ログインSONYA'S POVThe transition through the portal feels like drowning.Dark magic presses against me from all sides, thick and suffocating. It tastes like copper and ash, coating my tongue until I want to gag. The world spins violently, up becoming down, left becoming right, my stomach lurching as reality twists around me.Then suddenly, it stops.I stumble forward, my knees hitting cold stone. The impact sends shockwaves of pain up my legs but I barely notice. I'm too busy trying not to vomit from the portal sickness."First time is always rough," Melvanie says from somewhere above me, her voice weird and distorted. "Your body isn't used to dimensional travel. The nausea will pass in a few minutes."I don't respond. I can't. My stomach is still heaving, threatening to throw up everything I've eaten in the past day."Take your time, dear. We have all the time in the world now." Her footsteps tap away, heels on stone. "I'll be back shortly. Do try not to vomit on the floor. It's terribly
REIGN'S POVMy claws punch through my palms before I even realize I've fisted my hands."What kind of clause?" But I already know. I can feel it in my gut, that sick certainty that this is about to get so much worse."It… it says I relinquish all personal choice, Reign,” Each word seems to cost her something. “The mate bond... it’s a choice. My choice. And the penalty for breaking it… is death.”Death.The word hits me like a physical blow, worse than Melvanie's magic, worse than any wound I've ever taken."What?" I can barely get the word out."If we complete our mate bond… if we seal it… I’m choosing you over her." Sonya's voice breaks completely, dissolving into sobs. "The contract will activate a kill spell. You'll die instantly. Because you’d be the one trying to claim what’s hers. And there's nothing anyone can do to prevent it. That's why I signed it. Because at least this way, you get to live.""You sacrificed our bond… to save me?" The realization settles over me like a shrou
REIGN'S POVI'm going to kill her.Not Melvanie, though she's definitely on the list. I'm going to kill Sonya for signing that damn contract and sacrificing herself like some tragic fucking heroine.Right after I save her, obviously. But then? Absolutely killing her.The mate bond is screaming at me, even incomplete as it is. I can feel Sonya's terror, her resignation, her grief. It's like acid in my veins, burning through every rational thought until all that's left is rage and the primal need to get to her."Reign, we need to move." Landon's beside me in the trees, both of us hidden in the shadows surrounding the cemetery. "If we wait too long…""I know." I watch Melvanie pull Sonya away from her mother, magical chains materializing around Sonya's wrists. They glow with that sick purple energy, wrapping around her skin like serpents. "Get Selene out of here. Make sure she's safe.""And you?""I'm getting my mate back." I don't wait for his response. My wolf surges forward, and I let
SONYA'S POV"Sonya..." Reign starts."Promise me you'll live your life. That you'll be happy. That you won't blame yourself for this." The words pour out of me in a rush. "Promise me you'll find someone else, someone who can give you the life you deserve, someone who isn't cursed and broken and...""There is no someone else!" He roars, and I hear something crash in the background. "You're it for me, Sonya! You're everything! The only person I want, the only person I'll ever want! So don't you dare, don't you fucking dare say goodbye like this means nothing!""It means everything," I sob. "That's exactly why I have to do it. Because I love you too much to let you die. Because the thought of Melvanie hurting you, killing you, is worse than any slavery she could put me through.""Time's up," Melvanie calls cheerfully."I have to go," I whisper into the phone."Sonya, please. Please don't do this. We can fight her together, we can...""I love you, Reign. Always. Remember that." I hang up
SONYA'S POVI can't stand here and watch her die. I just can't."Stop!" The word bursts out of me. "Stop, please, I'll… I'll sign. Just don't hurt her.""Excellent choice." Melvanie eases the pressure slightly, though the blade remains against my mother's skin. "But first, Sonya, I need to ensure you won't try anything foolish. No calling for backup, no using those curse fragments, no heroics." She begins chanting in a language I don't recognize, guttural and ancient.The air around me thickens, becoming heavy and oppressive. I try to move, try to reach for the fragments, but my body won't respond. It's like invisible chains are wrapping around me, binding me in place."What are you doing?" I gasp, fighting against the magical restraints."Insurance." Purple energy swirls around her hands as she continues the incantation. "A binding spell. It won't hurt you, but it will prevent you from using your powers or calling for help. At least until you sign."The spell settles over me like a w
SONYA'S POVThe cemetery gates creak as I push through them alone.Reign is at the entrance, every muscle in his body tense with the effort of not following me. I can feel his eyes on my back, can sense his wolf screaming at him to protect his mate.But this part I have to do alone.The fog is thicker now, rolling between headstones like living things. My boots crunch on gravel as I walk the main path toward the center, toward the massive mausoleum that looms out of the darkness like a stone giant.The structure is old, maybe a hundred years or more. Pale stone columns frame the entrance, and stone angels stand guard on either side, their faces worn smooth by time and weather. In the moonlight, they look almost alive, watching me with blank eyes.Light seeps from the open doors. Warm, wavering light that suggests candles rather than electricity.Of course Melvanie would go for dramatic ambiance."Hello?" I call out, my voice steadier than I feel. "I'm here. Let my mother go."For a mo
REIGN'S POVI'm three whiskeys deep and contemplating breaking every piece of furniture in my office when Landon walks in."Still brooding, Reign?" he asks, helping himself to my liquor cabinet."Fuck off.""That's the spirit." He pours himself a drink and settles into the chair across from my desk
SONYA'S POVReign and I are on our way back from the lake when his phone suddenly rings through the car’s speakers."Alpha," Landon's voice fills the car, tense. "We have a situation."Reign's entire demeanor hardens. "What kind of situation?""The kind with blonde hair and a restraining order she'
VANESSA'S POVThe front door of Reign’s estate opens easily as I walk past. No one stops me. Why would they? I’ve been here hundreds of times.But as I step into the grand foyer, my heels clicking against the hard floor, Landon appears from the west wing. His expression twists from surprised to war
VANESSA'S POVMy wolf's paws hit the ground in a steady rhythm as I race through the forest toward Reign's estate. Trees blur past me, branches whipping at my fur, but I don't slow down. I can't slow down. Not when I'm this close to finally making him see what he's throwing away.'Good,' my wolf p







