Elisabeth/Eir´s POV “Bullshit!” I winched as Toke’s voice roared inside the dimmed room. He slammed his fists at the massive wooden table and glared at the council men. The attack had stopped, but from what I understood, it was only a temporary peace. The old men had been polite enough, questioned Astor and me. “Now, calm down, young Alpha! There is no need for foul language or raised voices.” “But it is lies! All lies! They haven’t even seen her! There is no way they have evidence to prove these claims!” “If you sit down, we can discuss this as proper men. You might even learn what supports their claims!” I didn't know what claim had been made, but it was obviously something dire. Toke was enraged, to say the least, and most of his men seemed tense and cold. Leaning forward on the table, Toke took a couple of deep breaths. When his father squeezed his shoulder, he seemed to break out of his raging thoughts. His muscles relaxed, and with a frustrated huff, he slumped down in his
"Are they dangerous?" "Dangerous? No, not here and now, at least. They won’t attack if that’s what you are worried about! They are here most likely to be sure we don't hide you, or you run away." He sighed deeply, and I knew he was thinking of Toke. "He is going to see reason. Right? Calm down and realize we can't just run off like that?" "I hope he will. I mean, it is not that bad of an idea. But at the same time, it will mean he can never come back. He must give up his rightful title and rank. That can take a toll on his wolf! And it is not easy living life as a Rogue. In the worst case, they will find out we knew about it, helped, or knew where he was, and it will cause a war between us. Again." "So we need to talk to him." “Don’t think there is much you can say. A male's drive to be with his mate is strong. Very strong! And that also makes you both so special. I don't know if he told you this, but we haven't had destined mates here for a very, very long time. This is a sign!
" That pretty little ass is far away from home. Go back, Now!" The angry roar made me jump. To focus on the black wolves in front of me, I didn’t notice the man who came walking out of the dark forest line. With my pulse ringing in my ears and my own heartbeat stuck in my throat, my eyes followed him. His eyes shifted, but unlike Toke`s eyes, the beast`s eyes lighted up the darkness with a red-ish hew. The more I looked, the more precise the man got. Tall, incredibly tall! Toke could not compare at all! The man bulged with raw muscles; tattoos shifted with them as he moved. Dark swirling lines decorated his shoulders, chest, neck, and back, even behind his ear. His beard was thick and black as the night; his hair was the same color. His eyes never left me as he walked towards the sitting wolves from the side. "What?" "I said go back! Now!" "Why?" The snarling growl that pushed through the darkness was nothing but threatening, and the tiny hairs on my arms and neck stood straight u
“No... It´s Eir. My name is Eir.” The silence felt thick around the campfire; everyone kept looking between us, making me uneasy. I shifted slightly in my seat, trying to avoid his heavy gaze. He nodded slightly and shifted his focus back to his cup. Something that seemed to break the others’ attention on me too. Awkward! “Sure, Eir! So, tell me, Eir. Where is your mother?” My head snapped in his direction, and I squinted my eyes at him. “Home.” “Earth?” “Of course! Where else?” “Interesting. Tell me about her.” I stood up and placed my cup down. I had nothing more to do here; it was time to return. “I need to go back. Thanks for the… tea?” I didn’t know what It was. It was sweet and warm at the same time. It made my cheeks and face warm up, so I’m guessing there is alcohol in the picture. “No rush, please. I want to hear about her.”“No.” Now, it was his turn to look at me through squinted eyes. I was assessing the situation, assessing me. It was enough now. I didn’t want
“What were you thinking?” Toke paced back and forth, still ranting. I've tried to get in a word since he basically dragged me back behind the walls. Everyone else had disappeared, sensing his mood. So now there were only us here in the massive empty hall, lit up by the fireplace and a couple of burning lamps“What if they found you? Did you ever think about that? What they could have done to you?” “But I..” “No, because you didn’t think! This is not your world! You can’t just walk around shouting about equal rights! That doesn’t mean shit here!” “Toke! That..” He abruptly cut me off again, and I don’t know why I still try! I get that he is angry and worried, but he is taking it too far! “Nobody cares what you think or mean! Make things better! It is the strongest that decides—the fastest or the cruelest! As simple as that, you better learn that!” My heart hammered inside my chest, and anger and hurt raged through my body. What he said hurt, that he was the one saying it made it
I moved up and down in the darkness, floating in a soft sky. Like a little boat on the ocean, the steady, slow movements made me feel doozy. Like in a lousy movie, a short glimpse broke the darkness. Wooden walls. A tiny lamp and bed sheets. Then, back to the darkness, warm, soft, and safe. Like I was lulled into a thick, fluffy blanket, letting me sigh in contentment and lean into it with a smile. Dreamless, no worries, nothing but the soft night. I had no sense of time or place, but it didn’t worry me. It didn’t bother me; I just existed, and it felt so lovely. One voice was there often, whispering behind the night curtains. On and off, words and a soft murmur accompanied brief images of light and wooden walls. I stretched my arms over my head and squinted toward the light. My body felt heavy, but a smile graced my lips. Like I just woke up from the best sleep I've ever had in my life. But I felt increasingly confused with each breath and every time I blinked. Where am I? How did
