Ryker – POVThe car stopped as soon as we got close to the location shown by the GPS, where Nathan had tracked it from our security system. I got out of the car and looked around, puzzled as to why a King Demon would stay among humans. It was odd knowing that Demon Kings love luxury. Maybe he was here to feed on humans. I took a whiff, picking up a dark aura and the scent of blood.Nathan and I stealthily entered the room where the energy had led us. "Fuck!" Nathan exclaimed upon seeing the bloody mess in the room. There lay an old-looking man whom my wolf identified as Demon King Ryu, and next to him was an old lady I recognized from a photo Belle had shown me. I knew this woman was Venica."Who killed them?" Nathan asked, voicing my own curiosity. Hearing footsteps approaching, I gestured for Nathan to escape through the window. I followed, masking my energy and using an invisibility spell I had recently learned. Standing on the window sill, I had a clear view of the corpses as a fi

Nathan – POV"I knew I was taking a risk by alerting Flora about the war, even though Ryker wanted to keep it under wraps. Flora's presence can be helpful in this war. After all, she is the strongest among us. I hope Flora arrives on time before we move to the City of Minnesota. I checked Chelsea's health; she was still in a bad state. It saddened me to lose my best friend, Jake, and to realize that Alexia, whom I cared about, had betrayed Ryker and me. She was my best friend; I never thought she could do such a thing. I despised Alexia intensely once I learned about her corrupted mind and ill intentions towards other women."Nathan!" Ryker's voice broke through my thoughts."Yeah?" I responded."Let's get moving. What are you waiting for?" Ryker urged, and we all marched towards the teleportation area. I looked around; Flora hadn't appeared yet. What was holding her up? But I knew we couldn't keep waiting."Flora, we are at 16th Street, Minnesota. Come as soon as you can," I linked t

Ryker – POVI sat alone with my drink in the night, grappling with the news Chelsea had given me. How I wished Flora were here, her guidance crucial in finding Ivan. Closing my eyes, images of Flora flooded my mind—her soft smile, her looks of concern, the way she cared. Yet, I had to keep my distance half the time because of the curse and Melina. Opening my eyes, I was harshly reminded that Melina, despite being periodically weakened by poison, was still very much alive. My anger surged at the thought of her keeping me away from my mate.Rising, I walked to Melina's room. Her weakened state did nothing to quell her defiance. "Bastard, why don't you just kill me?" Melina hissed.I smirked. "Remember when you begged me to kill you? Well, it seems your wish might come true.""You don't look happy either," she observed. "Are you here to relish hearing me beg for death, to end this torture?" Melina screamed, her handcuffed hands straining in vain."I've come to deliver bad news. Have you

Ryker -POV"Silence and sit down; let me explain," Mom commanded sharply. "I am a hybrid, part wolf, part demon. As the first heir of the demons, my mixed blood made me ineligible to be their queen, so I was exiled. In my rogue state, I met your father, my mate, but I concealed my demonic powers from him.""Why did you kill Dad? Was it because you didn't love him, or did you want to prevent the Moon Goddess's sword from slaying more demons?" I asked, my voice laden with suspicion and hurt."I did love your father, but things went terribly wrong," she began. "On a trip, he discovered my true origin. His hatred for demons was profound, and it led to a fierce confrontation. Not to mention, I resented him for having a son, Elton, with another woman. Our argument escalated, and your father, in a fit of rage, tried to kill me."Mom paused, her eyes distant. "In self-defense, I unleashed my power and, unintentionally, killed him. Unable to return to the Pack, I created an illusion that we bo

Flora – POV"Can I talk to you in private?" Bryan asked. I nodded, sensing Ryker's jealousy, but I knew I needed to speak with Bryan. I glanced back at the group."I'll be back in a minute," I said. Everyone nodded, and Ryker returned to his breakfast, deliberately avoiding my gaze. I walked out with Bryan."I'm glad to see you're back to life, looking happy and healthy," Bryan said."Yes, I'm back, thanks to Ryker using the Odion amulet. And I'm grateful to Belle for giving this amulet to Ryker at just the right time," I explained. Bryan nodded, clearly absorbing this new information, evidently unaware of it until now."So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked as we walked down the corridor, away from prying ears. Bryan looked uncomfortable, shifting his weight from one foot to another and scratching his head."Well, I came to ask you—" He stopped, took a deep breath, and met my gaze, his emerald eyes filled with turmoil. "I want to know why I don't sense the mate bond between u