Zions' P.O.V. After looking at all the decorations and preparations for the ceremonies, Rain and I decided to go and check on Rain and Stephanie, and then we decided to go for our first run. The closer we got to the trails, the more nervous Rain got. I finally decided it would be best to stop her from walking for a minute to calm her down by grabbing her wrist and bringing her to a halt. "What's wrong, my love?" I ask her. "I'm nervous about shifting," She answers while staring at the ground. "Don't be nervous. I'll be with you the whole time." I say while rubbing circles on the back of her hand, calming her with the mate bond. She takes a deep breath before she nods, and we start walking again. When we make it to the trail we are taking, I look over at Rain expecting to see a ball of nerves. But instead, she looks me in the eyes. All I can see is her determination and excitement. I remember how when she first arrived, she was so shy and quiet, an
Rain's P.O.V. Zion surprised me with an extremely romantic night at what he's now calling our cliff, where we can overlook our kingdom. We spent all night together in bed on our cliff, drinking champagne, eating fresh strawberries, and talking about our future. We talked about how I'm starting to feel more confident in myself and more comfortable with my title as Queen of the Southern Werewolf Kingdom and my future title of the Southern Witch Queen. Eventually, the sun began to rise, and we had to return to the castle before the guest started to arrive. I had promised to meet Jess at the orphanage to go over some plans for the renovation, and Zion had a few things to handle in his office and prepare for the arrival of the Super Natural Council. So we shift back to our wolfs and make our way home. As we ran through the woods, I began to feel an overwhelming sense of pride and joy. Dosha is my beautiful, fast, and graceful wolf, and Ryker is our perfect
Zions' P.O.V. After running around with Odett on Rykers back, I walked into the tent where Orian had placed clean clothes to change into, getting dressed quickly. I meet up with Rain, Odett, and Orian, deciding to walk Rain and Odett to the orphanage before I have to come back and check on all the preparations for the matting ceremony later today and meet the guest that will start to arrive in a few hours. I place Odett on my shoulders, making her giggle, and take Rains' hand in mine, and we make our way toward the orphanage. About halfway there, Orian and I get a link that Alpha Max, the future Alpha Ian, and their Lunas have arrived ahead of schedule. I quickly link Orian so he knows not to mention their names. I don't want her worrying about them right now. I call over the guards to escort the Queen and Odett to the orphanage and to stay with them until they return to the castle. Then I place Odett down on the ground and tell them I have to gree
Rains' P.O.V. As the SUV pulls up to the front of the castle, Orian stands at the front door, waiting on us. And as we get out of the SUV and make out way up to the door. Orian greets us with a laugh as he bows to me and then kisses Jess. Jess asks him what he's laughing about. "Sam and I had a bet on if y'all would be late or not." He says with a smile that screams I won. "Yea, we got caught up with the plans for the renovations and everything at the orphanage," Jess says, and I nod in agreement with her. "I knew y'all would. That's why I won twenty bucks." He says, and I can't help but laugh. But then I'm suddenly hit with a lot of guilt for being late to prepare for my own mating ceremony. "Don't worry, my Queen. You're right on time. Your mother, the makeup artist, and the hairstylist only arrived about twenty minutes before you. There's plenty of time." He says with a smile. "Thank you, Orian," I say and turn to Jess and Odett. "Let's go,
Zions' P.O.V. While Sam is gone to get the ingredients for Lady Ezmereldas counter spell, Lady Ezmerelda, Oriand, James, and I discuss the situation, and she explains how the spell works. It's basically a curse because unless the witch that cast the spell decides to remove it, you would feel everything with a true mate bond unless you reject or are rejected by the other person. And even then, you would feel the bond severe and the pain of the rejection. "So that means that this so-called Luna is working with Douglas?" I finally ask her. "Most likely. And possibly even Alpha Max, his Luna, and Alpha Ian." She says. "We shouldn't rule any of them out." "On the plus side, the Super Natural Council will all be here for our mating ceremony tonight. I will call a short meeting with them to quickly fill them in before the run of the wolves at midnight." I say and look at Orian. "I'll make sure everyone knows, my King." He says, and I thank him through
Rains' P.O.V. As I stand at the back entrance of the castle watching, my mom and Jess walk down the aisle and up the stairs to the stage, followed by Odett as she throws flower petals into the air with each step. I can't help but smile and ask myself if this is what a human bride feels on her wedding day. "This is technically a wedding. As with everything, wolves just have a better name for it." Dosha says, and I giggle a little. "Yeah, I guess your right. So, are you ready for this?" I ask her. "Absolutely, We were born for this!" Shy replies with such determination. And I walk out of the shadows, making my way to the double doors, and look down at the beautiful carpet with our marks embroidered on each corner. "Don't forget to smile. We wouldn't want people thinking we aren't happy." She jokes, making me laugh. "Oh yeah. I forgot that part." I joke back, giggling at myself, as I continue to take small steps like Nikky and Krist told me. "He
