I don’t know where I am, nor if I’m asleep or awake. I’ve been awake so long looking for Anja that I no longer know what the hell is going on.It’s been two days since Anja disappeared, and it sent me into a spin. I couldn’t eat nor sleep; all I had done in that time was; search for my mate. I have the whole of Zidiah looking for their Queen, but there has still been no sign.Anja wouldn’t just up and leave; there’s no way in hell she would do that. Anja and I are one, and I know she’d never willingly leave me.But that still begs the question, where is she?How could she have disappeared into thin air?No one saw Anja leave the mansion, and I have interrogated hundreds over the past few days. Nobody knows anything; there has been no sign of Anja anywhere. She’s not in Zidiah, nor any of the shifter clans surrounding us.I have searched everywhere, even contacted packs across the world. But there is no sign of my mate, and I’m at a loss of where to look next.Tracey doesn’t believe An
My heart sinks.If this is a future vision, then I’m to lose Anja to death very soon. That cannot happen!“We have spent our whole lives learning everything we can to find a way to stop Mother’s death. You told us we’d know when the time would come for us to find your past self. That time is now,”“Dad,”There’s an ache in my chest as I look at Luther. These are my cubs, part of my Anja. They may be grown and have come to me in a vision, but my love for them is insurmountable.“By now, you know the powers Mum possesses. You’ll also know that she can’t control them most of the time. Mum’s powers, aside from the ones she possesses thanks to her vampiric and Omerian blood, are due to the blood of the firsts.”“Wait, vampiric blood? The blood of the firsts?”Luther nods. “There is much to explain,”And he does just that. Luther tells me about where Anja came from and why. I learn about her parents and why Amanda was given one drop of blood from the first Vampire, Phoenix, Siren, Wolf, Dra
“Orrin, this is crazy!”I pay Adrian no attention as I push through the library doors, Adrian and Tracey hot on my tail.As soon as I showered and changed, I bumped into Adrian and Tracey on my way to the library. I gave my brother a quick rundown of what happened with my cubs.Suffice it to say, Adrian thinks I’ve lost my mind. He wants me to see the pack doctor, not to mention the healers. Adrian believes Anja’s disappearance has driven me insane.I ignored Adrian and continued on my way to the library. Of course, both he and Tracey have followed me here. I couldn’t give a shit right now if they’re here or not, but nothing will stop me.The double doors slam against the walls, and Keley jumps out of her seat, eyes wide. Bitch knows why I’m here, and if she’s not lucky, I’ll rip her apart!“You!”“My King,” Keley swallows hard before bowing.“I know what you’ve done,”She looks at me, and I can tell that she doesn’t need me to clarify.“How far back did you send her?”“Orrin, this is
My head throbs as I sit up and take in my surroundings. I’m in my bedroom, I just woke up, and the sun is shining through my window.I fall back on my pillow with a giggle, grabbing the ragdoll Mama made for me and bringing her to my chest, giving her a big squeeze. I close my eyes and snuggle into the blanket.Then it all comes flooding back to me, the day’s events.Yesterday?I’m not sure right now; all I know is that I shouldn’t be here. However, my heart is torn. I remember every moment in my life, past and present, and I am so conflicted.I remember the powers I possessed as a child and how sometimes I couldn’t control them. I remember the elders telling my parents that I was a ticking time bomb, and one day soon, I could destroy the world with those powers.I remember Mia telling my parents how the elders should not have allowed the Firsts to offer their blood to save me while in my mother’s womb. However, if they hadn’t, my mother and I would have died.I also remember trying s
“Please, don’t be cross, Anja.” Briar looks at me with tears in her eyes.I’m not cross or angry; her confession stumped me.“You were gone, and I was so lost without you. James and I spoke about you all the time. James would talk with me whenever I was sad about missing you, and I would talk to him when he felt sad. He often felt down because his soul ached, as it would because you’re imprinted.“There was such a pull between us, and James said he knew I was his mate. I was scared to admit that I thought so too, but it was hard when I knew it from the age of sixteen.“I had never said anything because I didn’t think it was possible. I thought that I was doomed to be mated with a man who didn’t feel the mating pull.“One evening, James said we needed to talk. I was worried that he’d realised my feelings and that he was going to tell me that I had to leave.”“I’m guessing that he didn’t?”Briar shakes her head.“James sat me down and said that he needed to tell me how he felt. I listen
I’m nervous as Briar, and I make our way to the parlour. I’m not sure why I’m nervous; this is my family I’m about to see. However, my heart is beating fast inside my chest.We stop outside the door, and I brush down my dress. Whoever invents the steam iron in the future is a genius.“You look fine, Anja.” I nod at Briar and blow out a deep breath. “You have nothing to be nervous about.”I smile at her. I then follow her into the grand parlour. I remember this room so well, and all the time’ Mama read to me in here.My eyes land on Papa, then shoot to each of my brothers, who tip their heads gracefully. I do the same.Then I see her sitting in the armchair, my beautiful mother. A rush of emotion fills me. I’m relieved to see her looking so well, yet I’m saddened that I had to go through the grief of believing she had passed away.“Mama.”Mama rises gracefully from her seat and opens her arms to me.I rush to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Anja.” She mumbles around a kiss on
