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
Jonathan’s POVThe knock on my door comes early, shattering the silence of my restless night. When I call out to see who it is, Sebastian’s voice cuts through the heavy air. “We’re leaving soon. Time to get moving.”As if I’ve been asleep.I’ve been awake for hours, my thoughts churning endlessly. Sleep wasn’t an option, not with the events of the previous night replaying in my mind. Every sound from the next room carried through the walls—every whisper, every moan, every cry of pleasure. It wasn’t intentional on their part, I’m sure of that, but knowing what was happening on the other side of the door was a form of torture I hadn’t been prepared for.Hearing her, feeling her emotions through the mate bond—it was overwhelming. Her need, her pleasure, her bond with them—it consumed me. I was left alone, isolated in this room, unable to escape the pull of her emotions. The mate bond was supposed to be a connection, a source of comfort and belonging, but instead, it left me feeling like
Dolton POV“Joseph will stand in as King while we’re away. Today, I need to inform Rosalind that her son, Arktos, was not, in fact, dead or sold. He’s someone we need to find.”“What about the others?” Celine asks.“I plan to find them all,” Sebastian replies. “But because of who Arktos is, he’s key to our kingdom. The Heart of Eternal Flame is rare—one dragon is born with it every two to three hundred years after the last dies. He will also be the one most at risk. People will seek to exploit that power.”I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. Arktos’s heart keeps him alive if he dies before
Dolton POVStanding that close to the edge was foolish—I knew what Tatsuya had warned. But in my mind, I didn’t think she’d actually follow through. There were too many people nearby, too many witnesses who could see her actions. I let myself believe that would keep me safe.That false sense of security was misguided.I’d also convinced myself I’d be fine if something happened. I have a dragon, after all. Sure, I’m not the best at flying—thanks to my hatred of heights—but I thought I’d manage if the situation called for it.I was wrong.
Celine POVAs the moon rises higher in the sky, I stand by Sebastian, my heart heavy but resolute. This night may have revealed treachery, but it also proved the strength of the bond we share—and the lengths we will go to protect each other.“Dolton’s fine. He went inside with Jonathan. They’ve agreed to keep their distance for now.”“He’s okay?” I ask again, needing reassurance.“Yeah,” he confirms. “He’s just frustrated with himself for standing so close to the edge after Tatsuya had already threatened him. And annoyed that he m
Celine POVOne moment, everything was fine. The next, Tatsuya appeared out of nowhere, stumbling forward and knocking into Dolton. I didn’t think—I just reacted.It was exactly like the vision I’d seen before, the one where Dolton fell. And I knew, deep in my core, that he hadn’t yet mastered flying.So I shifted and jumped.The air rushed around me as Luperca surged to the surface, my body transforming mid-dive. I caught Dolton just in time, my claws gripping him securely as I fought to stabilize us. The terro
Sebastian POVTheir conversation halts as we approach, and they all bow respectfully.“King Sebastian, Queen Celine,” one of the men greets, his tone formal but warm. “It’s an honor to stand before you both.”“Thank you,” Celine says with a polite smile, her voice steady despite the weight of the attention on her.I gesture toward the man. “This is Duke Eldrin. He oversees the northern territories and has been a staunch supporter of the crown.”“A pleasure to meet you, Duke Eldrin
Sebastian POVWith Celine’s hand securely in mine, I guide her back to the main hall. Her hand feels warm, a grounding presence in the whirlwind of the day. Leaning in, I kiss her softly—our final kiss before stepping back into the spotlight, where every moment will be under watchful eyes.“I announce King Sebastian and Queen Celine, the Dragon Royals, for their first dance!” The herald’s voice rings out, and the grand doors before us swing open.We step out into the hall, the room filled with the hum of anticipation. All eyes are on us, the sea of nobles and dignitaries falling silent as they wait. I glance at Celine and catch the f
Celine POVI glance around, noticing something odd—there are no male guards nearby. The tradition is stricter than I realized. The closest male guards are stationed far down the hall, their distance intentional. It’s as though an invisible barrier has been placed around me, a reminder of the ancient customs dictating this day.As I approach the grand hall, the ornate doors are pulled open by two female attendants. My breath catches as I step inside. The room is magnificent, every surface gleaming with gold accents and sparkling chandeliers. The crowd is vast—lords, ladies, and dignitaries from every corner of the kingdom gathered to witness this union. Their eyes turn to me, murmurs of admiration and awe ri
Celine POVI spend the evening with Nischola, who reassures me that the baby is thriving. She also helps me practice the wedding dance, and to my relief, she claims I picked it up quickly and performed well.I hope she’s being honest because the thought of messing up in front of the entire kingdom tomorrow is mortifying. Yes, the entire kingdom—the wedding is being broadcast live. There’s no hiding from anyone.After a few hours, I return to my room, seeking solitude. I slip into a warm bath, letting the water soothe me. Closing my eyes, I try to relax, but my mind refuses to co
Sebastian spins around, his expression stormy. “You were told to stay quiet and not get involved,” he snaps at Celine.Celine opens her mouth to retort, but Sebastian raises a hand to cut her off. “Because of your actions, he likely won’t speak now. We’ve lost any chance of getting the information we need.”He’s not wrong. Nylex had talked because he was confident he could escape. Now, knowing he’s bound indefinitely, he has no reason to cooperate.“I was trying to help!” Celine fires back, her voice tinged with frustration.“Help how?” Sebastian challenges, his tone sharp.Celine falls silent, unable to answer. She wasn’t trying to help; she was angry, and she wanted to challenge Nylex. Sebastian hadn’t been in any danger—Nylex’s words, though meant to torment him, were under control.“He was behind the fog,” Celine argues defensively.“And it was resolved. He wasn’t actively doing anything when you interfered,” Sebastian counters, his voice tightening with frustration.I rub my face