Eva Gibson’s pov
Putting the food items away I heard my sister ask Austin to stay for dinner and groaned internally. Still reeling from the funeral, I side-eyed her and said, “Don't you think it would be better for us to be alone at this time?” Biting her bottom lip, she narrowed her red-rimmed eyes and said firmly, “Austin's thoughtfulness should be rewarded with a good meal. I will prepare it so don't worry about it, little sister.” Glancing over at Austin sitting on a stool by the counter, he pretended to be oblivious to our conversation. I huffed out a fine to my sister and asked him if he wanted anything to drink. “A cold beer sounds good if you have any?” He asked with a grin and I opened the refrigerator to grab one of my dad's. Handing it to him, I muttered, “Might as well drink them, or they're going to be tossed in the trash.” Holding the bottle, he inspected it and said, “These were your dad's, eh?” Nodding, I told him yeah. “Sorry about them both,” he added and popped the cap off before taking a swig. “Why were humans this far out on the Alpha’s pack lands? There's no human population around here for hundreds of miles,” I commented and he eyed me oddly. Setting the bottle down on the counter he inhaled deeply and said, “The driver that hit your parents wasn't human, Eva. The person responsible was a wolf from a neighboring pack who came here to the pack bar to celebrate his graduation from guard training.” Furrowing my brow I eyed him in disbelief. “They should be sued!” Shaking his head he explained that they'd also been killed and had no remaining kin. Seeing his eyes following my sister moving around the kitchen I growled sourly and told him to check himself. “I know that you have a hard-on for Olivia, but she is off-limits for a man like you,” I warned him, and he scoffed at me. Taking another drink he just eyed me with disdain and didn't comment, making me grit my molars at the asshole. “Just because you can screw a lot of women because you're handsome doesn't mean you should,” I snapped and he chuckled. “Do you think that I am handsome, Eva?” Rolling my eyes, I growled sourly, then glared at him. “Unbelievable, you focused on those words and nothing else I said!” Frustrated, I informed Olivia that I was going to my room and to call for me when supper was ready. She waved me off as I stomped off to my bedroom and slammed my door. “He's such a cocky no brain idiot!” I fumed as I plopped down on my bed and growled into my pillow. “Of course, he is handsome, duh! I, along with all the other female pack members, thought that, and my opinion was no different!” Seething, I glanced at my dresser and noticed the pictures of my parents I had there and finally allowed the pent-up pain to roll down my cheeks. I had held it in for days and now the dam had broken. The firm knock on my bedroom a while later had me wiping my eyes quickly as I asked who it was. “Dinner is ready!” Austin's voice called out, making me groan, knowing that he and my sister would know that I had cried. “I will be there in a few!” I called back and, hearing him moving away, scurried from my room and headed to the bathroom. Seeing my red eyes I exhaled deeply and rinsed my face off with some cool water to freshen up. I entered the kitchen and saw Austin sitting next to my sister and pinched my lips together at him ignoring my earlier warning as I took my seat. After getting our plates full Austin started to speak with Olivia. “So you are going to drop out to take care of your adult sister? Seems like she is capable of getting employment instead of you having to ruin your future,” he stated plainly and I gasped at the nerve of him. “I never even had a choice in the decision I will have you know!” I retorted and heard Olivia sigh across from me. “Could we please have a civil meal? You both are always at each other's throats and now isn't the time for that,” she said firmly. I glared at him and raised my middle finger causing him to narrow his eyes at me in a threatening manner. Olivia gave me the look that my parents used to give me. I lowered my eyes from my sister and focused on the food on my plate. “Austin, I promised my parents on their deathbeds that I would care for Eva. The pack clothing store pay is minimal but will cover our necessities whereas university pays nothing,” she asserted. “I'm just suggesting that Eva is old enough to get a job and help with the finances,” he said firmly. “I'm aware, but she hasn't gotten her wolf yet, and per pack law, she's not matured yet and must be parented until her first shift,” Olivia explained and shut him up quickly. As I ate I felt him watching me and looked up to meet his eyes. “Take a picture; it will last longer,” I said sarcastically. “I don't take photos of females,” he growled back, and I glared at him, but he just grinned slightly back at me which was unnerving. “I can give you a ride into town so you can apply. Eva, you're welcome to come along if you want to get away from here for the day. I can get us all lunch at the cafe afterward,” he said suddenly, and I peeked over at him, looking at Olivia, and cringed when she agreed. I would have to speak with her about my concerns, I surmised as I lowered my eyes and focused on my plate.Aurora Belmont’s pov Speechless, I just stared at her, completely gobsmacked. “He killed her, yet the Goddess has him working on her council?!” Rubbing her eyes, Elvina peered at me and said, “It was his punishment to serve. Killing your own kind takes a toll on one's conscience.” “He killed a Goddess, and you think I'm capable of fighting against him?” I questioned her in disbelief. Nodding, she grinned slightly and told me I was powerful but hadn't tapped into my full potential yet. “Your druid curse is just at the surface, and I can see it glowing within you. You need a powerful teacher, and I personally feel that it should be Mr. Rafiq,” she stated assuredly. Pinching my lips, I said nothing, prompting her to add, “Let's go see if your mom has spoken with your dad about your training.” Reluctantly, I nodded and stood as I waited for her to join me. “Is he in his office?” “I imagine so. Your dad is a hard-working Alpha,” she snickered. Feeling anxious, I headed out of th
