VALERIA"I hope to count on your power, Prince Zarek, because this fusion won’t be easy. Many will oppose it," Aldric stated seriously."Don’t worry, King Lycan. I know very well how to handle rebels. In fact, I need to expand my army—much, much more," he replied with a sinister chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine."Now, onto the next matter of the day—what’s our plan to defeat that son of a bitch, the Specter King? Because I think we all understand that door won’t hold forever. And this time, I’m not hiding like a fucking rat," Zarek added."And I’m not handing over my woman or my daughter under any circumstances," Aldric growled low, pulling me closer to him."And Gabrielle will not keep mutilating herself," Quinn growled in response as well. "Love, how much time do we have?"He looked at my mother, and we all followed suit, a trace of fear in our eyes."The remaining Selenia power… I think it can hold for about 20 to 25 years. No more than that," my mother confessed with a fur

CELINE"Where are we going?" I asked my trouble-seeking mate after scolding him for the uncomfortable situation from earlier."I don’t like that Aldric kept you on the sidelines for so many years," he hissed, not letting go of my hand as we walked down the hallway."He had his reasons to hate the Dark Realm. I hated it too," I sighed, wanting to leave the past behind."I understand, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it." He stopped in front of me, his cold hand caressing my cheek.The intensity of his emotions always wrapped around my soul."You wanted to know where I was taking you? Come, I have a surprise I had brought here for you," he said before opening a door to a massive library.I stared in awe at the towering bookshelves, stretching from floor to ceiling, forming what looked like a labyrinth.Hanging lamps cast soft, shifting shadows, and though the heavy curtains were drawn, pale sunlight filtered in through an enormous terrace.Standing there, his back to us, was a man.

8 MONTHS LATER…ALDRICI was reading over the latest agreements for the Nocturne Realm, seated in the library.That was the official name proclaimed for the fusion of the two former kingdoms I now ruled.I, who had never wanted any responsibilities to begin with, ended up as King of everything.But for my queen and my little princess, I would chain myself to whatever was necessary.Lowering my head, I pressed a kiss to the soft black hair of my mate, who dozed against my chest, sprawled along the plush sofa.I set the papers aside and reached down to caress her now-large belly.The moment was drawing near, and my connection with our daughter was growing stronger and stronger.As soon as my fingers touched Valeria’s skin, I felt a flutter beneath my hand, pulling a smile from me."My beautiful pup, soon I’ll meet you. Your daddy is dying to see you and hold you in his arms."I extended the thought through our bond, and the movement beneath my fingers intensified, stretching the skin of

ALDRIC"No, you’re always so gentle…" she teased."Valeria, I’m scared, love. The other day, I thought something was seriously wrong with how out of breath you got.""It was just that position. It felt like I was carrying tons of iron in my belly," she huffed, returning my kisses and caresses."And who was the one who wanted to be all theatrical?" I chuckled, remembering how she always dragged me into her madness and nearly gave me a heart attack."You loved it, don’t even try to deny it." She patted my arm, and I could only shake my head in defeat. I loved this woman to death."I’ll get the basin to clean you up—""No." She stopped me, grabbing my hand."Valeria…""One more time… Come on, don’t be mean. Aren’t you going to please your horny woman after she’s been carrying your pup for months?"Her hand trailed down, wrapping around my cock—more in love with her than I was.This Selenia only had to snap her fingers, and I was hard in seconds.I knew it was the pregnancy hormones, but

ALDRIC"No, no… My little girl will be fine. Goddess, please… Let my mate and my pup be safe."I begged, extending my bond toward my daughter, urging her to come into the world."She’s here! She’s out!"A cry—loud and strong—rose above Valeria’s painful screams, shaking our hearts.I saw them wrap a tiny figure in soft white blankets. Dark, jet-black hair peeked out, standing in stark contrast to her pale skin."Your Majesties, here is your little princess. Congratulations, my Queen," Valeria’s friend—who was now Dave’s mate—approached, cradling her in her arms.I didn’t know what to do. My hands were sweating, trembling. This felt so unreal."I have no strength, Aldric… Hold her against my chest," Valeria murmured weakly, her voice barely a whisper as they continued tending to her, cleaning between her legs.Juliette gently passed me the bundle, and as I took her into my arms, the knot in my throat tightened—my eyes burning red with unshed tears.Carefully, I placed her against my ma

