THE LYCAN KING'S STAR MAID
The two forces met in the smallest, most violent space yet—inside the exact point where the second heartbeat was trying to become singular.
The light flared once, twice, then fractured under the assault.
It did not go out.
Broken pieces of radiance scattered through her chest cavity, still glowing, still connected to the continuous pull, still trying to re-form into a single core. The mate-bond chased each fragment, branding and containing as many as it could reach. Several remained free, orbiting the dual heartbeats like cold stars, pulsing in time with the upward pressure that had never once lessened.
Stefan lifted his head. Blood streaked his mouth. Gold eyes were feral and absolute.