The room pulsed with an unseen energy, the air thick with the scent of their bond sealing into something deeper, something permanent.
Haelyn's body was no longer burning with agony….but with something else. A pull, an ache, a need that could only be satisfied by the one now bound to her.
Archer.
The moment their bond had ignited, she had known…he was her mate.
But tonight, it was different.
There was no force, no demand. Only acceptance.
Archer's touch was reverent, his golden eyes soft as they traced the flushed skin of her face. She was his now. And he was hers.
No more running. No more resisting.
When it was over, and the night stretched into the early morning, Archer cradled her in his arms.
His wolf, finally satisfied, hummed inside him. He had found his home.
Haelyn, nestled against his chest, her fingers lazily tracing patterns over his skin, let out a soft sigh. She had never felt this… whole. This at peace.
Her body still tingled where he had marked her, the faint glow of their bond now invisible, but undeniably there.
"I fought this for so long," Haelyn whispered, pressing her forehead against his.
Archer smirked, his fingers running through her tousled hair. "You were impossible."
She smiled faintly. "And you were insufferable."
He chuckled, but then his expression sobered. "I meant it, Haelyn. You're mine now."
Her eyes met his, something unchanging in their depths. "And you're mine."
The bond was sealed. Forever.
Artemis stood outside, his fists clenched at his sides. He didn't need to see what was happening inside. He felt it.
His chest burned with something he didn't want to name.
He had convinced himself that maybe..just maybe…Haelyn could be his. That maybe she would choose him.
But the bond had decided. And it wasn't him.
"Damn it," he muttered, his jaw tightening.
Rowena, standing beside him, exhaled softly. "I know it hurts."
Artemis let out a humorless laugh. "Do you?"
Rowena hesitated. "More than you think."
He glanced at her, his blue eyes filled with something raw. "Then tell me… how do I let her go?"
Rowena sighed, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You don't. Not really. You just learn to live with it."
Artemis inhaled sharply, his hands shaking slightly. "I wanted her to be happy."
"She is," Rowena said softly. "And one day, so will you."
But right now, he wasn't sure he could believe that.
Cerius sat at the grand table, his face unreadable as he listened. Seraphis stood by the fireplace, her silver eyes filled with thought, while Marlyil leaned against the window, watching the moonlight reflect off the glass.
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Seraphis was the first to speak.
"She's mated now. The bond is complete."
Marlyil turned toward her. "So is it time?"
Cerius exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "I don't know."
Seraphis narrowed her eyes. "We can't keep this from her forever."
"She's not ready," Cerius said firmly, his golden gaze locking onto hers. "She barely understands what she is, let alone what she's meant to do."
"She'll never be ready if we don't tell her," Marlyil interjected. "She needs to know the truth."
Cerius clenched his jaw. "And what if she can't handle it? What if it breaks her?"
Seraphis sighed, her voice softening. "She's stronger than you think."
Cerius shook his head. "Maybe."
Seraphis stepped forward, her voice lowering. "She has to know who she really is. She has to know who her real father is."
Cerius's fingers tightened into fists. His golden eyes flickered with something unreadable….guilt.
Marlyil folded her arms. "And what happens when she finds out the truth about Arthur?"
Seraphis's expression darkened. "Then she'll have no choice but to fulfill her destiny."
Cerius exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I spent years trying to protect her from this."
Marlyil scoffed. "And look where that got us. Arthur is more dangerous than ever. He's desperate. You saw what he did to my priestesses."
Seraphis's eyes softened. "She's not a child anymore, Cerius."
Cerius ran a hand down his face, frustration creeping into his expression. "No. But she's still my daughter."
Marlyil's lips pressed into a thin line. "And that's exactly why she needs to know."
A long silence stretched between them.
Finally, Cerius let out a breath, leaning back in his chair. His golden eyes flickered toward the window, toward the distant sky.
"We tell her."
Seraphis nodded, though worry flickered across her face. "Then may the Goddess be with us."
The skyline flickered through the ceiling to floor windows, the glow of neon lights bouncing off the polished marble floors. Layla poured herself a glass of red wine, swirling it lazily as she lounged on the couch, her legs elegantly crossed.
Helen stood nearby, checking her nails, exuding the usual air of quiet authority. The dim lighting made her smirk look sharper, almost calculating.
The door clicked open.
Lyra stepped in, her black stilettos clicking against the floor. Her long coat was draped over her shoulders, and her expression was one of mild irritation.
"You called?" she said, arching a brow.
Layla gestured to the seat across from her. "Sit. We need to talk."
Lyra didn't move immediately. She eyed both of them before finally stepping forward, tossing her coat over the arm of the chair and settling in. "I don't have time for games, Layla. What is it?"
Helen let out a soft chuckle, taking a sip of her drink. "We thought you'd want a chance to take what's yours."
Lyra's lips curled into a smirk. "Archer?"
Layla tilted her head. "Oh, you still think he's yours?"
Lyra's smirk faltered.
Helen set down her glass with a soft clink. "We both know where he is. Who he's with."
Lyra exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "Say it."
Layla leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "Haelyn. His mate."
Lyra clenched her jaw, a flash of anger crossing her face.
Layla smirked. "That's why we called you. We have a solution."
Helen reached into her designer purse and pulled out a small vial, setting it on the glass coffee table between them. The liquid inside was dark, almost black, reflecting the dim lighting of the room.
Lyra's eyes flickered to it, then back up at them. "What the hell is that?"
Layla's voice was smooth, persuasive. "A little something to help tip the scales in your favor."
Helen leaned forward. "It won't kill him, if that's what you're thinking. But it'll make him weak. Confused. Vulnerable. His instincts will be off. He'll start doubting everything, especially her."
Lyra picked up the vial, rolling it between her fingers. "And how do I make him drink it?"
Layla shrugged. "You're not new to this game. Archer trusts you. He lets his guard down around you. Just slip it into his drink when the time is right."
Helen smirked. "After all, once he starts doubting Haelyn, he'll need someone to turn to. Someone who's always been there."
Lyra hesitated. The idea of Archer, needing her, was intoxicating. Taking him back, making him forget Haelyn…
She gripped the vial tighter.
"What's in it for you?" she asked suspiciously, glancing between them.
Layla leaned back, swirling her wine glass. "We just want Haelyn out of the picture."
Helen's smile was sharp. "Permanently."
Lyra exhaled, her thoughts racing. "And you expect me to believe that's it?"
Layla's smirk never wavered. "Believe whatever you want. Just get it done."
Lyra stood, slipping the vial into her coat pocket. She turned toward the door but hesitated.
"You sure this will work?" she asked.
Helen smirked. "One hundred percent."
As Lyra left, she didn't see the way Layla's eyes gleamed with something more sinister.
Because in Layla's mind, this wasn't just about Haelyn.
It was about getting rid of Lyra, too.