Aiden POV
Selene and I lay panting on the grass. I was still insider her, trying to catch my breath. The sound of the panting grew louder as we turned our heads to see our wolves standing a few feet away, with amused expressions on their dog-like faces.
"Looks like we weren't the only ones enjoying our alone time." Ronan's voice flooded my mind. Interesting, I hadn't considered that we could still communicate when he was in a separate, bodily form.
"Good, you're back," I said, my voice edged with sarcasm as I rolled off my mate. "I'm afraid I'll need you both to return to your spirit forms. We are to return to the mortal realm."
The wolves nuzzled each other, Ronan licking his mate's cheek before both wolves bowed their heads in submission.
I summoned my magic. It was easier to connect this time as I watched their physical forms fade and their spirits implant themselves back in our minds.
"You are astou
Selene POVA flick of my wrist and I could've snapped that pup's neck. But I knew it was important for my mate's status to defend me from the males in this pack.In the mortal realm, it is rare for wolves to pursue a mated female, they honour the mate-bond and enjoy casual trysts with unmated she-wolves. But I am no she-wolf. The moon magic that exists in my blood is difficult for wolves to resist, mated or not. Aiden doesn't know that the one thing that could cause a male from his pack to challenge him is if it desired me badly enough.Aiden would champion any opponent, of that I was certain. He is an alpha, blessed with the old magic. And as his third in command has recognised, he is more than a mere alpha, he is king.But it would hurt him to kill a member of his pack, it goes against his oath as an Alpha. He would kill for me, and I hated that I felt sure that if I spent enough time amongst his people, he would eventually have to.
Selene POV As we sat, crammed on the antique chesterfield couch that sat in the corner of the Alpha's chambers, I took a moment to scan my surroundings. An Alpha's chambers were designed to radiate power. This was done by both design and furnishing. The room had one entry and exit point, and the Alpha's desk faced the entry directly. In the corner, a large, open fire sat crackling away— a beverage tray sitting nearby, adorned with expensive Irish whiskey. The chesterfield, where we were seated, ran along the opposite wall. In the mortal realm, even where werewolves were concerned, money and possessions were symbols of power and Alpha Donal's chambers were exactly that. Finally, having had enough of being wedged between my sister and my mate, I stood up, causing the Alpha who had been perched at his desk, eyeing some kind of correspondence with a furrowed brow to finally break his concentration and look our way.
Selene POV"What the devil is that?" Cian asked as we approached the forest. I knew he was referring to the call Aiden and I had heard earlier. Him hearing it as well confirmed my suspicions— Cian was of Fae blood."What is what?" Aiden questioned, glancing at me and raising a brow."That sound, coming from the forest, I've never heard such a thing.""It is the fae... or, what's left of them. Fairies, I believe they are more commonly known as now. The only trace of a once proud and powerful race left in your realm.""I'm not sure why that should astound me, I'm a werewolf in Celtic Ireland, of course, there are fucking fairies." Cian scoffed as we reached the forest edge."Ronan, Liana, keep guard here. If we have not returned in an hour, fetch Blake, Evangeline... and my father."As we crossed the threshold into the forest, the path we had entered on disappeared before us. I turned to look behind and the fores
Aiden POVMy senses were in overdrive as we retreated from the forest back to the packhouse.Thankfully, Cian had managed to convince the fae to come with us, but I could feel their magic weakening the further we fled from the forest. I understood now why they were hesitant to leave, their power is great, but tied to the forest and without the source to draw on, they would be working with limited reserves.Liana and Ronan led the warriors who had shifted in flanking us as we made our way across the exposed field between the forest edge the safety of the packhouse gates.I always felt powerful with Ronan as my wolf, but I never anticipated how powerful I would feel not having to choose a form. Having him be able to fight by my side, and still feel the soul we shared was invigorating. I wondered if Selene felt the same about Liana.We bound through to packhouse gates and swiftly shut them behind us as the warriors piled in. Ronan ap
Selene POVAs Aiden thrust passionately inside me, I could feel his worries through the bond.The sex was primal, even with our wolves still in their corporeal forms, I felt like I was making love to more beast than man. As my back hit the wall I felt him reach his peak inside me as his member throbbed and jerked and his breathing became slower and less ragged in my ear.I ran my hand down his muscular back, kissing him fiercely when he finally met my gaze."You have no idea how badly I needed that..." Aiden purred, his low, gravelly tone sending goosebumps up my arms and a distinct flutter in my core."Do you need it again, mo mhac tíre dubh? I want more..." I purred in response.I felt his grin against the skin of my neck as he gently removed himself from between my legs, kissing his way down my body before falling to his knees. He nestled h
Selene POVAs Evangeline and I entered the safehouse, we could feel the pain radiating from the Fae. Being away from the forest was taking a toll on their connection to their magic.I closed my eyes and called on the elements. The doors and windows opened as vines and branches crept into the house, and the floor cracked and crumbled to make way for the earth below. I sensed their worry begin to fade and their power regenerate as they drew from the makeshift forest I had built them. It wouldn't sustain them long term, but it would suffice."Thank you, Luna" Maeve's melodic voice grabbed my attention from where she stood by Cian's side at the far corner of the room."You are welcome, and I am sorry we forced you from your home. It is my hope you should return safely and soon.""He was here, wasn't he? I could feel his power," Fionn questioned. I answered with a slight nod."Forgive me, Luna," Durragh interjected, "We kn
Aiden POV I was alarmed at how little I seemed to know about my own pack. As I accompanied my mate and her sister to determine how many of our pack members may hold higher magic in their blood, I realised the magnitude of the impending war. I was used to wars fought over land and territory, which was part and parcel of being a werewolf. But Vlad wanted the blood of my people, in a literal sense, which made it far more sinister and difficult to fathom. He was a powerful enemy, with much unknown about him and his allies, and as the impending fight drew closer, I was still at a loss on exactly how we were going to win this fight. "Aiden?" I was broken from my thoughts by a familiar voice, one I owed something to but, in honesty, had completely forgotten about. "Ciara..." I nodded at the she-wolf who I meant to take as my Luna. I was on my way to propose to her when I caught Selene's scent and disappeared from the pack.
