Romane von Cece writes

The full moon called to something deep inside Lior that night.Aziel dragged him out of the cell under the bright silver light. "Tonight we force the truth out," he said as they reached the open ritual circle in the courtyard. Torches flickered around them and the pack watched from a distance. "Your wolf has been hiding too long. Shift fully or I will make you."Lior stood in the center of the circle feeling the moon pull at his blood. "You think forcing this will help you control me? The bond already connects us. Be careful what you wake up Aziel."Aziel stepped closer his golden eyes hard. "I am not afraid of your wolf. Show me what you really are. Tell me why the bond chose you. The witch says your bloodline is older than our kind. Prove it or I start cutting until you shift."Lior lifted his face to the moon. "You want the truth? Then stop fighting the pull. The bond wants us to see everything. I feel it growing stronger under this light. What are you scared of seeing?""I am not

Aziel had finally reached his limit.He stormed into the cell at dawn with fresh chains and a cold purpose in his eyes. Lior stood waiting with his back against the wall. The air felt heavier than usual as if the bond itself knew what was coming."Today I break you," Aziel said as he stepped inside. "No more games. No more clever words. You will submit or I will make every hour feel like hell."Lior lifted his chin. "You tried that already. Each time you push the bond pushes back. What makes you think today will be different?"Aziel grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the stone. "Because I am done being patient. Tell me how to sever this thing between us. The witch offered help but I want to hear it from you first. How do I kill the connection without killing you?"Lior gasped for air but kept his voice steady. "You cannot. The bond is part of us now. Every time you hurt me it grows stronger. Feel that tightness in your chest? That is me fighting you. Let go Aziel. Stop

Word of the prophecy spread faster than blood on snow.By morning the entire fortress buzzed with whispers. Scouts from rival packs had already been caught near the borders carrying messages and offers. A powerful witch named Elowen arrived at the gates demanding to see the mate who could kill the undying Alpha. Aziel’s own warriors moved with uneasy eyes. They had seen their leader bleed the night before and that sight shook them more than any enemy raid.Lior felt it all from his cell. The bond let him sense the growing tension above. He sat in the shadows testing his strength quietly. He flexed his fingers and felt power flow easier than before. The chains that once held him now felt lighter.Aziel stormed down the stairs later that day. He unlocked the cell and stepped inside his face hard. "The whole world knows about you now," he said. "Rival Alphas are sending gifts and threats. One even offered me land if I hand you over. What do you say to that Lior?"Lior looked up with calm

When the memories flooded my mind I knew the bond was done playing games.That night the dungeon felt heavier than before. I sat against the cold wall with my broken chains loose around my wrists. Sleep would not come. The connection between us opened wide like a door kicked in. Flashes poured into my head without warning. Aziel as a young Alpha laughing with friends around a fire. Then betrayal. Knives in the dark. His closest allies turning on him and leaving bodies behind. I watched him kill the first weak echo fate sent. A terrified girl no older than me who begged on her knees. She had done nothing wrong. Just bad luck. Guilt twisted in my gut mixed with hot rage.Heavy footsteps stormed down the stairs. The cell door flew open with a bang. Aziel filled the doorway breathing hard. His golden eyes blazed with fury. Blood from earlier still stained his chest but the wound had closed. He looked ready to tear the whole fortress apart.“Stay out of my head,” Aziel roared. He stepped i

The moment Aziel stepped into my cell with that cold blade I knew tonight would break us both.Midnight had come. The dungeon felt even darker and heavier. My chains hung looser after hours of testing them but the stone floor still chilled my back. The bond had kept me awake. It showed me bits of Aziel moving through the fortress above. Now he stood right in front of me. He looked tall and tense with a silver knife glinting in his hand.“Time to test this bond between us,” Aziel said. His voice was low and rough. “Pain is the only language I trust. Hold still Lior.”I pushed myself up against the wall. My wrists stayed bound. “You came back for more. That scout brought bad news did he not? The world already knows you have me. Now you want to cut me open to feel better about it?”Aziel ignored the jab. He grabbed my left arm and pressed the blade against my skin. He cut slow and deep. Blood welled up hot and fast. I hissed through my teeth as pain flared sharp. Then I saw it. The exact

Just as Aziel stepped into my cell I felt the walls close in tighter.Cold stone pressed against my back. The heavy chains around my wrists and ankles bit into my skin. Hours had passed in the dark. The bond kept feeding me flashes of Aziel moving through the fortress above. His heavy presence pushed against my mind the whole time. Now he filled the cell doorway. His massive frame blocked most of the torchlight from the hallway. His golden eyes locked on me like I was a problem he needed to solve right away.“Tell me how you survived,” Aziel demanded. His voice was rough and low. He did not waste time with greetings. “I snapped your neck. You were dead. Speak Lior. No lies.”I stayed silent at first. I watched him and let him feel my calm through the bond. Let him wait. The bond hummed between us and carried bits of his impatience.Aziel stepped closer. He grabbed my chin hard and forced my face up to meet his stare. His fingers were rough and warm. The second our eyes connected the b