Zoe woke up from the best sleep she'd had in a long time. Ryder was holding her so tightly she could barely move. She didn't know what time it was, but she assumed it was getting close to dinnertime. She lightly rubbed her hand over Ryder's chest and noticed how much he was sweating. When she pulled away slightly, she looked at his face, and even though he was sleeping, he looked like he was in pain."Ryder, wake up," She said softly, not wanting to startle him, but she wanted to get him out of whatever dream he was having. He didn't open his eyes, so she tried again."Ryder, I need you to wake up," She said a little louder. He pulled her closer. His entire body began shaking. "No, no, no, please stop. Please don't hurt me. I don't want to die. No, no, no." Zoe had tears running down her face hearing him beg for his life. "Ryder, please wake up. It's Zoe. Please come back to me. They can't hurt you anymore." She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back. When she f
Zoe and Ryder returned to their table, where Chase and Sonia were beaming at them. They had noticed the change in some of the pack members when Zoe jumped up to help little Jessi."Good job," Sonia said as Zoe sat down."Thanks; I'm just glad I was able to help her." She answered before taking a bite of her cold food. "Yeah, you did more than you know. When the pack saw what you did, some of those on the fence about supporting Ryder are now moving to favor him. All because of you. Look around. There's a definite shift in the atmosphere." Chase said as they all looked around at the pack members. There were more people smiling. However, those who didn't want Ryder as alpha looked furious. Zoe met their glares head-on, refusing to be the first to turn away. She may be new to this world, but like hell was she going to let them hurt her man. "You were incredible. Nathan is my head warrior, and I had a feeling he was on the verge of going against me. Saving his daught
Ryder lifted Zoe so she could wrap her legs around him. He wasn't as shy as he was earlier about touching her. Smelling her arousal was all the encouragement he needed. He walked her over to the bed, lying her down. Her nightie had risen, so she was on display for him, and he could see how wet she already was."You're so beautiful," He said, sliding his boxers off. Zoe followed his hands and grinned when his penis sprung free. "You're not so bad yourself. What are you going to do to me, alpha?" Zoe asked, making Ryder's face turn red. He was feeling confident, but when she spoke to him in that sexy husky voice, he felt like a fumbling teenager. When he saw her smirk, he realized she knew exactly what she was doing to him."I'm going to make my luna scream so loud all the pack members can hear. When I get done with you, it will only be my name that you ever wish to say again," Ryder answered. Zoe stared at him in shock until she saw his eyes. Axel was the one behind
(Warning this chapter contains sensitive topics that may be hard for some readers to read.)"No, stop. Please don't mommy. Please don't hurt me. I promise I'll be good." Zoe shot up when she heard Ryder's screams. Kissing his damp forehead and stroking his head, she whispered softly. She could make out his face in the soft morning light."Wake up, Ryder, you're having a nightmare." She kept kissing and rubbing him until he calmed down and opened his eyes. When he focused on Zoe, he wrapped her in his arms and held her tight. "I'm sorry. I know I don't seem like much of a man when I'm crying in my sleep." Ryder was humiliated that Zoe was witnessing his nightmares once again. Why couldn't he get over them?"Don't apologize. I'm sorry that I haven't been here to help you through them before now. Maybe if you talk about them, it will help." She said, hoping he would open up to her. "You don't want that stuff in your head. I'll sort it out." The last thing he wante
"Is there anyone we could ask to test your DNA or find out what pack you're from?" Zoe asked. "Honestly, I don't know. Let's talk to Chase and Sonia." Ryder felt better than he had in a long time. It felt good to get everything out that he'd held inside for so long. He looked at Zoe, who was deep in thought. She really was incredible. He'd only known her for a little over a day and changed her whole world, but she never shied away, not once. She caught him staring at her and smiled."Are you feeling better?" Zoe wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. "Yes. I'm glad I told you everything. I hope you're right about me not being related to who I thought I was. Having you change how you felt about me was one of my biggest fears. My other fear was that I would become a monster someday when I had pups." Ryder was starting to understand how important having a strong mate was. No one was stronger than Zoe. "I could never change how I feel about yo
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
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