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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
Sebastian POV Her body shifts against me, her movements fluid and deliberate as she straddles me. Her hands find their way into my hair, tangling themselves as her lips meet mine in a heated kiss. I can feel the fire radiating from her, the desire that burns just beneath her skin. My hands glide along her sides, trailing over the soft curve of her body, the warmth of her flesh igniting a fire of my own.My nose brushes against her neck, and I inhale deeply, taking in her scent. It’s subtly different now, richer, more intoxicating. A smile tugs at my lips. Her wolf. She doesn’t realize it yet, but her scent has changed, signaling the deepening connection between her and her wolf. If I tell her later, I know she’ll brush it off, unwilling or unable to accept the truth.Last night wasn’t how I envisioned our first time. I wanted her to feel safe, comfortable, and ready. But the need was and is undeniable, both hers and mine. Her wolf craves this, and denying her would only make it worse.
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
Celine POVJonathan seems to sense my discomfort through the bond. “Look, I can feel your unease,” he says gently. “We all know this situation isn’t ideal. But Sebastian’s case is different. If he waits too long, and we find ourselves in unsafe territory, the risks grow exponentially. Dragons claiming their mates isn’t as simple as me as a Fae or Dolton as a Lycan. You’ll be in flight, Celine. That’s not something we can do just anywhere.”I mull over his words, biting my lip as I consider the implications. “Is there no way for all three of you to claim me before we leave?” My voice is quieter now, tinged with vulnerability. “I don’t want days to pass with me married to Sebastian and only claimed by him. It doesn’t feel… fair.”Sebastian’s gaze softens, his expression thoughtful. “We can try to arrange it, if that’s what you want,” he offers.
Celine POVThe morning feels heavy, as though the weight of yesterday’s events is still pressing down on me. I wake alone, my body humming with an odd sensation I can’t quite place. It’s like a lingering echo from the chaos of my shifting, a blend of soreness and something deeper, something unsettled.After showering and dressing, I step into the corridor. The palace feels unusually quiet, the distant sounds of activity muted, as if even the building itself is holding its breath. A guard greets me immediately, his expression unreadable.“Your Majesty, King Sebastian is this way,” he says with a small bow, turning to guide me.I hesitate for a moment. Your Majesty. The title feels foreign, like it belongs to someone else. I’m not a queen, not yet. I shrug it off and follow him, my steps echoing faintly against the marble floors.When I step into the room, I find Sebastian, Dolton, and Jonathan seated toge