Dolton POVRegret weighs heavily on me for even considering leaving her. I felt it was the right decision at the time, to spare her the complications I would bring, but now, sitting here, looking at her, I feel the sting of cowardice. Her presence is like a balm to my soul, a connection I can’t sever. Smiling softly, I pull her closer, my hands resting gently on her waist. “I apologize,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.She tilts her head, her gaze locking onto mine with a quiet intensity. “Don’t apologize, Dolton,” she says firmly. “Just decide and stick to it.” Her words, simple but resolute, cut through my lingering self-doubt.I nod, exhaling as though releasing the weight I’ve carried. “I’ve decided. I’ll stay. I’ll figure out how to make this work,” I vow, though the path ahead feels uncertain. Leaning forward, my lips brush against hers, soft and searching. Her warmth fills me, pulling me deeper into her. Our lips move together in a rhythm so familiar it feels like comin
Dolton POVHow could that work, especially at the Dragon Kingdom? She’s set to be Queen, and I? I’ll be nothing compared to her or to him. “I’ll never be equal,” I mutter, bitterness creeping into my tone. “She’s becoming the Queen, and I’ll just... be there.”Sebastian shakes his head, his expression unchanging. “She’ll be my Queen, yes. But as soon as Joseph’s mate is healed, he’s taking over. I’m stepping back. I won’t be King anymore. He will be.”The words should reassure me, but they don’t. They leave an ache in my chest, a nagging doubt that I can’t shake. What will I be to her? To them? These thoughts churn in my mind throughout the journey. At some point, Celine wakes, her warm smile pulling me momentarily out of my spiraling thoughts. She leans into me, her body radiating a comfort I’ve longed for. Meanwhile, Sebastian remains focused on the papers in his lap, his composure as unshakable as ever.Eventually, the cars come to a stop. I step out, greeted by the familiar sights
Celine POV The moment I stepped out of the car, a wave of icy stares greeted me, each pair of eyes piercing through me like daggers. Their whispers were like a current, growing stronger and louder as the small crowd began to gather behind us. The weight of their judgment pressed heavily against my chest, leaving me feeling like an outsider in a place that should hold safety.Dolton walked ahead, his shoulders tense but purposeful, as he led us into the packhouse. The interior was dim, the worn wooden floors creaking beneath our steps. He quickly showed us to a room, his words clipped and distant. Without waiting for a reply, he left, shutting the door behind him with a finality that felt deliberate.Sebastian sets down the bags and surveys the room. The space is modest, with a small table by the window and a simple bed in the corner. The air inside feels heavy, a reflection of the tension outside.“He’s separated us,” Sebastian mutters, his jaw tightening as he takes a seat at the ta
Celine POVSebastian leans down, his breath warm against my ear as his lips trail along my neck. “I’m giving you two time,” he murmurs, his hands tightening on my waist. “You’ve been apart for years. Your wolf may have been hidden, but his felt every moment of that separation. He was in pain every single day. Time with you is healing his wolf.”His words catch me off guard. I hadn’t considered that aspect before. My heart aches for Dolton’s wolf and the pain he endured while I was unaware of the bond we shared. My fingers trail lightly over Sebastian’s arm, grounding myself as I process the storm of emotions swirling within me.I linger against Sebastian, feeling the heat of his fingers tracing languid patterns along my spine. Each stroke sends a shiver through me, grounding me in the moment. I press myself closer to him, my lips brushing against his neck as I let my fingers work on the buttons of his shirt, sliding it off with purpose.“My love,” his voice rumbles low and steady, “yo
Celine POVI wander through the packhouse, my frustration growing with each empty hallway and room. Dolton is nowhere to be found, and I can feel the weight of his absence pressing down on me. Spotting a maid carrying a tray, I step closer to her, my voice soft but urgent.“Can you tell me where Dolton is, please?” I ask.She offers a polite smile. “I believe he was in the cells the last time I saw him.” With that, she walks away, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.The cells. Of course. With a sigh, I make my way to the lower levels, the air growing colder and damper as I descend the stone stairs. The dim lighting casts long shadows, and the scent of iron lingers in the air.“Dolton?” I call out, my voice hesitant as I step further into the room.A voice answers, but it’s not his. “Celine?” Turning quickly, I see Alex rise from a worn cot and approach the bars of his cell. His face is gaunt, but his eyes light up when they meet mine. “You look... amazing,” he says, offering a we
