-RAINA’S POV-“Why do you want a war? Can’t we negotiate?” I stalled. My mind scrabbled to think of a way to get out of this.“The war is revenge against Selene. It's about being the black sheep and wanting to kill her favorite children.” He explained with one arm folded and he tapped his nose. “Murdering all of you hurts your goddess. Maybe she’ll have to come herself to stop the war and save her wolves, Raina.”“So that’s your agenda ― to force Selene to show herself?“You are my agenda and I know all of your secrets. I also know things that might interest you.” Gustav gloated while flicking the mussed veil of white strands from his forehead.“What good is a bond with me when I lost my wolf?” I realized that his ultimate intention was to use me as leverage against Valen. I bit my lip, writhing in suppressed fury.His hand froze and then he stooped before me. “There are remnants of her within you. My brother will still come for you because you will have to tell them what happened, and
-VALEN’S POV-Back stroking through the air, Raina’s body fell like a flailing fledgling. The entire time on my flight upwards, my eyes shifted back and forth from her to the white-haired man above her. Panic threatened to seize control of my mind.“Get to her, Valen!” Zeus roared, even though he understood my steadfast resolve.I huffed with zipped-up determination and increased my thrust.Striving to deter my flight, the enemy threw black bomb balls at me. Once they sailed past Raina, I counteracted by flashing out an energy wave with my right hand. Boom! Boom! Boom! Each one of them exploded into amber flames and black smoke.This repeated three times before I reached Raina. Her back slammed into me and I grabbed her around the waist while I narrowed my eyes on the descending Worgen.Swiftly, I gripped the Worgen’s wrist. I tugged and twisted it, and rapidly slammed it into his chest with such a powerful force that sent him backflipping away from us.My flight ceased, and I hovered
-VALEN’S POV-Directly after I teleported Raina to Mom’s chief medical office, I mind-linked her that Raina was safe and with me. No matter how much I tried to put Raina on the bed to lie down for examination, her arms would not unwrap from my neck.“Don’t let go.” Her heart was racing at an incredible speed.So, I lifted her trembling legs and let them encircle my waist with one hand under her buttocks, holding her. I kissed her temple, leaving my cheek on hers.“I didn’t want to ― I didn’t mean to ― Valen,” Raina repeated with a low cracking voice, sniffling. Her moist button nose pressed into my neck.My free hand caressed the length of her back in an attempt to give her warmth and security. I whispered in her ear. “It’s okay. You’re my strong queen. You had no choice.”Her clothes were soiled with dried blood and grime. Plus I wanted to quickly check her body and in this state, I was hampered. It hurt to see her like this. I was feeling a lot of things and Zeus reminded me that he
-VALEN’S POV-“Um―” Raina faltered as she stared at the ceiling.The acknowledgment of her regret hit me. The sorrow she felt nearly knocked the wind out of me. My heart spasm in my chest thinking that the kiss actually happened.“He―” Her head turned towards me with a pained expression.Waiting for her answer, I squeezed my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose. A throb of anger pounded on my temples.“No.” Raina’s blue eyes were very guilt-ridden, and my anger deflated just a notch.“The fealty requires that he swears his sword to you, and then you will have to kiss him on the lips to seal the bond.” Mom’s eyes hardened on me.“Like fucking hell!” I cracked cynically as my veins pulsed with unexplainable rage and my fist made another hole in the white wall.It wasn’t enough. My frothy wrath needed release, but it seemed that more and more anger bubbled inside as I lost control.Him kissing her ― touching her. My mate? Mine! Every thought of that kiss occurring jabbed me in the
-VALEN'S POV–Raina stirred beneath my arms. Zeus purred, as I nuzzled my nose on her mate mark, lightly nipping on it.I was a bastard for wanting to wake her up because I wanted her attention. It was that simple. Venus mentioned that she had been sleeping for the past three days and I couldn’t bare another minute without her.Determined, I rubbed my thumb up and down the side of her cheek, trying to gently coax her out of dreamland.“Mmm.” She moaned and shifted. I enjoyed the soft sounds of contentment that she made in her sleep as her muscles loosened and relaxed."Raina ―" I whispered, watching her facial expression change and twitch as I slowly pulled her from sleep. "Time to wake up, baby.”Arousing from slumber, I watched her eyes flutter open. She lifted her head and stretched out her arms and legs.“Good morning, Bluebella,” I whispered, kissing below her ear.She shivered, twisting her body to lay flat on her back. A few straying strands of her burgundy hair lay on her face
-RAINA'S POV-Hyperaware of my arousal, I gazed upwards into Valen’s dilated pupils and parted my lips. He pressed his lips on mine. I welcomed him into my mouth, hoping it would lead to passionate lovemaking. His tongue stroked my insides, slowly and lazily as he took his time devouring me.The furor of sparks awakened in Valen’s kisses, melting any form of estrangement. His long, disheveled black hair tickled my cheeks. He groaned with his lustful emeralds on my lips. He wanted more.Pulling away slowly, he kissed each of my cheeks, followed by the tip of my nose. Teasing him, I walked two fingers up his biceps, across his broad shoulders, down the hard planes of his pectorals, and finally, around his nipples.Valen drew a long hissing breath.I giggled. It was exactly the reaction I desired.The scent of his lust incited the ache in between my thighs. My desire for him escalated. It was the on-again, off-again bond that worried me. Yet, I chose to relish the sensation of his mouth
-RAINA’S POV-The first white card was from Alpha Rowling. He expressed many thanks for being able to make it home in time to attend to his Luna and their new baby girl, Evonnie. He'd like to host a celebration event for me with his Elder Council to attend. He also appealed for a royal blessing from his Luna Queen to his daughter.The second peach card was from Alpha Femoris, Mercedes' father's pack. I side-eyed Valen before reading the content. I was wary of him when it involved Mercedes.The Alpha congratulated us on our mating and would like to invite me to Canada for an honorary luncheon with him and his Elder Council.Lastly, I hesitated to open this one from Alpha Kain. Valen's skeptical eyes were practically burning holes in me.“I'm not leaving till I see what he wants.” Green with jealousy, he fussed. “Wasn't it enough that you were there for a whole week with him? An entire fucking week.”Side-glancing at him, I countered, “I was there with my parents.”"Kain's always wanted
-RAINA’S POV-Claws emerged. I gasped when Valen flashed them down my camisole, ripping the flimsy garment from my body. They hooked into the waistband of my thong and it became history.“I love it when you are this needy for me, Raina?" He rasped, licking his lips. The racy look on his face entranced me."I've never wanted anything as badly as I want you," I whispered, gandering into those gorgeous green eyes. My fingertips caressed the peaks and valleys of his well-defined abs. My heart pulsed in a frenzy as I watched him. “I miss you inside of me.”Something feral flashed in the eyes of the Alpha in front of me. It’s euphoric how much my body responded to it.Valen pressed his thumb on my right nipple, letting it circle in a clockwise motion. My breath quickened. My nipples tightened. He repeated the same to my left one with his other thumb. My senses went wild.“Angh!” I curved my index finger and bit down on it as my body zinged with sensations. My heart pounded like a battering