Jasmine’s POVThe days feel like a whirlwind of emotions and revelations, but nothing prepares me for the heaviness lingering in the air this morning. The mansion, usually so serene and protective, feels… different.I sit by the window in the library, watching the sunlight filter through the curtains. A part of me still marvels at the fact that Ramon can stand in daylight without burning. The pendant he wears is powerful, yes, but there’s something more. Something has shifted between us, and I can feel it deep in my soul.As if summoned by my thoughts, Ramon enters the room, his movements as graceful as ever. His presence fills the space, commanding yet comforting.“You’re quiet today,” he says, his tone light but his eyes sharp. He always notices. I close the book in my lap and turn to face him. “Just thinking.”“About?” I hesitate, my fingers fidgeting with the corner of the book. “About Ryker. About what happens if he gets through the wards.”Ramon’s expression hardens, his jaw tig
Jasmine's POVThe battle erupts before I even fully understand what's happening. Ramon moves like a shadow, his grace and strength unparalleled. But it's not his power that unnerves me, it's the ferocity in his eyes. He is not just fighting for himself. He's fighting for me.I take a step back, instinctively pressing my palm to the pendant around my neck. It pulses with warmth, a reminder of the bond that connects me to Ramon. The sight of Ryker charging toward him is enough to snap me out of my stunned state."Ramon!" I shout, my voice wavering despite my best efforts to stay strong. I can feel Ryker's rage in every thread of the bond between us. The emotions he is projecting are overwhelming, and my chest tightens with every second that passes.The witches, with their robes flowing like dark smoke, move in tandem to cast spells, their chants ringing through the air. I can barely focus on them, the overwhelming energy of the fight and the bond clouding my mind. I need to do something
Ramon's POVThe mansion's walls seem quieter than usual, as if even the stones are bracing for the storm brewing beyond. I stand by the window of my study, watching the moonlight dance on the grounds. The air outside hums with the faint remnants of the magic Ryker and his witches left behind.They’ve retreated for now, but their schemes are far from over. That much is clear. My thoughts shift to Jasmine. She’s resting in our chamber, her exhaustion palpable after the ordeal. The events of tonight have only confirmed what I’ve been dreading for weeks.Jasmine’s awakening is near. The subtle shifts in her scent, the flicker of her aura, it’s undeniable. Her Ailuranthrope side, long suppressed, is beginning to stir. And while it grants her extraordinary power, it also paints a target on her back.I close my eyes, my mind tracing back centuries. The Ailuranthropes, beings of unmatched ferocity and grace. They were said to be born of starlight and shadow, walking the delicate line between
Jasmine’s POVThe night is quiet, but I just can't sleep. I lie still, my head resting against Ramon’s shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around me. His presence is solid and comforting, but it doesn’t suppress the storm inside me. My thoughts are a tangled mess, and my chest feels heavy, like I can’t quite catch my breath. The dreams are also getting worse.I stare at the ceiling, my mind replaying the latest one in vivid detail. A moonlit forest, thick with shadows, and two figures locked in a silent battle, my wolf, pacing and growling, and... me. Or at least, another version of me. She glows with an otherworldly light, her golden eyes piercing and her movements graceful, predatory.“Another dream?” Ramon’s voice pulls me back to the present. It’s soft and steady, but there’s an edge of concern in it.I nod, turning my head to meet his gaze. Even in the dim light, his crimson eyes shine with intensity. “They’re getting stronger,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “My wo
Jasmine’s POVThe walk back to the mansion feels different. Every step I take is deliberate, my senses heightened to a level I’ve never experienced before. The forest seems alive around me, each rustling leaf and distant bird call vibrating in my chest.I feel stronger and balanced but that clarity comes with a sharp edge of uncertainty. Whatever I’ve become, it’s only the beginning.When the mansion comes into view, my pulse quickens. I can sense Ramon inside, his aura like a dark, steady flame. He’ll notice the change in me the moment I step through the door, and part of me is terrified of what he’ll see. I hesitate at the threshold, my fingers brushing the door handle. Taking a deep breath, I push it open.The warm scent of cedar and aged wine wraps around me, a sharp contrast to the storm brewing in my chest. Ramon is in the sitting room, his back to me as he stands by the window. He’s holding a glass of blood-wine, the dark liquid swirling lazily.“You’ve been gone a while,” he s
Jasmine’s POVThe mansion is eerily silent today, with the kind of tension in the air that makes it hard to breathe. I haven’t seen Ramon since morning, and the absence of his calming presence feels like a void I can’t ignore.But I’m not alone. Helena is here, lounging in the corner of the sitting room with an air of casual indifference. At first glance, she seems out of place in this elegant, ancient mansion. Dressed in her usual all-black ensemble, with her sharp eyes and sharper wit, Helena doesn’t look like someone who plays by anyone else’s rules, not even Ramon’s.I still don’t quite know what to make of her. She’s a mystery wrapped in layers of deflection and sarcasm. But there’s no denying her loyalty to Ramon. From what I’ve gathered, their connection goes back centuries, back to a time when Ramon wasn’t the composed, strategic Vampire Lord he is now.Helena rarely talks about her past, but I’ve picked up pieces of her story over time. She was human once, a noblewoman, marri
Jasmine’s POVThe cabin’s door creaks as I step inside, the air thick with an unfamiliar energy. It’s a strange mix of earthy smells, the sharp tang of herbs, and something else, something I can’t quite place, like the crackle of power just beneath the surface.Ailric’s cabin is sparse, functional, with only the essentials visible: a bed tucked in the corner, a few wooden shelves laden with books, and a stone fireplace that crackles softly in the center of the room. His movements are deliberate as he sets a kettle on the stove, glancing over his shoulder at me.“You’re lucky I’m even considering helping you,” Ailric says, his voice gruff, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.I nod, trying to mask my unease. “I don’t want to be anyone’s charity case. I just want to learn how to control my powers. And keep them from being used against me.”He snorts, a dry, cynical laugh. “Everyone wants something. But if you think it’s that simple, you’re mistaken.
Jasmine’s POVThe following days blur together in a haze of pain, frustration, and strangely, fascination. Ailric’s training is relentless, a constant push and pull of mental and physical limits. Each lesson leaves me more exhausted, but there’s no time to rest. Not when the forces I’ve only begun to understand are circling like vultures.I can feel their presence, the way the air shifts when they approach. Powerful, ancient beings drawn to my essence. I try to shut them out, but it’s impossible. My Ailuranthrope blood calls to them, like a beacon in the dark.“I can’t keep doing this,” I mutter, pacing the cabin late one evening. The dim light from the fire casts shadows across the stone walls, but I can’t focus on the warmth. I can’t focus on anything except the sense of being watched, of something or someone, waiting.Ramon is standing by the hearth, his sharp eyes watching me. I can sense the quiet concern beneath the cool facade, but he doesn’t speak. His silence only adds to the
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