Celine POV
The men push the dolly through the doorway, the wheels rattling loudly against the uneven stone floor. The cage bounces slightly, and I wince as the movement sends sharp jolts through my body. My fingers clutch the cold metal bars for balance, but I quickly pull back as they sear my skin again.We move deeper into the building, passing rows of shadowy figures standing in silence. Their faces are hidden beneath cloaks or masks, but I feel their eyes on me, piercing and invasive. Whispers trail behind us, hushed and speculative, their words unintelligible but laced with anticipation.
Ahead, a raised platform comes into view. A single spotlight illuminates it, the stark white light creating harsh contrasts against the dark surroundings. The platform is surrounded by tiers of seating, filled with figures cloaked in darkness. The atmosphere feels electric, charged with something I can’t quite name.
The men roll the dolly to the base of the platform and lift the cage, grunting with effort as they carry it up the steps. The metal groans under the strain, and my heart races as I’m jostled inside. When they finally set the cage down, the platform vibrates slightly beneath me.I glance around, my breath catching in my throat. From this vantage point, I can see the faces of some of the attendees—wolves, vampires, and other creatures I can’t identify. Their eyes gleam in the dim light, hungry and predatory, as they watch me with an intensity that makes my skin crawl.
“Don’t try to escape, Celine. It won’t work,” Alex’s voice echoes in my mind, but he’s not here now. I’m completely alone.
The room falls silent as a man steps onto the stage. He’s tall and imposing, dressed in a sharp black suit that contrasts with the pale, sickly tone of his skin. His eyes are cold and calculating, and his voice booms through the space as he addresses the crowd.
“Ladies, gentlemen, werewolves, vampires, and others,” he begins, his tone commanding. “Tonight, we present something truly extraordinary. Many of you have been warned about this one—about the secrecy required and the stakes involved.”
He gestures to the cage, and I feel the weight of the crowd’s gaze on me. My hands clench into fists behind my back, my nails biting into my palms.
“Celine Destiny,” the man continues, his lips curling into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Rare. Unique. And now, back on the market.”
A murmur ripples through the crowd, growing louder until the man raises a hand to silence them.
“A reminder,” he says sharply, “that there are rules. No questions about her abilities. Everything you need to know was provided in the description. Speak out of turn, and you’ll be removed.”
I bite my lip, trying to steady my breathing. What abilities? I don’t have anything special. I’m weak, wolfless, and pathetic. Yet his words make me sound like something dangerous, something valuable.
“To those of you who understand her worth,” he continues, “you also understand the risks. If she is not controlled, if she is not properly restrained, she could be the death of you and your entire family.”
My stomach twists. How could I be a threat to anyone?
“Let’s start the bidding at one million,” the man announces.
The room erupts into chaos as voices shout over one another, the bids climbing rapidly. I press myself into the corner of the cage, my heart pounding so loudly I can barely hear the numbers being called. The bids rise higher and higher, and I sit frozen, unable to comprehend how I could be worth so much.
“Three million!” someone shouts.
“Three and a half!” a woman counters.
“Four million,” the man says coldly, his voice cutting through the cacophony. The woman hesitates, and after a long pause, she doesn’t counter.
“Sold!” the announcer declares, slamming his hand down on the podium.
The crowd murmurs, and I hear footsteps approaching. A figure steps closer to the cage, but the harsh lighting obscures their face.
“Well, this is a rare find,” the man says, his voice smooth and chilling. “She’ll be perfect for our plans. And I’m sure my betas will enjoy her as well.”
His words send a shiver down my spine. Plans? Betas? I shrink further into the corner of the cage as he turns to someone behind him.
“Get her ready for transport,” he orders. “And make sure she’s properly secured. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
As his footsteps recede, my chest tightens. I thought Dolton would come for me, would stop this nightmare from continuing. But he didn’t.
Now, I’m being handed over to someone I don’t know, for reasons I can’t begin to understand. The weight of despair settles over me as the cage is lifted once again, carried into the unknown.
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