Chapter 197

Third Person POV

Maeve had completely passed out; her heart rate had decreased significantly, and her breathing was shallow. She was too weak to have given birth to an Enigma without consequences to her own health. Eric knew this and couldn’t believe what was happening.

The woman tried hard to clean her up and keep her conscious but to no prevail. Her eyes were sad as she roamed over Maeve’s tired form, her head shaking sadly as she worked hard.

“Please, tell me she’s going to be okay,” Eric pleaded, his eyes never leaving Maeve’s paling face.

“It’s hard to tell,” she said softly. “She’s very strong. Most would be dead by now, but she’s holding on. It would be a lot easier if she were marked.”

Eric’s wolf pushed him forward, wanting to claim her as their own. Despite Maeve not being their true mate, his wolf still accepted her and wanted her. She was in the same boat as them; an unwanted child and raised in the shadows. Her fiery red hair, which she was forced to conceal her entire life, was now vibrant and falling around her in soft waves; her face was pale, but there was still a slight flush to her nose and cheeks. She was gorgeous in every possible way and now she was a mother.

He touched her face gently, feeling the warmth of her flesh and then his fingers trailed down to her neckline, feeling her light pulse. It was so light that it was barely even there, which tugged at his heart even more, making him feel waves of guilt.

It was his fault she had to give birth in this kind of condition. His fault that she wasn’t with her true mate. He could fix this; he could give her a chance at life. She could learn to love him just as she loves Xaden. His mark on her neck would help with that as well. He felt his teeth elongating, his desires for her growing and clouding over everything else. His heart hammered in his chest as he moved closer to her, her scent engulfing him in intoxicating waves.

He felt his wolf surging forward, ready to claim their chosen mate and protect her from the world. They would do anything for her and Eric was ready to be the man that she deserved. He was finally getting what he wanted…

He lowered himself to her neckline, brushing his lips across her delicate flesh, feeling her warmth and basking in her sweet scent. He took a deep breath and released it, shuddering. He pressed a gentle kiss to her pulse point, his elongated teeth brushing across her marking spot, ready and waiting to sink into her, claiming her as his forever.

Her movement was delicate, but it was there. She was presenting her neck to him, waiting for his mark and it sent a thrill down her spine. It was like her body was subconsciously preparing her to be claimed by him.

But her whispered word caused him to freeze.

“Xaden…”

His heart plummeted in an instant. It wasn’t Eric she wanted… it wasn’t Eric she thought was by her side, ready to make her.

It was Xaden…

Of course it was Xaden.

The others all watched around them, their eyes flickering to one another with unease on their faces.

Eric thought about just forcing his mark on her despite her whispered word; despite what she wanted. She would learn to love him… she would learn to trust him. Her wolf would soon start to crave his wolf and it’ll be beautiful in every sense of the way.

But then there was another part of him, a larger part, that told him that this was wrong. She wasn’t his to claim and she never would be. She would hate him and never speak to him again, despite the mark.

That large part of him kept telling him that he was a monster for even considering such a thing.

He pulled back, seeing her face and his brows furrowed.

He looked at the witches around them and then at the woman who was helping Maeve. He stood up abruptly and ran his fingers through his hair.

“I have to go,” he said, pulling his wolf back with force.

Before any of them could protest, he was already taking off.

Meanwhile Xaden was fighting a group of strong bears with his brother, Mia, and some of the other Vixens. They were strong, but as the darkness started to clear and the power diminished, he noticed the bears getting weaker. Their confusion was clear, and Xaden used that as his opportunity to strike.

Unbeknownst to him, since his Enigma son was just born, the universe and the Moon Goddess had chosen him as the new King; he no longer needed his brother’s votes/approval. He inherited the powers of the Alpha King, and he was now stronger than ever.

Lucas watched in amazement as Xaden tore through the bears as if they were nothing.

“Why couldn’t he just that to begin with?” Mia asked, also in amazement.

“Something has changed…” Lucas said, his brows furrowed. “He’s more powerful than he was. Do you see his aura changing?”

Mia narrowed her eyes, watching Xaden tear through even stronger bears, making his way to their leader with ease. His wolf was fully in charge and his wolf was more powerful than ever.

