Osric's POV "Osric," Benjamin's voice pulls me out from my argument with Bane. I focus on my soundings and realize I'm growling, watching Jonathan sitting in front of Liliana as she tends to him. "Sorry," I quickly apologize, turning to face the rest of the warriors as they tend to each other and rest before we begin the journey home. "Don't be, I can't imagine the headspace I would be in if I saw Ares in that position. You almost lost your mate," Benjamin stands beside me and I nod as he watches Ares and Phoenix taking care of the horses. "I'm not sure I've ever been so afraid of losing one of my mates, Embry has never had that close of a call, and Raven seems indestructible," I admit, glancing back at Jonathan, I chuckle seeing him fussing over Freya as Liliana forces him to sit back down. "Your mates are incredibly powerful, that's for sure. What do we do now that Dagon has gotten away?" Benjamin asks, looking to his other side. I look over to see Draig approaching and ask, "How
Raven's POV"Raven, it's ok. I'm right here." Embry kneels behind me wrapping his arms tightly around my body. I growl at Embry, I have been panicking since Jonathan tried saying goodbye through the link only a moment ago."Calm down Mo Rós Dubh, he is alive I know you can feel it. They will send word once they're safe." Embry places his hands on the sides of my face pulling my gaze to look into his sapphire blue eyes."Feel through the bond, Jonathan is alive. Osric arrived in time." Embry lets out a shaky breath then kisses my forehead. I lean into his touch letting the tingles from the bond calm my anxiety. "He's alive," I breathe, focusing through the bond, I can feel Jonathan is injured, but alive. "He is alive." Embry presses his forehead to mine and rocks me in his arms, my body shudders as I let out a sob of relief."What is happening?" Mum gently knocks on the door before entering the room, a growl rips through me when I catch the foreign scent in the room. Guilt smashes into
Raven's POV"My King, My Queen; King Jonathan and King Osric have arrived, they're riding through the front gate as we speak." My personal guard Pekka knocks, then opens the door, standing just outside so we can hear him. "Pekka, slowly back out," Embry holds me tight as confusion washes over me. I look up at my mate hearing an animalistic growl, before realizing I'm the one snarling at Pekka."I'm sorry, my king, I'll make sure to use the link and stay in the hall," Pekka apologizes, he takes a slow step back then cautiously closes the door, hoping I don't lunge at him. "Raven breathe, he didn't even come in the room," Embry softly speaks with his arms around my shoulders, holding me on the bed."Do you feel like you can leave the room and go down to see everyone?" Embry asks, he gently brushes his fingers across my cheek swiping my hair from my face. 'Don't leave our nest! I want to stay here safely surrounded by their scents,' Ruby protests in the back of my mind. I roll my eyes at
Liliana's POV"Freya! Lily!" Hearing his voice, my heart rapidly thumps in my chest. I look up and around for the face that matches the one voice I want to hear again. "Ryder!" Freya's hoarse voice cries, she grabs my hand ripping me along behind her as she runs to Ryder. "Ryder," I sob when Freya slams into his side, careful not to hurt our children."Shhh, you're here, I've got you," Ryder soothes Freya, we both feel the dam break letting her emotions and heartbreak all come to the surface in the form of hysterical tears. "We're ok," my voice trembles, still finding it hard to believe we're safe and in the arms of our mate. I hold onto them, squishing Aiden and Anarchy between us, both kids make content noises enjoying our closeness."I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from being taken," Ryder's voice sounds so broken when he apologizes to us. "Don't, they had it all planned out. There was no knowing he had people there waiting to take us. I'm sorry you felt everything," Freya takes A
Liliana's POV"This is the floor for the royal children, we have arranged for you and your mates to be in the largest suite, since none of the rooms are currently occupied." Astrid leads us down a hallway to a large wooden door. Stepping through and looking around, I would never guess it was meant to be a child's room.The room is massive, it is a full suite with its own dining area, fireplace with seating, a massive four poster bed and what looks like an ensuite and walk in closet. "All of this for a child?" Ryder looks around the room when he approaches a large bay window with a reading bench. "Of course, the furniture is changed according to the age of the child, it is not uncommon for such accommodations to be made for royal children," Astrid answers, Ryder looks at Freya who nods while looking over the room."Please make yourselves comfortable, if you need anything there will be a servant on each floor to assist you," Astrid informs us from the edge of the room where she stands w
Liliana's POV"Ready?" I hear my father's quiet voice, pulling my eyes form the beautiful beached long boat that holds Mummo’s body. I look up to my father, then Vaari, as Raven and I stand between them. "Yes, she would have liked everyone here and she always said she wanted to see the dragons one last time," Vaari speaks with a hoarse voice as he nods, Raven holds onto him.I watch Draig walk towards a large clearing, he begins to pull his clothes off before shifting into a magnificent black and gold dragon. I listen to Helena speak before she begins singing, my gaze stays fixed on Draig as he stretches his wings before taking off."Lily, this is for you, Adaline wanted you to have this." Vaari grabs my hand and places something cold in my hand, his hand covers mine as I gaze up into his heartbroken eyes.Moving his hand, I gasp and shake my head seeing the white moonstone necklace she wore every day, "No I can't, you wrapped the pendant for her." I try passing him back the intricate
