Dragana POVLady Asma had a gift for storytelling. The stories she shared played like moving pictures on the silver screen, showing the dialogue and emotions of them as if you were there, as if it was happening in real time. When I asked her to tell me about my father, nothing prepared me for what I was about to see. I remembered my father, but those memories were sporadic at best, not colorful and somehow a detached memory. Yet, as I was listening to her and watching the pictures become fluid, the memories became reality, and reality became emotion. I saw my mother, a beautiful young woman with the same silver eyes as mine, features as mine beam up at the young man, standing tall at around 6.7 feet, broad shoulders and tanned skin with eyes as dark as night, a smile as beaming as the sun as he looked at her. In his hands he had a rose, a singular white rose, my mother’s favorite flower. Their bond, their love, their instant mate connection electrified the memory and spread it to me,
Roman POVI had to tell her. I had to tell her everything and pray she forgives me, pray and hope she understands. I did not know what I expected, and in truth, if I had any rights to set any expectations. I was cruel to her. She had come back to me engaged, practically married to somebody else, after I chased her off and called her useless, after I hurt her, demeaned her, locked her away from the world, from the emotions, and from myself for the last ten years. I knew she was kind, hell, everybody in the pack knew of her devotion and kind heart. But, the years of torment, of treating her as if she were nothing, as if she meant nothing to me, when the truth was very far from that. I still remember that day, the day I thought I lost her, the day my whole world came crashing down. I had just lost my mother and baby brother a year before, I was still hurting from it, and if I was to be honest with myself, I do not think that I had ever overcome the pain of their loss.Seeing Dragana’s li
Dragana POVMy mind was spinning and I did not know what to think. His lips were soft, warm, and commanding and I ached for him. I ached for him to kiss me, to hold me.. I gave him access and kissed him back, my willpower to fight him gone in an instant, my body having a mind of its own. Aisha was purring in my head wanting to come out and claim her mate, and I had to do my best to restrain her. His hands travelled slowly over my breast, squeezing me gently, while my nipples became hard and erect, my desire for him starting to burn my whole body in the process. I was getting very wet and the scent of my arousal was hitting him, that much I could tell, as I felt Caleb try to come forward. He was moaning and grunting into the kisses. When he kissed my neck, the marking spot, I almost came undone. “Roman…. please… Roman… “I moaned involuntarily.After what seemed like forever, he finally stopped kissing me, but was not letting go. He was holding me close to him, close to his chest, and I
Gamma Aldar POVSomething was wrong with the Luna Queen Alice. I could not pinpoint as to what was happening, but I could see her aura since the day she had arrived. There was a darkness around her, surrounding her at first softly, but more times I saw her, the more time progressed, that darkness, that agonizing presence, the demented and wicked energy around her grew bolder, stronger and more sinister. I kept my observations to myself, for now. I had no proof, no evidence of any kind to approach the Alpha King, and given how long he waited for his mate, I did not want to be the one who ruined his happiness. Yet, I was restless and uneasy. I grew up with Roman and my family had been in service to his line for over five generations at that point. The lineage of Royal Gammas, my ancestors have always served and fought for Spietta line, bled for them, died for them, and they have been our family and we theirs. In fact, the reason my father lived was that Alpha King Jonathan took a blow b
Solomon POV“She is not waking”, Lord Cazima observed in a broken, quivery voice, his crestfallen face etched with worry for Cybela. I knew their bond, I knew the connection they shared, I knew how much it pained him. Cybela was not moving or waking, still sprawled out by the emerald lake, surrounded by her own magic, even though her color was gradually coming back, and the black, thick, gooey liquid had finally stopped seeping out of her wounds. Dr. Sina had dressed them, and in some places, I could see the redness of her blood coming out, cleansing the darkness which came with the magic she was hurt. Red blood, her fresh blood was good news. I just did not know if and when she would wake up. I had not seen injuries like this, save for once, and even then, they were not as prevalent. Ahmar’s magic was potent, darkest in fact in all five realms, and I found it auspicious that the fabled scroll I had been searching for over the last centuries had just made its way to me. Timing is ever
Dark Lord Khor I did not know why she was here, but I was not very pleased when she arrived. She looked injured, and I was not running a god-forsaken hospital around here. This was not my job. However, given our agreement and circumstances, I knew I had to at least try to play nice, play the game, and set the stage. We were getting close, so close I could taste it. Patience Khor, patience, all good things come to him who waits, I reminded myself. “So…. you have come to me????!!! Are you not supposed to be the most powerful being in the universe dear????!!!! What do you possibly think I can do for you???”, I asked, looking at her injured body. Not for one minute did I believe the lies she was selling. Verena, Ahmar witch, the Queen of her people, injured? What a joke! Who did she think I was? She was useful, for now. Her arrival to this realm was timely, I had to give her that - I needed the First Dragon and everybody else distracted, that much was clear. I needed my enemies to fear
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
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
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