~Sylion's POV~The heat inside me hadn't settled, and neither had the storm in my wolf. It was wild, untamed, and something I had never experienced before. Elowen's lips still stayed on mine, a reminder of the heat that burned between us. I couldn't shake the sensation of her warmth, the softness of her mouth, and the way my heart had quickened... everything was just... intense.As Elowen started to gently pull back, I placed my palm on her hair, threading my fingers through the strands, holding her just slightly longer. A sound, almost a hum, escaped from her lips, and she returned the kiss. It wasn't just a kiss anymore; it was deeper, a connection that I felt every inch of her, as if her essence was mingling with mine.Finally, the kiss ended. We both pulled back slightly, eyes darting away from each other in that awkward silence that followed the intensity. I cleared my throat, trying to dispel the shyness. "Well," I started, my voice a bit rasped, "that wasn't exactly on the
Valerian pulled back from their brief embrace, a smile playing at the corner of his lips, his piercing gaze assessing Kaelan."Well, well, Kaelan. Look at you now," Valerian's voice was a low hum, filled with unspoken understanding. "How long has it been?""Seven years," Kaelan replied, his voice steady.Valerian chuckled, low and amused. "Seven years since we began this little game, and yet here we are. Still trying to break the pieces of this world into our hands.""You've always had a way with timing," Kaelan said, his tone more serious now. "Alaric's wedding, the rumors of the bloodline… It couldn't have been more perfect.""Perfect, indeed." Valerian's smile faded into something more contemplative, his eyes drifting toward the horizon. "But now, with Elowen… things are in motion, Kaelan. She's the key, there's no denying it."Kaelan's lips tightened as his fists clenched involuntarily. "I've been watching Alaric too closely and you've always known that. My eyes are everywhere, a
Kaelan slammed the car door shut, the echo cracking through the garage. His chest rose and fell in rapid bursts, rage twisting every breath. He turned the key, engine roaring to life, and without hesitation pressed his foot hard to the accelerator.The tires screeched, the vehicle shot forward, and the evening swallowed him whole.His knuckles blanched white around the steering wheel, veins bulging, sweat dampening his temples. The memory returned, sharp and unbearable... Alaric's voice in the room, deep and careless."Our pup, Tazira… what we can do to make him happy."His own chest constricted, fury boiling. That wasn't Alaric's child, that was his... his blood and life!The wheel shook below his grip as he slammed his palm into it. Once. Twice. Then again and again until the sting burned into his skin."You bastard!" he growled, voice breaking through the hum of the engine. "Talking about my son, planning his life like you own him. Like you… earned him."He struck the wheel again,
~ALARIC'S POV~The morning light slanted through the Sanctum windows, painting everything gold. Tazira lay against my chest, her hair spilling across me like silk. My wolf purred inside, content in a way I hadn't known for years.Two weeks had passed since she became my Luna. The ceremony had been swift, but the aftermath... this peace and closeness felt like eternity bottled in moments.My hand rested gently on her stomach, the small swell where our pup grew. My wolf had never accepted her before, but now he howled in delight, circling her in my heart like she was the only one meant for me.She tilted her face up, catching me staring. "You keep looking at me like I've hung the moon."I chuckled, kissing her forehead. "Maybe you have."Her cheeks flushed. She brushed my hand on her belly. "Do you think the baby can hear us already?"I thought for a moment. "Maybe not yet, but he can feel.""She," she corrected firmly, eyes sparkling. "I want a girl."I raised a brow. "A girl, hm?""Ye
~ELOWEN'S POV~The days blurred into weeks, and the weeks gathered into a month.The pain had dulled, but not vanished. It lingered like a scar on my chest, a hollow reminder that no matter how much I tried to breathe, something vital had been stolen from me.The physicians had declared me healed. My body, yes. But my heart was still raw. Every time I passed through the corridor where I had collapsed, I could almost hear my own scream echoing back.Yet Sylion never left me. Through long nights when sleep avoided me, he stayed. Through mornings when grief threatened to drown me, his hand steadied mine.And now, one month later, I sat in his chamber, wrapped in a light shawl, staring out through the glass balcony at Tharros's sprawling valley. The wolves ran their training below, their howls echoing faintly."I want to return to college," I said suddenly, breaking the silence.Sylion glanced at me, his brows lifting. "College?""Yes." My voice came steadier than I felt. "I want to major
The chamber in Drezova was quiet, lit only by the crimson glow of candles that dripped slowly on blackened iron stands. Valerian sat alone, reclining in a carved chair of obsidian, his hand wrapped lazily around a crystal goblet filled with fresh blood. The liquid caught the candlelight as he swirled it, the faint scent of iron drifting in the air before the door burst open.Bethany strode inside, her black leather jacket still fluttering from the night wind. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sharp as they landed on him."You're back," Valerian said, not moving from his chair. His voice was calm, smooth, but carried an undertone of authority that silenced even the most defiant of vampires.Bethany nodded, stepping closer. "Yes, my lord." She stopped just before him, studying his face. "Did you succeed? Did you find out more about Elowen... about her being the key to the Moon Relic?"Valerian tilted the goblet to his lips, savoring one last sip. His gaze, dark and piercing, locked o