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
Celine POVPushing the thoughts aside, I rise from the bed. As I head to the shower, Sebastian steps out, water dripping down his sculpted body, and my breath catches for a moment. His eyes meet mine, and I can feel the tension in the air—an unspoken understanding that the answers I seek won’t come easily.As soon as Sebastian leaves the room, I step into the bathroom, letting the warm water cascade over me as I try to wash away the weight of the revelations and decisions ahead. When I emerge, I find Sebastian seated at the table, papers spread before him, his brow furrowed in concentration. The light catches on his profile, highlighting the intensity in his expression.Dolton sits on the far side of the room, his body stiff, his gaze locked on the floor. The hurt radiates off him in waves, pressing into me like a physical force. My chest tightens as I walk toward him, compelled to ease the tension between us. I take a seat beside him, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words.
Celine POV“I’m sorry,” Dolton says, his voice breaking. “If I hadn’t left... maybe it wouldn’t have happened.”I climb into his lap, wrapping my arms tightly around him, seeking comfort even as the pain gnaws at me. “I’m sorry, too,” I whisper against his chest. “I thought it was you. I didn’t know. I didn’t remember.”“You had every right to hate me,” he murmurs, his arms tightening around me. “I left you. I didn’t protect you. Which is why I should leave now.”The door creaks open, and Sebastian steps into the room, his presence commanding even in silence. “You’re not leaving her,” he says firmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “That’s not your decision to make.”Dolton’s head snaps up, his eyes narrowing. “It’s her choice,” he retorts, his tone defensive.Sebastian takes a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “You’re using your own guilt to manipulate her into pushing you away. That’s not fair to her, and you know it.”Their tension crackles in the air, but I pla
Dolton POVRegret weighs heavily on me for even considering leaving her. I felt it was the right decision at the time, to spare her the complications I would bring, but now, sitting here, looking at her, I feel the sting of cowardice. Her presence is like a balm to my soul, a connection I can’t sever. Smiling softly, I pull her closer, my hands resting gently on her waist. “I apologize,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.She tilts her head, her gaze locking onto mine with a quiet intensity. “Don’t apologize, Dolton,” she says firmly. “Just decide and stick to it.” Her words, simple but resolute, cut through my lingering self-doubt.I nod, exhaling as though releasing the weight I’ve carried. “I’ve decided. I’ll stay. I’ll figure out how to make this work,” I vow, though the path ahead feels uncertain. Leaning forward, my lips brush against hers, soft and searching. Her warmth fills me, pulling me deeper into her. Our lips move together in a rhythm so familiar it feels like comin
Dolton POVHow could that work, especially at the Dragon Kingdom? She’s set to be Queen, and I? I’ll be nothing compared to her or to him. “I’ll never be equal,” I mutter, bitterness creeping into my tone. “She’s becoming the Queen, and I’ll just... be there.”Sebastian shakes his head, his expression unchanging. “She’ll be my Queen, yes. But as soon as Joseph’s mate is healed, he’s taking over. I’m stepping back. I won’t be King anymore. He will be.”The words should reassure me, but they don’t. They leave an ache in my chest, a nagging doubt that I can’t shake. What will I be to her? To them? These thoughts churn in my mind throughout the journey. At some point, Celine wakes, her warm smile pulling me momentarily out of my spiraling thoughts. She leans into me, her body radiating a comfort I’ve longed for. Meanwhile, Sebastian remains focused on the papers in his lap, his composure as unshakable as ever.Eventually, the cars come to a stop. I step out, greeted by the familiar sights
Celine POV The moment I stepped out of the car, a wave of icy stares greeted me, each pair of eyes piercing through me like daggers. Their whispers were like a current, growing stronger and louder as the small crowd began to gather behind us. The weight of their judgment pressed heavily against my chest, leaving me feeling like an outsider in a place that should hold safety.Dolton walked ahead, his shoulders tense but purposeful, as he led us into the packhouse. The interior was dim, the worn wooden floors creaking beneath our steps. He quickly showed us to a room, his words clipped and distant. Without waiting for a reply, he left, shutting the door behind him with a finality that felt deliberate.Sebastian sets down the bags and surveys the room. The space is modest, with a small table by the window and a simple bed in the corner. The air inside feels heavy, a reflection of the tension outside.“He’s separated us,” Sebastian mutters, his jaw tightening as he takes a seat at the ta
