SebastianI wait, my chest tightening with each second, as I wonder if she’ll find the courage to tell me. Her silence feels heavy, weighted by memories she can’t escape. We sit in the small tent nestled within the dense forest, the creak of the wooden beams almost echoing her hesitation. Finally, her voice breaks through the stillness, soft but strained.“I was sixteen when my mum moved us,” she begins, her words halting as if she’s testing the waters of her own resolve. “Her new partner had said we could stay with him.”Her gaze drops to the floor, avoiding mine. Her vulnerability feels raw, and I tread carefully. “Did you have your wolf then?” I ask, my voice quiet but curious. If she was still with her mother, maybe something had stifled the connection with her wolf.She shakes her head, her voice now barely a whisper. “No, I couldn’t feel my wolf. The day we arrived... the brothers spoke to me. They said I was their mate and kissed me.” Her body tenses, and the words come out quie
Sebastian POVI watch her, my heart pounding as I wait for a sign. Emotions flood her face—confusion, fear, pain. Then her eyes snap open, wide with realization, and tears fall freely.“I remember,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “He said he loved me. He told me to focus... to find my wolf.” She looks at me, her expression a mix of awe and sorrow. “He said... I’m the Queen Goddess?”The words hit me like a thunderclap. My mind reels, trying to comprehend. The Queen Goddess? That would make her... above all other deities. Above the Moon Goddess. How? She looks at me like she wants me to explain.“I’ll explain soon,” I promise, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “What happened to him after he told you? Where did he go?”“His dad came in,” she says, her voice breaking again. “He was shouting at Dolton for telling me. Dolton begged him not to make me forget. He was screaming for me to remember as they dragged him away.”Her tears flow harder, and I pull her close, my mind spi
Celine POVWhen I fell asleep, I was with Sebastian. His presence wrapped around me like a protective shield, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe. But sleep did not bring peace. My dreams were a relentless replay of my final moments with Dolton—his face, his voice, his agony. Over and over, I saw him locked away because of me, his screams echoing in my mind.I hated it. I hated that he suffered because of me. It wasn’t right. But even as guilt consumed me, a small part of me clung to the hope that his father and brothers wouldn’t harm him. They might be cruel, but not to him… right?When I wake, the emptiness beside me is like a sudden chill. I am alone. The silence feels heavy, oppressive, as a sense of unease creeps through me like a shadow that refuses to fade.Then, the noise hits me. Loud shouts pierce the quiet, and the sound of hurried footsteps fills the air. I sit up, my heart pounding. Something is wrong. Very wrong.“Now! They need all the soldiers
Celine POV I set to work, using my claws to dig the bullets out. My breath comes in shallow gasps, and sweat beads on my forehead. The bullets aren’t deep, but the act of removing them feels like pulling poison from his very soul. Each one hits the ground with a metallic clink, and I feel a flicker of hope.“Mutt!”The voice freezes me. It’s cold, mocking, and all too familiar. My body goes rigid as I turn toward the source. Beta Noah. His sneer cuts through the dim light as he steps into the room, his presence suffocating.“I can smell you,” he says, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. “I knew you’d come back.”Joseph’s shout snaps me out of my paralysis. “Get out of the cell before he locks it!”I bolt for the cell door, fumbling with the keys in my haste as I race to Joseph's cell. But before I can reach Joseph’s cell, Noah’s hand catches me, slamming me against the stone wall. Pain radiates through my back, and I cry out. His grip tightens around my neck, cutting off my air.
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
Helios’s POVI carefully take Clara from Dolton, cradling her against my chest as if she’s the most precious treasure I’ve ever held, and she is. Her delicate warmth radiates into me, a fragile yet unwavering presence in my arms, melting through the lingering hardness that once defined who I was. Her steady, peaceful breathing calms something deep inside me, quieting the restless beast I had always been.As I study her tiny face, with soft cheeks and a delicate nose, the innocence reflected there stirs something unfamiliar in my chest, a fierce protectiveness unlike anything I have ever known. The heart that once burned with obsession, possessiveness, and dominance now fills with a different kind of fire, pure and gentle. It’s startling yet comforting, reshaping who I am from the core outward.Instinctively, almost without thinking, I begin to hum softly, a melody from a lifetime ago, one I barely remember, yet somehow feels right to shar
6 Years LaterJonathan POV“Caleb, hold still,” I murmur, tightening my grip gently around my three-year-old son, who wriggles impatiently in my arms. His soft golden hair tickles my chin as he peers eagerly around the room, blue eyes wide with excitement. Aurora streaks past, her small dragon form shimmering in hues of violet and silver, scales glinting under the soft lights as she darts playfully around us.Celine laughs softly as she watches Aurora, her eyes filled with warmth. Sebastian stands near her, arms crossed over his chest, a proud smile on his face. Beside them, Dolton cradles his newborn daughter, Clara, just a week old, her tiny features serene as she sleeps peacefully against his chest.The room is alive with happiness, joy bouncing off the walls as we prepare for the celebration. I find myself smiling, my heart swelling. It wasn’t so long ago that I thought I’d lost everything. But here, surrounded by these people,
