating pressure of the Lycan’s aura.I watched him, transfixed, as his aura hit me. It was like a lightning bolt straight to my heart. My heart raced and I began to breathe quickly. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, even though I knew that making eye contact and staring at him lik
Zane’s POV“Tear this place down,” I turned to my Beta, instructed. “And then burn it. Leave nothing of this auction house save for ashes.”The girl in my arms shrank back in response to my command, she clutched at my shirt.‘Easy now, Cookie,’ I thought to myself. ‘You’re safe now. You’re mine.’I took in her scent. Bread cookies. It was her. I had finally found her. ‘All will be well now, Slade. We found her.’Instantly, Slade, my wolf, calmed down. My mind flashed back to the first time we met.I was 21 years old, in wolf form, when I was ambushed by rogues. They caught me completely off-guard. They seriously injured me, slashing my legs and my stomach. I was so badly hurt that I couldn’t return to human form. I managed to escape, but just barely. I was forced to hide out in the forest, doing my best to camouflage my black wolf form with the dead of night.She found me one day while I was sleeping in a small brush clearing. Full of curiosity, she climbed over the bushes. She was yo
Eden’s POVI was the talk of the town, or so I heard. Rumors of the Lycan King bringing back a ‘rogue girl’ spread rapidly through all the packs. I had been here a few days, but everywhere I went, the omegas whispered. The news even spread out into rogue territory. Everyone was guessing who I was. What was my true identity? Why had he chosen me? I was asked to meet some of the omega maids in the bathroom. Apparently, they wanted to help me wash. I didn’t really want their help, though. They were a little on the rough side. But I was told I had no choice. But before I went into the bathroom, I overheard the omega maids talking. They were whispering about all the gossip spreading through the packs.“I heard the King fell in love with her at first sight, so he brought her back here. That’s what an omega from Red Stone pack told me she heard,” one maid whispered.“Nonsense. Why would he fall in love with a rogue? And an ugly, wolfless one at that?” another maid scoffed. “That’s
Zane’s POV She approached the lavish table, clearly nervous. I was already there, waiting. I motioned for her to sit, across from him. Her hands were shaky. I fixed my eyes on hers and watched as she took her seat. She was quite graceful and looked lovely in a long silk dress. I nodded my approval. “It’s okay. You can relax. I won’t bite,” I said, trying to put her at ease with a joke. “I…I didn’t think you would,” she answered in a serious tone. Clearly, she had missed the joke. So I changed the subject. “Do you enjoy salmon?” I asked. I looked down at my plate. Salmon in a white wine sauce. One of my personal favorites. Decadent and delicious. She nodded. “Then bon appetit,” I said. I took a big bite, motioning for her to do the same. She smiled appreciatively. Good, she likes salmon, I thought to myself. Then I decided to address the question on my mind. “Don’t you have a wolf?” I asked. The question must have caught her by
Caleb’s POV“You stupid girl! Be more careful! My suit has to be perfect,” I barked at my omega maid. This was an important meeting! One of the most important meetings of my life! And my damned omega was ironing my suit like she didn’t have a care in the world. “That’s cashmere, you idiot! I swear, if you burn another one of my suits!”“Yes, yes,” she nodded. “No wrinkles. No burns. I promise.” I took a deep breath to regain my composure. I watched her closely while she ironed. The last thing I needed was a wrinkled poorly ironed suit. Not today! Not for this meeting! She finished and handed me the suit. “Now get out,” I snapped at her. A few moments later, I admired myself in the mirror. Yes, I was most handsome indeed. I looked like my powerful self, well-dressed and perfectly groomed. This was exactly the look I was going for. So I grabbed the wedding invitation and headed out the door to meet with the Lycan King.We were related, the Lycan King and I. My great-great-grandmoth
Eden’s POV“I’ve told you a hundred times, the fork on the far left is for salad. What are you, dense or something?” I sighed in frustration. This was my fourth etiquette lesson that day! This was all becoming a little too much. Who knew there were so many rules about forks?“I’m trying my best,” I said to my teacher. She rolled her eyes and sighed. I could tell she didn’t like me. She made me feel really uncomfortable, like I didn’t belong here. All the teachers made me feel like that, like this whole place, this whole world was somehow above me.I was doing this at Zane’s request. He had requested that I take etiquette lessons, although I had no idea why. It’s not like I was some slobby omega. I was born of relatively high degree. Nothing like the King, of course – I wasn’t royalty, but I knew basic manners.“Again,” she said, rearranging the cutlery on the mock dining room table. “They are serving salad as the starting course. Please select the correct fork.”This time I did and sh
Eden’s POV‘This is it, Eden,’ I told myself, trying to muster up the courage. The Lycan King and I were having lunch, again, and we had just finished the salad course.“You’re improving,” he said with a sly smile.“How so?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.“You chose the correct fork this time. I guess those etiquette lessons are paying off.”Right. The lessons.It was the perfect opportunity. “About that,” I said, but was interrupted by the waiter.“For today’s main dish,” he said, placing a plate in front of Zane. “We have seared salmon with a red wine demi-glaze, with roasted baby asparagus, and twice baked potatoes seasoned with herbs hand-picked from the garden.”“Wonderful,” Zane smiled as he inhaled his plate of food. I had to agree, he did smell fantastic. I waited for the waiter to leave before continuing the conversation, but Zane beat me to it.“You’re not enjoying your lessons?” he asked, sawing into his salmon. His face was earnest and he looked sincere. “Not even t
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?