The void consumed her, leaving Gaia gasping for air as they stumbled into an unfamiliar, intimidating land.Before them stood the Citadel, ancient and imposing. The walls, cracked and crumbling, faintly glowing with a dark light that hinted at the magic flowing through it.“This place…” she murmured, her voice low. “Looks worse than it is,” Caelum said lightly, though his usual cheerfulness sounded forced. “Just don’t stray too far. Dreadfall isn't nice to strangers and wanderer's.” Gaia’s steps slowed as the old gates of the citadel creaked open on their own. A cold wind swept out, carrying whispers that made her shiver. She looked at Caelum, but he was already moving forward, his face unusually serious.Inside, the air felt thick and heavy, almost hard to breathe. The grand hall stretched out before them, lit by a strange, dim glow that seemed to come from nowhere. The walls were covered with old paintings of battles and rituals, their meanings lost over time. Gaia couldn’t unders
The world was a haze when Valtor’s eyes fluttered open. Pain pulsed through his body, dull yet persistent, as if his very blood had been set on fire. He groaned, his hand unconsciously moving to his side, where the wounds should have been. Instead, his skin was smooth, its earlier ugly sides gone.“What the—” he muttered, his voice hoarse. Memories of Gaia flashed through his mind, her tears, her blood spilling onto his injuries, and then…darkness.“Gaia,” he muttered, panic forming in his chest as he pushed himself into a sitting position. The world around him spun, but he fought against the dizziness, reaching for the floor to steady himself. The bed felt too empty.Where is she?A rush of adrenaline sent him to his feet. His body swayed, but he quickly managed to compose himself, staggering toward the door. His hand gripped the handle, and he pulled it open with force.“Where is she?!” Valtor demanded, his voice sharp and commanding.Damon, his Beta, stood in the doorway, eyes wide
Dreadfall Citadel.The first man moved forward, his red tattoos twirling over his chest and up his strong arms as though they were alive. As he spoke in a forceful tone, his piercing eyes met hers. He declared, "I am the Keeper of Flames."“I protect the fires that create destiny.There would be no creation and no light to lead the way if there were no fire.”Gaia was about to reply when a second figure appeared out of the darkness. His dark robe moved around like living fog, and it looked like the edges of his presence were blurry. “I am the Weaver of Shadows,” he whispered, his eyes glowing dimly, his voice a low whisper, “I bind the strands of fate, shape the invisible, and reveal long-hidden truths.”The third figure stepped forward, his towering frame draped in armor so ancient. The sheer size of him was intimidating, but his voice carried a steady calm, like a mountain unshaken by storms. “I am the Warden of Steel. I am both the shield and the blade, unyielding and resolute. None
Gaia found herself drawn to Kieran's easy charm, as she walked beside Kieran, her footsteps echoing faintly in the vast corridors of the citadel. The walls were adorned with carvings of ancient battles and mystical symbols, but her attention was drawn more to Kieran. There was something unexpectedly calming about him, so different from the heavy seriousness of the Bloodsmiths."Can I ask you something?" she began, glancing at him curiously.Kieran smirked, his silver eyes gleaming under the dim light. "You can ask anything, but I might not answer everything."She gave him a skeptical look but pressed on. "Why do you look so... different from the others? I mean, they have this overwhelming presence, almost inhuman. But you… you seem more—""Normal?" he offered with a chuckle. "Human?""Well, yes," she admitted. "Are you... like them? Or are you something else? A werewolf? A vampire?"Kieran’s expression softened, but his smirk faded, replaced by something more solemn. "I’m neither," h
“She’s everything we hoped for,” Kieran said, his voice heavier now, almost unrecognizable. “Her blood is utterly pure—the strongest we’ve seen in centuries.”The Keeper of Flames stepped forward, his fiery aura intensifying. “Then the time for caution has passed. She must face the ritual.”“The girl suspects nothing,” Kieran assured them, a smirk twisting his features. “She’s too trusting, too naive. But we can’t delay much longer. Every moment she remains here, her power grows. If we’re not careful, she’ll outmatch even us.”The Herald of Dread stepped closer, his chilling presence making the room feel colder. “Then we waste no time. Prepare the rituals. Either she proves herself worthy… or she becomes nothing more than a memory.”Kieran’s smirk faded, replaced by a grim determination. “She won’t fail,” he said, though whether it was confidence or hope that fueled his words was unclear. “She can’t.”The tension in the chamber was palpable, the ominous words hanging in the air as if
Gaia hesitated outside the towering doors of the Chamber of Truth, her heart beating faster with every passing second. The faint echoes of whispered voices seeped through the heavy wood, but the moment she stepped inside, silence fell.The room was vast, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to shift under the flickering torchlight. At the center of the chamber stood a circular table, and seated around it were five figures cloaked in deep crimson robes—the Blood-Smiths. Each of them radiated an aura of authority that pressed against Gaia’s chest like an invisible weight.As she stepped closer, the Blood-Smiths rose in unison, bowing low in a gesture that sent a ripple of unease through her. Why would they bow to her? She wasn’t royalty, nor did she hold any title of significance.“The greatest prophecy,” one of them greeted, his voice deep and reverberating. “It is an honor to be in your presence.”She opened her mouth to respond but faltered, unsure of what to say. Be
