The Wolf (Everdark Tales #2)

15.

Queen

O utside at the edge of the pine forest, the air is crisp and filled with the scent of burning wood, fragrant herbs, and damp earth. As the bonfire crackles merrily, its flames contrast against the backdrop of the emerald and purple sky, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Lanterns dangle from nearby trees, casting a flickering light over the gathering, while the fire’s warmth wraps around us like a comforting embrace. A long table draped in luxurious cloth overflows with an abundance—roasted meats, hearty stews, spiced bread, and trays of vibrant fruits and veggies. Laughter and music surround the space as the entire village celebrates the cycle of life and death.

The Samhain festivities come alive when the witches, dressed in flowing robes of midnight black, circle the fire, their faces painted with symbols of protection and remembrance. Their movements are hypnotic, an enchanting dance that resonates with the very heartbeat of the earth. They sway and spin, invoking the spirits of their ancestors, their voices rising in a haunting chant that echoes through the trees, summoning the energies of the soil and the ancient magic that courses beneath our feet. The flames blaze higher, illuminating their figures and creating long ghostly shadows that dance alongside them across the ivy-covered castle walls as though the spirits themselves have joined the celebration.

Meg drags me away from Alex and takes me to the table to refill our wine glasses. We stand off to the side, near the edge of the gathering. From here, we have a perfect view of Clara, who’s sitting on a log near the fire, tucked snugly under Edwin’s arm. Her two boys are wrestling jokingly with each other next to them. Clara scolds them half-heartedly, her voice a mixture of sternness and affection, and when Edwin leans down to murmur something in her ear, she giggles bashfully.

“They’re cute, aren’t they?” I say, watching the scene unfold. It’s a slice of normalcy that feels so rare in recent chaos.

Meg tilts her head, considering. “It’s very sweet,” she admits in a cautious voice. “But aren’t you a little concerned she might have developed, I don’t know… Stockholm syndrome?”

The question takes me by surprise. “No,” I respond without hesitation. “I get how difficult it can be to understand, but it’s real. This whole fated mate thing. I didn’t buy it at first, either… Then I felt it. And it’s not just some bullshit that was written in the stars long before we ever met… it’s this soul-deep connection because we chose each other.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be offensive,” she says, her tone softer now. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around it. I mean… he’s a wolf-type-of-creature.” Meg glances toward the fire where Alex is standing, tall and imposing, with that effortless confidence, the flames illuminating his beastly features with a warm glow. She shakes her head, then takes a huge gulp of wine, and turns back to me, furrowing. “Oh, come on. You must realize it’s a bit jarring.”

I laugh, the sound bubbling up unexpectedly, and it feels good to release some of the tension. “The sex is amazing.” I grin, leaning in conspiratorially, and Meg’s eyes widen.

Across from us, Alex’s ears perk up and he lifts his head slightly, his golden gaze catching mine. A slow, knowing smirk curves his lips, and I realize with a flush of heat that he’s heard every word. Typical.

I roll my eyes at him playfully before facing Meg again. “You know, he has a human form.” I smile at the image of his chiseled face imprinted on my brain. “And he just happens to be the sexiest man to ever exist.” But then my stare drifts back to Alex in his werewolf form, and something softer takes hold of me. My voice lowers, the words catching in my throat, carrying the weight of emotions I’ve only recently started to understand. “It’s more than that, though. It’s the way he makes me feel. Like I’m the most precious thing in the world. And when he looks at me, it’s like I’m the center of everything. Like he’d do anything to protect me, to make me happy.”

Meg watches me closely, her expression unreadable but her eyes reflecting a flicker of curiosity, even longing.

“I can truly be comfortable in my own body because he loves everything about me. All the imperfections, all the parts of myself I’ve ever doubted… he sees them as something to cherish. It’s like I’m allowed to be the most raw version of me—flaws and all, every messy, broken part. And he wouldn’t want me any other way. He doesn’t just accept it. He finds it beautiful and always makes sure I feel beautiful.” The words come easier now, tumbling out as I try to put the impossible into words. “With him, there’s no second-guessing, no wondering if I’m enough. He doesn’t play games. And there’s this peace in never having to lie awake worrying if he’s out getting wasted at a bar or… off somewhere cheating on me. He’d never hurt me. Never betray me.” I smile softly, my vision getting watery. “It’s just… safe. Not boring safe, but the kind where you know you’re loved so deeply that you never have to question it. He’s steady in a way I’ve never experienced before, like a foundation I can trust. Always.”

