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
Beta Artemis POVAs we sat by the willowy tree in the ever-encompassing darkness, I started to feel…. Well… different, would be the best explanation. There was something here… Something an eye could not see, something that devoured your very soul. Emir whimpered, and this was strange – my wolf was a warrior, unfazed by anything. Roman was chewing on his food, looking at me strangely, his eyes flickering between him and Caleb, something happening, something he did not share. “Can you reach Caleb?”, I asked Emir and the definite answer was no. Our wolves could not communicate to one another and that was a huge red flag! I did not know what was happening. The darkness around us started moving and through the shadows I heard her voice… Faint at first, but then I felt her. I felt her calling to me, I felt her presence, her scent, her ever-present light… I opened my eyes, and there she stood before me, my beautiful Dragana, smiling at me, in flesh.It had only been moments since we left the
Roman POVWe sat down in the darkness that enveloped us. It was not like anything we had ever seen, it was permeating, ever dark, ever shadowy. It almost all felt unreal, as if we stepped into a realm unseen, something made of the darkness itself. Although I was initially reluctant to have Art join me, I was grateful for his presence, for his stoic aura and his support. Still chewing on a piece of beef jerky, I set up a temporary camp. We had moved far, and I knew we did not have a lot of time, but I needed to talk to him. Events back home did not allow us a conversation, and I needed to speak to the only other man Dragana loved. I needed to come up with a plan. Just in case. Just in case I did not make it out of here, I needed to know that he would love her as she deserved to be loved. In truth, I already knew that, but somehow, my heart was heavy, and I simply needed my friend.I knew he was restless seeing the dark waters. In truth. I was too; however, I did not want to admit it. I
Artemis POV When Dragana opened up the portal, I did not know what to expect. I knew we were going into a treacherous situation – by all accounts. What I read about the Yamuna River, coupled with what King Solomon said, did not look promising or encouraging. Surely, we were walking into danger, but none of that mattered. I loved her. I loved her with every breath I took and would gladly lay my life down for her, as I would for Roman. My connection to him was different, but there was love in my heart for him too, love, loyalty and friendship that only came from years of shared life like we had. We live in a strange world, one that to humans, at least most, would be incomprehensible. When I was young, I thought about their ways, the way they love, the way they live. I wondered what my life would be if I were born a human. I observed them, read about them, and thought to myself. Imagine having to work so hard, continuously on the verge of injury or death, struggling for most hours of you
Dragana POV“Regina Dominum???? You are not the Luna Queen yet, Alice!!!” I heard a strong booming voice of Alpha King Jonathan as strong as a command almost, his eyes piercing and blazing at her. I could tell he was none the more pleased with her invoking the ancient rite. “My son has not marked you, nor mated you from what I can tell from your scent… You do smell… well.. different… in some way, that I must admit… But you do not smell of my blood!!! You do not smell of Spieta line!!” he now all but growled, his hazel eyes turning almost crimson. I had never seen him that mad, nor did I know that his eyes had such a deadly hue to it. He looked quite intimidating, in fact.“Ah… ah.. no matter old timer”, Alice snickered.. “Roman and I will be mated and marked in no time, as soon as he is back from whatever idiotic and self-serving trip this betrayer, this murderer sent him to. In fact, how do we know that she is not planning to overtake the pack itself???? She must have sent Roman to h
Dragana POVGamma Aldar’s wife, Rose, looked bewildered and her face was a river of tears. A petite brunette with beautiful, amber-colored eyes, she held his body as if it were a baby, her sobs piercing my very soul. I knew they were fated mates, and I knew they had children. In fact, I remember delivering one of their sons many years ago, a chubby blonde boy with his mother’s eyes. I could not imagine or fathom the pain she was going through, and my heart went out to her. I was still in shock that somehow the dead man’s hand had the piece of my dress, covered in blood, but that was not my main concern. It should have been.“IT WAS HER!!!! SHE KILLED HIM!”, came the screeching voice of Alice, storming with purpose from a corner of the circle, her eyes flaming with fury, her hand outstretched and pointed at me. Everybody’s eyes turned toward me, confused and insecure, doubt in their eyes, yet nobody said anything. Rose lifted her eyes up to me, puffy and red, looking between me and Ali
Dragana POVMy aunt and her husband excused themselves to go meet with their children. It was just yesterday that they all arrived, and I was excited about meeting my relatives. I understood most favored a witch gene, although a couple of them were hybrids, so we had a lot to discuss. Fluttering emotions were overcoming me every time I thought of them. Having a family also made me feel stronger, and an anchor if you will, albeit a little insecure. For somebody who did not even know I had a family, I now swam in family relationships, magic, lovers and everything in between. My whole world had been tossed upside down and I was still adjusting to it.My great-grandfather, the sage of old times, looked at me with tenderness. “My sweet child…. A new day, a new dawn is coming into your life… The question you need to ask yourself, is are you going to allow it to control you… Or will you step up and control it?”, he asked, as we made way toward the packhouse. My stomach was grumbling, and I o
Dragana POVWatching both of them getting ready to go to Yamuna, to risk their lives for Jasmine, tightened my heart and nearly made me breathless. The weight of what I asked of them weighed heavy on me, and while I appreciated their bravado and their honor in making sure that I understood that none of this was my fault, none my responsibility, deep down I knew better. I also knew that no matter what, I could not choose between them. I knew in my heart that I loved Roman, in spite of all the past, in spite of fear that he would never see me as an equal, never see me as somebody worthy. Many years of solitude within the pack, many years of cold shoulder and downright emotional abuse, did not disappear simply because he confessed his love. I did not know if they ever would and if I ever would fully make peace with this. However, right now, at this moment, as we stood there, on the cusp of change and on the cusp of their departure, I could not allow such a burden to be placed on either o
Roman POV“Yamuna River…..” I heard Solomon’s strong voice echoing around our odd gathered group, snapping me from my thoughts of my night with Dragana and her revelation of truly being my mate. I was ecstatic and apprehensive all at the same time, as even though Aisha and Caleb had acknowledged and recognized each other, Dragana did not accept me, nor did we mate, nor was she marked. I did not know how to feel about it all, but one thing was certain. At least I was not crazy, well, not as crazy as everyone thought anyway. I knew I had seen the beautiful white wolf; Caleb and I knew she was our mate. What sorcery Alice was playing at and why to fake mate bond, I did not know. Both Dragana and I also thought that perhaps there would be a possibility of her being an unwilling victim of a larger force at play. We had a plan. A plan I was going to discuss with Art and Gamma Aldar when I returned. Dragana had promised to discuss this with Solomon and the Slavic Coven, her uncle, Lord Samue
Roman POVWe made an odd crowd standing under the blue-blooming tree. Dragana, Lady Asma, Lord Samuel, King Solomon, Art, and I. Odd crowd indeed. It was the early morning hours and we only had two days left until we had to return with the Blessed Blade, the only way to save Lady Jasmine from certain death. Dragana stood there stoically in a white gown that in the morning sun made her look etheric. Her silver, sparkling eyes stood out more than usual and I could see a gentle smile whenever she gazed at Art or myself. I had a lot of emotions raging within me, a lot that I was trying to understand after my night with her.Flashback*****************I had to know. I had to ask her, even though somehow, inexplicably, even though she claimed I meant nothing to her, I could feel that she was lying. I knew that her body melted into mine as I had into her, a feeling unlike any other in my life. I knew she felt it, I knew she felt some type of a deeper connection. I could see I had put her on