Sebastian’s POVWe arrive back at the hotel, and I immediately notice Dolton’s absence. The guards at the door mention that he went out for a walk, which gives us time alone. My eyes instinctively drift toward the stack of files on the desk. The King in me itches to dive back into them, to continue piecing together the puzzle of the werewolf king’s crimes. But tonight, I push that impulse aside. It’s not the files or the investigation that needs my attention—it’s Celine.As I step into the living area, I see her curled up on the sofa, scrolling through movie options with a relaxed air. The glow of the screen lights her face, highlighting the soft, delicate features I’ve memorised but rarely take the time to fully appreciate. Her movements are unhurried, her body language serene, and for a moment, I simply stand there, taking her in.She looks up at me, her lips curving into a small, curious smile. I know she’s wondering what’s on my mind, why I’m standing there like a statue instead o
Sebastian POVAs we sit there together, I realise that this is what I’ve been missing. Not the grand gestures or the fiery passion—though those are important too—but the quiet moments. The stolen minutes where the world fades away, and it’s just us. Moments where I can let down my guard, not as a King or a protector, but as a man who loves her more than anything.She catches me watching her, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. I know I must look ridiculous, staring at her instead of the screen, but I can’t help it. There’s something about these quiet moments that feels more real, more precious, than anything else. It’s as if I’m seeing her for the first time, noticing every detail I’ve overlooked in my endless quest to protect and lead.She isn’t doing anything extraordinary—just watching a movie beside me. But for me, it’s everything. It’s the way her chest rises and falls with each breath, the slight adjustments she makes to get more comfortable, the way she sighs soft
Celine’s POVI’m still pressed against Sebastian’s chest when the door creaks open, and Dolton steps inside, his movements quiet but urgent.“The Fae’s Royal Guard is here,” he whispers, his voice strained, eyes darting back to the door as though expecting someone to burst through at any moment.Sebastian’s relaxed demeanor vanishes in an instant, replaced by the commanding presence of a King. He straightens, his tone sharp and composed. “Did they say why?”Dolton’s voice is barely above a whisper. “For Celine. Queen Nymia has requested her presence for supper and a discussion.” His gaze flicks to me, his concern evident in the tight line of his mouth.Sebastian and I exchange a glance, and we both move swiftly to get dressed, the urgency in the room palpable.Once we’re ready, Sebastian opens the door, revealing two Fae guards waiting just beyond. Their faces are unreadable, their postures straight and formal.“Queen Nymia has requested that Celine join her for supper,” one of the gu
Celine POVThe covers are worn, the edges frayed, and the pages yellowed with age. These books practically hum with latent power, and I can’t help but feel a spark of hope as I reach out to touch them.“These are from our ancestors,” Queen Nymia explains, her tone solemn. “Within these pages, you may find the key to breaking the curse of the mad wolves. But I must warn you, Celine—your journey will require all your strength. You must harness your power soon, or it may be too late.”Her voice is grave, and a chill runs down my spine. “Why?” I ask, struggling to keep my voice steady. “Why do you think I’ll need to act so quickly?”Her gaze meets mine, piercing and unflinching. “Because there is a dark energy that clings to you,” she says softly, yet her words strike like a thunderclap. “They cannot see it, and they cannot feel it. But I can. And I suspect, deep down, so can you.”A shiver courses through me. Dark energy? Her words stir something deep within me, a shadow I’ve refused to
Celine POVPantheromorph. A form I’ve never encountered, never even imagined. Yet, something about it stirs a deep, unspoken curiosity within me.Queen Nymia continues, her tone tinged with warning. “The future is fluid, constantly shifting with every choice we make. What I saw in my vision is only one possibility—a potential outcome where you are the keystone of this war. The Werewolf King’s betrayal was foretold, yes, but so was your rise. You hold the power to change everything.”The enormity of her words leaves me momentarily speechless. “If you’ve seen this,” I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper, “then you know how it ends. Do we win? Do we stop him?”Queen Nymia’s eyes grow clouded with sorrow. “The future I saw is filled with both victory and loss. The outcome depends on many factors—the alliances you forge, the choices you make, and the strength you find within yourself. What I can tell you is that the cost will be high. You must be prepared for that.”I swallow h
