Jasmine’s POVThe moon feels different tonight. Its light doesn’t just illuminate but it seeps into me, warming parts of my soul I thought would remain cold forever. I walk through the garden, the soft grass cool against my bare feet. For once, my mind is quiet. No echo of Ryker’s harsh voice, no memory of his hands bruising instead of comforting. Just quiet, soft, and soothing, like Ramon's presence.I stop by the pond, my reflection shimmering in the water. I don’t recognize myself. My eyes are brighter, my hair longer and glossier, my skin almost glowing under the moonlight. It’s subtle but undeniable. Something inside me is changing.At first, I thought it was Ramon's protection, his steady patience that allowed me to breathe again. But it’s more than that. There’s a warmth building in my chest, pulsing softly like the rhythm of my heart. It hums when Ramon is near, stronger when he touches me.He’s near now and I can feel it. I glance over my shoulder, catching his silhouette ag
Jasmine’s POV “I’m not used to this,” I say softly. “To being… cared for.” Ramon’s expression softens, and he reaches out, hesitating just before his fingers touch my arm. “You deserve to be cared for,” he says. “And I’ll prove it to you every day if I have to.”His touch is warm, grounding me in the present. I don’t flinch or pull away like I might have before. Instead, I let the warmth spread, easing the tension I didn’t realize I was holding.The moonlight seems brighter now, its glow wrapping around us like a cocoon. I glance down at our hands, his large and steady, mine smaller but no longer trembling. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am stronger than I think.But as I stand there, the quiet of the garden settling around us, a small part of me still whispers in doubt. Trust doesn’t come easily, not after everything I’ve been through. But Ramon makes me want to try. And for now, maybe that’s enough.As I stand with Ramon in the garden, the warmth inside me pulses again, stronger than be
RamonI sit alone in the grand study of my mansion, the fire crackling softly in the hearth as shadows flicker across the walls. Outside, the night is still, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over the garden. Yet beneath the quiet, a weight presses against my thoughts. A weight I’ve grown familiar with.Three months have passed since Jasmine arrived, fleeing Ryker’s grasp. She was broken when she first came to me, fragile and hesitant. Her power, once wild and untamed, was subdued by fear and pain. She needed more than just healing, she needed time to rebuild her strength, her confidence.Her existence has remained hidden, even from my own clan. To introduce her now would be reckless. They would see her through a lens of judgment, not understanding the complexities of her situation. Being mated to both me and Ryker is a challenge only Jasmine can face, and until she fully embraces her powers, the world will remain unaware.I trace the pendant around my neck, a protective charm pass
Jasmine’s POVEverything in this library is magical. Even as the sun dips below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the vast library within Ramon's mansion, it gives off a magical vibe.I'm sitting at a large, antique desk, surrounded by stacks of ancient books, each one older than the last. My hand grips a faded parchment as I trace symbols and forgotten texts, my brows furrowed in concentration. The room is quiet except for the soft scratch of my quill on paper and the faint flicker of candlelight.The door creaks open softly, and Ramon steps inside. His dark, tailored coat flows effortlessly over the stone floor. I barely glance up, too lost in the mysteries before me.“You’re still at it,” he says softly, closing the door behind him. His voice is calm and patient, but there’s a hint of amusement beneath it. I set down my quill, looking up at him with a slight smile. “It’s fascinating,” I reply. “So much of our history has been lost. There’s so much I don’t know.”Ramon approac
Jasmine I sit by the large window, my gaze lost in the fading light outside. The lessons with Ramon play through my mind. The history, the music, the endless discovery. I never imagined my world could be so rich with knowledge, so full of moments that feel like growth. Each day with him opens doors I didn’t know existed, revealing things about myself I never thought possible.Ramon moves quietly into the room, his presence as comforting as the warmth of a hearth on a cold night. He moves with the grace of someone who has lived through centuries, yet his eyes hold a tenderness that makes him timeless, grounding in a way that feels eternal.“You’ve been thinking again,” he says softly, his voice smooth and steady, filling the room with its calm. I smile faintly, glancing over at him. “There’s so much to learn,” I whisper. “So much I didn’t know existed.”He sits beside me, his hand resting lightly on mine. “And you’re doing beautifully. It’s not just knowledge you’ve gained, you’ve emb
Ryker’s POVIt’s been nearly four months since Jasmine escaped, and yet the bond between us still pulses, faint, but ever-present. I feel her. Her happiness, her laughter. There’s no fear, no uncertainty. Only a strange calmness that gnaws at my pride, twisting in my chest like a blade. It enrages me.A burning anger ignites within me. How dare she be happy without me? Doesn't she know that she's mine, my mate, my toy? Mine to do as I please with. I will remind her, even from a distance, who she belongs to. Lest she gets too happy and forgets that.She should be mine. Broken, defiant, or cowering, she should be nothing but a reflection of my control. Yet here she is, thriving. Living without me. Without needing me. I seek out Carly, the she-wolf who indirectly facilitated Jasmine's escape. I've been keeping her at bay, but my anger and frustration drive me to seek her comfort. I know that indulging in sexual activities with Carly is a betrayal of my bond with Jasmine, but I don't car
