VALERIA"Baby, are you uncomfortable? Does your belly hurt?""No, I'm just a little tired. I haven’t slept well, worried about you guys," I murmured, stroking the furry chest of the massive black lycan carrying me effortlessly through the woods.He lowered his enormous head, pressing his wolfish nose against my neck, tickling me as he inhaled deeply.I pinched his pointed ears lightly, my heart settling because he was by my side.Aldric kept moving, carrying me with him. Ever since he came back, he had been in full obsessive mode, and I wasn’t complaining.We had stopped to rest several times in the wild, and by dawn, we were nearing the lycan camp.I saw the large tents set up outside a cemetery, and in the distance, the intimidating, dark castle filled with my worst memories."Your Majesty, we’ve been waiting for you. How is the Queen?" Beof approached with several wolves to receive us.By force, I had gotten used to being called the one in charge."I'm fine, Beof, thank you," I ans
VALERIAHe looked at me and then down at my slightly rounded belly."Prince Zarek, we need to talk about absolutely everything. For my family’s sake, I’m willing to reconsider everything about our races," Aldric stepped forward, facing him dominantly, making me proud that he had decided to let go of his hatred."Alright, but first, breakfast. Let’s all eat, and then we’ll talk," Zarek proposed, inviting us into a massive dining hall where I devoured an exquisite breakfast of bacon and eggs.My stomach was like a bottomless pit, and that was with me drinking Aldric’s blood like an alcoholic with a barrel of beer.Some time later, we found ourselves seated in a lounge.Each couple relaxed on comfortable sofas in front of a warm fire, surrounded by drinks and desserts in a laid-back atmosphere.I had expected us to head straight to the throne room for negotiations, with us women holding back our beastly husbands to stop them from tearing each other’s throats out. But things didn’t go tha
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