ARIC POV
Seraphina's lips were like a piece of heaven. Soft, silky, and a small taste of the apple she had eaten. I slipped my tongue inside her mouth and she moaned into my mouth. Gods, she was driving me crazy. My hand went to the back of her neck and I kissed her deeper. She was unraveling my senses. My carefully constructed emotional dam was crumbling. A constricting pressure built in my chest, a pulsing ache just beneath my heart. Seraphina, lips still clinging to mine, abandoned the bench and settled into my lap. I groaned deeply as she ground against my lap. All the blood rushed to my groin and I held her closer. My heart hammered against my ribs, a feverish heat coursed through my veins, and my thoughts swam in a hazy fog. Now that I've had a taste of her I was never going to get enough. Why had I denied myself this heaven?SERAPHINA POV I was back at that ancient place, with the ancient woman, but it was a different scene this time. A different man. His face, his aura, strangely familiar, though I'd never laid eyes on him before. The both of them were making love in a room that seemed straight out of a fairytale. So softly, so tender, that I felt a lump in my throat. The entire scene felt familiar, yet I'd never seen these people, never been in this place before. And once again, it felt like a memory, not a dream. I gasped, returning to my body. I was on the ground, someone's arms tight around me, his face buried in my hair. Aric. He was trembling. "Aric," I whispered. He pulled away from my hair and cupped my face in my face, his hands shaking. His eyes moved around my face, searching. "I'm fine," I said to him. He buried his face in my hair again, rocking me as his tremble subdued. "Gods, Seraphina," he b
KAELAN POV "Kaelan, someone might see us here," Seraphina whispered as she broke the kiss and looked around us with a cautious look. Her lips have now become my new obsession. While I was kissing her I still craved more of her. I pulled her closer, rubbing my face in her hair. It was still a little wet but I didn't mind. Her scent was stronger, and it made something stir in me. "Let them," I said, my voice low. "Don't be silly," she said, hitting me playfully. "People will see, then they'll talk about how their respectable Alpha and commander was seen with a wolfless soon-to-be soldier that almost the full army hates. You have a reputation to maintain." Even though she said the words playfully, there was a hint of awareness in her eyes and her body was tense. I removed my arm's from her waist and cupped her cheeks, staring deeply into her beautiful eyes. "Let. Them," I gritted through my teeth, anger rising a
SERAPHINA POVI had felt a zap of electricity when the woman's hand had brushed mine like a thunderclap in a still sky. It was there and gone the next moment. Now the woman was staring at me with a mix of emotions I found concerning—shock, fear, curiosity. Was she afraid of me? From the corner of my eye I saw Kaelan watching her. Then it was as if something clicked in his head because his eyes went wild. "You're a witch," I heard him say. I scrutinized the woman. She appeared middle-aged, yet her hair was as dark as midnight. She stood almost as tall as me, but there was nothing about her that screamed "witch." Just like Rion, she blended seamlessly into the world, her magic hidden beneath the surface. She didn't seem to hear what Kaelan had said for all her attention was fixed on me. And then she whispered, "An Oracle." "Pardon?" I asked her, confused and a little tense. That seems to snap the woman out of h
SERAPHINA POVMy fingers traced the contours of Kaelan's face, tears welling in my eyes. "Seraphina?" Kaelan called, a hint of concern in his voice. "What is it? Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong? Forgive me if I did. I didn—" His words were cut short by my sudden, unrestrained laughter. Tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't stop the sound bubbling up from my chest. Kaelan's expression was a blur, but I could still make out the bewildered look in his eyes. He was looking at me as if I'd sprouted a second head. "I have never heard you speak so fast," I said as he wiped the tears off my face. "It's cute." He feigned being offended. "Do not call me cute." Though his voice was serious, he was smiling. He picked up my hand and placed a kiss at the center of my palm. "Tell me what happened. What made you cry." I shook my head, more tears spilling down my cheeks. What could I possibly say
RION POV The papers on my desk blurred, my eyelids drooping. Sleep was a desperate need, but a nightmare's grip held me captive. I'd wake, the details lost, but a few images remained: a woman with raven hair, screaming, a man's hand plunging a blade into her heart. That was all I could remember. But I knew it was the same nightmare every night. A hand on my shoulder jolted me awake. Instinct took over. My hand flew to the dagger at my waist, springing to my feet, the blade pressed against the intruder's throat. "Gods, Rion! What the hell!" Aric shouted, his eyes wide with alarm.I sighed and released him, slumping back down in my seat. "Apologies, Aric," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "I had knocked but when no answer came I decided to let myself in," Aric explained. "What is wrong with you, Rion? Gods, look at the state of you." I didn't need a mirror to see the state I was in. My usually pristin
SERAPHINA POV I was back with the ancient woman, but this time it wasn't like watching her from afar. It felt like we were one, her beauty and wisdom flowing through me. And she was alone that night. And naked to the bone. She stood before an altar, her long black hair flowing like a dark wind. Her body, save for her face, was a canvas of intricate tattoos. The first time I had seen her she was covered from head to toe. The second time the man's big body had covered her. But now her full body was in view. The tattoos seem like marks. No, not marks. Symbols. Recognition hitted me then. It was those same symbols I had seen in that stone where that white wolf came from, those same symbols I had seen in my dream, those same symbols associated with the forgotten god. This woman was an oracle. I watched the woman from her eyes as she performed a ritual. She sang and danced like a woman possessed. She roll
