Ryder decided it was best to keep the king's visit quiet until the next day. He didn't want anyone to try anything before his arrival. He and Zoe spent the day talking to pack members while secretly preparing for the dinner where he would mark her. Chase and Sonia never left their sides as they acted as silent guards. Pamela and Jessi came to see Zoe and thanked her again for acting so quickly the day before. Ryder noticed more pack members greeted them with smiles than the previous day. He also noticed that the lines had clearly been drawn, and the pack was picking sides. It's not the way he wanted things. He wanted the pack to be strong, but that wasn't possible as long as there was friction. He hoped the king and queen's visit would help change the opinions of everyone. They returned to their bedroom about an hour before dinner to get dressed. Ryder wore black pants with a black button-up shirt. Zoe borrowed a dress from Sonia because she had only
Ryder looked around the room in a fury. Who would dare take Zoe from him while she was by his side? People were spreading out to look for her, but his eyes fell on Crystal. She was staring at him with a smirk. Ryder ran over, grabbed her by the throat, and pulled her out of her chair."Who took Zoe?" He asked in his most threatening alpha tone. Everyone in the room whimpered, even though his rage was focused on Crystal."I told you this would happen if you didn't make me your Luna. You have no one to blame but yourself. Now she's going to get exactly what she deserves." Ryder squeezed her throat until her face was red, and she could no longer speak. "Let her go. I'll take her to the dungeon, where she can be watched until we find Zoe." Chase said, trying hard to get through to Ryder. Killing her would serve no purpose right now. He dropped Crystal to the ground and fell to his knees."How could they take her? I was right here. Please help me find her." Ryder sob
The search for Zoe continued for hours without a trace of her anywhere. Ryder was worried that they had killed her. Axel reassured him that now that they had marked her, they would feel it if she was dead. Most of the pack seemed worried and were helping, but he still didn't know who to trust. "Alpha, we've checked every house on the pack lands with no sign of her anywhere," Oliver said as he approached Axel. Oliver was the son of the former alpha's best friend. He didn't have a rank or anything and typically stayed under the radar. "Thanks; please keep searching," Axel answered through mindlink as he continued sniffing the area around the pack house. Something was telling him that she was still close, but he didn't want to say anything to anyone else. He was afraid whoever had her hidden would move her if they knew what he was thinking. So he continued sniffing like he was trying to find her scent. After Oscar ran off, Chase and Sonia walked over in human form. "W
The spy watched Ryder with the royal couple and the soldiers, and he began sweating. They were getting too close to Zoe for comfort. What should he do? He smirked when he had an idea. If he found Zoe, he would be considered a hero. That would be the best way to stay under Ryder's radar. He quickly shifted into his wolf and began sniffing around. He had to get to the area where Zoe was buried before the soldiers did; otherwise, it would look suspicious. "Why are you doing this? You should follow your alpha; you shouldn't be conspiring against him." His wolf mindlinked him as they headed in the direction of where Zoe was buried. "Shut up, you fool. How else am I going to become alpha? I should be the alpha, not that imposter. He's not one of us. If that old idiot had done what he promised, everything would have gone as planned. Instead, he had to adopt Ryder and make him alpha. I plan to change this pack. We should be fighting against humans, not protecting them
"I'm just going to take a little blood from each of you. I should have the results later today." Julius, the lab tech from the palace, said as he got his supplies ready. He came while Zoe was showering. Ryder had him go to his office so the rest of the pack wouldn't know what was happening. Zoe noticed Nick and Darina kept staring at her almost nervously. She wondered what was wrong. As soon as Julius finished taking their blood and Chase took him to a room where he could process the results, Zoe turned to the king and queen."Are you okay?" She asked softly. Nick and Darina exchanged a look."Can we stay here and have a talk? Maybe have lunch brought to us because this may take a while." Nick answered. Ryder wondered what was going on, but he didn't ask. He mindlinked the kitchen staff and asked them to bring lunch to his office for the four of them."Okay, lunch will be brought up soon." Ryder led everyone over to the couches. He pulled Zoe next to him and put hi
"What do you mean, you know why we were kidnapped?" Ryder asked as Julius left the office. "Sit down. I'm going to tell you how you two were destined for each other for hundreds of years before your births." Nick said quietly. He never thought the story he had heard as a pup would involve his own daughter. Ryder and Zoe sat on the couch across from him with their arms wrapped around each other. Darina sat next to Nick, holding his hand. "Ryder, have you ever heard of the Lightning Guardians?" Nick asked."No, never," Ryder answered. Axel was quiet as he listened. He knew there was something unique about Ryder, but he never knew what. He was hoping the king would have the answers. "The Lightning Guardians are the ultimate guardians. As you know, your pack, The Dark Moon Guardians, was made when I made your father alpha to protect the humans in the area. There are multiple guardian packs all over the world to protect humans and shifters, but there is only one that
