Edric's POV:
Luca is already waiting for me in the kitchen when I come home. Before I can do anything, he says, “We have a problem.” Not even bothering with niceties.
“Well, of course we do,” I say, slinging my briefcase on the counter. “I wonder what a day without problems would be like.”
Luca gives me a tight smile. “Come look at this.”
I follow him through the house to the front door. I can already hear the rogues shouting, the dull thumps of fists hitting bodies, Jasper bellowing to his warriors. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end and my wolf growls, ready for a fight.
The warriors are lined up on the porch, guarding the front door. At the bottom of the steps, the female rogues took up position, pushing the advancing males back. Every so often one manages to break through the first line of defence, only to be beaten back by one of the warriors. “What the hell is going on?”
“Maya’s in heat.”
“
I haven’t really spoken to or seen Edric since my last day in the clinic. I see him in the mornings before he leaves for work, and if I can stay awake long enough, I see him at night when he’s done with pack business for the day. The last time I spent more than five minutes in his company was on Sunday, a day after I left the panic room, for the weekly council meeting. He barely looked at me, keeping his eyes on his Beta or Gamma, even his sister or the wall. Anywhere, it seemed, as long as he didn’t have to look at me. As a result, I felt less confident and was quiet – something Joshua noticed and questioned me on later, but I didn’t give him an answer. What was I supposed to say? I’m so insecure that I need a man’s approval and attention to feel better about myself? I’d rather die. The next few days, Jolie and I spent most of our time on preparing for the arrival of the tribunal. She’s been more tolerable, treating me with cold respect, instead of the usual hateful
I don’t notice how quickly the time flies by. We are so busy making sure everything is in order for the delegates that I didn’t pay attention. The next thing I know, the sun is setting, and Jolie’s getting ready to join the gathering pack outside. She inhales deeply, her body covered in goosebumps. “I love this time.” “What time?” “You know, when you can feel the full moon’s approach.” I never liked it. It gives me a weird hollow pit in my stomach. I thought this month would be different because I’m with my own kind, starting to embrace what I am – but it’s not. I still have that awful, sick empty feeling. “You don’t?” I shake my head. “Neither does Edric. He doesn’t like that he can’t control the shift.” “I know how he feels.” She gives me a grim smile. “I’ll see you out there?” “No, I…” I clamp my mouth shut. I don’t yet know how much I can trust Jolie. “What?” “I won't be shifting with the pac
Edric's POV: What have I done? Last night, I watched from a distance as Maya met up with the rogues, finding more love and acceptance from them than I’ve given her in days, and if I’m brutally honest with myself, I have to admit it's my fault that she ran to them. I made it pretty clear that I don’t accept her for who and what she is. I wouldn’t let her shift with us. Letting a wolf shift with your pack is the ultimate sign of trust and acceptance, and I denied her that. Why? Why did I do that? Now, my two most trusted advisors are pissed at me, my father made it clear that I’m a failure as an Alpha and mate, and even Jolie took her side. She may not like Maya, but she’s slowly starting to accept her. And I fucked it all up. ~ Where is she? ~ * I don’t know. * ~ She should be back by now. What if she’s hurt? ~ * She’s not hurt. * I don’t know who I’m trying to bluff here. She could very well be hurt
Edric's POV: Throughout the day, I wait for Maya’s inevitable outburst, but it doesn’t happen. She performs her duties as reigning Luna of Mountain Fire pack with poise and diligence, but while her actions won’t give us away, the nasty looks from my Beta and Gamma most certainly will. I can’t risk mind-linking them now to tell them to cut it out, so I just keep hoping and praying they’ll get over it by themselves. King Cameron Townsend Cahill enters last, his Queen by his side. They seem very much in love, but there is a huge age difference between them. She is his second mate, the first having died during childbirth, which is rare but it does happen. He didn’t accept a mate again until he was nearly fifty, Queen Penelope, who is only thirty-five, had already given him four sons and a daughter, and a sixth is on the way, I can hear the baby’s rapid heartbeat. I announce the king’s arrival, and everyone does the obligatory bow. Watching Maya f
I cannot stop laughing. The insanity, the cruelty, of the whole series of events is so bizarre that it’s downright comical. I had made up my mind. I was firm in my decision. I would reject Edric and leave. I know that I can’t escape my destiny, that it will haunt me forever, but yesterday I decided I’d fight this battle by myself, like I’ve fought every battle by myself…but again, it looks like The Fates, or The Goddess, or the fucking Star Child, who even knows anymore, made sure that won’t happen. Edric stares at me, his eyes shattered. I shouldn’t care, but I do. It hurts me to see him in pain. My wolf is far less sympathetic than I am, which is a surprise – she’s the one that wanted to stay, but she’s also the one that was raped, so maybe that’s why she feels so vindictive and I don’t. “Say something.” “What do you want me to say?” he asks, sinking to the bed. “I told you yesterday that I’m leaving as soon as the tribunal is over.” “I…yes,
“Everything I thought I knew has been a lie,” Edric says after several minutes. “Yes, I know.” “No, you don’t. I mean everything, Maya. Werewolves were created for a very specific reason…I can see why the Lycans removed the real story from our texts. If werewolves knew the truth…there’s no telling what they’d do.” I’m so fucking confused again. “Wait. Start at the beginning. I don’t understand anything.” He grimaces and runs his thumb across his lips. I stare at those lips, remembering how they explored my body, sent me to new heights, helped me to discover new pleasures. Just the thought of it turns me on. Dammit. I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks, but always the consummate gentleman, Edric says nothing. “Do you know our creation story? Have you read it yet?” I have. It’s very similar to the Christian one. According to the texts, The Goddess made the first werewolves to be her companions. One male, one female, just like Adam and
Edric’s POV: The kitchen is well stocked. Maya did a great job, considering this is her first big gathering. I pull chicken and salad from the fridge. “Are you hungry, your majesty?” “I can eat.” Maya’s sitting on her usual chair by the counter, the king next to her. I turn my back on them, pretending to fix the plates, but I really want to mind-link Luca and Jasper without the king knowing. “Are you awake?” “Yes,” they both answer at once. “What’s wrong?” Luca asks. “Nothing. I fixed things with Maya. I need to do the same with you.” “You don’t have to,” Jasper says. “We know you’ve been under a lot of stress. Just don’t do that to our Luna again. Next time, there may not be a king that convinces her to stay.” “She’s not staying because of him. Tomorrow, during the hunt, we’ll have to sneak off so the three of us can talk. Things are about to change.” My heart aches at the thought. Leaving my home. My
Edric's POV: Maya’s pacing around the room, going so fast that sweat is running down her body. “You okay?” I ask, even though it’s clear she’s not. “I can’t believe I did that.” Her eyes are big, and the fear she should have felt half an hour ago when she snapped at our king only just hit her. “In how much trouble am I?” I close the door and motion her towards the bed. “Calm down. You’re not in trouble.” Without slowing down, she gives me a sideways glance. “I challenged a Lycan. A king. I don’t know much about our world yet, Edric, but even I know that’s a stupid move.” “Yes, it is, we need to work on your impulse control--” I pat the bed --“come sit down. The king isn’t angry at you.” “He’s not?” “No. He was testing you.” “Why?” “He wanted to make sure you’re the one--” I widen my eyes --“The Undoing.” “I hate that name. I have a name.” “Yes okay, I agree, but the ones who wrot