LOGINShe moaned—soft, needy—fingers tugging my hair. I moved lower, kissing across her collarbone, down to her breasts. The lace was so thin I could feel her nipples hardening through it. I took one into my mouth, sucking gently through the fabric. She arched, whimpering, nails digging into my shoulder
LUCIEN’S POV I lay back against the headboard, hands folded behind my head, eyes closed. The sheets were cool against my bare skin, the room quiet except for the soft rustle of Adele moving around. We’d just put Andrea to bed—story read, kisses given, little arms hugging us both tight before his e
ROSE’S POV My stomach was doing flips so hard I thought I might actually throw up right there on the red carpet leading into the grand ballroom. The Valkar Group annual dinner was always a big deal—black ties, sparkling gowns, crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than most people’s houses—b
LUCIEN’S POV The blanket was spread out under the big oak tree, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and dancing across Adele’s hair. She’d packed everything—sandwiches, fruit, little juice boxes for Andrea, even a tiny picnic basket with a checkered cloth. Her idea, of course. She sai
DAMIEN’S POV Rose’s lips were still on mine, soft and warm, tasting like the little mint she’d popped earlier. I couldn’t stop smiling against her mouth. The way she’d just tossed Scarlett out like yesterday’s trash? Pure gold. My girl was a force, and I was the luckiest bastard alive. I pulled
DAMIEN’S POV A week had passed since that nightmare in the forest bunker, and every single day felt like walking on thin ice. Rose was healing—physically, at least. But I knew the real damage was deeper. Nightmares still woke her up in the middle of the night, heart racing, body slick with swea
I couldn’t sleep. No matter how many times I closed my eyes, that dream came back—the blood, the snow, the beast. Those eyes. I’d been lying in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling, counting the slow, steady beeps of the monitor. Damien had fallen asleep in the chair beside me, his head tilted t
“Your Majesty, stop looking at me like that—it wasn’t me,” Lucien said, his voice steady but tense. “I promise.” He raised both hands slowly, palms open in surrender. The flickering firelight danced across his face, throwing uneasy shadows across the room. For a long second, I didn’t say anything.
My heartbeat quickened. “Overheard what?” “Something about a spirit,” she said, her voice lowering. “A Milandra spirit that lives inside you.” I froze. “What?” She tilted her head slightly, studying my face. “They said it’s awakening. Slowly. And when it does, it’ll bring destruction.” My mouth
“Thank you,” I whispered finally, my voice barely audible. Because I did need space. I needed time to think—to breathe—to understand everything that was happening. Being near Maximus right now would only make it harder. I knew that deep down. Every time I saw him, my heart wanted to forget logic







