DAPHNE. At twenty-three, I wasn’t expecting to still meet my mate. My family and friends already thought of me as an old maid because female shifters usually found mates as soon as they turned eighteen. As time passed, it became more difficult for females to find their fated mates, so most would eventually choose a mate. It wasn't that having a chosen mate was something to be ashamed of. But having to never meet your fated mate would make you wonder, what if you did? Will everything change? So despite the urge and the pressure from my family to have a chosen mate, I remained single. Not that I was still expecting to meet my fated mate. It’s just that I haven’t found anyone that would take out the what-ifs in my head — someone that would never make me wonder what it would feel like if my fated mate existed. And I’m glad I followed my heart because seeing Hayden today was beyond what I was expecting. I was so proud of how I handled myself out there when all I wanted was to cry my h

CELESTE. I was already starting to panic. My hand shook as I kept pushing my forearm toward Darvin. I had no idea if this would be the last time I would see him or not. I knew I shouldn’t be entertaining this thought, but as much as I was keeping hope alive in my heart, I knew I was slowly succumbing. I thought I was strong. I thought I was prepared for this. I thought the years we spent together preparing for this moment had toughened me up. But I wasn’t. I will never be ready. Please, God. Please, Selene! Please, not now. Not ever. "Daddy, here…" Cassidy’s voice was firm as she stretched out her arm to Darvin, who was already sipping from my blood. Both our gazes darted to our daughter, who was carrying an expression void of any emotions. She was trying to be tough. She was indeed her father’s daughter. She then raised her other hand, which was holding a bread knife, and sliced a part of her skin just above her wrist. She winced, but it was gone in seconds. "No. No." Darvi

DOMINIC. Almost all the Alphas were here. It was a coincidence that Aeon was in this part of the south and was able to come here immediately with Alexa. Only Jacob was missing, but he was already on his way. It was perfect timing that he had recently purchased a private plane, and this was the first time he would be using it to get here in less than two hours instead of the usual 13-hour drive. Even without anyone saying a word, we knew it was time to say goodbye to Darvin’s wolf. Up until now, no one could sense Titan, and Darvin was still unconscious. His vitals were stable, but Glenn told us to prepare ourselves as Titan might not be able to recover anymore. He vomited out large clumps of blood, and we all thought it was a big sign that he would be alright, but it looked the opposite. He might have been too weak when he forced it out, and his body just gave up. Riley had been quiet the whole time. I understood him. Growing up, Darvin and Riley had been the best buddies befo

DARVIN.I rushed to the suite where Celeste was. Everyone was hovering over her as the beeping on the monitor rang in my ears. Her heartbeat was slowing down.My chest heaved as I looked at my beautiful mate. She was unconscious. Her body jolted every time they tried to revive her. At some point, I saw her being injected with something to pump up her adrenaline. But she wasn’t responding, and her heartbeat kept slowing down.I stayed standing, looking blankly at her.Was this it? My body felt okay as if nothing had happened to me, but if the endgame was for Celeste to go instead of me, this was something I was not prepared for. "No! No!" I shoved the nurse holding her before I felt strong arms stop me from reaching Celeste."Damn it, Lucas. Let me go!" I growled, and I saw the equipment around us shake at the intensity of my voice."You can’t do anything at this point, Darvin! Let them do their job!""They’re not doing it well, or she would have been awake now!" I snapped at him befo

CELESTE. Ever since I woke up, I couldn’t help my pussy from throbbing even at Darvin’s simplest touch. I guess Thea was longing for Titan for a long time, and now I could feel it in my body. The moment the door closed, Darvin’s arms wrapped around me as he pulled me closer to him, my back resting on his chest. He began nuzzling my neck, inhaling deeply before he spoke. "You smell so fucking good, Celeste. Like you’re carrying a more sensual smell today." I ignored his words and went straight to the point. "Will you fuck me tonight, Darvin?" "Are you sure your body is already up for it?" "I have Thea within me. I want to share this moment with her, let her take over at some point if you let Titan out." Darvin bit my neck playfully, making me giggle because it tickled me. "Titan was just suggesting that maybe one day we can let him and Thea take over our human forms. He was gentlemanly, or should I say gentlewolf, enough to wait, but we underestimate how lusty our females are." I