RHEA Chills invaded my body, goose bumps appearing on my skin. I was in a large hallway, leading to a courtroom. I knew because this was my palace. I walked along the hallway and entered the court room and saw myself sitting on the room with a cold look on my face. I almost couldn't recognize myself. For a minute, I wanted to think that it was Thalia sitting on the throne. But, no. It was me. I looked around for Jaden. He was supposed to be by my side as Alpha King. Why was I the only one there? I watched with wide eyes as 'I' ordered my guards to bring in the prisoner. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps from behind me and when I turned to see who it was, my stomach churned and nausea swept through me.My Jaden. He looked terrible.Three guards were leading him towards the court room with chains around his neck, legs and hands. His eyes were filled with pain and the injuries on his body looked infected. He had a beard and his hair was longer than usual.Every step he took
RHEA Numb, I knocked on the door to Jaden's bedroom. It creaked open and I strode into his room. Jaden was lying on the bed, his eyes half open. Without saying a word, I laid down on his bed, curling up into his side. I could feel Jaden's gaze on me, the whole time. He placed an arm around me, still watching me with concern in his eyes. 'Rhea, what's wrong? Did you have another vision?' he asked telepathically, placing a hand on my shoulder. The old woman's words wouldn't leave my head. Jaden brought a hand to the side of my face, his brows puckered into a frown. "I... I... I saw another seer. She was really old..." My voice trailed off, my gaze locking with Jaden's. "What did she say?" He asked, the words leaving his lips in a hesitant manner. "She said... I have to make sure our string remains unbroken.... she said..our child...no... our...first son is going to be a bringer of darkness.... she said he's going to be evil...and I would have to..."Jaden placed a finger on m
ZADEN I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd heard wrong. She watched me the way a big cat would watch it's prey and it made me realize that she wasn't messing around. She meant it. She had to be either insane or stupid. I suppose it couldn't be the latter because she was smart. She was the snake itself, the thorns on the rose stalk, the vines in the swamp. She was smart and crazy, and everything in between. That was why she was my mate. I lowered myself onto my chair, my gaze still on her. She was expecting my answer. She was curious about what it would be. So, she waited. She waited like a snake waiting to strike. "Do you have any idea what I did to become an Alpha? I killed my brother's mate. I tried to kill him but would have succeeded if I'd killed his friends as well. I killed my parents, Thalia. I killed more than twenty pack members who were in support of Jaden. Now, you're asking me to surrender the pack I've sacrificed so much in order to get? You're asking me to throw
UNKNOWN As the head of the raven clan, I was expected to be efficient and as powerful as my sister, the former head of the raven clan. She was dead, I'd killed her because I'd wanted to steal her powers. Unfortunately, most of her powers were no longer in her. It was in the body of her daughter, Rhea Stone. If I'd been fast enough, I would've killed her even before she was able to manifest her powers. I should've stopped her from meeting her predestined mate. I'd failed and I knew she was stronger than ever. It would take a lot to bring her down, but I was determined to do whatever it would take to bring her down. With my head held high, spine straightened, I walked into the coven meeting room wearing a black hooded cloak with the hood over my head. The rest of the witches wore something similar. But, their cloaks were red instead of black. They all lowered their heads in respect. Although I wasn't as strong as my sister used to be, I was more powerful than the rest of the Wit
RHEA I froze, my blood running cold in my veins. It couldn't be possible. Jaden would never do such a thing, why would they accuse him like that? "It has to be a mistake. Jaden would never do something like that" I said and Jaden gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "I suggest you come with us willingly, or things will get worse for you. Murdering an Alpha King is a serious offence" Agent Romero said and my eyes went wide. I couldn't believe it. I pinched myself to see if I was in a bad dream. The sting I felt assured me that what was unfolding right in front of me, was very much real. "Jaden, say something. Damn it. Tell them you didn't do it" I urged but my mate remained silent.'Don't panic, Rhea. Just keep calm. Whether I didn't do it or not, they wouldn't listen to whatever we have to say' Jaden said telepathically, and my heart shattered. I watched with disbelief as Agent Blinks placed a pair of handcuffs around Jaden's wrist and locked them in place. "No" I breathed, shocked
RHEA Klaus was watching me through the frontal mirror in the car. He'd been doing so since we hit the road, on the way to Colorado. He'd arrived at the building where Jaden was being held but wasn't allowed to talk to Jaden. So, he followed me to the pack house where I packed light. I told Haru about what was really happening. I also relayed Jaden's message to her. She gave me a hug, telling me that I needed it more. Dana embraced me as well."Stay safe, Rhea" Dana had said. After that, I'd gotten into the car with Klaus and he'd hit the gas. I blew out a breath and rested my head on the glass window of the car. I wondered if Jaden was doing okay. I hoped that we would get out of this mess as soon as possible. "Are you okay?" Klaus questioned. I shrugged."I'm not curling up on the seat, bawling my eyes out. That's something, I guess" I breathed and he nodded slowly. "Did you know him?" I asked and he raised a quizzical brow."Who?""Daniel Hills. Jaden said he's an old frien
RHEA Daniel Hall's smile widened when we exchanged handshakes. I noticed that his white fangs were not retracted. Infact, they were proudly displayed. I wondered if he'd let his human clients see them or if he kept it that way because he knew we weren't human. "Yes, I let them see it. I compel them to forget about what they saw" he said and my eyes widened. "Compel? I thought vampires are the only ones who can do that" I said and he grinned. "I'm a hybrid; a vampire-werewolf mix" he said and realization set in."Sit down, please" he said, lowering himself onto one of the cream colored couches in his large office. "So, what's going on?" He asked after we'd all settled down. "Jaden is in the custody of Valerian wolves" I said and he raised a dark brow. "How did that happen? Jaden is usually careful enough to avoid getting involved with them" Daniel said. "He was accused of murder" Klaus said."Who exactly was he accused of murdering?" Daniel asked, a slight frown on his fa
RHEA By midnight, I awoke only to find that Jaden was no longer lying in bed, beside me. He was standing by the window gazing at the moon. I stared at him for a moment. Then, I got out of bed and embraced him from behind, taking a deep breath. "Still can't sleep?" I asked."I had a dream. When I woke up, I couldn't go back to sleep" he replied."Want to talk about it?" I asked and he let out a sigh. He turned to look at me, the moonlight highlighting his handsome features. "In the dream, I saw your aunt. She was preparing an army of witches against you" he said and I frowned. "That's strange. If she wants to attack me, why wait until now?" I said and he shrugged."Maybe, she was waiting for the right time to strike."I wondered what it was that made it seem like it was the right time to strike. Jaden's dream might be an ordinary one, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that a storm was approaching. Jaden gave my hand a gentle squeeze."I'm still with you and I'll always be