Lottie’s POV We head back to the sitting room when I am feeling composed. The Queen doesn’t rush me. When I walk in, I feel hopeful when I see two young men there. “Do you remember Lottie?” Eden shouts across the room. They both come walking towards me “Vaguely” they say at the same time. I looked at the pair. “Max.” I smiled at him before looking at his brother. “Jax. You still look the same.” “That is a skill, not many people can tell us apart.” Jax says. “Oh, it’s easy even after all these years. Max is prettier.” Jax’s face drops and Max burst out laughing. “Nice one.” Max says. Joking aside, though, I scoured the room, looking for Maddox. But he wasn’t there. I shouldn’t have got my hopes up so much, but I have to keep hoping. I am sitting by Eden. I explained to all the all the Royal family the things I feel they ought to know, leaving out the part about my elemental gift. It’s that part of me I am most cautious about revealing. Now more than ever, I heed my da
Nix’s POV “Hey, farm boy,” somebody yells. I didn’t look around, as there couldn’t possibly be anyone talking to me. If they are, why are they talking to me? Would they be trying to provoke a reaction from me? Because today is not a good day to do that. “I said. Hey, farm boy,” the same voice yells. This time, I know it is coming from the crowd of jocks that have gathered during our physical education class. Yes, I live on a small farm and yes, I am a boy, but I have a name. In fact, no one knows my real name. Teachers call me by my nickname, which is Nix. But they are probably the only few that even know that. I am not in the right frame of mind to be around people today, but if I don’t attend school, someone will come to my house. So, I have to be here, but I shouldn’t be. It’s the rule of the human town I live in that I have to attend school. But I am not human, or at least my mom wasn’t. I am going to assume I’m not either. She never talks about who helped conc
Nix’s POV After getting home, I made myself a birthday cake to celebrate my birthday. I think more tears went into it than anything else. I plan on eating it after I have finished my chores. ‘The farm won’t tend to itself’ was the phrase mom would use. I sat there and reminisced about my past birthday’s, what we would have done this evening. It was not very exciting compared to what other kids my age do. But I was grateful and happy. I don’t need flashy items or fancy clothes. She always said I deserved more than she could give. But all I wanted was her love. I got that in abundance. She was my everything and I was hers. She would make a tremendous effort every year on my birthday to tell me that I was the best thing that ever happened to her. Her life wasn’t complete until I came into it. All I could do was sit there, tears streaming down my face, thinking of her expression, her smile and her comforting embraces. I missed her so much. I haven’t even been in
Reed’s POV I go to the address listed in Nix’s file. The principal is right; it is a farm and if he is working it. That would explain his strength and size, but not his aura. I drove about half a mile before I saw the house. It’s small and simple, nothing elaborate. I knocked on the door. No one answers. But I knew someone was home, so I knocked again. Nix answered the door. We exchanged pleasantries. I asked him if his mom was home. He tells me she is resting, but he looks nervous and shuts the door behind him, which makes me think he is lying. His mom will know who his father is. Maybe she can explain why he has such a powerful aura before he has his wolf. I need to talk to her. He tells me they have lived here all of his life and he doesn’t know about the Wolf Council. Maybe his mom is not a wolf herself. I test his knowledge when I tell him about rogues being in the area. He doesn’t question what rogues are, so I am guessing he knows some things. I need to meet his
Nix’s POV When I heard a loud banging coming from the door, it startled me. I am not expecting any guests, even if I was no one I know would bang like that. I wasn’t expecting four men in suits standing on my porch. I want to say they were tall, but I was almost on a par with them. They were demanding to see my mom. I told them she was resting in her room, so they couldn’t. That’s when one of them barged past me. “What the hell? Get out of my house.” I yelled at the guy. Two of them grabbed hold of me. The one that was in my house was walking around shouting, “woman, where are you?” I was watching him like a hawk. I don’t know what they wanted with my mom, but they won’t find her here. But when he started heading towards her bedroom. I yelled, “you can’t go in there.” “Watch me,” was his response. Now I don’t know who this lot thinks they are, but this is my home and I will defend it. I started thrashing against the two men holding me in place. But when his hand went for th
Nix’s POV We drove for nearly a full day. I shared the driving with Reed. From what he has told me, he works for the Wolf Council, which fulfills his need to be part of a pack, but he is not one of them. The Wolf Council only allows him to access the communal areas of the territory when he lives there. He says that it works for him as he has problems with authority. His brother is the Alpha of his home pack and they don’t see eye to eye. When his cousin Ethan offered him a position, he jumped at the chance. He told me I could stay with him until they figured all this mess out. He didn’t know what was going to happen or where I would end up. But I would at least be in safe hands. I know he was trying to reassure me, but it didn’t work. I have left everything I have ever known, am sitting in an SUV with a man I barely know who is taking me somewhere? I am sure I saw this in a horror movie I watched once. The thought that crossed my mind was ‘and he was never heard from ag
