Eden’s POV“What?” I asked, confused.“I’d like you to marry Adrian,” my grandfather said again.Marry?I needed a moment to absorb this, but my grandpa continued.“Adrian grew up under my guidance,” he said. “He’s responsible. And trustworthy. He has a solid character and a good heart. I know he could take good care of the pack, and myself, in the future.”My grandfather paused, waiting for my response. Sure, Adrian sounded nice enough but…Zane.His hot breath on my neck. His lips on mine. The image of him flashed through my mind. The heat from his body wrapped around mine. I had refused to admit it, but I really missed him.I shook my head.No. This was ridiculous! Zane is a ruthless king! He wanted to kill me! I can’t have feelings for someone like that. All Zane has done is cause me hurt.But still…The heart wants what the heart wants. And even though Zane didn’t want me, but my heart still wanted him.It hurt. It hurt that he didn’t want me, that he was ruthless and careless wi
Zane’s POVShe’s gone.She’s really gone.The morning after the full moon, I awoke with the sun. I reached for Eden, but she wasn’t there. My heart lurched as I realized I had to accept a very painful reality –Eden had left me.It was Slade. I knew it was. He had terrified her, and rightfully so! I’d lost control of him and he’d burst out. He took her neck in his claws, overcome with madness. She bolted and I chased her all the way to the lake. I wanted to explain, to tell her the truth.But when I got there, I was devasted to see her waist high in the water. What was she doing? Was she trying to swim away?I called her and she turned. I saw her eyes clearly in the moonlight. They were filled with terror.My mate. She was afraid of me.Without hesitation, she dove, head first into the cold, dark lake.I took a step towards her, my hand outreached, to stop her. But I was too exhausted. I blacked out.My guards found me in an unconscious, crumpled heap on the shore. They brought me bac
Eden’s POVThe first ray of sunlight filtered through the forest. I stretched my arms and legs. All around me, other pack members were doing the same.“Good luck,” Adrian said, patting my shoulder as he walked by.“Thanks,” I smiled back.I couldn’t contain my excitement. I was going to race – really race! – in the pack run! I felt like I was part of the pack in a way I’d never felt before. I’d never been allowed to race. Everyone thought I was too weak, including Caleb. I’d asked Caleb several times, but he’d always scoffed. ‘You?’ he’d said, rolling his eyes. ‘You’re hardly qualified to run with the pack.’ He didn’t even give me the chance.But now here I was, with all the other runners, racing like a real wolf.I was nervous to ask my grandfather.“Can I…can I race in the pack run?” I asked, wringing my hands.His eyes lit up.“Of course, Eden!” he smiled. “You’re a part of this pack. Of course you can race.”He had no idea how much those words meant to me.‘A part of the pack.’
Zane’s POV‘King Zane, Chloe wants to see you.’ It was Beta Brighton mind-linking me.Chloe? What did she want? She was the last person I wanted to see right now.‘Tell her I'm busy,’ I said coldly. Then I looked back at the documents.Beta Brighton continued though. ‘She says it’s important. It’s about…the Lycans.’I frowned.Chloe was a trouble-maker. A real shit disturber. She’d caused all sorts of problems for me. My blood boiled to the sound of her name.She had lied to Eden! Blatantly lied! An omega maid told me Chloe had gone to Eden’s room on the day of the full moon. The maid had eavesdropped. Apparently Chloe told Eden that I had agreed to the engagement. I’d done NO such thing! She was trying to force Eden out of here.I didn’t know this when I’d gone to see Eden the night of the full moon. But I was going to explain about Chloe. I was going to tell her that I had no intention of marrying Chloe. But then Slade had lost control. He scared her away.The Omega came to me the n
Zane’s POVA way?To help?I eased my grip slightly, to give Chloe a chance to catch her breath. I didn’t fully trust her though, so I still kept my hand on her throat.“How did you learn about this? The Lycan’s curse?”It was something only the Lycan Royal Family knew about. And I was the last living member of that family. So how did Chloe know?“My grandfather..” Chloe gasped. “He was a…warrior...for the Lycan royal...family.” I loosened my grip a little more so she could talk.“Go on,” I said, my eyes narrowed.“He accidentally...heard about it... this secret… when he was young,” Chloe said, her words in labored gasps.What? Murderous intent washed over me. I’d have to kill them all! The entire Redstrike Pack! If they all knew – images of their deaths flashed through my mind. I had to defend the dignity of my Lycan royal family.Chloe must have known what I was thinking.“Only my father...and I...know,” she stammered. I couldn’t hide the ferocity in my eyes. She saw it. She felt my
Eden’s POVThe pungent scent of alcohol accosted my nose. My eyes flew open. I was staring at a blank, white ceiling. Where was I?“Are you finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?” It was my grandpa. He was sitting beside me. I was in bed….but…The pack hospital? Is that where I was? I heard the ‘beep, beep’ of a heart monitor beside me. It was attached to my finger, taking my pulse.Was I sick? Injured?But then I remembered.The pack run came back to me in bits and pieces – the forest, the birds, the sting in my lungs…the feeling of euphoria, of finally being included and accepted.And then?The she-wolf! She tripped me. She had it out for me, right from the start. Mocking me! I had no idea why she wanted to get me, but she had tripped me. I was sure of it! On purpose, to ruin my chances of winning.I could see those stupid braids flapping in the wind!She made me stumble! I couldn’t catch my footing. I fell and…Adrain caught me. That was the last thing I remembered."You passed out," Adri
Eden’s POVPregnant?My mind went momentarily blank.Preg….nant?I slowly looked down at my belly and instinctively reached out to touch it. There was…there was a life growing inside me?"I…I…” I stuttered.“The doctor said you're over a month," Grandpa sighed. “I take it from your expression you had no idea?”I was still in shock as my grandpa’s words sunk in.Over a month...That meant….That night!It was Zane’s. Zane was the father. I was carrying the Lycan King’s baby.Was this really happening? I couldn't believe it! Growing inside of me was the baby of a man who had tried to kill me! (Well, his wolf had). But Chloe confessed that he wanted me dead. And now here I was, pregnant with HIS child.Oh, Moon Goddess! Is this for real? Are you playing some sort of sick joke on me? Why has this happened?My fingers gingerly touched my belly.There were too many emotions flooding through me to process."Eden, I owe you an apology,” my grandpa said, cutting through my thoughts. “I had hea
Eden’s POVKeep it? The baby?"I…I don't know." I was confused. My heart hurt. I hadn’t had time to process any of this, so of course I hadn’t thought about whether or not I would keep it.“You don’t have to, Eden. You don’t have to keep it.”His words hung heavy in the air. He was giving me an option. I didn’t know what to do. Zane had hurt me. What would it be like to raise the child of the man who broke my heart?But…It was just a baby. It was innocent. How could I possibly….“I made a lot of mistakes with your mother,” he said bluntly. I was surprised to hear him talk about this, so I listened intently. “I…wasn’t compassionate enough. To her situation. I can see that now. I won’t do the same with you.”I looked at him. What did he mean?He stood up and patted my head gently. “Your mother tried to talk to me about a similar thing, once. But I was too stubborn. She said I wasn’t listening, and that I didn’t understand her. Shortly after, she cut all ties with me.”He sighed a heavy