EMMA I sent the guys ahead of me because I wanted to check on Ezra and Rachel to see how they were settling in. I was happy that they were in the suite next to us, so we would always be close in case they needed or wanted anything. “Luna, please come in,” Ezra said as he opened the door almost immediately after I knocked. Their room was very lovely. The bed was not quite as large as ours, but it still was plenty big for two people. I would get with Rachel later and see how she would like the room decorated. I wanted her to feel at home here because this was where they belonged as well. “How are you both settling in?” I asked, taking a seat in the chair next to where Rachel was sitting. Ezra sat down next to her and wrapped is arm around her, pulling her into his side. Those two were perfect for each other. I supposed that how mates worked. They were literally made for each other. “It’s an adjustment. I’ve never even seen a castle before, and now here we are,” Rachel admitted, blu
EMMA Xander smiled widely and ran the back of his hand down the side of my face. His touch was gentle as if I was his own delicate flower. We all knew that I was very sturdy, but the gentleness tugged at my heart. “We wanted to do something special for you, love. We thought a picnic and some stargazing would be right up your ally.” “Absolutely! You both know me well,” I chirped excitedly. This was true happiness. Fancy restaurants could be romantic, but this gesture right here proved that they truly knew me. Kai poured me some Casteano and handed me the glass before pouring one for each of them. I looked at my boys and was in awe of them. I spent many lifetimes daydreaming about our future together. I never envisioned us here in Aedrul, but I did envision us happy together. “I want to make a toast to us. We’ve been gifted a very unique situation. Doll, because of you, I’ve been given my own body. I was thankful to be Xander’s wolf, but that can’t compare with this. You’ve been a
EMMA One thing that bound us all together was that we all knew the nightmare of loss. Everyone had lost so much from the war, and it pained me to think Xander and Kai had lost their family. I knew that Ethan did as well. Nothing could take that pain away, but it made them all fight for each other that much harder. “Did you ever have any siblings, doll?” I leaned back to be able to look at Kai too. He placed a kiss to my head. “Thankfully, no. I couldn’t imagine anyone else growing up around Brenda. I used to pray every night to whomever was listening that she would be incapable of having any more children.” Both nodded in understanding. They did not know nearly a tenth of what she did or what she was like. True evil for certain. The things that she suggested they tried to break me into submission was enough to hate her with every fiber of my being. “What about if the situation had been different? Would you want them?” he asked. “Absolutely. I wanted to have a big family. I alway
EMMA Last night scared the hell out of everyone, and I felt horrible about that. I did my best to explain things to everyone. I wanted to be transparent with them because it affected our pack if it affected their Luna. Their Luna. Right. Everyone said I was that, but I had not even been able to step into that role. It truly pissed me off, but I had to push those feelings aside because I did not know how to deal with them. That was my coping mechanism. Ignore shit until you became hardened to it. Not exactly healthy but oh well. Everyone was supportive of me, of course. They always were. I should not have expected anything less than that. They really did feel like family instead of simply pack. I did not know what I would do without them. I did not deserve people like them. They were far too good for me. Hell, last night they all proved that they would stand beside me no matter what. It warmed my heart and scared me at the same time. I was afraid they would one day get caught in the
EMMA I felt like I was going to puke. Tonight, was our coronation. All of Aedrul was invited to attend, but I truly hoped that not everyone did. I would be terrified to know how many individuals actually resided in this kingdom. 117 different species probably added up to quite a fucking bit. After tonight, I would begin learning about the kingdom. I just could not bring myself to ask yet because I knew tonight was coming. Ignoring the issue was working so far. Sort of. Nae massaged my shoulders, getting the tension out of them. I groaned as she expertly loosened my knots. Nae knew me better than I knew myself half the time. I supposed it was because of how long we knew one another. I was ecstatic that now she was officially part of the family and had no reason to venture off on her own. She kissed the back of my head and flitted off to get our outfits ready. She insisted that the gals got ready together while the guys got ready together. That way it would be a surprise for everyone
XANDER Emma looked like a slice of heaven in her dress. She was always the most beautiful, sexy, and breathtaking woman I had ever laid eyes on, but tonight deepened that even more. How had I ever found anyone else attractive? Nobody could ever compare to her. ‘Fuck…’ Kai trailed off through the link. ‘Right there with you,’ I chuckled. I was only half listening to Zane while he spoke to his people because I was still zoned into our girl. She had been so upset earlier when she returned from speaking with her father. She showed us a picture of her mother, Lenora, and shared with us what she learned about her. I had not seen any family resemblance between Brenda and her, but I certainly saw it between Lenora and her. Her mother had been very beautiful, but nothing compared to the beauty of her daughter. Selene murdered her mother. That knowledge infuriated her even further. Selene did plenty of damage during her reign. I could not begin to imagine how Emma was handling that knowledg