Celine POVHow can I have another mate?I groan inwardly, overwhelmed and annoyed. His piercing gaze locks onto mine, and I feel utterly exposed. I want to look away, to hide, but I can’t move. It’s ridiculous—he’s already seen me, yet I feel like shrinking into myself, disappearing entirely.“Jonathan,” Queen Nymia says, her voice breaking the spell. I tear my gaze away from him, forcing my eyes to the floor. She chuckles softly, as if she knows exactly what’s happening. “Oh, I see.”“I’m sorry. I need to leave. Thank you for everything,” I mumble hastily, grabbing the journals and practically bolting out of the room. I can’t be here. I need air, space—anything but this suffocating tension.The weight of the journals sits heavy in my arms, but it’s nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something massive, something life-altering. Queen Nymia’s words echo in my mind—about the visions, about my past, about my role in what’s to come. It’s
Jonathan’s POVI’m not sure what I expected when I finally found another mate, but it certainly wasn’t this—watching her walk away without so much as a word. No name, no smile, nothing. If anything, she seemed horrified by the fact that I was her mate.The moment I entered the room, I felt it—an unmistakable pull. But it wasn’t until our eyes met that the connection truly snapped into place. I was ready for questions, perhaps even a warm embrace, or at the very least, an introduction. Instead, she stood up and fled.The Queen was quick to sit me down and explain things.Celine is the Queen Goddess. The realisation floored me. My new mate was someone important to everyone. But before I could fully grasp the weight of it, the Queen dropped another bombshell: Celine already had two mates.I was stunned. I’d heard of people having two mates, though it was rare—three was almost unheard of. The Queen explained that Dolton, a Lycan, was one of her first mates, and then there was Sebastian, t
Celine’s POVWhen Jonathan told me about his previous mate, his words struck a chord deep within me, shaking me in ways I hadn’t expected. I never anticipated him to open up so quickly or so vulnerably, and hearing his story unraveled an overwhelming wave of guilt. Earlier today, I had walked away from him, leaving him in confusion and, likely, pain. To hear what he had endured—losing a mate, someone he loved so deeply, and then enduring the agony of rejection—made my behavior feel thoughtless and cruel.Jonathan had already faced so much, and here I was, treating him with a cold indifference that likely reopened old wounds. As his new mate, the last thing I should have done was make him feel as if he was unwanted. But it wasn’t just him I was thinking about.My greatest fear isn’t Jonathan; it’s Sebastian. When Dolton entered our lives, the shift in our relationship was subtle but undeniable. Sebastian had withdrawn in a way only I could feel. He was still there, still loving, but th
Helios’s POVI carefully take Clara from Dolton, cradling her against my chest as if she’s the most precious treasure I’ve ever held, and she is. Her delicate warmth radiates into me, a fragile yet unwavering presence in my arms, melting through the lingering hardness that once defined who I was. Her steady, peaceful breathing calms something deep inside me, quieting the restless beast I had always been.As I study her tiny face, with soft cheeks and a delicate nose, the innocence reflected there stirs something unfamiliar in my chest, a fierce protectiveness unlike anything I have ever known. The heart that once burned with obsession, possessiveness, and dominance now fills with a different kind of fire, pure and gentle. It’s startling yet comforting, reshaping who I am from the core outward.Instinctively, almost without thinking, I begin to hum softly, a melody from a lifetime ago, one I barely remember, yet somehow feels right to shar
6 Years LaterJonathan POV“Caleb, hold still,” I murmur, tightening my grip gently around my three-year-old son, who wriggles impatiently in my arms. His soft golden hair tickles my chin as he peers eagerly around the room, blue eyes wide with excitement. Aurora streaks past, her small dragon form shimmering in hues of violet and silver, scales glinting under the soft lights as she darts playfully around us.Celine laughs softly as she watches Aurora, her eyes filled with warmth. Sebastian stands near her, arms crossed over his chest, a proud smile on his face. Beside them, Dolton cradles his newborn daughter, Clara, just a week old, her tiny features serene as she sleeps peacefully against his chest.The room is alive with happiness, joy bouncing off the walls as we prepare for the celebration. I find myself smiling, my heart swelling. It wasn’t so long ago that I thought I’d lost everything. But here, surrounded by these people,
Sebastian’s POVThree months laterI’m flying as fast as I can, the wind cutting sharp against my scales.I left the kingdom earlier to meet Aarmon and collect two feeders for Celine. Her pregnancy has made her need blood more frequently, and I have no idea how she will be after the baby is born. I planned to return days ago, but Aarmon ran into issues with the vampires, delaying everything. Now I’m rushing back, and the only thing I know is that Celine has gone into labor.I abandoned the cars hours ago, there wasn’t time to waste. The soldiers will ensure the feeders arrive safely. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting to her.Helios pushes forward, impatient, and I don’t stop him. He’s always faster than me in the air, and this time, I need that speed. He focuses, his instincts sharper, his wings slicing through the sky with powerful strokes. At least this way, if we’re late,