After the impromptu council meeting and my outburst at my friends for hiding things from me, Zion and I stayed back while everyone else went downstairs to join the party. When we're finally alone, Zion grabs me by my waist, lifts me up, places me on his desk, and stands between my legs. He puts his head into the crook of my neck and inhales my scent. "You said we were a team. I understand why you didn't, but you should have told me." I say as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. "I'm sorry, my love. I promise it won't happen again." He says as his hands caress my cheeks while he kisses my forehead. And I melt into his kiss as the tingles from the mate bond calm and soothe me. "I love you, Zion," I say. "I love you too, my Queen." He says, then he slowly trails kisses down the side of my face to my neck until reaching my mark, where he gently bites down, making me moan. "My love, we really should be joining the party. We are the guests of honor, after all." I say as I
Zions' P.O.V. After our dance, we decide to go to the bar to get some champagne, and we ran into my cousin, who I hadn't seen in years. He is a very knowledgeable and popular Alpha and keeps up with all the rumors that spread around, so I decide that now would be a good time to introduce Rain and maybe even get some information regarding Alpha Max and his pack. "Let me introduce you to my mate and the future Queen, Rain," I say as I turn her to Mathew. "This is Alpha Mathew of the Silver Crest Pack. His pack is close to the border of our kingdoms' territory." "It is nice to meet you, Alpha. I hope your trip here went well. I know it was short notice." She says as he bows to her. "She doesn't need to be so polite to him." Ryker jokes. "She is a proper Queen. The Queen should always be polite to everyone in public, even if he is family." I remind him. "Do you plan on telling her that he is your cousin?" He asks me. "Of course, I'm jus
Rain's P.O.V. Opening my eyes, I look around to find someone has laid me down in our bed next to Zion. He's covered in bruises and has bandages wrapped around his chest and down his left arm. I try to reach over, but I realize my body is sore and stiff, and I can barely move. "Oh, thank Goddess, you're awake." Jess gasps, walking through the door. "How are the pups?" I ask the first thing that crosses my mind. "All three are safe and sleeping. Lady Ezmerelda is in the nursery with the twins, and Odett fell asleep watching a movie with Sam in the living room." She answered while walking over to my side of the bed. "Is Douglas dead?" I ask, slowly starting to remember everything that happened. "You leveled everything in the area. Orian found you unconscious, covered in blood, but he didn't think it was yours. He said it smelled like Douglas and his minions. You didn't even have a scratch on you." She said with a smile, helping me to sit up. "How is everyone?" I ask
Rain's P.O.V. After recovering from whatever hit me, I turned to see a female who looked so much like Lady Lena that it threw me off. Zion is just as surprised as I am, his face mirroring my surprised expression. Then I realized that the restraints that held Douglas in place were released, letting him recover and stand beside the lookalike as a group of his rogue army stood behind them. "Who the hell are you, and why do you look eerily similar to a dead woman?" Zion asks after he shifts back to his human form and takes his place beside me. "You must be talking about my twin. That foolish bitch refused to leave that weak coven and decided to go against me. She got what was coming to her." She said with a cackel. "I even offered to take her with me after I kidnapped you, but she refused and even tried to fight me. She might have been our parent's favorite, but she was weak, always letting everyone fight her battles for her." "You're
Zion's P.O.V. After Rain's speech, Mia suggested opening gifts, so Jessica and I helped her up and started walking towards the chair designed like her throne where all the gifts were. Midway through the walk, Rain started feeling some pain and leaned over on me. When I asked if she was okay, she said she was. I knew she wasn't telling me the truth, but I decided to ignore it and keep walking. Unfortunately, she doubled over before we could reach the chair, grabbing her side. I quickly picked her up and noticed liquid running down between her legs as Odett called for her in a panic. I yell for Doctor Jameson, knowing he's here somewhere. He tells me to get her to the suite when he reaches us, but I know he wants her in the makeshift delivery room. I rush through the crowd in a panic, thankful that they made a path for us, and up the stairs to our suite where I lay her down on the bed, only now noticing that our friends followed. Do
