LOGINVera's POV I fought my way to Dante's side through the chaos of battle, cutting down two vampires who tried to block my path. My knife found vulnerable points while my weakened Lycan strength made each strike count through precision rather than raw power. Dante and his father moved too fast to track properly, their forms blurring as they exchanged blows that cracked concrete and sent shock waves through the air. The vampire lord was ancient and strong, centuries of experience showing in his perfect technique and deadly efficiency. But Dante had youth and rage fueling him, every strike powered by decades of accumulated anger and the protective fury of a father defending his children. His hybrid form operated at peak capacity despite the new moon, vampire power compensating for weakened Lycan abilities. They crashed through a wall into the adjacent courtyard, neither giving ground as they tore chunks out of each other. Blood covered both of them, some crimson vampire blood and s
Dante's POV The vampire lord's forces attacked exactly when Sophia predicted, just after midnight when the new moon had completely darkened the sky and every Lycan's power sat at its weakest point. They came silently through the darkness, moving like shadows between trees at the forest edge before splitting into teams that approached different sections of our perimeter. Thirty figures total, some pure vampire and others hybrid, all moving with supernatural speed and coordination. I watched from my position on the east wall as they reached the outer fence, thinking they had the element of surprise. One team cut through the chain link while another scaled the north wall where patrols appeared lightest. They were careful and professional, exactly what I'd expected from forces my father had trained. But they had no idea they were walking right into my trap. I waited until they'd committed fully, until all thirty were inside the compound and retreat would be difficult. Then I gave the
Vera's POV The new moon was in three days and the compound transformed into a fortress almost overnight. Dante called in all our allies, pack leaders sending warriors and soldiers until we had nearly four hundred defenders positioned throughout the territory. I watched from the compound walls as they arrived in groups, the Morrison pack bringing fifty fighters, the Chen family sending their elite guard, smaller allied packs contributing what they could. The courtyard filled with tents and temporary barracks to house everyone. Dante coordinated everything personally, positioning soldiers at every entrance and weak point in our defenses. He walked the perimeter constantly, checking sight lines and fields of fire, adjusting positions to maximize coverage. "Archers here," he'd say, pointing at rooftops. "Heavy weapons team at this corner. Patrol rotation every thirty minutes on the south wall." I helped coordinate the defense from the command center we'd set up in the main hall, trac
Dante's POVI received Cassandra's report from Vera in my office, reading through the intelligence documents while my blood slowly turned to ice. My father was alive and planning to abduct my children."How reliable is this information?" I asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it confirmed."Cassandra verified it three different ways," Vera said. "Different sources all saying the same thing."I immediately pulled out my phone and started making calls, issuing orders that would increase security around Alexander and Luna to maximum levels. I wouldn't let my father anywhere near my children, wouldn't give him the chance to steal them like he'd stolen Sophia."Double the guards on the nursery," I told Marcus when he answered. "No one gets near the children without my personal authorization.""What's happening?""Threat assessment. Just do it."Within an hour, warriors were positioned throughout the residential wing where our family quarters were located. Guard rotations t
Vera's POVTwo years passed with relative peace after the conspiracy fell apart and Sophia joined our family. The compound had settled into comfortable routines, threats were minimal, and life felt almost normal in ways I'd never expected.Alexander was three now, running around the compound with energy that exhausted everyone trying to keep up with him. He'd started shifting already, his gold eyes flashing when he got excited and small claws appearing when he was frustrated."No biting," I told him for the tenth time that morning when he tried to use his new teeth on a toy that wouldn't cooperate."But mama, it's stuck," he protested, his words clear despite his young age."Use your hands, not your teeth."Luna was one year old and just learning to walk, wobbling around on unsteady legs while holding onto furniture for support. She had my features but Dante's gold eyes, and Elena predicted she'd be just as powerful as her brother when she came into her abilities.Keeping both childre
Dante's POVIn the aftermath of the gathering, Sophia stayed with Elena in quarters we'd prepared for them in the compound's east wing. They spent hours together every day, mother and daughter making up for twenty years of separation.I watched them carefully whenever I passed their rooms or saw them in common areas, not fully trusting my half-sister yet despite Vera's faith in her redemption. Sophia was still dangerous, still possessed abilities that rivaled my own, still carried training designed specifically to kill me.I couldn't forget that easily, couldn't let my guard down just because she'd surrendered and cried in Elena's arms."You're hovering," Vera said one afternoon when she caught me watching Sophia train in the courtyard."I'm observing.""You're waiting for her to prove you right about not trusting her." She took my hand. "Give her time, Dante. She's trying."But over the following weeks, Sophia proved she genuinely wanted to change through actions rather than just wo
Dante's POV The light show surrounding us gradually faded as the Moon Priestess lowered her hands, the gold and red returning to invisibility though I could still feel the bond humming stronger than ever between Vera and me. The priestess smiled, something rare for her ancient weathered face, and
Chapter 131: Battle TestedVera's POVThe battle at Viktor's headquarters was chaos and blood and the constant crack of gunfire echoing off concrete walls. I stayed close to Dante as we pushed through the second-floor corridor, my wolf's senses overwhelmed by the smell of death and cordite.A Volko
Vera's POV Elena drew my blood and told me to wait in her office while she ran the test. I sat on the exam table swinging my legs, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. Pregnant. I might be pregnant with Dante's child. The possibility hadn't even occurred to me until Elena starte
Vera's POV The news of my pregnancy spread through the Russo compound within hours despite Dante and me agreeing to keep it quiet for a few more days. Someone must have overheard us or maybe Elena had let it slip to someone she trusted who'd then told someone else. By dinner time, everyone knew.







