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
Dragana POV“Why did you let her talk to us that way?????!!!!”, I heard both Aisha's and Vasilla's unhappy voices in unison. “Roman is OUR mate, she is faking the bond, yet she DARES call us names and talk down to us!!!”, they yammered, both displeased to say the least. “Mate defended us, did you see??” Aisha was purring happily away. I knew they would not be happy about this, and truth be told, initially I was caught offguard. However, the words of my great grandfather came back to me, as did the knowledge of Roman being our mate. What possible game was Alice playing here? Something was seriously off about all this, and I had this foreboding feeling of things going to be worse, much worse, before and if they got any better. I could not deny the dark magic I felt in her, it was pulsating her whole being and carried the trace of magic I felt when I saw my grandfather, the Dark Lord Khor. However, there was something else, something around her which was even darker, more primal. Regardl
Roman POVI asked Alice to leave under the pretense that I had to attend to urgent pack business and would meet with her later, I was pacing in my office, my headache not leaving me alone. I had to speak to Dragana. I could not control myself earlier, I had to kiss her plump lips, I had to hold her in my arms. I nearly marked her! Some type of invisible force, a pull I only felt once before, was back. It was the same pull that brought me to the lake when she was drowning, the same energy, the same feeling, only this time, instead of fear, in its place was my desire and another feeling I had no words for. I wanted her, but did I love her???“Saying you are the stupidest man in the universe somehow never gets old”, Caleb decided to make his opinions known. “How can I help you Caleb? What now???” “Did you not feel that???? Do you not understand what she is to us???? Do I have to spell everything out for you boy?” he goaded me. “Feel free to share your wisdom Caleb, sage of the wolves”, I
Daria POVThe borders around the Wolfen Kingdom were secure. My warriors were on every perimeter, cloaked with the Dark Lord’s magic to remain invisible. Both my demon and I were itching to cross the border and rip Alpha King Jonathan into shreds. Or kill Roman.. Or something.. Sitting there, waiting, was not doing me any favors. I needed action. I needed blood and gore; I needed to kill and bathe in the blood of my enemies. I needed to taste the victory!“Mistress, you have a visitor”, I heard the voice of one of my demon warriors. Just great. I was agitated to begin with, all I needed now were visitors and small talk. On a cue, the irritating, ever annoying, pretentious she-wolf, dubbing herself a future Luna Queen, waltzed into my tent. I never understood what Dark Lord Khor saw in her, I found her insufferable truth to be told. Standing there, acting as if she owned a place, her mere presence was agitating. She tried to exert her aura on me, tried to show her dominance, as only a