Sebastian POVThe weight of my failure presses heavily on my chest as I replay the events in my mind. This is my fault. Part of me doesn’t want to admit it, but I can’t deny the truth. Joseph had warned me, but I refused to believe him. I didn’t want to face the idea that someone could challenge us, that they could take down our dragons. That arrogance, my unwillingness to prepare, is what led us here—almost defeated, wounded, and vulnerable.The memory of pain lances through my back, sharp and vivid. I remember the searing burn as I fell, and then... nothing. My world had gone dark. Now, as I look around, the stone walls of the cell where I woke feel colder, the air thicker with the metallic scent of blood and sweat. The dim torchlight flickers against the rough-hewn stone, casting long, shifting shadows that make the narrow corridor seem alive.Celine’s scream had jolted me awake, the sound cutting through my haze like a blade. My instincts had taken over. I could have acted in my hu
Sebastian POV “What have you found out so far?” I ask, needing to understand the inner workings of this pack.Joseph straightens, his expression grim. “It was a sanctuary for rogues for many years,” he begins. “A place where anyone could come and stay. Everyone had equal rights—no alpha, no hierarchy.”I nod slowly, processing his words. “And then Dale arrived?”Joseph’s face darkens. “Yes. He came with his mate and declared himself the Alpha. Those who opposed him... didn’t survive. After enough challenges ended in death, the rest accepted his rule. But he’s not a true alpha. He uses magic to dominate, to enforce his control.”“When did he take over?” I ask, leaning forward. Every detail is crucial.“A few months before he brought Celine here,” Joseph replies. His voice lowers, the weight of his next words evident. “Many don’t even know who she truly is. The top soldiers used her own magic against her. They had her visit a so-called ‘doctor,’ who administered wolfsbane to weaken her
CelineI place the plate down on the nightstand, my thoughts swirling as I process Sebastian’s questions and my own hesitant answers. The room feels warmer now, though the heavy stone walls and dark wooden beams retain a weight that’s hard to ignore. Outside the windows, the faint glow of sunlight filters through tattered curtains, casting soft patterns on the floor. The bed beneath me is surprisingly comfortable, the blankets thick and warm, though they do little to ease the tension in my body.The questions he asked me linger in my mind, but one stands out among the rest—the possibility that the woman I called “Mum” might not have been my mother. Sebastian seems to think she wasn’t, though he hasn’t outright said it. Why would anyone take me? Why raise me if not out of love? The uncertainty gnaws at me, but I don’t dare voice it.Before I can fully untangle my thoughts, Sebastian’s voice draws me back. His tone is quiet, almost hesitant, and his words catch me off guard.“I know what
Celine POV I wrap my arms around his neck, my body pressing against his. Another vision flashes through my mind—this one more intimate. It’s not a memory, but something else entirely. I realize it’s what he’s imagining at this very moment. Us. Kissing. His golden eyes stay locked on mine, and I can’t help but smile.Leaning forward, I press my lips against his. He doesn’t move at first, his body perfectly still, as if waiting for confirmation. Then, slowly, his arm wraps around me, pulling me closer. His lips move against mine, soft yet deliberate, and I moan softly as his tongue grazes mine. The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in it, tangling my fingers in his hair.His hands trace along my body, their touch sending shivers through me. I whimper softly, drawn further into him, but then the visions return. They’re more intense this time—us, together, naked. The feelings and sensations from the vision seep into me, flooding me with heat and desire. My body moves instinctively, grinding
Celine POV Sebastian reaches for a cloth, adding soap to it before dragging it gently across my skin. The rhythmic motion is almost hypnotic, the faint lavender scent calming my racing thoughts. Yet, the heat that pools in my body isn’t just from the water. His touch ignites something deep within me, something primal and raw that I don’t fully understand. My wolf stirs restlessly, fighting to surface. The feelings overwhelm me—alien, yet undeniable.A soft whimper escapes my lips as I push closer to his hand, seeking something I can’t fully articulate. He stills, his hand pulling away. “I should leave,” he whispers, his voice tinged with restraint.“No!” I plead, grabbing his hand and placing it back on my body. The desperation in my voice surprises even me. His other hand gently grips my neck, tilting my head back so our eyes meet. His gaze is steady, grounding.“Your wolf is in heat,” he explains softly, his thumb brushing against my skin. “It’s been locked away for so long, and now
