I am roused from my sleep by the sound of hushed voices and I’m about to tell them to sod off when I hear my name.“...Yes, I am well aware of that. I know we’ve had our differences and we all hate each other, but I think this is more important than that. I caught her trying to run away last night. We all terrified her.”I sit up quickly in my bed, only to realise that I’m not even in my bed. Before I could even wonder where the heck I am, everything comes flooding back to me and the sweet bakery scents hit me right in the gut. Oh, Goddess gracious, I have three mates and they’re literal enemies!My heart is beating so fast that I think I might just pass out from lightheadedness. Placing a hand on my chest, I try to calm myself down by leveling out my breathing. However, before I can even get my heart to settle down, the carriage door swings open.I know for a fact that I am not a light sleeper; that when I sleep, it shows on my face. Right now I can feel my hair standing up wildly a
ReynaI roamed through a foggy forest that appeared to stretch on for miles. The trees are veiled in mist, which made it difficult to see and created an eerie stillness. Am I dreaming right now? That seems to be the logical explanation, seeing as I seem to be alone here.My heart leaps into my throat when I see a huge, shadowy figure appear in the distance, its form indistinct. I squint to try and make out what I am seeing, but my mind cannot comprehend what this creature could be.Black fog in a misshapen shape. However, it was the eyes that grabbed my attention - two captivating orbs of purple that shone like jewels in the darkness. An inexplicable urge pulled me forward as if the creature beckoned me to follow.Step by step, I ventured deeper into the fog, my heart racing with both trepidation and curiosity. Each footfall sent echoes through the silent forest, heightening my awareness of the unknown lurking in the shadows.As I trailed behind the creature, a sense of familiarity w
ReynaAlpha Malachi holds his head proudly as we enter the dining room and of course, every head turns to face us. Gods, I’m sure the rumours about last night have spread heavily across the city. The Alpha’s illegitimate daughter is the supposed mate of the Alpha Kings.I swallow hard when we arrive at a private table and Alpha Malachi pulls a chair out for me. “Alpha Malachi, if I may—”“You don’t need to address me so formally, Reyna dear. My first name is fine,” he says, leaning his face close to mine. “I am sure Cassian will say the same thing since you using our titles feels so…wrong.”“For the first time in your entire existence you’re correct about me, Malachi,” Cassian says as she sits down in the chair next to me. “Just my name without the title, little mate.”I shake my head and scoff. “Weren’t you two just at each other’s throats last night? What happened in the time I fainted?”Malachi chuckles lightly. “A near-death encounter which could have been prevented if Cassian an
CassianWe’re seated in Alaric’s meeting chamber, watching as he and his Beta fall over themselves in a bid to explain how they had nothing to do with the attack this morning.I’m well aware that he had nothing to do with it, I just want to see him sweat a little.“This can be seen as a signal of war. To attack when all three of us are here in a neutral country? Why aren’t there more patrols out during the day? Do you want more bloodshed on your hands, Alaric?” Rune asks. He’s standing with his hands braced on the table in front of him, anger radiating from his scent. The last time I saw Rune this angry was when his uncle turned traitor and I informed him about it. It was the beginning of our truce, the seeds planted to end a war our grandparents started. A war none of us wanted.“I understand the implications, but please Alphas, rest assured we will find whoever did this!” he declares, and I lean back bracing my chin on my fingers. “We will—”“And?” I ask, watching as confusion inch
ReynaWe hurriedly left the kingdom after Malachi and Rune returned with clothing for me, the events of the attack still fresh in my mind. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of trepidation and curiosity. Cassian, Malachi, and Rune seem to move with swift determination after the meeting with my father, but no one would tell me what exactly was discussed.As we approach what appeared to be a hidden field, I notice a gleaming metallic structure in the distance. My heart skips a beat as the carriage draws closer and I am a confused mess as I try to comprehend what I am seeing. My eyes widened with awe as I took in the gleaming metal body, the polished finish reflecting the sun’s soft light. The sight was unlike anything I had ever seen before; it stood like a majestic beast, large and imposing.The carriage comes to a stop and we get out, all the while my eyes remain transfixed on the thing in front of me.“What... what is this?” I stammer, my eyes wide with wonder as I gaze up at the metal
Reyna The landing of the private jet is surprisingly smooth, and as the wheels touch down, my heart flutters with anticipation. What else lay in store for me to marvel at? As we stepped out of the private jet, the sight that greeted us was nothing short of awe-inspiring. “Wow…” I trail off when I set my eyes on Malachi’s castle in front of me…well if you could call it a castle! The castle stands tall and majestic, with the outer walls made of an enchanting, shimmering glass material that seemed to change colours in the light, creating an iridescent effect that catches the eye from every angle. Thin spires stretch out towards the sky, and odd spherical chambers are situated in front of the castle, each chamber bathed in an odd blue light. Trees of vibrant colours as far as the eye can see, giving it an ethereal glow. Malachi slips an arm around my waist and leads me outside. I can sense the excitement radiating from him, which is odd, since this is his kingdom. “Welcome to my kin