Jasmine I sit across from Ramon, the soft glow of candlelight illuminating our quiet dinner. The warmth and comfort of the evening are a balm to my soul, a reminder of the peace I've found with Ramon.But without warning, a searing pain rips through my chest, threatening to tear me apart. I feel Ryker's betrayal, his violation of our mate bond. It's as if he's reached inside me and twisted my heart into knots.I let out a bloodcurdling scream, my body contorting in agony. I fall to the floor, one hand clutching my chest, the other clawing at my abdomen. Ramon's face is a blur as he rushes to my side.He scoops me up, cradling me in his arms as he carries me to his master bedroom. His lips brush against mine, gentle and soothing, but tonight, it's not enough. The pain is too intense, too overwhelming.Ramon knows that if this continues, my weak wolf might not survive. He also knows that the only way to soothe my pain is to complete our mate bond. But he's been waiting for me to heal,
Ryker's POV I stand before the pack, my eyes scanning the gathered hunters as I address them. But my mind is elsewhere, still reeling from the heated session with Carly that left me unfulfilled. Just as I'm about to conclude the meeting, a wave of excruciating pain crashes over me. I feel like I've been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. I don't need to think deeply to know what's happening. Jasmine. She's betraying our mate bond. I can feel it, sense the violation of our connection. My eyes narrow, my mind racing with anger and possessiveness. I know she hasn't gone all the way, that it's just kisses and touching. But that's enough. She's mine, and she'll pay for her disobedience. The pack meeting fades into the background as I focus on the pain, on the sense of betrayal that's consuming me. I'll make her pay, I vow to myself. I'll make her regret ever crossing me. My relief is short-lived, as a burning pain grips my lower abdomen and groin. I let out a terrif
Ramon's POV The tension in the air is suffocating. I sit in my study, surrounded by the ancient tomes and artifacts I’ve collected over centuries, yet no amount of knowledge can prepare me for the storm brewing around us. The arrival of Tharros, Arinthal, and Kaiden has thrown our fragile balance into chaos.Their claims to Jasmine as their mate... I can barely stomach the thought. It takes every ounce of control I possess to remain civil in their presence, to keep from tearing into them and ending the farce once and for all. But I can’t. Not yet. Not when their power rivals mine, and not when Jasmine is already grappling with so much.Jasmine. Her name is a balm and a torment all at once. She doesn’t see it, but I watch her closely. The way her shoulders tense when one of the ancients enters the room, the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes when they speak of bonds and ancient connections, it infuriates me. Because I can’t protect her from this.I rake a hand through my hair, pacing
Jasmine’s POV The night air presses against me as I step onto the balcony of Ramon's mansion. The moon, pale and watchful, casts its glow across the sprawling gardens below. Somewhere deep in my chest, a part of me aches, a knot of emotions too tangled to name.The events of the day are still a storm in my mind. Three ancient beings; Tharros Blackfire, Arinthal Starweaver, and Kaiden Nightwalker, arriving like heralds of chaos, claiming to be bound to me in ways I barely understand. Their power was overwhelming, their presence suffocating, yet there was a strange familiarity in the way their gazes locked onto mine.I close my eyes and grip the railing, the cool metal grounding me. Ever since I awakened to the truth of my Ailuranthrope nature, the world has shifted. Everything feels heavier, like I’m standing at the center of a storm that could rip through the very fabric of this realm.The memory of their voices lingers. “Your power calls to me, Jasmine,” Tharros had said, his voice
Ramon's POV The mansion is still heavy with the lingering presence of the three ancients. Tharros Blackfire, with his eyes like molten embers and an aura that reeked of brimstone; Arinthal Starweaver, whose very presence bent the light around him as if he were a living paradox; and Kaiden Nightwalker, the infamous rogue alpha whose power pulsated like the rhythm of a battle drum. They had stood there, claiming Jasmine. My mate.It’s been hours since they left, and yet my mind is still racing. I should be calm, and strategic but the rage bubbling inside me is hard to suppress. It’s not just the arrogance they radiated, or even the way their gazes lingered on Jasmine like they had a right to her. It’s the fear beneath my anger that’s eating away at me. Because for the first time in centuries, I don’t know if I’m enough.I’ve fought wars. I’ve defeated enemies far stronger than me, outmaneuvered the Council itself, and clawed my way to the top of the vampire hierarchy. But nothing has p
