Serana POV.I staggered at the words of my mother and looked at her with confusion.“Why me? Why should I decide?” I ask her as I shake my head in disbelief at her words. She looks at me sadly as she approaches me, but I back away from her.“The Gods have seen all you have been through. It is your decision to make, Serana. I know it was me who placed the curse. I can’t make this decision. It has to be you. I have seen everything you have been through and it hurts my heart that I wasn’t there physically to save you. I’m sorry, my love.” She reaches from my cheek and I turn my head away and look out over the ocean.“I need to be alone,” I say sadly as I look down as I walk away. The island is huge. I walk along the shoreline feeling the water lap at my feet.“This is bullshit! We shouldn’t have to choose. What the fuck are they playing at?” Bedelia is fuming, and who can blame her? The betrayal of everything is still raw. Then to add to this to the mix is just fucking cruel. I have to m
Serana POV.It has been a few days since I came home; I have avoided Vilkas like a plague at every turn. I don’t care if this is hurting him or me. This is the sacrifice I have made. We will be bonded for a long time, and I want him to suffer the same way I am.Wesley came back yesterday, and Pascha ran into his arms, and yes they are mates. I saw them this morning and Pascha has his mark. I couldn’t be happier for them. I knew then like I know now I had made the right decision. Putting everyone’s happiness above my own.I’m sat behind my desk nursing a glass of whiskey, since returning all I have done is drown my sorrows even though it takes a lot for shifters to get drunk, but I like a challenge. So I have barricaded myself in here. Only coming out to raid the wine cellar. Yes, I look like shit, but I don’t care. I smell him before he knocks and I ignore the knocking on the door.“Please Serana, let me explain.” He does this every day, and he gets the same response. Radio silence. T
Serana POV.As he promised, he left me alone to my pity party, as he called it, and guess what? I did just that. It has been a week since I was shown the truth. Now I’m drinking for a totally different reason. I feel ashamed. Ashamed that I never believed him. Ashamed that I didn’t see it was her manipulation. I’m a fucking joke for believing her.I slump over the cool wood of the desk and look at the empty bottle at my side.“Ok, I’ve had enough of this. Get up and face him. Tell him you’re sorry and you will behave yourself.” I ignore her again. This is what she has been saying to me for the past few days.“No, and you can’t make me.” I say, feeling triumphant when she pulls me up against my will.“Watch, because I can and I will. Enough Serana. You are a queen and your people and this kingdom need you sober and in control. Not mopping around and pissed out of your fucking skull. Now you are going to leave this office, you are going to shower, get changed and sort your damn head out
Vilkas POV.I wake up with my beautiful mate sprawled on top of me, her naked chest against mine. Her long fiery red hair falls down her back. Her hand rests over my heart and her face pressed against it. I smile to myself as I look at her. She is perfect. She has so much fire in her, and I know it burns brightly.After last night in the shower, we stayed in each other’s embrace. I meant everything I said to her; I move forward and kiss her head, breathing in her delicious scent. I groan in my chest and wrap my arms around her again.“I could stay like this forever.” I say to Jaka and he agrees with me.“Yes, same here. We are going to have a problem soon, though.” He has to ruin it.“What problem?” I say as I stroke my fingers up and down her spine. She shivers and burrows further into my chest, and I smile at her as she rubs her face against me.“Her heat will start soon. The longer we are around her, the more the bond grows. We won’t be able to avoid it for long.” My eyes widen as
Serana POV.After the revelation of my impending heat, I have become nervous, especially around the unmated males within the palace. Do you ever get that the feeling you are being constantly watched? Yeah, well, that is what I am feeling everywhere I go. The wolves are not so subtle as they take sniffs of the air, and I know we need to find this sacred, secluded space fast. Otherwise it will be a bloodbath.“Hey, girly. How are you?” Pascha says as she sniffs the air. I freeze when I see her eyes glaze over. I take a step back when she shakes her head and smiles at me.“Sorry, you just smell delicious. I just want to lick you.” I gasp at her words and watch her cautiously. Please God, no! Don’t tell me it affected those that are mated female and male alike.“Nope, not happening. Back up Pasch. I don’t want to hurt you.” I say to her and she chuckles as she goes back to her coffee. Her and Lara are no longer working here, they still live here, they are family and here they don’t need t
Vilkas POV.Serana’s scent is getting stronger by the hour. This is happening too quickly.“Did you forget she is a phoenix? We don’t know the extent of how quickly her heat will come on.” I listen to Jaka when I see an unmated wolf move towards Serana. I growl and move quickly in front of her and growl in his face.This is happening too quickly. Her scent only grew stronger yesterday. I don’t want to have to kill anyone, but I will if I need to. She is mine and no-one else’s.“Back up, wolf.” Jaka moves to the surface as I push him away, and the wolf shakes his head to clear his senses and backs up, his hands out in front of him as he bows his head.“We need to get all the unmated out of the palace.” I nod in agreement with Jaka.A whimper comes from behind me and I turn to look at her. She is doubled over, holding her stomach. Her scent hits me in a wave. Shit! It has been two days, and she refuses to leave. According to her, there is a way to prevent it, but she is too stubborn.“S
Serana POV.Pain. That is all I feel right now. I know it’s my heat, but fucking hell, someone could have told me how painful it is. What was I expecting? Well, not this, that’s for sure. It feels like my blood is boiling in my veins. Nothing like the fire I am used to. No, this fire will consume me and the world around me. It bursts out of me in waves.I see Vilkas standing in front of me, panting parts of his skin are singed and burnt, but he is healing quickly.“MATE!” I think, even though I am now in the back of my mind as I watch Bedelia fly into the sky. High above the flames. There is no smoke, which is odd.“It’s enchanted fire. It burns hotter than normal fire.” She states matter-of-factly. I moan as I lay down in her mind. A roar and flames shoot past us. I turn my head and see Jaka gaining on us the higher we climb, breaking through the clouds. High above everything. We hover when Jaka breaks through the clouds and faces us.Their gazes lock when Bedelia shrieks and attacks
Serana POV.“Ahh, fuck,” I moan and grit my teeth, damn cramp in my hip. My leg spasms as he pushes my legs further back, my knees against my chest. I slid it down his shoulder and stretch it out as he continues his harsh thrusts.Hours and days blur together. I have no clue what day it is. All I know is that we eat, sleep, fuck and repeat. We have fucked on every surface and wall in this cave of wonders at least twice.Thank the Gods for insanely fast healing. I’m sure bones have been broken. This is apparently normal mating behaviour. Don’t get me wrong, not every time has been animalistic, there has been times where it has been sweet and slow love making. But fuck do I love it when he slammed me through a wall and fucked me in the rubble.“Fuck! I’m gunna come.” I moan as my back arches up off the broken bed. I feel the need to bite him hard, wanting to taste more of his sweet blood on my tongue.I growl, grabbing the back of his neck and pull his closer. He pants as sweat trickles