Celine POVI wake to the warmth of Sebastian’s arms wrapped protectively around me, his hold gentle yet firm. The faint scent of him—a mix of something earthy and smokey—lingers, grounding me in the present. His steady breaths brush against my hair, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself feel safe. Then the memories of last night crash over me, vivid and overwhelming. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as the details come rushing back.What happened to me? One moment, I felt in control, and then… everything spiraled. I’ve never experienced anything like it. The intensity, the need—it was all new, strange, and undeniably consuming.I want to believe that this is it, that everything will settle now, but deep down, I know better. The weight of my past and the uncertainty of my future press heavily on my chest. This is only the beginning.“What’s wrong, little one?” Sebastian’s deep voice cuts through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I blink, meeting his steady, golden gaze. H
Celine POV As the conversation drifts, the tension in the room eases further. The morning sun creeps higher, casting soft, golden light across the room’s stone walls and wooden floors. The faint sounds of birdsong filter through the window, mingling with the quiet comfort of Sebastian’s presence. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I can breathe.The moment realization strikes, panic grips me, and my chest tightens as though an invisible weight is pressing down on me. My breaths come in short gasps, my vision blurs, and my thoughts spiral uncontrollably. How did I not think of this? How did I not consider it? The walls of the room, warm and inviting only moments ago, now feel suffocating, their heavy stone seeming to close in around me.Sebastian’s hands gently cradle my face, his touch firm yet soothing. “Little one, calm,” he murmurs, his golden eyes locking onto mine with steady reassurance.But I can’t calm down. The flood of questions and realizations crashes over me
Sebastian POVI find myself at a loss for words. The gift Celine possesses is extraordinary, but calling it a gift feels dishonest. To me, it’s a double-edged sword, as much a curse as it is a blessing. Imagine having the ability to glimpse the future, only to see something horrific and know you shouldn’t interfere—perhaps that you can’t interfere.How would she reconcile that? How would it feel to carry the burden of foreknowledge, knowing that ignoring it was the only way to maintain balance? To see tragedy unfold and do nothing—it’s a heavy weight for anyone, especially someone as unprepared as Celine.Her voice pulls me from my thoughts, soft but filled with concern. “Nischola… what is wrong with her?” Her wide, questioning eyes meet mine, and I know I owe her the truth.“We don’t know,” I reply with a sigh, running a hand through my hair. “We’ve tried everything. Doctors couldn’t find a cause, let alone a cure. We turned to a witch—nothing. Finally, a warlock told us she was curse
Dolton POVI stare at the moon, trying to understand what Leif is talking about. To me, it’s always been just a moon, something distant, powerful in its way, but never something I thought would speak to me. Yet Leif’s words linger in my mind, urging me to look deeper, to truly see.At first, I don’t notice anything unusual, just the pale glow of the moon standing oddly bright against the daytime sky. But the longer I stare, the more the edges of my vision blur, pulling my focus sharply toward the moon’s surface. Something shifts there, a subtle movement, a ripple of darkness.I blink, thinking it’s my imagination or fatigue from the battle. Yet the shadows don’t vanish; instead, they sharpen, becoming clearer, more defined. My breathing slows, and my heart quickens as I focus, straining to understand exactly what I’m witnessing.Then I see it, the shadows aren’t just vague, dark shapes. They’re detaile
Celine’s POVThe moment Dolton speaks, everything inside me stills. A heartbeat?My hand instinctively moves to my stomach before I can even process the thought. I don’t know why I do it, as if touching the skin there will somehow confirm what I already feel creeping into my mind.For the past few hours, I’ve felt different, not just exhausted from the battle, but off in a way I couldn’t explain. I thought it was the weight of everything we had endured. The stress, the adrenaline, the overwhelming chaos of the fight and its aftermath. But now, as I focus, as I truly listen to my own body, I feel it.My heartbeat pounds in my ears, but beneath it, softer yet just as strong, is another. Smaller, lighter, but carrying a strength all its own. The realization hits me slowly, sinking into my bones, spreading warmth through my chest.I press my fingers to my stomach, the weight of Sebastian’s hand still cover
Dolton POVWe leave the palace and travel to the pack in silence, not the kind where no one is speaking, but the kind where something lingers in the air, heavy and unspoken. Conversations happen around me, but the weight of everything we’ve been through presses down on all of us.Sebastian looks lost in thought, still trying to piece together what happened with Helios. I feel the same way, my mind circling back to the shadow thing. It wasn’t something I had done before. I don’t even know how I did it.“Did you know last night was a blood moon?” Leif suddenly speaks up, breaking through the murmur of conversation.Everyone turns to him, including me. “How did you know that?” I ask, confused.“I could feel the difference,” he says with certainty. “It might have been hidden, but it was a blood moon.”I nod slowly, unsure of what to say to that. “Okay.”“Y
