EVANGELINE. I feel the heat of the morning sun warm my skin, and I open my eyes slowly. I’m enclosed in Zedkiel’s arms, and I feel so warm and protected. Despite everything that has happened, I know I’m safe here. Taking a moment to admire him as he sleeps, I observe him. His face is calm and stress-free. Well, almost, he still has that slight frown on his forehead. His plump lips are perfect, and I want to reach up and kiss them, but his grip on me is too tight for me to shuffle at all. So, I stay still, simply admiring him. We’re mates… I slowly place my hand on his bare waist, feeling him stir slightly, but I close my eyes, relishing in the sparks that ripple through me, spreading from my fingertips before washing through me. My breath hitches as I let those sparks consume me. It feels magical, it’s like a stream of gold liquid lighting up my dark insides. Warming every corner of my body from my fingertips right down to my toes. I can’t really explain it… but it’s beautiful. H

EVANGELINE. This is wrong. He shouldn’t have to have such a public trial when there is plenty of questionable behaviour from others. I mean, Sinclair, for example. However, I can’t say anything because Zedkiel asked for it to happen. She’s there clawing at the back of my mind, and I’m not going to let her get the better of me. It’s almost as if she takes advantage of me whenever I’m distracted… I sigh heavily, glancing over at Sinclair, who didn’t make it to the exit, being in far too much pain and was now being treated by the healer who he had pushed away. Zedkiel had done some serious damage, but he had refrained from showing his true power… I knew that. Zedkiel isn’t a people person, nor does he like to be around people… but his adamance with becoming king is clear and I know it isn’t for the pomp and glory. He is a man willing to put the work in to protect the kingdom. Alpha Ambrose is conversing via the mind link with the members of the high court but without Zedkiel having t

ZEDKIEL. Drystan snickers, and Dad frowns at him before giving Evangeline a nod to continue. I give her hand a squeeze, and she smiles at me before taking a deep breath and carrying on. “And so, she turned Raziel into the very first werewolf. However, she had promised that her creation would live on earth, and by the command of the Supreme Eternal God, she was forced to cast Raziel down to earth. A move that shook Selene, and only then did she realise that her love for Raziel had become more… But, when she made the divine decision to create werewolves, she hadn’t realised that everything comes at a cost… She went to the Supreme God asking for Raziel to join her in the heavens, but she was denied her request.” Evangeline frowns as she continues. “Instead, he gave her permission to create one more being. He granted her the source of life to create a female, to continue the race that she had created by mating her to Raziel… But she could not do it, when she herself loved him and so dis

ZEDKIEL. “Evelyn…” She’s getting closer and I stare into her eyes, hoping somehow Evangeline can see me. Fight it Little Mouse… “The matches will start soon. I need to prepare.” I remove her arms from around me, only to feel her anger flare up. “There’s nothing to prepare. Do I disgust you?” “I’m not doing this right now.” I say firmly. “Then when! When she regains control! I know you want me gone!” She hisses and I feel the darkness wrap around her. I turn sharply, my eyes flashing as I feel Zerachiel’s own rage rising. “Do not test me, Evelyn.” I snarl. “You are meant for me too! We were both mated to Zerachiel – to you! Yet each time he chooses her and you… you just want me dead!” Guess that façade is over. I look at her coldly. “You killed the Oracle, correct? You killed the village and Evangeline’s family, correct?” I snarl, grabbing her by her neck. She glares at me with anger and rage. “I did what I needed to!” She hisses. “Evangeline is weak. I can be the queen you

EVANGELINE. I’m disappointing him… ‘Yes, you are disappointing him. Let me take over. I’ll rip that bitch to shreds. If you weren’t so useless, she wouldn’t have gotten so free!’ Evelyn hisses. My eyes prickle with tears, but I refuse to let them fall. Celia chuckles. “Awe, are you going to cry? Evangeline the crybaby.” She sneers. “Can’t take a few punches.” I’m not crying because of that, I’m not a crybaby! I’m failing him. I am useless. I can’t think like that. I have to do better! “Now, to put you down like Alpha Aeron should have the night they found you!” Celia sneers. “Useless Omega, and now I’ll show you your place… Beneath me!” Her voice grows louder, and I turn my head to see her blurry figure stalking toward me. I grab her foot, and her eyes widen. Yanking it hard as I roll over, I bring her toppling down; she lets out a surprised shriek, but I’ve had enough. Getting to my feet, Celia does at the same time; she swings at me, but I block it. She’s getting angrier, a