Reed’s POV Restless and with an empty stomach, I woke up. Nix and I had been confined to the SUV all day yesterday. I wonder how he slept? I am getting ready for the long day ahead. But no matter what my day holds, his day will be longer, as I know the Council Members will want to speak to him. But I don’t hear any noise coming from his room. I know he lived and worked on a farm. He would normally be up by now. I knocked on his door. No response, so I knocked again. There is still no response. I turned the handle and stuck my head through the open door. I saw he had made the bed and placed a toothbrush on the side. Crap, has he done a runner? I ran to the window and saw the SUV parked there. I know that for a fact, he wouldn’t have left without his stuff. So where is he? I tried to follow his scent, but it was weak. I am wandering around aimlessly when I hear a load of shouting. He wouldn’t have, would he? They wouldn’t have let him, would they? I am not privy to the inn
Council Member Ethan’s POV I returned to the council chambers after I visited Reed and Nix. Nix seemed to take the news better than Reed. But I didn’t tell Nix everything I knew. I know full well that Nix has a half-sister. I know full well her that father is the Alpha of the Mountain Creek Pack and I know full well she is younger than him. Which would make him the legitimate heir to the pack, should anything happen to his father. I don’t know how the Alpha will take this news. Nor how the Luna will react to her mate having a son older than her daughter. I also don’t know how Nix will take it either. He has never grown up with a father figure. Which is why I didn’t tell him everything. After seeing the house he lived in and how hard he worked every day, how he lived overall. Most importantly, how much he loved his mom. There would be no chance of me getting him there if I told him that his father was there. But I need answers and I can’t get them from Nix, as he knows no
Charlie’s POV “What are we going to do, Jacob? How did we end up losing track of so much time? Darcey is going to kill me.” “Don’t worry too much. Darcey will be at home, tucked up in bed. She won’t even notice you were gone.” Is he serious? Darcey will know. We’re trying for a baby, and she is demanding sex every night. Not just a quick session either! The past week she has been hornier than ever, and I have been running on fumes. She will know I’m not there. I knew it was a mistake. Letting our wolves go for a run before the blue moon. But Jacob insisted. He convinced me I had been stressed lately. That I needed to let off some steam. Now I was going to be in a bucket full of crap. Thanks Jacob, I think to myself. Our wolves took over, blocking us out. They only let us have our bodies back because they became dormant. Now here we are standing here bollock naked in the middle of nowhere, miles from home. “It’s going to take ages to get back.” “It’s going to take you ages.
Stephanie’s POV “Steff. How are you feeling?” A voice asked me. “Horrible. My head hurts so much.” Am I speaking to someone in my mind? Whoever it is laughing at me. Did I actually die? I can’t have died. I would be back in the wolf realm. From the smells in this place, I am definitely not there. In fact, one smell is so very good, like delicious. I can’t put my finger on it, but it is mouth watering. “That’s our mate.” The voice says again. “I don’t have a mate. I don’t have a wolf.” “You do now. Selene sent me to you.” I slowly figured out that’s who I was talking to me. “There’s so much you need to know, Steff. Or is it Annie or Stephanie?” “No, no, no.” I’m so confused. “What I need to know is which wolf Selene sent me?” Whoever she is shakes herself and stands proud. She then pounds her feet. How do I know what she is doing? “Selene sent me to you. She said, I am to look after you. Ensure you get life-long happiness and joy. The love you deserve.” “Fine,
Hecate’s POV “An opportunity has risen. You’re the perfect choice for the role.” I tell the couple that have been living an isolated life. They both look at me. “Selene needs to give a wolf less soul, the powers of the blue moon goddess. Only someone who is willing can accept the powers. It would mean you would have to live in the wolf realm. With him forever.” I said, gesturing towards her mate. “I can live here with him forever.” She responds. “You can live there forever and oversee your children and grandchildren. You can be with their wolves for all eternity.” I now have the attention of them both. “Can I visit them?” She asks curiously. “Occasionally,” I tell her. I know Selene will restrict visits, especially after Steff burned through her last body so fast. “I also want to negotiate with Selene about you overseeing any hybrids. They need support and guidance. Given your experience in this field, I thought it would be fitting.” She looks at me, then at the wolf at her side.
