Lupercalia or the Full Moon.Both are the same to me. For me, there is no Full Moon without Lupercalia. I stare at it, my eyes blurry with fatigue and fear. "Ralph, where are you? Please, find me," I whisper now. The wind rages on, tossing the waves high and delivering me to their mercy. All I can do is stare at Lupercalia. I dare not beg her to spare my life, for years, she has only caused me grief and pain. Why would she choose to let me live today? My death suits her better, she would rather see me leave this world as soon as possible. I'm nothing worth, just human, worthless for the werewolf species. Perhaps it was she herself who orchestrated this disaster to get even with me. Making sure I disappear from this globe altogether, even my remains won't soil the earth. As if harassing me, she occasionally slides behind a dark cloud making the sky a lurid image before my eyes. And then she hides almost completely, further obscuring the world around me. It is as if she i
The sun on my face drives me to consciousness.Slowly I open my eyes, looking straight ahead at first. In front of me, I see sand and stones, and the sound of rushing water hits my hearing. Once I raise my head with a jerk, I am forced to lower it back onto the sand. A bursting headache almost makes me dizzy; I feel my stomach acting up. I close my eyes again and try to suppress the pain.Carefully I roll onto my back and protect my eyes with my hand against the sun. How did I end up here? I try hard to remember exactly where and who I am. Whether I have friends and who my parents are. All went blank. My head is empty. Slowly I sit up now. I notice that I am on a beach with a vast sea before me. In the distance, a flat lifeboat lying ashore. I stare at it. Did I sail in this to this beach or am I just living here and came here to fish in the shallow water? After fifteen minutes, I know what this is all about.My memory is wiped out, there
Having been discovered, I rose from my hiding place ultimately."Come with us. We were just about to start dinner. Are you hungry?" the young man asks as his eyes pass over me approvingly. I nod eagerly, only at the word hungry, my stomach growls once more. The three in front of me chuckle as the sound has not escaped them. We walk to the house where the pots are still on fire.The smell of cooking meat only makes me more hungry. "Come, there is a table here where we all sit," the young man tells me and directs me by the elbow to the side of the house. There, under a canopy, I see a long wide table. The two girls I saw earlier are already sitting there, looking at me curiously. "These are my sisters, Elena and Magda. Magda is the oldest," he introduces them. "By the way, my name is Peter and my parents are Esau and Perpetua. Welcome to our home," he continues hospitably. I smile at the girls, but only Elena responds to it. Magda just stares
After Magda's outburst, I don't see her for the rest of the day.I help Perpetua in the kitchen and around the house. And in the afternoon, we head to her plot to tend the vegetables. It becomes more evident that I am a city person. Perpetua and Elena poke fun at my clumsiness and tease me with my soft, groomed hands. "You come from a rich family, Saray, sure you do," Elena smiles at me. "When you get your memory back and are in your beautiful home, will you still think back to us?" she questions childishly. I smile at her."I can't do otherwise. You saved me. What would I've done if you hadn't found me? Obviously, I can't grow vegetables or take care of chickens," I say, ashamed. The two women won't recover with laughter, clutching a tree to stay upright. "I think you work with the computer and in a posh office with air conditioning. Watch you sweat when the sun is now at its lowest point," Elena points to my wet sweater. I sigh as I reme
The following day I got up early.I couldn't get a wink of sleep last night, the day couldn't come soon enough for me. My deal with Peter haunts my mind, a fire burns in me, I want to prove to my new friend that I am not that fragile, good-for-nothing city woman. Something inside me drives me to take on this competition, I'm so sure I will beat both men. I don't know what it is, but my senses are running full speed, I'm in for the hunt. Standing outside the house, I see Perpetua already stirring a pot.By the looks of it, everyone here gets up very early and there is always something to do. "Saray," my hostess calls to me, all smiles. "Peter has already heated the water for you to bathe. He is very cheerful today, wringing his hands and muttering something over a bet he made with you." Questioningly, she nods at me. "Yep. He cleans up the whole catch if I bring more prey than him. I'm going hunting with him, you haven't forgotten," I tell her proudly. Her
The face of each family member is worth a fortune.Except for Elena's, of course, my little friend joins me as we grin and watch the men clean the meat. Perpetua is like a fish on dry land, her mouth falling open repeatedly as she watches the sour-looking men working on the catch. Suddenly I feel someone next to me and when I look up, I see Magda standing to my great surprise.The hostility is mainly gone, although her eyes still betray her vigilance. "Tell me, Saray, how did you manage this? Neither of them has ever brought home this much," Magda whispers to me. "What's your trick? I want to beat them too, I never succeeded before so I gave up". Her changed attitude puts me on alert, I definitely don't trust her yet. "No trick, just entered into an honest deal," I tell her briefly. But she shakes her head incredulously. "Nope. There's something you must have done to get that many beasts together. Peter even noted that you didn't even use the shotgun. So
