LOGINLily POVI stood up abruptly, needing to move, to pace, to do something with the nervous energy flooding through me. "So let me get this straight. If I accept Nathan as my Sovereign Guardian, I give up any chance of having a normal life, of finding a true mate, of choosing my own path. But if I reject the bond, I give up any chance of fulfilling my destiny, of helping my people, of being who I'm meant to be.""I know it's not fair," Uncle Tobias said quietly. "O
Lily POVCeleste's arm was steady around my shoulders as we descended the stairs, her presence grounding me when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control. My legs felt weak, like they might give out at any moment, and I was grateful for her support.We'd just reached the bottom of the staircase when Uncle Tobias's voice stopped us.
Lily POVRunning footsteps echoed through the hallway, followed by a familiar voice calling my name. "Lily! Lily, where are you?"Celeste burst through the broken doorway, her eyes wild with panic. Uncle Tobias was right behind her, his face grim and worried.When Celeste saw me on the floor, she immediately drop
Lily POVThe door handle turned once. Then twice. Then again, more forcefully.Nathan and I stood frozen in the center of his bedroom, our eyes locked on that slowly turning handle. My heart hammered so hard against my ribcage that I thought it might break through. Nathan had positioned himself slightly in front of me, his body tense and ready to fight.
Lily POV"I didn't mean it has to happen now or anything," Nathan added quickly, misreading my silence. "I know it's way too soon to be talking about this. I just wanted you to know that when I think about my future now, I see you in it. In every part of it."I turned in his arms to face him fully, setting the mug of tea down on the balcony railing. Then I kissed him, pouring all the gratitude and affection and desperate need to feel wanted into that kiss.
Lily POVI was curled deep into Nathan's arms, my body fitting against his like we were two puzzle pieces designed to connect. The room was dark except for the faint moonlight streaming through the window, casting silver shadows across the bed. We'd spent the evening making out, kissing until our lips were swollen and our breathing was ragged, touching each other with growing urgency.But when things had started moving toward something more intimate, something had stopped me. Some invisible wall I couldn't quite name had made me pull back, and I'd whispered that I wasn't ready yet.I'd expected disappointment. Maybe even frustration. But Nathan had simply kissed my forehead and said, "We have all the time in the world. I'm not going anywhere."That response had made me want to cry with relief. He respected my boundaries without making me feel guilty about them. After everything I'd been through with Kai – the rejection, the pain, the constant feeling of not being enough – Nathan's pat
Kai POVCeleste was lounging in my office, looking at something on her phone with a smile on her face.All week, the only thing I’ve been thinking about was how to be alone with Lily without anyone knowing. It seems that even the most private lounge in restaurants all had eyes and ears that might repo
Lily POVAn hour later, we were in the living room, eating from a box of pizza and watching TV but I was hardly seeing what was on the screen. My body was still humming from the aftermath of the intimacy I shared with Kai earlier.Plus sitting next to him now… our thighs occasionally rubbing, our hand
Lily POVAll my life, I’ve done everything by the books, maybe it was time to break that stifling yoke. Today, I’ll only feed on my desires and nothing else.Swallowing hard, I pushed myself from the wall and walked towards him. When I reached him, I inhaled sharply, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, an
Kai POV“Lily please,” I tried to reach for her but she backed away from my touch. “Let me fix this.”My mind played the conversation I had with Lily over and over again, each time, the memory seemed more vivid than it had been. The pain in her eyes clearer each time it flits into my mind.I paced my o







