Rains' P.O.V. After Zion announces the run will begin soon, I tell Odett that we'll be back soon. We both give her a kiss on her forehead, she runs to my mom, and we make our way out to the courtyard. Once we reach the courtyard, Zion helps me up the stairs of the stage left here after our mating ceremony. When we make it to the top of the stage, we look around at all the wolves howling, and the crowd becomes quiet when they see us. "Thank you, everyone, for joining us in this tradition. Now without further ado, Let the run begin." Zion says as he looks at me with a huge smile, and I nod in response, showing him I'm ready. He walks us behind the divider placed on the stage. He helps me remove my gown and kisses my shoulder before he gets undressed, and we shift into our wolves. When we walk out from behind the divider, everyone becomes quiet, which makes me very nervous and self-conscious. Suddenly, Dosha lets out a loud earth-shattering howl, show
Zions' P.O.V. Once the fight is over, I see Rain running to start healing the more seriously injured. I stop Rain, who seems to have forgotten that she's now naked after shifting back. I hand her a large black T-shirt I grabbed from one of the dry boxes where we keep clothes for situations like this. She looks down at herself, clearly embarrassed, and quickly puts the T-shirt on. "How could she forget that she was naked?" Ryker asks in amusement, and I shake my head. "Remember, she isn't used to all of this. It'll take her a bit to get used to everything. After all, this is only her third time shifting. " I answer Ryker as I ask Orian to get a head count and see if we lost any warriors or witches. Thankfully we didn't lose anyone, but one of our warriors did lose his arm. Mathew lets me know he found three rogues still alive. "We need to keep them alive long enough to interrogate them. We need all the information we can get at this point." I say, an
Rains' P.O.V. When Odett and I got right outside the door of the kitchen, I heard the servants standing around gossiping about the attack and how I'll be a horrible Queen because instead of coming back to the castle to help take care of the women and children, thanks to my wolf hearing. Apparently, I ran and hid and even left my bastard child with the orphan mother. According to them, I was a coward. I looked down as Odett looked up at me, and I knew she heard it all too. All I could do was shake my head in response as I squeezed her hand to reassure her that everything was okay. "How dare they assume anything! And they even have the guts to talk about our daughter? We can't let them talk about us like that!" Dosha growls in my head. "We will let them believe what they want. They will find out the truth eventually. We do not owe them an explanation." I tell her as we walk into the room to see only two servants preparing the snacks for our
Zions' P.O.V. After interrogating the rogues, I make my way out of the dungeon and into the basement, where I use the sink to clean myself up, wash the blood off and change my shirt. Orian walks over to me with a scowl, and I can tell something's wrong. "What's wrong?" I ask him. "I'm worried about how Jessica will handle knowing that her old Alpha has just disappeared with his son and his son's mate. I don't understand what his game plan is." He answers. "Well, thanks to our prisoners, we now know Alpha Max was the one that gave the signal for the attack. We also know the attacks had been planned before they knew about Jessica, Rain, and Odett being here." I say. "I don't understand why he would leave his Luna behind, knowing that she could face the consequences of his actions. Nevertheless, it's crucial to speak with her." "I will get one of the guards to take her to your office unless you would rather bring her down here." He says, and I shake
Rains' P.O.V. I stop us right outside the door and wave over Mia and Annie. "Bring them the cleaning supplies but do not let them bully you two into doing any of their work for them. After they've cleaned up this mess, they can collect their children and return to their rooms for the night. Also, if you don't mind, please bring Odett to us afterward so that Stephanie can relax for the night." I say, making sure that everyone hears me clearly. My blood is still boiling at the fact that they came into our home and acted as they did, and then they questioned my right to address them the way I did. "Yes, my Queen," Mia says with a smile as they bow. "We will be in my office," Zion tells them, and they nod and bow, then make their way to get the cleaning supplies, and Zion leads us to his office. "He doesn't seem to be upset at us. Ryker even seems to be proud of our reaction to those barbarians." Dosha says as I look up to find Zion smili
Zions' P.O.V. After hearing what Jessica and Rain said about Jessicas old Alpha and that Luna Misty knew everything her mate had planned for my mate, Luna Misty didn't even bother to deny any of it. I asked her if it was true, and she admitted it was all true. I had heard enough and knew what I had to do. I linked Evan and James to come in as I was about to send Luna Misty to the dungeon as a prisoner. They entered and lifted her out of the chair. I stood up, making sure I held Rain close as Orian did the same to Jessica, and pushing my Alpha arua onto her, I stripped Luna Misty of her title and pack. I followed that up by telling her she would be sent to the dungeon to await her sentencing for violating our laws. She begged me for forgiveness as Evan and James dragged her out of my office. "I guess we will need to find a new Alpha for the Blue River Pack," Orian says, and I nod. "Jessica, have you ever met the Beta and Gamma of the
Rains' P.O.V. After Jess makes the comment comparing Lord Demetrius to Lord Farquad, everyone laughs except Zion. At first, I thought he would see it as disrespectful since Lord Demetrius is considered a high-ranked member of the Super Natural Council. But when he asks who Lord Farquad was I'm shocked. I thought everyone has seen Shrek at least once in their life. Apparently, I was wrong. "You've never seen Shrek?" I ask him, and he shakes his head. "Well, I know what we're watching tomorrow night," I say while laughing. "How about a movie night in the courtyard after dark?" "Oh, sounds fun! We can have popcorn and smoothies and make palettes for everyone!" Jess says. "We'll still have all the guests here," Zion says, and I think of a solution. I don't want to leave them out and make others feel excluded, but I think a movie night would be fun for everyone. "We'll just need to make sure we have enough palettes and popcorn for everyone
Zions' P.O.V. After we got to our suite, we got Odett tucked into her bed and made our way into our room. She walked over to the window as I closed the door, then walked over to her wrapping my arms around her waist and asking if I should start the shower. But I didn't expect her reaction. When she bit into my collarbone, I knew I would end up losing control. She knew exactly what she was doing when she looked up at me through her lashes with that smile as she bit her lower lip. At first, I was worried that she would be scared if lost control and got too rough or dominant, but she seemed to be more than happy to play with my more animalistic side and play the submissive role as she kept trying to pull it out of me. When I finally let go, she was more than excited, and it was amazing to be able to do what I'd been craving since I laid my eyes on her. I can't believe I thought she was so fragile. After we finished I told her I would get the bath rea
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