Selene POV "Who was she to you?" I finally let myself ask Aiden the question that had been burning annoyingly in my mind since we met the daughter of the witch. Aiden stopped and turned to me, running his hand through his unruly locks and letting out a deep breath. "The day I found you, in the clearing near the cave... Your scent drew me away from my plans that day." "Plans?" "To propose... I meant to take a she-wolf from the pack as my Luna, at my Father's insistence..." I couldn't control the look of confusion that came across my face, and I'd be lying if I didn't also hold a little judgement. All wolves ache to find their mate, the desire to find their other half is built into their very bones. My Mother created them that way, and she knew it would strengthen them as a species... "You meant to take a Luna, who was not your mate?" Aiden shrugged his shoulders, his face contorting into a resig
Selene POV"This is crazy..." Liana, my wolf, scolded in my ear. "You felt it, Liana. The pain. Whatever is happening to Aiden, I'd be surprised if he can withstand it for much longer.""But should we not at least have told your mother? I see no good coming from sneaking away on our own.""The only one that might have come was Evangeline, but I couldn't risk it. We have enough power to face whatever lies ahead, Liana. You can feel it as well as I can.""Exactly, I can feel it. It's volatile, and you've barely scraped the surface of being able to control it. You're being reckless, Selene, and you know it.""I'm not being reckless. I saw the vision, I know what this could mean. But how much longer do you want Ronan to suffer?"There was a long pause in my mind, and I wished Liana was in her corporeal form so I could get a better read on her. As strange as it sounds, I enjoyed having her by my side instead of it having to be one of us or the other. Even though it had been that way for m
Aiden POV My mind was racing as the blurred stone walls that made up the cell I was now trapped in became clear. That voice... I'd heard it before, but where? Who was it? How did they overpower me? Was it a betrayal? Gabriel. He was the one that sent me here. That son of a bitch, I should've known better than to trust him. I could hear muffled voices in the distance, but the volume suggested they were drawing nearer. A quick scan of my surroundings confirmed my suspicions. I was strung upside down, ankles and wrists bound by a metal so strong I couldn't make it flex with all my strength. Below my arms, which were hanging above my head, was a chalice with a distinct red liquid sitting in it. Dried blood on my palms indicated it had likely come from my wrists. As the footsteps neared, I closed my eyes, and the creek of the door alerted me that I had company. Three sets of heavy footsteps entered, and I focussed on slowing my heart rate, for little good it did me. "Reall
Aiden POV As I sat staring out the window of my bedroom overlooking the field that led to the great forest for what felt like the hundredth night apart from Selene, I prayed. The silence was deafening. I suppose I thought she might hear me, answer... Come back to me. There had been no activity since the gathering, which I'm certain was intended to be our slaughter. Something stopped the attack or someone... A knock at my door broke me from my thoughts. "Aiden? Sorry to intrude, I saw the light..." "Come in, Blake." Blake had been apart from Evangeline as long as I had been apart from Selene, and I recognised the look in his eyes and the fatigue in his soul. It was weakening us both, though not as much as it should have been. Wherever our divine mates were, they were well and making sure we were as well. "I thought they'd at least have sent word by now..." he mumbled, half to himself as he poured us each a glass of whiskey. "There must be a good reason for it. Though I
Selene POV I stifled a smirk as my Mother rejected my Father's advances for what felt like the hundredth time since we returned to the palace. "What on earth is going on? Aren't you supposed to be training?" Evangeline whispered to me. "Yes. But not before issuing a little payback." Rather than attempt to recount the events, I placed my hand over my sister's and showed her a snippet of the conversation I'd had with my father. "Selene... you didn't!" she gasped, her whisper squeaking as the pitch of her voice rose in shock. I simply shrugged, feigned a look of innocence and turned my attention back to my parents. "Hey... Dad." The word still tasted strange on my tongue, "Need I remind you of the grave and mortal danger being faced in the human realm and the lives that are dependant on my training?" My Father turned to me, my Mother taking the opportunity to slide out of the corner he'd backed her into and make her away across the room. "Of course. Forgive me, daughter. I
