Celine’s POVJonathan has retreated to the adjoining bedroom, leaving us in a charged silence. My thoughts keep circling back to Sebastian and Dolton. I can feel the heat rising within me again—an unmistakable, primal need that consumes my thoughts. The idea of being with them while they’re shifted flares in my mind, a fantasy so intense it makes my skin tingle.Sebastian keeps resisting the idea, but I want this. I need it. Maybe if Dolton shifts as well, it’ll make everything easier.I straddle Dolton’s lap, letting a playful smile dance across my lips. My hands skim his broad shoulders as I lean in, my mouth grazing the sensitive spot on his neck. Heat floods through me, and I realise my current state—my uncontrollable desire—is because I’m in heat again. It’s amplifying everything, making every touch, every breath, electric.Dolton’s smile is soft, understanding, as his hands rest on my hips. “You only need to ask,” he whispers, his voice low and inviting.“Then shift,” I say, my
Jonathan’s POVThe knock on my door comes early, shattering the silence of my restless night. When I call out to see who it is, Sebastian’s voice cuts through the heavy air. “We’re leaving soon. Time to get moving.”As if I’ve been asleep.I’ve been awake for hours, my thoughts churning endlessly. Sleep wasn’t an option, not with the events of the previous night replaying in my mind. Every sound from the next room carried through the walls—every whisper, every moan, every cry of pleasure. It wasn’t intentional on their part, I’m sure of that, but knowing what was happening on the other side of the door was a form of torture I hadn’t been prepared for.Hearing her, feeling her emotions through the mate bond—it was overwhelming. Her need, her pleasure, her bond with them—it consumed me. I was left alone, isolated in this room, unable to escape the pull of her emotions. The mate bond was supposed to be a connection, a source of comfort and belonging, but instead, it left me feeling like
Sebastian’s POVThe soft hum of the car engine is a constant backdrop to the long hours of travel. I’ve spent nearly the entire ride with my head buried in documents and notes, piecing together the threads of the Werewolf King’s treachery. The evidence isn’t just a puzzle—it’s a time bomb. Every new detail adds to the growing picture of just how dire our situation is. But this is my responsibility now. Celine has enough to manage with deciphering the ancient journals and learning to master her powers. She doesn’t need the added weight of this on her shoulders.From the corner of my eye, I notice Celine and Dolton sitting close together, deep in conversation. Her smile is soft, and her laugh rings out occasionally, a soothing sound in the otherwise tense atmosphere. Meanwhile, Jonathan sits across from them, his gaze fixed on the floor. His silence is more pronounced than usual, a heavy stillness that presses around us. Normally reserved, today he seems almost withdrawn, his presence m
Celine’s POVTraveling is more draining than I expected. It isn’t just the physical discomfort of being crammed into a car for hours on end. It’s the mental strain, the feeling of being trapped in a confined space with no true escape. The steady rumble of the car is like a metronome for my growing restlessness, and every passing mile seems to weigh heavier on my shoulders. I long for the freedom to stretch, to breathe, to feel grounded—but instead, all I feel is the ceaseless movement of the journey.I glance to my side, where Jonathan sits quietly, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. His expression is thoughtful, contemplative, but there’s a weight to his silence that I can’t ignore. Something has been brewing within me for days, a thought that keeps tugging at the edges of my mind. I finally decide to voice it.“Jonathan,” I say softly, breaking the fragile quiet between us. My voice feels tentative, like I’m interrupting a deep meditation. He shifts slightly,
Celine POVWith Jonathan and I sat together, we wait for Sebastian and Dolton to return. Despite everything going on, his presence always seems to bring a grounding steadiness, a welcome counterbalance to the chaos swirling around us.“Maybe there’s a lake nearby,” I suggest, my tone thoughtful. “I could try shifting there?”I glance at him, waiting to see if he agrees. It’s a good idea.“You do need to figure out how to shift into your merfolk form.” He smiles and the weight of my frustration from previous attempts creeps in. He nods, his understanding palpable in the soft look he gives me. “I’m happy to come with you if you want.”His offer brings a small smile to my lips. “I’d like that,” I reply, climbing out of the car. As we walk side by side through the trees, the sounds of nature surround us—chirping birds, the rustle of leaves in the soft breeze, and the crunch of our footsteps on the forest floor. A few minutes later, the glimmering surface of a pristine lake comes into view
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
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
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 POV“Joseph will stand in as King while we’re away. Today, I need to inform Rosalind that her son, Arktos, was not, in fact, dead or sold. He’s someone we need to find.”“What about the others?” Celine asks.“I plan to find them all,” Sebastian replies. “But because of who Arktos is, he’s key to our kingdom. The Heart of Eternal Flame is rare—one dragon is born with it every two to three hundred years after the last dies. He will also be the one most at risk. People will seek to exploit that power.”I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. Arktos’s heart keeps him alive if he dies before
Dolton POVStanding that close to the edge was foolish—I knew what Tatsuya had warned. But in my mind, I didn’t think she’d actually follow through. There were too many people nearby, too many witnesses who could see her actions. I let myself believe that would keep me safe.That false sense of security was misguided.I’d also convinced myself I’d be fine if something happened. I have a dragon, after all. Sure, I’m not the best at flying—thanks to my hatred of heights—but I thought I’d manage if the situation called for it.I was wrong.