Ramon's POV The air feels wrong. I’ve been alive for over five centuries, seen horrors that would bring most beings to their knees, and faced creatures born of darkness and nightmares. Yet, standing here, watching those three ancients vanish into the night, I feel something I can barely stomach.Jealousy. It twists in my chest, a poison far worse than any I’ve endured, sharp and suffocating. They spoke as if Jasmine was already theirs, as if I was nothing but an inconvenience, a mere obstacle in their path to claim her. My mate.She’s mine. I’ve known it from the moment our bond began to form, fragile at first but growing stronger with every heartbeat, every touch, every glance. And now, these self-proclaimed "mates" have appeared out of nowhere, talking about bonds and destinies as if they have any right to her. The thought makes my fists clench so hard my nails cut into my palms.Jasmine’s scent, a mix of wildflowers and something uniquely her, lingers in the air, calming the storm
Jasmine I don’t know how long I stand there, frozen between disbelief and fear. Their words hang heavy in the air, curling around me like invisible chains. Ailuranthrope. The word pulses in my mind, foreign and yet familiar, as though it’s been buried deep inside me all along, waiting for this moment to claw its way out.“I don’t trust you.” My voice is stronger than I expect, but my body feels like it’s unraveling. “Any of you.”Ramon’s hand brushes my arm, steadying me, and I glance at him. His crimson eyes flash with fury, but there’s something else there. Something softer, protective. He doesn’t speak, though. He lets me face them.Tharros smirks like he’s been expecting my reaction. “You don’t have to trust us, little queen. But that doesn’t change what you are or why we’re here.”“Don’t call me that,” I snap, my voice sharper than I intended. My hands clench at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I take a shaky step forward. “I’m not your queen, your savior, or whatever it
Unknown POV The night was unusually still, the air thick with an unexplainable energy. Jasmine stood on the balcony of Ramon’s mansion, her gaze locked on the horizon where the moon began to rise. But tonight, it wasn’t the familiar silvery glow she’d grown accustomed to. This moon was tinged with crimson, its ominous hue casting eerie shadows across the garden below.Her chest tightened as an ache bloomed deep within her, an ache that wasn’t physical but primal, ancient. Her fingers gripped the railing, knuckles whitening as waves of heat rippled through her body. “Jasmine?” Ramon’s voice broke through the haze.She turned to find him standing in the doorway, his dark eyes filled with concern. Even as a vampire lord, Ramon’s presence always exuded calm authority, but tonight, there was something raw in his gaze. “The moon,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “It’s... different.”Ramon stepped closer, his hands brushing her shoulders gently. “It’s the Bloodmoon,” he said. “A rare ce
Jasmine’s POVRamon’s study is filled with the scent of burning herbs and ancient magic. I sit cross-legged in the center of a circle drawn with shimmering runes, my heart pounding louder than the chants Ramon is whispering in an archaic tongue. The blood moon is close, I can feel it in the way my body aches, in the way my thoughts scatter, as if every part of me is struggling to stay tethered.Ramon kneels before me, his crimson eyes blazing with determination. “The ritual will take us to the Ailuranthrope’s Realm,” he says, his voice low and steady. “It’s a place your ancestors created, a sanctuary, but also a crucible. Only the worthy can claim its power.”I swallow hard, my throat dry. “And what happens if I’m not worthy?” His lips curve into a faint, reassuring smile. “You are, Jasmine. You’ve always been. But the realm may not make it easy for you to believe that.”Before I can respond, the air around us begins to hum, the runes glowing brighter. My skin tingles as a force I can
Ryker’s POVThe wind howls through the desolate packhouse, its emptiness echoing louder than the voices in my head. Once, these halls bustled with life, wolves bowing their heads as I strode through, their Alpha, their strength. Now, silence reigns, and every shadow mocks me with her name. Jasmine.I slam my fist into the oak table in front of me, splintering it with a sickening crack. The shards fly, some embedding into my knuckles, but the pain is a distant whisper compared to the storm raging inside me. She chose him. That bloodsucking leech.I knew the bond between us had weakened, but I’d convinced myself there was still something left, some flicker of what we once were. I was wrong.The weight of that realization crushes me. She didn’t just reject me; she saw me for what I truly am. Weak. Cruel. Unworthy.I stagger to the window, looking out over the sprawling forest that surrounds the pack lands. My lands. My kingdom. Yet it feels so hollow now, as though her absence has stripp
Jasmine’s POVThe fireplace fills the room with warmth, but it’s Ramon’s presence that truly comforts me. He sits behind me on the bed, his strong arms wrapped around my waist as if he’s afraid to let go. His chin rests lightly on my shoulder, and his steady breath tickles my neck.For a moment, the world outside doesn’t exist. The battles, the dangers, the fractured pieces of who I am, all of it fades away in the quiet intimacy of this moment.“You’re awfully quiet, my Lord.” I murmur with a cheeky smile, tilting my head slightly to glance at him. Just trying to lighten the heavy mood. His crimson eyes meet mine, glowing faintly in the firelight. “I’m thinking,” he says, his voice a low rumble.“About?” I ask though I have an inkling what he's thinking about. “You,” he replies simply, a small smile tugging at his lips. “About how you’ve faced so much and yet you’re still here. Still fighting.”A lump forms in my throat at his words. “I don’t feel strong,” I admit softly. “Half the ti