Zane’s POV She approached the lavish table, clearly nervous. I was already there, waiting. I motioned for her to sit, across from him. Her hands were shaky. I fixed my eyes on hers and watched as she took her seat. She was quite graceful and looked lovely in a long silk dress. I nodded my approval. “It’s okay. You can relax. I won’t bite,” I said, trying to put her at ease with a joke. “I…I didn’t think you would,” she answered in a serious tone. Clearly, she had missed the joke. So I changed the subject. “Do you enjoy salmon?” I asked. I looked down at my plate. Salmon in a white wine sauce. One of my personal favorites. Decadent and delicious. She nodded. “Then bon appetit,” I said. I took a big bite, motioning for her to do the same. She smiled appreciatively. Good, she likes salmon, I thought to myself. Then I decided to address the question on my mind. “Don’t you have a wolf?” I asked. The question must have caught her by
Caleb’s POV“You stupid girl! Be more careful! My suit has to be perfect,” I barked at my omega maid. This was an important meeting! One of the most important meetings of my life! And my damned omega was ironing my suit like she didn’t have a care in the world. “That’s cashmere, you idiot! I swear, if you burn another one of my suits!”“Yes, yes,” she nodded. “No wrinkles. No burns. I promise.” I took a deep breath to regain my composure. I watched her closely while she ironed. The last thing I needed was a wrinkled poorly ironed suit. Not today! Not for this meeting! She finished and handed me the suit. “Now get out,” I snapped at her. A few moments later, I admired myself in the mirror. Yes, I was most handsome indeed. I looked like my powerful self, well-dressed and perfectly groomed. This was exactly the look I was going for. So I grabbed the wedding invitation and headed out the door to meet with the Lycan King.We were related, the Lycan King and I. My great-great-grandmoth
Eden’s POV“I’ve told you a hundred times, the fork on the far left is for salad. What are you, dense or something?” I sighed in frustration. This was my fourth etiquette lesson that day! This was all becoming a little too much. Who knew there were so many rules about forks?“I’m trying my best,” I said to my teacher. She rolled her eyes and sighed. I could tell she didn’t like me. She made me feel really uncomfortable, like I didn’t belong here. All the teachers made me feel like that, like this whole place, this whole world was somehow above me.I was doing this at Zane’s request. He had requested that I take etiquette lessons, although I had no idea why. It’s not like I was some slobby omega. I was born of relatively high degree. Nothing like the King, of course – I wasn’t royalty, but I knew basic manners.“Again,” she said, rearranging the cutlery on the mock dining room table. “They are serving salad as the starting course. Please select the correct fork.”This time I did and sh
Eden’s POV‘This is it, Eden,’ I told myself, trying to muster up the courage. The Lycan King and I were having lunch, again, and we had just finished the salad course.“You’re improving,” he said with a sly smile.“How so?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.“You chose the correct fork this time. I guess those etiquette lessons are paying off.”Right. The lessons.It was the perfect opportunity. “About that,” I said, but was interrupted by the waiter.“For today’s main dish,” he said, placing a plate in front of Zane. “We have seared salmon with a red wine demi-glaze, with roasted baby asparagus, and twice baked potatoes seasoned with herbs hand-picked from the garden.”“Wonderful,” Zane smiled as he inhaled his plate of food. I had to agree, he did smell fantastic. I waited for the waiter to leave before continuing the conversation, but Zane beat me to it.“You’re not enjoying your lessons?” he asked, sawing into his salmon. His face was earnest and he looked sincere. “Not even t
Eden’s POVI paced my room, my heartbeat quick. He couldn’t keep me here! Locked up like some sort of prized possession!I looked out the window. It was dusk, the sun low on the horizon. In the distance, I could see the gate.The gate.If I could make it to the gate, then I could climb it.I could run away.I bit my lip. I had no idea what was out there in that forest. I didn’t even really know where we were. What was the closest pack? Red Rock? Riverside? Maybe if I could get to them I could ask for help. Would they take mercy on me?My thoughts spun in my head.It was a dangerous decision, to run away, out there into those woods alone. But what choice did I have? I couldn’t just stay here, like some sort of twisted pet.So I made the decision, right then and there.If Zane wouldn’t let me go of my own free will, then I would run away.I scanned the room. What could I bring with me?Nothing. I couldn’t bring anything. If anyone saw me out in the garden, it would look too suspicious i
Zane’s POV‘Where is Eden?’ Slade whined. ‘I already told you, she’s not leaving,’ I snapped at him. I resumed my reading. But he whined louder.What was his problem? He had been like this for hours now! He was convinced that Eden would run away and we’d lose her again. Even though I had made it perfectly clear to Eden that she was NOT to leave. She wouldn’t disobey me. No one disobeyed me. I was the Lycan King!So why was Slade in a such a huff? I tried to soothe him. ‘She was just a little upset. But she knows now. She can’t leave. She’ll settle in. This is her home now,’ I told him. Then I went back to my book.I adored my study. It was my favorite place in the palace, a room all my own. The fireplace crackled, a glass of bourbon sat beside me. I was half-way through a thrilling book on the history of the Riverback Pack and their many battle conquests.But Slade! He was driving me crazy! His incessant whining was so distracting.‘She’s not GONE!’ I barked at him. He was quiet for
Eden’s POVI tore through the forest like a crazy person. I had to get away! It was a blur of branches and pine needles. I lost my footing a few times and stumbled, but I managed to catch a branch to steady myself. What the hell was I doing? Was I nuts? I had just run away from the Lycan King!The. Lycan. King.And now I was in the forest, the dangerous forest, with nowhere to go.Think, Eden, I chastised herself. It was only a matter of time before the Lycan King realized I was gone. He would come looking for me. He would send out all his warriors. He would….“EDEN!”I stopped dead in my tracks. Warriors. His warriors.The Lycan King already knew.And now he was trying to find me.Fear prickled down my neck. They were chasing me. Tracking me. They were good at this. They would find me.“EDEN!” Shit. They were close. Much closer than I had hoped for. I didn’t have much time. They’d close in on me soon. My heart pounded in my chest. What should I do? Where should I go? I start
Eden’s POV“Promise you’ll kill me quickly?” I asked the warrior, feigning defeat. I hung my head. I had to make him believe I was giving in. I reached to my hip. I felt the sharp tip of my knife. “Yes, if you stop struggling. I’ll be nice and quick.”I slid the knife to the back of my dress so he couldn’t see me take it out. I clutched the handle. Then I nodded. “I won’t resist you. Just please, make it fast and painless,” I said, pretending to be helpless.“I can make it fast,” he told me. “But I don’t know about painless.”The moon shone down between the trees, and I saw his face clearly. He was smiling. The thought of killing me excited him. He was a twisted, sick man.“On second thought, maybe I should rape you first.” He slid his hand up my thigh. I shuddered at his touch and turned my head away from him.He grabbed my jaw and snapped my head back.“Look at me, you little bitch,” he barked.My eyes found his. “Maybe you like that, huh?” I glared at him, my knife still behind m