Sebastian POVThen I close my eyes and reach out—toward her, toward her shifter—hoping that I can find her before she slips away completely. Hoping that I don’t just sink into the darkness like before, hoping that this time I can actually reach her, I take a deep breath and press my hand over hers.The moment I push out to her mind, I’m dragged under.The shift is violent—like something has grabbed me by the throat and yanked me into a space where light doesn’t exist. A suffocating weight presses in from all sides, thick and heavy, swallowing every sense I have. There’s no sound, no vision, no ground beneath me, just a vast nothingness that coils around me like a predator waiting to strike.Helios roars, the sound vibrating through my very bones, a deep, primal response to the unnatural force pulling at us. His instinct is to break free, to tear through this space with brute force and demand control, but I grit my teeth and restrain him.Not yet.I need him, but not to fight. He can c
Celine POVI don’t know what happened. One moment, I was soaring through the skies, the wind rushing against my scales, the freedom of the moment consuming me entirely. Then, in an instant, everything shifted. The air disappeared, the sky vanished, and suddenly, I was standing—not flying, not falling—just there, locked in place in front of him.The Werewolf King.His presence was suffocating, thick like smoke curling around me, twisting into my skin, into my mind, making everything feel wrong. The weight of it pressed down on me, coiling around my ribs, making each breath shallower than the last. It wasn’t real—it couldn’t be real—but the longer I stood there, the more that certainty slipped away. My thoughts grew hazy, my senses dulled, and I could no longer tell if this was a vision or my new reality.The world around me didn’t shift or waver like my past visions did. There was no flickering, no moments where I could see that it wasn’t real. This was different. This felt permanent.
Celine POVI swallow hard, trying to force down the unease twisting in my stomach.“She needs blood.” Sebastian’s voice is unwavering, carrying a finality that leaves no room for argument. “We’ve uncovered enough to know that she needs blood—without it, she weakens every time she uses her shifters or her magic. It’s not a choice anymore. If she keeps resisting, she’s going to collapse.”His gaze flickers from Elira to someone else, and when I follow his line of sight, my breath catches.The man standing near the doorway is unmistakable. Even without fangs bared or red eyes flashing, I know what he is. A vampire. The air around him hums with something ancient, something predatory, and my instincts scream at me to keep my distance.“I’ll bring someone for her to drink from,” he says casually, turning as if the decision has already been made, as if I have no say in this.My pulse spikes, panic seizing my chest. “No—” My head shakes, my voice cracking. “I’ll drink it, but not like that. N
Celine POVI try to look at him, try to show him that I hear him, that I understand what he’s saying, but the exhaustion pressing down on me is suffocating. My vision blurs at the edges, the room tilting slightly, and I know he’s right—I’m losing this battle. My body is screaming for something I refuse to give it, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.Sebastian swears under his breath, his grip tightening before he finally snaps his head toward Aarmon. “Do it,” he orders, his voice cold and resolute. “Now.”Aarmon’s lips quirk upward slightly, almost like he was expecting this outcome, but there’s no smugness in his expression, just a quiet understanding of inevitability. He turns toward the woman standing beside him, who doesn’t flinch or resist, merely tilts her head slightly, exposing the delicate line of her throat.I barely have time to process what’s happening before Aarmon moves.Faster than my mind can register, he closes the distance between them, his body fluid, p
Sebastian POVI don’t know why this happened. Drinking blood was supposed to help, it was supposed to restore her, yet here she is—completely unconscious again. My arms tighten around her, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest, but it does nothing to ease the frustration pressing against my ribs.I hate not knowing what’s happening. I hate not understanding how to fix this. Right now, I wish Jonathan were here. He would have the journals, the knowledge, the answers—but all I have is speculation, and that’s not enough.Aarmon watches me carefully, his gaze sharp, and assessing. “What is your plan?”I wish I had a plan.I glance down at Celine’s unmoving form, feeling her warmth against me, and shrug—a gesture so completely un-king-like it would make my father roll in his grave. But I don’t care. I don’t have the luxury of pretending to have control when I don’t even know what she’s becoming.“If I may,” Elira steps forward, waiting for my permission, and I nod sharply. Whatever
Sebastian POVElira hums thoughtfully, pacing slightly as she processes what she’s discovered. “She doesn’t just have it,” she corrects. “She was meant to have it. It’s as if her body was waiting for this moment, waiting for the blood to activate something ancient in her.”The thought sends a chill down my spine. Celine wasn’t just thrown into this life—she was made for it, built with something none of us fully understand.And if her shifters have changed, if the blood has altered more than just her vampire nature… then what will she be capable of when she wakes?I glance down at her again, brushing a strand of hair from her face, studying the way her expression remains peaceful, almost deceptively so.“She’s going to be different when she wakes up,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else.Elira nods. “Yes. But how different… that, we will have to wait to see.”Aarmon chuckles darkly, shaking his head. “Something tells me none of us are prepared for what she’s becoming.”I don’t re
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
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,&