Starci POV.That little bitch. She knows of the gathering. If she arrives there and goes to the Alphas, they will be pissed, not at her, but at me. I know word would have spread about what I have done, but I need their help.I went against a direct order not to attack the Phoenix Kingdom. Fools the lot of them, they were scared of Marcia’s wrath. But I needed to take the heart scale so I could use it to defeat the Alphas and become the top dog, so to speak.But that plan failed yet again. Now I have no choice but to grovel on my belly like a stray dog. The Alphas will love that. They have been hunting me for years, but I have always managed to evade them. Now I need their help.“You won’t be able to lie to them Star, they will see through it. It’s best to tell them the truth, otherwise they will kill you,” Lex says in my head as I watch Jaka and Bedelia fly back to the Phoenix Kingdom.“They could try to kill me on site. What we did was treason.” I say as I sit on the floor and think
Serana POV.Since remembering the way my mother was killed, I have tried to shut it out, but I can’t. I’m sitting in the grand living room with a box of pictures and photos of my parents. I smile at each one and even laugh.“This is how you should remember them.” Vilkas says from my side as I lean into him as he rubs soothing circles on my arm.“Yeah, that is what I’m trying to do. It’s just hard. Every time I close my eyes, I see her lifeless eyes looking back at me.” I focus on the photo in my hand when I feel him tighten his hold on me.“It’s ok to remember the good times. Don’t let what happened to them burrow inside. Let it go. Look at it this way. She protected you. She ran with you, knowing they were coming for you. She fought for you, so did your father. You stayed alive because deep down you knew there was more to this. Baby, you need to let the pain go or it will consume you.” I take a deep breath at his statement and I know he is right, but the pain I feel is fuelling the f
Serana POV.It’s the day of the gathering with the Alphas. I make my way towards the temple, passing thousands of Lycans. They all look at us, some with fear, the others with curiosity. I have come to get answers, but I have come for war if need be.I look around and snarl if a Lycan’s gaze lingers for too long. I decided to wear all black leather with boots. My fiery red hair is up in a high ponytail. Vilkas is wearing black jeans and a black button-down shirt with the first three buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his hair a tousled mess and damn if I don’t want to rip his clothes off and take him now.“Focus Serana, you can jump him later.” Bedelia is on high alert as we keep our gaze forward. Even though Vilkas has my hand in his, I can’t calm down.We walk towards the temple of Selene and there, sat in a large circle, are the Alphas and on a throne is Hyperion.He is tall like all Lycan’s. His sandy blonde hair is styled meticulously. His blue eyes shine and
Vilkas POV.Turning with Serana and seeing Starci in the state she is in, I have no words, no emotion, nothing. She deserves everything she is going to get by my mate’s hands. The Lycans did a number on her, yet she can still look defiant even in her current situation.Serana goes to step forward, but I grab her back. She turns to look at me, and I can see Bedelia shining in her eyes.“I know you want to kill her. Let’s see what happens first.” She pulls her arm out of my grasp and turns to fully look at me. My eyes widen at what I have just done and said to her.“You fucking idiot. Let her kill the bitch.” Jaka roars in my head, but I need her to think clearly and right now, she isn’t.“Why? Do you still have feelings for her?” Fuck! I shake my head at my stupidity.“No, I don’t. I love you, Serana. Just wait to see what the Lycans want to do with her first before you kill her.” She looks taken aback by what I have just said when she squares up to me. Her eyes blazing.“Not so long a
Serana POV.Hearing the words that Starci has said makes me want to kill them all and rip the scale from my chest myself. I can’t be involved with Vilkas after knowing the extent of what he has done, and willingly it would seem. I’m such a fucking fool. I believed him. I fell in love with him and he let it happen, knowing I was just a means to an end.“Bedelia, is this true? Tell me she is lying.” I beseech her when she whimpers inside me.“She is telling the truth. I’m sorry Serana.” I take another step back and lower my guard as Bedelia takes control. She isn’t going to fight and neither am I. We just want to go home. She can have him. I will find a way to break this bond and remove the heart scale without it killing me. I don’t want them near me.I’m numb. I can’t process anything that has happened over the years, but this has to be the cruellest. We fly away, and I don’t even know what was said after Bedelia took control. I will never be the same again.“It’s better to be feared.”
