Sebastian POVIt took hours to extract all the information Alpha Ian and his pack had to offer. Most of it wasn’t documented, instead buried in fragmented memories and reluctant admissions. According to Ian, Alpha Dale stayed in their territory for just two nights—or, more accurately, one full night. He disappeared before dawn on the second day, leaving nothing behind but suspicion and heartbreak.Celine has been unusually quiet, listening intently to every word. She’s absorbing it all, but I can see the weight of it pressing on her. Even if we unearth every detail, I doubt we’ll find solid proof linking the King to these atrocities, especially when Ian’s pack has been trying unsuccessfully for years.As the others begin to filter out of the room, I raise my hand to stop one of them. “Max, stay here. I need to speak with you.”The Beta hesitates before settling back into his seat. He had more contact with Alpha Dale than anyone else, and if there are answers to be found, they might com
Sebastian POV “It seems these auctions are a recurring operation,” I say grimly. “We need to find where they’re held.”Max’s head dips slightly, his guilt apparent. “He didn’t tell me where, just that he was the highest bidder.”“Then that’s where we start,” I reply.Max stands, his shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help,” he mutters before leaving the room.The door clicks shut, and Joseph speaks up for the first time in what feels like hours. “The King gave us permission to investigate and resolve issues, not to dig into his affairs. If we keep going and it turns out he’s involved, what then?”I meet his gaze, unflinching. “If the King is part of this, there will be war. Wolves against dragons.”Joseph’s jaw tightens. “So what’s the plan? Gather information, find Daisy, and leave the rest to her family? Are you really comfortable walking away, knowing children are being kidnapped and sold?”His words hang in the air, the weight of them settling heavily on all of us.
Celine POVAfter hearing everything Alpha Ian shared, a fire ignited within me—a burning need to help, to uncover the truth, and to make those responsible for such cruelty face the consequences. The thought of anyone willingly taking children and selling them like objects, stripped of freedom, treated as things instead of beings with rights, churns my stomach with anger.What sort of monster does this? The faces of the other children I had seen flash through my mind—faces filled with fear, hope extinguished. I clench my fists, the need for vengeance and justice boiling in my blood.The donations go back thirty years, long before I was even born. Could it be true that the King is somehow involved in this? The thought unsettles me deeply. A King’s duty is to protect his kingdom and his people, not to exploit them. How could someone in his position allow such darkness to fester under his rule?I place a worn piece of paper on the growing pile beside me, the facts and accusations swirling
Celine POV His chuckle vibrates against my lips as I fumble with the buttons of his shirt. “We should bathe,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing, before his teeth nip gently at my lower lip.He’s right, as usual. The heat of the moment cools slightly, replaced with the desire to feel the water cleanse us both. I grasp his hand and tug him into the adjoining bathroom. Turning on the shower, I step under the cascade, pulling him in with me. The room is warm and steamy, the faint scent of lavender and cedar from the soaps lingering in the air. Before I can make a move, his arms encircle me, his broad chest pressing against my back, enveloping me in his warmth. The water cascades over us, its steady rhythm a soothing backdrop as he takes a cloth and begins to wash me. His movements are deliberate, almost reverent. One hand holds the cloth as it glides across my shoulders, down my arms, and over my back.His other hand finds its way to my neck, holding me gently but firmly in place,
Sebastian POVThe moment we arrived at Eloune City, the atmosphere shifted. The sprawling, chaotic streets buzzed with life, but it wasn’t the comforting hum of a thriving community—it was an undercurrent of danger, of tension waiting to snap. The kind of place where you couldn’t trust the shadows or the smiles.None of us stepped out of the cars immediately. This wasn’t the kind of city to take chances in, especially with a group like ours. Royals and guards tend to attract attention, and not the good kind. I scanned the streets through the tinted windows. People moved in clusters, their eyes sharp and mistrusting.“We’ve got a few locations to check,” Celine says, breaking the heavy silence. Her voice is bright, almost hopeful, and when I turn to look at her, she is smiling faintly. She has been reading through the information we gathered, piecing together possible leads.“It’s not about just knowing where to go,” I reply, my voice low. “It’s about keeping you safe. Places like this.
Sebastian POV This is a place where shadows thrive, and we are stepping right into the darkness.This city operates by its own rules, a shadowy underworld where anything illegal is not just tolerated but thrives. Every step here feels precarious, and I’m on edge as we step into the shop. I keep Celine close, my hand resting protectively on her lower back as my eyes scan the room.The shop’s interior is as grimy as the city itself, dimly lit with flickering overhead lights that buzz faintly. Shelves line the walls, cluttered with all manner of strange and unidentifiable objects. The air smells stale, with a faint metallic tang that makes my nostrils flare.At the counter sits Austin, a wiry man with sharp eyes that flicker with intelligence—and greed. He rises slowly, his movements deliberate, a sly smile spreading across his face.“King Sebastian,” he drawls, his tone both mocking and intrigued. “Not who I expected to walk into my fine establishment.” He chuckles, leaning on the count
Celine POVWe arrived at a private hotel, a quiet, unassuming place where questions weren’t asked and privacy was paramount. The staff didn’t so much as blink as we checked in, their professionalism masking any curiosity they might have had. After a modest meal and a brief moment of calm, we began to prepare.Sebastian had tried everything to obscure my identity—to mask my scent, dampen my aura—but nothing seemed to work. My unique essence, the unmistakable mark of who I was, lingered stubbornly. His frustration was evident, though he tried to hide it behind reassuring words.“It will be fine,” I whisper as we step out. “We just have to trust this will be enough.”His eyes meet mine, steady but laced with worry. “Just stay close,” he says, his tone firm.“I know,” I reply softly. “Stay close. Don’t wander off. Don’t ask anything too obvious.”He gives a small, tight smile, but the worry doesn’t leave his expression. “I’m just trying to keep you safe,” he murmurs as we join the growing
Celine POV The first page of the book I hold is a photograph of a woman, captured as if she were an object on display. Beneath her image is a list of attributes, each detail meticulously cataloged to appeal to potential buyers. The entire thing makes my stomach churn. How much of myself had been reduced to something similar when I was sold? What did my page say?The thought gnaws at me, a dark curiosity I can’t suppress. Part of me wants to rip through every book in this room until I find it—to see what they wrote about me.“Don’t,” Sebastian’s voice cuts through my thoughts. He gently takes the book from my hands, his touch firm but careful. “Try not to get caught up in things that won’t change anything now,” he murmurs, his tone gentle, but his words strike a nerve.He’s wrong. It matters to me.Before I can respond, a voice booms across the room.“This is your ten-minute warning before the auction begins,” a man announces from the stage. His tone is smooth, almost cheerful, as if t
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,&