Trigger Warnings
Violence
Sexually Explicit Content R18 Only
Sexual Assault (No Rape)
Abuse
Torture
Emotional Manipulation and Abuse
Trauma
Murder
Death
Stockholm Syndrome (very beauty and the beast)
This novel is the sequel to The Gentle Maiden and Five Lustful Brothers. It follows Odette, Asher and Violet's daughter and what happened after the CrystalBay attack. If you have not read the first book; THAT'S okay, this one will still make sense, but you will understand the characters better see their depth and enjoy the story more if you do read the first book or at least Vol 2. It also is still ongoing and Vol 2 runs alongside this novel. It creates a bigger more complex storyline for this book by providing more perspective for this book. HOWEVER, there are more trigger warnings in Vol 1 of The Maiden, it is not for the weak of heart it is very dark meant for sick bastards like myself and it is a reverse harem, whereas this is only slightly a love triangle.
^^^The theme song for this book is "River by Bishop Briggs" please play the song while you read any steam scenes. It will enhance your reading experience and make your heart pound while you read^^^
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Chaos.
Pure chaos.
The evening started off without a hitch. Gathered at the assigned tables were noble wolf shifters; the room was buzzing with activity. People were smiling and laughing, the party felt alive, everything seemed perfect.
Until the attack happened.
They crashed violently through the windows.
Vampires.
Under the cover of darkness, a series of glowing red lights and screaming burst through the windows of the banquet hall, shattered glass flying in every direction.
Panic filled screams too painful, to ever be forgotten.
A massive and violent war broke out, one between shifters and vampires. It was a battle to the death. One that would be so grotesque, it would be remembered as one of the bloodiest attacks the pack has ever experienced.
Wolves were transforming all around. Scraps of shredded clothing were flung on to the floor, as their transformation ripped through them.
It became a bloodbath. One that would leave scars on the survivors so deep, they'd never heal.
Hiding under the table was a small boy, no older than 7, he sat wide eyed and terrified clutching the leg for dear life.
Cries of injured wolves echoed in his ears. Blood spilled on to the floor seeping into the grout, flowing in all directions. The young boy was frozen in place, shaking from fear and adrenaline as a lifeless hand hits the floor with a hard thud, right in front of him. Covering his mouth to silence a scream, he squeezed his eye shut as hard as he could.
His silence was necessary, his silence would keep him alive.
The boy hid, his body immobilized by terror.
The constant sound of snarling wolves and hissing vampires, the boy knew he had to run, he had to find a better place to hide, it was only a matter of time before they found him and killed him, or worse.
The idea of worse sent shivers down his spine.
The hall quieted down when someone dragged him from under the table that hid him. Terror now racked his body. Was this a vampire? Would they kill me? He wanted to fight, to scream for help.
"You need to get out of here. Follow me." The nice red-haired woman with silver eyes said to him. He recognized her from earlier, her name was Ursula, and she was Beta Atlas' fiancée. The boy thought he would be safe with her, so he followed. She would help him find his mom and dad. She was a beta ranked wolf, which meant she had special abilities. He was positive she could protect him, so he followed willingly. He trusted her to get him out safely. To help find his family.
Weaving through the halls quietly, they find a small door hidden by a statue of a great alpha. His little heart drummed in his chest, he feared it was so loud others could hear it over the sounds of agony and fear.
"This is the servant's door, it will lead you to their quarters, the other pack children are there waiting. Go now, keep quiet and stay hidden, this will be over soon. I promise."
"Where's my mommy?" The boy asked her.
"Ambrose, your mommy and daddy are fighting off the invaders, they want you safe, so they sent me to find you and help." Ursula answered him, with a gentle touch to his cheek. "Now you be good and listen, you have to keep the others safe. Understand? That's your job. Protect the pack."
He didn't want her to go, he wanted her to stay close to him, to take him with her if she wouldn't come with him. "Why can't you come with me?"
"I have to go find other children and bring them here, so I need you to stay here and be a leader to your pack. You're acting king you know?" Ursula tried giving the boy a sense of responsibility to divert his attention from his fears.
"Yes, okay." The boy nodded understanding as he answered.
"Good, now go." She turned him around and shoved him in, slamming the door hard behind him.
The hall was dimly lit. The thumping of his feet hitting the ground vibrated through the quiet hall. The sound of screams and snarls had quieted once the nice woman, Ursula, shut the door.
The silence should have made him feel more at ease, but instead it heightened every sense he had.
After walking through the quiet, dark halls for what felt like endless hours, he found a door with light flickering under the cracks.
He nervously reached for the door; his small hand shook so violently the doorknob clattered under his shaky grasp. Opening the door, hushed tones and whispers of shushing bounced off the walls in the quarters.
"Oh, thank goodness, your highness, you're okay!" a servant came rushing over to him.
"What's happening?" the boy needed answers, his small heart pounded in his chest, threatening to burst out.
"The Vampires, they're here, they're here to kill us all!"