Serana POV.I staggered at the words of my mother and looked at her with confusion.“Why me? Why should I decide?” I ask her as I shake my head in disbelief at her words. She looks at me sadly as she approaches me, but I back away from her.“The Gods have seen all you have been through. It is your decision to make, Serana. I know it was me who placed the curse. I can’t make this decision. It has to be you. I have seen everything you have been through and it hurts my heart that I wasn’t there physically to save you. I’m sorry, my love.” She reaches from my cheek and I turn my head away and look out over the ocean.“I need to be alone,” I say sadly as I look down as I walk away. The island is huge. I walk along the shoreline feeling the water lap at my feet.“This is bullshit! We shouldn’t have to choose. What the fuck are they playing at?” Bedelia is fuming, and who can blame her? The betrayal of everything is still raw. Then to add to this to the mix is just fucking cruel. I have to m
Serana POV.It has been a few days since I came home; I have avoided Vilkas like a plague at every turn. I don’t care if this is hurting him or me. This is the sacrifice I have made. We will be bonded for a long time, and I want him to suffer the same way I am.Wesley came back yesterday, and Pascha ran into his arms, and yes they are mates. I saw them this morning and Pascha has his mark. I couldn’t be happier for them. I knew then like I know now I had made the right decision. Putting everyone’s happiness above my own.I’m sat behind my desk nursing a glass of whiskey, since returning all I have done is drown my sorrows even though it takes a lot for shifters to get drunk, but I like a challenge. So I have barricaded myself in here. Only coming out to raid the wine cellar. Yes, I look like shit, but I don’t care. I smell him before he knocks and I ignore the knocking on the door.“Please Serana, let me explain.” He does this every day, and he gets the same response. Radio silence. T
Serana POV.As he promised, he left me alone to my pity party, as he called it, and guess what? I did just that. It has been a week since I was shown the truth. Now I’m drinking for a totally different reason. I feel ashamed. Ashamed that I never believed him. Ashamed that I didn’t see it was her manipulation. I’m a fucking joke for believing her.I slump over the cool wood of the desk and look at the empty bottle at my side.“Ok, I’ve had enough of this. Get up and face him. Tell him you’re sorry and you will behave yourself.” I ignore her again. This is what she has been saying to me for the past few days.“No, and you can’t make me.” I say, feeling triumphant when she pulls me up against my will.“Watch, because I can and I will. Enough Serana. You are a queen and your people and this kingdom need you sober and in control. Not mopping around and pissed out of your fucking skull. Now you are going to leave this office, you are going to shower, get changed and sort your damn head out
Serana POV.“Will you three just stop and get ready?” I call out from the kitchen into the living room, as the twins and Cyra are all fighting. Gods have mercy.The twins are now six, and Cyra is eight. Whoever said it is easy raising hybrids is a full of shit. These three are always arguing or fighting, and it is draining.“Mom, we were just playing.” Cyra says as she walks into the kitchen with the two trouble makers behind her. They smirk at me and I glare at them.“Well, I have been calling you to get ready for the past thirty minutes. Now move your butts or you will all be late.” I say as I usher them out and wait patiently for them to finish getting ready when Wesley and Shane enter with Penny.Wesley found himself a beautiful mate. She is great with Shane and he loves her like she is his mother. At first I didn’t like the idea but then I got to know her and she makes my boys happy so I didn’t burn her to a crisp.“Hey, momma.” I say to her as she waddles closer to me. She is du
Vilkas POV.Standing on the balcony as I look down on the Dragon Realm and I can feel the tension in the air. In a few hours, both the Dragon Realm and the Phoenix Kingdom will be merged.I smile before I look down and see Cyra standing beside me as she looks at the realm beside me. She is beautiful, it hard to believe that we created her and her brothers. All three of our hatchlings are beautiful. The twins are now crawling and are always following Cyra wherever she goes. She doesn’t mind; she is brilliant with them.“Daddy, everything will be ok.” She takes my hand in her small one and I squeeze it gently as she looks up at me with her green eyes.“Yes, sweetie, everything will be ok.” I pick her up and she sits on my hip in her pretty dress and her long black hair with her fiery streaks has been left down. I place my forehead against hers and she closes her eyes.“Are you excited?” I ask her and she looks at me and bites her lip and I feel the anxiety coming off her.“Yes, and no.”
Serana POV.“Ok, ok, I’m coming.” The screaming wails of the twins echo around the room as I step out from the bathroom. I move towards their cribs and, as soon as they see me, they both stop. Pouting, I raise an eyebrow at them. Yup, these two are little players. Now they are all smiles.“Your sister used to do this. I’m not falling for it.” I coo as I lean down to pick up Aero when I move to pick up Ajax. Moving with them both in my arms towards the rocking chair, I get comfortable.Placing Aero on my shoulder and Ajax across my lap, I unbutton my top to feed them. I have given up with a bra because they are always and I mean always hungry.Vilkas even latches them on when I’m sleeping or at least trying to. However, we have the routine down. The first week or two was difficult juggling the two of them, but we got there in the end.Cyra is absolutely in love with them and is always helping with them. I know that novelty will wear off soon, though, especially when they start moving.