The question hung in the room like a curse.Kieran’s smirk widened, but it lacked any warmth now. His voice was low, dangerous, like the sound of a predator circling its prey.“You don’t want to know.”He took a step toward her, his presence suffocating, closer, closer, until his face was only inches from hers.Her heart pounded in her chest.“Tell me,” she forced out, her voice shaking but unwavering. “Who are you truly?”The air in the room shifted, growing heavier as Kieran stepped closer. “You’re naive,” he hissed, his charming mask slipping completely. “Do you think you stumbled into this place by chance? Everything—the dreams, the whispers, the pull you felt to come here—it was all carefully planned. By me.”Gaia’s breath caught as the weight of his words settled over her. Memories of her dreams and the strange sense of familiarity she’d felt in Dreadfall crashed over her like a tidal wave. “You...” she whispered. “You’ve been in my dreams.”But why would he use the face of Valt
Kieran's fury turned into disbelief as he recognized the intruder. “You shouldn’t be here,” he growled.Caelum strode forward, his golden eyes blazing. He placed himself between Gaia and Kieran, his presence radiating calm but unyielding power. “Let her go,” he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument.The Bloodsmiths began to stir, their collective power rising, but Caelum didn’t flinch.“She’s not going anywhere,” Kieran snarled, his voice trembling with anger.Caelum’s lips curled into a sharp smile. “Then try and stop me.”The chamber erupted into chaos as Caelum shifted into his wolf form. His massive frame radiated a fierce golden glow, his eyes blazing like molten fire. He let out a bone-shaking roar, the sound reverberating through the room. The Bloodsmiths, masters of their craft but not warriors, froze in terror before scattering like leaves in a storm, their hurried footsteps echoing as they fled.But even as his wolf stood tall, a flicker of pain crossed Caelum’
"Wait! Please don't hurt me."Gaia’s voice rang out. She wasn’t sure why she said it. She wasn’t sure what she was trying to stop—Lucian from draining her or from something even worse.Lucian turned to her slowly, amusement flickering across his face. “Wait?” He chuckled, taking a step closer. “How pathetic.”Gaia swallowed hard, her pulse racing. She couldn’t move. Not because she was restrained, but because of the power emitting from him. It was suffocating.Lucian knelt in front of her, lifting her chin with a single cold finger. His touch sent ice down her spine. “Beg me,” he whispered, his red eyes gleaming with hostility. Before Gaia could react, a voice cut through the air, sharp and deadly.“Touch her again, and I’ll rip your spine out.”Lucian sighed dramatically. “And here comes the wolf.”Gaia was shoved to the floor as Lucian turned his full attention to Valtor.Valtor stood tall, his gaze locked onto Lucian with an expression colder than death itself. But something was
Selene’s hands tightened around her phone as she read her father's message again. “Gaia is about to meet her downfall right there at the party. And Valtor will not be able to protect her this time. Be careful.”What the fuck? Why didn't he tell her on time? She clenched her fists, breathing heavily. If something happened to Gaia, Valtor would lose it. He had already been overly protective, but if she was harmed, it wouldn’t just be a bloodbath—it would be war.Selene hesitated, fingers hovering over the screen. Should she warn him?No. If she told Valtor, he’d demand answers, and if he found out her father was involved… she couldn’t afford that risk.A deep breath. A forced calm. She slipped her phone into her purse and stepped out of the restroom.★ ★ ★Valtor was occupied, surrounded by high-ranking officials and influential figures, exchanging formal pleasantries.Though his face held a polite expression, his eyes constantly searched the room.Gaia stood a few feet away, feeling o
The ride to the party was tense. The air inside the carriage was thick with unspoken words, and the silence only made it worse.Gaia kept her hands folded in her lap, staring at the passing scenery through the small window. Selene, sitting beside her, wasn’t nearly as composed.She let out a sharp exhale. “This is ridiculous.”Valtor, sitting across from them, didn’t look up from where he rested his chin against his fist. “Then stop talking about it.”Selene scoffed. “So that’s it? You’re just going to ignore the fact that she wasn’t supposed to be invited?”Valtor didn’t react.Selene’s nails dug into her palm. “You told me this was a political gathering—a private event. You do realize she doesn’t belong here?”Gaia felt her jaw tighten, but she said nothing.Valtor’s eyes flicked toward Selene, his voice calm but firm. “Gaia is my guest. That’s all you need to know.”Selene let out a bitter laugh. “Right. Your guest. Just like she was your guest last night? The same night you called