Zoe and Ryder walked around the pack lands with the pretense of getting fresh air. In reality, they were trying to identify the men who Zoe heard burying her. Chase and Sonia walked with them, while Nick and Darina stayed with Julius as he finished running the tests. So far, they hadn't had any luck locating the two men. It surprised everyone in the pack that Zoe was doing so well, but Ryder told them it must be because he had already marked her. They didn't even tell Chase and Sonia the truth. They trusted them but were still trying to wrap their heads around everything themselves. "Zoe, this is Oliver. Our dads had been best friends since they were pups." Ryder said as a short older man with sandy brown hair approached them. He looked like he was in his fifties, but Zoe knew he could be much older. She held her hand out with a smile."Hello, luna," Oliver said quietly."It's nice to meet you." She said. Oliver shook her hand, but the look in his eyes gave Zoe ch
Brian and Zayden sat in their cells in the dungeon. With the silver collars around their necks, they couldn't shift, mindlink, or use any other werewolf abilities. There were no guards inside. They were only outside, so the two men felt comfortable talking quietly without being overheard. "How much do you think they know?" Zayden asked. He hadn't wanted to get involved, but Brian had convinced him it was the only way to get rid of Ryder. He wanted to come clean about everything but knew Brian wouldn't agree."They know we buried her, but that's it. Ryder can't kill us for that. They found her alive, although I don't know who could have seen that tiny hole in the ground." Brian said. There were only three of them that knew where she was buried, and none of them would have told Ryder. "Do you think we should tell them about Connor when they come? Maybe it will throw some of the heat off us if we tell them it was all his idea and we did it under duress." Zayden asked h
One Year LaterDavina's P.O.V.I look down at my sleeping daughter, Aleigha, in my arms and smile. She's almost six months old. If she only knew what we went through to have her. One day, I'll be sure to tell her. She has red hair just like me and dark brown eyes like Jock. Despite Trevor's constant teasing that our baby could be Karl's, Rmina assured us that the spell would have killed any viable sperm, so there was no way it could cause me to get pregnant. After defeating Surtur, everything calmed down around here. Jill and Karl returned home to have their twins with a promise they would visit and that they could visit us any time. I didn't let them fight with us because they hadn't trained, and Jill was pregnant, but I was so grateful they had come to help when we needed it. All of our other guests remained at the palace. Zoe and Ryder were fine with all the new people. We're truly a family.Everyone has little ones now. We have a baby phoenix,
Davina's P.O.V. Xantha moves to stand with Surtur while the other demons run toward us. It's time for the battle to begin. Izzy and Shadow return to the skies to do what they can. Our side spreads out, with everyone sticking with their mates. A demon runs toward me and Jock. I leap in the air and kick him in the face while blowing my dust on him to blind him. Jock uses his sword, piercing it through his heart and then cutting off his head. We toss him into the crack that Surtur made. It actually helps us so we can send all the demons where they deserve to go, to burn in hell. We move on to the next one, and I see the others are doing the same as we did, sending the demons to hell. Izzy swoops down, chomps two demons in half, and spits them into the hole in the ground. Shadow picks one up with his talons and tears him apart before sending him to hell. Malantha and Maelani are working with Dion to
Davina's P.O.V. "How did they get you and the kids?" I mindlink Zoe, Ryder and everyone who's fighting with us. "We were hiding in the basement with the kids when we were suddenly outside, and the demons had us. I don't understand how it happened." Zoe mindlinks us back. I can hear the desperation in her voice. This sounds like something Cressida would do, but she's dead. It has to be a witch. Just as I'm about to mindlink everyone, a woman walks out from behind the demons. She's beautiful with long reddish blonde hair, but her eyes are completely black. "She's a witch and not just any witch. Her magic is darker than we've ever seen. Everyone be careful." I mindlink them. "Well, hello there, fine palace dwellers. I have been anxious to meet the people who killed Cressida. I'm Xantha." I glare at the witch. I want to squash her with my foot, but I can't do anything until
