LOGINLily POVI stood up abruptly, needing to move, to pace, to do something with the nervous energy flooding through me. "So let me get this straight. If I accept Nathan as my Sovereign Guardian, I give up any chance of having a normal life, of finding a true mate, of choosing my own path. But if I reject the bond, I give up any chance of fulfilling my destiny, of helping my people, of being who I'm meant to be.""I know it's not fair," Uncle Tobias said quietly. "O
Lily POVCeleste's arm was steady around my shoulders as we descended the stairs, her presence grounding me when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control. My legs felt weak, like they might give out at any moment, and I was grateful for her support.We'd just reached the bottom of the staircase when Uncle Tobias's voice stopped us.
Lily POVRunning footsteps echoed through the hallway, followed by a familiar voice calling my name. "Lily! Lily, where are you?"Celeste burst through the broken doorway, her eyes wild with panic. Uncle Tobias was right behind her, his face grim and worried.When Celeste saw me on the floor, she immediately drop
Lily POVThe door handle turned once. Then twice. Then again, more forcefully.Nathan and I stood frozen in the center of his bedroom, our eyes locked on that slowly turning handle. My heart hammered so hard against my ribcage that I thought it might break through. Nathan had positioned himself slightly in front of me, his body tense and ready to fight.
Lily POV"I didn't mean it has to happen now or anything," Nathan added quickly, misreading my silence. "I know it's way too soon to be talking about this. I just wanted you to know that when I think about my future now, I see you in it. In every part of it."I turned in his arms to face him fully, setting the mug of tea down on the balcony railing. Then I kissed him, pouring all the gratitude and affection and desperate need to feel wanted into that kiss.
Lily POVI was curled deep into Nathan's arms, my body fitting against his like we were two puzzle pieces designed to connect. The room was dark except for the faint moonlight streaming through the window, casting silver shadows across the bed. We'd spent the evening making out, kissing until our lips were swollen and our breathing was ragged, touching each other with growing urgency.But when things had started moving toward something more intimate, something had stopped me. Some invisible wall I couldn't quite name had made me pull back, and I'd whispered that I wasn't ready yet.I'd expected disappointment. Maybe even frustration. But Nathan had simply kissed my forehead and said, "We have all the time in the world. I'm not going anywhere."That response had made me want to cry with relief. He respected my boundaries without making me feel guilty about them. After everything I'd been through with Kai – the rejection, the pain, the constant feeling of not being enough – Nathan's pat
Kai POV
Lily POV
Kai POVI was losing my mind. Every second Lily was gone gnawed at my sanity like a slow, merciless poison. 24 hours turned into days – empty, quiet, suffocation. Hud – my wolf paced inside me, restless and growling, demanding I do something. But what could I do when we had no trail, no scent, no
Kai POVMy body slammed into Lucas with the force of a freight train, sending us both crashing through his office door. Wood splintered around us as we tumbled into the room, locked together in a tangle of limbs and fury. The desk caught my hip as we fell, pain flaring up my side, but I barely felt







