Dolton POV “Have you considered that she’s no longer in the Werewolf Kingdom?” Beta Oliver’s voice cuts through the hum of the car engine. His tone is cautious, as though bracing for the storm he knows his words might provoke.I stiffen, my gaze fixed on the passing blur of buildings through the window. The thought pierces through the edges of my mind, uninvited and unwelcome. I don’t want to consider it. I can’t.“If that were the case,” I mutter, my voice low and edged with barely restrained anger, “she’d be dead by now.”Oliver doesn’t back down, though his shrug is almost nonchalant. “You’re assuming she’d be sold to vampires, and even then, it’s unlikely. Someone like her—someone with what she is—would be worth far more alive than dead.”His words ring with a bitter truth. He’s not wrong. Keeping her alive would serve them better, whoever they are. My jaw clenches as I turn back to the window, watching the crumbling infrastructure of the outskirts of the city melt into the more i
*Please note* If you began reading the book before this chapter was released, it has been edited and changed. I advise you re-read all the chapters. Going forward this book will be updated 3-5 chapters a day.Celine POVOne moment, I'm inside, wrapped in Dolton's arms, then I'm not; I’m pulled outside into the dimly lit alley, and the cold air feels like a slap against my skin. Dolton’s grip on my arm is firm, his urgency clear. “We need to leave now, before they realize you’re gone and lock you up again,” he insists, tugging me further into the shadows.Before I can respond, a thunderous roar shakes the narrow space, echoing off the crumbling brick walls. I’m thrown backward by the sudden commotion, my breath catching as I see Sebastian shift, his massive form materializing in an instant, radiating raw, dangerous power.Dolton doesn’t hesitate—he shifts too, his wolf form towering, feral, and ready for a fight, why wouldn't he shift further, into his Lycan? Their growls and roars rev
Celine POV“We need to go,” Joseph says, urgency lacing his tone. “People heard the commotion. Some recognized her and started asking about her owner.”Sebastian’s arm wraps protectively around my waist, his hand firm and steady. “Let’s go,” he says, guiding me forward.But before I can take a step, Dolton pulls me away with a growl. “Don’t touch her!” His eyes blaze as he glares at Sebastian. “It’s her choice.”“I’ll touch her because she’s mine,” Sebastian snarls, stepping closer, his presence overpowering.Dolton’s lip curls, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m her first mate. You’re second. That bond means nothing.”The alley grows colder, the tension between them crackling like wildfire. I stand between them, torn, trying to figure out how to stop this before it spirals into something none of us can take back.This is spiraling out of control. I take a deep breath, trying to think of something—anything—that will stop them before they tear each other apart.“Some mate you are,” Seba
Sebastian POVWe return to the hotel, and the moment we step inside, Dolton follows us, uninvited, into the room. My hand lingers on the door as I resist the urge to slam it in his face. Instead, I close it quietly, though the tension in my chest burns hotter with each second he stands here. My gaze locks onto him, a glare sharp enough to cut. He shouldn’t be here. He shouldn’t even think he has a right to see her, not after everything.It doesn’t matter to me that he’s been searching for her, not when he’s the reason she needed saving in the first place. He stood by while his family hurt her, while they broke her. The fact he’s trying to act like a hero now just fuels my disgust.Dolton’s eyes shift to Celine, and his voice trembles as he asks, “Where were you?”Her gaze drops to the floor, her voice quiet but steady. “With someone called Dale. He bought me to use my magic—to help him win wars.”Dolton stiffens at her words, his brows furrowing. “Which pack, Celine? I’ve searched thr
Sebastian POVI can’t take it anymore. Turning on my heel, I walk into the small living area, needing to put some distance between us. I can’t watch them anymore. I can’t stand the way she looks at him, the way his words seem to pull at her heart. It’s like watching sand slip through my fingers, knowing I may lose her to someone who doesn’t deserve her, no matter how hard he’s tried to redeem himself.The thought claws at my chest, but I force myself to stay silent. For now.“The stories always said that children of the Moon Goddess, the Sea Goddess, and others like them could have multiple mates. Why would the Queen Goddess be any different?” Joseph’s voice breaks through my thoughts, his tone calm yet weighted with an inevitability I don’t want to accept.I clench my fists, wishing his words weren’t true. If Dolton had just moved on, if he had found another mate to fill the void, none of this would be happening. It would be simpler—cleaner.“Three mates, three kingdoms. It’s always
Dolton POVSebastian joins me in the room, his presence heavy with tension. He sits across from me, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, the silence between us feels like the calm before a storm. I brace myself, certain he’ll tell me to leave and never come back. But he doesn’t.I can’t leave, even if he demanded it. The pain I’ve carried for years, the aching void of being separated from my mate, evaporated the moment I saw her again. It was as if her presence healed me instantly, proof that she’s meant to be mine—that she’s always been mine.The quiet stretches, unspoken words hanging between us like a wall neither of us knows how to scale. The situation is a mess, and we both know it. In an ideal world, I’d be her sole mate. Or even better, my brothers wouldn’t have been cowards and rejected her, and the bond would have united all of us. That would have been easier—cleaner. Now, everything feels impossibly complicated.Finally, Sebastian breaks the silence. His tone is meas