Davina's P.O.V.When we see the hounds and lower demons, I look at Jessi. We all know this is only Surtur's first attack. He'll save the best for last, so we need to reserve our energy. "Everyone stay back. Let me take care of these rats." I make myself tiny and fly over those running through the gates. I sprinkle my dust as I go. They all turn into giant rats. Hmmmm, what dance shall we have them do? I know this isn't the time for fun and games, but we need a little laughter before we face the fire demon. I've got the perfect song. I return to the others, and they all look at me."Come on, fellas, show us what you got." I clap my hands, and the rats all line up in rows, standing on their hind legs. When they begin singing and dancing, everyone howls with laughter. "You have them singing Y.M.C.A.?" Jessi asks while wiping the tears from her eyes."Yep, why was there something else you'd rather hear?" Jessi shakes her head while pulling out
Davina's P.O.V. After Karl gave his sample to Rmina. We got him, and Jill settled into a guest room. Rmina kicked me out of her bedroom when I kept asking her how much longer it would be, so now I'm pacing in the hallway. I could make myself tiny and get back in, but I don't want to make her mess up the potion. Jock is leaning against the wall, watching me. This is our chance to have a baby, and we both feel anxious. When the door to Rmina and Trevor's bedroom opens, I stop. Rmina walks out with a smile, holding up a small glass bottle. "I made it into an oil. You need to rub it all over your body and let it soak in for an hour, and then you can take a shower. After that, you should be able to get pregnant." She hands me the small bottle and I wrap my arms around her. "Thank you. I love you, Rmina." She chuckles and hugs me back. "I love you too, you crazy fai
Davina's P.O.V. "So, can I have some of your semen?" I look at Jill and Karl, and they both look like they're ready to run away. Jessi, Wyatt, and Trevor are laughing so hard I think they might fall over. This is no laughing matter."Why do you need Karl's semen?" Jill asks. I guess I should have explained it a little better."I need it so I can have a baby. So can I have some?" The others are laughing even harder while Jock's hold on me gets stronger. What is wrong with everyone? I'm telling the truth. Jill stands in front of Karl like she's going to attack me if I get near him."You want to have sex with my mate?" She asks through clenched teeth. I shake my head."Let me explain." Rmina steps forward. I wish her luck because I told them what I needed it for. What else is there to say? "I'm Rmina, and I'm a witch. The demon Asmodeus had a spell placed on Davina so she couldn't get pregnant with anyone except him. She is now mated to Jock, the man w
Rmina's P.O.V.While the others are going through the palace looking for any more spies, Trevor and I are working on a special project. Even though Asmodeus is dead, the spell on Davina is still in place. I need to find a way to remove it. I feel bad now that she's explained why she always picks on me. It has to be hard on her knowing she can't get pregnant when she wants a child so badly. "Any luck?" Trevor asks, putting his arms around me from behind. "Not yet, but I think I'm getting closer," I answer as he kisses my cheek. Most people see him as nothing more than a warrior, but I know the truth. Trevor has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. He doesn't always know how to show it because, let's face it, Gabe and Cressida weren't exactly good role models. His hands slide down to my belly to cover my small bump where our son is growing. "I can't wait until he's here," Trevor says against my ear. "Me neither. I know he's a pup, but
Gabriel's P.O.V. No one ever asks for my help. Most people don't even know I exist. They think of other shifters like wolves or bears, but there aren't many like me. I'm an alicorn. My alicorn's name is Thunder. He's dark gray with blue eyes like mine. We're running to the palace rather than flying because we'd be noticed by humans. Selene reached out to me and asked for my assistance. I was honored that she considered me. I spend all my time alone. After my parents left me when I was a foal, I've been alone ever since. They said I could take care of myself because I was a shifter. That was over twenty years ago, and I'm now thirty. Thunder reaches the palace gates and shifts. An advantage of being an alicorn is that we have a little magic and can shift without removing our clothes. I run my fingers through my golden brown hair while the guards look at me with their mouths open. Well, at least someone is impresse
Surtur's P.O.V. I can't believe that idiot thought he could go after Davina and the others with guns blazing but with no plan. Well, that's one nuisance out of the way. Asmodeus wasn't even worthy to be down here, in my opinion. He was too caught up in all his women. I understand he was the demon of lust, but there is more to life than sex. One of my hounds was spying on him, and he saw the entire fight. Even I almost laughed when he said Davina made Asmodeus and his hounds do the Macarena. That fool was probably madder than hell. He didn't have a firm grip on anything, it seems. Two of his daughters and his head hound turned their backs on him and chose another life. That would never happen to me. The people around me know if there was any type of insubordination, they would be dead. I look at the demons in front of me who have agreed to go against Satan and take over the Earth. It is time that w