Jonathan POVEveryone is different now, and I know it’s because of the battle. We all tapped into something we didn’t fully understand, unlocking pieces of ourselves we hadn’t even known existed. Then there was Celine, so close to dying, and Sebastian nearly died as well. Standing on the edge of death leaves a mark, one that doesn’t fade easily.But it’s Dolton who concerns me the most. Something about him feels… off. He looks lost, distant, like he’s trying to make sense of something bigger than just the battle. I can sense his unease even from the other side of the palace, something stirring within him that he hasn’t spoken about yet.The other royals have left, tending to their own, but I decide to stay and find Dolton. I walk through the halls until I spot him sitting alone, a glass in his hand. Leif isn’t here, which is unusual. The kid has been at his side constantly since they met, bu
Sebastian POVThe air in the palace feels heavy, like the walls are pressing in, suffocating me. I shift on my feet, glancing around the grand hall that once belonged to the Werewolf King. There’s too much history here, too much bloodshed. Staying in this place doesn’t sit right with me.I turn to Dolton. “Would your pack be able to take us in?”Dolton tilts his head, studying me. “You don’t want to stay here?”“No,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t like this place. It belonged to him. It’s… tainted.” I exhale sharply. “I need to be somewhere that feels like neutral ground.”Dolton doesn’t hesitate. “It won’t be an issue. My pack will accept us.”That’s a relief. The last thing I want is to stay in this palace any longer than necessary. I can’t explain it, but the idea of sleep
Celine POVI don’t know what I expect when we get back inside, but it certainly isn’t this.Standing in front of Sebastian, looking furious, is Alpha Ian.“You lied to me!” he shouts, his voice echoing through the palace halls. “You disappeared without a word, you didn’t update us, you didn’t tell us the plan! We still don’t have our daughter!”I step forward, but before I can speak, Dolton moves around me, standing between us.“A lot needed to be sorted to save Gregory,” Dolton says firmly. “He’s not dead, which means your daughter is safe.”“Safe?” Alpha Ian’s voice rises, his frustration boiling over. “How is she possibly safe when you no longer have him to tell you where she is?”“All the children had records,” I explain. “We can track her.”Alpha Ian’s glare snaps
Dolton POVI don't feel like me; I'm not sure if it's actually me or because one minute Celine was on the floor unmoving, and the next Helios took her, and I had no idea if she was alive.We move further into the palace and sit down. The royals talk about how they will collect their children who are still here and take them back. Then, any children found in their kingdom who were stolen will be sent to their kingdoms.The conversation is important, but right now, I can't focus. Standing, I walk to Celine and pull her out of the room. We say nothing, and I don't want to be there with her in front of everyone.As we get into a quieter room, I wrap my arms around her body. I hold onto Celine, gripping her tighter than I probably should, but I can’t seem to loosen my grip. She doesn’t pull away, though. She just stays there, warm and steady, letting me hold on.“What’s wrong?” she asks softly.I don’t know how
Jonathan POVI watch as Sebastian stands there, his wings still spread behind him, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. He looks lost. There’s something in his eyes, a flicker of confusion, of frustration, like he’s searching for answers he can’t find.He finally looks at me, his expression tight. “I don’t know,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I can’t remember anything after Arktos until waking up in the cave.”I exhale slowly, my body still humming with residual magic from the fight. “Helios killed the Werewolf King,” I tell him, keeping my voice even. “It was brutal, Sebastian. He lost it completely.”Sebastian doesn’t react, but I can see the way his jaw clenches, the way his fingers twitch slightly like he’s remembering something distant, something just out of his reach.I continue, knowing he needs to hear it. “Arkto
Sebastian POVThe void stretches endlessly around me, thick and suffocating. No sound, no sensation, no indication of time passing. It’s as if I’ve been ripped from existence, trapped in a place that doesn’t belong to me. My body feels weightless, unanchored, yet there’s a heaviness pressing down on my mind, chaining me here.I reach out, desperate for something, anything to pull me back. But there’s nothing. No Helios. No Celine. No flicker of warmth from the bond that always ties me to her. It’s wrong. It’s all wrong.A memory flickers, Helios roaring in rage, a searing pain lancing through my chest, the weight of something crushing down on me, suffocating and unrelenting. Then darkness swallowed me whole.How long has it been? Hours? Days? I grit my teeth, fighting against the nothingness, clawing for a way back. I won’t stay here. I can’t.Something shifts. A distant warmth brushes against m