110Ian’s POVThe restaurant was one of those high-end places that served food in portions too small to satisfy even a child. But I wasn’t here for the food. Neither was Jacob, Jenny, or Sophia. Tonight was about taking a break—pretending that the chaos of the vampire world, the constant danger we faced, and the stress of keeping secrets didn’t exist. Tonight, it was just the four of us, trying to be normal, whatever that meant.I glanced across the table at Sophia, who was laughing at something Jenny had said. That laugh—her laugh—had the power to lift the weight off my shoulders, even if just for a moment. She caught me looking, and a smile spread across her face, her eyes twinkling in the dim candlelight. God, she was beautiful. She was everything.“You’re staring again,” Jacob muttered next to me, his tone laced with amusement.I smirked, not bothering to hide it. “Can you blame me?”He rolled his eyes but didn’t push it. Instead, he turned his attention to Jenny, who was playfull
111Lyanna’s POVThere’s a certain stillness in magic that I always found comforting. It’s as if, in the moments when I delve into the mysteries of ancient spells and forgotten histories, the world outside pauses. Time, for just a breath, stops its relentless march. But today, as I pored over a crumbling, yellowed scroll in the far reaches of the vampire archives, that stillness was heavy with something darker—a name I couldn’t shake.Sophia.Her name haunted my thoughts as I traced the unfamiliar symbols on the parchment. Ian had allowed me to look into her lineage weeks ago, and I’d been scouring every source of magic and history I could get my hands on. At first, I’d found nothing but dead ends and scattered fragments of ancient lore, pieces of a puzzle that didn’t seem to fit. But now, as I stared at the passage before me, the pieces were starting to fall into place. And what I was uncovering chilled me to my core.The prophecy was old—older than even the vampire council, older th
112Jenny’s POVI’ve always liked the nighttime, the way the darkness blankets the world and makes everything feel a little more alive. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been drawn to danger, to the excitement of living on the edge. But nothing—not all the parties, the hookups, or even being with Jacob, a vampire, could’ve prepared me for the terror that gripped me now.I was in the back of a car, bound, gagged, and blindfolded. My heart raced, thudding so hard in my chest that it felt like it would break free. My wrists hurt from the tight ropes cutting into them, and my body ached from the rough handling. Whoever had grabbed me had done it fast—too fast for me to even scream.Jacob would notice I was missing. He had to. But how long would it take? And what would they do to me in the meantime?The car jolted to a stop, and I was yanked out. My legs buckled beneath me, and I fell to the ground, the gravel biting into my knees. Rough hands pulled me up, and my blindfold was ripped away.I b
113Jacob’s POVI paced back and forth in Ian’s living room, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles were turning white. Every minute that passed without hearing from Jenny was like a knife twisting deeper into my gut. She was supposed to have been here hours ago, and something inside me was screaming that something wasn’t right.“Jacob, calm down,” Ian said, though his voice was tight with his own worry. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but I could tell he was just as on edge as I was. “We’ll find her.”“How?” I snapped, my anger getting the better of me. “It’s been hours. She wouldn’t just disappear like this, not without a reason. You know that.”Ian didn’t respond, but the look he gave me was all the confirmation I needed. He was worried too. He just wasn’t as vocal about it as I was.I couldn’t help it though. Jenny wasn’t just some girl I was messing around with. She was mine. I hadn’t realized just how much until now, when the fear of losing her had taken root inside me
114Sophia’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall, my mind racing with everything that had happened. It was late, but I couldn’t sleep. My body felt like it was vibrating with anxiety, and every time I closed my eyes, I saw Jenny’s face—the fear, the confusion, the hurt. She didn’t want this. She never asked for it, and now her entire life had been ripped apart in the worst possible way.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I knew it was Jenny before I even opened it. She stood there, looking small and fragile in the doorway, her eyes red and puffy from crying.“Can I come in?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.“Of course.” I stepped aside, letting her into the room. She moved slowly, like she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. When she sat down on the bed, I joined her, the silence between us heavy.For a long time, neither of us spoke. We didn’t have to. I could feel her pain, the weight of it pressing down on both of us. She kept her eye
115Jenny’s POVThe sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the park as Jacob and I strolled hand in hand down the winding path. It was one of those perfect evenings where everything felt like it had slowed down just for us. For the first time in what felt like forever, there wasn’t a crisis or drama hanging over our heads—just the two of us, out on a simple date.It almost felt normal…as normal as it could get since I had just gotten turned into a vampire. The thought still hurt me and left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I guess Jacob knew that and that was why he suggested we went out together this evening.“You know, it’s kind of nice to not be fighting off vampire hunters or dealing with ancient prophecies for a change,” I said with a grin, squeezing Jacob’s hand. “Just a regular date like regular people.”Jacob chuckled, glancing over at me with that lopsided smile I loved so much. “I don’t know if anyone would ever call us ‘regular,’ but yeah, it’s nice. I’m glad we d
