VALERIAI paced nervously back and forth in the stifling room, chewing my nails and unable to sleep.My hand protectively caressed my belly.Now, this was my priority—keeping my pup safe.I couldn’t believe it when Nana told me. It seemed like a cruel lie, but I saw it! She showed me with her magic the life of my baby growing inside me!A smile appeared on my lips without me being able to stop it. I had to hide it deep down; no one else could find out. Only Nana and I knew.My withered womb had somehow blossomed. She told me it was the miracle of true love—the powerful blood of his father and my power awakening.She even said she could fix my face, but I refused.Of course, I don’t want to stay like this forever, but for now, the best thing is to remain unnoticed before the Vampire King."Aldric," I whispered his name, sitting on the bed, missing him like crazy.He seemed to recognize me. Will he at least try to win me back? Does he hate me now for lying and deceiving him?"Love, we'r

VALERIA"Then come, step closer to this table," he led me to a massive oval-shaped marble table with a gigantic map spread across it.Some areas were drawn out, while others appeared opaque and concealed."Bring me the box!" he ordered, and they brought him a small wooden box.It looked familiar, and when he opened it and showed me the contents, I recognized the stone I had once touched—pretending it was harmless—only to have it burn my hand."This stone is made from the Mother Altar, the very first one, located at the Lunar Gate. It’s a relic of your race. Take it with one hand and extend the other to me," he commanded arrogantly, leaving me no choice but to obey.My trembling fingers reached for the dark rock that seemed to glow as if it had minerals inside.I remembered all too well the pain it had caused me last time, but now I only felt its call—like an invisible thread pulling me toward something sacred and incredible.The cold touch finally met my hand as I lifted it from the v

VALERIAThe sea was far more extraordinary than I had ever imagined.Having always been confined within the packs, inside the Realm of the Werewolves, I would never have had access to this endless view of water merging with the darkness of the sky on the horizon.The moon shone above us, while the wind and magic propelled the sails toward the destination marked on the map the Vampire King had brought.I wrapped a shawl over my shoulders and stepped out onto the small balcony of my cabin.It wasn't the best, but it wasn't bad either—a little bed tucked into a corner, with a round table and a chair to take meals.What I liked the most was the privacy and this tiny balcony overlooking the stern of the ship, where I stood, gazing at the stars.Every cabin, every plank, every nail, the waves brushing against the hull—I could feel it all.This vessel moved by my will, and if I didn’t want it to, no one could make it budge, unless it was another Selenia.Celine and Quinn had been placed in a

VALERIAThe magical artifact had taken the form of this ship but in miniature, sailing above the map the Vampire King had placed on the captain's cabin table."Where is it taking us now?" he asked, sounding exasperated."I don’t know. I just want to get to the Lunar Gate. I don’t know the exact path," I replied just as irritably.The night had passed, and the first rays of sunlight were peeking over the horizon, yet the dense mist surrounding us made visibility difficult."I want to see my friends—""Land ahead!" someone shouted from the deck before he could answer me.He hurried out, shoving me aside rudely, and I followed him, climbing the ladder to the deck.My feet touched the wooden planks as I emerged. Many of his soldiers were already there, all staring in the same direction. I fixed my gaze on the point they were looking at, the direction we were heading.Soon, the silhouette of what looked like a small island began to take shape. No one spoke; the atmosphere was oppressive. I

VALERIA"My lord is just passing through; show me the best place to rest in this... peculiar little town," I heard from my position, surrounded by the King’s guards.It seemed he didn’t like to announce his arrival, which struck me as odd, considering how narcissistic he obviously was."Of course... right away, your lordship. This way to the finest inn in our town," the grinning man, nearly skin and bones, with a balding head that matched this decrepit village, immediately began guiding us.We walked along the cobblestone streets, and my gaze subtly wandered over the old buildings that barely stood upright.Poverty and decay loomed in every corner, with curious eyes peeking from behind dark windows.I had never been to this realm—were all the villages like this?Honestly, even the poorest pack in the Werewolf Realm was a paradise compared to this place."This is the best inn, and they also have a restaurant. Mr. Arthur makes the best broths..." he pointed to a two-story building at th

