Dragana POVComing out of the lake, my whole body was burning. I could feel the obvious tension between Art, Roman and me, I could sense the pull to both. I had this urge to simply go to them and hide my face in their chest, held by their arms.. What are those thoughts??? I quickly shook them, ignoring Aisha and Vasilla’s opinions on it, dressed and tried to focus on the present. We needed to get the Blessed Blade, we needed to heal Jasmine. We needed to figure out who the Red Woman was, and most importantly, I needed to know if Cybela was alive. So many thoughts were going though my head, and I was buzzing with the electricity and power I never felt before. “Child… that was something else… You .. You were incredible!”, said Alpha King Jonathan, in his fatherly voice pulling me into a tight hug. “Dragana, I know I asked you before, but I am asking you again… please forgive me… Only now, do I realize what I have held you back from, the potential and power you had… You being here… not a
Dragana POVMy world went blank. I had no words to describe how I was feeling hearing this. I stared at my aunt, Lady Asma, for a second, seeing her, but after her last statement, nothing registered in my mind. I did not know what to think or what to say. Alpha King Jonathan came over and hugged me, but that, too, barely registered with me. I just stood there, everything lost to me, everything becoming an oblivion. I hoped I was having a bad dream, a nightmare, somebody would soon wake me up. Art’s strong arms came from behind me, wrapping my waist and pulling me to him. I could feel his heartbeat, but I just stood there, unable to process what was said. Lady Asma’s face was contorted, out of pain and out of tears, her beautiful features, her soul breaking. “There is more you are not telling me”, I heard myself say, without knowing that I was speaking. She simply nodded in agreement.“He was bewitched, or so we believe. To this day, we still do not understand what exactly happened, bu
Dragana POVRoman’s anger and power were pulsating through the room, vibrating the very air we were breathing. Art jolted out of bed, he was only in his boxers, which seemed to piss off Roman even more. He charged him with full power. I knew Art was powerful as well, but Roman was an Alpha King after all. And I most definitely did not want any of the testosterone-fueled egos and possessive bullshit happening. I was tired, stressed, worried and beyond confused about everything that was happening. My very soul ached finding that my father killed my mother, finding that my own grandfather wanted to kidnap me, Jasmine being comatose, Cybela injured.. The list went on. The very last thing I needed was two of them to get into it.“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING????!!!! STOP IT.. RIGHT NOW!!!!”, I screamed and echoed with power that rivaled and exceeded Roman's. My aura pushed forth and stunned him on the spot. I was even surprised by its sheer power. Maybe there was something about me bein
Alice POV My father’s frail body lay on the bed, which right now seemed oversized for his thinning frame. I recall many times when I was a child, that very same, large poster bed, framed in mahogany, with crisp white sheets, felt oversized to me. Many nights, when I was a young girl, before I got my wolf, thunderstorms or strange dreams would scare me and I would run into my parent’s bedroom, quickly snuggled in between them. My father’s strong arms were always there to protect both my mother and I, his soft cardamom scent enveloping us both in a loving embrace. Images of this flashed before me, but I pushed them into the deep corners of my mind. Those days were long gone. How did I get here? I did not know. Perhaps a part of me died when my mother did. Perhaps another part died when half of our pack, women and children, elderly and even young warriors were obliterated by the Alpha King, Roman, my future husband and his forces in their quest for power and wealth. I do not know. I cou
Dragana POVI would be lying if I said I was not nervous about speaking with Roman. I was fidgeting and getting ready when I heard Art’s voice. “Let him tell you his side of the story”, he encouraged me gently, always thinking of me first as always. “I do not know what story he has Art and I do not think I care in particular. I know he is risking his life trying to save Jasmine, so I am trying to do a respectful thing”, I said in reply, fully knowing that was only partial truth. Part of me knew why I wanted to speak to Roman, no matter what. Part of me was still in love with him, although I did not see our relationship ever happening. After all, he chose Alice, and there was nothing I could do about that.“You may be surprised, Dragana. Roman cares for you. He always did”, Art retorted, his eyes locked on mine. I could tell this was not easy for him, not easy for those words to come out. His brow was furrowed and there was a hint of sadness in his beautiful dark eyes. I made my way ac
Dragana POVI did not know how to answer Roman’s question unless I revealed Aisha’s identity. I knew from the story she recounted that Caleb would recognize her and I was not ready at this point to reveal the mate bond between us. If he truly loved Alice, which by all accounts I assumed he did, why would I take that from him? I already felt like a failure for not finding his mate for all those years and felt even worse knowing his mate was actually me. So, I tried to divert his attention and his questions.“Why are you asking me this??? What difference does it make? Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?? I thought we were …” Before I could finish my sentence, Roman moved like lightning and all of a sudden, his statuesque, bulky form was in front of me. Sitting in a chair, I felt even smaller and more vulnerable, looking up at his mesmerizing eyes. “I have my reasons for asking you”, he said, using his hand to lift my face up to look at him, his touch sending electricity jolt st
Solomon POVVisiting both of my brothers and learning of the attack and Cybela’s injuries certainly proved to be a challenge, even for somebody like me. Before my next trip, I needed to unwind, I needed the blessing of the ocean, the softness of the sand on my bare feet. I needed to compose myself and regain my full strength – my whole family needed me now.I stepped onto the shore, hot, soft sand cascading down around my feet, its gold color reflecting the sunlight in tiny sparklets and crystals within - listening to the sound of water, which over the centuries I discovered calmed me, I absent-mindedly rubbed my signet ring. Unlike the rings my dear departed wife and I gifted each other, this ring was something else. Long ago, Gia granted me the power to summon the Shadow warriors, Shedim. Not living nor dead, winged creatures of old, lethal warriors and conjures of the utmost powers, Shedim were created from the shadow itself. Gia initially wanted them to be their own tribe, to rule
Roman POVThe last thing I wanted or needed was Alice appearing at that very moment. Yet, just my luck, there she was, mortified, pain, disbelief, anger, and betrayal all etched into her beautiful face. “Roman, I am asking you one last time. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT SLUT!!!???”, She screamed, charging towards Dragana, who I could tell was shell-shocked and tried to cover herself up, blushing beet red. I could sense her obvious embarrassment and discomfort and did not know how to react or what to do. I meant everything I said to her. Finally, I was able to hold her in my arms, my heart on my sleeve and now this. “I told you that Alice is not our mate, and yet you did not listen to me. Now, look what mess you got us into!!”, Caleb was roaring, none too happy. “I will deal with this Caleb, now is most definitely NOT THE TIME, for one of your lectures”, I said, agitated at my wolf.“Who are you???? And what are you doing with MY MATE??? Are you a pack slut? Is this what you do – take