Enthusiastically, I stroll behind the men to the beach.We have everything with us; lots of meat, camping chairs and a plaid. The night is balmy; a gentle breeze is going on, and the leaves on the trees rustle as we walk by. The men start the campfire when we finally arrive at the seashore. Perpetua and I spread the plaid on the sand to sit on it. Elena and Magda wash their feet in the water while singing an unfamiliar tune. We watch as the men light the fire and hang the meat over it.Soon there is a mouthwatering smell and my eyes begin to glisten at the idea of burying my teeth in a large piece soon. Beside me, I hear Perpetua laughing and I turn to her. "You're always hungry. How do you manage to stay this slim?" she laughs. I shrug. "Hard to say. I've only known myself for three days," I reply dryly. We laugh at my comment and then lie down on our backs. And then I see it.The Full Moon. Right above me, as if it were aimed at me. I win
I hesitate but ultimately extend my hand to the stranger.He grasps it firmly and with a jerk, I am in his arms. He hugs me tightly, his warmth flowing over to me. It feels good in his arms, I feel like I've been there many times. Slowly I put my arms around his waist and hugged him back. "Baby, the days were like hell. We searched the whole area and couldn't find you," he murmurs with relief. "That day, we got thrown off the boat and ended up in the high waves. I tried to swim back to the yacht to get you, but the waves took me further away. Those were the worst days of my life. Thank the Moon Goddess for this new chance with you," he stammers emotionally. "Ralph," I whisper in his ear now. "I am suffering from amnesia. I cannot remember my past, my mind is blank". The man stiffens and detaches himself from me. His eyes skim my face. "Rain! What are you saying now? Memory loss? How can that be?" he asks, bewildered. I nod. "I only remember from the mome
Twelve years onTwo devastatingly handsome Princes walk the red carpet and accept congratulations on their eighteenth anniversary. Jasper and Rain's sons have grown into confident men. They completed their studies in Human Town under the strict supervision of Aunt Ruth and Uncle John, while godmother Magda often brought them some surprise visits. They have returned to the Kingdom to start their training to rule the Kingdom. But taking over the throne will take several more years. Walking behind them are their three sisters, aged sixteen. Triplets.Breathtakingly beautiful girls, many Lycans dream of being their fated mate when they reach adulthood in two years. They have been raised protectively, Jasper and the Sages seeing to it that they carry off their titles as Princesses with dignity. Except for the youngest, Adlin. The spoiled Princess gets up to all sorts of mischief and often brings her parents to the brink of despair. She is a party animal; her h
Six Years LaterOnce again there is a grand celebration in the Kingdom. The biggest after the Princes' birthday bash.Elena, the Queen's special friend, turns eighteen today and will start her duties in the Palace. But far more important is her mating with Ivor, the Chief Warrior. The couple has long waited for this day after the Moon Goddess made them mates at Elena's twelfth. Ivor has guided her into adulthood and supported her where he could during her studies in Human Town. But years ago, it was announced that the girl who had now grown into a gorgeous woman would return as the Queen's Secretary. Last night she arrived on the Royal Jet, but no one had seen or spoken to her since then, not even Ivor. But the Chief Warrior was not going to be put out of business.He organized their acceptance and mating ceremony on her anniversary. A lavish ball awaits his mate. In Human Town, he bought her an amazing diamond engagement ring. He is used to showering her
The Kingdom has survived the betrayal of King Ralph and moved on.Jasper is now the sole King of the Royal Kingdom of Werewolves and is respected by all werewolf packs worldwide. He honors his Queen and the species are not outspoken about his devotion to his family. The twins grow up as happy pups adored by all. Ralph's name is no longer mentioned throughout the Kingdom. The Name Giving Ceremony has arrived.All the grandparents - the former King and Queen, Clea and Ana - have done all the preparation. The names are known to only a closed group of high rankings and have yet to be announced to the larger public. The twins are now six weeks old, but Rain still marvels every day at their steady growth. And now, assisted by Jasper, she dresses the boys, who seem to know that they are in the spotlight today. They babble away and are quite active. And then, it's time for the official part of the day.The Kingdom is one big party scene, the Lycans
