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
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 POV I took a deep breath as the massive ornate doors of the Lycaon Church slowly creaked open. My heart was pounding like crazy - this was such a huge moment. As the doors parted, a sliver of light spilled in, and I stepped forward, the delicate lace veil over my head obscuring my vision and hiding the intense emotions I felt from the hundreds of eyes watching me enter. The air inside was cool and thick with the sweet smell of incense. I could hear the rustle of fancy silk dresses and reverent whispers as everyone turned to watch me walk down the aisle. Soft, beautiful piano music began playing, a serene piece I had chosen myself to start off this grand ceremony. As I made my way up the gold carpet that seemed to glow like a path of light before me, the veil cast everything in a sort of ethereal, dreamy haze. I could feel the intricate embroidery on my exquisite gown as my fingers brushed against the fabric - it was an actual work of art, adorned with symbols of our histo
CAMILLE'S POV"No..." Eva shuddered when the weight of her sentence finally settled in. "No..."She ran towards my feet and knelt, her eyes wide with desperation. "I know what you want, Camille," she pleaded, her voice cracking. "You want me to beg for all the horrible things I've done. And I understand now, I do. I'm sorry for being so cruel. But two wrongs don't make it right. This is inhumane! A collar is a for a dog.""A troubled dog." I corrected as I knelt down to meet her gaze."I'm only being a good sister, Eva," I said softly. "You were raised wrong by your mother, Adele. Despite everything, I didn't think you deserved to suffer for something your mother and my grandmother had a hand in creating. So this is your chance at a new beginning, Eva. Be good."Eva's face twisted in disgust. I watched her muster the courage to do it. At first, fearing that the collar would catch on to her nefarious intentions if she tried to spit on my face. The second the collar caught a whiff of he
EVA'S POV (THREE DAYS AFTER THE EVENTS OF RAVENFORD)Three days of pure torture had passed. There was no clean drinking water, bath, or even a basin to wash my face or hair. The guards were rough whenever they could be, and I had only been given a decent meal once. So, panic seized me when I heard keys rattling in the lock of my cell, and the door creaked open.I looked up and saw three guards approaching. With each step they took, I shrunk back further."You can't kill me. I haven't been tried yet. I'm innocent."One of the guards stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. I dropped to the floor, shuddering from the impact."You whiny bitch! You kill one of our own and try to harm our prince, and you have the audacity to call yourself innocent. You have no idea how much every one of us is fighting not to take your life and be done with it." Through gritted teeth, I managed to speak, "I am Eva Dumont, future Luna of the Lily of the Valley pack, and a cursed beast like you
DIMITRI'S POVI turned away from the Deltas, my mind already buzzing with plans. Their eyes followed me, filled with a mix of worry and resolve. They knew what we were up against and grasped the dangers. This was no time to hesitate."Follow me," I commanded, heading toward my chambers. The guards moved with me, their steps precise and silent, a result of years of training. The atmosphere was thick with the seriousness of our mission.Once inside my bedroom, I went straight to the dressing table and grabbed my phone. I dialed quickly, the familiar number bringing a brief sense of comfort in the chaos. Ginger answered almost at once."Ginger, it's me again. Back to business. I have three men with me, so the spell needs to be done twice."There was a short pause before Ginger's calm, reassuring voice came through. "No problem, Dimitri. I can manage that."I set the phone down on a dresser and turned to the first sentinel guard. "Step into the rune. Ginger, start the spell."The guard an
CAMILLE'S POV The necrotic green glow exploded out of me, shattering the windows and shaking the very core of the building. The door I had transmuted into a wall disintegrated completely. The light consumed everything, and when it finally died, my eyes struggled to adjust to the debris and the afterimage of that sickly glow. My breath came in short gasps, and I blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of the scene before me. Amid the wreckage, I saw Abigail not far from where I stood. She lay on the floor, her eyes wide and filled with shock. A tremor ran through me as I wondered if the spell had worked. Had I failed? Abigail’s movements drew my attention. She stared at her hands, her expression one of bewilderment. Then, her gaze shifted to the ceiling. The rune I had drawn to seal her magic was now fractured, broken by the cracks that laced the ceiling. Fucking hell! She rose to her feet, power radiating from her as she turned to face me. “I gave you the opportunity to touch a r
CAMILLE'S POV The space around me seemed to thrum with the weight of Asmodeus's words. "The rune is known as the Sigil of Perdition," he said, his voice low and measured. "It is an ancient power, capable of manipulating the fabric of reality in ways that no ordinary spell can." I felt a shiver run down my spine as I emboldened myself to ask the question that mattered the most. "But, will it work?" Asmodeus's gaze met mine. It looked like he was almost disappointed that I would ask. "Well, I hope so," he replied. "What I am gambling on is your raw strength, Camille. You are much stronger than Abigail. I felt it when you awakened. The demon blood that runs through your veins is not recessive like it was with Bo." I frowned, not fully understanding. "What do you mean by that?" Before he could answer, a bright light assaulted my eyes, turning my vision completely white. Panic tugged through me as I tried to blink away the blinding light. My senses felt dulled, as if I were suspen
DIMITRI'S POVI awoke with a start, finding myself on the cold, hard floor. The chill sent shivers through my body. Blinking rapidly, I struggled to shake off the haze of unconsciousness. As my vision cleared, I noticed intricate rune drawings on the floor beside me, softly glowing in the dim light. My heart sank as I recognized the teleportation sigil. Beside it lay Neal, motionless, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths.That could only mean one thing. Camille had knocked him out cold, too, and gone to Abigail alone.An admission that heavy made my skin crawl.“No, no, no,” I muttered, my body starting to tremble. “Camille, what have you done?” I approached the rune, my steps heavy and reluctant, each one echoing my growing dread.Without wasting time, I turned and opened the door, my mind racing. I needed help, and I needed it fast. I hurried down the hallway, my thoughts a chaotic swirl of worry and rage. I was angry at Neal, and more importantly, I was angry at myself.
CAMILLE'S POVI tried to keep my eyes open, but I was unable to, and my whole world turned dark.When I blinked my eyes open, I found myself in a blank white space. I turned around, seeing no exit and no door. I looked down at my body and noticed it phasing in and out, looking whole one second and translucent the other second. I whispered, "Where am I?"A voice whispered from behind me, "You've lasted longer than I expected."I turned to face the voice and saw a handsome, pale-skinned man, shirtless, with what looked like liquid darkness covering his body from his hips downward. He had horns that curled back from his forehead.I recognized him from the memory of Abigail. He was the demon Abigail mentioned was her mate. "Asmodeus," I whispered."In the flesh," he retorted.I took a step back, uncomfortable and unsure of what this meant. Was I in hell? What had I done to deserve hell?"Why am I here? Why are you here?"Asmodeus replied, "You are here because you are tethering between l
CAMILLE'S POVHearing her sound so callous of people's lives reminded me of someone. It reminded me of Eva. In fact, they were more alike than I would love to admit. Vindictive. Myopic and downright cruel.I forced myself to stand. It was hard, but I could manage. My body had started to heal itself. "The Galdinas suffered for a sin they had no idea of. They had no idea what they did to deserve such a fate, but they still suffered because you were spiteful of your father? Do you know what that did to me and my son?" I demanded, my voice rising with every word. "Do you know what that did to my mate?"It was clear that Abigail didn't give two shits about my pain. As long as the Galdinas were involved, she seemed perfectly capable of blocking out her empathy if any still even remained. But seeing no remorse on Abigail's face set my blood on fire. I charged at her and swung with all my might, knowing damn well this was a fight I couldn't win but not caring regardless. She easily dodged