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.
Celine POVWalking down the grand staircase with Sebastian at my side feels surreal. The Pack House, with its high ceilings and dark wooden beams, is warm and welcoming in a way I’m not used to. It still feels strange to be here, sleeping in a soft bed, wrapped in blankets, and surrounded by warmth. The faint scent of wood polish and cooked food lingers in the air, a stark contrast to the damp, cold cells I’d grown accustomed to.Last night was the first time in years I wasn’t jarred awake by the endless noise of prisoners shouting, screaming, or banging on the bars. In the cells, silence was rare, and sleep was a luxury. Morning always came too soon, dragging me into the harsh reality of cooking for everyone else before I’d even eaten myself.But today was different. I slept in—a small luxury that feels almost wrong. As Sebastian guides me toward the bustling kitchen, the murmur of voices grows louder. The Pack’s kitchen is full of people, the warm light from the windows casting long
Celine POV“She deserved it!” Selene snaps, her eyes blazing with anger.A soldier steps forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the front. Her defiance falters slightly as Sebastian turns his piercing gaze on her. “State your case,” he says, his voice cold and commanding. “What did she do to deserve the abuse you inflicted on her?”Selene hesitates, her eyes darting between me and the crowd. Finally, she sneers. “She slept with my mate!” she screams, her voice echoing in the courtyard.“Not willingly!” Beta Tom’s voice booms across the space, cutting through her accusation. His face is red with anger as he steps forward. “I told you over and over, Selene—leave it!”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. The pieces fall into place. Selene’s hatred, her cruelty—it all began after that day. She’s been punishing me for something I had no choice in.My chest tightens, and for a moment, I want to say. Leave it. Let her go. But I know better. If Selene walks away unpunished, she’
Sebastian POVThe air was tense as the punishments were carried out earlier, the weight of justice settling over the pack. Now, as the evening light casts long shadows across the pack grounds, I gather everyone together. They form a loose semi-circle, murmuring amongst themselves, speculating about who will take leadership once we leave. Their faces reflect a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, their gazes shifting toward me for answers.“Alpha Ryan,” I call out, my voice carrying authority. All eyes turn toward the man who rises quickly from his seat. His movements are sharp, his posture upright, but I can see the shadow of his past in his eyes—a quiet sadness he carries with him.“If you’re willing,” I continue, “this is your pack now. You’re the alpha. These wolves will follow your orders.” My words hang in the air as I wait for his response, the tension palpable.Ryan bows his head slightly in deference. “Of course, Your Majesty. I accept,” he says, his voice steady but tinged wit
Celine POVThe scent of smoke clings to the air, thick and heavy, curling around the burning remains of the witches who once guarded the entrance. Sebastian’s fire still flickers along the stone walls, casting jagged shadows across the courtyard. The air hums with the cries of dying enemies, the clash of steel, the low snarls of shifters tearing through their targets.I stay low, my wings tucked close, my magic thrumming beneath my skin. The witches and their allies are focused on the battle outside, their attention locked on the forces tearing through their defenses. They expect more warriors, more fire, more brute force.They don’t expect me. I step forward and let the shadows take me. My body dissolves into darkness, the world s
Sebastian POVKing Thorne is the first to speak, his sharp Fae eyes flicking over each of us before settling on me. “You’re finally ready.”Celine steps forward, her voice steady. “We attack before first light.”Ulrich grunts, cracking his knuckles. “Good. We’ve been waiting.”Sereia’s silver eyes flick toward the map laid across the war table, the markers indicating the enemy stronghold, where the witches, the exiled, and the kidnapped children are being held. “Scouts have confirmed the layout. The children are in the lower chambers, heavily guarded.”Aarmon chuckles darkly. “Of course they are. They know we’re coming for them.”I step up to the table, my claws scraping lightly against the wood as I look at the map. “Then we go in fast. No drawn-out fight. We take the children first, eliminate resistance, and burn the rest to the ground.”Dolton’s growl rumbles low in his chest. “No survivors.”Celine’s golden eyes narrow. “None.”A heavy silence settles over the room, the weight of
Sebastian’s POVHelios is still in control.I can feel him, his raw need, his possessiveness, his complete refusal to loosen his grip on Celine. It isn’t just instinct driving him now. It’s something deeper, something stronger.I had let him take control. I had given him the power willingly, but something happened.Something shifted, and now I can’t take it back.My mind pushes, clawing against the barrier keeping me locked away while Helios holds her, while he moves inside her, while he claims her again and again. He is lost in her, drunk on her, and I know this isn’t just about pleasure.It’s obsession.He missed her. He has waited too long to have her, to feel her wrapped around us, and now that he has her, he doesn’t want to let go. Even now that he's finished, he's still holding her.I grit my teeth, fighting against the wall that shouldn’t be here. I should be able to take control whenever I want, should be able to force him back. But this time, something is different.This time
