what kind of person do you think Dorian Legrand is?
CAMILLE'S POV"Beta Neal," the sentinel bowed in response. But Neal had his eyes trained on me. "You can leave," he told the sentinel.The sentinel immediately obeyed, leaving just the two of us."I received news of Eva's servant's arrest on charges of accessory to murder, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, accessory to bioterrorism, and manslaughter. With such substantial allegations, it's certain that Eva will face significant time behind bars. Why hesitate to act?" Neal inquired."Because I worry about Dimitri. He is currently grieving the death of Milana. He thinks it is a suicide now. I just want to make sure he can manage the truth before I spill that Eva murdered her. This is someone he trusted. I'm not sure how he will take having his whole world crumble before him. I have been through that hell once, and it is not easy to recover from.""Wouldn't leaving Eva to roam free be more dangerous? I always had a bad feeling about the woman, but I never got anything solid. This reve
CAMILLE'S POVShe was the one who gave me my name. I reached for her face, hoping to comfort hers. But my hands wouldn't bend to my will.As quickly as it came, the sight in front of me began to dim. "No... No..."I watched helplessly as the memory of my mother's gentle face and her loving words faded into most. The sense of disorientation that washed over me while it happened was the worst. The comforting warmth of the past dissolved into the cold reality of the present.I was blinking back tears while lingering traces of the vision vanished. The light covering my body slowly dimmed, and slowly, the familiar surroundings of my bedroom came back into focus.I lay there for a while. Coping. Whatever my wolf hoped to achieve by showing me that memory, it was working. I did feel better. It was nice not to feel so alone. "You've always been with me?" I asked my wolf, knowing very well she could as well bury herself in my subconscious again. "Always." She replied. "The dark cannot e
SPECIAL CHAPTER THREE: 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."The merging is near. If the stillborn is the reason for this, I will allow her breath for now," I mused, more to myself than Ophelia."What?" The girl seemed genuinely horrified by my stance. My eyes shifted back to her as she fidgeted with her phone before meeting my gaze. "Camille does not sound alright. She needs us."I chuckled. "Don't make me laugh. You speak as if you're her family, as if you care for her. Yet, you're merely spying on her for favors.""I'm not claiming to be superior. But Camille seems to be going through hell, all because of your vengeful vendetta. If you hadn't brought that forsaken child back to life, Camille wouldn't be enduring this torment.""Vengeful vendetta?" I scoffed. "The mother of that girl killed my daughter. She orchestrated Bo's unnatural death. I couldn't even
CAMILLE'S POV"What?" Was Ophelia's reply. "Camille does not sound alright. She needs us."I couldn't move a muscle. Who was the other party? What was the merging? What was this about?"Don't make me laugh." The other voice retorted. "You speak as if you're her family, as if you care for her. Yet, you're merely spying on her for favors."Hearing that damning sentence caused my blood to run cold. Why would Ophelia be spying on me for favors? I was the one who found her. Our meeting was fated. Except... Except it wasn't. "I'm not claiming to be superior. But Camille seems to be going through hell, all because of your vengeful vendetta. If you hadn't brought that forsaken child back to life, Camille wouldn't be enduring this torment."Forsaken child? What was going on? The shouting outside my window became even louder, coupled with knots that were forming in my head. Eva was the reason for my torment. Was that who Ophelia was referring to? Why was she implying that Eva was brought to l
DIMITRI'S POV My eyes were on the flower when I heard multiple footsteps approach Eva and me."Protect his Majesty!" The Sentinel of the first guard ordered.Coming from the older man who protected my family for generations, I knew this was serious.I immediately pulled Eva behind me and surveyed my surroundings. The guards present formed a circle and kept their weapons loaded and ready. The ones with spears prepared to fire, and the others with guns placed their firm fingers against the trigger."What is happening?" I asked the first sentinel.If the Sentinels were going all out, I figured it was a group of traitors prepared to kill me for the throne. My bet was on my distant family name. Only their lot would be this emboldened."Dorian Legrand is here." The man replied, unsheathing his sword. "He and a few radicals managed to force their way through the gates, killing twelve sentinels."Eva gasped. "Goddess."I held on to her, assuring her it was alright. "This is my fault," she
CAMILLE'S POVSurely, such an old and barbaric-sounding law would have no legal standing. But the sight unfolding before me seemed to be turning out very differently. Neal, who had been holding a gun to Milana's father's head, seemed so shocked by the challenge that the weapon dropped from his hand. His gaze shifted to Dimitri and then the others. He seemed just as surprised as I was that nobody seemed to be resisting the duel that had been thrown at Dimitri.From the safety of my window, I looked at Dimitri, and the look on his face was perhaps that was the biggest shock I had gotten in my life.I knew resignation when I saw it. Dimitri intended to give in. If this were happening any differently, perhaps I would not have any issues about it. But Dimitri has just survived a violent attack from the curse. His body couldn't have fully recovered. Not to mention, his opponent was a Lycan that could somehow shift without the full moon.Lycans were not usually in control when the beast
EVA'S POV"A woman should never look towards just one future." Adele's words echoed in my mind, a reminder of her cunning and resilience. She wielded her plans like weapons, manipulating outcomes with an almost otherworldly finesse.I had learned from her, crafting my own strategies to navigate the complexities of our world. Plan A, Plan B - I always had contingencies in place, ensuring my survival in a cutthroat society where betrayal was commonplace.But standing here, accused and vulnerable, I realized the flaw in my designs. Camille's finger pointed at me, her accusations slicing through my defenses like a dagger. Had my own schemes backfired, leading me to this precipice?It was absurd. Camille, the one who had cornered me with threats, now dared to cast blame upon me. The audacity was staggering. I never intended harm to Dimitri, I only sought to secure my own position.Tears welled in my eyes, a facade of innocence masking the turmoil within. What evidence did she possess? Merel
EVA'S POVTick tock. I had maybe a minute top before someone realized. Plenty of the sentinels had gathered outside for the duel, so the chances of there being guards inside the castle was slim to none. I did trust that there would be a batch of guards set aside to protect the children of the King. But definitely not enough.I stalked to a corner and peered over at Camille's quarters, where I could already detect the presence of her vile creatures. Two guards were stationed nearby, chatting casually, seemingly unaware of the chaos unfolding downstairs.I retrieved the small bottle of silvermist I had stashed away and cracked it open just a bit, preparing for any potential need. Then, I approached the guards, keeping my posture firm as they turned to face me."Where are my sister's kids?" I inquired. "The situation outside has escalated, and I fear for their safety.""They're inside," they replied, but when I attempted to pass them, one blocked my path with his hand."I apologize, Lu
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