Asteria POV.It has been three weeks since the letters were delivered to each pack around the world. So far, no-one has tried to attack me at my home or outside, so that is a good thing. However, there have been thirteen official challenges made against me and five for Carter. We aren’t concerned.I know I can take them all if need be. The same with Carter. My belly has gotten bigger and our daughter is very active lately. I think she can sense the tension that is mounting.I struggle to stand up but do it. Set right by my side, helping as best as he can. Carter handed over the company yesterday and he is currently training with my father and Hades, believe it or not.I don’t know when or how, but they seem like best friends right now and it’s strange and scary. But whatever, they aren’t fighting, so that is a plus.Waddling towards the fridge, I grab a bottom of water out and waddle towards the balcony. Taking a seat outside, I can see my mate sparring against my father, brother, and
Asteria POV.The day has come that we head to the Supernatural Council to face those who have challenged us. I mentally scoff at that notion. Wolves are always so proud, so entitled, well they will see how that helps them today.“You ready.” Carter asks me, and I heave a sigh as he helps me to stand. Even though I don’t need his help but I let him, anyway. If I have learnt anything over the years about wolves and Lycans, they are very protective and affectionate towards their pregnant mates. So to shove him away would not only hurt him, but Lykos, too.“Yeah, let’s get this shit show moving. The sooner this debacle is done, the sooner we can come home.” I say to him as I stand up straight wearing a pencil skirt and a white blouse and black flats. I can’t walk properly barefoot, so the thought of being in high heels in my condition, no thanks.I have become a homebody, as Gaia calls it; she said in a way it is me nesting and being in a familiar and safe space. In the water, the females
Asteria POV.I watch as Lykos shifts and the alpha’s eyes widen before his wolf takes control. They both clash. The wolf is smaller than Lykos. Lykos grabs the Alpha by the scruff of its neck and dangles it in the air. He roars in his face and the wolf whimpers and whines, his tail tucked as he looks away.Lykos slams him into the ground and holds his head in the sand. The wolf bangs his tail three times.“Alpha Carlos of Eclipse Pack has submitted.” Dragus roars, and I take a slow breath. It was over quickly.Lykos moves with a snarl as the Alpha shifts back. He moves to his knees and pledges his allegiance to us both. He stands and hobbles away.The next Alpha steps up and wastes no time. He attacks Lykos and they spar. Lykos swipes his claws down the wolf’s face and it roars at him before he lunges again. Lykos catches him around the throat as the wolf kicks and snaps his jaws to get out of his hold. Lykos throws the wolf across the arena and runs, pouncing on him.Blood sprays on
Carter POV.It has been three months since Asteria and I defeated our challengers. We have been working closely with the Supernatural Council and Lycaon in setting up laws for the packs. Most of the laws that were made were by both Dahlia and Gaia, so we didn’t need to add or change much. But we included the sirens into these laws as well as the other shifters, so it has been tiring making sure everyone was happy.I had a meeting with Gina, the new head of the Hunter’s Organisation. She was present to make sure nothing violated the treaty between the human and the shifters. Which it wasn’t. She was happy with what was added or removed. She is a nice person. Even if she is a witch and I don’t mean in a degrading way, because that is what she is.Dragus was wary of her and I didn’t ask why. Whatever his reasons are, I won’t pry, but Asteria knows why and will tell me about it another day. She has assured me that the issue between them is nothing she or he did personally and they won’t a
Asteria POV.I wake up in the night wincing in pain. Trying to get comfortable is a nightmare. Odessa has told me she is low in my pelvis, but I knew that already she has been for a while now.I pull myself up and shuffle to the end of the bed and place my feet on the ground and stand. I’m exhausted, but nature calls. I hold my bump with one hand and the wall with the other as I make my way to the bathroom.I’m out of breath and I feel like I’ve run a damn marathon in flip-flops. I move to the toilet and do my business and wash my hands.A low pain spreads across my belly and I brace my hands on the vanity, my chin tucked as I breathe in through my nose and slowly out of my mouth until it passes. Once it does, I stand up straight. I look at the bath in the mirror.I turn slowly and move towards it and turn the water on. Placing the plug in. I strip down. And climb in as the bath fills.Leaning my head back, I place my hands on my bump that pokes out of the water and I hum, the song wa
Carter POV.Words can’t describe what I had witnessed. The birth of my daughter Ione. Asteria handled it like a pro and I now have more respect for the females in the world. It was scary when she started to death roll, but then she pulled Ione free.I saw her tail before Asteria did; I know she was panicked that Ione may not shift. So she didn’t notice that little detail before she took off like a bat out of hell to get to the surface.But here we are in the living room with a sleeping Ione in my arms. Asteria is back to normal. She appears to be stronger than before. She is breastfeeding her but also supplementing her with blended fish. Gross, I know, but sirens feed their children differently. Hence why they are born with teeth and talons.We have had so many visitors over the past few days and Ione has taken it all in her stride. She is a dream, though. She never cries and Asteria said it’s because siren babies don’t cry. She is content and happy. Lykos is in love with her the same
Asteria POV.There hasn’t been a day of peace since before Ione has been born. Now don’t get me wrong, I love seeing everyone, but is it too much to ask for us just to have time together with just the three of us? The only time we get to ourselves is when it’s bedtime.“Fen, just the man I wanted to see,” Carter says as the wolves take their seats and coo over Ione.“Oh-oh, that sounds ominous. What can I do for you both?” Fen asks with a chuckle and I roll my eyes as I lay Ione on my legs. Her feet against my tummy, as I gently sway my knees from side to side as I make silly faces at her, earning me big giggles from her.“We need your help with running the kingdom, well, looking after the kingdom for a couple of months. Ione will begin her training before the end of next week, and I need to be with both her and Asteria. So, would be the interim ruler while we are away?” Carter asks, and I look up at Fen and smile at him.“I will only do it if I get Ione cuddles.” He says as he stands
Asteria POV.Walking the path towards the Lycan Palace. It hits me that the palace is shielded from the world using an illusion spell. But this is the royal pack.The palace sits in the middle with houses surrounding it, similar to a packhouse. Wolves and Lycans leave their homes to see what is happening as Carter and I, plus our entourage, walk towards the palace.I keep my head high as Carter carries Ione. The wolves and Lycans bow as we pass, showing their respect to us. My eyes connect with a few and they bow lower. We walk up the steps to the palace and come face to face with what I can only assume are the elders.They bow in respect as Fenrir moves closer to us.“Welcome home your majesty, we’re thrilled that you are here.” One of the dusty old men says not acknowledging me. I ignore the disrespect because if I was to act on it, then he would die.I ignore their conversation as I look around, surveying everything when Carter takes my hand, pulling me out of what I’m doing.“Plea