For a moment, the only sound is the distant crackle of the fire and the hum of the celebration around us.

Then I add, “It’s not perfect, and it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Every single moment.”

Meg’s full lips press together as she looks away, her fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “That’s—” She clears her throat. “That’s amazing, Julia.”

I laugh lightly, feeling a blush creep up my neck as my heart squeezes. “Yeah, it really is.” I nod. “He’s everything…” My voice wavers as I glance back at Alex, and our eyes meet. That smirk still lingers, but it softened into something gentler, something just for me. I recognize the tenderness behind his gaze. I know deep down that I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life but him.

Suddenly, a profound silence descends. Every sound, every movement stills. The weight of an immense aura rolls over the space like a tide, and I feel it in my chest—a heavy, pressing force that demands attention. Almost suffocating.

I freeze, my breath caught somewhere in my throat, and my heart pounds as if it knows who’s coming before my mind can catch up. “Be cool. Be cool. Be cool,” I mutter, nudging Meg. My cheeks are already flushing hot, a telltale I can’t control.

And then he appears—Mr. Satan himself.

As he strides into the garden, his movements unhurried, each step deliberate and graceful. He radiates power and authority so absolute as though gravity has shifted, pulling everyone’s focus to him without effort. All eyes are on him, conversations forgotten, and every soul around turns instinctively toward the figure who now commands the space.

He’s dressed impeccably in robes. The firelight catches on his sharp features—the chiseled clean-cut jaw, the piercing eyes, the long hair flowing like platinum silk behind him. It’s in the way he carries himself—straight-backed, proud, untouchable. His gaze sweeps over the garden, cold and calculating, yet smirking faintly, as if he finds the moment amusing. And I can tell he relishes the attention.

“Damn!” Meg exclaims under her breath, staring at him star-eyed.

“I know,” I whisper back, biting my lip nervously.

As if hearing us—of course, he does— the corner of his mouth tilts upward in a wicked grin. Then, slowly, like a predator acknowledging prey, he turns his head and looks straight at us. With his glowing eyes locked onto mine, he strides over while I’m trying not to pass out.

“Hi, kitten,” he says smoothly, his voice velvet and menace all in one as he takes a seat near us.

I can feel Alex’s anger ignite, a blazing flame that matches the bonfire. My eyes flicker toward him, and the tension in his frame is unmistakable. He’s holding himself back, but barely.

Meg pulls me a few steps away. “I don’t normally go for the blonde dudes,” she murmurs, her voice low but still audible to me—likely to Satan as well… and jealous Alex, who for sure is eavesdropping. “But he’s fine! Who’s that?” She has no idea.

“Well…” I hesitate, struggling to find the words to explain.

Thankfully, Clara shows up at my side, her timing uncanny as always. She doesn’t wait for me to fumble through an explanation. Instead, she quotes, her voice steady and dramatic:

“‘And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.’”

Meg’s jaw drops. “What the fuck?”

“Yep, that’s right.” Clara nods as if explaining something as ordinary as the weather. “And don’t even bother, hun. He’s not interested.”

“Like, he doesn’t… um, at all?” I ask, genuinely curious now.

Clara shrugs. “I don’t think he can. From what I’ve heard, his human body is just a masquerade. Have you seen how massive his dragon form is? That wouldn’t… work with a human.”

Before I can process what she’s saying, Satan leans in over me, materializing next to us, his presence sending a shiver down my spine. “That’s an interesting theory,” he says, his voice rich with entertainment.

“Geez!” Meg squeals, nearly dropping her wine glass.

Satan’s grin grows wider, and he tosses his head. “Not quite.” He turns his attention to Clara, and something close to warmth appears in his expression. “You must be beside yourself having not one, but two new faces around.”

“I am indeed!” She brightens.

“And how’s Willow? I was hoping she’d join us for the ritual.”

“She’s well, thank you. Just busy bein’ the best student of her year.”