Dolton POVCould she have created a version of events in her mind to cope? Maybe she thought of me because I made her feel safe, even when I wasn’t there. Maybe my absence left a void so unbearable that she had to fill it with something—anything.“She loved you,” Sebastian says quietly, his voice laced with reluctant understanding. “It was obvious when she talked about you. It’s what makes this whole thing not add up. One of your brothers masked themselves to look like you at the auction so she wouldn't fight.”I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. If there’s even a chance to make things right, I have to take it. I have to know why she believes this. And I have to find a way to fix it.“You’re saying one of my brothers masked themselves to look like me when she was sold so she wouldn’t fight as they removed her from the cage, right up until they put weakening cuffs on her?” I ask, my voice thick with disbelief. My head shakes, unwilling to process the twisted implication.Seb
Celine POVWhen I wake, I find myself tucked into the warmth of Sebastian’s arms, his steady heartbeat grounding me. I nuzzle closer, savoring the comfort of his presence. His fingers brush against my hair as he murmurs, his voice low and steady.“We need to talk today.”The seriousness in his tone makes my chest tighten. I know what he wants to discuss, and I brace myself. I nod, unable to meet his gaze as the weight of the situation presses down on me.“I don’t know if I can do it,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Rejecting Dolton feels... wrong. He never gave up on me.” My words carry the truth that has been haunting me since I saw Dolton again. Despite everything, he searched, he fought, and he endured for me.Sebastian tilts my chin up, his piercing gaze meeting mine. “I won’t even suggest that,” he says firmly, his sincerity cutting through my doubt.His response catches me off guard, and I feel confusion settle in. “But you were jealous,” I stammer. “You were arguing over
Jonathan POVAs I turn to leave, Dolton appears at the door. “Jonathan, can I have a word?” he asks, his tone serious.I nod, addressing the servants one last time. “Follow the updates. You’ve got this.” With that, I step out and join Dolton in the corridor.As we walk, his expression remains tense, his usual calm demeanor clouded by something weighing heavily on his mind. “Do you think you could find something in the journals—or anywhere—about Celine?” he asks.“Something about Celine directly?” I ask, puzzled by his vagueness.He sighs, clearly wrestling with how to articulate his thoughts. “Not just about her. Specifically about the Queen Goddess—how things are supposed to go when she comes back.”I stop in my tracks, turning to face him fully. “You’re not making sense, Dolton. What exactly are you looking for?”His eyes dart away briefly before he finally mutters, “Celine isn’t pregnant.”The weight of his words hits me like a blow, and I stare at him, processing the implication.
Jonathan POVAs a Fae, detecting deception is second nature. Sometimes it’s an overwhelming surge of certainty; other times, it’s a subtle, lingering unease that gnaws at the edges of perception. That’s why I volunteered to help Sebastian. In matters as grave as this, the ability to sense dishonesty is invaluable.Celine needs rest. She and Dolton have a lot to prepare for with the flight training looming. Meanwhile, I find myself standing in the shadows of Sebastian’s command center, watching him prepare to address the kingdom. Even through a television screen, his presence is formidable—commanding and unyielding. He embodies the weight of leadership, his mere posture enough to silence doubt.I understand why many in the kingdom are uneasy about Joseph taking over the throne. They’ve grown accustomed to Sebastian’s strength, his unwavering determination. Yet expecting him to rule until his body gives out is cruel. Even a king deserves a life beyond the crown.The crew signals their r
Dolton POV“So I’m right,” she says, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.I groan, leaning back in my chair. “Fine. You have a point. But Jonathan doesn’t need a dragon form, Celine. He already has two forms—Fae and Merfolk. You can’t give him another.”She chews her bottom lip, clearly already contemplating it. “But he should fit in too,” she murmurs, more to herself than to me.“Do you think he cares about fitting in?” I counter, my tone firm. “Jonathan is comfortable in his Fae form. That’s the side of him that’s most natural, most prominent. Just like for me—it doesn’t matter that I now have a dragon form. I will always feel more like myself as a Lycan. I didn’t feel out of place at that party, and neither did Jonathan.”She sighs heavily, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table. “Going forward, Celine, you need to talk to us before making these decisions. I understand you were scared after the vision, but you can’t change who we are without consulting us first
