OliverWe looked everywhere! I tore that bastard’s packhouse apart, but there was no sign of him or Helena anywhere. People were saying that my grief made me believe he was still alive. I killed him. He wasn’t there anymore, so he couldn’t possibly be behind this. The werewolves had declared war on us and I had to strengthen our borders. I have to think about my people right now.“Son, they took her for a reason. She is more valuable to them alive than dead.” My father patted my shoulder and I sighed deeply, nodding. The werewolves were coming for my people and protecting them had to be my priority. We were fighting werewolves on all sides of our borders, and I was beginning to wonder where the hell all of them came from.We were stronger and faster, but they outnumbered us four to one. That didn’t stop my people from fighting. It was either that or die. The war had come right to our doorstep, and it was what I originally tried to avoid. I should have killed all of them. When Helena b
HelenaMy life as a slave and a single mother was hard most days, but the days that were good, it was so good I almost forgot about my circumstances. Almost. I feared the day my son would be old enough to work. I knew that most slave owners either put them to work or sold them and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing that I was the reason my son was suffering.I tried to make his little life as bearable as possible. I quickly figured out that escape would not be possible in this city. Slaves who tried to escape suffered the worst consequences and I couldn’t do that to my little boy. All I could do was to keep my head down and work and pray that Oliver finds us some day. As the years ticked by, my hope grew less and less, and I made peace with our lives as they were.I have been bought and sold a couple of times over the years. Some of the masters were cruel, and I carried the scars of their cruelty. They never healed completely because I wasn’t allowed to shift. As soon as o
OliverAccording to my host, there were no mated females being held as slaves. He knew very well that it was against the law, but I wouldn’t put it past him! I knew from experience that these people didn’t care where someone came from or that they had family! My fury was overwhelming, and I didn’t see where I was going. I stormed into my room and in the process, my shirt caught on something.I cringed at the sound of the material tearing. If it was any other shirt, I would just have thrown it away, but it was the only shirt Helena bought me. I was surprised when she returned from her shopping trip with my mother, and she had a gift for me. She was supposed to buy clothes for herself, and it was awfully endearing that she thought about getting me something as well.I took the shirt off and the tear wasn’t that big. It could be mended. Without thinking about it, I called the servant outside my door and requested that they find me a good seamstress. She offered to take it to the seamstre
HelenaI could step in and tell Oliver that I never told my master I was a mated wolf, but all my mercy was gone. I tried to tell them all those years ago. I wanted Oliver to be there all through Eli’s first years, but the masters denied me that happiness! Maybe not this specific one, but he was still a master. He had slaves. I knew there was no way we would ever be able to stop them completely, but I could let Oliver get rid of some of them.“Helena, please!” He pleaded, and my heart turned cold. I didn’t say a word as I glared at him and Oliver’s growl echoed through the room. “Helena, please! Please tell the king that I didn’t know!” The man looked panicked, and I turned my back on him. I didn’t want to see Oliver kill him. I clung to my son and closed my eyes and my heart. I was done showing mercy to those who didn’t deserve it.If I didn’t intervene on behalf of the werewolves all those years ago, Liam wouldn’t have survived, and he wouldn’t have been able to kidnap me in the fir
OliverMy parents were shocked when I told them how and where I had found Helena and Eli. They were excited about meeting their grandchild, and it took everything I had to stop them. I could just look at him forever. He was the most adorable little boy I had ever seen! He was clearly tough, and Helena had done an outstanding job with him so far. He clearly loved her, and would protect her with his little life.I let them sleep in since I could tell they were both tired and when they walked into the living room in the late morning, I beamed. I had my love back home. We hadn’t really talked since I found them, but there was more than enough time to talk. I just wanted to bring them home. I just wanted them here where I could protect them and help them forget everything that they might have gone through. I ordered some food for them, and we couldn’t help but laugh when Eli’s little nose pulled up at the smell of the food.“Helena, I don’t want to upset you, but what did you eat?” My moth
Helena“The day they turned on us and kidnapped me, they betrayed the kindness I showed when I begged for mercy.” My voice was barely a whisper as we broke apart. Oliver and the Lycans showed me more loyalty than any werewolf ever did! “You and Eli are my family now. The Lycans are my pack.” Deep down, I knew that I didn’t have to say it, but I still did. I needed to make sure he knew how I felt. If life taught me anything, it was that it could change on a dime and if you didn’t say anything, you would live with that regret for the rest of your life.“Well, I guess we have to introduce the future heir to his pack.” Oliver smiled. Up to that point, there was still some tension between us, but now it was all gone. It was almost as if I had never left his side. It was mind-blowing that someone loved me that much. I nodded, feeling nervous about introducing Eli to the pack. They weren’t all convinced that I was the right person to be their queen when I left.“Is there a ceremony or someth
HelenaWe put Eli to bed, and I watched him curl up with his new toy. I realized what incredible creatures children were. Eli adapted to our new circumstances so quickly. He seemed happy, and I would probably only find out years later if anything was seriously wrong. There was no use in running for the future. I had to appreciate the present.I looked at Oliver as he pulled me a little closer. He was so handsome. Even though the war and everything after that made him look a little older. The slight change in his hair colour made him look even sexier than before. I didn’t want to leave Eli in his room, but if Oliver and I were going to bond again, I had to. I wanted to. I wanted to feel Oliver’s fingers stroking my skin.I turned off the light as soon as we walked into our room and Oliver turned it back on. I glared at him. I wanted to make love to him without worrying about the scars. I felt so self-conscious about them all of a sudden that I couldn’t get over it!“Oliver, please.” Ho
HelenaI agreed with him that the slave traders had to be punished. I just wasn’t sure what would happen to the slaves when they were released. Some of the slaves I met had been slaves for generations and didn’t even know where they originally came from. Then again, most of them weren’t very helpful when I was there. Most of us don’t get involved in the matters of others.You were safest when you kept your head down and didn’t get involved. It was the only way to survive in the slave world. That was why I felt so torn about Oliver’s decision. I could wait and see what happened, or I could do what I did for the werewolves. I sighed as I looked out of the window at the city. It saddened me to think that, for some people, the precious gift of life meant nothing.“Are you okay?” Oliver’s voice floated into my thoughts. I turned around and sighed deeply, wondering if I should tell him what I thought. He pulled me into his arms and I couldn’t help myself.“No. I hate that we have to punish