Nate POVI woke with Hope nestled in my arms and I was instantly filled with happiness. The smile on my face made me feel like a little kid that made the wining championship touchdown, and I didn't mind it one bit. My fingers softly trailed her naked body amazed that something so perfect belonged to me.Hope stirred awake and I could feel her lips pull into a smile on my chest. "Good morning, sweetheart.""Good morning, mate." I let out a small rumble through my chest hearing that word; mate.I spent most my life begging the moon goddess for Elena to be my mate. I never looked for anyone else, but now, I realize how wrong I was. Elena was beautiful and would always be my best friend, but she wasn't my other half. She could never complete me the way Hope did. Hope was a warrior goddess, a viking queen. She was confident with strong family values, but craved to submit to me. She needed me to be the one person she felt safe lowering her inhibitions with. She needed me to take control
Nate POV"Ok, continue mate." I said, trying to not jump her. Goddess, I was so overwhelmed by that sexy body."Well, we are not normal wolves. I can't tell you how, I just need you to understand that my pack is special and Ryker is the Alpha. I can't mark you or he will know because I would make you special too.""Very vague little warrior. I'm not liking this, especially the no marking. I'm yours, that's none of Ryker's business.""You are mine and I'm sorry I didn't explain before letting you mark me.""Letting? I believe you begged me, but go on." Hope smiled, shaking her head at me. "We are special, as I said, and to be this way we have to swear an oath and pledge our lives. Part of this oath is to not mark a mate without approval from our Alpha.""Ok, so Ryker approves of me, then I can know what the hell you are talking about, and then you mark me, and we make babies. Is that it?" I raised an eyebrow at her. I was finding it amusing how she struggled with her words, afraid sh
Elena POVI snuck off to the field to practice my magic by myself. I literally felt like I was going to explode from the pressure and anticipation.I put up all the magic wards up to be undetected, then I held out my hand to call fire. Only sparks would ignite, but I was determined to find another way to call fire then to think of Ryker.After an hour of no luck I cursed the goddess for making me this way. I had magic, but couldn't use it. I was a powerful wolf, but couldn't shift. I was to be Queen, but would never truly rule. Now, I was turning my anger to my goddess. I wasn't ready for any of this. As my anger built so did a ring of fire, encircling my body. I was lost in the thralls of my magic, letting it take over all the warring emotions inside me. My body began shaking violently, knocking my sensing back to reality. I felt strong hands on my arms and it only ignited the fire in me more."Stop, Ryker!" I screamed as he continued to rock me roughly back and forth. My vision be
Ryker POVI just walked into the pack house from the gardens not in the mood to deal with this little game of manipulations. I didn't understand what these kids feared so much from the King either, especially Elena. She was the rightful Queen, yet she cowered to her father like a helpless child. 'Let me guess, the princess has you in a frenzy again.'Chris smirked at me while speaking through our own mind-link.'Not today Chris.''Right! Not any day, Ryker.''Update or fuck off.' My eyes burned into his. I was not in the mood and he knew it.'Nate said he would give me a tour of the prisons once we have the Rogue situation handled. He is having some issues with one of their inmates not submitting. That little runt better not have laid on hand on our sister.''Nate runs the prisons?' I wasn't expecting to hear that. Damien seemed to be the more devious of the two brothers. Nate was too laid back to handle a position like that. 'Yeah, apparently his father gave him control when he was
Ryker POVI laid on the grass forcing down the pain from being thrown out a three story window. My head was spinning at everything that had happened from the day I stepped foot on this land. It was like I entered an alternate universe. I didn't even feel like myself anymore. I was reckless, erratic, and emotional every time she crossed my mind. Which was just about every waking moment and even sometimes in my dreams. If she hadn't thrown me out the window I swear my wolf would had marked her too. He surged forward demanding her obedience to him. My body was a mess for that little wolf and after that display of power I was feigning for her. I needed Elena as mine. My wolf scampered around my soul, anxious to take her. It wasn’t a possibility though. I either kill her or she becomes Queen. I’m a Shadow wolf and I swore an oath to our moon goddess that I would never rule over our people. My power was too raw and righteous to have that responsibility. My duty to our kind was to protect
Elena POVI collected myself after throwing Ryker out of the window. I knew I acted irrational, but I was barely in control of my emotions anymore. Only a few hours left until my fate would be sealed. I went to the bathroom and splash cold water over my face. Staring into my eyes I told myself that I had been a fool and I needed to get my head on straight. I was no longer a child. Tonight, I would be with my mate and a month later married and crowned Queen. These jealous fits and little girl crushes needed to end. Tyler was my mate and the only man that every truly loved me. Through everything my family put me through he never abandoned me. He was always by my side to help me survive my father's intolerable punishments. Tyler may want the title of King, but I also knew he wanted me for who I was and not only what I can give him. That was more than anyone else ever showed me.I walked down the hall needing to speak to the boy, praying the moon goddess would give me some desperately
