Blossom POVJust as Caleb moved to pull me into another embrace, believing he'd glimpsed tears in my eyes, I gently pulled back. I wasn't entirely sure why I stopped him from embracing me again, but instead, I quietly thanked him for his comforting presence. Reaching up, I straightened the tie that had gone askew during our earlier hug and offered him a sweet, grateful smile. Caleb was a nice, handsome he-werewolf, I realized, even if I didn't feel any romantic attraction toward him. He might not possess the same charisma as Dean, but he had his own appeals, and I found myself wondering for the first time why Caleb hadn't yet chosen a mate.Meanwhile, I remained acutely aware of Dean's presence approaching from behind me. I could always sense his nearness, both through his distinct scent and some inexplicable connection in my mind. Despite knowing he was there, I refrained from turning around; I acted oblivious to his presence. I was still hurt by his behavior the prev
Dean POV.I hadn't endured such a sleepless night in years—certainly not since the days when my beloved Eliza had first been taken from me. Back then, I could hardly eat or sleep for days on end. I felt like a completely different person. Even when we finally found her, guilt and regret tore me apart. I should have protected Eliza, but I let her down. Now, I feel like I've been given a second chance with Blossom, and I can't afford to fail her too.I've always considered myself strong—stronger than most, in fact. It's been part of my identity as the alpha werewolf my entire life. Alongside my physical strength, I've prided myself on the emotional resilience I possess. That emotional strength has made me a better leader, something I strongly believe. Regardless of what I'm going through, I've never allowed my personal struggles to impact my leadership. Yet since Eliza's death, maintaining that balance has become increasingly difficult. Quincy has pointed out
Blossom POV.I watch as Caleb pulls the glass door shut behind him. He remains so calm that I can't help but think he doesn't feel threatened by Dean. I wonder why Dean didn't come right after him; instead, he lingers in the room with me. I had assumed he would speak to his brother before approaching me, but instead, he's left him waiting.With Caleb gone, I sense a shift in the atmosphere, even if it's just slight. I turn to face Dean and am instantly reminded of how incredibly handsome he is. The moment my eyes land on him, my mind drifts back to last night. I felt so connected to him then; somehow, he made me feel confident, and I was surprisingly unafraid and unshy—things I had worried I might feel.As he approaches, I can feel his piercing gaze penetrating my skin, as if he's trying to read my soul. His ice-blue eyes have captivated me since the moment I first saw him a day ago, and nothing has changed. I still feel myself warming up as he draws closer.I can't let him or those m
Blossom POV.Dean never breaks his stride as he approaches the entrance to the meeting room. He understands what his brother, Caleb, is attempting to do—to lift his spirits and distract him from his inner turmoil—but it simply isn't working. Nevertheless, he appreciates Caleb's efforts, reminded that his brother has been the one constant in his life, sharing many of the same experiences since their childhood.Caleb knows Dean better than anyone else. However, at times like this, when Dean feels the urge to close himself off until he can figure things out, it becomes annoying to hear Caleb say things he already knows but refuses to acknowledge. He senses a conversation approaching in their near future, and frankly, he dreads what Caleb will have to say. Yet, a part of him anxiously awaits his brother's advice on what to do next.They reach the meeting room entrance, and Caleb steps ahead to swing the door wide open. The noisy chatter of the gathered men floods through the entrance, jol
Blossom POVI knew every word I spoke was true. I had every right to be upset, and I saw Dean grappling with the weight of my feelings. I speculated whether he had heard about Liza's attempts to seduce him, which would surely infuriate him more than I was already. But how could I possibly know? What exactly did I know?It could have been Liza, I thought. She wouldn't hesitate to fill my head with lies if she had encountered me in the corridor. I didn't know when that might have happened, but I made a mental note to assess the situation. Dean needed to ask Liza to leave the villa, a clear sign to me that he was serious about our marriage, whether I referred to it as "contractual" or not. Hearing that phrase come from my lips made me realize I no longer viewed our relationship that way. When had that changed? It was certainly how I had thought of it from the beginning, but somewhere along the line, my feelings had shifted. Was it after our lovemaking?"I'm sorry you had to go through t
Dean POVI found myself hardly surprised when Caleb interrupted the proceedings we were engaged in. On some subconscious level, I might have even welcomed his interference as a lifeline out of the quagmire I'd found myself in, knowing I wasn't handling things as effectively as usual. As the others quickly scattered, Caleb took the lead, guiding me away from the business complex and back towards the villa, where the privacy of my office awaited our candid conversation."Let's be honest, brother. You need to get a grip on what's happening. What was going on in there?" Caleb queried as we walked. "I've observed as you meticulously laid the groundwork for this meeting over the months, strategizing intelligently at every turn. But today, instead of leading with the decisiveness you're known for, you appeared uncertain and hesitant. That's not the Dean people rely on.""I know," I muttered in return, not meeting his eyes. "You don't have to tell me.""I
