Chapter 1 PROLOGUE

• THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEWFOUR HUNDRED YEARS AGO
• He rolled in bed and reached for his mate. It was how he usually started his mornings. He frowned as he found an empty spot on his bed. He sat up in alarm. He reached for her in his mind but something was blocking him out .
• He got out of bed and raced out of the room. Her scent lingered in the hallway but it was faint. He followed her scent down the stairs and into the kitchen. A smile graced his face as he saw his mate dancing as she prepared breakfast. He walked quietly to her and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him and he kissed the tip of her head.
• "Stop leaving the bed before me" she turned so that she faced him. "I wanted to give you breakfast in bed today" she pouted. "I could have had breakfast between your legs." A blush covered her cheeks and she smacked his chest.He placed his lips against her own as they shared a kiss.
• The maids looked on in awe as the King and Queen publicly displayed their affection for each other. The King rarely smiled except towards his loving mate or their pup. He lifted her into his arms, breakfast forgotten. He carried her into their bedroom and laid her on the bed. He peppered kisses on her neck. He was about to take off her dress when a knock sounded on the door. She pushed him off her and went to get the door.
• "Good morning sister-in-law" "Morning Eridian" he stepped into the room.
• "Is your mate not keeping you busy enough that you have to disturb me so early in the morning"
• "She is asleep. She is thoroughly exhausted from the pleasure I gave her at night. She will not be awake till late in the afternoon." He replied smugly.Thane threw a comforter at him.
• "We have an important meeting in section 6 of the north" he left the room. His mate, Catalina pouted at him. "I thought we were going to spend the day together?"
• "We are. I won't take long" he kissed her lips and entered the bathroom. She was still seated on the bed when he came out. He gave her a long kiss. "
• After this meeting you have me all to yourself" she nodded and he kissed her forehead. He went for his meeting and she went in search of her friend. She opened the doors and chuckled when she saw her friend sprawled on the bed. She jumped onto the bed and her friend woke with a start. "Catalina! "She chided. "Let's go out" "No. I'm exhausted" she lay back on the bed, covering herself with a duvet. Catalina pulled her out of bed.
• "Okay, okay" she went into the bathroom grumbling. The two met at the edge of the forest and they strolled in talking about things. Her friend held a basket in her hands.
• "You never bring food" "I didn't have breakfast today" they found a small clearing and sat and began eating.
• *******
• The king sat with his brother and his advisors while listening to the complaint of the beta. He felt a sharp pain in his abdomen.
• It wasn 't his pain. Something was wrong with his mate. He stood up abruptly from the table. "My king, is there a problem?" He growled loudly and ran out of the building. His insides clawed at him to get to his mate . He knew somebody was running behind him but he didn't care who it was. He ran upstairs into the castle when he reached the central capital.
• He ran into the room he shared with his mate but she wasn't there. He followed her scent into the forest clearing. She lay in another's arms blood pouring from her mouth. Rage clouded his senses as he took in the woman who hurt his mate.
• "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry" he plunged his claws into her chest and ripped out her heart. He picked his mate into his arms and raced back to the castle. A loud growl pierced the silence. The other wolves howled loudly at the loss of their own. He laid her gently on the bed and sliced his veins. He placed it against her lips for her to drink.
• She held his hands and pushed it away from her mouth. "It's too late" he shook his head in denial. She coughed and blood spilled from her mouth. "II- lo- love y-you" tears spilled from her eyes and onto the bed sheet.He held her hands tightly and wept as she took her last breath. He howled loudly and his pack howled after him. He had lost a mate and they had lost a queen.
• TWENTY THREE YEARS AGO
• The woman clutched her stomach as a sharp pain passed through her. The babe was moving around restlessly. She groaned as she tried to stand. The babe wasn't due yet and given current circumstances, it would be unhealthy if it came out prematurely.
• She was the only one in the house and couldn't afford the services of a witch. Her clan members had gone out for the day's work.
• Sweat poured profusely down her face. She managed to get to the poorly equipped bathroom. She squatted and held the door frame for support and felt her vagina. She was wider than normal. She didn't know much about giving birth but the incessant urge to push overwhelmed her. She scrunched her face in pain as she pushed the baby out. Blood pooled at her feet as she continued to push the babe out.
• She gave a loud cry and a final push and the baby slipped out into her waiting arms. She collapsed on the floor, babe on the cold ground.
• She struggled to reach the baby but she was too weak. She hoped the loud cries of the baby would attract the neighbors.
• She prayed to the goddess that the babe would live.
• "My Elpida" she muttered just before she blacked out.