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
“Rise,” I commanded. Hundreds of heads lifted. The rustle of movement filled the royal hall as my people straightened, their faces turned toward me, waiting. Expectant. Curious. I let the silence stretch, my gaze sweeping over the sea of faces—Alphas, Betas, warriors, nobles. Some looked proud.
His fangs sank into my neck. The pain was sharp, searing, like a blade slicing through me. I screamed, my voice tearing through the room, raw and desperate. My body arched against him, caught between the agony and the heat still pulsing through me. His grip tightened, his teeth buried deep, and
“What—” I whispered, but the words died. A violent surge of power tore out of me, bursting through my chest in blinding blue light. The world exploded. A shockwave blasted outward—cracking the ground, shattering windows, ripping through the air like a storm unleashed. The force sent everything
Emilia’s face lit up, her smile bright and relieved despite her exhaustion. “Damien,” she whispered, brushing her fingers across his cheek. “You’re awake…” He didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His eyes fluttered closed again as his breathing deepened into something steady—something safe. The doctor