Celine POVSebastian leans down, his breath warm against my ear as his lips trail along my neck. “I’m giving you two time,” he murmurs, his hands tightening on my waist. “You’ve been apart for years. Your wolf may have been hidden, but his felt every moment of that separation. He was in pain every single day. Time with you is healing his wolf.”His words catch me off guard. I hadn’t considered that aspect before. My heart aches for Dolton’s wolf and the pain he endured while I was unaware of the bond we shared. My fingers trail lightly over Sebastian’s arm, grounding myself as I process the storm of emotions swirling within me.I linger against Sebastian, feeling the heat of his fingers tracing languid patterns along my spine. Each stroke sends a shiver through me, grounding me in the moment. I press myself closer to him, my lips brushing against his neck as I let my fingers work on the buttons of his shirt, sliding it off with purpose.“My love,” his voice rumbles low and steady, “yo
Celine POVI wander through the packhouse, my frustration growing with each empty hallway and room. Dolton is nowhere to be found, and I can feel the weight of his absence pressing down on me. Spotting a maid carrying a tray, I step closer to her, my voice soft but urgent.“Can you tell me where Dolton is, please?” I ask.She offers a polite smile. “I believe he was in the cells the last time I saw him.” With that, she walks away, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.The cells. Of course. With a sigh, I make my way to the lower levels, the air growing colder and damper as I descend the stone stairs. The dim lighting casts long shadows, and the scent of iron lingers in the air.“Dolton?” I call out, my voice hesitant as I step further into the room.A voice answers, but it’s not his. “Celine?” Turning quickly, I see Alex rise from a worn cot and approach the bars of his cell. His face is gaunt, but his eyes light up when they meet mine. “You look... amazing,” he says, offering a we
Celine POVMy eyes widen as his words sink in, panic rising like a tide threatening to pull me under. “So there’s no way to the kingdom?” I ask, my voice tinged with desperation. My fingers clutch the edge of the seat as I try to process what this means.“There is,” Sebastian replies firmly, his tone a mixture of calm authority and urgency. His eyes flick to Dolton and Jonathan. “But it won’t be by car. The road is compromised, and the cars will have to be left behind. We’re going to fly the rest of the way.”Fly? My stomach twists at the thought. I’ve never flown, and the idea of being carried through the sky sends a shiver down my spine. My instincts scream against it, but I know there’s no other option.Sebastian continues, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “I’ll take Celine with me. You two will need to let my guards carry you. They’re trained for this, and it’s the safest way to get to the kingdom.”Dolton exhales a long, frustrated sigh, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.
Jonathan’s hand brushes mine, a small gesture of comfort. “He’s right,” he says softly. “Your safety is what matters most.”Dolton nods, his expression grim but resolute. “We’ll get her to the kingdom, Sebastian. You won’t have to do this alone.”Sebastian doesn’t respond immediately. His jaw clenches, and his grip tightens on the steering wheel as the car races forward. Finally, he exhales sharply. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”The tension in the car is suffocating. Outside the window, the forest blurs past, dark and unyielding. The cries and howls have faded, but the fear they’ve left behind lingers like a shadow, wrapping around us and refusing to let go.The car barrels through the dense forest, the sound of the engine reverberating in the heavy silence of the day. The cries we heard earlier have faded, but the memory of them clings to me, chilling my bones. My heart races with every twist and turn of the rugged path, the bumpy ride only adding to my growing unease.Sebast
Celine’s POVThe tension is so thick it feels like a living thing pressing down on us. Sebastian’s sharp, focused expression says it all—he’s ready to order us back to the cars after that eerie, childlike laugh echoed through the trees. The sound doesn’t sit right in my chest, and the rustling nearby sends a shiver racing up my spine.I step toward the sound, curiosity overriding my better judgment. Pushing through the trees, I move cautiously, trying to make out the source of the noise. Behind me, I sense Sebastian, Dolton, and Jonathan following, their presence both reassuring and heavy with unspoken concern.As we press forward, weaving between ancient trees whose gnarled branches twist like claws, something comes into view that makes my breath catch.A cage.It’s large, rusted, and covered in creeping moss, like it’s been here for ages yet still serves a dark purpose. Inside is a creature so grotesque and unnatural that my body freezes in place. It has the form of a human, but its
Sebastian POVAs these thoughts swirl in my mind, I glance at Dolton, who’s been unusually quiet beside me. The weight of everything we’re facing is palpable. Breaking the silence, I suggest, “We should stop for a break. It’ll be the last one before we reach my kingdom. Celine’s shifter needs space and air to recover.”Taking out my phone, I type out a quick message to the guards, instructing them to find a safe location to rest. It’s a delicate task. Outside the kingdoms, there are still scattered towns and cities, remnants of a world left behind. Most of them are teeming with the exiled—dangerous, desperate beings. Some places might be safe enough to stop at, but many are not. Trusting the guards to make the right call, I tuck the phone away and let out a slow breath.Dolton breaks the silence, glancing at me. “Any idea what this Pantheromorph is supposed to look like?”I shake my head. “It’s only ever been mentioned in stories. The assumption is that it’s a combination of all her f