Gaia stirred awake, her body sinking into the soft sheets, the warmth around her strangely familiar yet… absent. She blinked against the dim morning light, turning her head toward the empty space beside her. Valtor was gone.Her fingers instinctively brushed over where he had been, the sheets still slightly warm. The memory of last night rushed back—the intruder, the panic, Valtor holding her. She shivered.Did he cuddle her all through the night? She groaned, covering her face with her hands. Was she embarrassed? Maybe. Or maybe it was something else—something she didn’t want to admit.A sharp knock pulled her from her thoughts."Good morning, sleepyhead!"Gaia barely had time to react before Lyra burst in, balancing a tray of food in one hand and a folded dress in the other. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she shut the door behind her."You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Lyra teased, setting the tray down beside Gaia. "Or had a very eventful night."Gaia rolled her eyes. "It wa
The door to Gaia’s room slammed open, and Valtor stepped in, his gaze immediately scanning the room. Behind him, a doctor followed, his medical kit clinking softly as he entered. Gaia sat up in bed, her fingers still tracing the scratch on her neck from the intruder’s violent grab. Her blood had dried, but the sting of it—of the situation—still felt fresh.“Gaia.” Valtor’s voice was soft, but his eyes were hard, as if fighting off something dark. He turned to the doctor, his tone authoritative. “Check her over. Now.”The doctor quickly set to work, though his eyes flicked nervously between Valtor and Gaia. “Of course, Alpha,” he said. His fingers gently pressed at Gaia’s neck, making her wince slightly at the tenderness. She could feel his nervous energy, like he was being watched by something bigger than just the Alpha.The moment was interrupted when Selene entered the room, her presence a heavy cloud hanging over them. She walked in without a word, eyes locked on Gaia with an inte
Gaia lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She turned onto her side, hugging her pillow as her mind replayed what had happened earlier with Valtor.The way he had stood so close, how the air between them had felt too heavy, how his lips had almost—She groaned, pressing her face into the pillow. Why am I even thinking about this?It wasn’t like she wanted him. He was someone else’s mate. Selene’s mate. The same Selene who had appeared just in time to remind them both of that.Gaia exhaled sharply and turned onto her back again.But still… the way he had looked at her. The way her body had reacted—“No,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head. “I’m not doing this.”She needed sleep. Desperately.Maybe in the morning, she would stop feeling this ridiculous pull toward a man who wasn’t hers.Eventually, exhaustion crept in, and her thoughts blurred into dreams.---She didn’t know what woke her.The air in the room felt… off.Gaia’s eyes fluttered open, her body still sluggish from
The air in the room was thick with tension, the lingering heat of their earlier passion replaced by something colder, sharper. Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, a towel wrapped tightly around her chest, her damp hair clinging to her skin. She was still trying to process everything—the asylum burning to the ground, the case that had consumed her life now reduced to ashes. And John.John, who stood a few feet away, his shirt unbuttoned, the marks she’d left on his skin barely faded, but already he felt like a stranger."You knew how much this case meant to me, John," she said, her voice brittle. "And yet, here we are. The asylum is gone. Burnt to the ground. And you expect me to believe you had nothing to do with it?"John let out a short, humorless laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Jesus, Evelyn. You really think I had something to do with that?""You tell me," she shot back. "Because it’s awfully convenient, don’t you think? The moment I get close to the truth, it all goes up in
He guided her to the edge of the bed, positioning her on all fours, her ass presented for his taking. Evelyn's breath quickened as she felt the head of his cock pressing against her entrance."Please, sir," she whispered, her voice hoarse from the oral worship she'd just bestowed upon him.With one swift thrust, John impaled her, filling her completely. Evelyn gasped, her body adjusting to his size. He gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as he began to move, each stroke eliciting a moan from her."You like it rough, don't you, Detective?" he grunted, his voice strained with effort."Yes, sir," she managed, her words punctuated by his relentless pounding.John's dominance was absolute as he drove into her, his pace increasing with each thrust. Evelyn's hands clenched the bedsheets, her knuckles white as she struggled to maintain her composure. The sensation of being so thoroughly taken was overwhelming, and she wanted more."Harder, sir," she begged, her voice breaking
Valtor’s steps faltered as he turned, the sound of his name piercing the air."Valtor!"He stiffened, the familiar voice cutting through the tension in the room. His gaze shifted to Gaia, whose face had gone red, eyes wide with the unmistakable flush of embarrassment. She looked as if she wished the floor would swallow her whole.Without another word, Valtor stepped back, his hand instinctively pulling away from the wall where it had been pressing just moments ago.Gaia’s gaze followed him, her chest rising and falling quickly, a mix of frustration and discomfort flashing in her eyes. She didn’t say anything—no defiance, no words of protest—only a deep breath as she turned away, wrapping herself in silence.As she walked away, a sharp ache settled in her chest, leaving her to wonder why she felt that way about Valtor.★ ★ ★John stood tall and imposing, his broad shoulders filling the doorway of the dimly lit hotel room. The air was thick with anticipation as he locked eyes with Evely