Diana The past few weeks have been… exhausting. Dominicus is thorough, and when I say thorough, I mean relentless. Every day, he introduces a new exercise to help me control my strength and reflexes. The goal is clear: to ensure that I can interact with others—humans and wolves alike—without accidentally breaking something or someone. Every day, he trains me, working on controlling my newfound strength. I’ve gone from crushing eggs with a single touch to delicately balancing a glass of water on the tip of my finger without spilling a drop. When it comes to objects, I’ve made remarkable progress. But when it comes to people? That’s a completely different story. “Relax,” Dominicus says for what feels like the hundredth time. His deep, calm voice is soothing, but it doesn’t help my mounting frustration. “I am relaxed!” I snap, staring at him like he’s lost his mind. “Then why do I feel like you’re about to throw me across the room?” he replies with a raised brow, his tone laced wi
Diana “I’m not ready!” I argue, throwing my hands up. “You are,” he counters firmly. “You just don’t realize it yet. And I’ll be nearby the entire time, watching. If anything happens, I’ll step in.” “But—” “No buts,” he says, cutting me off. “You’ve worked hard these past three weeks, Diana. You’ve made progress. Now it’s time to put it to the test.” I open my mouth to argue again but stop when I see the determination in his eyes. He’s not going to budge on this. And a niggling feeling at the back of mind tells me that he wouldn’t care if i broke anyone either. I swallow heavily. “Fine,” I mutter begrudgingly, crossing my arms over my chest. “But if I hurt anyone- it’s on you.” “Sure!” he replies chirpily with a large grin- cementing my suspicions. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. “You’re going to do great,” he murmurs, his voice warm and steady. “I believe in you.” I hate how much those words melt my resolve. Letting out a defeated sigh, I l
DianaIt’s chaos. Orders are flying in, plates are being passed back and forth, and the noise level is enough to make my head spin. My nerves are still raw as I pick up my first tray and try to navigate the endless stream of orders and movement around me. My muscles are tense, and I feel like every step I take is a disaster waiting to happen.But as the minutes tick by, something unexpected happens. The pace of the diner—the fast, relentless rhythm—pulls me in. Before I know it, I’m moving without overthinking. Taking orders, serving plates, weaving between coworkers, and brushing past customers without sending anyone flying. It feels… natural.Dominicus sits in the far corner of the diner, his presence impossible to ignore. Even in this packed space, the area around him is clear of people—his imposing aura doing what no words could. His eyes are on me, unwavering, as though he’s watching my every move.When our eyes meet, he raises a single eyebrow, the expression so cocky and smug i
DominicusThe phone in my pocket vibrates, and when I pull it out to see the caller ID, my expression hardens instantly. I glance up, where Diana is finishing her shift. Her face is glowing with happiness, and she moves around the crowded room with ease. My dulcis is truly thriving, and watching her fills me with a quiet pride.I quietly rise from my seat, stepping outside. The cool air does little to temper the storm brewing inside me. I move to a spot at the side of the diner where I’m out of sight, and with a swipe of my thumb, I answer the call.“You’ve sure taken your sweet time,” I growl, my voice laced with menace.There’s a pause before the voice on the other end answers, calm but slightly strained. “I apologize, Alpha Dominicus. I went as fast as I could. The information wasn’t easy to obtain.”“You mean to say you’ve been dragging your feet,” I snap.“Not at all,” the voice replies, firmer now. “I had to extract information from a pack I don’t belong to, and secrecy was para
DominicusEllen’s cheerful voice floats out from the diner, breaking me out of my reverie, as Diana steps through the door, her laughter bubbling over like sunshine.I quietly slip my phone back into my pocket.“I know you’re not ready to come back just yet,” Ellen teases, shooing her away with a wave of her hand, “but I figured you needed a little something to take your mind off things for a while. Now that the rush has died down, we can handle the rest just fine.”Diana tries to protest, but Ellen won’t hear of it. “Go! It’s a beautiful day, why don’t you go out and enjoy the weather with your fiancé. You’re welcome to come back anytime, but today? Take the rest of it off.”Ellen looks past Diana to me, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. “You, young man, better take this girl out and make sure she has fun.”Young man… the words nearly make me laugh. I’m well over a hundred years old and nearly twice her age…I nod solemnly, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. “Understood, Ma’am
DianaDominicus grins, stepping out of the car and moving to open my door. “Surprise.”I can’t stop grinning back as I step out of the car. The lights, the sounds, the tantalizing smells—all of it hits me at once. It’s overwhelming in the best way. My eyes widen as I take in the colorful booths, the flashing rides, and the laughter that seems to fill the air. The fair is alive, buzzing with excitement, and it feels like stepping into a dream.“I’ve never been to a fair before,” I say, turning to Dominicus, my voice tinged with awe.He smirks, slipping his hand into mine. “Then let’s make sure tonight is unforgettable, dulcis.”The first thing that catches my eye is the Ferris wheel, towering over the rest of the fair, its glowing lights reflecting in my eyes. I tug on his hand, practically bouncing. “Can we ride that first?”“Anything you want,” he replies, his deep voice warm and indulgent.The ride is magical. As the wheel turns, we’re lifted high above the fairgrounds, the world st