Serana POV.We have been back at the Phoenix Kingdom now for a few days and it’s become more difficult to move to the point I want to cry.I grunt as I move to sit up against the headboard of the bed. Vilkas has been helping Hyperion finalise the details for the pack. I smile to myself that Wesley will finally get the title he deserves. He has been there with me from the beginning and he deserves the world at his feet and so does little Shane. We have the room in the territory to accommodate more wolves and their mates if need be, so it’s a win-win.Gods, I need to move; I feel stiff and yucky. I shuffle towards the edge of the bed and brace myself to stand up. As I do, my back crunches and I sigh. So good. I waddle, holding my bump to get to the bathroom.These two are pressed against my bladder and I constantly feel the need to pee. It’s not ideal. I was contemplating just living in the bathroom at one point this week. Between toilet breaks and napping. That is all I do. Bedelia is
Serana POV.Today we are making the trip back to the Phoenix Kingdom to prepare for the birth. I can’t wait to get home. It is hard being between the two places. Besides, I need to check on something that I have been working on secretly. Only Vilkas knows about my secret plan.We decided that after the birth we would return to the Dragon Realm for a short while and travel between as we finalise the merger between both.Wesley left two days ago to prepare the nursery at the palace in my kingdom. I trust him and I know he will watch over the kingdom while I’m running back and forth between realms.So the transition will be easier for all involved when we open the borders between the realms.Vilkas is leaving his father in charge until we return. We have a week before the birth and I’m shitting myself. I spoke to Lara and Valeria at great length about what will happen. We discussed the probability of a lava birth. Similar to a water birth, but in the lava pool. So that way, our hatchling
Serana POV.Twins! Twins! I can’t believe this. Vilkas came back around and still looks pale. Neither one of us knows what to say or do. It is still a shock.“Twins!” he says as he puffs his cheeks out as he huffs. His elbows are braced on his knees as he looks at the wall in complete disbelief.“Yes, Vilkas. Twins! But hey look, it will be fine. We have so much support. Besides, you are great with Cyra and yes, we only expected one, but we have two. One more won’t make a difference. We will be fine.” Yeah, we will be fine. I’m starting to freak the fuck out.“Yeah, we will be fine.” He turns to look at me with a grimace and I sigh as I push myself to stand up.“No point in worrying about it. It has happened, so we just have to prepare extra, that’s all.” I say more to myself than to him right now. I don’t know why he is grumbling it’s not him that has to push them out.Oh gods, I’m going to be torn apart by bringing our sons into the world. I stagger and sit back down.“Well, I see y
Serana POV.The past few days since I regained the memories have been hard. It is hard to forget, but Vilkas has been true to his word and whenever I drift off into space, he brings me back and we do something that replaces the reason why I drifted in the first place.Today we have an appointment to see our son and I’m excited to see him. Vilkas has been totally different from when I was pregnant with Cyra. Ok well that is a lie, he is behind me everywhere I go and in a way it is cute. He is always kissing and touching my bump.When we told the family, yes family, that I remembered certain things they understood but didn’t press for what I remembered and for that I am grateful. The only ones who know the truth are Vilkas and Lara. After all, Lara was there when my memories came back but she has said she won’t say anything and I appreciate that about her. She understands why.I’m sure the others would too, but the fewer people who know, the better. We went for a walk yesterday in the m
Vilkas POV.I pick Serana up in my arms and run with her towards the palace. Cyra is crying, but Joel takes her and follows behind me.“What happened?” Lara asks as I enter with a limp and unconscious Serana in my arms.“She remembered Pascha and Samara. Her memories must be coming back.” Lara’s eyes widen as I place Serana on the sofa and Lara looks at me.“Everyone but Vilkas, out.” She commands and everyone leaves. She drops to her knees and chants something I watch as her hands glow light blue and white. He presses her hands on either side of Serana’s head and I look up and see the memories look jumbled when I watch as each one evaporates and Lara gasps.“What is it?” I ask and she looks at me, her eyes white.“Serana is rejecting the memories. She doesn’t want them.” How can she do that? Is that even possible?“How?” I ask and she looks at me before looking back at the memories that are fading. But not all the memories are fading, only the ones she doesn’t want to remember. I wat
Serana POV.Entering the kitchen, the chatter dies down and I begin to feel nervous as all eyes turn to us. Sensing my distress, king Vilkas squeezes my hand in reassurance and nods his head as we enter the kitchen, Cyra bouncing around as she shows everyone her hair and points at me.“My mommy did them. I love them like I love my mommy and daddy.” She nods her head, letting everyone know her true feelings, and I smile gently at her.“Serana, what would you like to eat?” A woman with blue snake-like eyes asks me and I look at Cyra, who comes closer to me and takes my hand and draws my attention to her.“Mommy, that is Nanny. Nanny is daddy’s mommy. Like you are mine. Nanny makes the best pancakes. You should try them.” Her green eyes shining and I chuckle at her and nod my head at her.“I think I will. Thank you, Cyra, my sweet little girl.” I say as I caress her cheek and she giggles before she pulls me towards the island and helps me sit down. The tension in the room is something el