CAMILLE'S POVOphelia glanced at me, unsure of how to answer. The woman who had once refused to help us was now standing before us, offering her aid. It was a confusing turn of events, one that left me feeling unsettled."She's here to help," Dimitri answered, reaching to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. I let him. But I wasn't about to forgive Ophelia so easily. I had wrongly believed that she was my friend and goddess was I wrong."We don't need her help," I declared in a resolute tone. But Ophelia seemed unaffected by my words."Surely your wounded pride isn't worth more than saving your son," she retorted, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.I bristled at the accusation, my jaw clenched in anger. "Pride? I expected you to have my back. I thought you were my friend. When Collins was taken from me, you were the first person I thought of. I didn't expect you, of all people, to hurt me like that. This isn't pride. I just don't trust you."Dimitri walked in fro
SPECIAL CHAPTER SIX: OPHELIA COTTONWOODAUTHOR'S NOTE: Special chapters serve to shed light on the perspectives of minor characters, providing insight into their roles in the unfolding narrative.I realized what Abigail wanted when the doors of the lounge opened, and Camille stepped in.My skin prickled at the intensity of the mana that filled the room. It was nothing like Abigail's presence. But this was just as unnatural.When I turned to face the Lycan king and his mate, it became clear.Abigail wanted to kill two birds with a stone—the death of a Galdina boy and the unraveling of her granddaughter.Camille probably didn't realize it. But she was close to becoming more than a werewolf healer.The energy signature in the room spiked twofolds when Camille realized Abigail was alive and well. But she was surprisingly adept at keeping it in check. Suppression seemed to come naturally to her.I watched her compose herself and ask, "How do we find Collins?""A location spell would be our
CAMILLE'S POVI stepped outside for some air. The air in the lounge somehow felt stifling. It was thick with unspoken tensions and probing stares, and it didn't get any better until I found my way into the garden. The cool morning breeze provided little relief as I gasped for breath, my chest constricting tighter with every inhale.I wanted to scream, to release the anguish welling up inside me, but I couldn't even find the strength to do it. The most I could do was crumple onto a nearby bench; my body wracked with silent sobs as hot tears streamed down my cheeks.What could you really do after finding out your whole life seemed to be orchestrated by some higher power? After learning that all those years I had to suffer - the loss, the loneliness, the unanswered questions - someone had not only allowed it but meticulously plotted it. My own grandmother was out there pulling the strings, manipulating the way my life was going to turn out according to her own twisted vision.Was a norma
SPECIAL CHAPTER SEVEN: ABIGAIL AUTHOR'S NOTE: Special chapters serve to shed light on the perspectives of minor characters, providing insight into their roles in the unfolding narrative.I was fixated on the torn-out pages of my father's record when I felt it. It started out like a tremor at the core of my soul. But subtle as it was made to be, I knew exactly what it was. Someone was seeking my blood. A witch was helping my granddaughter find her son.The realization did send a chill down my spine, despite the warmth in my room, because it was something I had not anticipated.I clenched my fists, my mind racing with possibilities. Had I become too complacent with the covens I threatened? With the Delicates, I was sure to take a life because those foul creatures would never take me seriously. I expected witches to be civil, at least.As the tremors of magic continued to ripple through my being, I realized the familiar note of the magic. Ophelia Cottonwood. It was a surprise. A de
EVA'S POVI should have known something was wrong when I felt something crawl over my skin. I got goosebumps, and there was no open window.Just this ominous energy that surrounded the house.What was it? I didn't think too much. Strange meant danger, and I immediately got out my gun.The boy felt it too, because his eyes were plastered on the door.The wicked intensity of that energy only seemed to get stronger, and I could sense my wolf stir inside, begging for release. That was a wolf's final line of defense, and it made my blood run cold just thinking about who it was.I was going to demand to know who the presence was when suddenly there was a knock on the door.My fear was valid. Someone was there. That meant whatever and whoever was outside that door was dangerous.I wasted no time. I fired a bullet. But without knowing if it even hit the target or not, I sprinted for the door and hid close to the door. It took only a second after I had reached the side for the door to fly ope
CAMILLE'S POVThe private jet streaked across the sky, but it couldn't go fast enough for me. Every minute dragged by like an eternity as I sat rigid in my seat, my hands clenched into fists. Dimitri reached over to grip my arm, offering silent comfort, but I could barely feel it through the panic pounding in my veins.Ophelia and Neal's grave expressions mirrored my own fear. We had to make it to Ravenford. I had to find my son before it was too late.Dimitri would have loved to carry an army along with him to get rid of Eva. But there was only so much a jet could carry.When the jet finally touched down, we burst out onto the tarmac, hurrying to the rental car waiting for us. I wrenched open the door and threw myself into the passenger seat, needing to be the first set of eyes on the road to the Ravenwood Forest. Dimitri drove like a madman, the trees and buildings blurring past as we raced towards our destination. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out everything but the bu
SPECIAL CHAPTER EIGHT: ABIGAIL AUTHOR'S NOTE: Special chapters serve to shed light on the perspectives of minor characters, providing insight into their roles in the unfolding narrative."Go back to hell, Asmodeus," I spat. Not out of rage or disgust. But simply because I was too exhausted to do this dance with him again.Demons weren't so keen on social cues. Asmodeus waltzed in front of me and leaned in close. "You know I cannot do that, mate." He whispered in response. I almost willed the table in front of me to rise and slam into him. That was how much I wanted to shut him up. If he weren't an apparition, it would have been possible. There were laws for demons. Those laws were stringent for a Prince of hell. Asmodeus couldn't cross over physically without permission from the King of Hell, and the only way he could be semi-present was through a summoning. This was not a summoning. My hands reached for his face only to pass through. "Why are you here then? To convince me again
SPECIAL CHAPTER NINE: OPHELIA COTTONWOODAUTHOR'S NOTE: Special chapters serve to shed light on the perspectives of minor characters, providing insight into their roles in the unfolding narrative.Seeking nature's aid to locate Eva Dumont proved a grave misstep. It robbed us of the element of surprise, granting that vile monster precious time to prepare.As the first gunshot rang out, my gaze locked onto Camille, undoubtedly the intended target. I stood frozen, unable to summon my magic or even move a muscle.Then, in a heartbeat, the Lycan King's Beta threw himself into the bullet's path, shielding Camille from certain death. Horror gripped me as I witnessed his body crumple, the fatal shot meant for another striking true.Camille rushed to his side, her healing gifts desperately attempting to mend the grievous wound. But we all knew, even if her powers hadn't failed her, If it was one of those bullets cocktailed in silvermist and wolfsbane. The damage would be too severe for even he