Blossom POV
Suddenly, Dean felt a strong urge to keep me close, safeguarding me from the world's harm. My sweetness and innocence fueled his protective instincts. He realized he should have shielded me from Liza and wondered if I had encountered her after he sent her away from Eliza's room.
I was contemplating Dean's words when I felt his arms wrap around me, holding me protectively. The security of his embrace soothed me more than anything else that day, or perhaps it was finally hearing the truth in his own words. I realized I needed to place my trust in Dean, rather than others. I was relieved to hear that Liza would soon be leaving the villa.
As Dean and I lay together, his arms holding me, we each became absorbed in our own thoughts. I continued to process his explanation of the previous night, willing myself to believe him completely. Initially, I thought I could. It was a relief to finally hear him speak about that night, answering questions I had been lo
Blossom POV.Liza knew exactly how to exploit my vulnerabilities. She understood just where my insecurities lay when it came to Dean. Once she found my weak spot, she knew how to press it, cutting deep and mercilessly.Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by Dean's voice. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you," he said. "I need to leave for a business trip shortly and won't be back until tomorrow."Dean tried to sound casual, though I could sense he wished he had given me more notice. It was one of the reasons he sought me out earlier when he found me in the breakfast room with Caleb. Things hadn't gone as planned then, and he'd been looking for the right moment to tell me since. He could have mentioned it sooner, but being caught up in our shared moments distracted him. The timing was less than ideal, he realized, but hopefully, he had soothed my worries. I was naive and innocent, and he knew he needed to be more mindful of what might unsettle me to avoid th
Blossom POVI watched Caleb and Dean talking, and then saw Caleb walk away, his head lowered. I hoped they hadn't been discussing the dangers of the night, though I had to assume they were. Once Caleb had walked on, I approached Dean again, ready to share my idea, hoping against all odds that he would react positively."Well, hello Blossom!" Dean greeted me warmly, standing by his Jeep, looking ready to leave. I walked right up to him, reminding myself not to get lost in his eyes, at least not until I had said what I came to say."Dean, I want to go with you. You always say I'm strong. I know I could..." I began, but he quickly cut me off."No, darling," Dean interrupted, surprised by my request. "I'm sorry, but this just isn't the place for you. Not now, anyway. Perhaps in the future, when we have a better understanding of your skills and I feel more confident in your abilities, we can revisit this."I couldn't help but questio
Blossom POVI paused to gaze at the villa, the soft glow of its lights cutting through the darkness. I hoped that soon I'd start to think of it as home. Even now, as its silhouette framed against the night sky wrapped me in comfort, I could feel that sense of belonging beginning to form.As I approached our suite, I opened the door, only to have a figure push past me and stride inside. My heart raced until I realized it was Liza. I had no idea where she had come from; I hadn't noticed her in the corridor. One thing was clear, though: she didn't belong in our suite."What are you doing here? Get out!" I demanded, my voice firm. "You have no business in this room. Leave, or I'll call security to report an intruder! You were supposed to be gone!"Liza stared me down, attempting to intimidate me as she had in the past. But I felt stronger now, less swayed by her deceitful tactics. She may know my weaknesses, but I wasn't going to let her get the
Blossom POV"Just get out!" I shouted as I pushed past Liza toward the front door of the suite. I refused to let her "see herself out" only to sneak away and hide in some room or closet. It might have sounded paranoid, but I trusted Liza about as far as I could throw her, and I wouldn't put anything past her when it came to harming me. I didn't doubt that she had a devious plan unfolding, one that could involve a physical attack. Those flowing clothes of hers were the perfect disguise for hiding a knife or some other weapon. She could lunge at me in an instant."And one more thing," Liza continued, stepping even closer. "I see the way Caleb looks at you. I notice the expression on his face when you're around. You're asking for trouble if you entertain whatever fantasy he might have about you. You might get a kick out of it at first, but it won't last—trust me. A word of advice: don't get between Dean and his brother, and especially don't get caught fooling
Blossom POV Even before I had a chance to lock eyes with him, my heart raced with desire for Dean. I longed to lie against his chest like I had earlier when he was still in human form. Watching him save me from the murderous intruder reignited all my feelings for him. I knew I was falling in love, but I also understood that he couldn't reciprocate because of the rules he had imposed on himself.I hoped this incident would finally be the end of Liza's stay in the villa. So far, I hadn't seen any signs that she was moving out, and now that she had orchestrated a hit on me, perhaps something would finally be done.I couldn't shake my recent conversation with Dean from my mind. He had promised to protect me, insisting that his inner wolf compelled him to do so. Did he have a premonition that I would be in danger?I wondered if he had seen me shift into my wolf form. I had returned to my human shape by the time he rescued me, but I might have still been in full wolf form when he first bur
Blossom POV Still in my wolf form, I strained my ears to listen, but all I could hear were the usual sounds of nighttime creatures and the soothing rustle of trees and grass swaying in the wind. I cherished the stillness of life at the villa, at least when it wasn't so chaotic.I gazed intently across the open space beyond the pool, sensing no movement between me and the distant horizon. It seemed likely that there were no additional werewolves making their escape. A sigh of relief escaped my lips, but then I couldn't shake the worry—where was Dean?Panic crept in at the absence of any sign of him. I silently whispered his name in my mind, feeling a desperate yearning to connect. Just then, Dean turned from his path back toward the villa and was immediately by my side. Still in wolf form, he gently sniffed my hand before we embraced, both shifting back into our human forms.The moment I caught a whiff of his alpha scent, a wave of longing washed over me. I pressed closer, craving the
Blossom POV Liza cleared her throat, glancing around at the small crowd that had gathered. Caught off-guard by Dean's directness, she realized there would be no more excuses for her continued presence here, despite his clear command. Well, she thought to herself with a sly grin, "This will be all the more entertaining.""I was in my room when I suddenly heard Blossom's voice in the corridor. To my surprise, I also heard the intruder's voice. They were chatting back and forth, and I almost wondered if Blossom had been drinking. At any rate," she continued, her gaze fixed on Dean, "I heard her and the now-deceased laughing together in the corridor. Curious, I opened my room door just in time to see them entering your suite."A smug expression crossed her face as she continued weaving her tale. "Suddenly, I heard a scream, so I hurried down the corridor to see if everything was okay. That's when I saw Blossom with the intruder, alone in your suite. They were flirting, and who knows what
Blossom POV "I can tell you exactly what occurred, Master Dean," the maid offered. "I had just finished making the bed and collecting linens from Sir Caleb's suite. Before entering the hallway, I heard Lady Blossom furiously shout for someone to leave the room. Moments later, I exited and saw Lady Blossom forcibly pushing Liza out of your suite. However, both were pushed back inside by an attacker. That's when I witnessed Blossom transform, unleashing a battle cry worthy of the ancients, and preparing for the worst.""Then I entered the suite," I interrupted."Yes, sir," the maid confirmed.Turning to Liza, my voice was hard and unforgiving. "I banish you from ever returning to this villa, Liza, and you're lucky that I don't have you burned alive or tried by the courts, who would likely impose a far worse punishment." I instructed a pair of guards to watch Liza closely as she gathered her belongings, making it clear they were not to assist her. "Choose wisely what to take, Liza. The
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