Blossom POV When I awaken, I hear what I think is a woman's voice calling out to me. My eyes flutter open, and suddenly everything seems clearer, as if a dim light has been turned on, even though it hasn't. I can make out the size of the room, the stairs, a hose with water flowing beside a drain, and a bucket. The colors around me are dull, but I can tell that the liquid dripping into the cellar is either rusty water or blood... and I pray for rusty water."Hey," the woman's voice calls out again, startling me. I jump to my feet, surprised by the unfamiliar presence but sensing some strange connection. "I spent my last days in a place like this. It wasn't until I fought my way out that they had no choice but to do what they brought me here to do. They would have left me to starve if I hadn't forced their hand," she adds, and I start to piece together who it might be."Is that you, Eliza?" I ask hesitantly."Maybe. I'm not entirely sure anymore. I feel like I've been wandering for so
Blossom POV I jolt awake to the jarring screech of rusted metal hinges, squinting toward the light streaming down from the top of the stairs—the first light I've seen since the bag snatched it from me in the garden of the castle. I can't be sure how long I've been trapped in this cellar, but two days in darkness feel like an eternity.As my eyes gradually adjust, I catch the silhouette of a large man at the top of the stairs. He seems to be staring at me, but the light doesn't reveal his face. However, I finally begin to see the details of my surroundings, and the gruesome sight of coagulated blood smeared on the walls makes my stomach churn. I can't help but retch, spilling my stomach's contents onto the ground.With a pained effort, I manage to voice my thoughts. "Dean?... Whoever you are, please help me. I've been taken by some terrible people. Please... just help..." I glance around, relieved to notice that the running water is clear.The silhouette lets out a deep, rumbling laug
Blossom POV As I manage to quiet the voices, I open my eyes. The darkness no longer feels so oppressive; I can clearly see the entire room and its sparse contents. A sense of peace lingers in my mind—a residual glow of calmness that comes from clearing away all biased thoughts, both good and bad.Feeling thirsty, I glance at the water hose, instinctively knowing where it is. I pick it up, sip from the end, and gently place it back on the floor. Sitting on the second stair from the bottom, I decide to continue strengthening my mind.I recall what my parents told me: if I ever needed them, I should just breathe. I'm beginning to grasp that truth and find myself wishing I could return to that moment for one last goodbye. "It wasn't just a dream," I realize. "They were truly here with me. That means Eliza was here too."The only sounds are the persistent dripping and the flow of water, accompanied by the quiet sound of my own tears hitting the grimy floor."What should I do?" I mutter to
Blossom POVAlmost five days have passed since my kidnapping. I have subsisted on nothing but sulfur-contaminated water and coagulated blood paste. My mind has slipped away and returned multiple times, and each return only strengthens me.My will now seems unbreakable. Following my metamorphosis, I remain in a meditative state, biding my time until the right moment reveals itself. I'm uncertain when that will be, but when it comes, I will know. Until then, I escape only within my mind.The mental fortitude I've developed amplifies my ability to transport myself to anywhere I can recall with a pinpoint photographic memory, right down to the last blade of grass in the villa's yard. What was once an incredible skill to evade my uncle's dread has become the very tool that preserves my sanity and ultimately saves my life.As I sit on the stairs with a loosely fixed posture, I might appear to be in deep contemplation. However, while my body
3rd POVDean, Caleb, and their team stand frozen, horrified by the gruesome scene that unfolds before them. Unbeknownst to them, two werewolves lurk in the shadows above, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to launch their attack.Caleb gestures toward the right wall of the slaughterhouse and says, "Bro, didn't you lose that security team?" Two of the soldiers promptly retch, unable to look away from the mangled corpses suspended by meat hooks. "This is messed up, Sir," one of the soldiers mutters to Dean after regaining his composure.Distracted by the chilling scream they had heard upon entering, Dean responds to Caleb without diverting his gaze from the cellar doors. "Yeah, but there were only four guys on that team," he points out, noting the five bodies that now hang lifelessly.As Dean approaches the cellar, he comes to a sudden stop, sensing something ominous. He hears a heartbeat—uncertain if it belongs to him, Bloss
3rd POVCaleb awakens, fully aware of the chaos around him, and shifts back into his werewolf form before effortlessly tossing the rafter off his chest. As Henry regains his balance, he spots Caleb racing toward Hugo. In a desperate attempt to impede Caleb, Henry grabs a meat hook and throws it ahead of him, yanking on the chain with force. The hook embeds itself in Caleb's calf, prompting a pained roar as he crashes to the ground, skidding into a metal table. Henry pulls the chain, dragging Caleb closer to him.Dean sees his brother in imminent danger and swiftly swipes his foot sideways at Hugo, sending him crashing against the metal wall near the cellar. Hugo slams into the surface, the impact knocking the breath from him before he slides down to the floor, hard enough to loosen the cellar doors. Loose enough for Blossom to realize they are now ajar...With a quick pivot, Dean thrusts himself forward, launching his massive weight about fifteen f
3rd POVThe memory transitioned to another scene, where Aries and Liza were plotting how, when, and where Eliza would be kidnapped, even discussing the methods of her demise. They agreed on a price for her death and shook hands, sealing Eliza's grim fate. Liza revealed the entire abduction, depicting Hugo chasing after her once she managed to escape, culminating in the horrific moment when Hugo stabbed her multiple times after mercilessly beating her.The vision shifted to a moment where Aries handed over payment, saying, "You're fortunate to be getting anything after such a colossal screw-up," clearly referring to the botched kidnapping. Dean felt a surge of anger about the situation, but he wasn't the least bit surprised. "Caleb was right," he thought within the link.Liza then transported them to the present, sharing another similar proposition with Aries regarding Blossom's potential kidnapping. She revealed Aries's plan to double-cross t
Blossom POVThees with excitement as I ride alongside Dean, returning to the villa. When the SUV pulls up, the entire housekeeping staff gathers outside, their faces alight with smiles, whistles, claps, and even tossing hats into the sky. You'd think a wedding or graduation had just taken place.Dean had called ahead to ensure outfits were prepared and informed everyone he was bringing me back, but neither of us expected what unfolds as we step out of the SUV.The cheering and clapping come to an abrupt halt. I can feel a flash of anger from Dean, but it quickly dissipates as he recalls his own reaction to my transformation, which I still haven't fully explained to him. Everyone stands gazing at me—the silver-haired she-werewolf they did not expect.To Dean's surprise, many of the elders present kneel and bow before me. At this moment, Dean, Diana, and Caleb become acutely aware of the profound impact my change has on everyone ar
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