The exchange seems completely normal between them, like old friends catching up—which is pure irony, considering Clara’s strict Christian upbringing. Then again, she’s been here for over half a century. She raised her children in the Veil.

“Good for her.” He nods approvingly. “As long as she’s still practicing… is she?”

“Of course. She knows her place in the coven.”

Magic . They’re talking about magic—or rather witchcraft. I’ve learned that Willow, as Edwin’s daughter and Alex’s niece, comes from one of the oldest and most powerful witch bloodlines. Dahlia, after all, was a pretty big deal among supernatural beings.

How in the hell am I supposed to take her place as Queen?

Satan’s stare flickers back to me, his voice smoother and deeper as he greets me. “Julia. Looking gorgeous as always.”

I hear Alex’s growl from a distance, and Satan laughs cockily.

I giggle after him. “Don’t antagonize him.”

Finally, his gaze settles on Meg, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “And who do we have here?”

Being her bold self, she twirls her ponytail flirtatiously over her shoulder. “Meg,” she says, her voice dropping seductively into a raspy whisper. She leans forward just slightly, pushing out her perfect cleavage. “So… does it work?”

I choke on the air. My eyes widen, and I try to signal her to stop with an awkward shake of my head, but it’s too late.

Satan’s smirk sharpens. “Would you like to find out?” he teases, leaning closer. Meg’s cheeks flush, but she doesn’t back away. She gives him a coy smile instead, batting her eyelashes.

His nose almost brushes the top of her head and he inhales deeply, scenting her hair. “Fate has a mate for you,” he says, his voice almost gentle. “Be patient.”

Meg blinks, momentarily stunned into silence. Then, with a sheepish laugh, she pulls back, clearly caught off guard by his words.

Satan straightens, casting one last amused glance between us. “Carry on, ladies.” And with that, his attention shifts elsewhere, like a storm moving on to its next target. But the weight of his presence lingers, even as the fire crackles back to life and the sounds of the celebration slowly resume around us.

“Well, that was… intense ,” Meg mutters, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.

I nod wordlessly, my heart still hammering in my chest. Alex’s eyes meet mine, burning with both protectiveness and warning.

Seriously? I shake my head at him, smiling.

Then I turn my stare to Meg. “He might be right, though.”

She purses her lips. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh, will you stop that already!” Clara scoffs, and it’s evident she’s holding out stronger words.

I roll my eyes and leave them to it, heading toward Alex to tease him a little. But Penny stops me on my way, yanking me to the nearest empty log.

“Finally! I’ve been trying to catch a moment with you the entire evening.” Her terrifying eyes twinkle, and the words start spilling out so quickly that I can barely keep up. “Actually, it’s long overdue. I know we didn’t get a chance to talk ever since you got here. But I promise we’ll have a sister bonding session after we return from Nevada.”

I need a second before replying, “Yeah, that sounds great.” I don’t recognize my voice. I was so stressed out she would keep me at a distance—a ridiculous kind of worry since she’s always been so warm to me, just busy like the rest of the family.

“How are you enjoying yourself?” she asks, her voice lighter, and there’s something softer in her gaze as she looks at me.

“Surprisingly, I’m having a lot of fun, though it’s unlike any Halloween party I’ve ever been to.” I joke, glancing around at the gathering. Everyone seems so at ease, the night full of life, despite the emotions running so high regarding tomorrow. I look back at Penny, my curiosity piqued. “Is this the only holiday you guys celebrate?”

She laughs gently, her fangs gleaming in the firelight. “Not at all, we have so many. Yule is our biggest celebration.”

I furrow. “Like, Christmas?”

“Right.” She nods, chuckling still. “The Roman Empire turned Saturnalia into something it’s not, and with time, even more pagan traditions were added to form what the mortals now recognize as Christmas . But what it really is,” she pauses, her voice dropping slightly, “is Satan’s birthday.”

I blink repeatedly, trying to wrap my head around the idea. “Satan’s what?”

Her smile widens mischievously. “Yeah, the Winter Solstice, or rather the rebirth of the sun god. That’s when it all started in ancient times.”

“Huh. Don’t tell me you celebrate Easter too?”

“Well, we don’t because of who it’s for. But it’s also a pagan holiday.”

“You have to tell me now.” I raise my brows, waiting.