“Tomorrow is going to be a day to remember!” Papa holds his glass in the air in a toast.Briar smiles widely in his direction, and James brings her hand to his mouth, dropping a sweet kiss on her knuckles.After James shook away the premonition, no one mentioned it, though he held Briar close to him. I could see that he was worried about her, but she soon made James realise that everything was okay.There was a lot to think about, but I couldn’t at that moment. I just wanted to sit down with my family and pretend nothing happened. I’d been away from them for so long that now wasn’t the time to talk about what might be.Byron quietly leaves the room without a word. He’s always been a quiet man, and celebrations make him uncomfortable. I wonder if he’ll ever find his mate. Maybe he’d come out of his shell a little more if he did. That’s not to mean my eldest brother is weak; the man is anything but.I’m sitting next to Mama, holding her hand. I’ve missed her so much, and I just need to
I round the corner, and the sight that befalls me is just what I saw in my head. Orrin really is here, and so are Adrian and Tracey.Both Adrian and Tracey spot me first, but they both seem to be in shock, so neither says anything.Orrin is hypnotised, and my heart lurches.“Byron!” I yell my brother’s name while using my vampiric speed to reach him.I hold my hand up towards him, throwing him against the wall. But for some reason, it didn’t break his hold on Orrin, who is still standing stock still and staring into space.It seems my brother’s power has grown in the time I’ve been gone.“What the hell was that?” Byron yells while getting to his feet.“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Byron? This is my husband!”He yanks on the lapels of his suit jacket while rolling his neck. “I know who he is, Anja. However, he brought others with him; no one should be able to do that! The portal is for direct descendants of the Crowley-Beaumont family, not strangers.”“What have you done no
Twenty-Five years later “Dad? You okay?” I turn away from my bedroom window and face my daughter with a smile. “Something I can help you with?” Lilly says nothing, just walks into my open arms. My daughter will one day take over the throne. My sons are strong Romarians, but Lillian is an Omerian, much more powerful than anyone predicted. It’s been many years since there was a crowned Queen of Zidiah. My daughter will be the first in two hundred years. My children have struggled with having Lorcan’s spirit share Luther’s body all their lives. The witch who stole him from us did the unthinkable. Killing the child as we thought was bad enough, but what she’d, in fact, done was force Luther and Lorcan to share one body. It took twenty-five years and Luther’s little mate to separate Luther and Lorcan. But Jenna did it, and Lorcan is now here in the physical. I love Lorcan, none could ever say that I don’t, but the boy is insane. All those years living inside his brother have left Lo
I gasp and stumble as blood falls from my mouth. The power of the Firsts rips from my body, flowing back into them.What the fuck just happened?I fall to my knees, gasping for air and clutching my chest. I feel as though I’m in another dimension, but, strangely, I feel like my old self once again.Thank the Goddess!However, I remember every vile thing I’ve done over the past weeks, and my heart is breaking.Tears fall from my eyes, and I sob. I’m a monster! There is no other word for it: I’m a monster and will never be anything more.“Anja?” I look at the man crouching in front of me. “My child,” Mythius cups my cheek. “You are free.”“I don’t know what happened,” I admit.“The blood of the Firsts corrupted your heart and mind. It almost stole your life force, but your mate saved you. How did he do this? No one knows.”“Orrin,” My eyes widen. “Where is he?”Mythius smiles sadly. “I’m sorry, young one.”“No,” I shake my head while clambering to my feet. “He’s not gone; I would feel i
“Are you sure this is the way?”“Yes, Freddy,” I mumble.Today is the day. I have but moments to save Anja, and I cannot fail. It’s taken days to find her hiding place, yet it shouldn’t have – not when we’ve followed the bodies along the way.So many shifters have been killed, too many to count. It seemed that no one was safe from my mate. Anja cared not for who she killed nor the land she destroyed.What has become of my mate?If I do manage to save her, will she ever be the same?Will she be my Anja or someone I don’t recognise?I feel sick with nerves as I approach the cave in which Anja is hiding. Liam, Adrian, and Freddy all insisted on coming with me. It didn’t matter how many times I protested; they wouldn’t listen. I also know the Firsts are following, hiding out of sight, but they’re there.They’ve come to the end of their tether, and no amount of me protesting would stop them from ending Anja. Onyx, the first dragon, almost angrily set fire to my pack!I’ll never know how th