Dolton POVWhen Sebastian and Celine return from their outing, I take her hand and guide her away. Sebastian is occupied with the investigation into the dragons, and his decision to involve Jonathan makes sense. Fae are naturally adept at sensing dishonesty, making Jonathan an invaluable tool in uncovering truths. That leaves me and Celine with a rare opportunity—time alone, uninterrupted for at least a day or two.As I lead her through the corridors, I catch her puzzled expression. It’s not surprising. Earlier this morning, before she joined us, we discussed sleeping arrangements. Two of us sharing a bed with her? Manageable. Three of us crowded together every night? That’s where the line is drawn. None of us, myself included, are entirely comfortable with the idea of lying shoulder to shoulder in one bed.“Why are we going to the bedroom?” she teases, her tone playful as a mischievous glint lights her eyes.“Not for what you’re thinking.” I chuckle, shaking my head as I open the doo
Sebasitan POVArktos was different. Everyone knew about him.“Sebastian… Could they have used magic? Diadri did say they had someone who could manipulate how things appeared.”Her words send a chill down my spine. “That’s exactly what they did,” I growl, fury igniting in my chest. “They used magic to make Arktos look dead. Even to me. They fooled everyone, including Rosalind.”My hand tightens around the box, the edges digging into my palm as I try to suppress the storm of emotions brewing within me. Anger. Guilt. Betrayal.“They didn’t just fool you,” Celine says, her tone steady but fierce. “They took advantage of everyone’s grief. This is beyond cruel.”I sift through more of the papers, my fingers trembling as I uncover more names, more victims. My breath catches when I notice a column listing prices—Shadow’s name is there, along with Arktos’. The amounts are staggering.“Three hundred thousand for Shadow,” I mutter, my voice low and dangerous, the weight of the numbers chilling.
Sebastian POVHer gaze sharpens, and I see her resolve hardening. “I want to know everything,” she says. “About Shadow Binding, about my bloodline, about who I really am.”I smile faintly, pride swelling in my chest. “And I’ll tell you everything, Celine. But for now, you need to focus on the meeting with the elders. There’s more to uncover, and you’ll need your strength for what’s to come.”“So... they’re immortal?” she asks, leaning in slightly.“In a sense, yes. They don’t age, and they heal quickly. But they aren’t invincible. Sunlight is deadly to them. Direct exposure burns them alive within minutes. That’s why Shadow’s blood is so significant. It gives them temporary immunity to sunlight—a way to walk in the day without fear.”Her eyes widen in realization. “And that’s why she’s so rare?”“Exactly,” I say, nodding. “Dragon blood, for example, is lethal to vampires. A single drop can cause excruciating pain, and if enough enters their system, it will kill them. Merfolk blood has
Sebastian POVAs we leave the house and return to the car, Celine finally breaks the silence. “Vampires?” she whispers, her voice heavy with disbelief.“Yes,” I reply grimly. “Vampires. And this is just the beginning of what we’ve uncovered.”The tangled web of corruption spreads deeper than I want to admit. Each royal family remains in the dark about the depravity festering within their kingdoms, but whispers and evidence point to individuals in every realm—those who exploit children for their unique abilities, trading innocence for power or coin. It’s sickening. I can’t afford to trust blindly. I need to go to the Vaelers’ home personally and extract every scrap of information. The risk of leaving it to my guards is too high. If this rot extends further, any one of them could warn the guilty parties or destroy crucial evidence.Celine sits beside me in the car, her presence grounding me as my thoughts swirl. I catch her gaze, her brow furrowed in confusion and concern.“I don’t know
Sebastian POVI watch as the reunion unfolds, Shadow’s small frame pressed tightly between her parents who cling to her as though she might vanish if she lets go.Judas stands up, his eyes wide, his entire body trembling with disbelief. The room is heavy with emotion, tears falling freely, a palpable mix of joy and confusion thickening the air.“Is this...” Judas struggles to find his words, his gaze bouncing between Shadow and me. “The press conference... Is this what it was about? Is this where she was?”I nod solemnly, keeping my tone calm despite the storm of anger and sorrow brewing in the room. “Yes. Shadow was still in this kingdom. I found her in the basement of the Vaeler family’s home. Based on the evidence we’ve uncovered, she was sold for over three hundred thousand... to a vampire.”The silence that follows my words is deafening. Elina’s eyes widen in shock, her hands trembling as they rest protectively on Shadow’s shoulders. “A vampire?” she whispers, her voice breaking.
Celine POV“And who helps you with the magic?” Sebastian’s voice is sharp, each word delivered with precision.Diadri hesitates, her lips trembling as the spell forces her to answer. “Nylex Webler,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “You're aware of him, a dragon shifter. He creates the spells for us. He’s the one who makes it possible.”Sebastian’s eyes narrow, and he steps even closer to the bars, his presence towering over her. “He had left years ago. Where is he?” he demands.“I don’t know,” Diadri admits quickly, her voice shaking. “He moves around. We only contact him when we need him.”Sebastian straightens, his expression unreadable, though I can see the storm brewing in his eyes. “How do you contact him?”“By phone,” Diadri states, and Sebastian nods.“And where is the list of dragons you stole a