Mag-log inFor a beat, no one spoke. Then, he lowered Kaelani gently until her feet touched the ground, but he didn’t let go—his fingers slipping into hers, holding on like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kaelani’s gaze dropped to their hands. The contact stilled something inside her. No one ha
“You do.” He let his gaze drop—just for a second—to the space between them, the inches that still separated them. Then back to her. “But I meant it when I said I’d never leave you again… that was real.” A brief pause—not for effect, but because he meant it. “Not when it’s hard. Not when it’s me
Kaelani’s smile hit him harder than anything else had. For the first time, it was meant for him. Julian stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him and shutting out everything beyond it—the chaos, the noise, all of it. In here— was his peace. His heart. His whole world. He move
The room. The light. The faces. A breath caught in his chest. “Kaelani…?” His focus sharpened. His room. His packhouse. Familiar walls and scent. But something was wrong. His gaze moved quickly—his mother at his side, Jace by the window. No Kaelani. Julian pushed himself upright, pain tear
She didn’t look at him. “Julian Hale… fugitive status removed.” Another keystroke. “Jace Romano… fugitive status removed.” Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. “Garrick Blake… charges dropped.” A quiet tap followed. “Release scheduled for… tomorrow morning.” Then—
A brief pause. “Am I wrong?” Councilor Voss didn’t answer. He simply watched her for a moment longer before speaking. “What is it that you want?” Kaelani held the room for a moment. “What I wanted the day I stood before you in the Chamber of Elders,” she said. “What I asked for then.” “To liv
Julian didn’t hesitate. “Well, one Fae did… with a Lycan.” He let the words hang for a beat. “My mate’s powers awakened a few weeks ago… and she unknowingly teleported into the Fae realm.” Sebastian shifted, interest flickering behind his sharp gaze. “And how exactly do you know she ended up the
The vampire led them down a shadowed corridor, where the walls shifted to polished black marble veined in crimson. The double doors at the end were tall—arched, lacquered black, and inlaid with intricate silver filigree. When they opened, the room beyond whispered of old wealth and older power. La
They were led down a narrow hallway, the walls seeming to close in with each step—tight, dark, silent. Their bare feet padded over cool stone. Ahead, two towering double doors loomed at the corridor’s end—black, rimmed in gold, and pulsing faintly like a muffled heartbeat. Julian felt the vibratio
The road stretched endlessly beneath the tires, painted silver by moonlight and the occasional wash of distant headlights. A low hum filled the car—engine, wheels, wind—but inside, it felt like silence. Julian sat in the passenger seat, body stiff, eyes locked on the passing blur of trees and aspha







