We all turn to see Cedric walking through the door with Lysette. Jasper walks over to his mother and hugs her tightly. I forgot Jasper was in the room; he was so quiet. “Cedric,” Liam gasps before pulling away from my mother. Cedric practically runs to Liam and throws his arms around his older brother. Cedric was the reason my siblings and I knew so much about Liam. Whenever Dermot was out of earshot, Cedric would tell Adrian and me stories, and they’d always make us laugh. Looking back on things, I remember seeing my uncle Cedric was I was seven. Dermot granted him a visit with me at Cedric’s request. I’d been so lonely for days because I hadn’t seen anyone other than the Elders. Cedric sat with me and told me how much my mother loved me. He told me to hold that in my heart and never forget. Then he sat stroking the back of my hair, and he said, ‘You look so much like your father,’ I remember laughing and saying, ‘I don’t look like Father,’ Cedric laughed nervously and said, ‘No
I’ve spent the past few hours with Keley when all I want is to find my mate and have him hold me. It’s been a crazy few weeks. My mother-in-law, aunt-in-law, and Tracey are all pregnant, and their babies are growing nicely.I was jealous at first, scared that I’d never be a mother, even though I knew that wasn’t true deep down. I think I convinced myself that I’d never carry the King’s heir, and I’d be a failure in the eyes of our people.But today, I got confirmation, and I need to tell Orrin that he’s going to be a father. I’ve never been more excited about anything in my life, but I’m stuck learning about Zidiah again. I know it’s my duty as Queen, but all I’ve done for weeks is read history books. I must say it’s a very colourful history, filled with war, Royalty, and love. The Zidiahan clan has the best warriors in the world, and it’s been that way for centuries. I have to admit that being the Luna Queen of the most powerful wolf pack in the world still sends shivers down my sp
I don’t know what to do. I can’t find Anja anywhere! I’ve got men and women out searching, but so far, nothing.She’s been missing hours now. I went to collect Anja from the library, but Keley told me that Anja had left an hour previous. I was immediately concerned because if Anja had left the library, she would have come looking for me. I asked Keley if Anja happened to mention where she was going, but Keley couldn’t give me any answers other than Anja said she was calling it a day.I searched the packhouse, trying to pick up Anja’s scent, but it was faint, meaning she’d been gone a while. I had Adrian and Freddy search the grounds while others looked in the forest. There is no sign of my mate anywhere.I’ve sent people to look around the city. I thought maybe Anja had gone to visit some of our subjects, even though I knew Anja would never do that without mind-linking me first.Something else I haven’t been able to do is link with my mate. The only way the connection could be broken
I’m losing my patience.“Just get to the point, Drake!”His eyes widen with amusement.“There was once a time you called me ‘Father’”I shake my head. I have never seen this man in my life! It’s 1870; there’s no way he could be my father! I’m over one hundred years out of my timeline!“It is true. I am your father, Anja.”Oh, crap, I’m going to be sick!“That’s bullshit! I have never met you before today. I want to leave!”I turn to leave; however, I’m paralysed.“I mean not to harm you, Anja.”That’s easy for him to say; he’s not the one entrapped in some kind of trance, unable to move.“I have much to tell you, my daughter.”I want to scream at him to let me go, I want to yell and tell him that Leopold is my father, but he isn’t either. I can’t get my mouth to move to tell this man anything. I feel strange.I call the wolf within, but Asha is dormant; I can’t reach her.Why can’t I reach her?‘Let me go.’ I tell Drake with my mind, hoping the bastard can hear me.Drake smirks, provi
“Yes,” Drake nods. “As descendants of the first vampire, we have the ability to master time travel through specific portals around the world. I did so by the age of fifteen.“I travelled all through time, meeting weird and wonderful people. Yet I had only ever gone back through time; the future had not interested me at that point.“It was my eighteenth birthday when I decided to travel forward. I ended up going much further than intended. I was aiming for 1850; however, I ended up in 1970.“Of course, you can imagine my surprise when I realised where I was. The modern world was very different from what I was used to. Motor vehicles of all kinds everywhere, aeroplanes, televisions. An invention most fascinating.”“How did you meet my mother?”In 1970 my mother would have been almost the same age as Drake; she would also have been betrothed to Leopold. They were to be married a week after her eighteenth birthday.“I bumped into her quite literally and by accident. The moment our eyes me
“A young maid named Molly, eighteen years of age, was offered a new life, in a new time where she would be Queen.” Drake continues.“Of course, she was confused by what we asked of her. At that time, Molly didn’t have a clue what we were; not many of the household staff did. Mother ended up showing Molly the hybrid side of us, which scared her, naturally.“However, when Amanda spoke with Molly alone, Molly didn’t hesitate to say yes to what we propositioned. She has no family here and nothing much to call her own. Never having to work again, living in comfort, having everything her heart desired, and a man who could fall in love with her and take care of her for the rest of her life had Molly almost giddy.“Amanda and I spent many weeks teaching Molly, Amanda’s ways, her posture, mannerisms, even the small ticks Amanda had, such as tucking her hair behind her ear when she was nervous.”I remember my mother doing that a lot.“Memories would be transferred from Amanda to Molly, but anyt
“The wolf elder, and my second cousin, Keley, also had the power of foresight. Keley is younger than me but became an elder due to her gifts - Not only foresight, but healing, and her communication with spirits, ghosts, if you will.”Keley?Is he talking about the same Keley who has been teaching me Zidiah’s history?That fucking bitch!Orrin trusted her, and she betrayed him!I’ll kill her, I swear to the Moon Goddess, I will kill her! No one betrays my mate and lives, no one!Keley is Drake’s cousin?I get the foresight and healing, but communicating with the dead?I didn’t even know that was a thing!I’ve never seen her speaking to herself, and that’s what it would have looked like to me if she were talking to ghosts.‘Why would Keley speak to ghosts in front of you? You would have thought she was crazy. You’d have told Orrin, and then he’d have called her into a meeting where she’d have to explain herself. I’m sure the woman knew not to speak to the dead in front of anyone.’‘Okay
Drake sighs but nods his head.“You were playing in the garden with James. You adored him, Anja, and he adored you twice as much. You and James had the closest bond of all three of your brothers. From the moment you were born, James was devoted to you. Amongst hybrids like us, it’s possible for siblings to imprint on each other.”I narrow my eyes because I didn’t know that. I know orphans can imprint on people when they feel safe, thus finding new parents. It can even happen with grandparents, but I’ve never heard of siblings imprinting.“The day you were born, James had been away on business. He arrived home and rushed straight to Amanda’s room. She was sitting up in bed, you in her arms, myself, Byron and Charles sitting with the two of you. James’ eyes landed on you, and he gasped.“I watched James’ eyes wolf over as he slowly made his way to the bed. Amanda was watching him curiously as he reached for you. She handed you over, and James stared at your little face and smiled. Then