116Jacob’s POV I ran a hand through my hair, messing it up a bit while I held on to Jenny’s hand with the other. I held on to her like if I left her for one second, she was going to be taken away from me.I haven’t been able to shake off what had happened to her. How she had easily been attacked and turned into one of us. Into a monster. What she hated the most. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was seriously watching us, plotting our downfall while we were out having dinner and trying to live normal lives.As if that was possible.There will never be anything normal about us. About she and I. Never ever. We were supposed to be creatures of the night. And if not for Lyanna, and the witches, we won’t be able to move freely and blend in with the humans.I grinded my teeth against each other. I had promised myself when I left the house with Jenny earlier, that I shouldn’t let myself think of all the things that could go wrong in just thee blink of an eye.But still, I couldn’t
117Jenny’s POV The words weren’t even iut of his mouth completely before I began clenching around him, my legs shaking and my back slightly arched for him. My vision exploded in stars as pleasure – pure, intense pleasure – washed over me. Hard.“Jacob,” I moaned, my chest rising and falling heavily.“On your knees,” he commanded, stepping away from me so I slid to the floor. It was hard for me to balance, considering the hard orgasm he had just given me.I blinked, my eyes feeling heavy and my pussy clenching. All I really wanted was for him to be inside of me. That was the only thing I could think of at the moment. I got on my knees without argument, watching as he removed his boxers and his cock sprang up, standing proud in front of me.“Like what you see?” He asked in a gruffy voice.I blinked rapidly, and then gulped before taking him in my mouth, his cock spreading my mouth as wide as it can. I gagged as he ran his fingers through my hair and pulled, taking control and fucking
191Ian’s POVThe weight of my child in my arms was heavier than I expected, but not in a way that tired me. It was a weight that filled me with awe, a kind of responsibility I had never imagined could feel so peaceful. Ava’s tiny fists curled against my chest, soft breaths rising and falling in the perfect rhythm of sleep. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything was still, everything was peaceful.I sat in the rocking chair near the window, dim light filtering thought the curtain. The house was quiet—Sophia was resting in the bedroom, exhausted but content after the birth. I had barely left her side since she’d gone into labor, unable to help the overwhelming sense of protectiveness that surged through me.But now, as I held this tiny life in my hands, all the fear and chaos we had gone through seemed to fade away. It was just us—our family.“Hey there,” I whispered softly, my voice barely more than a breath as I gazed down at my child. “You’re finally here.”I felt
190Jenny’s POVThe news hit me like a tidal wave. I stared down at the test in my hand, my heart pounding in my chest, unsure whether to scream in shock or laugh in disbelief. Pregnant. I was pregnant.Jacob was in the kitchen, making us a late breakfast. I could hear the soft clatter of pans and the gentle hum of music from the living room, but I couldn’t move. For a moment, I felt frozen in place, my thoughts racing.We weren’t trying for a baby. We weren’t ever going to try. I was a vampire and even though Sophia was able to get pregnant, it didn’t mean I could too. But here it was, plain as day. The test didn’t lie.I felt a mixture of emotions swirl through me—happiness, fear, excitement. All at once, it seemed like everything in my life was about to change. But most of all, I was happy. I was so happy. Everything that had happened the past year ran through my mind all at once. The attacks, falling in love with Jacob, turning into a vampire, fearing that Jacob would leave me for
189Sophia’s POVIt was happening. It was really happening. After months of waiting, months of uncertainty, fear, and hope, she was finally here. My body was aching but not as much as I guessed it should be.I glanced over at Ian, who stood by my side, his hand gripping mine tightly. His face was filled with anxiousness. His thumb rubbed small circles against my palm, trying to soothe me, but I could feel the tension in his grip. This was a moment that neither of us could control, a moment we could only experience.“You’re doing amazing, Sophia,” Ian whispered, his voice low and steady, although it was trembling. His eyes met mine. “Just breathe.”I nodded, though the pressure in my abdomen made it hard to do anything other than focus on the next breath. I squeezed his hand in response, letting him know I heard him, even if I couldn’t find the words right now.The room around us was a blur. I barely registered the blur of voices—the midwife, a nurse—guiding me through the process. My