20 YEARS LATER…NARRATOR"SIGRID!!"Zarek’s thunderous voice echoed through the dark castle.Celine, seated in the library, looked up with a smirk before returning to her book.Who knew what trouble that girl had gotten herself into this time with her mate’s belongings?Sure enough, the Dark Prince was fuming as he stormed into his secret library—where he kept every kind of dark and forbidden sorcery book.They were called forbidden for a reason—the spells inside were dangerous, ominous, and came at a steep cost. That was why he kept them hidden from certain unscrupulous little hands—and that hyperactive brain."This time, I won’t let it slide. Sigrid, get the fuck out here—NOW!"Zarek left the underground chamber, his mind scanning the entire palace. But, as always, that menace of a Selenia was—without a doubt—his archnemesis. The bane of his power. The only one capable of hiding even within his own domain."ROUSSE, GET OVER HERE!" he commanded, summoning his commander—one of his mos

SIGRID"What is this? Oh, fuck—" I huffed, staring at what I had grabbed in my rush.I wanted to smack myself.They were blueprints for a magical artifact—one that allowed you to enter someone’s dreams, leave messages, commands, or even torment them with their worst nightmares."What am I supposed to do with this now? Sneak into Dave’s dream and mess with him for a bit?" I muttered, considering it—but then discarded the thought with mild irritation.All that effort for nothing.He had let me read every single one of his books—except this one. And curiosity was eating me alive.What the hell was so forbidden about these writings?I walked toward the hidden well deep within the forest—always shrouded in dark mist, a place no one dared to enter, standing at the very edge of the palace’s borders.Years ago, I had created a teleportation spell here—one that allowed me to instantly travel to my father’s lands.My eyes landed on a cluster of black lilies. Mom loved them.So, I started pickin

SIGRIDThe scream lodged in my throat, my eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets as my trembling hands lifted the poor creature, barely clinging to life.Its pale skin was covered in horrible black markings, like cursed patterns crawling across its tiny frame—even its face was tainted.It didn’t cry.I could feel its weak little heart faltering, barely beating.Then, it opened its mismatched eyes—one of each color—staring up at the bitch who had been drowning it in the well."My lady, is something wrong?"A voice behind me made my whole body seize up.I wasn’t alone. Goddess, I had to play along, I had to become this vile woman—because if they found me out, I was dead."Nothing is wrong, Grimm. I’ll finish quickly, go prepare the carriage.""It is already ready.""Then go check it again, or are you deaf?!" I snapped, channeling every ounce of contempt I could muster, praying the tremor in this unfamiliar voice would go unnoticed.When I heard his footsteps retreat, I turned away—sta

SIGRIDThe carriage came to a stop, and I heard Grimm greeting some men, followed by the sound of iron gates opening, and then we were on the move again.I pulled back the curtain with my finger, where a massive emerald ring gleamed, and immediately, the guards lowered their heads in respect.We passed through mighty walls that granted access to a city filled with villas, stone, and wooden houses.The streets buzzed with life, the aroma of food mingling with the shouts of merchants calling out their wares in the market.All the cultivated fields and everything within these walls belonged to the fief of the De La Croix family of sorceresses.Three sisters: the eldest and current head of the castle, Morgana De La Croix; the middle one, Drusilla De La Croix; and the youngest, the woman whose consciousness I kept imprisoned while I occupied her body with my primordial spirit—Electra De La Croix."I want to rest. No one is to disturb me."I gave my orders and moved forward, following the m

SIGRID"Yeah, yeah, I know. By the Goddess, you’re so cold. I thought being the youngest, you’d be sweeter," she muttered, speaking hastily. "Now I know why you're Morgana’s favorite. You might as well be her daughter.""Are you going to spend the entire afternoon babbling nonsense, or are you leaving my room already?""I'm going, I'm going. Ugh, such a bad temper. I owe you one."She finally left, leaving behind a trail of that sickly sweet perfume she always wore, her long black hair swaying down her back.She was beautiful, like nearly all supernatural beings, but a woman who spoke of her own children as disposable objects could only have a rotten womb and an even more rotten heart.Besides, Morgana was going to find out—not just because Grimm was her spy, but because Drusilla was terrible at everything, even lying.I sat on the bed, thinking about my mission. I needed to plan my escape on my own.The Goddess, as always, spoke in riddles. My task was to find a special man, incredib