Forbidden

|17|

Erick

"Is everything set Sheila?" I questioned as I stared into the brown doe eyes, briefly wondering how after all these years, she still held the a semblance of innocence in the warm depths. She leaned forward from her seat at the Elders table, her clothed elbows resting on the tip of the wolfs ear.

"Yes, we just need to get Marx and his new friend to agree to the terms and we will be in business." She replied, the innocence being replaced with deviousness.

"That's no problem, the two fools are so wrapped up in their possessiveness of Eden and Laurent, that they don't even realize what they both desire, is right in front of them. Oh well, their stupidity is ours to exploit." I uttered mockingly, amusement dancing in my eyes.

"I don't understand you both, how can you conspire against your own blood like this?! For Artemis sake, she's your daughter Erick and your niece Sheila!" The new voice stepped forward from the shadows, no longer satisfied with ease dropping and revealing a grey wolfskin clad womanly figure with unyielding taupe grey eyes. A look of regret skittered across Sheila's exposed features but was quickly smothered by anger.

"She killed my sister Aria! She should've been the one to perish in the fire, not Laiya!" Sheila shouted, her emotions flinging out of control.

"She was a child Sheila! And your sister knew what she was doing, you think she would leave her child to die?!" Aria threw back, her voice rising in volume.

"That is enough Aria, this is none of your concern. It would be best if you excused yourself now." My voice held threats that did nothing to Aria, she was a stubborn mutt. Sheila was shaking in her rage, her body was being rocked with miniature tremors and it was a matter of time before she phased.

"You both are interfering in the plans of Artemis and you will not prevail. Continue on this path and you will both meet your ends, by the very life you both played a part in destroying. You blame Eden for your sisters death Sheila, but I can't help but wonder how much you truly know of that night." Aria's eyes shimmered, making the grey irises sparkle as though as fresh rain had just washed over them.

Suspicion and mistrust entered Sheila's eyes and I knew I had to interrupt before Aria forgot her place. Advancing towards Aria, I let my dominant aura overtake her submissive one and she took a step backwards, trying to not show her fear.

"Choose your words carefully Aria, this is my wife you are speaking about and your Alpha female. Respect her memory." I growled through clenched teeth, my canines starting to extend.

"And you respect her memory by lying on her child?!" Aria howled back, unwilling to back down from my challenge. I watched as she hit the ground with a sickening thud, clutching her cheek that now bled burgundy red through the crevices between her fingers as her body slid on the floor and the hood of the wolfskin fell back, revealing a short crop of satiny black locks. I licked her blood from my now clawed nails, the metallic liquid thick on my tongue.

"Tsk tsk tsk, now Aria, I had warned you didn't I? Do not let the weak old man facade that I present fool you. I am still very much Alpha in my own right. Do not try my patience again or next time, I'll rip your jugular right out instead of leaving you with those cat scratches. Now dismiss yourself from my presence." My voice was calm, unwavering as Aria fought with herself whether to fight back or flee. Choosing the latter wisely, she slowly rose off the ground and disappeared back into the shadows. Sheila's questioning gaze collided with my cool one and I shook my head, dissuading any inquiries on her part.

"Nows not the time Sheila, go and get the pawns so we may start the game." Knowing that she was dismissed, Sheila stood and left to recover Marx and this Val woman. A cruel smirk pushed the corners of my lips as my plan for my wayward daughter and her mangy maverick of a mate worked its way into my brain. Arias words crept into my head, that we were interfering in the plans of Artemis and would meet our end.

The very thought caused a amused dry laughter to bubble up from the bottom of my throat and disperse from my lips. Artemis be damned! I, Erick Raiven, will prevail, no matter who I had to manipulate or kill to get to the end I desired.

Light and heavy footsteps took all my attention as Sheila, Marx, and the woman Val, entered back into the Hall. When their eyes locked with mine, confusion lacing every depth of theirs. I smiled a calming smile.

"Come, I have a plan for you both to get the ones you wish to be with. Have you ever heard of The Sirens Seduction?" I asked, reveling in the suspicious yet intrigued look upon their faces, they both shook their heads no.

"Would you like to know how this particular spell will grant you sufficient time to mark your coveted mates?" Glancing at each other, both slowly shook their heads yes, in a much more determined gesture.

Perfect.

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Mason

Eden laid sprawled out on the grass, playing with the petals of a nearby daffodil , being extra careful not to damage the delicate flower. She was quiet, the same way she been since Laurent left two days ago, saying that he needed to see about something called the Oracle. He didn't really specify, he only said he would explain when he got back. Gently nudging Edens leg with my foot, she reluctantly tore her eyes from the flower, a pout setting on her pretty lips.

"What do you want Mason?" She huffed, her pout deepening, causing small wrinkles to appear on her cheeks.

"How long you gonna mope around like a abandoned puppy? I'm bored, entertain me." I replied, crossing my arms across my chest. She laughed, a melodic sound that caused her rose gold sundress to rise with her chest in her sudden mirth.

"I am not your pet to entertain you Mason, go find something to do on your own and let me be. I'm enjoying basking in the dimmed sunlight, the willow tree shade and the breeze makes this tranquil and calming. Stop disturbing nature. And me." The smile she blessed me with made all worries in my world seem minute. I truly did love this girl, she was every bit my sister, shared blood couldn't make the love any deeper. Conceding to her, I plopped down next to her, the way my body landed made a grass angel and the fallen leaves in the ground scattered in the air from the force of me.

"Okay okay, I will tan with you my darling E." Smirking, I tugged on her curl, rolling away from swat of her hands.

A good three hours later, I carried a sleeping Eden to the Alphas house, laying her down on the pallet in her and Laurents shared room. Kissing her forehead and leaving the house, I noticed Waydi watching something with concentrated interest. Being nosy, I stopped and tried to see what he was looking at. Seeing only the females quarters and nothing out of the ordinary, I was going to leave but for some reason, spoke to him instead.

"What you looking at Waydi? There's nothing there." I mumbled and without even sparing a glance my way, Waydi replied.

"Just keep watching, give it a second." Opting to wait and see, a few minutes later, a very happy and gleeful Val stepped out the females home, she was damn near glowing.

"When did she get back?" I asked, not looking forward to her and Edens inevitable meeting. Shifting his weight from his right leg to his left, a frown settled on Waydis face.

"Just a few hours ago. She's to happy, I don't trust it. She left in a sort of defeated mood yet returned in a mood of pure joy. It's not sitting right with me." Agreeing with him, I inwardly hoped that nothing bad would happen.

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Eden

When my eyes opened and released me from one of the most peaceful slumbers I've had in awhile, I noticed how dark the room was and the only light was coming in from the small oval shaped window, from the moons rays. Sitting upright, I turned to look at Laurents pallet and froze, my body unable to move and incapable of making a sound.

Fore, there wasn't golden eyes staring back at me but silvery grey, mocking amusement swirling in the irises.