Elena POVThe King walked on to a large wooden stage that overlooked a round field outlined with shops. The stage held large chairs to represent thrones for the King and Queen with several seats on both sides for Alpha Owen's and Alpha Damien's families. It was built over a hundred years ago from my great great grandfather to hold announcements and ceremonies, like the one we were celebrating today. Overtime, it became the stage for the royal families.Beyond the stage was modernized with stores and small eateries, surrounding a park like setting that had a large covered dancing floor in the center. Luna Theresa had the whole area in fairy lights with red and white roses. The band stopped playing music as the King approached the center stage. "Welcome pack and allies to a grand event in honor of your future Queen and King. Today, my daughter turns 18 and I'm certain she will find her mate, whether it be fated or chosen." My hands balled into tight fist, claws piercing my palms at m
Ryker POVI peeled my eyes away from Elena and Tyler before I started killing every wolf in this place from her words. I was trying to save her, but she was too far gone. Too weak to stand on her own, needing a weak Alpha to make her feel relevant.Everyone carried on the next few hours with pleasantries. They all swooned over Elena and Tyler, already congratulating their union even though she had not chosen him yet. A few men dare to ask for a dance, which I knew Tyler wanted to refuse, but she reminded him that she was here to find her fated mate. In a few hours if her fated didn't show then she would chose him. Every time she reassured Tyler of that, I felt a blood vessel pop in my head. She was a stupid girl walking into her own death.Chris was at the bar, whispering in a tall blonde's ear as her hand rubbed dangerously close to his core with Damien laughing by his side. Normally I would question how close they seemed, but I had enough to worry about. "Double," I ordered from
Damien POVElena and I stayed in her room hiding from everyone. We had so much drama in these few short months that we were both on edge."Oh, Elena dear. Why is Alpha Damien here?" Helena walked in rubbing her head confused.Elena looked to her sensing something was off. "Are you ok?" She asked."Fine my child. Just seem to have misplaced some time. I guess I'm getting old, no worries though. Would you like me to bring you some dinner?" Helena smiled and her eyes held that soft motherly innocence that we hadn't seen in so long."What do you mean, misplaced time?" My tone let my Alpha aura slip through. I knew something was off and I didn't like it. Not just for Helena sake, but that she was so close to my Queen."I don't know exactly. I woke in the pantry earlier and feel like weeks have passed. In truth, I don't remember being here in the castle that much the last month or so. Like I zoned out or something.""Or something." I growled. My eyes went blank for a few moments mind linkin
Serenity POV"I can't believe you came here, Nicholas. It was foolish and you could have been killed." I huffed in aggravation at my mate."Well, it was worth it because if I didn't we wouldn't be together. I know you had every intention of leaving me." He pouted."I did not!"He gave me a look telling me he knew that was a big fat lie. "Ok, fine, maybe I was thinking about it, but it hurt like hell." I punched him in the shoulder before getting out of the car."Awe! What was that for, beast?" He whined, standing next to me by the front door to our house."That was for making me like you so much. Now what are we going to do about him?" I pointed to the door where my father was close by waiting for us."No clue. Let's just wing it, I guess." He said, grabbing my hand and leaning closer."Wing it? You have gone rogue little witch boy.""I'm not that much younger then you S and I didn't go Rogue. I was born a witch and always will be. Your moon goddess and Hecate linked us together for
Elena POV"I'm sorry S. I was such a foolish child. I can't live without you. Please forgive me!" I pleaded."Seriously, I should be begging you. I lied to you your whole life. You're like my sister, my only true family. I should have told you everything years ago."We stayed in each other's arms for a long time, apologizing over and over. "Ok, I think we both agree we are sorry and forgive each other. Come sit with me and tell me everything." I pulled Serenity to my bed and we laid down side by side.We spent an hour catching up from Serenity's true heritage to meeting her father and unlocking her powers. She even mentioned a certain boy, Nicholas, but pretended like it was nothing. I told her about Tyler's betrayal, my father and Luna Marissa affair in both the bedroom and with experimenting on species. I went on about my love for Ryker and that I finally lost my virginity, which of course Serenity wanted all the details of. I gushed telling her about how Nate and Hope found each