SERAPHINA POV I blinked open my heavy eyelids and immediately closed them back. Gods, why was it so bright?!A rustle broke the silence, followed by the soft dimming of light behind my closed eyelids. I blinked open my eyes to find three familiar faces, etched with worry, staring back at me. A smile tugged at my lips as I attempted to sit up. Kaelan rushed to my side, treating me like a fragile bird. I rolled my eyes at his theatrics, a warmth spreading through my chest despite his fussing. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Seraphina," Rion said, voice low, eyes worried. "Hi," I said, my voice hoarse. "Are you okay?" Aric asked, standing beside Rion with his arms folded. I nodded. I felt lighter than I had earlier today. What was it today? I didn't have a single dream. Not one. I couldn't remember the last time I've had a dreamless sleep. I would never take it for grante
SERAPHINA POV "Leon!" I called out to him at the top of my voice, but he was already running too far to hear me. "There's someone stuck in that building!" I heard someone shout. So Leon was going to save them. "Leon, don't go inside the building!" I shouted as I ran after him but he was still too far to hear me. And then he ran straight into the building which was consumed entirely by flame. "No, no, no," I muttered anxiously as I kept running, trying to reach him. I heard people call my name but I couldn't see or hear anything except that burning building. And then I heard the building groan. Even from this far I could hear the building crumpling. Leon has to be smart and come out. I saw a man stagger out of the building, another man in his grasp. The panic that threatened to consume me eased slightly. Leon would come out soon. Maybe what I'd seen was nothing after all. But a minute passed, and Leo
SELANARA POV It pains me deeply to watch my oracle go on with her life without me, but oh the joy it fills me with. She was happy, dare I say happier, than she had been when she served me. There was no goddess to burden her life with her problems and needs, her sadness and rage, her love and hate. She was free from that burden in this life, and I wanted it to remain that way. Mortals would do well without the gods mingling in their lives. That was a future I hope to bring about. A future where mortals would have no connections to the gods, where there would be no oracle and envoy. That was what I should have done centuries ago but I was selfish. Now, I had seen that it was the right thing to do. Some gods and goddesses would resist, that was expected, but they would be forced to obey. The immortals liked having a link to the mortal world, a tool to carry out their works, some dirty works included. Why have I not done this sooner? The immortals have polluted the mortal realm eno
SERAPHINA POV I was confused when I blinked open my eyes to see familiar walls surrounding me. Was I still dreaming? Had my dreams been diverted from the past and now to the present?The familiar scent of my room wrapped around me, enveloping me in a warm hug as if telling me welcome.I was back in the palace, but how? How long have I been asleep?I searched my mate bonds for my mates and it seems they were nearby because it responded immediately. Not long after there was a knock on my door and my men entered inside."The sleepy beauty finally awakes," Aric said as he leaned in to kiss my forehead. I smiled up at him. "Hi." He smiled back.Kaelan and Rion took their turn kissing me before they sat, waiting. "How am I in the palace?""Well, we carried you on a horse and rode here," Rion said, with a smirk on his face. "Fast, if I may add."I rolled my eyes at him and turned to Kaelen, knowing he'll give me the answers I needed. "You've been asleep for two weeks," Kaelan said, his voi
NYMERIA POV (Two centuries ago)"You look brighter than the sun in that dress, my pretty," Varrik teases, a small smile on his face.I giggled. "Oh stop being silly, you." The dress I was wearing was the exact opposite of bright. I was dressed in a gown as black as the night. It flowed to my feet and pooled at the ground, a long slit that shows my leg when I move at the left side. My black hair was tied up and swept away from my face, showing my neck."Nah. I would say she looks as serene and captivating as the moon," Lysandor added, his arms crossed as he leaned against the pillar. I shot him a look but my smile was wide."It would seem I'm the only one not in a poetic mood today," Myrran said as he stepped into the room and placed a kiss on my forehead."And bless the gods for that small mercy," I said as I turned to face my mates. They were also dressed beautifully, each in their different, unique colors and styles. There wasn't a special occasion today. It was just one of those
RION POV Selanara was strong, stronger than any goddess recorded in history but Malakar seems to be her match. Malakar turned shadows into spears and they went flying towards Selanara.I wasn't going into a panic mood yet because I knew any harm that came to Seraphina's body would be healed when Selanara left her. But still, panic was at the top of my chest as I watched the shadows tore through the air with unholy speed, the jagged tips aimed straight for Selanara’s chest, her heart—her very soul. She couldn’t move fast enough.No! I screamed in my mind.But Selanara’s power surged one last time. With a defiant scream, she thrust her hands forward, and the temple exploded in a torrent of light. The ground shuddered and cracked, sending stone and dust flying into the air as the cosmic force she unleashed sent the shadow spears flying off course.For a moment, I could only watch in awe as Malakar was consumed by the explosion, his figure disappearing into the swirling void of light.