Toke´s POV. It didn’t turn out the way I planned it to. Yes, it might have been a bit drastic to drug her and keep her down the days following. But the journey was dangerous, and it was all for her! She knew that. I told her, but she still refused to leave. This is my land, my world, not hers. Not the place she is used to. I did what was best for her, to protect her. I expected her to be mad and confused but not outright furious! These guys are different; I can’t show them I’m soft. There is no place for softness or love in this world. It is survival of the fittest, even among guys like Arcane, Hades, and their crew. I’ve known them for years since we were small, and pack fractions were different, even rogue packs. Times change, and even if I still know these guys and would trust them with my life, I know they live a different life. The rogue pack lives as our accident ancestors lived. Blood rituals and raids. They kept slaves and praised the old gods. They depended on them, fightin
Eir`s POV. I’ve just been stumbling around here on this little island for a while, sulking and hurting. That all changed now; I felt more anger than hurt. I had no idea what was happening with Toke; I refuse to believe Fury accepts this behavior. One thing is that he thinks he can treat me like I'm an object, a thing he owns. Speak to me like I’m a child who doesn't understand what is going on around me or is even able to make my own decisions. He turned to rage and force. Thinking back, I still unconsciously folded my arms around myself, feeling the aching wounds on my upper arms. His claws had cut into me and pierced my skin. I had jelled and cried for him to stop, but it was like he didn't even notice or care. I’m no longer sure which apply anymore. Despite my anger towards Toke, I just wanted him to snap back. Go back in time and be the same as he was, but as the first day passed and the second. I got a feeling that would never happen. Arcane protected me that time, and he made i
Chapter 2 of book 2. Queen of KingsThe reaction was immediate, and no matter what I told myself, I lost control of it even before it started. My heart dropped; it felt like I was pulled back into an alternate reality where I watched the Fay march through the pack´s village. Sound and shapes faded out around me as I felt an unbearable need to cry. My chest started aching, my heart raging against my rib cage, and a lump threatened to suffocate me as I struggled to swallow. It was a real-time fight-or-fight reaction, but they conflicted with one another, crashing inside me as my body began to run. All I could think of was my kids. I forgot all about Eir; there was no room for anything else as my feet carried me in a rush between small cottages and houses. Are they okay? Still with Arcane? They are fine! Of course, they are! But still, all I saw was their small little faces, crying and calling out for me in desperation. Calling for their mom, and I wasn’t there! Irrational, it is irratio
Chapter 1. of Book 2. Queen of kings.Three years later.Maya´s POV.“Stop that!”“I don’t like it!”“I don’t care! Stop being such a baby, Arcane; stand still and try it on! Dressing you is worse than dressing the kids! And they have the ability to turn into wet noodles whenever I try!”"Is it really necessary? It feels like you’re trying to hang me!""Oh, stop the whining! It’s just a tie!""From what I’ve seen, nobody dresses up with something tied around their neck if they’re not going to hang! This is unnatural! Do you even think she will do it this time?"I paused, let my hands fall, and watched with a plain face as Arcane ripped that poor tie off him like a burning curse etching on his skin. I wanted to yell at him, and I wanted to hit him, but I knew it wasn’t fair. He was right, after all. It had been over two years already, and three times, Eir and the Dragon had prepared for the Royal mateing ritual and every time, she had found a reason to back out of it.There was no longe
Amon/ Dragon King´s POV.The deep-rooted frustration and disrespect faded the second he laid eyes on her. Dragon vision zoomed in, and his wings had stretched as he lowered his head and aimed. Everything was different now, and everything had changed. Why? I’m not sure, but I will figure it out. Her sob-filled laughter danced over the dark field yet again, and I wanted nothing more than to relish in this feeling. A quest for later, I thought to myself, right now, all I need is here. All I need is her.For once, I understood her. I hated to see her cry, and my heart felt pain with each heartbeat. But she cried while smiling, cried while laughing. I’ve never seen such love between two creatures, the way they fight joy, pain, heartbreak, and love. Because Maya, the lost Valkyrie, acted just the same as she did. Despite all the darkness that tightened around both girls’ hearts, love and happiness shone through just by seeing one another, and I think that is the only thing that kept me sane.
