LOGINChapter 061DARIUS I did not go directly to my chambers. Instead, I made my way to the training grounds, hoping to find Torren still there.He was, practicing sword forms alone under the moonlight. When he saw me approaching, he raised an eyebrow."Late night training?" Torren asked."Join me," I requested simply.Torren did not ask questions. He just picked up his practice sword and moved into position.We engaged in a fight—not a real one, but the kind of sparring that allowed us to push ourselves physically while clearing our minds. The familiar rhythm of attack and defense, the focus required to read your opponent's movements, the satisfaction of landing a clean hit.But I could not maintain my focus.My mind kept drifting back to Sebastian. To the way he had looked writhing in heat. To the overwhelming pull of the mate bond. To how close I had come to claiming him completely.I should not have stopped. Kain was right, Sebastian needed me, needed his mate to help him through the
Chapter 059DARIUS I did not go directly to my chambers. Instead, I made my way to the training grounds, hoping to find Torren still there.He was, practicing sword forms alone under the moonlight. When he saw me approaching, he raised an eyebrow."Late night training?" Torren asked."Join me," I requested simply.Torren did not ask questions. He just picked up his practice sword and moved into position.We engaged in a fight—not a real one, but the kind of sparring that allowed us to push ourselves physically while clearing our minds. The familiar rhythm of attack and defense, the focus required to read your opponent's movements, the satisfaction of landing a clean hit.But I could not maintain my focus.My mind kept drifting back to Sebastian. To the way he had looked writhing in heat. To the overwhelming pull of the mate bond. To how close I had come to claiming him completely.I should not have stopped. Kain was right, Sebastian needed me, needed his mate to help him through the
Chapter 058DARIUS I did not go directly to my chambers. Instead, I made my way to the training grounds, hoping to find Torren still there.He was, practicing sword forms alone under the moonlight. When he saw me approaching, he raised an eyebrow."Late night training?" Torren asked."Join me," I requested simply.Torren did not ask questions. He just picked up his practice sword and moved into position.We engaged in a fight—not a real one, but the kind of sparring that allowed us to push ourselves physically while clearing our minds. The familiar rhythm of attack and defense, the focus required to read your opponent's movements, the satisfaction of landing a clean hit.But I could not maintain my focus.My mind kept drifting back to Sebastian. To the way he had looked writhing in heat. To the overwhelming pull of the mate bond. To how close I had come to claiming him completely.I should not have stopped. Kain was right, Sebastian needed me, needed his mate to help him through the
Chapter 057DARIUS I had walked only a few steps down the hallway when a figure appeared at the far end. My instincts kicked in immediately. I shifted to the side, pressing myself against a pillar and hiding in the shadows.The figure moved closer, and as it passed under one of the torches, I recognized the shape and movement.Adrian.And then it suddenly hit me—he had left our chambers earlier without informing me where he was going. The memory came rushing back.*FLASHBACK*Adrian had dressed himself in his dark cloak and grabbed his sword from where it hung on the wall. The deliberate way he moved suggested he was preparing for something specific, something planned."Where are you going?" I demanded, standing up from my desk.Instead of giving me a direct answer, Adrian turned to face me. "Are you having sexual intercourse with your personal guard?"The question caught me off guard, though I tried not to show it. "His name is Sebastian. And no, I am not having anything with him.
Chapter 056DARIUS I was sitting at my desk reviewing border patrol reports when I heard it—a thudding sound against my door, followed by what sounded like someone collapsing.My heart lurched. I knew immediately who it was.I rushed to the door and yanked it open to find Sebastian writhing on the floor, his body curled in on itself, sweat pouring down his face. The scent hit me like a physical blow. It was sweet, intoxicating, overwhelming.Omega heat.My wolf surged forward, Kain practically howling inside my mind. Without thinking, without considering the consequences, I bent down and scooped Sebastian into my arms.He was burning up, his skin radiating heat through his clothes. His eyes were glazed, unfocused, barely registering my presence.I carried him into my chambers and kicked the door shut behind me. I did not care if Adrian came back and found Sebastian in here. I did not care about anything except helping him through this.As I moved to lay him on the bed, Sebastian
Chapter 055SEBASTIAN The sound of a door opening made both Adrian and me freeze. Adrian's hand was still wrapped around my throat, squeezing just hard enough to make breathing difficult but not impossible.Darius stepped out of his chambers, his eyes immediately landing on the scene before him. His expression went completely blank for a fraction of a second before something dark and dangerous flickered across his face."Let him go," Darius commanded, his voice low and controlled in that way that meant he was holding back significant anger.Adrian released my throat immediately, but he did not step back. Instead, he glared at me one more time, his message clear—this was not over."Leave my presence," Adrian ordered.I bowed low, desperate to escape this situation before it escalated further. But as I turned to leave, Darius stopped me."Sebastian," Darius called out. "Go to the kitchen and get ice for the wound on your throat. Then bring our food."I nodded quickly, grateful for t







