Ryker’s POVThe pain comes like a storm, sudden, violent, and unrelenting. I stagger, clutching the edge of my desk as a sharp, searing ache tears through my chest. My breath hitches, and I fight the urge to collapse. No. Not here. Not in front of my pack.I clench my jaw, swallowing a snarl as the connection between Jasmine and me burns like molten fire. I feel her slipping further away, feel the bond twisting and writhing as if trying to sever itself entirely. And beneath it all, I feel him.Ramon. The bastard. The thief. He’s touching her. I don’t need to see it; I can feel it. Her pleasure, her surrender—it’s a dagger to my heart, the betrayal amplified by the bond I tried so hard to strengthen with dark magic. My wolf howls inside me, clawing at the walls of my mind, demanding I do something, anything.But I can’t. Not like this. Not with my pack watching. I shove the pain deep inside and straighten, my breath ragged, my hands trembling. My vision blurs, but I force myself to mov
Jasmine’s POVThe first time I felt it, I thought I was dying. It was a sharp, twisting pain that tore through my chest, leaving me breathless. My hands shook, my vision blurred, and my wolf whimpered in my mind, curling into herself like a frightened pup. I didn’t understand what was happening. All I knew was that something inside me was breaking.At first, I thought it was the mate bond rejecting me. After all, I’d always been told I was unworthy. Weak. Disposable. An omega with no value. Ryker made sure I never forgot it. His words, his disdain, his rejection, they were as constant as the moon’s pull on the tides. But this wasn’t just rejection. This was something darker, something unnatural.It didn’t take long to realize that Ryker had done something to our bond, something twisted and wrong. I could feel it, a dark thread woven into the connection between us, pulsing with an energy that didn’t belong. It made my skin crawl and made my wolf howl in distress. And yet, no matter ho
Jasmine’s POVThe ache in my chest is unbearable, a gnawing hunger that won’t let up. Every time I look at Ramon, I feel the pull of the mate bond, begging to be completed. It’s a fire in my veins, a need that goes deeper than desire. I want him to mark me. No, I need him to.“Ramon,” I plead, stepping closer. My voice is a whisper, trembling with desperation. “Why are we waiting? You know what this would mean for us. For me.”He doesn’t move, doesn’t even flinch, but his crimson eyes flicker with a myriad of emotions. I see pain, guilt, and hesitation. “I know,” he says softly. “And that’s why we can’t.” His words feel like a slap, and I flinch. “Why? Is it because I’m not ready? Because you don’t think I’m strong enough?”His brows knit together, and he steps forward, his hand lifting to cup my cheek. The warmth of his touch soothes the sting of rejection, but it doesn’t dull the ache. “It’s not about your strength,” he says, his voice steady and calm. “It’s about the consequences.
Ramon’s POVThe quiet hum of the mansion feels heavier tonight, as though the walls themselves are bracing for something. I lean against the doorway of my study, watching Jasmine through the window. She’s sitting by the pond, her feet skimming the water’s surface.Around her, the world seems unnaturally alive. Birds perch on branches overhead, chirping in a strange harmony. Rabbits have gathered near the flowerbeds, their tiny noses twitching in her direction. Even the fish seem to swim closer to where she sits, as though drawn to her mere presence.Jasmine, blissfully unaware of the peculiarity, laughs softly. “It’s like I’m some kind of animal whisperer,” she jokes when she catches me staring. I offer a faint smile but don’t respond. She doesn’t realize the weight of what she’s said.Once she retreats inside for the night, I step into the library. The shelves are packed with ancient tomes and scrolls collected over centuries, their secrets waiting to be unraveled. I’ve delved into t
Jasmine’s POVI sit on the edge of the pond, my legs tucked beneath me as a soft breeze stirs the surrounding trees. The air feels alive, brimming with something I can’t quite name. Birds flit around me, their chirps an odd symphony of joy and curiosity. A curious fox peers at me from the underbrush, and a school of koi swims close to the pond’s edge, their glistening bodies reflecting the sunlight as though they are trying to greet me.This has been happening for days now, animals, birds, even the fish in the pond seem drawn to me. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but the frequency is undeniable.I stretch my fingers toward the water, and the koi rise, their small mouths opening and closing as if they understand me. It’s surreal, but it also feels natural. Like this is how it’s always supposed to have been.“Jasmine.”Ramon’s deep voice cuts through my thoughts. I look up to see him standing a few feet away, his dark eyes scanning the scene with an intensity that makes me sh
Ramon’s POVThe witches don’t even try to hide their approach. I feel their magic long before I see them. An acrid ripple of energy that licks at the edges of my mansion’s wards like oily smoke. My fingers twitch at my sides as I step outside, each movement precise, deliberate. It has been centuries since I’ve allowed the full weight of my bloodthirstiness to surface, but the thought of them threatening Jasmine awakens something primal in me.The sun hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows over the grounds, but even its presence can’t diminish the suffocating darkness I carry. I sense them before they emerge. It is a quartet of witches cloaked in crimson robes, their magic pooling like stagnant water. They are powerful, no doubt, but their power pales against the centuries of death and destruction I’ve wielded.When they finally step into view, they falter. The one in front, a tall woman with streaks of silver in her black hair, takes an instinctive step back. Her eyes widen as th
