ALDRICSuddenly, Zarek walked to the edge of the bed and, catching us all off guard, knelt on one knee."I, until now the last descendant of the Vlad bloodline, heir of the royal house Von Carstein, am deeply ashamed of my parents' actions. Even though I am not directly responsible, I will do whatever I can to make amends for their mistakes."He struck his chest firmly, displaying the honor of a warrior.All of this is getting too heavy."Then, I too must ask for forgiveness on behalf of the Selenias. I always thought it was unfair for us to be the ones sacrificed—why only us, out of all supernatural beings?" Gabrielle added."Now I understand why. Power comes with responsibilities that we failed to fulfill."A tense silence settled over the room.Celine helped Zarek to his feet, Quinn embraced his mate, and we comforted our little one."I know how to prevent the catastrophe… I just… need your support," Sigrid suddenly spoke in a low voice."No," I answered without hesitation. "Whatev
ALDRIC"I will go to battle with my mother. We will support Sigrid. You know I can’t just stay here doing nothing," I hear Valeria’s voice in the darkness as she rests against my chest."Aldric, if that evil can’t be contained, there will be no safe place left in this world."We’re both ready to sleep, but neither of us can.Quinn has gone to the lycan lands to oversee their territory.No one knows when this bomb will explode.More and more specters keep escaping. We have to fight them every time they appear. And each time, they are stronger.Sigrid told us that the specters left on this earth were nothing compared to the ones still imprisoned.Thinking about a swarm of those things—massive ones, according to her—would make anyone’s balls tighten."Alright. Even if I locked you up in the dungeon, I know you’d find a way to escape," I sigh, pulling her tighter against my chest."I just have to protect you with everything I have."«I just have to protect them—my woman and my pups. I can
NARRATORBeyond iron bars, powerful magic, seals, and chains—far past the Isle of the Selenias and the dark mist, beyond the storm clouds and spectral screams—an entire civilization had survived. One that was believed to be extinct.Baltazar, the Regent of the Realm, was deep in a meeting with his advisors when the grand doors of the hall burst open, and one of the guards stumbled in, his face pale with panic."I hope what you have to say is a matter of life and death," he said coldly, his sharp brown eyes locking onto the trembling man."Y-Your Lordship… we’ve received all kinds of reports from the kingdom’s borders," the man stammered. "T-The…""Speak, damn it!""The boundary mist is receding!" the guard blurted out in one breath, sweat dripping down his face.Baltazar immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.He bolted from his chair, storming onto the balcony and shoving the heavy doors open.His wise eyes scanned the sky—the thick, dark clouds that barely allowed any ligh
NARRATORAldric turned, watching as the dark mist began to stir violently.Whirlwinds formed within it, spiraling upward into the sky, stretching to cover everything above them.Daylight, suddenly, seemed to be swallowed by the darkness—only fear and shadow remained, seething with hatred and vengeance.The waters of the lake churned restlessly, blackening, as if veins spread across the surface, weaving a web of corruption.The lake began to harden, solidifying—it was the last barrier separating them from whatever was about to emerge from that prison."Azarot, we must give our pup as much time as possible."Standing atop the hill, Aldric’s storm-gray eyes flickered toward the rear ranks, away from the danger of the front lines, behind the army.There, the three Selenias were waiting for their moment.He and his army had to buy them time."And if she fails, Aldric? I won’t just stand by and watch her be in danger.""If she fails, we have no choice but to face the King of Specters. For a
NARRATORCeline watched the battle from a distance.Her role was to protect the three Selenias from any surprise attacks.Even though she knew her mate was incredibly powerful, that he had an army of fearless soldiers willing to die for him, she couldn’t help but worry."Mother, don’t overexert yourself!"Valeria’s shout snapped her out of her intense focus on the bloody battle unfolding beneath her feet."Grandmother!""Keep the incantation going! I can handle it! We’re at the critical point—come on, Valeria, fight for your daughter, take control!"Through the iridescent veil surrounding the Selenias, Celine heard Gabrielle’s urgent command.Blood stained the corners of her lips, yet her eyes shone vibrantly with the blue of her youth.Her sight had returned, and the scars on her face had faded as the power she had long lost surged back into her body.Valeria closed her eyes and took command of the spell. Her mother had already exhausted herself.Celine watched as raven wings began s
ALDRICI immediately sat up, slightly dazed by the jolt.On the grass and earth, stained with blood and sweat, death and dark shadows, I remained alert, watching what had just happened.A warrior clad in golden armor, enormous raven-like golden wings on her back, and two gleaming swords raised above her head, was holding off the attack aimed at my back.Her short hair moved wildly, her eyes locked onto her target—her mate. I could feel the intense emotions surging through her heart."Sigrid, I'll give you the chance you asked for, but if I see you in danger even once…""It won’t happen, Father. He will recognize me. Do not intervene, please… trust me." She assured me, and all I could do was place my trust in a love I didn’t even understand.That man who radiated pure evil and hatred… how could he be the owner of so much light?I roared, launching myself at the nearest specter, releasing my fury and helplessness.At least I had confirmed that my woman and my pups were safe, resting on
NARRATORSigrid knew it even before it touched her skin—it was pure poison.She raised her hand, and hundreds of ravens flooded the dark shadows, piercing through the storm, merging into one another, hardening to form a giant shield that protected her people.But the shield was flawed—it had a gaping hole, right above her."Sigrid, what are you doing?!" Aldric roared, trying to rush to her aid, but his daughter completely blocked him with a barrier.From a distance, Valeria watched in panic as the power of the Selenias, the very power they had worked so hard to refine and gather, protected the army—but not her daughter."Sigrid, no, daughter, no, please," she began to cry, calling to her through their bond, but Sigrid didn't hear her. She only looked at the man above her."I am yours, and you are mine. You are not Umbros, nor Gray—you are Silas. Only my Silas," her lips trembled with the last syllables, whispered softly, but she knew he could hear her.The black droplets were falling
NARRATORThey laughed and cried; they looked like two crazed lovers who had missed each other for an eternity."I… this is my true form, I am… I am like this," Sigrid whispered against his lips, her cheeks flushed.She could no longer hide behind Electra’s body; now, she was completely herself, in body and soul."I know… I dreamed of you so many times, and none of them did you justice. Nothing does justice to your beauty. You are… simply perfect," Silas traced her full lower lip with his finger, swallowing hard as desire rekindled in his body.His eager eyes roamed her delicate features, her porcelain-like skin, her expressive, luminous eyes.His hands caressed her smooth back, gripped her narrow waist, pulling her against him, feeling her curves, aching to touch her skin beneath the armor.Their gazes locked, charged with passion, their breaths tangled.Sigrid felt slightly embarrassed; Silas, on the other hand, could only think about kissing her, about claiming her as his, never let