Raven's POV "Raven?" Jonathan's voice comes from the bedroom, I can feel him searching for me through the bond. I'm currently in our den that you can only enter through a door at the back of our closet. The den is a giant bed that is sunken into the ground, like a small pool, the drop off is about four feet tall with a set of stairs. The bed is covered in fur, pillows and my mates' clothes that I've been tearing apart for hours trying to get the scent just right. "Rakas, where are you? Gunnar and Roan are wanting their mum." Jonathan's voice gets closer, I look towards the door and whimper but my nerves keep me in my den. "I'm in the den," I reply through the mind link then continue to organize the clothes creating a barrier of my mates' comforting scents. "What's going on?" Jonathan slowly enters the room; he stands at the edge of the den and watches me with a worried look. "Excuse me, she's nesting. Being fully connected to Ruby, her instincts are going haywire, Bane thinks it has
Freya's POV Mummo's funeral lasted three days. Hundreds of people came to the castle to pay their respects and feast with the family, celebrating the life of their Moon Goddess. I don't know how Liliana held it together the way she did. After, Raven scolded their father and grandfather, Liliana seemed to gain more strength and confidence within herself. She is finally accepting the role of being the Goddess of Life, realizing she is an authority of all. It was hard saying goodbye to Raven and her mates, I have grown quite fond of them. I will miss having a large noisy family constantly around us but they won't be too far away, and we can and will visit. Seeing Ryder saying goodbye was sweet, it's clear he admires Osric and Embry, and has come to love Raven as a sister. Naturally, Liliana had the hardest time out of the three of us; having to say goodbye to her twin, father, and grandfather. I had it easy because Jonathan is coming with us to make sure I'm able to take my throne. "R
Raven's POV 17 years later "Rhys, Draig, it is great to see you, I'm glad you came when I sent word," I greet Rhys and his father at our front gate. "I came as soon as I got word of what happened to Roan, how the hell did something like this happen under your nose?" Rhys demands in a deep threatening tone. "Rhys," Draig hisses at his son's lack of respect. "No, it's quite alright Draig, he is her mate and I would rather see him protective of my daughter than not care at all. My mates and I wondered the same thing; Jonathan tore apart the young man's mind, then killed him after finding he raped her to shame her for being a better warrior. He was hoping to break her, thinking she was a threat to his position among the guard. He got Roan alone when she was expected to be out riding," I explain while leading our way through the stone corridors towards our chambers where Roans quarters are. "Who was meant to be with her?" Rhys growls when we reach the stairs that lead to our chambers. "
Osric's POV Once Raven is face to face with Dagon, I slam my sword into the ground creating a barrier around them keeping everyone out, and more importantly, them in. "No, you have no choice but to face your past," Bane forces his way forward and speaks through me. It has been a very long time we have waited to watch Dagon face his proper punishment. "Once Dagon is gone, there will be no more fighting, if you wish to continue to threaten our world be prepared to live in a dark cell for the rest of your short life before you are executed! This war has been going on for far too long, and it ends now!" Liliana calls out above everyone, who slowly stops fighting to watch Raven and Dagon, to see how this battle will truly end. "Lower your weapons if you wish to survive past this battle! Now!" Ryder orders, stepping up behind his mate. "Lace your hands together behind your heads and kneel for my people to take you in," Ingvar adds, before motioning for his soldiers to cuff those who surre
Raven's POV "Ready?" Osric asks, once he has tightened the last buckle on my new, black dragon scaled, armor that Draig brought me as a gift. "I think so, this armor is incredibly light and flexible," I mention while twisting and turning to test how comfortable I am in it. "Good, it's been spelled to move with your body, to shrink and stretch with your shift. Lycan form, wolf form or human, you will stay in your armor it'll adjust to your body; Draig recruited mine and Phoenix's help," Osric confesses, I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his uncovered torso that shows of his beautiful tribal tattoos. "You are incredible," I whisper before standing on my tip toes and kissing him. "Is everyone ready?" I watch Embry walk in as he adjusts his kilt while tucking in his white tunic. "Yes, Eya and Bjorn have the little ones in the safe room, where Thane, and an entire company of guards will be stationed to protect them," Jonathan answers, adjusting his cuff links when he appears beh
