My heart drops and so does the smile on my face. That sounded quite ominous. “Now you’re making me worried, Mom. Is everything okay?” I ask and I start to pace. Something feels…wrong, especially since she’s not answering me immediately. “Mom—” “Uhm, I have to go, sweetie. I’ll see you tomorrow, ok
Verena It’s nearly 8pm and my mother hasn’t arrived yet. When I spoke with her on the phone last, she was on her way. But now her phone is switched off and I am 1000% in worry mode. I also can’t track and trace her phone, nor can I use the Mind Link since we’re no longer in the same pack. I’ve co
Niklaus As I stride out to meet Ares, the evening air is crisp against my skin, carrying a sense of urgency that sets my instincts on edge. The call through the mind link had been terse, Ares’s voice was tight with concern, which is odd in itself. Nothing good ever follows a call that comes too s
I’ll leave them alone for the evening after, but that’s how much time I can allow before my mother starts asking questions. We arrive at the hotel and reach Verena’s apartment door just as Shelby arrives. She gives me a nod, her expression serious, understanding the gravity of the situation without
Verena The look on my mothers face holds so many questions, but none I am prepared to answer right now. Last night I nearly lost her. The last thing I want to do is to answer the questions I know she has about me and Niklaus. Not that I can give her any answers anyway, because I don’t know the ans
“Mom!” I scream, leaping to my feet, the teacup shattering on the floor. Panic and disbelief war within me as I rush to her side, my hands pressing against the wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. Her eyes meet mine, filled with pain and an apology she doesn’t need to voice. “Run, Verena
Niklaus She’s fallen asleep in my arms, the last thing I expected her to do or find comfort in. The more I pursue her, the more she pushes me away; so why am I the only one who could keep her calm enough to give us an explanation to what happened? Curled up on her side in my guest room, she asked
Niklaus When I open the door to her bedroom, she’s sitting up with her head bowed. She’s looking down at her hands as if she were trying to make sense of something, and when she looks up at me, a tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she says with a trembling bottom lip. “I thought I was done
“I love you so fucking much,” he breathes against my lips, his forehead resting against mine. His voice is a husky whisper, carrying the weight of his emotions. “Thank you for everything — for our son, for this life, for a future that looks brighter every damn day because of you. You’ve given me a f
VerenaI sit quietly in the softly lit room; the air filled with the subtle scent of lavender and sage. Nastassja moves around with an air of focus, setting up the final components for the soul extraction and replacement ritual. My mind drifts to Niklaus and Arsenio, sleeping peacefully under his f
“In all lives that may come, and in all universes that may exist, you will always be my son, my light, and my hope. You have King blood in you and you are destined for greatness. By my will, and by your forefathers' blessings, so will it be.”After reciting the vow, I lean down and gently kiss Veren
“A son…” he whispers, then he murmurs something in Greek, I’m assuming—a prayer or a promise, perhaps both—before leaning over to kiss my forehead.“Thank you, Verena,” he chokes out, his voice breaking. “Thank you for giving me a son, a blessing.”His gratitude, so heartfelt, so raw, eases the last
VerenaThe pain is indescribable, a relentless, consuming force that grips my entire body. I’m clutching the sheets, my knuckles white, screaming as another contraction hits. Niklaus is beside me, his face etched with concern, his hands attempting to comfort me, but right now, I’m not having any of
I nod, understanding her struggle. “That’s completely valid, and I get it. Kris disappeared when you needed her. It’s not something you can just forget.”She sighs, looking down at her hands before meeting my eyes again. “I know. And I’m glad she’s doing good now, really. But you’re right, it feels
NiklausI’m perched at my desk, staring blankly at the papers strewn across it, but my mind is miles away, focused on the ticking clock and the phone beside it. The quiet of the office amplifies the occasional rustle of leaves outside, a cruel reminder of the waiting game I’m now playing. Three mon
“I didn’t teach you any dark magic because I was terrified of the implications it would have. You have Peter’s blood; my blood, and with that comes an addiction to dark magic,” she admits. “You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The pull? The lure to take things a step further? I know how it feels, darling, a
VerenaThe sun is warm on my back as I move among the tables laid out on the pack lands, the laughter of children bubbling around me like a cheerful stream. I’m arranging the final touches for the picnic we’ve promised them, smoothing a tablecloth here, straightening a plate there. The ladies of the