Celine’s POVI’m still pressed against Sebastian’s chest when the door creaks open, and Dolton steps inside, his movements quiet but urgent.“The Fae’s Royal Guard is here,” he whispers, his voice strained, eyes darting back to the door as though expecting someone to burst through at any moment.Sebastian’s relaxed demeanor vanishes in an instant, replaced by the commanding presence of a King. He straightens, his tone sharp and composed. “Did they say why?”Dolton’s voice is barely above a whisper. “For Celine. Queen Nymia has requested her presence for supper and a discussion.” His gaze flicks to me, his concern evident in the tight line of his mouth.Sebastian and I exchange a glance, and we both move swiftly to get dressed, the urgency in the room palpable.Once we’re ready, Sebastian opens the door, revealing two Fae guards waiting just beyond. Their faces are unreadable, their postures straight and formal.“Queen Nymia has requested that Celine join her for supper,” one of the gu
Celine POVThe covers are worn, the edges frayed, and the pages yellowed with age. These books practically hum with latent power, and I can’t help but feel a spark of hope as I reach out to touch them.“These are from our ancestors,” Queen Nymia explains, her tone solemn. “Within these pages, you may find the key to breaking the curse of the mad wolves. But I must warn you, Celine—your journey will require all your strength. You must harness your power soon, or it may be too late.”Her voice is grave, and a chill runs down my spine. “Why?” I ask, struggling to keep my voice steady. “Why do you think I’ll need to act so quickly?”Her gaze meets mine, piercing and unflinching. “Because there is a dark energy that clings to you,” she says softly, yet her words strike like a thunderclap. “They cannot see it, and they cannot feel it. But I can. And I suspect, deep down, so can you.”A shiver courses through me. Dark energy? Her words stir something deep within me, a shadow I’ve refused to
Celine POVPantheromorph. A form I’ve never encountered, never even imagined. Yet, something about it stirs a deep, unspoken curiosity within me.Queen Nymia continues, her tone tinged with warning. “The future is fluid, constantly shifting with every choice we make. What I saw in my vision is only one possibility—a potential outcome where you are the keystone of this war. The Werewolf King’s betrayal was foretold, yes, but so was your rise. You hold the power to change everything.”The enormity of her words leaves me momentarily speechless. “If you’ve seen this,” I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper, “then you know how it ends. Do we win? Do we stop him?”Queen Nymia’s eyes grow clouded with sorrow. “The future I saw is filled with both victory and loss. The outcome depends on many factors—the alliances you forge, the choices you make, and the strength you find within yourself. What I can tell you is that the cost will be high. You must be prepared for that.”I swallow h
Celine POVHow can I have another mate?I groan inwardly, overwhelmed and annoyed. His piercing gaze locks onto mine, and I feel utterly exposed. I want to look away, to hide, but I can’t move. It’s ridiculous—he’s already seen me, yet I feel like shrinking into myself, disappearing entirely.“Jonathan,” Queen Nymia says, her voice breaking the spell. I tear my gaze away from him, forcing my eyes to the floor. She chuckles softly, as if she knows exactly what’s happening. “Oh, I see.”“I’m sorry. I need to leave. Thank you for everything,” I mumble hastily, grabbing the journals and practically bolting out of the room. I can’t be here. I need air, space—anything but this suffocating tension.The weight of the journals sits heavy in my arms, but it’s nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something massive, something life-altering. Queen Nymia’s words echo in my mind—about the visions, about my past, about my role in what’s to come. It’s
Jonathan’s POVI’m not sure what I expected when I finally found another mate, but it certainly wasn’t this—watching her walk away without so much as a word. No name, no smile, nothing. If anything, she seemed horrified by the fact that I was her mate.The moment I entered the room, I felt it—an unmistakable pull. But it wasn’t until our eyes met that the connection truly snapped into place. I was ready for questions, perhaps even a warm embrace, or at the very least, an introduction. Instead, she stood up and fled.The Queen was quick to sit me down and explain things.Celine is the Queen Goddess. The realisation floored me. My new mate was someone important to everyone. But before I could fully grasp the weight of it, the Queen dropped another bombshell: Celine already had two mates.I was stunned. I’d heard of people having two mates, though it was rare—three was almost unheard of. The Queen explained that Dolton, a Lycan, was one of her first mates, and then there was Sebastian, t
Celine’s POVWhen Jonathan told me about his previous mate, his words struck a chord deep within me, shaking me in ways I hadn’t expected. I never anticipated him to open up so quickly or so vulnerably, and hearing his story unraveled an overwhelming wave of guilt. Earlier today, I had walked away from him, leaving him in confusion and, likely, pain. To hear what he had endured—losing a mate, someone he loved so deeply, and then enduring the agony of rejection—made my behavior feel thoughtless and cruel.Jonathan had already faced so much, and here I was, treating him with a cold indifference that likely reopened old wounds. As his new mate, the last thing I should have done was make him feel as if he was unwanted. But it wasn’t just him I was thinking about.My greatest fear isn’t Jonathan; it’s Sebastian. When Dolton entered our lives, the shift in our relationship was subtle but undeniable. Sebastian had withdrawn in a way only I could feel. He was still there, still loving, but th
Sebastian’s POVThe air in the room feels charged, almost suffocating, as Dolton and I sit across from Jonathan. For hours, we’ve been deliberating how to integrate him into this delicate web of relationships. It’s not just about making him feel welcomed—it’s about preserving the fragile balance between all of us. Celine’s role as Queen Goddess makes her pivotal to everything, but adding another mate into the mix is a complicated, high-stakes endeavor.Jonathan sits quietly, a composed figure with a solemn air about him. His silence isn’t unfamiliar to me—it’s the same quiet that comes from loss, from a past marred by pain and rejection. I can see it in his eyes, the flickers of doubt and resignation. Celine’s initial reaction earlier today must have stung, reopening wounds he thought were long buried.“Things will need to change as we see fit,” Dolton breaks the silence, his voice steady but contemplative. He glances at me for support. “But right now, the priority is making Jonathan
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
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