Celine POVSnarling, Julius' claws tightening on my hips as he begins to move, his pace deep and unrelenting, but perfectly timed with Helios. Every thrust pushes me further into the Helios grip, forcing me to feel both of them taking me together.“Fuck,” Julius growls, his voice strained as he pulls back and thrusts in again. “She’s squeezing both of us so damn tight.”Helios groans, his tail coiling tighter, his golden eyes locked onto mine. “She was made for this,” he mutters, his thrusts slow, deliberate, making sure I feel the fullness of them inside me. “Made for us.”Jonathan’s hands slide over my stomach, his breath warm against my ear. He hasn’t moved in yet, but his touch sends shivers through me, his fingers teasing, stroking, adding to the overwhelming sensation consuming me. “She’s already trembling,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my shoulder. "She can take more though."Helios growls, but it’s softer this time, less of a challenge and more of an acknowledgment. His golde
Celine POVI see it, the moment Helios snaps and can't hold backHis claws dig into my thighs as he yanks me away from Julius, dragging me into his arms, his grip unrelenting. “You belong to me first,” he snarls, pressing his mouth to mine, his tongue claiming, punishing, and devouring. His body is hot, burning against me, his scales rough where they meet my skin, but I welcome the intensity, the overwhelming force of his need.Julius snarls behind us, but Helios doesn’t care. He never does. He’s obsessed, feral, and he’ll always have me first.His tail wraps around my leg, pulling me closer, his grip tightening as he positions me exactly how he wants. “You’re mine,” he growls again, and then he thrusts into me, forcing a sharp cry from my lips as he stretches me, fills me, and claims me.Jonathan and Julius growl, their own need growing, but Helios doesn’t rush. He takes his time, dragging his tongue along my throat, his claws gripping my hips as he moves, slow at first, but quickly
Celine POVThe taste of blood still lingers on my tongue, thick and metallic, but my body feels stronger. The gnawing hunger that had dulled my senses is gone, replaced by a steady warmth spreading through my limbs. I hate needing this, but I can’t deny the difference it makes.Walking, Sebastian stays beside me as we return to the war room, his gaze flicking toward me every so often like he is assessing my strength. He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel the satisfaction rolling off him. He knows I needed that.Aarmon steps ahead, pushing open the doors. The room is quieter than before, the tension eased slightly as plates of food have been brought in. The gathered rulers and generals are eating, drinking, taking what little time they have before the mission begins.Leaning back in his chair, Jonathan smiles, a piece of bread in his hand, smirking as he sees me. “You look less like you’re about to fall over.”I sigh, sitting down beside him as Sebastian moves to his usual place. “I
Sebastian POVThe moment I step out of the room, the weight of command settles back onto my shoulders. The warmth of Celine’s body, the way she melted between us, the way she whispered my name in the dark, all of it fades into the background.Now, there is only war.I move through the halls with purpose, my mind already cataloging everything that needs to be done. The fortress is alive with movement, warriors gearing up, leaders gathering, the tension thick in the air. This is not like past battles. This is the beginning of something far greater.Jonathan and Dolton fall into step beside me, both of them shifting back into the roles they were born for. Jonathan’s sharp mind, Dolton’s brute force. We do not need to speak. We all know what needs to be done.I push open the doors to the war chamber where the supernatural rulers are already waiting. The map of the Shadowlands is spread across the table, marked with points of interest, potential enemy strongholds, and scouting routes.King
Celine POVI watch as Sebastian’s fingers tighten on my thighs as he parts them wider, his golden eyes burning with hunger. Behind me, Dolton grips my waist, his chest flush against my back, his breath hot against my ear. There’s no hesitation between them, no moment of pause. They know exactly what they want.Slowly, Jonathan strokes a hand down my stomach, his lips trailing kisses across my shoulder before he bites down just enough to make my body jolt. “We’re done teasing,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin.Dolton groans, his grip on my waist tightening as he presses me back against him, his body already hard, already demanding. “Then let’s take her properly.”Smirking, Sebastian's hands glide lower as he positions himself between my legs. “She’s more than ready for us.”I barely have time to catch my breath before he pushes inside, stretching me, filling me. A sharp gasp escapes me as pleasure crashes through me, my body already sensitive from their mouths, from the way
Celine POVSebastian leads me away from the war room, his hand warm against mine as we step into the quieter halls of the fortress. Jonathan and Dolton follow closely behind, their presence a steady weight against the chaos waiting for us outside these walls. For the first time since everything started, it’s just us.Sebastian doesn’t speak as he guides me deeper into the fortress. The walls shift from the grandeur of the council chambers to something older, something untouched by battle. The door he pushes open leads to a dimly lit chamber, warmed by the glow of a low fire. It’s quiet. Safe.I exhale slowly, my body finally relaxing, but my mind refuses to. The moment we step into the room, the tension shifts. The world outside is full of war, but in here, there is only heat, only them.Sebastian moves first, his hands gripping my waist as he tugs me toward him, his lips already on my throat. He knows exactly where to kiss, exactly where to press his tongue to make my breath hitch. H