Sebastian POV“We have a bigger problem,” I say, breaking the silence. Dolton looks at me, his brow furrowed, waiting for me to elaborate. “Calling all the royals from each kingdom into one location? It’s risky. More than risky—it’s a disaster waiting to happen. If the Werewolf King is working with the exiled, they won’t need to take down the kingdoms individually. They’ll take us out in one stroke.”Dolton exhales sharply, sitting back against the seat. “You’re right. It’s the perfect opportunity for an ambush. Gather all the royals, their key leaders, and their guards in one place, and we’re practically handing them the kingdoms on a silver platter.”I nod, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “We’d be fools to assume the Werewolf King hasn’t already thought of that. He’s been planning this for years, using his greed and cunning to sow discord. He won’t hesitate to strike if he sees the chance.”Dolton taps his fingers on the armrest, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Then
Sebastian POVThe journey back feels excruciatingly longer than the trip to our destination. Perhaps it’s the numerous stops we’ve made along the way, or maybe it’s the tension hanging in the air, pressing down on us like a heavy, invisible weight. Normally, we’d take to the skies—flying is quicker and less draining—but given the uncertainty of Joseph’s situation, we couldn’t risk leaving behind vehicles and supplies. The ground travel is necessary, but it stretches time in a way that gnaws at my patience.It’s been nearly twelve hours since Celine’s encounter at the lake. I glance over at her, fast asleep and curled up against Jonathan as he sleeps. Her breathing is soft and steady, her body relaxed, but even in sleep, there’s a vulnerability about her that stirs a protective instinct deep within me. Jonathan holds her carefully, almost reverently, as though he’s afraid to disturb her. It’s a sight that, surprisingly, doesn’t spark jealousy—just a quiet sense of relief. She’s stopped
Dolton POVJonathan, who has been uncharacteristically quiet, finally speaks. His voice carries a weight of apology. “I should have told you. I didn’t think it was important to say I was also Merfolk. I haven’t shifted into that form since I was a child, back when I stayed with my mother in the Fae Kingdom. I never intended to shift into it again. I had accepted that I was Fae, and only Fae.”His words hang in the air, heavy with regret and vulnerability. His gaze flicks between us, searching for understanding, though I can tell he’s bracing himself for judgment.I let out a sigh, my voice gentle but firm as I reply. “But you’re not only Fae, Jonathan. You never were.”The truth of it seems to land with him, his shoulders sagging slightly as if he’s finally acknowledging a part of himself he’s long suppressed. The room feels charged, the unspoken complexities of identity, loyalty, and belonging weaving through the space. Yet, in this moment, I can see something shifting in all of us—a
Dolton POVCeline is still trembling, her body giving away just how deeply shaken she is. I can’t blame her—we should have warned her. We should have told her that outside the protection of the kingdoms, the world isn’t just untamed; it’s downright dangerous. But we didn’t expect her to wander off, to venture into a space where these horrors lurk. The guilt gnaws at me, knowing we could have prevented this.The only silver lining is that she shifted. Her merfolk form was nothing short of breathtaking—silver and gold shimmering together in her tail. Not even the royal Merfolk can boast such a rare combination of colors. Typically, the royal families have distinct, unique features that set them apart, but none of them have the brilliance that she does. It’s like her very being is touched by the divine, a beacon of her status as the Queen Goddess.But even that marvel is overshadowed by what just happened. We returned to the car and found them gone. The moment I saw the empty space where
Celine POV“Not many can shift into both forms,” Sebastian says, breaking the silence, his voice thoughtful. “Usually, one side is more dominant than the other. Take Nischola, for example. She’s both dragon and wolf, but her wolf side prevailed. She can’t shift into her dragon form at all.”His words only deepen my confusion. “You’re saying Jonathan is unique?” I murmur, still trying to wrap my head around the revelation.Sebastian’s gaze sharpens as he turns back to Jonathan. “You are powerful. You yourself are rare—unique, even. Hiding either side of you isn’t just denying who you are; it’s punishing your shifter Jonthan. Do you know why the kingdoms separated in the first place? Because they couldn’t accept that some of their own could embody more than one kind of magic, more than one kind of being. If people embraced both sides of themselves, maybe the kingdoms wouldn’t despise each other as much as they do now.”Jonathan doesn’t respond immediately, but the weight of Sebastian’s