CAMILLE'S POVWhen I approached Neal, I could see the anger in my children's eyes. It was like they already knew something. My steps slowed when I reached the bench.Neal looked up to see me, his eyes squinting to block out the sun burning behind me."Hey," he greeted.I offered him a warm smile. Perhaps for a goodbye that didn't last a day. "Hey.""I'm sorry," he continued. "You're not at fault here," I assured him. It was the truth. My anger could not tip over to him. He was the one who exposed it all. What had happened was meant to be. Secrets were hard to keep. I turned to Sophia, who stared at me with a plain face. But her eyes seemed like they were tilted upside down. She was angry. Collins carried the same energy."Soph?" I managed to croak, reaching for her hand, only for her to shrug me off."Go away. I don't want to talk to you." She sulked. "Why?" A sob caused the word to glide out of my tongue wrong and scrambled. "Because you are a liar." Collins retorted, crossing h
DIMITRI'S POVIt was only right that I found Milana to explain things to her. She was soft-hearted, and it hurt me to put her in such a situation.I found her in her room, staring at a mirror as she wiped off makeup from her face."Hey," I knocked before entering.She looked at me through the mirror and frowned. "I don't want to see you right now.""Milana, allow me to explain."She turned back to face me. Her eyes were stained dark from mascara, and her signature glossy lips were smeared all over. "Explain what? That you cheated? How can you even defend that?""You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you," I told her, attempting to close the space between us. But the shift in her demeanor when I took a step forward told me that it was smarter if I stayed in my lane. "It was a mistake. A mistake..." I paused because it would be a lie. The beast would still desire her. I would still desire her. But I had to grow beyond that. Beyond a madman's desire. It was simply hunger. And any kind
CAMILLE'S POVAround six in the evening, I received a call from Ophelia."Where are you, Camille?" She asked as soon as I picked up the phone. "I've got the tickets.""Ophelia, I... don't think I can come back right now. I'm not sure I'm even allowed to run away from my mess at the moment.""Why? What happened?" Her curiosity was evident."Dimitri isn't the only one who found out my secret. Remember that vile sister I mentioned, the one I got as a bonus when my biological father discovered me?""Yes? Eva? Is that her name?""Yes, Eva," I confirmed. "She conducted a DNA test on my kids. If she had known, I doubt she would have let it come out. But it's out now. Dimitri knows the kids are his, and I'm sure word is spreading as I speak that the daughter of Alpha Lucian is alive and well."I glanced back at my children, fast asleep on the bed. I was still torn on the next step to take.One reason I stayed back was the protection the Lycan kingdom offered, protection my home would never ha
EVA'S POVShe had played me like a fiddle. Nothing was fine anymore. The calculated plan I had erected collapsed under her pretty foot.I was furious, more at myself than even her, because this had been my fault. I stomped back to my room, blaming myself for this fresh hell.If I hadn't taken that useless Amity's stupid advice, then I wouldn't be here. This was all on me, so it was left for me to set it right.When I reached the front door of my room, an idea burned bright in my mind. I wondered if it was going to work, though. Hector didn't trust me. But did it matter?My thoughts lingered on how that would ever benefit me. My mind was bereft of fresh ideas.Only someone came to my mind in times like this.I stepped away from the door and headed to the crypt. Like before, the guards were hesitant to let me in."King Dimitri does not think anybody should visit Hector Menard anymore," the sentinels at the gate regurgitated to me."That is fine," I told them. "I have made my peace regar
CAMILLE'S POVWhen eight struck, there was a knock on my door."Who is it?" I asked, staring at the door as the knob twisted open. The apparel told me the nice-looking woman was a servant. "Luna Camille, dinner is ready. Would you be coming downstairs to eat, or should I bring the food to you?"I shut the records of Victor Blossom. It wasn't going to give me any results since the pages had been ripped out of it. I considered my options. Avoidance. It was the easier option. But for a reason, I didn't want it easy. The cat was out of the bag now, and I wouldn't miss any opportunity I had to spite Eva. She needed to be reminded of the threat I posed now that I existed again. "I'll join them at the table," I told the servant.She bowed solemnly before leaving, shutting the door back in place. I looked at my children, who were still fast asleep. They would never forgive me if I went to eat alone. So I gently roused Sophia and Collins from their slumber, murmuring soft words to wake t
CAMILLE'S POVI turned to Dimitri. Had he deceived me? Sure, the revelation would not have changed a lot of things, but he had led me on. Why didn't he mention it, I wondered."Well?" Milana jerked me out of my thoughts.I looked at her. She was on edge. Her eyes were red and bulging from their socket. She looked different from the woman I saw when I walked into the lounge of the castle the very first time.Then I turned back to Dimitri, who looked like the light had been drained from his soul. The jarring sight of sunken eyes and the frustration peeking behind his perfect mask of indifference caused a memory to burn into my mind.I remembered what it was like in the council room while I was being hounded by my fellow werewolves for a crime that I did not commit. The last straw had been Hector coming down to face me. A mate was the goddess-given gift. So, despite his flaws and his cheating ways, I had somehow still expected some support from him. I had ignored the scorn he plastered o
EVA'S POVIt was jarring sitting there and learning that Dimitri was somehow mates with Camille. The night couldn't get any worse. It was cruel, really. I thought about it. If she followed through, she would be Luna of the Lily of the Valley, Queen of the Lycans, the granddaughter of Abigail De'Crescent, and a healer. How could that be fair? But there was a silver lining. Watching Milana go batshit crazy. Initially, I had been wary about converting Milana to my side. The woman was weird. But the rollercoaster of revelation must have gotten to her.Seeing her stand her ground against Camille solidified it all. I sat there, watching it all. A woman falling into ruin for love. Was this how Adele had destroyed herself? For fickle emotions? When Milana excused herself, I took one of the unopened bottles of wine and followed her.The visit to Adele's cage hasn't been a waste after all. I was bursting with inspiration again.When I found Milana, she was on the balcony of her room."Hey,
CAMILLE'S POVThey all left, leading me to deal with the aftermath of their mess. I looked back at my children.Sophia looked like she was going to cry, and Collins seemed so afraid. This was the one thing I was trying to avoid, and somehow, it had found its way to me regardless. "Camille," Neal reached for me to comfort me. But I shook away his hands. "No," I told him, my eyes brimming with tears unshed. "I refuse to let this take its course the second time.""I understand what you mean, Camille. But Milana is no harm. She is just going through a phase. It simply is an emotional response.""That is how it starts. Uncontrolled emotions lead to a world of hurt. I know that better than anyone.""Mommy?" Collins chipped in.I froze, realizing I was tethering the edge of insanity. When I turned to face my children, I managed a strained smile, suppressing the storm raging within me that threatened to tip over. I wasn't going to lose it. Not for this. "Everything's alright, my loves," I