“It used to be one of the biggest festivals in Babylon held around spring equinox, celebrating a renewal of life with many fertility rituals to worship goddess Ishtar… you may know her better as Lilith.” She leans in, as if sharing a little secret. “And trust me, those rituals weren’t exactly family-friendly like egg hunting.”

I suck in my breath. “Are we talking, orgies and stuff?”

“Oh, yeah, she’s a total freak.”

I fall quiet, digesting new information. It’s a bit strange to hear about it recontextualized like that. But I suppose, in a world like this, nothing’s shocking.

Penny watches me intently in silence. After a moment, her voice softens when she changes the subject. “You know, I’ve never seen my brother this happy.”

I look at her, surprised. “Alex?”

She nods, a tender smile tugging at her lips. “Yes. He’s never been so… alive, I guess. Not like this.”

Her words hit me unexpectedly, and I feel my chest tighten. I glance over at Alex, his eyes already locked on me, even though he’s currently mid-conversation with Farah. And somehow, even across the distance, I can feel him. There’s a deep comfort in the way he looks at me, a quiet assurance that speaks more than words ever could.

“Alexander, unlike Edwin, spent most of the time outside the Veil during his human life. I wasn’t even born then yet, but I’ve heard so much from our parents. Apparently, my big brother wasn’t always this alpha wolf… or whatever. Can you believe that?” She chuckles softly. “He even finished a degree. If I remember correctly, it was in natural philosophy, though he never talks about it. Cambridge University in England, I think?”

“Really?” I raise an eyebrow. “Alex, studying at Cambridge?”

“He had a mind that couldn’t be contained and was trying to understand the world, to figure out where he fit into it. For a while, he did what many of us do—he blended in. But there’s no room for us in the world of humans. Werewolves in particular.”

I hadn’t heard much about his life before he first shifted. The thought of Alex as a young man, living amongst humans, studying at a university—it’s such a contrast to the King I know now. It’s a side of him I never really imagined, but it explains so much. I’ve seen glimpses of that deep, thoughtful, more vulnerable part of him that isn’t just the cold leader and fierce protector, even if he tries to hide it behind his strength. And, maybe it’s that balance between the two that draws me in. I love him for it. All of it.

Penny’s voice breaks through my racing thoughts. “I think it’s part of what made him so smitten with you. You make him feel… like he’s not just this beast. You help him remember who he was. Before. It’s so easy for us to lose our humanity. But you keep him tethered to that part of him he buried down so deeply.”

I glance over at Alex, my heart swelling in a way that makes it hard to breathe. I understand her words on a much deeper level than I expected. “I can see that.” I smile without thinking, my eyes burn with unshed tears. “I can tell.”

A sharp voice cuts into our conversation from behind. “I hope you’re not getting all sappy about your brother, Pen. It’s kind of embarrassing.” Katia’s tone is as sarcastic as ever, though her eyes gleam with amusement as she approaches, looking simply elegant in the flickering light from the bonfire.

Penny shoots her a side-eye. “You’re such a joy to be around,” she says dryly.

“Someone has to be,” Katia responds with a wry smile, sitting on the opposite side of me. “Penny’s always a sucker for a good love story,” she says, voice dripping with teasing affection. “But, really, are we sure Alexander is that happy? I’ve seen him scowl before, you know.”

We all laugh while Alex glares at us, folding his arms over his chest, annoyed, still deep in discussion with Farah.

Katia flicks a strand of chocolate hair over her shoulder as she looks at me. “I’ll admit, he’s so into you. I can’t remember the last time I saw him this… distracted. He’s usually so damn serious, but you’ve got him wrapped around your finger.”

I shrug, trying to keep it light. “I guess he’s a little soft on me.”

“ A little ? That’s an understatement,” she snarks. “It’s honestly unbecoming of him.”

“Which is a good thing,” Penny quickly adds.

“Sure. I didn’t think Julia would survive the other night, and yet, you’re still here. He must be doing something right.”

I chuckle nervously, a bit taken off guard by how direct she is.

Yet, she keeps at it. “But can we agree it wasn’t your brightest moment to go into that dungeon?”

“Give her a break, Kat. She’s doing just fine.” Penny shakes her head, clearly used to her lack of sugarcoating.