Selene's eyes pass the Lycans one by one.The Sages bow respectfully to her while Eric and Ralph turn red, their heads also down, albeit for a different reason. Jasper and Rain have their hands together honorably, while Jace and Cleo follow suit. "You guys wonder why I summoned you to face me," she begins sarcastically. No one answers for fear of getting her wrath on them. "We'll start with Eric," she states and turns to the man. "What is your confession, Secretary? I've watched your missteps for too long". Eric has no choice but to tell his sins, the reason he had Natalie killed, his rejection of his fated and accepting a second chance, and the selfish reason he marked Rachel. A sigh of disbelief passes through those present. Selene now turns to Ralph."Ralph, I gave you the Kingdom despite you not being the rightful heir," she starts. "Also, I gifted you Rain, you were infatuated with her and confident in making her your Queen. Even though I had already
At The OracleFour men stand in front of the Moon Goddess Oracle with their eyes firmly closed.They have been standing there meditating for about an hour. A crucial moment in the Kingdom has arrived, and they ask Selene for guidance. The Oracle has told them to wait until the Moon Goddess has heard several parties. The ancient Lycans are also consulted; not long after, she will relay her mission to the Sages. Yes, Elder Antony of Storm Forest has been added to the Sages of the Kingdom.He carries the history of the new inhabitants to the Kingdom. History will determine the present but no one in the room dares to make a prediction. It is waiting for Selene's word. All four know that the circumstances in the Palace are explosive. The King having committed adultery with a warrior and Eric's rejection of his second chance mate and sudden mating with the Queen's sister have heated up tempers considerably. In addition, intelligence reported to the Sages that E
King Ralph's POV I keep a low profile.I still can't believe this happened to me. Never did I think of cheating on Saray, there was no woman attractive enough in my eyes to share the bed with. Saray is everything to me, for months I have waited for the moment of our physical love. Even now I get all kinds of visions of how that will all come about, the way I'll drive her crazy between under me. We were supposed to make arrangements the day after her coronation and I knew that night she would be mine. But she went into labor and that Jasper treated me like nothing. He made sure everyone around was aware that the pups were his, was unwilling to share the moment of their birth with me and just forced me into the background of it all. I stood in the maternity room against the wall as if I didn't belong there. No one involved me in the birth of the Crown Princes. The pain went deep, the Moon Goddess indicated to everyone that I would never have
Frustrated, I tap my nails on the tabletop.I'm just wasting my time here. The Sages are not taking us seriously, my Lycan is on edge. Over the last few weeks, I have been able to sense his strength, but I won't know how great it is until I rip the heads of the three men in front of me. They do not understand that I am capable of anything to protect my family. This whole Kingdom can be stolen from me, I'll just take Rain and my boys back to our pack. It is not that we are homeless or dependent on these weighty titles. Elder Nicolas hears us with an expressionless face.The others also show little of their thinking. I need to know their stance to decide my next move. I want to prevent Rain from knowing about Ralph's infidelity and rejecting him against the Moon Goddess' decision. And a rejection in the Royal family will have an unparalleled impact on the werewolf packs and on Ralph himself, especially if the reason becomes known to all. In the worst-cas
King Jasper's POVRain is still asleep after our night full of passion. I smile as I look at her, my mate, my heart.She's insecure about her figure that just can't get rid of that baby fat. But she doesn't know how sexy she looks now with her full hips. I hope from tonight she won't worry about that. My lips graced her and gave her everything she craved. I showed her how she could excite me with the slightest touch. She is now the mother of my pups and that makes her that much more special in my life. The boys are amazing, the youngest has his mother's raven black hair, while the oldest oddly has inherited my brown-blonde locks. But the difference stops there, as far as their facial features are concerned, they are identical. My spitting image. Slowly I detach myself from Rain's embrace.I grab my sweater from the floor and put it against her face so my scent stays around her. Standing next to the bed, I put my jeans back on and go into the walk-in clos
Queen Rain's POV We sit in the Palace garden with our pups, enjoying the nice weather. The boys are growing steadily, it always amazes me when I consider that they are only two weeks old. But they act like two-month-old babies, already smiling broadly and playing with the music boxes hanging above their crib. And they are definitely bigger than the children their age I see on the Internet. At first, I thought it was because of their feeding and wanted only to breastfeed them, no extras. But Jasper explained to me that Lycan pups have faster development than humans or normal werewolves. Anyway, I am proud of my sons, they are healthy and growing like cabbage. Jasper sits next to me with the eldest in his arms. The young man adores his father, sensing Jasper close by is enough for him to stretch his arms out and babble a lot. Fortunately, Jasper makes lots of time to be with them. And then there is the rest of the family, who spoil both boys beyond measure. With so many grandparents,