VALERIA"Three... three coins? I... I only have this, I can't pay that much! You know no one here can afford such an expensive tax!""Then complain to the King, not me. Get her out of here, and if she resists, beat her until she’s unconscious and shuts her mouth!" She kicked the woman’s hand before turning to leave, and the two tarnished coins she had been holding rolled across the ground.The poor, ragged woman lunged to gather them, crying, and immediately, those men—like predators—tried to drag her away from the door into an alley.When she turned, I saw the little bundle in her arms—it was a child, barely a year old, as thin as she was, just like the grinning man who had been guiding us, like everyone else here—except for that witch and her guards."Leave her alone!" I couldn't help but intervene, especially for the child. It was obvious they would beat her mercilessly, or worse.I pulled the woman into my arms, and when the men made a move to attack me, a threatening growl echoed

VALERIAThe inside of the small wooden house was just as warm as I had imagined, filled with flowers and the intense scent of medicinal herbs.A table stood at the center, where the mysterious woman was preparing herbs, surrounded by chairs.At the back, a fireplace with two comfortable rocking chairs, covered in colorful cushions, added to the cozy atmosphere."Oh, dear princess, don't just stand there so stiffly. Sit in the rocking chair, let's talk," she invited, and though I was wary, I did as she said, scanning my surroundings carefully."I was told there's only one healer witch in town. Why are you hiding? There's an innocent child in need of treatment, and that other witch refuses to help him," I couldn't help but question her."I know," she replied with a sigh, not stopping her grinding of the herbs in the mortar."This town is named as such because it was once home to a clan of White Witches. We are primarily healers, respectful of natural laws and the Goddess's will. But eve

VALERIA"I’m sorry, it seems... I had a dream," I said, filled with embarrassment, wiping my tears with the sleeve of my dress and standing up from the rocking chair."A dream?" she replies incredulously, holding a small vial in her hand. "That’s strange, because in my space, dreams are impossible.""What? But I...""Here’s your friend’s medicine. It will only keep her stable for a while, but princess, the cure for that hybrid lies with her mate," she interrupts my words, filled with doubts, and explains."When she receives the bite from her mate, whether it’s a vampire or a werewolf, the balance will stabilize."I’m shocked to hear that Celine’s cure isn’t even in my hands; finding a mate could be even more complicated."I... I don't want to take advantage of your generosity. Honestly, I have nothing to pay you with, but there was a child... he looked like he was dying. For him, could you give me something as well?" I ask, feeling ashamed, but I still make the attempt—I can't leave w

VALERIA"I'm feeling better, Quinn. The medicine Valeria gave me is working. In fact, it's the best I've ever taken.""Celine!" we both exclaim with obvious relief, and she smiles from the bed, still weak.I wipe the sweat from her forehead with a piece of my skirt and help her sit up."Thank you, Valeria. Quinn, what are you going to do?" she suddenly looks at her brother, and I do the same.The Lycan uncaps the small bottle and drinks it all at once. We both stare in shock."Problem solved. It tastes awful. I'm sure she gave you some crap to stabilize you for a day and make you come back, probably worse," he says with a shrug, as if it’s no big deal.In the end, we can't help but laugh, relieved to have gotten through the ordeal. I take the chance to tell Celine that only her mate can truly save her."I'm sorry, you followed me through something so dangerous, and I'm not the antidote to your illness," I say, embarrassed, but she takes my hand. It's rare to see her soft side."We nev

VALERIA"There was a legend that an unparalleled power was hidden there. However, the fools who ventured into the lake never returned."A terrifying, haunted place with certain death—that's exactly our destination, no doubt about it.So we gathered our few belongings and headed toward the Lake of the Dead, praying not to be the next ones on the list."Guys, you're always by my side," I took Celine's hand, and Quinn nodded beside her.We all made our way through the wild forest at night, pushing forward without stopping, through bushes filled with sharp branches under the thick canopy of trees that blocked the moonlight above our heads.As we approached the lake, the humidity and cold in the air intensified, and another unsettling detail sent shivers down even the bravest among us—there was no sound.Not the hiss of nocturnal animals, the flutter of owl wings, not even a single firefly floating in the air. Nothing. It truly felt as if life had been sucked out of this place.We emerged