151Sophia’s POV The news of Aldric’s death hit me like a storm I hadn’t expected, leaving me feeling both unsettled and strangely relieved. He had been a thorn in Ian’s side since I had entered his world, always questioning our relationship, always doubting my place in it. Aldric had been one of the most vocal members of the council, always disapproving of Ian’s decision to involve me in vampire politics and, more importantly, in his life as king. Now, he was dead, and I didn’t know how to feel about it.Sitting in the living room of Ian’s condo, I tried to wrap my mind around the news. Aldric had been in the council meeting earlier that day, as if nothing was wrong, and then, suddenly, his body had been found in the woods. Killed by someone—or something. Ian had told me everything when he returned from the realm, his voice laced with concern as he explained the confusion surrounding Aldric’s death. It didn’t make sense. How could someone have been alive one minute and dead the next
152Jacob’s POV The moonlight shimmered off the pavement as Jenny and I strolled down the quiet streets of the city, her hand tucked securely in mine. After everything that had happened—the attacks, the chaos in the vampire realm, the news of Sophia’s pregnancy, Aldric’s death—I wanted to give Jenny a moment to breathe, to feel human again. Hell, I wanted to feel human again, even if just for one night.I glanced over at her. She was smiling, but I could see the worry behind her eyes, the shadows of everything that had happened lingering just beneath the surface. It had only been a few months since she had been turned into a vampire against her will, and she was still adjusting. It took a lot of time to adjust. Some days were better than others. Tonight, I just wanted to see her happy, to make her forget the madness surrounding us, if only for a few hours.“You look beautiful,” I said softly, squeezing her hand.Jenny laughed, a soft, melodic sound that made me relax a little. “You a
153Sophia’s POV When Jenny and Jacob finally burst through the door, the room immediately filled up with thick tension. I was sitting on the couch, reading something to distract myself, but the moment I saw Jenny’s pale face and wide, haunted eyes, I knew something terrible had happened.“Jenny?” I said, standing up slowly, unsure of what to expect. “What’s going on?”Jenny didn’t answer. She just stood there, shaking, her hands trembling at her sides. Jacob, behind her, looked just as shaken, his face drawn and serious. It wasn’t often that I saw Jacob this rattled, and that scared me. Something had gone very wrong.“What happened?” I asked again, this time looking at Jacob.“We were attacked,” Jacob said through clenched teeth, his hand resting on Jenny’s shoulder. “Two vampires. They tried to kill us.”My heart sank. “Are you hurt? Both of you?”Jenny shook her head slightly, her eyes staring at the floor as if she were reliving the attack in her mind. Jacob sighed heavily, glanc
154Ian’s POV It had been a long day. The issues of the past few weeks sat heavy on my shoulders, and I knew that tonight was meant to be a relieve—a moment of quiet after the storm that had been wearing us all down. Lyanna and Mike were coming over for dinner, and while I was looking forward to their company, a part of me couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had been lingering ever since the attack on the realm.I glanced over at Sophia, who was busy setting the table, her movements slow and deliberate. She was recovering, but the toll everything had taken on her—on us—was evident in her eyes. There was a shadow there, a constant reminder that our world was not safe. Not for us, and certainly not for her or our unborn child.“How are you feeling?” I asked softly, moving to stand beside her as she adjusted the silverware.She glanced up at me, her lips pulling into a small, tired smile. “Better. Just tired.”I reached out, placing my hand gently on her lower back. “You don’t have
155Ian’s POV The heavy clouds hung low over the vampire realm, mirroring the mood of the day. The funeral was set to take place in the old cemetery, a secluded area deep within the heart of the realm, where the most notable vampires had been laid to rest for centuries. Today, we would bury Aldric.I stood in front of the mirror in our room, fastening the buttons on my shirt, my thoughts churning. Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her lap, looking at me with that soft, familiar gaze. She knew I was troubled. Ever since Aldric’s body had been found, things had felt wrong. Like we were walking through a fog, unsure of where the next threat would come from.“We’ll leave right after the ceremony,” I said quietly, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “No one will have the chance to ask too many questions. You’ll be safe.”Sophia nodded, though I could see the tension in her body. I walked over and sat beside her, taking her hand in mine. With her being pregnant, I knew ev
156Sophia’s POV Jenny and I walked out of the lecture hall, the cool afternoon breeze hitting our faces. It felt good to be back at school after all the chaos we’d been through lately. For a brief moment, everything felt normal. Ian was off at his own class, playing the role of Professor Grant, and Jacob and Mike were back at the condo with Lyanna, hopefully keeping everything secure.Jenny stretched, her face looking lighter than it had in days. “I actually think I understood that lecture,” she said with a laugh, brushing her hair out of her face. “Maybe my brain isn’t completely fried after all.”I smiled, but I couldn’t shake the nagging worry at the back of my mind. Everything had been too quiet lately, and after Aldric’s death, I had foolishly hoped that we’d be done with the attacks. That maybe the worst was over. But something didn’t sit right with me.We walked to the car and got in, the silence between us growing. Jenny must have sensed my tension because she glanced over a
157Anonymous POV. The rain fell steadily outside the narrow window, a constant drumming that mirrored the tension in the room. The figure sat at the desk, their fingers tapping the wood in time with the downpour. A stack of papers lay scattered in front of them, but their eyes weren’t focused on the writing. They stared through the window instead, their mind far from the small, dimly lit room they occupied.Everything was spiraling out of control faster than anticipated.The plan had been perfect, calculated to the smallest detail. Aldric’s death should have been the final piece in the puzzle—a move that would send Ian into confusion, shattering the already fragile peace in the vampire realm. Yet somehow, it hadn’t gone according to plan. Aldric had been found too soon, discovered before the illusion could fully take root. Ian had reacted swiftly, calling for a lockdown in the realm and putting every force he had into place.That had not been expected.The figure clenched their fist
158Ian’s POV I stood in the center of the council room, staring down at the cold, lifeless body before me. My heart clenched in my chest as I tried to process what I was seeing. Another one. Another council member, dead.The smell of blood still hung in the air, thick and metallic. Even after all these centuries, I still hated that smell. Hated what it signified. This wasn’t the work of some random enemy. This was calculated, deliberate. Someone was targeting my council members, and they were slipping through our defenses as if we had none.“Who found him?” My voice was low, trying to suppress the rising anger that threatened to consume me.“One of the guards on patrol,” Jacob answered from behind me. “He was discovered at dawn, just outside the council chambers.”I knelt beside the body, my fingers brushing the edges of the council member’s robe. This was Elian, one of the quieter ones, one who never fully trusted me. He had always been cautious, perhaps too cautious for his own go
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