“You need to sort this, Orrin!” I roll my eyes at Mythius. Fucking vampire prick is driving me nuts! I know that I need to sort things, but I’m at a loss for what to do here. “Your mate is out of control, and the Firsts have been talking. They want Anja neutralised before the week is out.” I know what that means; they want Anja put down. It won’t happen, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold them off. After what happened in the woods the other day, things have been slowly getting worse. Anja has killed more people than even I can count. Goddess knows I understand where Mythius and others are coming from. But I cannot stand back and allow anyone to hurt my mate. Our cubs need her; I need her! Four days ago, I was called to the forest, where I found my mate torturing rogues. Adrain, Liam, and I ran as fast as we could when Mythius called. Bodies were littering the ground, decapitated, deformed, and bent in unnatural ways. Dozens upon dozens of rogues were dead as the Firsts,
It’s dark, always so dark.My life was once filled with love and light, but that’s all gone now. All that is left behind is rage and darkness.I don’t want to be this way; it’s lonely where I am right now – locked inside my head. But I can’t deal with the pain of losing my son.Lorcan was cruelly snatched from me by a madwoman for no other reason than she could. I am one of if not the strongest person in our world. One witch should not have been able to curse me; I should have been able to take her voice and stop her.Why then couldn’t I?Why was I frozen and unable to speak?But I couldn’t speak, and I couldn’t stop that woman from taking my son from me. I still don’t understand her words, and I don’t even care to try. That bitch took something from me that I will never be able to get back.No one will ever understand what that witch did to me that day. I knew that I was out of control, hurting my own people because I couldn’t stop myself.But did I really deserve to lose my son beca
Some Months Later. . .Time is getting closer. I have around a week to save Anja, and I still haven’t worked out how to do that. She’s so out of control that the whole city is coming down around me.The Elders are on my case to contain Anja, while my people are terrified of what their Queen will do next. My pack will end in rack and ruin at this rate, and it won’t be long before my enemies swarm in.I have dozens wanting to take Anja from me. Many of whom would use her powers for their own ends, just as my cubs informed me.I am doing everything in my power to keep Anja safe, but it’s not easy. Anja fights me on everything, and just one person disagrees with her, and she ends their lives as if they were nothing.I feel as though I’m being pulled in ten different directions. The Elders, though they stay in hiding away from Anja, have been on my case to put her down. Like she’s a fucking dog!I know Anja is bringing around the destruction of our pack. But I can’t bring myself to hurt he
On the other hand, Amanda and Leopold felt the mate bond the moment they laid eyes on each other. They sparked in a way no other Kulumi bear ever has, and their love story is one that will last the ages. A woman out of her timeline with the face of another ended up being the King’s, destined mate. Nothing could have been more perfect.“Amanda,” Leopold wraps Amanda in his big arms, lifting her slightly because she’s a foot and half shorter than he is. “My love.”Though I knew Leopold loved Amanda, I never realised how much until this moment. The pale blue and lilac auras swimming around their heads as they kiss tenderly only provides more evidence that they belong together. They’re deeply in love, and nothing could take that away from them, not even death.I understand now why Leopold would never take another wife. He wasn’t and never would be over his true mate.Is it wrong to keep from the King his wife’s true identity?I don’t believe so.Why cause more pain when it won’t change an
I hadn’t heard Brody come into the room, but he’s certainly made his presence known since. “What have you done to my father?”“Brody, stand down,” Leopold waves his hand at his son.“Stand down? She was banished from Kulumi and ended up the damn Queen of Zidiah.”Leopold narrows his eyes, confused by what Brody just said about me being banished from Kulumi. But of course, he would be.“Does the King know she’s here? Or should we be expecting Orrin Dalgaard to bring war down on us?”I get to my feet.Brody is no threat to me, but I won’t have him stand over me, trying to intimidate me.“Orrin knows that I’m here, Brody. No, he wasn’t happy about it, but when I explained why I needed to come, he took a step back.”“Why are you here?” The man who used to be my best friend grinds between his teeth.I take a deep breath before using my vampiric ability to wipe Brody’s memories of who I was to him, just as I did with Leopold.I then explain everything to Brody. Every little thing I told Leo
“It is true, Leopold. But there’s more.” “What more could there be, Anja?” I know this is a lot for Leopold to take in, but he needs to know everything. So, I explain his sister-in-law’s plans to kill his child due to Amanda’s death. Leopold’s eyes widen in shock, and I see the bear within trying to break out. Not once did Leopold blame Dania for what happened. “I’ll kill her!” Leopold roars. ‘Why did you tell him that?!’ Asha screams inside my head. ‘You didn’t need to say anything. You planned to glamour the clan into forgetting who you were here and believing Amanda hadn’t even died. ‘Everything would have been as it always was, but you had to go and spill this shit to the King. Once you’d glamoured everyone, nobody would have wanted to kill Dania. What the hell is wrong with you?’ Crap! Asha is correct, but I wasn’t thinking. I am so overly tired, and I’ve used so much power today that I’m starting to slow down. ‘Wipe the memory, Anja! Amanda’s sister was acting due to gri