Henry soon joined with Sarah, his hand grasping her protectively. Lucas saw them approaching and raised his brows at his oldest brother.

“Been busy?” Lucas asked.

“Could ask you the same,” Henry asked, motioning towards Xaden who was going off, his aura stronger than ever and his wolf going mad.

“Yeah, we aren’t exactly sure what’s going on,” Lucas admitted, frowning as he watched Xaden.

Soon, Xaden had sought out the Bear King, he was busy rounding up more women with some of his other men, laughing as he did so. The sight of them pissed Xaden off immensely. When the Bear King noticed him, his eyes darkened and he let out a low and deadly growl, shifting into bear form. His form was huge and towered over Xaden easily, though he wasn’t as strong as Xaden, he was certainly larger.

“Should we help him?” Mia asked, her warriors also started to gather around, along with Nicholas who had returned to the fight after dropping Cole and Charlotte off at the palace; his warriors were also starting to gather around, or at least what was left of his warriors. There were still a good amount, but not nearly as much as there were when this thing started.

“He’s strong,” Lucas said. “He might not need our help.”

“Did he kill all these bears?” Nicholas asked with raised brows. “By himself?”

Lucas and Mia nodded.

“Yeah, it was crazy,” Mia breathed. “Almost all the bears are dead now.”

Movement beside them averted their attention; Lucas’ eyes widened when he saw Eric approaching them.

Nicholas grabbed his weapon and was about to take a defensive stance; Henry started to growl, his wolf growing agitated by his brother’s presence. It was Lucas who had jumped in their path before they attacked Eric.

“He’s not our enemy anymore,” Lucas told them quickly.

“The hell he isn’t,” Henry growled. “He started this whole thing! This is his fault!”

“No,” Lucas said fiercely, glaring at his eldest brother. “Our father was the reason for this. It was his stupid rules… his killing sprees… his actions that caused these consequences. If there is anyone to blame, it is the King.”

“I’m not here to fight with any of you,” Eric said, holding his hands up in surrender. “You are right… I started this and I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t mean much… but I didn’t realize what I was doing, the damage I was causing.”

In the background, they could hear Xaden and the Bear King fighting. Some of Nicholas’s and Mia’s warriors went to help him with the leftover bears while Xaden focused on the King.

“I need to talk to him,” Eric said, his eyes fixed on Xaden. “It’s important.”

“He’s kind of in the middle of something,” Nicholas said, following his gaze to Xaden.

“Yeah, if you hadn’t noticed, he kind of kicking ass,” Lucas agreed.

“That’s the thing,” Eric said. “He’s the new Alpha King. He inherited the King’s abitlies.”

This got all their attention; Henry’s eyes narrowed.

“What are you talking about?” Henry asked. “How is that possible?”

“Maeve had the baby,” Eric told them, making them all suck in a sharp breath. “He’s an Enigma, which means he was chosen by universe and the Goddess. He’s the rightful King until his son is of age.”

“That explains the sudden power surge,” Lucas murmured.

“And his aura change,” Mia agreed.

They all turned when they heard the howl of the bear king; it sounded painful and strangled. Xaden’s wolf was covered in blood and the bear was falling to the ground with a thud. Xaden didn’t stop there though; he wasn’t going to stop until the King was done moving and struggling. He continued his attack until the Bear King was nothing but a pile of mush on the ground.

Xaden let out a furious growl; his body still trying to process the changes as he turned into the Alpha King officially. His eyes were wild, and it seemed he was having trouble settling down his wolf.

Most of the bears were dead, just as the Bear King was.

Nicholas and his men went to patrol for more bears and to clear out the rest of the kingdom. Mia and her warriors went to check for survivors.

Eric went to Xaden, who was struggling with his control and getting his mentality back, trying not to lose himself fully to his wolf.

“Xaden!” Eric yelled to his brother, trying to get him to focus on his words. “You need to come back to us, it’s an emergency.”

Xaden snarled and snapped; his eyes wild.

“It’s Maeve!” Eric continued, finally getting Xaden’s attention at the sound of his mate's name. “She had the baby. She’s in bad shape. You need to go to her.”

Xaden’s wolf’s eyes flashed and then suddenly Xaden was shifting back into his human form, panting wildly. ‘

“Where is she??” He growled. “Take me to her!”