83Ian’s POVThe late afternoon cast shadows along the road as Jacob and I pulled up to Jenny and Sophia’s house. There was a tension in the air, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was causing it. Jacob had been unusually quiet on the drive over, and I could sense something on his mind, something he wasn’t ready to talk about. As for me, my thoughts were revolving all around Sophia. She had been on edge lately, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.We stepped out of the car, and Jacob hesitated for a moment before following me up the steps to the front door. I knocked twice, but before I could knock again, the door swung open to reveal Jenny, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Jacob.“Hey,” she greeted us, her smile widening as she stepped aside to let us in. “I wasn’t expecting you both so soon.”I nodded in acknowledgment, but before I could respond, Jacob stepped forward and, to my surprise, pulled Jenny into a kiss. It was no qui
84Sophia’s POVI tried to move, but the ropes binding my wrists dug deeper into my skin. Panic clawed at my throat as I blinked through the haze clouding my vision. The forest around me had turned into a blur of dark shadows and faint moonlight, and all I could feel was the cold, hard ground beneath me and the burning pain in my limbs.Where am I?My thoughts were jumbled, a chaotic mess that refused to settle into any sort of coherence. The last thing I remembered was the sharp sting of the bullets—wooden bullets—tearing through my skin, and then everything had gone black. Now, I was here, tied up, completely helpless.Helpless.That word echoed in my mind, a cruel reminder of how powerless I was in this moment. The vampire strength that had become second nature to me, the abilities I had come to rely on—they were all gone, drained away by the vervain they kept injecting into me. I could feel it coursing through my veins, dulling my senses, sapping every ounce of energy from my body
85Ian’s POVThe warehouse loomed in the distance, a dark, hulking structure against the night sky. It was nondescript, blending in with the industrial surroundings, but the whole atmosphere around it felt wrong. So wrong. We were close now—close to where they were holding Sophia. Every instinct screamed at me to charge in, to tear the place apart until I found her, but I knew that was exactly what they wanted. Charging in recklessly would get us all killed.Jenny stood beside me, her face pale but determined. Jacob was on my other side, his jaw clenched in concentration as he surveyed the area. We had spent the last hour going over every possible scenario, every potential pitfall, but no matter how much we planned, the risk was enormous. These weren’t just ordinary humans we were up against—they were vampire hunters, and they knew exactly what they were doing.“They’re expecting me to come alone,” I said, my voice low as we crouched behind the cover of an abandoned truck. “We have to
86Jenny’s POVThe car ride home was a blend of panic and fear. I kept my hand on Sophia’s arm, checking for any sign of life, but her skin was cold, and her breathing was so shallow it was barely there. Every time I looked at her, my heart squeezed with dread. She was unconscious, completely unresponsive, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.We finally pulled up to the house, and Jacob barely had the car in park before Ian was out of the driver’s seat, moving faster than I could track with his vampire speed. He yanked the door open, scooping Sophia into his arms as if she weighed nothing. His face was the definition of fury and worry, along with other dark emotions swirling in his eyes.“Get the door!” Ian barked, his voice sharp and eyes as cold as glaciers.I scrambled out of the car, fumbling with the keys as I raced to unlock the front door. My hands were shaking so badly that it took me a couple of tries, but I finally got it open, and Ia
87Ian’s POVSophia was stil very pale, like there was no blood at all in her body. Her breath shallow and her body fragile like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering. I hovered by her bedside, feeling a never ending sense of helplessness. Her condition had improved slightly, but it was clear she needed something more. The thought of what that something was left a bitter taste in my mouth.Human blood.It wasn’t something I wanted her to rely on. The risks were too great, and the consequences… irreversible. I’d seen it happen before—vampires who couldn’t resist the taste of human blood, who became addicted to its power and pleasure. It changed them, made them lose themselves. I didn’t want that for Sophia. She had already been through so much, and this was a line I didn’t want her to cross.But what choice did I have? She was barely clinging to life, and every minute that passed without action was another minute she grew weaker. The blood of animals wasn’t enough. It could susta
88Sophia’s POVI could feel the strength returning to my body and my mind getting stronger each day. The darkness that had clouded my thoughts was lifting, replaced by a sharp awareness that made everything seem more vivid. I hadn’t felt this alive in weeks, and it was relieving. It was as if I’d been underwater, struggling to breathe, and now I’d finally surfaced, gasping for air.But with that clarity, I also realized just how dangerous our situation had become.I sat on the couch in the living room, surrounded by the people who had become my family. Ian sat beside me, my body touching his slightly, while Jenny was on my other side, her hand resting reassuringly on my knee. Across from us, Jacob leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Lyanna and Mike, both looking serious, completed our circle, the tension in the room almost physical.“We need to talk about what happened,” Ian said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but I could hear the concern
89Ian’s POVThe crescent moon was hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows across the deserted streets as we made our way through the city. The night was quiet, but there was a tension in the air that made my senses sharper, my instincts more alert. I could feel the presence of Jacob and Mike flanking me, their footsteps silent, their expressions grim. We were on a hunt, but this time, our prey wasn’t human.“We’re getting close,” Mike muttered, his voice barely a whisper.I nodded, feeling the same pull in my blood. The vampire we were tracking was nearby—close enough for me to sense his aura. He was old, cunning, and powerful enough to mask his presence from most, but not from us. We had been following his trail for hours, through alleyways and abandoned buildings, narrowing the distance until we were nearly upon him.“Are you sure he’ll talk?” Jacob asked, his tone tinged with skepticism. “Vampires like him don’t usually give up information easily.”“He’ll talk,” I said, my vo
90Sophia’s POVThe sky was a light shade of blue, barely any cloud in it as Jenny and I trained outside, the setting sun casting long shadows over the yard. The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, offering a temporary relief from the heat of our training. We moved in rhythm, practicing punches and blocks, our movements synchronized in a way that only came from hours of shared training.Jenny was focused, her usually cheerful demeanor replaced by a seriousness I hadn’t seen before. She threw a punch, and I deftly blocked it, both of us panting slightly from the effort.“You’re improving,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice. “Your reactions are getting faster.”“Thanks,” I replied, catching my breath. “So are yours. You’re getting really good at this.”Jenny smiled, but it was brief, as if her mind was elsewhere. I noticed the change in her demeanor and sensed that something was bothering her. “You seem a bit distracted,” I remarked, pausing our training. “Is everything ok
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