The Wolf (Everdark Tales #2)

2.

Queen

T he air grows chill as I leave the sleeping chamber in the tower, the heavy oak door groaning shut behind me. The wide staircase spirals downward in a dizzying curve, lit by the flicker of glowing orbs of pale bluish light embedded in the stone walls, casting eerie, shifting shadows. Each step echoes in the hollow silence as the stone beneath my feet is slick with the sparse damp moss that seems to cling to every corner of the castle.

At the bottom, I turn into a long corridor that stretches endlessly ahead, a procession of thick, wooden beams crisscrossing in points overhead, dark and gnarled with age, giving the illusion of a ribcage, as if the castle itself is alive and breathing. Tall, arched windows line the walls, their glass cloudy, partially covered by poison ivy. The light from the orbs mingles with the spectacular aurora borealis outside, projecting a colorful glow ghosting in the hallway. The scent of aged wood and cold stone fills my nostrils, the sound of distant wind slips through the cracks in the ancient casements.

At last, I reach my destination. Nervous but thrilled, I step into the grand dining hall the size of a football field… Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. However, a basketball court could easily fit inside. The vaulted ceiling looms above in a cathedral-like arch, and the chandeliers above sway lightly in the draft, glowing faintly with the same magical energy, barely illuminating the far corners. Everything feels suspended in time.

Alex’s immediate family is gathered around the rectangular table—the tallest and longest I’ve ever seen—seated on enormous chairs, each spacious enough to accommodate the werewolves’ large frames.

In the light, I notice that Edwin’s fur is visibly more of the darkest brown shade than Alex’s pure black, and his eyes are hazel, not amber, which makes it very easy to tell them apart.

Next to him, Clara welcomes me happily, with just the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. She’s wearing a head wrap tied in a bow in front, adorned with a few brooches, her Afro peeking out at the top. She pairs it with a colorful, patterned mid-century A-line dress featuring a defined waist and sweetheart neckline that looks handmade. I make a mental note to ask her if she sews. Perhaps she could even teach me how to, as I can only assume all this free time might get old fast.

Beside her sits Penny, with Katia right next to her, both giving me weary glances, both dressed in leather, outdoorsy attire—for convenience, I assume. I notice a flush of color across their cheeks, and I’m actually surprised they look nothing like a pasty Hollywood version of the undead, aside from the terrifying crimson eyes and very straight posture.

How are you gonna live among vampires and still be the palest one around?

Penny, without any doubt, is a female version of Alex, with sharp facial characteristics and unique physical attributes I now recognize as Ancient Babylonian—the closest connection to the first civilization possible. Even seated, her tall, fit figure stands out gracefully. She has long, thick, inky hair and medium-deep skin with a golden olive undertone. While Katia has luscious, rich-chocolate hair, tossed over her shoulder in a braid, and a warm tan complexion. She’s about Penny’s height and build, only a bit curvier, although still slim. Both of them look like supermodels to me, and they make one hell of a good-looking couple.

At the end of the table sits Farah, who appears to be in her late thirties, maybe early forties—though I know for a fact she’s much older than she looks. And she’s absolutely stunning, with striking beauty that reflects her Middle Eastern roots, and a commanding presence. She wears a deep maroon, long, gothic dress with a fitted bodice, high collar, and flowing sleeves. Her hair is partly concealed beneath a silk headscarf, edged with black lace that elegantly frames her face.

“Hi, honey,” she greets me, her unique, mint-green, almond-shaped eyes contrasting against her tawny complexion and dark features. “Yesterday must’ve drained you. I hope you rested.”

Edwin has to strangle a chuckle at her words, and Penny bites her bottom lip to muffle a giggle. The lightness in their laughter dances through the air, an unexpected balm against the tension that clings to my thoughts.

Alex growls low in his chest, his protective nature flaring up in response to their teasing.

Just ignore them , I hear his unspoken words. They’re making fun of my werewolf virginity, not you.