KAELAN POV I stared, stupefied, as Seraphina, no, Selanara, floated off her feet, so she was staring eye to eye with Malakar.My Seraphina was still in there but the goddess was in full control. I knew this wasn't hurting Seraphina in any way—her goddess loved her the way we did, so she wouldn't bring any harm to her.Malakar tried to keep his expression blank but a flicker of something flashed in the god's face, there and gone the next."And how do you intend to end me, my love," Malakar said, his tone flat. "We've had this dance before. It resulted in you losing your name, your legacy, and me being imprisoned. And you losing your name meant no one has been praying to you. You're weak, my sweet."A god grows weak when no one prays to them or offers offerings to them. Selanara being forgotten for centuries meant no one has been praying to her. How she was even standing here was a wonder. It has been recorded in history that three gods have vanished to the void after being forgotten
SERAPHINA POV A ball of darkness formed on Malakar's palm, moving like snakes, darker than the night. He was in front of me before I could blink, slamming his palm onto my chest with so much force, I went flying back.The crash of my fall wasn't what made me scream, nor the crack of my bones that made my eyes water. It was the agonizing pain that ate at me from the insides. The pain was beyond anything I’d ever known—like something was eating me alive from the inside, consuming my flesh and bone. My organs twisted, each breath a fire of searing agony, as though my very soul was being ripped apart. I fell to my knees, gasping, screaming, my body shaking uncontrollably. The darkness burrowed deeper, turning everything inside me to dust. I screamed—raw, desperate—and tears streamed down my face as the torment tore through me with brutal force.Joining this brutal pain, I felt the mate bonds in my chest, their own agony adding to my pain. My mates… My mates…I couldn't bring my head
SERAPHINA POV "Eryndor," Malakar called, his voice booming. Eryndor was immediately at his side, his head bowed."Yes, Dark One," he answered.Malakar's eyes were still fixed on me when he said, "Restrain her.""Yes, Dark One." Before I could speak, shadows had already coiled around me, restraining me so tightly that I couldn't even move a finger. It felt as though the wall had returned, and once again, my powers were sealed away."You will understand that this is for your own good, Nymeria," Malakar said, his eyes darker than the night. "Your mates are distractions, liabilities. You'll survive without them. Losing your mate's bond would not kill you."I would survive without my mates but it'll leave me empty, hollow, just a shell. Panic squeezed me. I tried to fight against the shadows, but it was useless. The more I fought, the more they tightened, but I still didn't give up. I kept fighting. Death would be better than to live without my mates.Malakar turned away from me and faced
SERAPHINA POV "Oracle," Malakar said, his voice soft and smooth, "This day has been far too long in coming. I've waited an eternity for your wolf to awaken, for your true power to be unleashed." His finger gently pressed against my chin, a subtle reminder of his presence. "My impatience got the better of me at one point. I sent others to test you, thinking a little danger might be the catalyst. Alas, my hopes were dashed when it failed to ignite your transformation." I gasped at him. "Y-you sent people after me?" That wolf that had attacked me in the woods that day I went training with Kaelan in the woods. That soldier that had taunted me and then touched me. My first months in the barracks when those bandits had attacked the barracks. Those were all Malakar. "I did indeed.""But...you were imprisoned," I breathed, my head pounding. "I was," was his short reply. I stared back at Malakar's eyes, feeling a storm of emotions—fear, anger, hate, panic. But underneath all that there wa
SERAPHINA POV When it comes down to letting the greatest evil be released, letting the world be ruined, letting darkness reign, and my mates, I was choosing my mates. There was no need to think about it. I looked at each of their perfect faces, their eyes telling me what their mouths couldn't and I knew I was making the right choice. I would burn the world to ashes myself if it meant saving them. I looked back at Eryndor standing in front of me, his eyes still pitch black. "Give me your word that you'll release them," I demanded, my voice cold and detached. "Including Miranda."Eryndor nodded. "You have my word."I stared at him, letting him know how painful his death would be if harm were to come to my mates and friend and nodded. He gestured towards the diagram and I stepped into the center wordlessly. Eryndor picked up the bowl he had dropped earlier and walked to me, a dagger in hand. I offered him my palm and winced when he cut me, blood flowing out. My mates fought agains