188Jenny’s POVThe day had finally come—my wedding day. I should’ve been nervous, or maybe overwhelmed by everything, but instead, I felt oddly calm as I sat in the small room at the back of the church, waiting for my moment to walk down the aisle. My fingers traced the intricate lace on my wedding dress, a soft white gown that had been perfect the moment I saw it. It was exactly how I had imagined my wedding to be—simple, intimate, and with the people I cared about most.Sophia sat next to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You look incredible, Jenny,” she said with a smile that reached her eyes.“Thanks, Soph,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but there was a catch in my throat. “It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? That I’m actually doing this?”She laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “A little bit, yeah. I thought you were joking last week when you said you and Jacob are getting married. But you and Jacob are meant to be. I’m just happy you’re doing
187Ian’s POVThe sun was setting, making the vampire realm look pale. It used to be pretty to look at, but now the usual beauty felt hollow. Some parts of the ground was still red from all the blood that had dried on it, and though the air was quieter, it felt heavy. I stood in the middle of the courtyard, watching as the survivors moved about, trying to restore what had been broken.It wasn’t just the buildings that needed rebuilding. It was us—me, Sophia, the council, everyone.As the king, I had always known the weight and responsibilty of leadership but never like this. The battle exhausted on all of us, but there was a strange sense of relief hanging in the air, as if the worst had finally passed. The constant fear was gone. For now, at least.I felt Sophia approach before she spoke. Her presence felt like a soft, steady energy that I could feel even when I wasn’t looking. She stepped beside me, her hand slipping into mine, and for a moment, we just stood there, side by side, lo
186Sophia’s POVThe air in the realm felt different after the battle settled down. The energy that pulsed through the vampire realm seemed dulled, weighed down by loss and grief. The rogue faction was defeated, but the victory felt hollow. So much had been sacrificed. Too much.I stood on the edge of the courtyard, looking out over the horizon. The sun was setting but I barely noticed its beauty. My thoughts were heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. Lyanna was gone. The thought of it felt like a punch to the chest every time it crossed my mind. She had saved us, saved me and our baby, but the cost was her life.“I can’t believe she’s gone,” I whispered to Ian, who was standing beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder.Ian’s expression was hard, his jaw clenched as he stared out at the horizon. He hadn’t said much since the battle ended, the stiffness in his body telling me how much he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.“She was one of the strongest witc
185Lyanna’s POVThe visions had been coming in waves—dark and scary. I’d seen this battle long before it arrived, the pieces falling into place, the danger coiling around us like a snake waiting to strike. But no vision had prepared me for this.The air was thick with the stench of blood and fury, and the sounds of bodies coliding with each other filled my ear. I was at the edge of the battlefield, my senses tingling with the power I held. Magic pulsed in my veins, begging to be released, but I held it back, waiting for the right moment. Timing was everything.In the distance, I saw Ian fighting Mike, lunging at each other, blow after blow. Ian was struggling, that much was clear. Mike was pushing him to his limits, and it took everything in Ian just to stay on his feet.And then there was Sophia. I could feel her fear from here, her desperation. She was with Jacob, fighting off a swarm of rogue vampires, her body slower than usual. Her own power was wearing out. The pregnancy was ta
184Ian’s POVIt felt as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the battle to begin. We were in a neutral territory, a clearing deep in the forest that was between the vampire realm and the outskirts of the human world. I could tell that the place had seen conflict before, the ground stained with the blood of wars long past. Now it would see another.I could hear the sounds of my forces assembling behind me—vampires sharpening their blades and stakes, speaking in low, tense whispers as they prepared for the fight that would start any moment from now. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on my shoulders. I had never wanted this, to be a king at war. But here I was, leading an army to stop a rebellion that threatened everything I had fought to protect.Sophia stood at my side, her eyes scanning the area. She was pale but resolute, and I could see the fire burning in her. Even now, pregnant with our child, she refused to leave my side. I had argued, pleaded with her t
183Ian’s POVI paced about in the room, my heart beating hard and fast and my mind running through different thoughts. Every moment felt like a taut wire, stretched thin between the safety I wanted for Sophia and the threats that I couldn’t fully shield her from. The attacks had slowed, but that only made me more nervous. It was like the calm before a storm, and I could feel the storm brewing.Sophia was sitting on the couch, her hands resting on the gentle swell of her stomach. Our child. It only made me think harder about all the different things I could do to keep Sophia out of danger.“We need to talk,” I said, breaking the silence.Her gaze met mine, steady but expectant. “I know what you’re going to say.”“I don’t think you do,” I replied, running a hand through my hair, frustration leaking into my voice. “Sophia, I need you to stay in the human realm. You and the baby—”“No,” she cut me off, her voice firm. “We’ve talked about this already, Ian. I’m not staying behind while yo