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
159Ian’s POVFor months, we had managed to keep Sophia away from the vampire realm, a feat that required a delicate balance of planning and luck. It wasn’t easy to keep a secret like hers, especially when the council had eyes and ears everywhere. But somehow, we did it. And as the days stretched into weeks, and the weeks into months, her belly began to swell with the undeniable proof of our secret.It was surreal, watching the changes in her. Every time I looked at her, my heart clenched with a mix of awe and fear. Her skin seemed to glow, a warmth radiating from her that I hadn’t noticed before. And her belly—her growing belly—was a constant reminder of what we were trying so hard to protect.Sophia was standing by the window of our condo, her hand resting gently on her stomach, staring out at the skyline. The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over her, and for a moment, she looked completely at peace. It was a rare sight, given everything we were going through.
160Sophia’s POV It was a quiet afternoon, one of those rare moments where things felt almost normal. I was sitting on the couch, a book in my hands, but my mind wasn’t really on the words in front of me. Instead, I was thinking about everything that had happened, the weight of the secrets we’d been carrying pressing down on me more with each passing day. My belly, rounder now, was a constant reminder of the life growing inside me—and the danger that came with it.Ian had gone out for a meeting, and Jacob and Jenny were off somewhere, probably trying to act like everything was fine. I had the condo to myself, which gave me a strange sense of peace, even if it was short-lived.The knock at the door was unexpected. I frowned, placing the book down and getting up slowly. No one was supposed to come here, at least not without letting us know first. But maybe Ian forgot to tell me someone was stopping by. He had a lot on his mind.I opened the door, expecting to see maybe Mike or even Jen
161Sophia’s POV.I could feel Ian’s worry as we both stepped into the vampire realm. I was worried too. Heck, I was scared of facing them. But Ian was holding my hand tightly, giving me all I needed to not turn around and run back to the portal. He gave me strength.His face was set in a mask of calm, but I knew him well enough to sense the storm brewing beneath the surface. This wasn’t just about the pregnancy; it was about power, about control, and about the future of the realm.The grand hall was as intimidating as ever, with its tall, dark arches and flickering torches casting long shadows. The council members were already seated in their usual positions, their eyes cold and calculating. They didn’t waste time on pleasantries. The second we stepped through the doors, Viktor, of course, was the first to speak.“Ian. Sophia.” His tone was clipped, his expression stern. “It seems you’ve been keeping something rather significant from us.”Ian’s hand tightened around mine as he took a
162Sophia’s POV Stepping outside the castle walls for the first time felt like stepping into another world. I had been to the vampire realm so many times before, but I had never truly seen it. Every visit had been filled with tension, political maneuvering, and danger. But now, with the council meeting behind us, I could finally take a breath and see what this place had to offer.Ian had insisted on coming with me, of course. He was always protective, especially now with everything going on, but I had managed to convince him that I needed some space. Just for a little while. I wasn’t entirely alone though—two guards shadowed me, keeping a respectful distance, as I walked down the winding cobblestone streets.The city was… beautiful. I hadn’t expected that. For some reason, I had always associated the vampire realm with darkness, shadows, and cold stone, but what I saw now was entirely different. The streets were lined with tall, elegant buildings, their stone facades gleaming in the
163Ian’s POV Stepping out of the condo, I felt the familiar weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. After everything that had happened in the vampire realm, a quiet moment back in the human world should have been a relief, but it wasn’t. Not really. There was too much lingering tension, too many unanswered questions. I had left Sophia with Jenny and Jacob for the afternoon, hoping they could help her relax. She needed the break—hell, we all did. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still off.Mike had been away for months during the height of the attacks, and even though he’d returned, I hadn’t had a chance to catch up with him properly. We just talked briefly about the situation in the vampire realm, but there was something about his demeanor that seemed different, distant even. We weren’t like before. Maybe it was just my nerves playing tricks on me, or maybe I was still trying to process everything that had happened.I decided to head over to his place,
164Ian’s POV Returning to the vampire realm always heavier each time I stepped through the threshold. Maybe it was because of the shift in the air, or maybe because the vampire realm was much more complicated than the human world. The realm was still undergoing repairs, the aftermath of the attack hanging in the air like a stubborn fog. Workers moved briskly, and I noticed the council had been gathering in the grand hall. It had been a while since our last meeting, and I could sense something was brewing.As I made my way inside, Aldric’s absence lingered in the back of my mind. His death had left a vacancy not only in the council but in the balance of power. The rest of the council, no matter how much they pretended otherwise, seemed rattled by the events that had unfolded. With everything going on, it was hard to know who to trust.Viktor, as usual, was the first to speak when I entered. He looked over his shoulder and nodded, his eyes piercing. “Ian, good. You’re here.”I didn’t
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