DianaHe takes a deep breath, his hold on me tightening just a fraction. “I had someone investigate your past,” he begins, his voice steady but low. “Specifically, how you came to the Zervos pack.”My heart skips a beat, and I stare at him in confusion. “Came to the Zervos pack?”I wasn’t originally from there?!He nods, his gaze unwavering. “I also found out about your mother.”The words hit me like a jolt, and I’m suddenly very aware of my own heartbeat. My parents…I’ve always known they were gone. Orphans don’t hold onto fantasies of reunions with parents they’ve never known. But to hear him say it so plainly—to bring them into focus as real people, not just vague figures—makes my chest ache.“What did you find out?” I ask hesitantly.He’s quiet for a moment, as if weighing how much to say. Finally, he speaks. “Your mother appeared at the Zervos pack twenty years ago. She was gravely injured, carrying two newborn babies—you and your twin brother.”Apollo.That name brings a rush o
Diana“They weren’t like the Amadeus,” he says. “Where my pack was blessed with overwhelming physical strength, agility, and reflexes, they were… ordinary. At least in terms of strength.”“Then what made them important?”He shakes his head. “I don’t know. But whatever it was, it was vital. So vital that they went into hiding to protect it.”“Hiding?”“They erased their existence from history. No one knew where they were, not even the Amadeus Alphas. It was said they held the key to the survival of the supernatural world—and perhaps even the human one.”I stare at him, trying to wrap my mind around it. “But wouldn’t it have been safer for them to stay with the Amadeus? To have your pack protect them?”“No,” Dominicus says firmly. “Who’s to say even the most honorable wolves couldn’t be corrupted one day? If an Amadeus decided to take what they had, who would protect them then? They couldn’t take that risk. So they hid.”My voice is barely a whisper as I ask, “What was the name of this
DianaI don’t say anything. I can’t—because part of me agrees with him.He searches my face, voice cracking.“I already lost your mate. And for 13 years, I believed I lost my child too. I won’t lose you.”The silence between us stretches again. The grief in his words coils around my ribs like a vice.After a long moment, I exhale.“I promise,” I say softly, reaching for his hand, “we’ll talk about this. We’ll figure it out. But right now… let’s go back inside. There’s still more Eleanor has to tell us.”He looks at me for a long moment. Then, finally, he nods.We walk back together, quiet and heavy with unspoken thoughts. Inside, the room is just as we left it—Dominicus and Eleanor still seated, their faces somber.Billy crosses his arms as he steps in, his tone dry but edged in steel.“Might as well just leave her with the humans. She was safe there. Let her stay hidden.”Eleanor tilts her head slightly.“Yes, she’s safe,” she says calmly. “But for how long?”He frowns but doesn’t an
Diana The room goes quiet. I blink in confusion, taken aback and not understanding why he’s so angry. My brows furrow as I watch him in confusion. He seems to be getting more furious by the second. It’s a fury I don’t think I have ever seen on him before. My mind races a second more and it clicks. My heart stutters before dropping to the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t thought of that. Not fully. Shit! Blood drains from my face and I suddenly feel sick. Billy asks again, slower this time, the words like steel. “Who the fuck did you say was gonna fight him?” Eleanor’s expression crumples into something close to guilt. She looks down. I bite my lower lip. Dom’s brows draw together. Billy’s voice is calm but dark. “Three people, right? That’s what you said?” He points at Dominicus. “One is the Amadeus Alpha. He’ll fight the physical battle.” Then he points at me. I flinch. “Second is the Castellanos Alpha and Priestess. That’s you.” I can’t meet his eyes. “And the third…
Diana He starts pacing toward the door like a man possessed. I glance outside—the sky is pitch black, the moon high and silver. “Billy,” I say gently, “it’s late. Why don’t we go tomorrow?” But he shakes his head, already reaching for the doorknob. “I can’t wait. Who knows where she is? What kinda situation she’s in? If she’s far, the sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll reach her—” Eleanor lifts her eyes to Dom in a silent signal. Dominicus stands immediately, moves forward, and catches Billy by the shoulders before he can bolt. “Wait,” he says gently but firmly. “Where are you going? You don’t even have the tracker yet. How will you find her without it?” Billy blinks. “Right. Right, right.” He lets himself be guided back, still jittery, heart pounding in his chest. He turns to Eleanor again, eyes wide and pleading. “Then give it to me. The… the thing you said. What is it?” “I’ll make you a Scrythorn,” Eleanor replies. “It’s an ancient charm, carved and imbued with s
