Celine POVThe first thing I feel is warmth. Strong arms wrapped around me, the steady rise and fall of a chest pressed firmly against mine, wings cutting through the air with effortless power. The wind rushes past, sharp and crisp, heightening every sense, making the world around me feel too much—too sharp, too vivid, too real.I know instantly that I’m flying.But this isn’t Sebastian.Sebastian flies with control, his movements precise, every shift of his wings deliberate. This? This is something else entirely. This is wild, reckless, instinctual in a way that feels less like calculated flight and more like a beast carrying its most treasured possession away from danger.It’s Helios.I blink against the wind, my body responding before my mind catches up, my fingers twitching against his chest. The moment I open my eyes, the world floods in with too much clarity, every detail burning itself into my vision like I’m seeing everything for the first time. The air feels heavier, the cold
Celine POVThe heat between us is unbearable, a force so thick and consuming it leaves no room for anything else. My body is on fire, and Helios is the only thing grounding me.His lips move against my throat, slow and deliberate, his teeth grazing my skin, his tongue teasing, tasting, testing my reaction. I shudder, my fingers digging into his arms, feeling the ripple of pure power beneath my touch.I tilt my head slightly, my eyes locking onto his. “Kiss me again,” I whisper.A growl rumbles from deep in his chest, and his mouth crashes back onto mine with reckless hunger, his body pressing harder against me as if the space between us is too much, as if nothing short of consuming me will satisfy him. His claws tangle into my hair, tilting my head back, deepening the kiss until there’s no part of me that isn’t claimed by him.He moves gripping my waist tighter as he lifts me effortlessly, pressing me harder against the stone wall, his wings flexing behind him, enclosing us in a cocoo
Celine POVI feel every inch of his strength, every ounce of his control fraying at the edges. His eyes flicker to mine again, his beathing heavier.“More,” I whisper, my voice softer now but still commanding, still certain.Helios’ breath hitches, his grip flexing, his entire frame going rigid for the briefest second before he obeys without question.His tail tightens further, spreading my legs around his waist, holding me completely captive. His massive form presses even closer, his scales dragging against my skin in a way that sends fire racing through me. He moves, and his claws dig into my thighs, just enough to mark, to claim, to possess, and then—A deep snarl tears from his throat as his hips press forward, fully, completely, irreversibly claiming me in a way that sends shockwaves of sensation ripping through every nerve in my body.A gasp escapes me, sharp, breathless, my body arching into him, the overwhelming heat of him, the sheer size, the pressure, the absolute force of
Sebastian POVI push forward, wrestling back control, and my hand immediately covers her eyes. My heart pounds—I felt it, I saw it—but Helios had been locked in some sort of trance, completely unaware of what had just happened.“Helios, stop,” she laughs, twisting in my grip, trying to uncover her eyes, oblivious to what she just did.“It’s me,” I whisper, and she stills.Her fingers brush against my wrist, hesitant now, but still confused. “Okay… why are you covering my eyes, Sebastian?”I exhale sharply, my grip tight but careful, my own breath still unsteady. “Because I felt it. Helios was submitting to you, Celine.”She hums lightly, as if it’s nothing, as if that word doesn’t hold a dangerous weight.I grit my teeth. “Not just submitting. He had no choice, Celine. No power but to obey you completely. Your eyes have changed. You need to focus, see if you can push that power away.”She laughs, like I’m crazy, but I know what I felt.“Celine,” I say, my voice firm, unrelenting. “I m
Dolton POVI pace through the trees, my boots pressing into the damp earth as I move back and forth beside the cars. The quiet hum of the engines is the only constant sound beyond the rustling leaves and distant calls of night creatures. The air is cool, thick with the scent of damp wood and the faint traces of the dragons that are patrolling the area.They cover the skies, circling wide, scanning for threats. Nothing. No movement beyond the natural rhythm of the land. Still, it doesn’t ease the tension coiled in my chest.Jonathan hasn’t lifted his head from the journals since Sebastian and Celine left. He sits in the back of one of the cars, papers spread across the seats, flipping through pages, his fingers tracing over the words like they hold the answer to everything. Maybe they do. Maybe he’ll find something useful, something that gives us an edge before we meet the elders.I don’t trust silence, though.It’s too still. Too controlled.I’ve shifted multiple times now, letting my
Dolton POVThey’ve been quiet for the last hour, but as soon as I step forward, all eyes shift to me.“Get the food cooking again,” I say. “I want it ready for when they return.”Rellan, one of the older guards, lifts a brow. “You think they’ll be back soon?”I rub the back of my neck, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. “I don’t know,” I admit, glancing toward the sky. “But when they do, they’ll need to eat. Make sure it’s done.”Rellan nods and signals to the others. They move without hesitation, two of them feeding the fire while another checks the meat still skewered on the spit. The scent of charred wood and roasting food fills the air again, but it does nothing to ease the tight feeling in my chest.Theron, standing just off to the side, exhales sharply. “Twelve hours is a long time,” he mutters, shifting his weight. His wings rustle against his back before folding neatly behind him. “Something doesn’t feel right.”I grunt in agreement, running a hand over my jaw. “Yo
Jonathan POVI didn’t mean what I said.The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them, but it was too late to take them back. It wasn’t about Dolton, not really. It was the mixture of everything. Celine and Sebastian being gone for too long, the silence stretching on, the journals failing to give me any answers, and my own fear twisting my thoughts into something cruel.But none of that matters now, Because I said it.He’s not willing to listen to me, and honestly, I don’t blame him. What I said wasn’t just thoughtless—it was wrong. He’s Celine’s mate, and nothing should change that. I should have never made him feel like he was at fault for accepting her. For staying by her side.I came into this after him. After Sebastian. If anything, I have the least claim to her.And yet, I was the one questioning him.Now, I watch as he holds Celine, his arms wrapped around her like he’s afraid she’ll disappear if he lets go. I see the way his body tenses and then finally relaxes, how he
Jonathan POVDolton doesn’t let go of Celine.Sebastian exhales. “She woke up. But her body was already shutting down.”Shaking his head, Dolton swears. “Because of the blood.”Sebastian nods. “She needed it. But she refused to drink.”Turning sharply to Celine, Dolton's gaze burns. “You refused?"Celine shifts slightly, but her voice is steady when she answers. “I didn’t want to do it.”Sebastian scoffs. “She fought me on it. Even though her body was failing, even though she could barely sit up. She refused.”Dolton is fuming.“Eventually, she drank. And then—she passed out,” Sebastian explains.Silence.Dolton and I both stare at him.Sebastian exhales. “Her body reacted. But instead of it strengthening her immediately, it put her into another state. Elira said the blood changed something, but even she couldn’t tell me exactly what.”Dolton exhales sharply, his muscles flexing like he’s resisting the urge to tear something apart.“This isn’t normal,” he mutters. “None of this is nor
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,&