Chapter One (Isla)

It was cowardly of me to leave like I did, but things had just seemed to settle. I was no longer waiting to be executed, the Shadow Moon Pack wasn't a threat at the moment and Anders and I were finally together. Sure, we still had the upcoming war and had to find Una and Murdina, but at least it was something that we had a plan for. This. I had no plan for.

Now Omen had the audacity to waltz in and destroy the moment of peace I had found since the day my parents were killed and drop yet another bombshell. How else was I supposed to react?

How could that even be possible? If my mother was Queen, why didn't she tell me? Why would she have run away with my father? They could have lived with her coven.

I entered the pack kitchen, which was busy as omegas ran about cooking meals and preparing for the day.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat on the counter, digesting what I had just been told.

Anders walked into the kitchen as he scanned the room, his eyes settled on me. He walked up and stood in front of me, rubbing my thigh with his hand.

“Are you ok, Love?” he asked, eyes full of concern. You ran out of there before the meeting ended.”

“I’m sorry, I just don’t understand. My mother never said anything.”

“Typical of that high-ranking witch.” Zemira sneered in my head.

“She is still my mother.” I scolded her as she scoffed.

“I liked her; she was a wise woman.” Daciana added, disagreeing with her body mate.

“Omen left to give you time to process. He will be back in an hour or so. He realises this is a shock to you.” Anders stated as I looked at my hands. His thumb rubbed my chin as he tilted my face to look at him. “We will figure it out, okay?” He smiled as he leaned down and kissed me.

“I know, it’s just everything is so chaotic we have so many enemies and things we need to do I still have to find the two holding the keys and we have to stop immortals from being discovered it’s a lot in a few months after years of quiet almost peaceful existence.” I sighed as I hugged him closer.

“So, we have a witch queen in our midst.” Alec walked in and bowed. “Your majesty” he smiled as Thane punched him in the shoulder.

“Not a good time, bro. She’s obviously in shock.”

Alec shrugged, grabbing an apple from the counter and taking a bite before sitting beside me on the counter. At Anders' growl, he moved over, putting a little space between us, “Geez bro, I know she’s yours simmer.”

“So what’s the plan? If you are Queen, won’t you have to go to the coven?” Alec asked between bites of apple.

“Like that would happen. She is also our Luna.” Thane pointed out.

I frowned. How exactly would that work? There’s no way I would willingly leave Anders and apparently my mother's coven is not on good terms with the pack, although at least now I think I knew why.

“Aren’t hybrids forbidden to witches as well?” I pointed out, confused. “So why would they want me as Queen wouldn’t they be forced to kill me like your laws had stated before?”

“The witch laws aren’t exactly that well known, but considering your mother left them, I would assume it would be frowned upon.” Anders put in.

“Only one way to find out.” I sighed, sipping from my coffee, I jumped off the counter as my cousin and Anders Beta Shaw entered.

“I need a minute. Alone with the four of you.” He asked, looking at the others in the kitchen.

“Out.” Anders ordered as the kitchen quickly emptied.

“What is it?” Anders asked.

“My mother Ashina is here with them.”

Anger bubbled and my hand clenched around my coffee cup, shattering it. The four men turned to stare at me as I took deep breaths to calm down.

“Why did she come with them?” Thane asked.

“She was working with them to help protect Isla.” Shaw answered, looking at the ground.

“Protection I never asked for.” I bit out. As I picked up the broken pieces of the mug.

“You don’t have to do that.”

I ignored them and finished cleaning up the mess, “Omegas are not slaves, and they shouldn’t have to do all the grunt work around here.” I mumbled.

Anders shot me a look but instead turned to Shaw, “What does she want?” he inquired.

“She wants to apologize to Isla for kidnapping her, she swears it was only to protect her.”

“She’s a liar, she made a deal with… someone.” I shared, not sure if I should tell Shaw the truth.

“Why would she do that?” Alec queried as he jumped off the counter.

“To protect Shaw from his father.” I stated, deciding he had the right to know who his father was. It's not that I blame her. If I had kids, I would do anything I could to protect them from threats, and she was only trying to protect me. How could I be angry at that?

“The fact that your mate almost died and would have died if you hadn’t escaped.” Zemira blurted in response to my thoughts.

“He didn’t, and she is still your aunty.” Daciana pointed out. “She did help us avoid execution, too.” She sneered at Zemira.

“You two really need to get along.” I scolded them.

“You know who my father is?” Shaw asked excitedly, “Why did she need to protect me from him?”

I shook my head, “It’s not my story to tell. I may be mad at her, but I do understand her reasons and, to be honest, I would’ve done the same thing. I'm sure if you asked her, she would tell you.”

Shaw nodded but smiled, "I will."

“She is still a traitor for working with the enemy.” Thane growled. It surprised me he was not usually quick to anger.

“We will put her in the dungeon for now and figure out her punishment later. For now, we should finish this meeting with Omen and find out what we can about your mother, Isla.” Anders declared.

I nodded as a tall woman with long purple blue hair ran into the room and launched herself at Anders, wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Hey babe, I’ve missed you so much. Sorry, my trip ran long.” As she leaned down and planted a kiss on his lips.

“What the actual fuck!!” I snarled.

Anger and betrayal consumed me as I pulled her off of him. A growl erupted from my chest and had her pinned to the floor by her neck.

“STAY THE HELL OFF MY MATE.” I growled as the betrayal ate at me. How could he, he never mentioned another, and she just waltzed in like no time has passed and acted like he was hers?

“I love cat fights.” Alec stated behind me.

Her eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed as she moved, flipping me onto my back and punched me in the face. This fucken twit is going to pay, I thought as I Kicked her skinny ass off me, sending her flying as I jumped up to my feet and got in a fighting stance. She stood and charged at me, but I dodged, kicking her in the stomach. She moved to grab a knife from the counter and lunged at me again.

“Who the fuck are you, hybrid?” She hissed, as I barely dodged the blade, a small line of blood dripping down my arm. I ignored it as I my vision blurred with rage and when she lunged at me again I let her stab me in the side, grabbing her by the throat, I shoved her into the wall.

Her eyes were panicked.

“Stay… away… from him.” I bit out the command slowly, barely in control of my actions. My nails dug into her neck as I squeezed, tightening my grip, and her face contorted in pain.

“YES, Kill her!” Daciana and Zemira yelled in my mind, finally agreeing on something. I glanced around the room. Anders looked worried but said nothing. Worried about her? Did he really like this bimbo, maybe more than he likes me?

“I can’t, he would never forgive me if I did.” I replied, defeated, as I released her, and she fell to the floor.

"You are going to regret letting her go." Zemira bit out angrily.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have to agree she will not let Anders go easily." Daciana grumbled.

"I don't disagree with you." I Snapped at them."