DIMITRI'S POVI empathized with Camille's pain and understood why she lashed out. The Galdina family had endured generations of hardship, teaching us that life rarely unfolds as planned. Camille's perception that I was indifferent was perhaps rooted in this reality.In truth, I was weary of watching her confront the harsh truth that finding Collins would be an uphill battle.Neal had kept something from Camille until she was out of earshot. "The sentinels I dispatched outside of Marblefay encountered two covens, both of which refused to assist us."The vendetta the Begonia Supreme harbored against me, or Camille ran deep.A knock interrupted our conversation. Neal answered the door, revealing a servant with a trolley of food."I prepared what you asked, Your Majesty," the servant said."Leave it," I instructed. "I'll bring it to her."The servant complied, wheeling the trolley to the corner before departing."You might want to wipe that expression off your face if you don't want her t
DIMITRI'S POV"Family Villa?" I repeated. "Why would she go there with a kidnapped child? Isn't that open space?""There are many ways to silence a child. That is even if it still breathes. What better way to hide than to hide in plain sight." Adele replied, her warm breath fogging up the glass that separated her and me."How can I even be sure you are telling the truth?" I pressed, my tone skeptical as I eyed Adele through the glass cage.Adele's smile widened, her gaze unwavering. "You can't," she admitted, her voice dripping with honeyed deceit. "But consider this: what do I have to gain from lying to you? I am in a cage. I may be many things, Your Majesty, but I do not play games that leave me at a disadvantage. If I wanted to deceive you, I would have a reason to do it. But think about this. Who would I want dead more as a vengeful bitch? You? Camille? Or the false daughter that betrayed me?"Her words gnawed at my doubts, stirring a sense of unease within me. Despite my reservat
DIMITRI'S POVBut it wasn't just the curse. The physical manifestation of the curse caused hot blood to pump through my veins.The doctor said I would likely not survive another attack, especially if I didn't have Camille close. Seeing my flesh turn diseased caused my stomach to twist because I believed that was it. Death had come for me. Camille was going to have to grieve me while she searched for our son."Not now..." I pleaded to whatever forces cared to listen. "I can't die now."Something or someone must have been listening. Because the tendrils, as if responding to my desperate plea, began to recede, their grip loosening ever so slightly. It was as though a sliver of hope had pierced through the darkness, offering me a glimmer of reprieve.With each passing moment, the pain began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of tentative relief.Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, I pushed aside the fear that momentarily consumed me and straightened my posture. Knowing it could happen
CAMILLE'S POVThe gentle sensation of fingers stroking through my hair stirred me from slumber. When my eyes fluttered open, I was greeted by Dimitri's warm smile hovering above me.A smile found its way to my mouth, seeing his bedazzled by the sun silhouette. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.Pushing myself up into a seated position, the memories of the previous night's events came flooding back. It brought a sour taste to my mouth. "I'm sorry about last night," I murmured, shame causing my cheeks to burn red.Dimitri's expression remained understanding. "There's no need to apologize. I know why you reacted that way. You were in pain, and AI was being—""It doesn't excuse that I was cruel.""Well, you know what humans say about hungry men."With those words, he turned and retrieved a dish from a trolley beside the bed, offering it to me. I turned the lid over and took a look. The aroma of warm oats drowned in milk and fresh fruits wafted out, causing my stomach to grumble. I g
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