Tripp’s POV “You are a goddam idiot. You just walked away from her. I thought you said you wouldn’t be rejecting her, no matter what?” I said snappily to Elliot. Still not quite believing he walked away from our mate. He walked away and shifted. “I won’t be rejecting her. It’s just a lot to take in. I needed to process everything she told me. She has lived so many lives, knows everything about us. Not to mention she is in our mate’s body. That’s just weird.” “You couldn’t have told her that?” I roared at him angrily. I have been Elliot’s wolf for a long time and that by far is the stupidest thing he has ever done. “Steff’s body was dying because of her frequent visits to earth, to save your family. Annie’s soul was gone, her body was dying. Why can’t she have a life? She has helped so many over the years and is a good friend to all of us wolves.” I said now, trying to reason with the fool. “Do you know her?” Elliot asked me. “Yes. She lives in the wolf realm most of the time with
Elliot’s POV After my graduation, Dad decided to stop at Blackwood farm on his way home to the palace. Dad wanted to visit his mom’s grave. During my studies, I visited Blackwood farm many times. It was so quiet and away from the busyness of the school. It was a great place to study and Tripp, my wolf, loved being surrounded by nature. Dad visited whenever he came to see me. But he always got upset. This will be the last time he will visit Blackwood Farm for quite a while. I expect him to be worse today. I drove back in the early hours of the morning. I know Elizabeth and I have agreed I will start on Monday. But I am so excited. She is looking forward to some time off. My great aunt Elizabeth has been a great mentor since I started my training. I know my grandma has been as well, but she doesn’t practice anymore. Even though I am a few days early, she hands me my white coat. It feels so official putting it on. I can’t stop smiling as she gives me the tour o
Stephanie’s POV “Come on Stephanie. We’re going to be late.” Charlie calls out to me. I know he wants to get to work early today. But, of course, on the day I am supposed to be ready early. Everything goes wrong and I am running late. Darcey gave Charlie a chance. I am thrilled she did. Knowing what he overcame puts my heart at rest that they will take care of each other forever. Since then, Charlie has become a valued member of the kingdom. Proving to Darcey and everyone else that he is a worthy mate for her. She made him work for it, though. Part of the agreement between them was that he didn’t join the royal guard. He agreed not only because Darcey asked him not to, but because he knew Addie and Avery would make his life hell. They still hold a grudge because of his actions and the emotional suffering they caused her. Instead, Charlie got a job teaching the kids in the kingdom’s school. He also organizes regular camping trips for older children and aids with a program to
Steff’s POV I look at both of Annie’s parents. They look lost. “Will you keep her name?” “I would prefer to keep my own name.” Her mom looked like she was about to cry again. “How about a compromise? Combine the two. How does Stephanie sound?” She nods her head, composing herself. “Why is Hecate coming?” Annie’s father asks. “Annie’s body will need to be strengthened to house my soul. It won’t hurt Annie. I assure you.” Her father’s body seemed to sag with relief. “After the soul transfer. I will stay for a while. Let you say really say goodbye to her.” I don’t think they know what to say to that. But they will when the time comes. “No one is to know about this. It has never happened in the past.” I told them both. Just before Hecate appeared. Her appearance can be alarming if you’re not used to seeing her. Hecate has dark hair and dark eyes. For supernatural occasions, which this is, Hecate wears dark clothes and a spiked headpiece. She looks like an evi
Darcey’s POV When I woke up, all I wanted to do was find Charlie. The images in the lake still broke my heart. But what I needed more than anything was a drink. Elizabeth had been hydrating my body with some intravenous fluids, but my throat was as dry as a desert. Then people started fussing over me. “Take it easy was Caren’s advice.” Esme assured Caren I would. Then she promised to stay by my side until I made a full recovery. “Ayla, you had better make this a swift recovery.” I told her. Although I love my sister, spending a lot of time with her could be challenging. In fact, I am not sure we would be friends if we weren’t sisters. We are that different. But we are always there for one another. I know Charlie isn’t going anywhere. Nat visited me, telling me she had confined him and Jacob to a suite on the first floor. “You make it sound like he is a prisoner.” Esme says curiously to her. “He saved her life.” “I know,” Nat says sweetly. “When Darcey is feeling bet
Goddess Selene’s POV “You said we had more time.” Annie’s mom questions me. I want to remind her I am a goddess. But I really want Steff to have Annie’s body. “You do. I can now answer your questions.” I explained to Annie’s parents. Steff steps forward. “I am the blue moon goddess. I take care of the wolves in Selene’s realm during the blue moon and the eclipse. Your wolves know me well. The rest of the time, I am Selene’s companion. In my youth, my physical body hurt so badly it died. I now require a host body, a vessel to house my soul. Selene says you are considering letting me use your daughter’s body?” “Yes,” Annie’s father says proudly. “It would be an honor.” “I just want to know she will be cared for.” Her mom cried. “I have taken care of many bodies over my long life. Your daughter will be no different.” Her mom cries again but nods her head, implying her consent. “Steff, will you remain with them until Hecate arrives? I have business elsewh