Dean POV It's early afternoon on the day of the party, and everything seems to be running smoothly. Guests haven't started arriving yet, and the great hall of the castle is nearly prepared to welcome them when they do.Blossom and I haven't dressed for the celebration yet, but we want to make sure everything is set up perfectly for tonight, so we join the staff in the great hall to lend a hand and check on the preparations. As we walk into the expansive dining area, Blossom is amazed by how different it looks today compared to yesterday."What happened?... How did they?... Where did they?... Where did all of this come from?..." she stammers in awe, her questions trailing off in disbelief.I chuckle at her adorable bewilderment and reassure her, "It's what they do, love," sparing her from the mystery.With a smile, she looks at me and asks for a drink. Linking arms with her, I lead her to the bar, which is crafted entirely from large glass cubes with LED lights blinking in rhythmic pa
Dean POV Fina responds with a sarcastic lilt, "To celebrate your mother's birthday, of course.""You were deliberately not invited to this event because of your behavior at Blossom's celebration. So I'll ask again, why are you here?" I demand, my patience thinning.She scoffs, "Let me get this straight, Dean... You dishonor my sister's memory by breaking your vow to her, marrying this... peasant," she sneers, eyeing Blossom derogatorily. "Then you have the gall to insult me and my husband for attending your mother's celebration, despite her absence, and exclude your sister-in-law?"I feel the rage simmering beneath my calm exterior, but for my mother's sake, I resist the urge to escalate the situation further. I know she would be disappointed if I let my temper get the better of me. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I ask, "What do you want from me? What will it take to put an end to this madness?""For you to uphold your promises would be nice, but it's too late for that now. E
Blossom POV Tears blurred my vision as I wandered through the seemingly endless maze of hallways and doors, unsure of my destination. I recalled descending a staircase, yet it seemed to elude me now. Pressing my back against the cool stone wall, I allowed myself to slide down into a crouched position, where the tears fell unabated for a brief yet poignant moment."Lost in every possible way," I muttered to the empty hallway. After drying my tears and regaining some mental clarity, I caught a whiff of something calming and familiar—a mix of floral and pine. Intrigued, I followed the scent down the hall, finding a narrow staircase that led outside to a stunning garden. The moon, in its crescent phase, illuminated the chilled, clear night sky. A marble bench sat before a dormant fountain, offering a rare imperfection in the otherwise flawless manor. "At least something around here is less than perfect," I murmured, somewhat envious of the grandeur surrounding me."Hey, I'm not that ugly
Blossom POV "It was actually your father who extended the invitation to her, Caleb, believe it or not," Hugo made his presence known as he emerged from the same doorway I had just passed through. "She was invited in the capacity of a housekeeper, but nonetheless, it was a formal invitation by the family," he added as he approached the area around the fountain.Caleb seemed doubtful about Hugo's assertion since Aries had not even appeared at the celebration tonight. "Is that so?" I asked, before meeting Liza's gaze and instructing her to find something to clean. "Preferably something toxic, if you would."Liza rolled her eyes at my less-than-subtle insult.Seizing the moment, Caleb quipped, "Start with that burlap sack you call your genitals. It smells like vomit and decaying animals, and that's from seven feet away."My jaw nearly hit the floor at Caleb's audacious remark, and I could see Hugo's eyes widen in disbelief.For the first time since we'd met, I didn't hear a peep from Liz
Blossom POVCaleb, taking a cue from his brother, pointed out the impressive stack of gifts awaiting Jovielyn in the grand hall. He suggested that if she felt up to it, he'd be more than willing to accompany her down there tomorrow after she had some rest, to open as many presents as she liked."So, you're staying, Caleb?" Dean inquired."I'll be sticking around to ensure she gets out of bed safely. Are you heading out, then, Dean?" Caleb responded."Yes, I need to return to the villa to sort out things with Fina and to discuss a few matters with Hugo concerning Liza. I'm uneasy about their stealthy behavior. It's been one disaster after another since we got here, and I just want to take Blossom home for some well-deserved rest," Dean explained, sounding utterly drained."Can you at least stay until the morning, just so I know you're not going to doze off behind the wheel of that ridiculous little car?" Jovielyn requested."Of co
Blossom POVDean spoke passionately about not blaming Diana for running from an arranged marriage, especially one that had nothing to do with her well-being and everything to do with her uncle's selfish desires, orchestrated by his obsessive father. As I began to recount what happened that day, Dean gently stopped me, urging me not to speak any further of it.He warned me that each word could be incriminating, and although he bore neither my sister nor me any malice for our actions, there were those who would—and they might even target us. Insistent, Dean advised me to remain silent about the details."As long as you're with me, you have nothing to fear," he assured, and I believed him wholeheartedly. I remembered vividly the time he turned a werewolf into nothing more than a heap of disarrayed tissue, on the day Liza attempted to have me killed. Dean was a force unparalleled, like a living deity. It was clear why he held the position of Alpha—his authorit
Blossom POVStanding there in the cellar, I shiver slightly in my sundress, the bikini underneath, a picnic basket in one hand containing towels and some food Maria thoughtfully prepared for our beach outing. "Why on earth are we waiting in a cellar to go to a private ocean?" I grumble aloud."It will all make sense shortly," Dean assures me, as he descends the short staircase into the cellar. "How else would an entire ocean remain private?" he asks with a smirk.Admitting I had no clue, I confess that this was part of why I believed it to be a simple fable. To me, it just seemed so implausible. Dean then reveals that if I thought the idea itself was beyond the realm of logic, I am about to have my entire perception overturned.He guides me toward the back of the cellar, where it's almost pitch dark. "Come on," he encourages. Hesitant, I take a breath and nervously follow him into the shadows."Take my hand," Dean instructs gently."I
Blossom POVHis body, aglow with the sheen of moisture, reflects the intensity of the harsh solar rays, and I find myself utterly captivated by his physique. My eyes are involuntarily drawn to the mesmerizing way his firmly toned arms move beside his flawlessly sculpted hips. As Dean turns around upon exiting the water, pausing momentarily to take in the scenery, my attention fixates entirely on the pleasing fullness of his form—his sculpted lower back dimples and the enticing curvature of his backside. The wet swim trunks cling to him snugly, crafting a second-skin masterpiece that eloquently accentuates his chiseled posterior, pulsing vibrantly with every shift in his weight.In one fluid motion, Dean raises his arms, resting his hands atop his head before he pivots to return to me on the sand. This transformation, occurring in mere seconds, stretches into an eternal moment for me, a timeless interval I am more than willing to spend admiring this