Jasmine’s POVThe silence is oppressive, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves outside the mansion. I sit on the edge of the bed, my hands gripping the sheets as I struggle to keep my breathing steady. Ramon’s presence is a comforting shield, but with him gone, the weight of my fears presses down on me.I try to reach out, closing my eyes and summoning the wolf within me. Please, I beg silently, my hands curling into fists. Talk to me. Guide me. Nothing.The void where my wolf used to be feels like a gaping wound, one I don’t know how to heal. My Ailuranthrope side stirs faintly, like a whisper at the edge of my mind, but it’s elusive, slipping away every time I try to grasp it. I bite my lip, fighting the tears that threaten to fall. “Why won’t you answer me?” I whisper into the stillness.The truth is, I’m terrified. Ramon tries to hide his worry, but I’ve seen the way his jaw tightens when he talks about the dangers we face. He downplays it, of course, as if I won’t notice. But
Ramon’s POVThe night is still, a fragile silence draping the mansion like a cloak. It’s too quiet. I pace the length of the study, my senses on edge, the faint hum of Jasmine’s aura a constant undercurrent in the room. Her training has gone better than I expected, and yet, I can’t shake the foreboding weight pressing against my chest.She’s asleep now, her breathing soft and even as it drifts to my ears. Her newfound confidence has given her a glow that I can’t help but admire. But with it comes danger.I glance at the darkened corners of the room, my instincts prickling. The witches’ intrusion was no coincidence. They were the first, but they won’t be the last. Jasmine’s awakening will draw attention from every corner of the supernatural world.The thought fills me with a rage I haven’t felt in centuries. They will come for her. And they will die. A sharp knock echoes through the mansion. I’m already moving before the second knock, my senses sharpening as I approach the front door.
Jasmine’s POVI wake to the soft glow of sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains. For a moment, I forget where I am. The warmth of the silk sheets, the faint scent of cedar and spice that clings to them, it’s all so far removed from the cold, empty nights I’d spent before.Then I feel the strong arm draped across my waist, the steady rise and fall of Ramon’s chest behind me, and reality sinks in. I’m safe. I’m with him. My only friend, my mate, the one I love, my confidante, my saviour and my protector, Ramon Kovah Vampire Lord of the Crimson Clan.Turning carefully so as not to wake him, I study his face. His sharp features are softened in sleep, the lines of centuries of burdens momentarily eased. He looks so… human. It’s hard to reconcile this serene man with the ruthless vampire lord the world fears.But I know better. Beneath the tenderness he shows me lies a predator. A protector who would tear the world apart for me. And that just feels so good. I know this makes me sound
RykerThe witches’ murmurs fade into the background as I pace the clearing. The scent of her lingers, a cruel reminder of what I’ve lost, or rather, what’s been stolen from me. My wolf, Red, prowls beneath my skin, snapping and snarling, his fury mirroring my own.She was mine. She is mine. No vampire lord, nor ancient bond, will change that. The witches’ leader dares to step closer, her calculating eyes meeting mine. “Alpha, your fury is justified, but rage alone won’t reclaim her. You need strategy and allies.”My lips curl into a mocking smile. “Allies?” I turn on her, my tone laced with venom. “You think I need your pitiful spells to take what’s mine?”She flinches but recovers quickly, her expression hardening. “We offer more than spells. We offer an opportunity to strike where the Vampire Lord is weakest. But only if you’re willing to do what is necessary.”I step closer, towering over her. “And what, exactly, do you think I’m unwilling to do?” The witch’s smile returns, sly and
Ryker’s POVThe scent hits me like a thunderclap. That unmistakable, maddeningly sweet scent that has haunted my darkest dreams. My muscles tense as my wolf surges forward, growling with primal need and rage. Jasmine.I stand in the clearing, surrounded by witches cloaked in dark robes, their murmured incantations barely registering over the pounding of my blood. The air is heavy with magic, but it does nothing to mask the scent of her. I haven’t smelled it in months, yet it still ignites a twisted combination of longing and fury deep within me.My lips curl into a snarl, but I quickly suppress it, keeping my expression neutral. No one here can know the chaos that scent has unleashed within me. My pride won’t allow it.“Alpha Ryker?” Malachai’s voice is cautious, his brow furrowed as he approaches me. “The wards are too strong. We cannot see past them. The vampire lord has shrouded the location entirely.” I wave him off impatiently, my mind racing. So this is where she’s been hiding.