Katia looks at me with a more serious gaze. “I’m glad you two found each other. Well, I’m… accepting of it, anyway. Could be worse for you. He’s fine … for a mongrel.” She gives me a wink that feels oddly approving, despite the biting tone. “However, please remember that werewolves are unpredictable. Especially during the full moon.”

“Will do.” I practically salute, knowing damned well nothing can stop me if it comes to him. “Did he put you up to this?”

“As if I’d ever do him any favors!” She laughs cynically.

When she gets serious, she stares at me intensely for a long moment before her smile flickers, and for the briefest of seconds, I catch a glimpse of something darker in her blood-red eyes.

Her gaze shifts away, staring into the fire as though it holds some private memory. “I was born over half a millennium ago in the medieval Balkans, back when times were less certain and yet felt much simpler. You know, I had a life before… all of this. A future. A family.” She says it with a casualness that doesn’t quite match the heaviness in her voice. “Until they were all slaughtered. A werewolf pack—rabid, out of control—decimated everything I loved.”

The words hang in the air like a heavy fog as I process the weight of them.

“I was the only one who survived. Barely. A nomadic vampire found me just in time. He was drawn to the blood—so much of it spilled—and he healed me… I remember the pain from the bite, even worse than the damage done to my body by the werewolves. Then he made me drink from his vein, and when I turned hours later, he was already gone.” She shrugs, as though it’s a thing of little consequence. “The hunters showed up next. They thought I was the monster who ripped my family to shreds. And I was on the run ever since. That’s the price of survival, I guess.”

I don’t know what to say to that. There’s so much loss in her story, but I can’t find the right response.

Her eyes meet mine again, and for a moment, there’s an unspoken understanding between us. Then, as quickly as it came, the moment passes, and Katia’s smirk returns, sharp as ever. “I’m just letting you know that I’ve seen what werewolves can do. And I know it’s not Alexander, but even his control has limits. It only takes a split second for a freak accident.”

I swallow, an uncomfortable churn in my stomach. “Noted.”

“Very well then.” Katia gives us both one last look and heads off.

Penny turns to me, a small smile playing on her lips. “She’s something, isn’t she?”

“She definitely isn’t shy to express her opinion,” I agree.

“But she has pure intentions,” Penny adds, her tone softening. “She’s just… Katia . She’s protective, in her own way. She’s been through a lot, Julia.”

“I figured as much.”

Penny hesitates for a moment, her expression distant, as if lost in thought. “Kat doesn’t like talking about her past, but she’s seen centuries pass, you know? She’s much older even than Alexander. We welcomed her in the Veil only about two hundred years ago… The two of us quickly fell for each other, she turned me, and we settled down. But before that, life was a different kind of hard for her. It wasn’t all bonfires and banter like this.”

I nod. It’s difficult to imagine Katia as anything but her sharp, unbothered self, but I know there’s more to her. I always knew. And how incredibly strong she is.

“She doesn’t like people getting close, not really,” Penny continues, glancing back at Katia slipping into the crowd with her usual aloof charm. “But she’s loyal, especially to those she cares about. And, despite how she acts, she does care. She’s just been around too long to trust easily. Not everyone gets a second chance with her.” Penny smiles warmly, her hand brushing against mine. “She likes you a lot, you know.”

“I do too,” I respond quickly. “All of you are so wonderfully welcoming.”

“Of course! That’s what family is for!” She studies my face for a moment, her eyes softening with emotion. “I’m glad you’re here, Julia. With us. You’re so good for my brother.”

“Stop, you’re making me cry.” I give her a hug overtaken by feelings. “I’m so glad to be here,” I say softly, my heart full in a way I can’t explain.

I realize how much more there is to this strange little family I’ve found myself in, and I’m so excited for the future.

Then, once again, it hits me that it may be the last time we are all together like this.

My glossy from tears eyes wander around, taking the moment in. As the festivities continue, the bonfire crackles, and the hum of conversation and laughter fills the air. But almost as if sensing someone watching me, I look up. There, high on top of the castle’s cathedral tower, I notice a dark outline—there’s no mistaking the curve of the pointed horns and sharp peaks of the wings.

Perhaps the gargoyle is not that anti-social.