Sebastian’s POVThree months laterI’m flying as fast as I can, the wind cutting sharp against my scales.I left the kingdom earlier to meet Aarmon and collect two feeders for Celine. Her pregnancy has made her need blood more frequently, and I have no idea how she will be after the baby is born. I planned to return days ago, but Aarmon ran into issues with the vampires, delaying everything. Now I’m rushing back, and the only thing I know is that Celine has gone into labor.I abandoned the cars hours ago, there wasn’t time to waste. The soldiers will ensure the feeders arrive safely. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting to her.Helios pushes forward, impatient, and I don’t stop him. He’s always faster than me in the air, and this time, I need that speed. He focuses, his instincts sharper, his wings slicing through the sky with powerful strokes. At least this way, if we’re late,
Celine’s POVThe grand hall of the Dragon Kingdom is alive with celebration, the golden glow of torches casting flickering light over the towering stone walls. It’s strange how quickly everything has settled, how the chaos of battle has faded into something almost distant, like a dream that we all woke up from. The weight of it still lingers, of course, but tonight is not about that. Tonight is about the fact that we are here. Alive. Stronger than before.The past week has been a blur, filled with moments of reflection and change. Somehow when Helios takes control, I can hear Sebastian in my mind. It's strange but nice. Jonathan has embraced both sides of himself more than ever, his fae and merfolk magic flowing together like they were always meant to be one. Dolton has grown quieter, more thoughtful, as if the shadows that once burst from him still whisper at the edge of his mind, not in a bad way though. Leif is adjusting, still finding his place among us
Sebastian POVThe cars come to a stop, and I glance out the window, relief flooding through me at the sight of home.Dolton nudges my arm with a playful grin. “You should fly up with Celine. It’ll be quicker than waiting in the cars.”I shake my head firmly. “No, we should all arrive together.”Dolton’s smirk widens, mischief clear in his eyes. “Alright, then how about Helios takes her up instead? I’m sure he’d love to stretch his wings.”I roll my eyes. “How is that any different?”Dolton shrugs, chuckling softly. “You said you missed home. I’d bet Helios does too—this is his kingdom after all. Maybe he deserves to arrive first.”Before I can respond, Helios takes Dolton’s suggestion as permission, surging forward eagerly and pushing my consciousness to the back. My body shifts abruptly in the car, a wave of laughter erupting from bo
Dolton POVWe’re sitting in a clearing, resting before continuing our journey back to the Dragon Kingdom. The weight I’ve carried since the battle finally feels lighter as laughter fills the air. Around me, faces are relaxed for the first time in what feels like forever. Sebastian sits close to Celine, his arm protectively around her as people continue to celebrate her pregnancy, teasing him about becoming a father. Their smiles are contagious, and I find myself genuinely laughing alongside them.Yet even as I laugh, Julius remains uneasy, pacing restlessly inside my mind. I try to push the unease away, but it’s difficult when Julius is this restless. I glance over to Leif, sitting quietly, staring off into the trees. There’s still so much I don’t know about him, so much he probably doesn’t even know about himself.Leaning closer, I nudge his shoulder gently. “You okay?”Leif blinks, pulled from his thoughts
Jonathan POVI sit alone in the quiet car, the journals spread across my lap. My fingers flip through the pages slowly, frustration building with every page turn. I’d told the others I needed silence to focus, but the truth is, I just didn’t want them to see how much this is getting to me.I’m trying to find answers for Dolton, something that can explain what’s happening to him, but each page I read feels emptier than the last. My heart thuds with a heavy anxiety as I rub my temples.There’s almost nothing here about Lycans. The few mentions I’ve found are vague or useless, and there’s not a single line about the Shadow of the Moon or why there can suddenly be two Lycans. It’s as if the writers deliberately avoided the topic, which only makes me feel more unsettled.I lean my head back against the seat, taking a slow breath, and close my eyes. Dolton deserves answers, he’s struggling with something non
Sebastian POVWe left the Werewolf Kingdom first thing in the morning. I want to get home. I’ve spent far too long away from my kingdom; Helios is restless, and so am I.It’ll take about three days to get back, but since it’s only our group traveling, all my men can drive, which means we won’t be slowed down by walking. Dolton chose to ride in another car with Leif, wanting to spend some time speaking with him alone. Jonathan opted to ride separately, claiming he needed quiet to focus on reading through the journals.I understand why Jonathan turns to the journals for answers, but even I doubt they can solve everything. I know he’s hoping to find something—anything—to help Dolton. Finding out Leif is directly connected to him, even in death, must be overwhelming, especially when severing their bond might risk both their lives.Still, despite the circumstances, I welcome the chance to spend time alone with Celine.
Celine POVI watch Dolton carefully. He wouldn’t have turned bad, I know it. He wasn’t alone, he had me, Sebastian, and Jonathan. We wouldn’t have let him become something evil.Stepping closer, I gently slip my hand into Dolton’s, trying to calm him. He turns slightly, offering me a faint smile, but the worry in his eyes is unmistakable. He shouldn’t be worried; he has us.“You once mentioned feeling like part of you was missing, like something wasn’t fully there,” his father says from behind the bars, his gaze unwavering. “Do you remember when that began, Dolton?”“No, I don’t,” Dolton snaps sharply.From the other cell, Wes chuckles darkly. “It started when Leif was born. Come on, Dolton, catch up.”Turning sharply, I glare at Wes, and the twisted, evil man mockingly blows me a kiss. My stomach churns with disgust.“Leif is part of you,&