Ryder's POV The vampires were easy to convince to host the summit, once they realized Liliana and I were fair to their people. They quickly learned that we wanted to lead them with respect and kindness and in return gave us the same respect. Yeah, there were a few rebellious types but we dealt with them when the time came. Ulric and Gregor agreed to share the position as my second in command and have helped me navigate being king. Without them I would have floundered finding my footing, but once I earned the respect of the kingdom things came naturally. Learning that Freya didn't plan to rule with the same iron fist and fear as her father helped, it gave voices back to those who had kept silent for centuries. Shortly after getting our kingdom in order, I recruited Ares and Phoenix's help to find the hybrids and their leaders. We found small pockets of hybrids among packs, covens, in rogue communities and among humans. They were afraid when found but eventually came around, thanks to
Maturity Warning: Sex, BLBenjamin's POVHelping King Osric has been an honor, and for the most part, easy. The lycans and werewolves are happy to follow their kings' and queen's position on fighting Dagon. King Silas, king of the rogues, was the hardest to find and convince out of all the wolves. I don't blame him either, he's watching over many of our people who have been born outside packs, and aren’t welcome because of prejudice.In all honesty, the witches have been the hardest to convince, even with Helena and Phoenix helping smooth the way. It was only when Osric joined us, revealing Odin, that the leaders of the covens began to trust us. Phoenix enjoyed being around the witches and made friends with everyone she met.Nine months later; July 15th, the day before the summit."Daddy, wake up!" I hear yelled as I roll over in bed, hearing Ares still snoring beside me. "Papa! Make Daddy get up, we need to go to breakfast, the witches are coming!" Phoenix climbs onto our bed and beg
Ingvar's POVNine months I was given to gather the support of the human realm and that is the time it took to convince my government that the lycans, werewolves, vampires, dragons, witches and hybrids were real, and not a threat.In the beginning, my leaders thought it was a joke. I was bounced around from superior to superior to plead my case, it took me bringing in King Draig, Alpha Benjamin, his pup Phoenix and Lord Gregor to meet the Finnish Prime Minister and President with me, for them to finally believe the reality of our situation.Once I was able to properly plead my case, not only did I get the full support of my nation, but all surrounding nations who were aware of Dagon’s broadcast. During their own investigations of the supernatural species, they discovered many were peaceful and few were aggressive. Other nations were already aware of supernatural species and live in peace with them. They were thrilled to help garner permanent peace and end the threat many of them were w
Draig's POV Trying to gather the clans together to fight Dagon, has been a monumental task to say the least. The dragons aren't afraid of him, but they should be, they didn't see the magic his followers wielded or the control he has over them. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it firsthand, I still can't believe the smug look on his face when he faced Osric. It didn't matter how I explained the danger to each clan, they still had a hard time believing me. It wasn't until I captured one of his sycophants, with the help of Alpha Benjamin and Ingvar, that they finally believed the power Dagon possessed and took the treat seriously. Even with proof, my people were still reluctant to participate in the summit, they thought we should stick to our own but eventually gave in, sending people form each clan to the summit with a reserve of warriors. The plan Ingvar suggested to Kings Osric, Embry, Jonathan and Ryder was for the dragons to be on the outside, trap
Liliana's POVWalking out onto the landing at the top of the stairs that lead to the courtyard, with Anarchy nestled in my arms, I can hear cheering. Peering out I see warriors surrounding the center mat where I see Ryder duck under a woman's foot when she tries striking him with a round house kick."Look, Daddy's showing his warriors what kind of man he is," I speak proudly. Pulling Anarchy higher up, I face her towards the training grounds and let her back and head rest against my chest and shoulder. "And he is doing well." Freya walks up behind me with Aiden in her arms as Alana stands behind on her other side."Watch how they both move, she's very well trained," I comment, pointing out how graceful both Ryder and this woman’s moves are; it's like watching a dance. "Rayna has been trained by Gregor since she was a girl, she's the only woman here who is properly trained, she can beat any man here except Gregor, Ulric and Christian," Alana explains, as I continue to watch Ryder shift
Ryder's POV "Gregor, I had planned to talk to you later but now seems like a perfect time. I plan to overhaul the training program, I want to open training to women, children and everyone without a title, everyone will train. I also wish to break down daily training, mornings will be for children as the first part of the school day, afternoons will be introductory training for women and those who have had no access to training, evenings will be for intermediate adults, and there will be a second group in the evenings for elite skilled warriors who will now be called Deltas," I explain, Gregor and the trainers who have gathered all nod as they take in the changes. "I will not have anyone in this castle defenseless nor will things be separated by status. Eventually we will be integrating hybrids into the kingdom and we will fight to defend them." I earn disgruntled chatter among some of the warriors at my mention of hybrids. This time I let Christian stand to face me when he speaks ou