Celine POVFinally, he nods and steps into the room, his movements stiff and reluctant. I follow, closing the door behind us. The space feels unusually quiet without Sebastian, who I assume is still with his visitors.“Are you okay?” I ask, watching him closely. His pain is evident in the slump of his shoulders and the turmoil in his eyes.He turns to face me, and the weariness in his expression is raw. “I thought I could do this,” he admits, his voice low. “I thought I could get used to sharing you. In my mind, I was preparing myself for sharing you with Sebastian. I wasn’t prepared for his dragon.”His words take me by surprise, and I blink, trying to process. “So, you’re telling me you plan to keep me—and your wolf—away from each other?” My tone carries a mix of disbelief and frustration. “You’re a Lycan, Dolton. You’re as connected to your wolf as Sebastian is to Helios.”He flinches slightly, as though my words have struck a nerve. “If I’m still a Lycan,” he murmurs, his voice so
Sebastian POVThe tension in the air feels almost suffocating as I step outside and find Alpha Ian flanked by a small group of his pack members. His expression is a storm of frustration and grief, his movements sharp as he approaches me. I know exactly why he’s here—he’s expecting answers, results—but all I have are scattered pieces of an incomplete puzzle.“You just left,” Ian says, his voice laced with accusation.“I went to the town,” I reply evenly, meeting his gaze. “We found the auction site, but no one there is talking. If Dale sold your daughter, that’s the place he would have done it. But we’ve made no progress. These people don’t break easily.” My words hang heavy in the air, and I wish I had more to give him, something concrete that could lead him to his daughter.“You said you would help!” Ian’s frustration boils over, and his glare pierces through me like a dagger.“I am helping,” I insist, my voice firm but tinged with the weariness of this impossible situation. “But the
Sebastian POVI rub my temples, the pieces of this twisted puzzle only becoming more convoluted. If this is true, if the King truly bought and used her, then our path forward just became infinitely more dangerous.“What do we do now?” Ian asks, his voice barely above a whisper.I glance at Celine, her expression a mix of shock and quiet resolve. “Now,” I say, “we uncover the truth—whatever it takes.”Ian’s sudden outburst breaks the tense silence like a thunderclap. “We have the evidence!” he exclaims, standing abruptly, his voice filled with desperate energy. “This is it! We can use this to get my daughter back!”Before I can respond, Celine steps forward, her expression fierce and unyielding. “No!” she declares, her voice cutting through Ian’s urgency. She turns to face him fully, her eyes blazing with determination. “We use this evidence to save everyone who was ever sold in that place—not just your daughter. Her blood is the thing to keep her alive, others aren’t that lucky.”Ian
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
DoltonI’ve shifted into my dragon form, and for once, Julius isn’t resisting. No doubt it’s because without this, Celine would be at greater risk. We’re currently seated in a cell directly across from where Nylex will be held.Celine is dressed in old, worn clothes, with a hood pulled low to conceal her face. Our conversation is hushed, knowing that once Nylex arrives, we’ll have to act the part of guard and prisoner. Normal topics are off-limits—his hearing might be sharp enough to pick up even the quietest whispers.“Are you absolutely sure about this?” I ask again, unable to shake my unease. I have to give her one more chance to reconsider. This plan makes me uncomfortable, and the risk feels too high. If Nylex senses her identity, things could spiral out of control before we even get him into the cell.“I’m doing it, Dolton,” she replies with fierce determination. Her tone leaves no room for argument. I nod, accepting her decision. There’s no point in trying to change her mind an
Celine POVWhile walking, I scan the journals in my hands, searching for any mention of Shadebind. Frustratingly, I find nothing.“Careful,” Jonathan’s voice startles me, and I look up just in time to see him standing in front of me. I nearly walked into him!“Sorry,” I mumble, clutching the journals. “I can’t find anything about Shadebind or how to remove it. It only explains how it’s cast.”Jonathan nods knowingly. “What you need is Arcane Severance," he explains, and I realize my mistake.Quickly scanning through the pages again, I find the spell. It’s shockingly simple—far too easy, considering its power and purpose.Casting the spell takes only a moment, but my thoughts are consumed by what lies ahead. I’ll have to ensure Sebastian agrees to let me be present when Nylex is locked in the cell.When I finish, I step back and nod. “It’s done,” I say. “Now, let’s speak with Sebastian.”Before we can move, a servant approaches with a small bow. “Your Majesty, you need to choose a dres