Reyna As we sit together in his living room, Malachi embraces me tightly, and I try to feel at ease as I listen to the gentle and calming beat of his heart. But it doesn’t work… I can still hear the moment the high priestess’ heart stopped. “She died because of me,” I whisper, clutching onto the lapel of Malachi’s coat. “Why did she die? What did I do?” “Shh, beautiful, it wasn’t your fault,” he says in a soothing voice as he runs his fingers through my hair. “She did what the Goddess called on her to do; nothing was your fault.” It doesn’t make me feel any better, none of it does. I groan as I settle deeper into his embrace and choose to ignore everything else. Cassian has gone off somewhere to call on someone, and Rune is on the opposite side of the room, brewing something. Right now I know I am being forward by sitting in Malachi’s lap and being this intimate with him, but being this close to my mate seems to be the only thing keeping me calm right now. He doesn’t mind either
ReynaThe woman's accusation makes my heart drop in my chest, but Malachi seems to be completely unfazed as he rolls his eyes. “Pardon me, beautiful,” he says and scoops me into his arms before he places me on Rune’s lap and gets to his feet. “I need to go and sort this out.”Rune wraps his arms around my waist and from the chocolate smell permeating the air, I know he’s trying to scent me to calm me down. What the heck is going on? Who is this woman?Malachi stalks towards her, and I see her flinching. “What do you think you’re doing here, Annabella? Did your father not speak with you about this?” he says in a low voice bordering on a growl.The blonde woman, Annabella, takes a step back as Malachi advances on her. “I, uh… yes, he did—”“Then why are you here? I explained to your father that this marriage cannot go ahead because I have met my mate. The Goddess’ will comes above duty,” he says in that same menacing tone, and even I get a shiver up my spine. “It’s okay, darling,” Run
As the vibrant festival rages around them, filled with music and laughter, Rhiannon stands slightly apart, her gaze fixed on the group that forms the cornerstone of her new life. There, amidst a crowd of revellers, her three mates and three fathers converse, a symbol of newfound peace and acceptance. The speeches have been made, and the collective acceptance of Rhiannon’s unique bond with her dragon mates has marked a significant milestone in their lives. While her brothers, Micah, Rhys, and Caelum, maintained a facade of politeness, their underlying discomfort was palpable. Rhiannon understood their protectiveness; they were her older brothers, after all. It was their instinct to shield her, yet here she was, needing no protection from the men they were wary of. From the corner of the gathering, she noticed Soren engaging Caelum in what appeared to be a serious yet respectful discussion. The way Caelum’s posture shifted, easing from stiff disapproval to reluctant acknowledgment, s
RhiannonStanding on the soft sands of our island, the sound of the waves gently crashing against the shore sets a calming backdrop. I watch the sky anxiously; waiting for the small aircraft that’s bringing my parents to our home. Soren had extended the invitation to our island as a gesture of goodwill and trust. Despite the turmoil of our last encounter, I feel a budding hope that today will mark a new beginning.Sensing my unease, Soren squeezes my hand reassuringly. “They’ll see. Everything’s going to be alright,” he murmurs, but I can tell he’s just as anxious.The plane touches down with a soft whirr, and my heart skips as I see my parents disembark. My mother spots me and immediately rushes over, her arms wide open. As she wraps me in a tight embrace, tears well up in my eyes, and soon we’re both crying, holding each other after the painful uncertainty of the past weeks.“Oh, Rhiannon,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ve been so worried, so scared!”My fathers s
IvarSpeaking to Rhiannon about reconciling with her parents did not go as planned, so we’re taking things into our own hands.As we fly toward the secluded meeting spot, the weight of the upcoming discussion presses heavily on my mind. Gavriel, Soren, and I shift back into our human forms just as we land, slipping into sweatpants for a semblance of normalcy as we prepare to face Rhiannon’s fathers: Rune, Malachi, and Cassian.The tension is palpable as we approach them. Rune, always the silent type, gives us a nod, while Malachi’s expression is guarded, his temperament more volatile. Cassian, known for his strategic mind, watches us with calculated interest.“We appreciate you meeting us here, without Rhiannon,” I start, my voice steady despite the churn of emotions inside me. “There’s something important we need to discuss.”Malachi crosses his arms, his brow furrowing. “And what’s so important that Rhiannon couldn’t be here?”“It’s about her,” Soren interjects, stepping slightly fo