Selene POV My Father's private chambers were not at all what I was expecting. The palace of the gods, the place I had always known to be home, was luxurious and indulgent. My father, it seemed, preferred more minimalistic surroundings. The thing about Eden, is that no being will ever be able to explore its vast reach fully. The garden is alive, and it changes constantly. As my father guided us through the unassuming little clearing he called home, I understood why. He lived hidden in plain sight, watching us. "Why here?" I questioned as I took a seat on a log by the babbling stream. "Where else? It is perfect, Selene. So perfect. I wanted them to have it. But, as I have learned, with all great gifts, they are easily taken for granted by those who don't have to work for them." A silent acknowledgement lingered between us as my mind wandered to the power I had inherited. Something I was sure would betray me the moment I took it for granted. "So, you really expect me to believe al
Aiden POV When I rose to my feet, I could sense that something had shifted. The surge of power was intense but fleeting. With its disappearance, so went the darkness. I could no longer sense the presence of the vampires. As my eyes darted around the creatures that had gathered for the ceremony, I also noted that a certain leprechaun had vanished as well. "What the hell just happened?" Blake's voice broke me from my thoughts. "You felt it too?" "Aye, I felt it. We all did. Whatever it was, I think it just saved us from an attack." I turned to Gabriel, who stood a few metres away with his wings fully unsheathed, staring toward the heavens. "Do you know what it was, Angel?" I questioned. He lowered his wings before slowly turning his head to glance at me over his shoulder. "That..." he began, "Was divine power." "So? I'd have thought you'd be used to that... being your kind." "You'd think." he scoffed, "But I've not felt anything like that in millennia... Look around, pu
Selene POVMy skin was humming. The power that was coursing through my body was intoxicating. I traced my brands with my own fingertips as I marvelled at the glow that seemed to be sitting just below the surface of my skin. I felt strong... So strong that if I attempted to hold on to something, I would suck the life from it without effort or warning. When I met the eyes of my mother and sister, I witnessed something in their expressions I had not seen before— Evangeline looked curious but wary. My mother looked terrified. "What is it, Mother?" When I spoke, my voice sounded distant and layered. "Selene... you have managed to tap into an obscene amount of power. If you are not mindful... it could consume you..." her words were cautious as they left her lips, and she seemed not to want to stand too close to me. Before I had a chance to respond to my mother, a sharp wind blew through the room, extinguishing the candlelight before dark clouds rolled in, shrouding us in darkness. The
Aiden POVI was sick with worry about Selene but had forged ahead with the plans for the ceremony. The creatures were beginning to arrive at the pack, and we had our work cut out to accommodate them and ease their fears for their safety. There was a reason many of them had remained hidden for centuries, and it was no easy task to coax them out. If it weren't for Fionn, Durragh and Maeve, we'd have had no chance at all. Some came willingly, trusting the word of the high fae. Others, like the fairies, were under their command. The most hostile were by far the ones that were here because they were paying a debt of some kind. One Leprechaun, in particular, caused my hackles to rise in his presence. Seamus radiated something more sinister than trickery and mischief. He owed Fionn a debt, which seemed out of balance, although I knew little about Leprechauns. Leprechauns are the ones in the habit of collecting debts and striking bargains, not the other way around. "You know, Fionn, you
Selene POV"Selene, stop!" My mother demanded as my feet hit the floor and my knees buckled beneath me, sending me crashing down. "You're still too weak, daughter. You must remain here until you are back at your full power. Going back now puts you both in danger.""But it could already be too late, Mother! Time moves differently there. You know it as well as I do. He needs our help!"I looked desperately at Blake and Evangeline, pleading with them to help me. "Mother is right, Selene..."Evangeline's tone was gentle and laced with sympathy. My heart sunk as I realised they were right. I was too weak to be of any help, and my presence would weaken Aiden as the bond would feed me his energy. He couldn't stop it if he tried, he was an Alpha, and I was his mate. My life and his were one. "He is alive, Selene. You'd be able to feel it if anything had happened to him, even here." Evangeline reassured me as I choked out a sob and cursed my traitorous body for not healing faster."Blake, y