Zaika's povWatching my daughter vanish with her mate a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. The royal guests shook my hand and gave me their congratulations on retiring at such a young age. Sasha was giggling at me and standing at my side."You make it hard for me to keep my composure, little lady," I whispered to her, making her laugh more. Our son came up and slapped me hard on my back giving me a big grin so I wouldn't lash out at him."Are you and mom leaving right away?"Creasing my brow I glanced over at Billy giving him a questionable look."Do you want us out of your life so quickly? Why is that?" I inquired as he shook his head and snickered."I am just looking forward to visiting you on your island oasis and bringing along Gerald for some skinny dipping," he admitted. Sasha shook her head and hissed," Not on my beach you're not prancing around nude with your mate, Mister!" I chuckled at the disappointed look on our son's face as my father came back from speaking more with
Prologue I am Zaika Baranov, the adopted son of Ivan Baranov, a royal Dire wolf and Earl of King Vossler. Ivan is a brutish Russian man with a very strict disposition that had presented itself once he realized that I carried a natural-born Alpha. My wolf is named Einar and is unique as it is an Epicyon. An Epicyon is a supposedly extinct wolf species and much larger than the mere Dire wolf Ivan possessed. I also carried hellfire which was blue electrical energy that flowed around my body with only a thought. Presumably inherited from my real parents, I've never known the full meaning of its use. I was found orphaned in the forest of Ivan's lands and don't remember my parents at all. Needless to say, Ivan raised me and his daughter Sasha with a stern paw. We both have welt scars to prove his firm discipline from whippings. Still, at the young age of 20, I remained with my adopted family. Not because I wished to but because I was in love with my adopted sister Sasha. She was the most be
Zaika povFrowning at my thoughts while getting dressed, I excused myself and headed to the barn.Heading toward the structure I was confused to see several of Ivan's servants standing around with two normal wolf guards from the neighboring packs."What is going on?" I asked Boris, my father's head servant. He glanced over at the guard and gestured toward him. Remus stepped forward with a puffed-out chest."His Highness caught two rogue wolves last night and we have them chained inside the barn," He growled."We will use them as bait dogs for entertaining the king during his visit," his sidekick Jasper laughed. Shaking my head in disbelief. I went to slide open the barn door and Remus grabbed my hand, stopping me."Are you stupid boy? There are rogue wolves in there!" He snarled. Rolling my eyes, I glared back as my hellfire sparked along my flesh."So is the feed for my father's cattle. So unless you plan on dealing with Ivan, I suggest you move your ass," I replied. Making a gruntin
Sasha's povLeaving my brother Zaika's bedroom my heart was pounding in my chest. I was fearful he would inquire about my injury again. I'd been lucky that he hadn't caught my lie the first time he asked. Prince Gallum had intercepted me in the hall and he had also tried forcing himself on me. When I fought back he punched me and left me unconscious on the hallway floor. When I woke up, my blouse had been torn exposing my small breasts. Shivering at the memory I went down the servant stairs to avoid the prick. Entering the kitchen I went straight to Hazel, the head of the kitchen staff to ask what I could help with. Our father thought we should help with household duties to gain character and an understanding of all the work that was involved. It had been exciting in my youth but as I grew older it became more tedious to both Zaika and I. "You should go to your room and clean up, dear. Your father told us you would be entertaining his majesty this evening. You better get some makeup
Zaika's povFeeling frustrated by Sasha's refusal to run away with me to start anew, I went back to my balcony after she left me. Glancing out across the field I dumped the ice from the bag and watched the ice cubes scatter across the ground below. Looking sideways through the grassy field I could see a pile of broken soil where the young rogue was laid to rest. Frowning at Gallum's blatant disregard for another's life I shook my head and hissed between my clenched teeth."You have always known that the prince is an uncaring and abusive creature. Remember how he treated his palace servants when you visited him at his father's," Einar growled firmly in my mind. "I know," I sighed and looked up at the afternoon sun. The sound of snapping twigs and rustling of vegetation could be heard echoing in the forest along with excited yips and howls. Tilting my head to listen to the calls I figured it was the king's guard. They were known to travel in large groups due to the king's fragile age a
Sasha's povSeeing all the males in the audience didn't interest me. Only one of them made my heart stir and that was my bunny. As I danced I did my best to give Zaika an exquisite performance."He has seen you dance many times. This will be no different than the several times before," Aspen, my wolf snorted in my mind. I missed a step and gritted my teeth over her comment."Are you purposefully trying to ruin my routine?" I inquired bluntly with a rash thought."Just want that asshole Gallum's blatant interest off your ass," she snarled bitterly, causing me to glance toward the prince. I swallowed uncomfortably seeing his eyes glowing slightly at my person. Moving my attention to Zaika I curled my lip in his direction."How will I know who my mate is, Aspen? Tell me since my mother cannot." I asked my wolf subconsciously. Whining in my head she huffed, "It doesn't matter, dear. You hold a royal Dire Wolf and will be wed to a proper equal." Creasing my brow as I twirled, I felt my hea
Zaika's pov"I was so worried about you, bunny!" Sasha cried into my chest."I am fine and appreciate your concern but really think you should release me and go back into our home," I mumbled. Raising her blonde brow at me questionably, I grinned."I'm nude sister," I said candidly and watched her eyes glance down my body. I had covered myself but her eyes stayed on my hands."Little pervert," I mumbled sarcastically and she slapped my clawed arm causing me to wince."You are injured!" Sasha gasped. I grabbed her arm and neared her ear."Meet me in my room and I will tell you everything that actually happened,'' I growled. She nodded her head with wide eyes and hurried to the patio yanking my arm. I shifted into Einar and nudged Sasha's side. Glancing at my large wolf she smiled and ran her fingers through my thick fur. Einar gave her face a big lick, covering her with drool. "Gross Einar," she giggled while stepping up the stairs."The female is truly precious but her wolf is a stub
Zaika's povAfter plucking all the torn fabric out of the claw gashes on his legs I frowned at how damaged his legs were. I told Gallum he needed to get washed up so they didn't get infected. I saw that Sasha was wringing her hands nervously with our father and Boris in my sitting room."I'm certain your dad will come once my father contacts him," I stated firmly to Gallum, placing him into the tub. Narrowing his eyes at me, Gallum exhaled deeply."My father will not care and probably hopes that I am knocking on death's door. You know that he hates me and feels I am unworthy to take over his pack and kingdom," he asserted. Starting the water I rinsed his legs with the removable shower head to rinse the blood and dirt from his skin. Using a washcloth and bar of soap, I scrubbed the areas and apologized if it hurt."Your father is a bit cross but you are his son in appearance and attitude. You both are alike in many ways," I responded as I started up his stomach."Give me the wash rag.