VerenaAs I stir awake, I feel Niklaus’s arm tighten around my waist, holding me close. His presence is a bittersweet reminder of last night’s turmoil. The memory of his reaction to my news still lingers painfully in my mind, but the comfort of his embrace begins to soothe the raw edges of my emotio
Niklaus nods, his expression resolute. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to support you both—through the pregnancy, the spell, everything. You’ll never have to worry about facing anything alone again, kitten, not while I’m here.”“Speaking of together,” I say, shifting closer to him under the sheets, “
NiklausI’m buried under a mountain of paperwork, the aftermath of the hotel bombing stretching out like a never-ending headache. Each document is a reminder of the chaos Ares brought into our lives, each signature is proof of the hours I’m losing over this shit. My office is a mess, papers strewn
A few moments later, Laz appears at the door, his usual composed demeanor shadowed by a sense of foreboding. He senses something is amiss; he always does.“Klaus, what’s going on?” Laz asks as he closes the door behind him and takes a seat across from me.I lean forward, resting my elbows on the des
NiklausThe crunch of gravel underfoot marks the arrival of Liam’s black SUV as it pulls up to one of the secluded houses off the main pack lands. I wait outside, the evening air crisp and tinged with the scent of pine and imminent rain. /“Ten minutes, Laz,”/ I tell him over the mind link. /“If you
I stare at him, trying to digest his words, to understand the man my brother has become. “And you want me to believe you did all this for the pack?”Ares chuckles, a dark, hollow sound that echoes slightly in the sparse room. “Believe what you want, brother. But while you were busy playing the diplo
NiklausAfter the grim task I’d just completed, the warm shower feels almost cleansing, though it does little to wash away the weight of my actions. I need to wash away the grime and the guilt, the literal and metaphorical blood on my hands. The hot shower is a small sanctuary, steam curling around
Liam raises his glass slightly, acknowledging the plan. “To Ares, then. May he find some peace.”We clink glasses, the sound sharp in the quiet of the room. “To Ares,” I echo, and we drink, the whiskey; a small fire against the chill of what’s to come.***After Liam leaves, the weight of the night
“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