Celine POVAs the moon rises higher in the sky, I stand by Sebastian, my heart heavy but resolute. This night may have revealed treachery, but it also proved the strength of the bond we share—and the lengths we will go to protect each other.“Dolton’s fine. He went inside with Jonathan. They’ve agreed to keep their distance for now.”“He’s okay?” I ask again, needing reassurance.“Yeah,” he confirms. “He’s just frustrated with himself for standing so close to the edge after Tatsuya had already threatened him. And annoyed that he m
Celine POVOne moment, everything was fine. The next, Tatsuya appeared out of nowhere, stumbling forward and knocking into Dolton. I didn’t think—I just reacted.It was exactly like the vision I’d seen before, the one where Dolton fell. And I knew, deep in my core, that he hadn’t yet mastered flying.So I shifted and jumped.The air rushed around me as Luperca surged to the surface, my body transforming mid-dive. I caught Dolton just in time, my claws gripping him securely as I fought to stabilize us. The terro
Sebastian POVTheir conversation halts as we approach, and they all bow respectfully.“King Sebastian, Queen Celine,” one of the men greets, his tone formal but warm. “It’s an honor to stand before you both.”“Thank you,” Celine says with a polite smile, her voice steady despite the weight of the attention on her.I gesture toward the man. “This is Duke Eldrin. He oversees the northern territories and has been a staunch supporter of the crown.”“A pleasure to meet you, Duke Eldrin
Sebastian POVWith Celine’s hand securely in mine, I guide her back to the main hall. Her hand feels warm, a grounding presence in the whirlwind of the day. Leaning in, I kiss her softly—our final kiss before stepping back into the spotlight, where every moment will be under watchful eyes.“I announce King Sebastian and Queen Celine, the Dragon Royals, for their first dance!” The herald’s voice rings out, and the grand doors before us swing open.We step out into the hall, the room filled with the hum of anticipation. All eyes are on us, the sea of nobles and dignitaries falling silent as they wait. I glance at Celine and catch the f
Celine POVI glance around, noticing something odd—there are no male guards nearby. The tradition is stricter than I realized. The closest male guards are stationed far down the hall, their distance intentional. It’s as though an invisible barrier has been placed around me, a reminder of the ancient customs dictating this day.As I approach the grand hall, the ornate doors are pulled open by two female attendants. My breath catches as I step inside. The room is magnificent, every surface gleaming with gold accents and sparkling chandeliers. The crowd is vast—lords, ladies, and dignitaries from every corner of the kingdom gathered to witness this union. Their eyes turn to me, murmurs of admiration and awe ri
Celine POVI spend the evening with Nischola, who reassures me that the baby is thriving. She also helps me practice the wedding dance, and to my relief, she claims I picked it up quickly and performed well.I hope she’s being honest because the thought of messing up in front of the entire kingdom tomorrow is mortifying. Yes, the entire kingdom—the wedding is being broadcast live. There’s no hiding from anyone.After a few hours, I return to my room, seeking solitude. I slip into a warm bath, letting the water soothe me. Closing my eyes, I try to relax, but my mind refuses to co
Sebastian spins around, his expression stormy. “You were told to stay quiet and not get involved,” he snaps at Celine.Celine opens her mouth to retort, but Sebastian raises a hand to cut her off. “Because of your actions, he likely won’t speak now. We’ve lost any chance of getting the information we need.”He’s not wrong. Nylex had talked because he was confident he could escape. Now, knowing he’s bound indefinitely, he has no reason to cooperate.“I was trying to help!” Celine fires back, her voice tinged with frustration.“Help how?” Sebastian challenges, his tone sharp.Celine falls silent, unable to answer. She wasn’t trying to help; she was angry, and she wanted to challenge Nylex. Sebastian hadn’t been in any danger—Nylex’s words, though meant to torment him, were under control.“He was behind the fog,” Celine argues defensively.“And it was resolved. He wasn’t actively doing anything when you interfered,” Sebastian counters, his voice tightening with frustration.I rub my face