Serenity POVI waited in the small village all night unable to find sleep. I missed Nicholas, but I knew nurturing our bond would only cause more pain. Once he realized the life we would have, he would reject me. Right now, I needed to focus on saving Elena and my friends. Hearing Chris say that Elena and Damien were searching for me filled me with so much happiness. I spent months away from everything I ever known. I thought the people I loved, hated me. That they all viewed me as a traitor and a filthy witch. Now I knew they love me too and I used that to push me forward. I dressed in a long elegant green and beige dress. My dark skin seemed to glow and my black hair was half up with lose curls. I masked my powers from my witch heritage, but didn't lock them away. If I needed to fight I would be ready too. The herbs I gave Chris were harmless, and I prayed he didn't figure it out it until it was too late to do anything about it.I hid myself in the crowd, watching Elena and Damien
Ryker POVI tore apart the forest in my wolf form, taking down one rogue after the other. I could tell which ones were feral beast that spent years losing their humanity. I wasn't sure if this was a way to release pent up anger or some offering to the goddess that I could still help our kind by ridding those that harmed others. I cursed our goddess, but still felt a devotion to her. My wolf was at odds with me, wanting to take complete control, but I wouldn’t let him have it. He would run back to Elena then we would all die.The words Elena spoke of my betrayal kept replaying in my mind. Her eyes held no longing or compassion for me anymore. Her love for me vanished and I feared I would never see it again.~ "There is nothing between us Ryker, not anymore. You broke my heart and betrayed my loyalty. Leave and don't return." Elena's voice echoed over and over as I tore the Rogues limb from limb.My wolf argued that she didn't understand the dangers. That we needed to capture her and b
Hope POV"Oh thank the goddess. Where have you been, mom?" I gave her hug but scolded her for leaving my younger siblings alone. "I was at the castle. After everything that happened I ran back here. Ryker stripped Christopher of his Beta title. He can't do that. We can't let this family fall apart. He is too invested in that damn girl who just crowned Tyler as King."Nate growled at my mom for speaking so disrespectful of Elena. "You will watch your tongue about our Queen. I'm done playing by the Shadow's rules." Lucian came forward and we could both feel the immense power radiating from his aura.I took a second to swoon over his power then smacked his shoulder. "Enough, this is my mother, you will not growl at her, understood. As far as Ryker and Chris are concerned they can sort their own shit out. Right now, we need to get our people to safety. Go pack a bag mom!"Nate smiled at my bossy tone and my mom looked between the both of us about to speak, but retreated to her room inste
Nate POVI looked around the forrest, looking out to our pack house, my home in the distance. This might be the last time I saw these lands. I let out a long sigh then turned and left. I shifted into my white wolf, grabbing my bag in my mouth and headed to Hope. Lucian was desperate to see her. He needed to sense our pup growing inside her. It filled me with a new purpose that I couldn't wait to fulfill.When I arrived to the Shadow Moon's territory people were running around like crazy. I didn't bother shifting to ask what happened though. If there was danger then I couldn't wait another second to find Hope.Her scent grew stronger near the cells which made me let out a ferocious growl. Elena told me she was taken prisoner, but I didn't actually think Ryker could put her in a dungeon. At that moment, I no longer cared who the Alpha was or what anyone's rules were. I was getting my mate and we were leaving to do this our own way in this world.Two large men guarded the cement doors.
Meredith POVI watched the ceremony from a distance with a shattered heart. Everything we worked for was for nothing. Both my boys defied the goddess and now all the Shadows would feel her wrath. I didn't want to admit it, but I was growing fond of Elena too. This new life she was about to lead would be one of a loveless marriage filled with nothing but to please others. I was sad for my son mostly. As much as I wanted them apart and I knew Ryker loved her. This could break our Alpha and our family. Too many secrets have lived between us for too long. I rushed back to the castle to change back to my body. I needed to be there for my sons when they returned home.I left Helena's body in the kitchen's pantry with enough sleeping potion to keep her knocked out for a few hours. If I wasn't able to return I at least wanted Helena to have a chance to get her life back. Elena was going to need her and her husband truly loved her. Helena was a good person and she made a good life here in t
Elena POV"No father! Please don't do this! It's a misunderstanding." I grabbed my father's shirt, kneeling before him, begging him to not kill Nate. The King's eyes turned black then back handed me across the face. The entire crowd gasped at the sudden hit he gave me across the face. They screamed for their Queen to not be harmed by the Savage king.My father cursed at his rash behavior. He knew he couldn't let his emotions take over, but everyone knew he hated to be challenged. I needed to do something."You want to be Queen, then kill this traitor and the crown is yours. Show our people that you will protect them." The King took a blade from a guard and handed it to me.I wrapped my fingers around the blade and the King took his seat. He knew I had to do it or I would lose the faith of our people. I looked out to the crowd in a panic of what to do.I slowly walked to Nate, giving Ryker a look of disgust. This time he caught my eyes and a sharp pain of guilt ran through him. I stoo