EMMA The nightmare felt more realistic than any ever had before. The white moon showed that I was still in Aedrul, but I was not sure where I was. Ropes dipped in wolfsbane were wrapped around my chest and torso, tying me to a tree. I tried to move, but I was tied tightly. The wolfsbane burned because I was only in my bra and panties because whoever was responsible wanted me to feel the pain. What they would not get was the reaction they wanted though. I was the wrong target for that. I had been down this road many times before. Wolfsbane was a nuisance more than anything else. I looked around, taking in my surroundings. The moonlight illuminated enough for me to make out that there was a small clearing in front of me. Beyond it was a tree line and what looked like thick woods. To my left there were dilapidated houses. It looked like nobody had lived there for many years. So, it was safe to assume that nobody was over there to help me. To my right was a mountain range. Something Pa
EMMA I woke up with a start. My breath was coming out in pants. Thank fuck. It had not been real. It did not feel like a nightmare though. It felt real. It felt like it actually happened. Was it possible that it was a vision of what was to come? Nae once explained to me what her visions felt like. She said it felt like she was really a participant. Visions always felt real because they were a real possibility of the future. She said the way she could tell it was a vision was because it left a tingling sensation in her mind, just like I felt at that moment. Fuck. I never had visions before. Was it because I was coronated and now tied to Aedrul? I really did not want to have visions, but I would take them as they came if they would help us. I did not know when the vision would come to fruition, but I knew a few key things. First, he needed my magic for something. Second, he needed Lenora as a vessel. Third, I saw where it would take place. Even if I did not know where it was, I was su
EMMA I went into labor during the middle of the night, and it scared the living shit out of my mates. It was adorable while also being a little comical. Most soon-to-be fathers were like that. We had everything ready because we knew it was possible to go into labor a little earlier than expected because of having twins. Oddly enough, this pregnancy had no true complications. Most shifters who had multiples typically had complications. However, I was thankful that everything had gone as smoothly as possible. The sigils truly helped with the pain of the delivery because it would have been torture otherwise. I felt horrible that I did not already have these on hand for when Bellamy was born. “You have this, Emma. One more push and your baby boy will be here,” Tilly said. It had been ten very long hours of labor, but it would be worth it in the end. Kai was sitting behind me, lending me strength during this time. He had a hold of one leg while Xander had a hold of the other. The thre
EMMA It was still very surreal to think that I had been in Tylaphina’s realm for six entire months. However, I was able to bring back messages to Papa and Leonidas from our family. They were amazed as I told them about spending time with everyone. Their parents wanted me to tell them how incredibly proud they were of them both. They were proud of Papa for being the King that our people needed. They watched as he transitioned to the ruler of Aedrul and were thankful for how he protected everyone that he could from Selene until she could be taken care of permanently. They were proud of Leonidas for everything he did to help Papa rune Aedrul. His strength and perseverance made the entire Venscothi line puff out their chests in appreciation and admiration. My mates and I wasted no time in completing our bond in wolf form as well as completing the Goddess of Fate ceremony. It was very intimate and quite pleasurable. It was interesting to say the least because we watched as our souls mom
EMMA The pain from Asry’s shards slicing through me disappeared. Had I died? Nae did not say that was a possibility, but even she could not see every outcome. “No, you are not dead,” a melodic voice said. I opened my eyes and was in a beautiful field that was adorned with flowers of every color. My body was bathed in incredible warmth from the sun overhead. It was so peaceful, and my heart felt whole. It was a nice change from it feeling ripped apart, so there was that at least. There were wolves of all sizes sitting around, curiously watching me. It was a little creepy, but they looked happy. A beautiful woman stood between two of the larger wolves who looked as big as Krosthani. She was easily seven feet tall and had an ethereal glow around her. Her light brown hair cascaded in waves all the way to her waist, and her eyes were the most vibrant honey color which complemented her light bronze skin tone. “My name is Tylaphina, and it is because of you that I am free now. I was the
