Sophia’s POV Our wolves run side by side in the shallow water, splashing and playfighting until the sun begins its descent behind the tips of the trees. When I see Torrin heading over from the tree line I know it’s time to head back to the pack house, and my heart sinks a little. I have loved every second of the feeling of the freedom out here, as my wolf sniffs at the ground, picking up scents, and hides from Zaine’s beast in the tall grass. I know she will want to be out here as often as she can, and I have absolutely no intention of stopping her.“I don’t want to go back yet. It’s so peaceful here.” I think to Zaine over our mind link. I haven’t been out here in over ten years, and not much has changed in that time. The trees are taller than they were and the huge flat boulder that sits half submerged in the water has been worn smaller over the years, but it is still the haven I remember.Zaine’s wolf looks past mine, in the direction of Torrin, and comes to nuzzle his head again

Sophia’s POVThe backs of my thighs and my calves are tight and aching, my pussy is throbbing, and I’m pretty sure if I looked at my clit right now it would be angry, purple and bruised. I'm not complaining, but I had no idea how unfit I really am. You would have thought cleaning the pack house every day for ten years would have me in better shape.“Are you alright sweetheart?” his voice sounds muffled, like I have water in my ears, and the lights dancing in front of my eyes do absolutely nothing to help me see him any clearer in the darkness of the night.“I need you inside me Zaine… now.” my voice croaks and my throat is dry. My wolf is hovering just beneath the surface, she wants me to mark him and her patience is paper thin. Her canines are extended and ready, and their sharp points dig into the insides of my cheeks. The coppery tang of a few droplets of blood on my tongue shocks my senses and brings the world back into focus. “I don’t want to hurt you.” His eyes give away how wo

Abernathy’s POVMy beast and I felt the magic of the gilded gift when it came to us. The late King Sebastian had tried to prepare me for what would happen when Sophia came of age, then it didn’t happen, so I assumed the old man had been crazy and thought nothing more of it, as convincing as he had been.There have been stories of the royal family’s golden eyed protectors for generations. My own Grandfather claimed to have been one of King Lucian’s Gilded Guards before he met my grandmother. His tall tales amused every pup around the campfire when the rest of the pack went on hunts, and I always wanted to believe him, but everyone knew they were just urban legends.I can still picture the deep creases around eyes that had seen everything and then some, if his stories were to be believed. My dear old grandad was a crotchety son of a bitch, except for nights like the Yule hunt. The Yule hunt before I tuned eighteen was the last time I sat with the other unshifted wolves and listened to h

Sophia’s POV “You stay behind me Sophia, I’m not playing.” Zaine looks down at me with a pleading look in his eyes. His voice is firm and commanding, and he called me by my name, which I’ve quickly realised he only does when he is deadly serious, so I nod and smile. He wants to protect me, and I want that too, but there is nothing out there that would harm me. I don’t know how I know it, I just do. When he slowly opens the door, I stand behind Zaine but look around him to see Torrin and another man’s back blocking my view down the corridor. That must be Abernathy. I remember him from my childhood, before… He was Beta, then after I was sent to the omega wing I only saw him once. When Zaine became Alpha and Luca and George his Betas, I never saw Abernathy again. There were rumours that after Alpha Theo and Luna Genevieve were killed, Abernathy was distraught with grief. He blamed himself for their deaths and tried to take his own life. I’ve never really given much stock to rumours, th

Mrs Crook's POVSophia listens intently as I tell her about the days leading up to her birth and how loved and wanted she had been before she even existed. Her eyes gleam with unshed tears and her hand shakes in mine, as I try to keep control over my own emotions. I have imagined having this conversation with her so many times over the years. I have gone over it again and again in my head, wondering what to tell her. Do I leave the worst of it out, of tell her every single detail? Will it really help her to know everything or will that only add to her heartache?I see Abernathy fidgeting uncomfortably out of the corner of my eye, which makes sense when I feel Torrin’s strong, supportive hand on my shoulder. For someone who is convinced his wolf and mine are crazy, there sure is a whole heap of possessive jealously rolling this way.“Your father did all he could to protect Genevieve and you, but by the time we realised what was happening right under our noses, it was too late. His brot