Unknown POV The forest is quiet, save for the hurried whispers of the witches fleeing the wrath of the Vampire Lord. Their breaths come in shallow gasps as they dart through the shadowed woods, their dark cloaks snagging on branches. Fear hangs heavy in the air, a palpable weight pressing down on their every step. They know what they left behind, an ancient predator, seething with fury and power. But fate is a strange and twisted thing.Malachai watches them from the shadows, his sharp eyes gleaming with interest. The mage had been wandering these woods in search of components for his darker rituals when he caught sight of the witches. Their hasty retreat and panicked expressions pique his curiosity.“Fleeing, are we?” Malachai’s voice slithers through the silence, smooth and mocking. He steps into the moonlight, his tall frame cloaked in a robe adorned with strange symbols. His presence stops the witches in their tracks, their wide eyes darting to him with a mix of caution and reco
Ramon’s POVThe wind is heavy tonight, carrying a sense of foreboding that sets my every instinct on edge. I stand on the balcony of my private mansion, the sprawling forest below illuminated by the silvery light of the full moon. Jasmine is safe inside, her aura still masked by the ancient wards I reinforced this morning. But something about the night feels… wrong.It’s not the first time I’ve felt this unease since the witches began sniffing around my territory. The first coven came, trembling before me, and fled. The second dared to challenge me but learned why the Vampire Lord of the Crimson Clan is not a creature to provoke. Yet the whispers persist, spreading like wildfire through the supernatural underworld; an Ailuranthrope has awakened.Jasmine, my sweet Jasmine. I clench the railing, my grip denting the wrought iron. She’s the reason for this growing chaos. Not that she’s to blame, it’s the power she unknowingly wields, the untapped strength that sings to every supernatural
Ryker’s POVI sit in my private inner office, the heavy oak desk between me and Malachi, the mage who reeks of burnt herbs and decay. The flickering candles around the room cast long shadows on his gaunt face. He shifts nervously in his chair, bony fingers fidgeting with the hem of his robe.“You didn’t summon me here to waste my time, Malachai,” I growl, my patience dangerously thin. “Speak.”Malachai flinches but quickly composes himself. “Yes, Alpha. I bring news, news that could shift the balance of power entirely in your favor.” I lean back, feigning disinterest, though my pulse quickens. “Then stop stalling and get to the point.”He clears his throat, voice trembling with excitement. “There are whispers among the covens, Alpha. Rumors of a being thought to exist only in legends. An Ailuranthrope.”I narrow my eyes at the word, the weight of it hanging in the air like a thundercloud. “An Ailuranthrope?” I repeat slowly. “Those haven’t been seen in centuries. You’re telling me one
Ramon’s POVThe moment I step out of the library and into the dimly lit corridor, I sense it. A whisper of unease rippling through the wards around the mansion. The protective magic I wove into this place centuries ago is strong, but even the oldest spells are not invincible. The damned witches will not relent!As I descend the stairs, my thoughts drift to Jasmine. Her quiet strength surprises me daily, but I know the weight she carries. She hides it well, masking her fears behind determined eyes. Even now, she pushes herself to learn, to grow, to become the warrior she believes she must be. But time is against us.The mansion feels colder tonight, the shadows deeper. I move through the hallways with the ease of familiarity, my steps silent on the polished floors. In the great hall, the chandeliers cast a soft golden glow, but the air carries the scent of encroaching danger.The wards shudder again, and I stop abruptly. Someone, no, something, is testing them. I press my palm against
Ramon’s POVThe dawn breaks with an uneasy stillness. The forest surrounding the mansion seems quieter than usual, as though it, too, knows the storm that looms. Jasmine stands in the middle of the training courtyard, her posture stiff but determined. She looks at me with an intensity that reminds me of how fiercely she fought to convince me to train her.I study her for a moment. There’s no doubt she’s strong, her resilience, her heart, and her spirit all prove that. But strength of will is only half the battle. If she’s to survive what’s coming, she’ll need to learn discipline, strategy, and precision.“Before we start,” I say, breaking the silence, “you need to understand one thing. This isn’t about brute force or blind courage. It’s about control. If you let your emotions take over, you’ll lose.” Jasmine nods, her eyes blazing. “I’m ready.”I gesture for her to follow me. We begin with the basics, simple movements to assess her reflexes and coordination. I toss a small wooden staf
Jasmine’s POVThe mansion is quiet. Too quiet. Ramon left nearly an hour ago, his departure marked by a single command: “Stay inside.”But how am I supposed to stay calm when the air is heavy with tension, the kind that feels like the universe holding its breath? I pace the length of my room, my feet bare against the cool floor. The fire in the hearth does little to chase away the chill creeping into my bones.My mind races as I replay the conversation we had before he left, his words etched into my memory like stone. “This is something worse,” he had said. Worse than witches, worse than the dark magic Ryker used to manipulate me.I close my eyes, willing myself to find calm, to reach for the strength Ramon believes I have. But instead of stillness, a restless energy courses through me, making my skin prickle and my pulse quicken.I glance at the window, drawn to the moonlight spilling through the glass. The forest beyond the mansion is shrouded in shadows, the trees swaying gently in