Diana Billy hasn’t moved. His eyes are bloodshot and shining, and when he finally speaks, his voice is hoarse. “You said you used dark magic, too,” he rasps to Eleanor. “But you’re still here. Still… you. Why couldn’t she do the same?” Eleanor’s face softens. “Because she wasn’t strong enough. Six years of dark magic, even in small doses, is too much. I stopped after one spell. I cut myself off. Let the darkness bleed out slowly over time. But your mate…” She sighs. “She didn’t have that luxury. The curse had corrupted her too much”. But I know the rest. Eleanor is the Primarch Arcana. Stronger than any light witch alive. That’s the difference. That’s why she survived. Billy lowers his head, shoulders slumping. He doesn’t speak for a long time. My chest aches with a pressure that builds and builds until I can barely breathe. All those years, I thought no one loved me. That I meant nothing to anyone. I was wrong. Now I know—my parents, the witches who could have teleport
Diana Eleanor folds her hands in her lap, her face as gentle as ever, but I see the flicker of regret in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Billy,” she says softly. “What I’m about to tell you might be hard to hear. But I believe it will answer the questions you’ve carried for a long time.” Billy glances between Dom and I, seeing the corresponding seriousness on our faces and sits straighter, “Go on,” he says. Eleanor nods. “Just as I was explaining to Diana and Dominicus, your mate—Myralie—was the one who suppressed Diana’s wolf. It was the only way she could keep her from shifting, and from being found.” Billy’s head jerks slightly. “Myralie?” he repeats, his brow creasing. “You mean… Myra?That her real name?” I watch the flicker of pain flash through his eyes. He once told us he didn’t know much about her. Only her name. And now it turns out… even that was only half true. There’s a bittersweet sadness in his face as the realization sets in. His mouth parts slightly, but no words come. “S
Diana Dominicus stares at her, brows drawn. “So… you’re not dying,” he says, voice low, suspicious. “I’m not dying,” she insists, looking directly at him now. “I swear it.” He holds her gaze for a beat longer. Then, finally, he nods. I feel the tight coil of tension in his body loosen, the faintest ripple of relief coming through the bond. I exhale too, only now realizing I’d been holding my breath. “It’s not fair,” I whisper. The words slip out before I can stop them, soft and aching. Eleanor looks at me with kind eyes, and then gives a small smile. “Magic isn’t a person, dear. It has no consciousness to look into the facts surrounding the incident and decide whether or not it’s fair. It doesn’t think or feel. It simply is.” She sets her teacup down gently, the sound barely audible. “Light magic doesn’t coexist with dark magic. It won’t. The moment I used it—even to save someone—I knew what it meant. My days as the Primarch were numbered.” Her smile turns wry. “The fac
Diana She lifts her eyes, and they shimmer with something like wonder. “I felt it. A divine ripple. Like something ancient had stirred. Like the pattern of fate had twisted slightly on its axis.” Her fingers curl around the porcelain cup. “I didn’t know what it meant. But I knew—something was coming. I didn’t know what, or who, but… I hoped.” She looks at me now. And her expression softens into something almost reverent. “And then, one morning… a girl walked in.” My throat tightens. Eleanor’s voice drops into a hush, as though telling a sacred secret. She gives me a small smile. “A werewolf… a werewolf with a sealed wolf”. “A beautiful girl,” she continues. “Her eyes were haunted and it was obvious she was running from something.” My stomach tightens. Eleanor’s expression softens again. “It took me just one look. I knew exactly who you were. The Castellanos Alpha heir. The one who escaped the massacre. I was… stunned.” She shakes her head with a quiet chuckle, bu
Diana I swallow the lump in my throat. For the longest time, Dom had no one. I’m so glad is finding more family and loved ones. He doesn’t answer. But his eyes shine, and he reaches up, catching her wrist. “You should’ve told me,” he murmurs, his voice thick, “I wasn’t in the right state of mind for a long time, but when I got better-“ She looks at him with weary affection. “Because you’d already suffered enough,” she says softly. “You were just starting to come back to yourself. I didn’t want to pile all this… this heavy, dark mess on your shoulders.” Her eyes flick over to me, and a teasing smile tugs at her lips. “And you had just started falling in love, too. I couldn’t bear to spoil it.” My cheeks warm instantly. Eleanor chuckles. “After nearly a decade of pain and silence, you deserved a little reprieve. Both of you. Watching it happen—watching you fall for each other—it was so cute. And awkward.” I let out a tiny, strangled sound and cover my face with my hand
DianaShe stops in front of him.“The witches at the Castellanos pack…” she says, voice quiet, “they did reach out to me.”I bite down on my lower lip. Hard.“But not to ask me to come. They weren’t calling me for help.” Her gaze flickers to me. “They just wanted me to know what was happening. That the dark witches were there. That the Castellanos were preparing to fall.”Her voice dips, heavy with the weight of regret.“I wanted to go. I swear I did.” Her hands tighten at her sides. “But I knew… I knew if I went like I was, I’d only be a burden.”The words hit like a cold wave.“I couldn’t use my magic properly,” she continues. “It was still tainted. I was still walking that razor’s edge. And if I stepped into a battle like that—drew onto the bulk of magic to battle- the dark magic inside me would’ve stirred violently… fed on the chaos”Her throat tightens.“I would’ve had two choices: fight it or give in. If I had resisted, it would have killed me. If I had given in…” She looks up a