Rain's P.O.V. I stood quietly in the peaceful darkness that I'd become accustomed to and waited patiently, thankfully not feeling any pain. I didn't have to wait long as soon the brilliant silver light erupted, and Dosha and Selene emerged as the light dimmed, and I could feel their warmth radiating off of them. But soon, I notice the grim look on her face, and the peacefulness I had felt melts and gives way to caution. "Hello, my dear daughter," Selene says. "I have come to bring you a warning." "A warning about what?" I ask, my stomach in knots as panic sets in. My first thought is that something is wrong with the twins. "The twins will be fine, do not worry, my dear. I will watch over them as I did with Odett. I came with a warning about Douglas." She says, and my heart stops for a moment. "He knows that you are about to give birth and thinks that you will be in a vulnerable state. He is planning to make his move now." "S
Rain's P.O.V. When Zion opened the double doors to the Banquet Hall, I was shocked, to say the least. Everyone was talking, speculating what this gathering was all about, and then complete silence followed by gasps as everyone's gaze met Zion and me as the doors opened. I place my hand on my belly as Zion leads us into the crowded room. Everyone now has faces of relief and tears of joy streaming down their faces as they bow while we make our way past them and to a table set up for us. I feel an overwhelming sense of love and confusion pouring off of everyone in the room. As we reached our table, we were joined by the others in our group, including Morgan, Mia, and Nick, as well as King Arnald and Beta Mark. Zion pulls out a chair for me and helps me lower myself into it before he addresses the crowd. He goes into detail about the reasons for my disappearance while also apologizing to everyone for keeping them in the dark about the
Zion's P.O.V. I woke up this morning and felt something different in the air like something would happen soon, but I wasn't sure what that would be. I asked Ryker about it, but he wasn't sure either. Orian linked me to let me know that everything was ready and that everyone would start showing up in about an hour or so, but that he needed to see me in my office for an important matter. I told him that I would be down soon and quickly linked Jessica and Lady Ezmerelda to ask them to help get Rain ready while I went to handle a few things before the shower and celebrations began. As soon as I told Rain that we needed to get moving and that her sister and mother would be helping her get dressed, she started getting emotional, which I know is from the hormones. Thankfully, I saved myself by explaining that she wasn't fat, just very pregnant. That worked, and just in time, since Jessica and Lady Ezmerelda arrived the next second,
Rain's P.O.V. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep, but opening my eyes, I'm surrounded by nothing but black, and I know exactly what's going on. I found the light silver glow and walked towards it before hearing the comforting voice of the moon goddess, Selene. I can't help but smile as she comes into view before panic starts, knowing that we only have a meeting like this when something terrible has happened or will happen. "Hello, daughter. I'm glad to see you in such good spirits," Selene said with a smile of her own as she reassured me. This is a good meeting. There's no need to panic. I've come to inform you of my plans for Odett's future." "What do you mean? Won't she be the next Werewolf Queen?" I ask her, my voice thick with confusion and fear. Was she planning to take Odett away from me and Zion? I don't want to lose her, but I know that Selene will always make the best decisions, and there's nothing I can do or
Zion's P.O.V. After Luna Morgan, Mia, and Nick's arrival, I quickly linked with Orian to suggest we give them time to catch up with each other. I say that, but in reality, I wanted to save myself and the others from the headache their squeals would cause. Don't get me wrong, I love the excitement in my mate's voice, but there are too many females in this suite at the moment. Orian agrees but thinks we should take Nick with us. "Do we have to?" I ask. "Yes, remember he was the one that drove them here. I imagine he's heard enough and needs a break." He responds with a laugh. "Fine," I tell him with a huff before turning my attention to my mate. "Well, ladies, King Arnald, Beta Mark, Orian, Sam, Nick, and I will leave y'all to the planning." We left the suite and made our way to my office on the first floor. Once in my office, I offer everyone a drink, and they accept. Orian pours everyone a glass and hands them out as we s
Rain's P.O.V. After returning to our suite, we all sat around and ate lunch while conversing about different things. I noticed Zion and Orian suddenly got quiet, and when I looked over, I could tell they were talking through the link. I automatically got nervous, thinking something had happened, but then I heard someone approaching the door before there was a knock. When no one moves, and Zion helps me up from the couch, asking me to get the door, I grow suspicious but still make my way to the door anyway. I notice no one is talking, but I know Zion wouldn't be put in harm's way. As I open the door, I'm hit with Mia and Morgans's excitement and their high-pitched squeals, and I can't help but let out my own squeal. "What are y'all doing here?" I ask them in disbelief. "We're here for your baby shower," Mia says while looking over my shoulder at everyone. "What baby shower?" I asked, whirling around to look at Zion. "Ask Jess