He’s seated at the opposite end of the table and I jump up on a chair by his right hand side, across from everybody. And when I say jump, I mean it—the seat is so high, my feet don’t touch the floor.

“I guess you never really grow out of childish humor, even when you are a century-old creature, am I right?” I comment, though I’m embarrassed as fuck on the inside.

“I apologize for them. It’s so inappropriate.” Farah’s voice is calm, but I can see the mischief dancing on her lips, as well.

“No, it’s fine,” I reply, forcing a smile. “I laughed at him, too. I just thought I was the only immature one like that.”

Alex gazes at me, amusement flickering in his eyes, but there’s also an underlying tenderness there. He knows I’m hiding behind stupid jokes again, my usual defense mechanism to deflect attention from my own insecurities.

Eat something, and we can be out of here.

I nod to him, then pan my eyes over the fully set table, despite only Farah, Clara, and me being the ones needing food.

“I wanted to thank all of you…” I start, my voice cracking with emotion as I take in their faces. “You risked your life for us. I won’t ever be able to repay you for that. And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for my parents.” The gravity of my gratitude pulls at my heartstrings, and tears fill my eyes.

The room seems to shift, the playfulness fades, replaced by a shared understanding of the danger we’ve all faced.

But just as the weight of the moment begins to press down on us, Penny breaks through the tension. “Oh, but of course! You’re family now.” Her words wrap around me like a soft embrace.

“That’s right. We’ve got your back.” Edwin adds, his voice is gruff but sincere, carrying an assurance.

“It already feels like you’ve always been here.” Clara beams. There’s no fanfare, just a simple truth in her tone, and that makes it even more comforting. It’s as if she’s trying to convince me that I’ve found my place without needing to try.

Alex senses my mood because he closes his hand around mine, grounding me in the moment. His touch sends a soothing warmth coursing through my veins, reminding me that I’m not just a spectator in this world—I belong here.

They are our family.

Maybe I can let my guard down. Maybe I can be vulnerable with them. Perhaps, in this unlikely family of supernatural beings, I can finally find the acceptance and love I’ve longed for my whole life.

“I’m just pleased there’s someone around who can keep him in check,” Katia tosses as she leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. I take it as her acceptance and a huge relief washes over me.

“Good luck with that,” Alex replies dryly, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards, though it might be from irritation.

This reminds me that I need to find out why they have this love/hate relationship ASAP.

“You know,” Katia whispers with a mocking grin, “Alexander can be a real pain sometimes. Just ask him to lighten up.”

He isn’t that grumpy. I actually enjoy his dry sense of humor. But then again, Katia and he aren’t exactly BFFs.

“Lighten up? That’s rich coming from you,” Alex shoots back, feigning offense. “At least I don’t start fights over who gets to track and kill the next hunter.”

Katia raises an eyebrow. “Please, I’m just trying to refine our technique. Hunting the hunters is an art form.”

A thrill creeps down my spine following their bickering, a harsh reality check of the world I’m now part of.

Penny, on the other hand, laughs softly, shaking her head. “You’re wasting your time trying to convince him that stalking humans is about finesse. We all know how Operation Julia turned out, don’t we?”

“Worked for me, though,” I mumble under my breath.

“It sure as hell did!” Edwin exclaims, unable to hold his booming laughter anymore, which echoes off the stone walls.

Alex doesn’t find it nearly as funny. “Perhaps you’d like to share how you snatched the pastor’s daughter away on her wedding day, brother?”

“Wait, what?” My mouth drops open as I stare at the couple in front of me.

“I couldn’t let her marry that hunter.” Edwin shrugs it off.

I’m even more dumbfounded. “The pastor’s daughter marrying a hunter being kidnapped by a werewolf?”

“Correct! Also, Daddy was a hunter himself.” Clara giggles.

“Huh. And here I am thinking we had it complicated!” I join in her laughter, and the others follow.

Somehow, the room doesn’t feel cold or frozen still any longer but is filled with joy, and love, and so much life.

It feels like home .