Aurora Belmont’s pov “Well, he's fawned over you before you were born but doesn't understand that you are you and not that dreadful Goddess Medeina,” my grandmother huffed. Elated that someone else understood my predicament, I gasped, “Exactly!” Furrowing her brow, my mom appeared confused. “I thought Medeina was a protector of the wolves and forests we live in?” “She is, well, was, but she also enjoyed lots of intimate company even after she and Dante were supposed to be monogamous mates,” Elvina replied. Rubbing my eyes, I groaned. “I fueled his past memories by flirting. I just wanted to get his attention, Goddess. I'm a fool,” I groaned. “Well, we're going to have to get you tested out of pack school now,” my mother huffed as I gave her an apologetic half smile. “Can I join the guard training?” I asked her to lighten the mood. Giving me a stern eye, she told me that we would have to discuss it with my father, and I grinned slightly. “I want to learn the kind
Aurora Belmont’s pov Racing to my bedroom on the verge of weeping, I shut my door before a cascade of tears streamed down my cheeks. “How can he accuse me of being a whore when I haven't even kissed a boy?!” I muttered sullenly. Sinking on the edge of my bed all I could think about was Dante. His long black lashes, silky hair, and his inquisitive golden eyes that I found myself getting lost within. Suddenly, gritting my teeth, I shook my head and dismissed my silly crush. “He will only ever view me as that Medeina and not see that I am ME!” I exclaimed bitterly as I thumped my chest. I may possess her power but my thoughts and person were my own. Feeling the atmosphere shifting, I narrowed my eyes at where Dante appeared and rolled my tear-stained eyes in aggravation. “Great, of course it's you,” I mumbled sourly and noticed that he cringed a little. “I um, I came to apologize. I shouldn't have put my past issues onto you,” he rushed out uncomfortably. Raising my eyebrow I
Eva Belmont ’s pov Aurora jumped up, eyes wide in concern, and jumped over the couch toward Dante. I felt the energy shift and saw the glow around my daughter as she reached his side and took the sword from his hand. “Don't, you can't touch it,” he warned, but she had taken it and laid it down beside herself and asked him what happened. Too shocked to speak, Dante just stared at her with wide eyes. “Speak fool! Where are you hurt?!” She growled at him. Exhaling deeply, he muttered that he just had a tough job but finished it and was sore. Examining him, Aurora huffed and asked, “So out of all this blood, none is yours?” Sitting down on her butt she shook her head and then reached behind herself for his weapon. Grasping the black leather hilt, she lifted it and felt its weight before swiping the air with a grin on her face, hearing the blade sing. “I'm going to take after my mom and become a blade master,” she announced until Dante grabbed his weapon from her as he
Eva Gibson’s pov Carrying my child, I felt content and whole. Peeking over at Dante, I told him thanks, and he nodded while I set my daughter to her feet. “By order of the Goddess I'm going to be your daughter's teacher and protector since she is a druid and also will have Goddess powers,” he asserted in aggravation, making me eye him curiously. “You're not happy about that?” I inquired and saw his jaw tense. “I'm an assassin, NOT a babysitter,” he growled, causing me to snort and cover my laughter. Aurora had tossed a snowball directly in the middle of his chest after his statement then giggled. Crossing his arms, he narrowed his bright eyes, and wisps of black smoke appeared, wiping the snow from his black shirt. “Don't antagonize that man,” I scolded Aurora, and she blinked her blue eyes innocently up at me. “He needs to lighten up. Can we go home?” She said softly as I glanced at Elvina and Austin and shrugged. “We need to have Mister Rafiq teleport us,” I info
Eva Gibson’s pov Waddling around in discomfort, I stepped carefully out on the back patio to see the snowflakes falling from the night sky. It was collecting on the ground, creating a layer of whiteness. Pouting a bit, I glanced at Austin and said, “The snow is early, and I feel like I am about to pop.” Knowing our wedding was the day after tomorrow, I was agitated about it. “What is wrong, sweetheart? Nero is telling me you're distraught” he asked. “You know that I love you, and maybe I'm being a narcissist, but can we have our wedding after the pup is born? I feel like a cow and can't even walk properly, see my feet, or even wear my knife belt,” I groaned. Hearing him chuckling, my eyes narrowed at him. “How about we do our vows here at home, then have a proper wedding later?” Giving him a surprised snort, I questioned him about wanting to get married so badly. Austin stood before me with a grin and said, “I find you absolutely lovely, and I want our wedding before