RhiannonAs I feel the fabric of the blindfold tighten gently around my eyes, Ivar’s warm breath tickles my ear. “Trust me, Rhi. You’re going to love this,” he whispers, his voice a soothing blend of mystery and reassurance.“Where are you taking me?” I ask, half-excited, half-anxious as he guides me by the hand. Each step crunches softly underfoot, the unmistakable scent of the forest growing stronger with every breath. My heart races, not just from the blindfold and the unknown, but from the anticipation of whatever Ivar has planned.“Just a little further,” he teases, his usual light-hearted chuckle making it harder to fret about where we’re going. “You don’t always need to see the path to enjoy where it leads.”Despite my nervousness, I smile, squeezing his hand. “If this is another one of your cooking experiments, I swear…”He laughs, stopping us both. “No cooking this time. I promise.” He leans in, kissing the side of my head gently. “Okay, ready?”The anticipation is a knot in
SorenCircling the island, I stretch out my wings, feeling the wind rush through my scales as I survey the boundaries of our territory. It’s a routine patrol, but today, my mind is restless, preoccupied with thoughts of Rhiannon. Since the disastrous meeting with her parents, there’s a heaviness in her that I feel deep in my bones—a shared ache, thanks to the mate bond, that tells me her heart isn’t just bruised, it’s shattered. She puts on a brave face, dismisses it with a wave and a joke, but I know better.Shifting back to my human form with a practised ease, I pull on a pair of shorts just as I see her approaching. The sight of her—in a simple white cotton dress, barefoot, her hair catching the light of the setting sun—tightens something in my chest.Before she can say anything, I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms, and kiss the side of her head—a gesture of comfort I hope she can still find solace in. “How are you doing?” I ask, though the answer is written
RhiannonThe cold shock of being torn from Soren’s embrace cuts through me, my screams shattering the stillness as I reach out for him, for any of them, only to find my hands grasping at empty air. The ground rushes up to meet me, and as I scramble to my feet, my eyes lock onto my parents, standing a few feet away, their expressions a mix of concern and something darker.“What have you done?!” I shout at my parents, staring into their faces, searching for some hint of remorse, of understanding. “Why would you do this?”My father, Cassian, stands firm, his expression a mask of regret and resolve. “We did what we had to, Rhiannon. They took you from us and we had no idea if this was a trap or not. We’re just taking you back.”“Taking me back?” I echo, incredulity sharpening my voice to a cutting edge. “You call this a rescue? I chose to be with them!”My mother reaches out, her touch meant to soothe, but it only fans the flames of my anger. “Darling, please, try to understand. We’re ju
GavrielIn our war room, the atmosphere is charged, a blend of anticipation and underlying tension. The response from Rhiannon’s parents has arrived, a beacon of hope amid the uncertainty that’s shrouded us for so long. They’re willing to meet, a first step on the treacherous path towards peace. Rhiannon is asleep, unaware of the developments, and here we are, planning every detail of our departure tomorrow, prepared for every eventuality, even an attack.“I can’t believe they actually agreed,” Ivar comments, leaning back in his chair, the nonchalance in his voice not quite reaching his eyes. He’s been off lately, the usual lightness of his wit shadowed by the weight of our situation. “This is good, right?”Soren, leaning heavily against the table, runs a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “Yeah, willing to meet or set a damn trap. We can’t rule anything out.”He’s right. Our isolation, by choice and circumstance, has always been our strength and our vulnerability. Now,
Rhiannon Sitting across from Ivar, Gavriel, and Soren, I’m completely nervous and out of my depth. We’re about to discuss something that could change the course of our lives forever. “We need to talk to my parents,” I start, diving straight into the heart of the matter. “And I mean really talk. Not through messages or mediators, but face-to-face, on neutral ground.” Ivar leans forward, his usual carefree demeanour taking a backseat to the seriousness of our discussion. “And what’s to stop them from launching an attack when we meet? Neutral ground or not.” Gavriel, silent up to this point, adds, “They’re not known for playing fair. We can’t afford to underestimate them. Security is a concern. We don’t know if your parents will come alone or bring an entourage. We have to be prepared for anything.” Soren, who’s been quietly listening, finally speaks up. “And there’s the matter of trust. We’re asking them to meet under a flag of truce. After everything, that’s asking a lot.” I can’
IvarStanding by the window, the early morning light painting the horizon in shades of gold and crimson, I find myself lost in thought. Last night we discovered something that turned our world upside down—Rhiannon is mated to all three of us. It’s a revelation that seems to defy logic, yet here we are, bound by fate, or perhaps the gods themselves, to be the bridge to peace between our worlds.For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s another person in my life I find myself genuinely caring about, willing to lay down my life for. Glancing back at the bed, seeing her there, tangled in the sheets, nestled securely between Soren and Gavriel, a smile unwittingly finds its way onto my face. It’s a sight I never imagined I’d see, yet it feels right, as if all the pieces have finally fallen into place.Soren stirs, the shift in the room drawing him to wakefulness. He joins me by the window, his presence solid and reassuring. We both stand there for a moment, taking in the sere