INICIAR SESIÓNTraci’s POV I looked over at Daddy and immediately started laughing again. The giant clown head was gone, but the ridiculous makeup was still painted across his face. The oversized frown somehow looked even funnier now that I could actually see it was Roman underneath. Between the bright white face paint, the giant red nose, and the expression he was trying so hard to keep serious, the whole thing was absolutely ridiculous. I walked straight over and threw myself into his arms. Instant growls came from both Zayden and Raiden. I ignored them completely. “Thank you, Daddy. This was priceless.” Roman wrapped his arms around me and squeezed. “You’re welcome, Princess.” When I pulled back, he pointed a finger directly at me. “Remember our deal.” A smile immediately spread across my face. “Yeah. The deal.” He nodded his head once. Roman was many things. Annoying. Chaotic. Mischievous. A complete menace to society on most days. But nobody could ever question where his loyalty stood.
Raiden’s POV Zayden and I headed downstairs and out into the garden to make sure everything was being set up correctly. We also wanted to give Traci and Sarah some time alone. After everything that had happened recently, they deserved the chance to sit together, eat breakfast, and catch up without the rest of us hovering around them. The garden looked incredible. Staff members moved around carrying decorations, arranging tables, adjusting flower displays, and putting the finishing touches on everything Zayden had planned. The fountains sparkled beneath the morning sunlight while colorful arrangements lined the stone walkways. It was coming together perfectly. A mindlink suddenly came through. “My Kings. There’s movement around the northern border. I’ve already sent a team to check it out.” Alvin sounded calm, almost bored, as if discussing the weather instead of a possible security threat. I immediately frowned. “Keep us updated. Also set up additional teams around every perimete
Traci’s POV “So.” Sarah looked up from her plate and pointed her fork directly at the gravy sitting in front of her. “You’re trying to tell me that your mate, the king himself, made this gravy. For you.” She shook her head continuously. “Him. Alone. For you. By himself.” She sounded personally offended by the entire concept. “For the millionth time, Sarah,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “Yes. He made it. You heard Marge say herself that she had just woken up and that she didn’t make breakfast.” Sarah narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the plate before taking another bite. “I heard her. I still don’t believe it.” A dramatic groan escaped me as I dropped my head back against the chair. “Then why are we still talking about this?” “Because it doesn’t make sense.” She pointed her fork at the gravy again. “A king made gravy.” I was starting to think she would never let it go. The worst part was that she kept staring at the food like it had personally betrayed her. Meanwhile, I had alrea
Zayden’s POV Just the smile on her face told me bringing Sarah here had meant everything to her. I think those two had already hugged ten times. Maybe even more. I lost count somewhere around the fifth one. Watching Traci laugh again eased something inside me. The last few days had been brutal. Between the attacks, the visions, the mark, and the disaster I created, she had every reason to hate this birthday. Instead, she looked happy. Then she turned and ran straight toward me. I barely caught her in time. Her arms wrapped around my neck while her legs locked around my waist. “Thank you very, very much,” she whispered against my ear. I held her tightly, not trusting myself to let go yet. After a moment, she leaned back enough to look at me. “How did you know?” A chuckle escaped me. “I asked Corbin what you would want most today.” One eyebrow lifted. “Other than wanting me dead, he said this.” She immediately kissed me. “I don’t want you dead.” The words were soft, sincere, and
Traci’s POV The first thing I became aware of was the smell. Something smelled absolutely amazing. I buried my face deeper into the pillow and groaned before a familiar voice drifted through the room. “Happy birthday, Vixen.” One eye slowly cracked open. Zayden stood beside the bed holding a tray. A very large tray. My irritation at being woken up immediately disappeared. Well… mostly. I pushed myself upright and blinked away the last bit of sleep while he placed the tray across my lap. The raised stand underneath kept the weight off me completely, which I was grateful for. “Are you hungry?” he asked softly. I nodded my head immediately. “As a matter of fact, I am.” The last few days had been a complete disaster. Between visions, attacks, arguments, discoveries, and emotional breakdowns, food hadn’t exactly been at the top of my priority list. Now that everything had settled for a few hours, I realized just how hungry I actually was. Zayden lifted the silver lid covering the t
Raiden’s POV I woke up and opened my eyes, and the very first thought that hit me was Traci. That kiss. The way she looked at me. The way she made sure I understood she wasn’t angry with me. After everything that happened, after all the troubles and misunderstandings, that one conversation had helped more than she would ever realize. Mentally. Emotionally. In every possible way. A small smile pulled at my lips as I stared up at the ceiling. But even with that reassurance, I still wasn’t completely sure where we stood. She talked last night like she couldn’t forgive Zayden. Like the damage was too deep. Yet she also said she wouldn’t choose only one of us. “Exactly what does that mean?” Nyx asked. I rubbed a hand across my face. “I’m not sure, buddy.” Because I wasn’t. One thing I did notice though was she kissed him too. I pointed out to him. “Yeah, but we got two,” The smugness in his voice was immediate. A chuckle escaped me. Everything was always a competition with him.
Traci’s POV Roman and Ronan rushed us upstairs through the hidden tunnels built deep within the palace walls. The narrow passage twisted and turned. It was lit only by dim lights spaced along the stone corridor. The entire time we walked, I couldn’t focus on anything around me because my though
Raiden’s POV One minute we were half shifted and tearing through anyone stupid enough to stand against us, and the next Zayden grabbed his chest and dropped to the ground. It happened so fast my mind refused to process it. One second he was beside me. The next he was falling. “Kael!” My voice ex
Zayden’s POV I looked over at Roman. “You both stay with Traci. Use the hidden tunnels and get her and the others upstairs.” He nodded once in acknowledgment. Traci’s head snapped toward me so fast I almost laughed. “Nope. No way. I can help.” One hand landed firmly on her hip while she shifted
Raiden’s POV I was still staring at Traci when Corbin elbowed me hard enough to drag me out of my thoughts. A second ago I had been watching her stand in the center of that ring with her hand raised in victory, looking every bit as stubborn and determined as she always did. Pride had settled hea