Dean POV "I suggested, would it truly be such a challenging admission to acknowledge within yourself the need for love, a genuine yearning for someone who can reciprocate those feelings? You long for a presence to hold once more, brother. I've observed the way your eyes trace her every movement, the anticipation that fills you when she enters a room. In the relatively brief period that Blossom has been here, she's managed to turn your world completely on its head. She's the sole catalyst making you question your steadfast resolution to never fall in love again," Caleb continued earnestly. "I realize this might not be the message you expected or even wanted to hear from me, but no one understands you quite like I do."I fixed my gaze directly on Caleb, who met my eyes confidently without flinching."I suppose," I began, only to pause and release a heavy sigh. "I suppose it all caught me off guard. I never anticipated it would become an issue. Declaring my
Blossom povDean remained utterly captivated by the mere sight of me. The fact that I turned around both times he silently implored me to confirmed a deep, undeniable connection between us—a realization that we could communicate telepathically. This development came as a surprise, happening much sooner than either of us had anticipated, yet it brought Dean a sense of assurance about the feelings he found increasingly difficult to suppress. Such a rare form of communication, he had mused, couldn't possibly stem from mere lust. It had to signify something deeper and more profound about our burgeoning relationship.He had shared with me before how this type of connection took much longer with Eliza, causing a strain between them. Eliza's frustration had been palpable, her words echoing in his mind as she accused him of "not trying hard enough." But here, with me, everything seemed effortless.The other members of the pack who had been milling around the court
Fina POV.Upon deciding to use Aries' money to fulfill Eliza's dream of traveling the world, I, make it clear to the two women traveling with me that they too are entitled to a share. I tell them that wherever we are in the world, without exception, if they want to take their part of the money and separate from me, they are more than welcome to do so.And so, our journey begins, with my net worth sitting comfortably at the upper end of six hundred million dollars. We look over Eliza's itinerary to decide where to start our adventure.We take a private jet from the local airstrip to the old JFK airport in the NYT (New York Territory). Because Dean has always wanted to see Times Square, we stay in NYPT for a few weeks, soaking in the sights. While there, we visit a renowned travel agent who helps us prepare for the trip: we get vaccinated, obtain our passports, learn the ins and outs of currency exchange, and shop for essentials. With everything set, we embark on our journey to South Am
The organization known as the "Royal Werewolf Council," formerly the Royal Central Bank, rose to power as the dominant global government in the aftermath of the Great Werewolf-War. They spearheaded the reconstruction of local government infrastructures worldwide and reorganized the planet's workforce. By channeling investments into these efforts, they also developed a new currency and trade system. It became evident, however, that these investments were part of the Royal Central Bank's long-standing and devious plan. For over a century, they had meticulously orchestrated a scheme to gain global control through manipulation and strategic foresight. Their machinations led to a catastrophic war by providing aid to any country willing to adopt their centralist banking system. By doing so, they patiently awaited a conflict that would persuade nations to turn against one another. As each country became embroiled in conflict, alliances broke, and trade partnerships soured under the manipula
Jovielyn always cherished the arrival of spring. There was something enchanting about a cool spring afternoon, the gentle breeze weaving through the newly sprouting leaves, rousing them from winter’s harsh grip. Magic seemed to linger in the air during this season, which revealed itself on the day she met Virgilio.On that particular day, Jovielyn was by the lakefront outside the castle walls, absorbed in her philosophy book while savoring the fresh air. The castle wasn’t her home back then; it belonged to the Knight family, whom she had never encountered face-to-face—until that day.Virgilio led a group of men on a training run around the lake. She noticed them from across the water but remained unfazed, lounging on the grass beneath a willow tree that draped over the lake. Unbeknownst to them, she was there when Virgilio, at the helm of the exercise, accidentally stumbled over her.His companions continued running, laughing at the scene, but Virgilio stopped, feeling the need to apo
