All Chapters of Crowned in Fire, Baptized in Blood: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

When they finally walk in, May’s got her hood up. She tries to wave and head upstairs quickly.“Just going to get changed!” she calls over her shoulder.“May Moon, you stop right there!” Dad barks.We all sniff the air. The scent hits me instantly. Familiar. Strong. And I cringe.“Where’s Ryan?” Ben asks, standing up.“He’s, um… he’s gone to do something,” May says quickly.“To do what?” Dad growls, suspicion thick in his voice.“Uh… to paint his nails?” she tries, glancing at me in panic.But I can’t save her—not from this—not when the bond hasn’t clicked into place.“Mmhmm… And what colour is he painting them?” Dad presses.Just then, Ryan steps in through the garage, his voice calm but nervous. “Alpha, it’s my fault. I’m so sorry. We were drunk… getting drunker… and I accidentally marked her. But I promise, as soon as it happened, I stopped myself. She may be marked—but she’s not mated. I would never cross that line until she’s of age.”He squeezes May’s hand gently, his expression

She helps me into the dress in the changing room. When she zips it up and it fits perfectly, I grin.It’s a white boned corset, ballet-inspired, with a delicate, full tulle skirt. The strapless sweetheart neckline lifts my minimal boobs, the cinched waist gives the illusion of curves, and the short hem makes my legs look longer. The fluffy tulle adds just enough bridal flair.I almost look… beautiful.“I made this dress on a mannequin,” she whispers, staring at my reflection in disbelief. “Just wanted to bring my thoughts to life. It was never meant for anyone to wear. I was going to remake it—bigger—but on you… it’s like my dream came true.”“How much do I have to pay you to never replicate it?” I ask.I’m not usually into one-of-a-kind things, but this dress feels like it was made for me. I don’t want to share it with anyone.She looks stunned but smiles. “Luna, just you wearing it is enough. It was made just for you. I won’t make another—I promise.”“Good. But I’m still paying you.

The jeep slows as we turn off the main road, coasting past the quiet beachfront restaurant. Caden doesn’t stop there, though. Instead, we follow a winding dirt path, climbing over small hills and dipping through narrow roads until we pull up in front of a secluded cabin nestled among the trees.I hop out before the engine even stops. It’s quiet out here—completely still, like the world paused just for us. Caden takes my hand, guiding me around to the front, and I freeze.The cabin sits on a tiny, private beach, cradled by sand dunes. String lights glow warmly, wrapped around the deck posts and overhead beams. In the center, a small table waits with a chilled bottle of champagne and flickering candles.“Do you like it?” he asks, suddenly unsure.I turn to him, my chest full. “Like it? Caden… I love it. This is—this is perfect.”I kiss him, soft and grateful, but a polite cough behind us makes me jump straight into his chest. He laughs as he steadies me. A man in a suit stands behind us

He kisses me like I’m the only thing he’s ever wanted—deep, slow, consuming. His lips move over mine with a hunger that grows with every passing second, until I’m clutching at his shoulders, pulling him closer, helpless against the heat building between us.He carries me into the shallows, the water lapping at our skin, warm and inviting. Moonlight dances over the waves, painting him in silver light, making him look like something out of a dream. Then—suddenly—he lets me go. I drop into the water with a yelp, sputtering as I come up for air.“Caden!” I shout, laughing, shoving wet hair from my face.He’s already grinning like a wicked heathen, all smug and soaked and glorious.“That’s for the teasing earlier,” he says, voice low and dark with promise.I swim closer, slow and deliberate, the cool water sliding over my heated skin. When I reach him, I wrap my arms around his neck, chest to chest, and press my body against him. His smirk falters. I’ve got his attention now.“You wanna ta

We make it back home and to the training fields just as the sun starts punching through the trees. My muscles are still humming from earlier—half soreness, half leftover lust—and Caden hasn’t stopped looking at me like I’m both his next sparring match and his next sin.And I’m definitely not wearing any underwear under these leggings. Which he knows. Which is entirely the point.He stretches beside me, shirt already off—because of course it is—muscles flexing with way too much smugness. His gaze flicks down my body, lingering a beat too long on my hips, where the waistband sits low.“That’s what you’re wearing to train?” he asks, voice low and rough. “No underwear again?”I raise a brow. “You sound like you’re complaining.”“Oh, I’m not. But if someone tackles you the wrong way…” His voice dips, eyes burning. “I’ll be doing more than just breaking bones.”I toss my hair over my shoulder, lips curving. “So protective. So possessive. It’s almost sweet.”He grabs a training dagger and tw