"Oh shut up, Hades, you know you love me."Nida winked at him before shifting her focus back to me, and to my surprise, the beautiful snake-like woman smiled at me with a beaming smile. Her white teeth looked unnaturally white, and her sharp canines glinted in the light. Deadly, stunning, and mythical. Nida was not someone I had expected to meet ever again and to be frank, I had no idea how to react. I should hate her, and she worked with Loki. But then again, she never did me anything wrong. Not really. To my surprise, Hades mumbled and looked down to the side, giving Nida all the space she needed without hesitation. I heard him beside me, still mumbling uncoherent words like a scorn teen.A cold but delicate little hand with long nails gently lifted my chin."Don’t let him sour your mood, little human. He is an expert at sulking. I mean, he beat the most skilled, spoiled, and stubborn toddler I’ve ever met anytime."I couldn’t help it; her voice was so cheerful, and I felt drawn towa
Eir´s Pov.She had long and thick brown hair in soft curls over her shoulders. Sparkling blue eyes, her skin was pale, but she had miniature roses on her cheeks. With a beaming smile, she looked nothing like I remember her. Blinking slowly, once, twice, and then three times. But she was still there, so healthy and... normal? Yes, normal. This couldn’t be real, but I couldn’t help myself; I had to talk to her!“Mom?”“My little Elly girl! Look at you!”Her hands reached out for me while she walked up. I couldn’t stop looking at her, and she was so different. But I still could not accept it, even when all of me knew and wanted to take it. Accept her, smiling at me! Wanting to hug me! So, of course, I just stood there, gaping, unable to move a muscle.“You grew up, baby girl, I’m glad. ““ I… Who are you?”“You know who I am, Elly! This is like I always told you: In the next life, Elly! In the next life. Well, technically, we are between, but who cares for the details!”Her smile faltered
Maya´s Pov.“WHAT DID YOU DO!?”The beast split into two men, both running straight for me, screaming. I could see the hatred, the evil, and their accusation pierced my skin. But I couldn’t react to them, could acknowledge their presence. All I saw was her, her white wolf, lying lifeless on the cold and dirty ground. Fur drenched in blood burned patches from my sword up her front leg where it had hit the bracelet.Shouting and cussing, words meant to hurt, bounced off the walls all around me. Tew and Arcane stopped them, curling them to the ground with no mercy or gentle touch. But I could feel even their eyes on me. The doubt, the shock, and the accusation they so desperately tried to hide. My sword fell to the ground, and the clang of metal against stones echoed down the darkness, over and over until the sound died out.“I didn’t kill her, I didn’t kill her…. I DIDN’T KILL HER!”A whisper I had no control over, a chant meant to convince myself. It didn’t work, and I didn’t hear mysel
Oh, goddess, was I wrong! I wanted to run and leave this incredible, horrifying darkness so many times, but Hades held me back. Took my hand and led me forward or held me back; eventually, we slowly walked down the narrow, black stone tunnel, filling my head with whispers. Stories about how they died, their last memories, their lust for revenge and despair. All through the hall, desperate cries of a baby echoed all around us. It was horrible, full of pain and fear, and despite not being used to babies, all I wanted was to pick up this poor soul and comfort them. But just walking there, not doing anything, made my heart shatter, my chest ached, and tears streamed down my face while walking silently.I clinging to Hades’ hand like it was the only lifeline I had, and I am not sure I will ever be able to forget this. I don’t know if I will ever stop hearing the poor baby crying in utter desperation. I can’t explain this feeling, cannot explain how this sound haunted me, pained me, and tore
“Anja? How the hell can you call that thing something so casual?!”“Because that is, or it was her name at the beginning.”We had finally stopped, sitting down in the pitch-black depths of the cave. The cold stones bit my back as I leaned against the cave's walls, pressing my knees up against my chest.“All lost souls, detached or roaming spirits, end up here. When she did, she was a woman like you. I am not sure what she was, but the legend says she was a shifter, but there are many stories about what kind. However, they said she was a greedy woman, sly and conning, and that she would use any means necessary to get what she wanted or felt she deserved. Nobody knows how she obtained the fallen dragon, but somehow, she did, but she did not anticipate the cost of her greed. There is nobody she can complain to, nobody that can change her faith, so as the years passed, her spirit became part of the skeleton. Together, they are now one; together, they collect all lost or wandering spirits a
*Mumbling* Goddess me, what an annoying sound! *Louder mumbling* A voice, a familiar voice at that. Do I really know people with such an annoying voice? “WAKE UP!” The shouting cut straight through the fog and mumbled and yanked me out, leaving me confused and annoyed at the same time. My eyes were soar and dry, making me blink several times before managing to make sense of the scenery around me. Still, it was so dark, and it all felt so strange. Surreal. The air was neither cold nor warm; it just kind of was there—no wind, but no wind still. No fresh air, no dense old air, heck, I'm not even sure there is air here. However, I am still breathing, not struggling. I feel no pain, no relief, just an immense void inside of me. “You took your time! Hello? Do you hear me? “ His voice was too loud, too close, and sounded so irritated and impatient that it rubbed off on me. Blinking desperately now, I tried to see him, remember him, but my head worked so slowly. Damned, did I drink last