Celine’s POVThe grand hall of the Dragon Kingdom is alive with celebration, the golden glow of torches casting flickering light over the towering stone walls. It’s strange how quickly everything has settled, how the chaos of battle has faded into something almost distant, like a dream that we all woke up from. The weight of it still lingers, of course, but tonight is not about that. Tonight is about the fact that we are here. Alive. Stronger than before.The past week has been a blur, filled with moments of reflection and change. Somehow when Helios takes control, I can hear Sebastian in my mind. It's strange but nice. Jonathan has embraced both sides of himself more than ever, his fae and merfolk magic flowing together like they were always meant to be one. Dolton has grown quieter, more thoughtful, as if the shadows that once burst from him still whisper at the edge of his mind, not in a bad way though. Leif is adjusting, still finding his place among us
Sebastian POVThe cars come to a stop, and I glance out the window, relief flooding through me at the sight of home.Dolton nudges my arm with a playful grin. “You should fly up with Celine. It’ll be quicker than waiting in the cars.”I shake my head firmly. “No, we should all arrive together.”Dolton’s smirk widens, mischief clear in his eyes. “Alright, then how about Helios takes her up instead? I’m sure he’d love to stretch his wings.”I roll my eyes. “How is that any different?”Dolton shrugs, chuckling softly. “You said you missed home. I’d bet Helios does too—this is his kingdom after all. Maybe he deserves to arrive first.”Before I can respond, Helios takes Dolton’s suggestion as permission, surging forward eagerly and pushing my consciousness to the back. My body shifts abruptly in the car, a wave of laughter erupting from bo
Dolton POVWe’re sitting in a clearing, resting before continuing our journey back to the Dragon Kingdom. The weight I’ve carried since the battle finally feels lighter as laughter fills the air. Around me, faces are relaxed for the first time in what feels like forever. Sebastian sits close to Celine, his arm protectively around her as people continue to celebrate her pregnancy, teasing him about becoming a father. Their smiles are contagious, and I find myself genuinely laughing alongside them.Yet even as I laugh, Julius remains uneasy, pacing restlessly inside my mind. I try to push the unease away, but it’s difficult when Julius is this restless. I glance over to Leif, sitting quietly, staring off into the trees. There’s still so much I don’t know about him, so much he probably doesn’t even know about himself.Leaning closer, I nudge his shoulder gently. “You okay?”Leif blinks, pulled from his thoughts
Jonathan POVI sit alone in the quiet car, the journals spread across my lap. My fingers flip through the pages slowly, frustration building with every page turn. I’d told the others I needed silence to focus, but the truth is, I just didn’t want them to see how much this is getting to me.I’m trying to find answers for Dolton, something that can explain what’s happening to him, but each page I read feels emptier than the last. My heart thuds with a heavy anxiety as I rub my temples.There’s almost nothing here about Lycans. The few mentions I’ve found are vague or useless, and there’s not a single line about the Shadow of the Moon or why there can suddenly be two Lycans. It’s as if the writers deliberately avoided the topic, which only makes me feel more unsettled.I lean my head back against the seat, taking a slow breath, and close my eyes. Dolton deserves answers, he’s struggling with something non
Sebastian POVWe left the Werewolf Kingdom first thing in the morning. I want to get home. I’ve spent far too long away from my kingdom; Helios is restless, and so am I.It’ll take about three days to get back, but since it’s only our group traveling, all my men can drive, which means we won’t be slowed down by walking. Dolton chose to ride in another car with Leif, wanting to spend some time speaking with him alone. Jonathan opted to ride separately, claiming he needed quiet to focus on reading through the journals.I understand why Jonathan turns to the journals for answers, but even I doubt they can solve everything. I know he’s hoping to find something—anything—to help Dolton. Finding out Leif is directly connected to him, even in death, must be overwhelming, especially when severing their bond might risk both their lives.Still, despite the circumstances, I welcome the chance to spend time alone with Celine.
Celine POVI watch Dolton carefully. He wouldn’t have turned bad, I know it. He wasn’t alone, he had me, Sebastian, and Jonathan. We wouldn’t have let him become something evil.Stepping closer, I gently slip my hand into Dolton’s, trying to calm him. He turns slightly, offering me a faint smile, but the worry in his eyes is unmistakable. He shouldn’t be worried; he has us.“You once mentioned feeling like part of you was missing, like something wasn’t fully there,” his father says from behind the bars, his gaze unwavering. “Do you remember when that began, Dolton?”“No, I don’t,” Dolton snaps sharply.From the other cell, Wes chuckles darkly. “It started when Leif was born. Come on, Dolton, catch up.”Turning sharply, I glare at Wes, and the twisted, evil man mockingly blows me a kiss. My stomach churns with disgust.“Leif is part of you,&