There was no reason for me to be her, not at all. Beside Toke, there was a handful of middle-aged men gathered in that big hall where I first met that Alpha. That I now know is Toke’s dad. The only difference was that they were now all sitting at a long wooden table, and the thrones were empty. Small wooden benches on each side of that massive table were all there was, much like those small cute benches you could see in parks and next to playgrounds. A row of well-burned candles and a couple of silver mugs were lined down the middle of the table. I had started the meeting by filling myself a cup because I was thirsty, and for some reason, I thought it had to be water. It wasn't! Something sweet, a little thick, and with a burning aftertaste. I nearly choked, coughed, and had to cover my mouth not to spit it out. Some older men just hummed a little and laughed in their beards, and others seemed more irritated. Toke leaned down to tell me it was mead. I’ve never tasted it before, and I
Toke´s POV. I knew it was a mistake and knew it the moment I saw her smile. I beamed at her first, feeling like we had finally met at a good moment. That I could make her so happy that she matched my smile. My smile slowly faltered as I watched how her stunning smile twisted. Smug, almost wicked! I knew she was different from her own, but for some reason, I never even thought of her as a cunning or wicked person. Now, I doubted it all. Could she be? The whole day, I’ve been running her errands. I mean, paper and pen? She would have to do with a thin, light leather piece and a charcoal piece like the rest of us. Then benches? Inside the little house. I knew she was up to something; I knew I should demand to know before this all went further, but honestly, I was curious. It also amazed me a little how many of the women that were helping her. They seemed so cheerful, existed. Even the new girls were her, and that one that had been hiding away since she got her. She was having trouble fi
I felt restless, and the pack was restless. Nearly all the females stayed out all night. I had a bad feeling about this, and it didn’t get any better as Eir met me by the door after breakfast and announced they were ready to show us what they had made; with our help, she so graciously added after a little pause. But she shone like the sun where she was standing in the doorway, and there was no place for my worry or suspicions. Shortly after, I did what she asked, bringing the rest of the pack to the old house. The house we all knew as the female’s first stop. It had been building for that back in the days, and never had it been used for anything else. I’m not quite sure why, but I have a feeling it is because we all know, deep down, it wasn’t right what it had been used for, and for them, this house only carried terrible memories and trauma. So, we avoided it. It's as simple as that. Out of sight, out of mind. So I thought. Now, we looked towards the house and nervously shifted our we
"Gather the teams! Send two out back and come up behind them! Send one to the ladies and kids! Collect them all in that new house thingy! Beast team! Shift and do your thing! And water, we need water! Lots of it! The wall is already burning!" "It is dragon fire! It has to be the fay!" I growled and called for Cedric through my link, and I wanted him and my closest warriors and dad by my side as I addressed those cowards! Within minutes, we were all here, dressed in our rugged leathers—plated shoulders and chest, mid-thigh, and down between the eyes. I was covering the nose bridge. It was heavy fighting armor, incredibly uncomfortable to move in, and warm. But it was a direct attack. Our homes, families, and everything we loved and held close was here. As the gates were pushed open, my warriors stepped backward. Their job was to keep our homes safe. Everything and everyone on the inside of this fence was their responsibility the moment I stepped outside. There was no doubt it was th
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
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