Celine’s POVThe hum of the tires on the road has become a constant backdrop, a rhythm that matches the monotony of the endless stretch of terrain we’ve covered over the past two days. No stops, save for brief bathroom breaks, but this isn’t a typical journey. Sebastian’s cars are marvels of engineering, designed for both comfort and practicality. At the push of a button, the backseat transforms into a bed, a small luxury in an otherwise relentless trip. It’s where I find myself now, nestled between Dolton and Sebastian, wrapped in the strange comfort of their presence.The dynamic between us is shifting—almost as fluid as the car itself. Dolton, who once held his touch like a fragile promise, now seems to have shed that hesitation. His arms wrap around me with a quiet certainty, as though anchoring himself as much as me. Sebastian, ever the observer, alternates between joining us and immersing himself in his work. His documents scatter across the seat next to him, and his sharp focus
Celine POVThe Fae form, then. It’s the next logical step—closer to my human side, less foreign than the untamed beast of a dragon. Their resemblance to humans, despite their taller frames and wings, feels manageable.Closing my eyes, I focus on the image of a Fae. Heat blooms within me, spreading through my limbs as my body begins the transformation. Bones shift and elongate, muscles contort and rearrange, and I feel my form stretching into something otherworldly.“Well... fuck,” Dolton mutters, his voice tinged with awe. I open my eyes, and the sight takes my breath away.“I’m so damn tall,” I murmur, staring down at the two of them. The perspective shift feels disorienting, unnatural. My body feels foreign, both powerful and strange.Sebastian nods, his gaze appraising. “Congratulations, my love. You can now shift into both your wolf and your Fae forms. But we’ll leave it here for today. If you push your shifter too much, you’ll be unable to shift for days.”I glance down at myself
Celine POVSebastian has already explained the significance of this meeting. The Fae King and Queen hold the key to our mission: the sacred flower that could break the curse. Without their approval, we’d have no hope of obtaining it. The stakes are too high for mistakes.As we approach the gates of the Fae Kingdom, my breath catches in my throat. The gates themselves are a masterpiece of intricate design, glowing faintly with magic that seems to hum in harmony with the earth. As they creak open, revealing the city beyond, I can’t help but press my face to the car window, my eyes widening in awe.The Fae Kingdom is like stepping into another world. The buildings tower impossibly high, their architecture defying gravity with spiraling peaks and elegant arches that seem to shimmer with life. Magic is woven into every stone and vine, creating a seamless blend of nature and civilization. Trees with iridescent leaves stretch into the sky, their branches entwining with the buildings, forming
Celine POVI’m so captivated by the scene that I almost miss the figure stepping out from the castle’s grand doors. His presence commands attention, every movement deliberate, his gaze sharp and appraising as it sweeps over us.“King Sebastian, you have requested an audience with our council,” he says, his voice carrying the weight of authority that leaves no room for doubt.Sebastian straightens, inclining his head in acknowledgment. “King Thorne, I have. This matter is urgent—life and death, in fact. May we discuss it with you?” His tone is calm yet firm, carrying the quiet command of a leader who expects to be heard.King Thorne regards him for a moment before nodding. “We may. You are welcome here. I trust you remember my mate, Queen Nymia?” He gestures toward a woman who appears beside him, her striking beauty matched by the regal presence she exudes.Sebastian’s expression softens slightly as he greets her. “Of course. It is an honor to stand in your presence again, Queen Nymia.
Celine POVKing Thorne breaks the silence, his voice deep and resonant. “State your case.”Sebastian steps forward, his shoulders squared and voice steady. “Your Majesties, my son, Prince Joseph, has found his mate—a werewolf who is now carrying his child. However, she has fallen gravely ill, and we have discovered that her condition is not a natural one. She has been cursed using these flowers.” He gestures toward the shimmering blooms on the table, his words heavy with the weight of truth.Queen Nymia’s sharp gaze fixes on Sebastian, her tone calm yet laced with steel. “And who would cast such a curse upon the Princess? What motive lies behind this cruelty?”Sebastian’s expression hardens. “Her own mother.” The words hang in the air like a thunderclap. “She sought to end the bloodline. The curse was designed to kill her daughter if she ever became pregnant, ensuring that neither she nor her child would survive.”A ripple of murmurs spreads among the council members, their usually st
Celine POVThe tension in the chamber feels almost suffocating, the atmosphere thick with the gravity of what’s at stake. Queen Nymia’s sharp gaze lingers on me, her eyes searching for something beneath the surface. She finally leans back in her ornately carved chair, her wings shifting slightly as she considers our request, her expression as unreadable as stone. King Thorne sits beside her, his face drawn in a mask of solemnity, the lines around his eyes deepening with every second of silence that stretches between us.“It is clear that the situation you present is urgent,” Queen Nymia begins, her tone deliberate and steady, though it carries the weight of uncertainty. “But we cannot ignore the broader implications of granting you the flower. The curse that afflicts this werewolf princess—this sickness of madness—has the potential to ripple far beyond what you seek to cure. If the madness spreads, unchecked and unbroken, it could bring devastation to countless innocents. Should we pr
Celine POVQueen Nymia sits poised, her expression a mask of calm, but I can see the flicker of thought in her shimmering eyes. King Thorne leans forward slightly, his fingers steepled as he listens to the low murmurs of the council. They speak softly, their words almost inaudible, but the atmosphere is charged with their unspoken fears and what-ifs.Joseph remains kneeling, his shoulders hunched under the burden of his desperation. His golden eyes, filled with unshed tears, dart between the council and me, silently begging for salvation. Dolton stands at my side, his hand resting lightly on my back, grounding me, his quiet strength seeping into my trembling frame. Sebastian, as ever, is calm and composed, though the set of his jaw betrays his impatience.“I’ve never heard them deliberate this long,” Dolton murmurs beside me, his voice low, meant only for me. “They’re taking this seriously. That’s a good sign.”I nod, though I can’t shake the sinking weight in my chest. It’s not just
Celine POVThe stillness stretches on, each second heavier than the last, until finally, she nods—a slow, deliberate motion that feels like a judgment passed.“Very well,” she says, her tone regal and firm, yet tinged with reluctant acceptance. “We said we would grant you the flower, and we will but heed this, Celine—the weight of this decision is yours to bear. If you succeed, you will have our eternal gratitude. But if you fail, know that the lives lost and the chaos wrought will rest squarely on your shoulders. The blood of the innocent will stain your hands if the madness is not broken.”Her words land like a physical blow, cutting deep, but I hold my ground. My chin lifts, and I nod, meeting her challenge with steadfast determination. “I accept that responsibility,” I reply, my voice firm. “I will not fail.”Queen Nymia inclines her head, a gesture of acknowledgment tinged with finality, and motions to a fae attendant standing near the altar. The attendant, clad in flowing robes
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,&