KAI “Why would you do that?” I screamed at her. There was only one explanation of how I was unharmed when she was not. She used Nata’s magic on me when I did not even realize it. She saved me instead of herself. I had never been more furious with her than I was in this moment. Macario and Tilly needed me to move away from her, but I could not do it. I could not let her go. “We have to let them take care of her. She needs them. Come on,” Xander said. I could hear the same anguish in his voice that I felt. I placed a kiss to her lips before setting her back on the ground and standing up. He pulled me a little further away to where Zane was. We watched as they assessed her. They spoke lowly to one another, but none of us could hear it. ‘She used Nata’s magic to protect me,’ I told Xander. I collapsed to the ground under the weight of it all. It was me that should be there and not her. She always took every fucking risk, putting everyone else before herself, when she should have pro
EMMA The success of tonight depended on my ability to play my part perfectly. Thankfully, that was one thing I excelled at no matter in which life or situation it was necessary. I steeled my shoulders and turned around slowly to see Asry’s smug face smirking at me as if he was the one in charge right now. As if he was the one who fooled me. Oh, how the mighty would fall. “Can’t say that I’m surprised that you’re here with mother bitch,” I said dismissively. “Ungrateful brat. Who do you think you are?” she hissed at me. I looked at Asry imploringly who just laughed and waved me on. He did not care about Lenora one damn bit. He probably was not wanting me to kill her, but I still would. This was something that I thought about extensively since we put this plan together. I needed to make him believe that I would consider being on his side. Then I would kill her so that she was out of our hair while also ensuring that his vessel was no more. This would solve one of the issues tonigh
EMMA Couples danced around the room, twirling, and dipping their partners. There was a string quartet playing on the balcony that oversaw the room. Acoustics amplified the music throughout the room as if it was right beside each of us. Despite the mission of the night, it was great to be in my Handsome’s arms once again. I loved sharing moments like this with my amazing mates. They were near and dear to my heart. No matter how much time we spent together in life, it would never be enough. Kai’s copper and silver eyes peered into mine while a handsome smirk pulled at his lip because he was thinking the same thing. We learned how to read one another better than any mindlink ever could. ‘Anything?’ I linked out. One of the sigils ensured that there was no evidence of a mindlink between any of us. That was the only way that we could pull this off. It also kept an open line of communication among everyone while in this room. It was a bit awkward right about now because there were many
EMMA The stress about tonight faded away the moment that my eyes locked onto my mates. I was never able to comprehend what I did right in life to have them willing to stand next to me no matter how crazy or bizarre the situation was. They were beside me every step of the way from that night at Olly’s until this moment as they pulled me between them. “You are absolutely stunning, love,” Xander said. He and Kai stalked around me to get the full view of my look. The matching low rumbles from their chests showed me that they certainly approved. “Doll…” He could not even finish his thought because his eyes flashed with an intense desire. “You get even more gorgeous every time my eyes look at you,” he said, caressing my cheek with his thumb. My body instantly flushed in response to his words. It was not certain that I would ever get used to everything they made me feel. I felt cherished, complete, immensely happy, and I felt loved most of all. All of those emotions flooded through my bo
EMMA We all ate a late breakfast together. It was not a joyous occasion, but we tried to make it as lighthearted as possible. The mission tonight was weighing heavily on everyone’s mind. It was not something that we discussed or alluded to, but it was the gigantic elephant in the room. I was really trying to keep my emotions under control because my mates would feel them and worry. We could not change what would happen tonight because we all knew the truth. Asry was too dangerous to let live. He would never stop coming for me or my family. We had to take him out of the equation to ensure our safety. I had a feeling in my gut that Nae’s vision of me being in a coma-like state was going to happen. This was the one thing I had to keep from my mates because they would call all of this off right here and now. They already felt guilty enough about me being in harms way, but there was nothing that we could do about it. I would just bury that thought as deeply as possible so that it did not
EMMA I woke up between my sleeping mates and smiled at them. They gave me the best ending to our night yesterday. That bath was perfect and incredibly relaxing. Today was going to be difficult on all of us but more so on them because they would be fighting against their instincts to protect me at all costs. Was I terrified to face Asry today? Absolutely. I would be a damned fool to feel giddy about facing an ultimate evil that wanted to enslave me as his Queen. However, that terror would solve absolutely nothing. For the time being, I would just shove that terror down as far as I could. Everyone needed to remain focused for today because our futures could finally begin once he was gone. A mischievous grin tipped my lips up as I looked between the two of them. Eenie…meenie… My gaze landed on Xander, so I carefully maneuvered myself until I was eyelevel with his glorious cock. I remembered the first time I saw it and how excited it made me. It still did to this day. I would never get