Blossom POV As I entered the dining room, my heart raced at the sight of Alejandro in the midst of a business meeting with a group of dubious-looking individuals. He seemed entirely caught off guard by our unexpected arrival. A smile flickered across his face as he muttered something beneath his breath, waiting for us to approach. With a façade that was more unsettling than charming, he nervously ran his fingers through his mustache and exclaimed, "My lovely niece and her Alpha mate! How delightful to see you both! It feels like an eternity since we last met." Dean, not one to tolerate his pretense, interjected bluntly, "Even that would be far too soon." I couldn't help but chuckle at my mate's humor, but I quickly focused on the real reason we had come to Alejandro's home. I glared at the man who had once wielded enough power to manipulate me, the man who had stolen everything from both me and Diana for his self-serving gain. Alejandro had become the bane of my existence, and now
Blossom POV The steamy air of the villa's shower enveloped us, a sanctuary of warmth and intimacy. Dean and I had teleported here before picking up our son, a desperate need for cleansing outweighing everything else. We stood together, the hot water cascading over our bodies, washing away the remnants of a nightmarish ordeal. It was the first time in ages we'd shared a shower, and the intimacy of it was intoxicating. Dean's hands, rough and strong, traced the curves of my body, a silent language of love and longing. I, in turn, ran my fingers across his solid midsection, a familiar comfort that ignited a fire within us. We were a whirlwind of emotions, a symphony of desire and desperation. The remnants of the night clung to us, a grim reminder of the horrors we'd faced. We scrubbed away the blood, the brain matter, the unknown fluids that had stained our skin. The thick soap lathered our bodies, a cleansing ritual that transcended the physical. It was a shared experience, a testam
Blossom POV In just a matter of seconds, the atmosphere in the courthouse transformed dramatically. The once-bustling room was now filled with an eerie stillness as everyone present found themselves completely paralyzed by my voice. Just moments before the Primary Elder's heart would have collapsed within his thoracic cavity, I abruptly halted my song, sensing the urgency of the moment. Dean then stepped in, his voice adopting a firm yet fatherly tone as he addressed the assembly of Elders. "You have a choice, Councilmen," he declared, his presence commanding attention. "You can either come forward, bow before us, and kiss our feet, renouncing any semblance of power you believe you may still possess—this is a courtesy we are under no obligation to extend to you. Alternatively, you can relinquish all the minuscule authority that resides within your frail, sagging bodies right here in front of everyone assembled today. You have ten seconds to make your decision. Choose wisely. Ten."
Blossom POV "Baby... baby!!!" I exclaimed in a frantic voice, slapping Dean gently across the face while pouring water over his head in an effort to jolt him awake. He finally sat up, a dazed expression crossing his features, and I could see that everyone present at the tournament stared at him with an incredulous blend of astonishment and curiosity. It only took a moment for him to realize his vulnerability, the reality of his complete nudity hitting him hard. He turned to me, confusion etched on his face, and asked, "What happened?" "You got tangled up in a clinch with Tristan over there," I explained, my voice steady, though I was bursting with emotions. "He managed to break away and put you into a headlock. You refused to tap out, and the moment you lost consciousness, you shifted. I was terrified—you almost turned Tristan into your next meal. Thankfully, after shifting, you seemed to remain out cold, but it looked like you were trapped in one hell of a nightmare." As I assess
Blossom POV As the referee signals the start of the match, Dean adopts a loose but balanced stance to counter whatever strategy this man may employ. His opponent firmly squares up in a southpaw Muay Thai stance and begins to close the distance slowly. Determined not to be overpowered right away, Dean begins to hop around a bit, attempting to distract the man and disrupt his line of sight. However, his efforts prove ineffective; the man stays locked on him, advancing steadily with resolve. Recognizing that this competitor will not back down easily, Dean makes a split-second decision: he mirrors the man's Muay Thai stance and braces himself to absorb the oncoming jabs. Utilizing his slightly larger build to his advantage, Dean manages to clinch with the man, forcing him to the ground. Once both men hit the floor, Dean gains a dominant position, achieving full mount before spinning around to take his opponent's back. It quickly becomes apparent that his challenger lacks proficiency i
Blossom POV Several of the men who have gathered here tonight show little interest in assuming a leadership role. Many of them are elderly war veterans who have transitioned into political positions over the course of their lives. Dean takes the initiative to approach them, inquiring whether they would like to take on the role of referees for the matches. To his delight, most of them readily accept the offer, as it allows them to remain actively involved in this significant event. They genuinely appreciate Dean's inclusive approach, which values their experience and contributions. With everything now set into motion and every participant prepared, the first round of combat begins. Dean has decided that he will join the matches during the third round, as he is presently occupied with assisting Caleb in organizing the matchups and deciding on the proper measures for when the sun sets. As I watch, I observe Dean glancing towards Caleb, who is smiling as he surveys the crowd and the f