GavrielWatching from the shadows, I observe Soren and Rhiannon at the cliff’s edge. They speak with a familiarity that grates on me, an intimacy that should not exist between captor and captive.More than Ivar or Soren, it’s me who harbours the deepest loathing for the princess. It’s not just her; it’s everything she represents. Her lineage, her blood—tainted with the atrocities committed by her fathers and their armies. The very armies that left my world in ruins, my family nothing but memories to be mourned.My mothers and sisters brutalized in ways I don't even want to think about.I’ve always been the silent one, my brothers often joke about my lack of words, but my silence is not a lack of things to say; it’s a choice. A choice borne from the understanding that some thoughts are too dark, too filled with rage to be given voice. Here she stands, the daughter of those responsible, living, breathing, and undoubtedly lamenting her captivity as if it were the greatest injustice.My
SorenThe notification comes as a ripple through the dark web, a shadowy realm where whispers and threats are currency. It’s from the Alpha kings, their response to our message. Ivar and I gather around the secured terminal, the air between us charged with anticipation and a hint of something darker.The video flickers to life, the image sharp despite the layers of encryption. There they stand, the Alpha kings, united in their fury. Their faces are etched with rage, the kind that speaks of unleashed storms and ravaged lands.“We’ve received your message,” one of them begins, his voice like thunder, “and we want you to know, you’ve made a grave mistake.”Another steps forward, his eyes a blaze of anger. “Whoever you are, know this: there’s no hole deep enough to hide from us. We will find you, and when we do, the mercy you beg for will be a distant dream.”Their threats weave through the digital space, a promised violence and retribution. But it’s their final statement that chills even
ReynaAs Malachi switches off the video, the silence that follows is deafening. The fury in my mates’ eyes is mirrored by the storm raging in my heart, but beneath the anger, there’s a chasm of guilt that threatens to swallow me whole. They start discussing our next move, their voices filled with rage and desperation, but I’m barely listening. My mind is trapped in a past I thought I had left behind, a past when I was not myself, but Pyrra’s vessel, rampaging through islands in a blaze of purple flames.It’s my fault. All of it.I remember the destruction, the powerlessness as Pyrra took control, leaving devastation in her wake. At the time, I didn’t know the full extent of the horrors she committed with my hands. It was only later, much later, that the memories started to surface, fragmented and jagged, cutting deep. I thought those sins were behind us, that we had moved on and built something beautiful out of the ashes. But now, with Rhiannon’s abduction, it’s clear those sins hav
RhiannonSitting in my new bedroom—or should I say, prison—I can’t help but feel a mix of comfort and anxiety. The room is nice, sure, and the same women who helped clean me up have brought me new clothing. It’s almost like they’re trying to make me forget I’m a captive. Almost. But no amount of soft linen or warm baths can quell the storm of unease raging inside me. Since that moment on the cliff, watching Soren transform and fly away, I’ve been left in a swirling pool of my own thoughts, with too much time to wonder what my family is doing, what my captors are planning.But comfort isn’t what I need right now. Information is, and of that, I have none. My anxiety’s been skyrocketing, every passing day a test to my sanity.The door opens, and Ivar steps in, his presence immediately filling the room. His sharp wit and flirty demeanour have been a constant since my arrival, a thorn in my side that I begrudgingly admit keeps the despair at bay. Ugh, why did he have to look so damn hand
RhiannonPacing the floor of the bedroom I’m confined in has become my new normal. The restlessness within me grows with each passing day, a caged animal itching for release. It’s been weeks since I last shifted, my wolf spirit clawing at the confines of my consciousness, desperate for freedom.One evening, after I’ve eaten the meal brought to me by those silent women, I watch from my window as the three dragons soar off into the fading light. Crimson, Green, and Black; Soren, Ivar, and Gavriel. Their majestic forms cut through the sky with ease, a sight that would have been awe-inspiring if it weren’t for my circumstances. Boredom and a surge of boldness grip me as I eye the door, a plan forming in my mind. To my surprise, the door is unlocked, no guard in sight. My heart races, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I strain my ears for any sign of life. Hearing nothing, I decide to take my chances.Stepping out into the hallway, every sense is heightened. I’m acutely aware of the
SorenAfter returning Rhiannon to her quarters, the complexity of my emotions leaves me restless, a turmoil that I can neither name nor want to acknowledge. She’s making me feel things, things I’d rather not examine too closely. The game between us, the banter and the challenge, it’s more than just a distraction—it’s becoming something that threatens the walls I’ve carefully built around myself.The primal chase through the forest, the heat of the moment when I pinned her beneath me—these are distractions I can’t afford. Yet, try as I might, pushing her from my thoughts is proving more difficult than anticipated. There’s a fire in her, a resilience that challenges me, makes me feel things I’ve sworn off long ago.Reaching my room, I try to shake off the remnants of the night, the electricity that seemed to crackle in the air between us. I decide that a shower is what I need—a chance to cleanse my thoughts and refocus on the tasks at hand. The hot water is a welcome relief against m
RhiannonWaking up feels like emerging from a deep ocean, the pressure in my head so intense it’s a wonder I can think at all. My head throbs with a pain that makes me wince, and for a moment, I can’t remember why. I try to sit up, but the room spins, a carousel I never bought a ticket for. Blinking, trying to force my vision to clear, I notice a figure in the room with me, still and silent. My vision blurs at the edges, a disorienting fog that takes a few heartbeats to clear.When it does, the figure beside me comes into sharp focus. Gavriel. As the world finally snaps back into focus, and memories flood back—his injury, the healing, my collapse. My head spins, not just from the pain but from the whirlwind of emotions that accompany the recollection.“How long have I been out?” My voice sounds weak, even to my own ears.“A few hours,” Gavriel answers, his voice a low rumble, filled with an undercurrent of something I can’t quite decipher.I pause, considering his presence here, by
SorenAs we sit in the dimly lit room, the tension among us is palpable. Gavriel, still recovering but ever stoic, and Ivar, who’s been oddly contemplative of late, both watch as I cue up the video sent by Rhiannon’s parents. The screen flickers to life, revealing their faces—Malachi, Cassian, and Rune. Their expressions are ones of worry, a mirror of the emotions churning within me.“We did not send any hunters after you,” Malachi states firmly, his gaze piercing through the screen as if he could see us on the other side. “We don’t even know where you are.”“We wouldn’t risk anything where Rhiannon is involved. All we ask is for our daughter to be returned safe,” Cassian says. “Then we can talk about peace, about helping you regrow your kingdoms.”Rune, the soft-spoken one, nods in agreement. “We want a resolution, not continued conflict.”As the video ends, the room falls into a heavy silence. I glance at Gavriel and Ivar, gauging their reactions. Scepticism is etched deep in their
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