The room was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. Artemis sat on the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair. The lingering scent of another woman clung to his skin, and he hated it.
He exhaled sharply, shutting his eyes as he tried to push the thoughts away. It meant nothing.
The sheets rustled behind him, and the woman stirred, stretching with a lazy grin. "You're up early," she murmured, propping herself on one elbow.
Artemis didn't respond.
She tilted her head, watching him. "Regret already?"
He clenched his jaw. "Does it matter?"
She chuckled, sliding out of bed, her bare feet padding against the floor as she grabbed her discarded clothes. "Not to me."
He finally looked at her, his gaze hard.
She finished dressing, checking her reflection in the mirror. "You don't have to say it. I know the type." She turned to face him. "This was your way of forgetting someone, wasn't it?"
Artemis's stomach twisted.
She laughed softly. "I don't need an answer." She grabbed her purse, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll see myself out."
She walked to the door, pausing for a moment. "Whatever you're running from, I hope it doesn't eat you alive."
Then she was gone.
Artemis sat there, his head in his hands. Too late. It already was.
Rowena stood stiffly in the sunlit study, arms crossed over her chest. The golden glow of morning made the room feel deceptively warm, but it did nothing to thaw the cold weight in her heart.
Seraphis sat behind a mahogany desk, her silver eyes unreadable as she took a slow sip of her tea. She finally set the cup down, exhaling.
"Stupid girl."
Rowena flinched, her jaw tightening.
Seraphis's voice remained calm, but the disappointment laced in it stung deeper than any raised tone ever could.
"I warned you," she continued, watching her daughter closely. "I told you he wasn't your mate."
Rowena's fists clenched at her sides. "I know."
Seraphis raised a brow. "Do you?"
Rowena exhaled sharply, finally bowing her head.
Seraphis leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers against the armrest. "You spent so much time chasing something that was never yours to begin with."
Rowena bit her lip, keeping her gaze locked on the floor. "It wasn't just chasing. I believed."
Seraphis shook her head. "Believing in something that doesn't exist is a child's mistake. You should have known better."
Rowena inhaled sharply. "I wanted to believe he had a choice."
Seraphis tilted her head. "And what gave you that idea?"
Rowena hesitated. "I thought… before Haelyn, before the bond, we had something."
Seraphis studied her for a long moment. "No, you had something. Archer didn't."
Rowena finally lifted her gaze. "That's not fair."
Seraphis sighed. "Life isn't fair. You're old enough to know that."
Rowena swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I just thought… if I was enough, if I stayed by his side, he'd see it."
Seraphis softened slightly, shaking her head. "Love isn't about who stays the longest, Rowena. It's about who's meant to stay."
Rowena exhaled, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. "So what do I do now?"
Seraphis stood, stepping toward her. "You let go."
Rowena scoffed, shaking her head. "That's easy for you to say."
Seraphis smirked slightly. "Is it?"
Rowena blinked, surprised by the subtle shift in her mother's tone.
Seraphis's gaze darkened slightly, a flicker of something old, something painful crossing her expression.
"You're not the only one who's lost something they wanted," she said softly.
Rowena frowned. "You mean…?"
Seraphis shook her head, brushing past her. "It doesn't matter now. What matters is that you stop making my mistakes."
Rowena turned slightly, watching her mother walk toward the large window, staring at the horizon.
Seraphis's voice was quiet, almost thoughtful. "Learn when to let go, Rowena. Or it'll consume you."
Rowena sighed, running a hand through her hair. "And if I can't?"
Seraphis turned, her silver eyes sharp. "Then one day, it'll destroy you."
Rowena swallowed hard, her chest tight.
She knew her mother was right.
But knowing and accepting were two different things.
And letting go?
That was something she wasn't sure she knew how to do.
The room was quiet, the warmth of Archer's body surrounding Haelyn like a protective shield. His heartbeat was steady, his arms firm around her as she slept against him.
But her mind wasn't at peace.
A cold sensation seeped into her bones, dragging her into the depths of her subconscious. Her breath hitched, her limbs stiffening as the nightmare took over.
She was tied up.
Thick, silver chains dug into her wrists, her arms stretched above her head. The cold steel bit into her skin, burning like fire. She tried to move, to fight, but her body felt weak, drained.
Then she saw him.
Arthur.
He stood before her, dressed in a dark suit, his expression cold, detached. In his gloved hands, he held a gleaming silver dagger.
Haelyn's breath hitched.
"No…" she whispered.
Arthur tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "What's wrong, child?"
She shook her head violently, her body trembling. "Please… don't do this."
His lips curled into a sneer as he pressed the blade to her stomach.
Her heart pounded against her ribs. The baby.
"F-Father, please…" she begged, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Arthur's expression darkened. Then he slapped her across the face.
"I'm not your father," he growled.
Haelyn gasped, her vision blurring.
"What…?" she whimpered.
Arthur's grip on the dagger tightened. "I should have ended this the moment you were born."
The blade pressed harder against her stomach.
Haelyn screamed.
Archer jolted awake as Haelyn thrashed in his arms. Her body trembled violently, her breath coming in sharp gasps.
"Haelyn," he called out, gripping her shoulders. "Wake up."
She didn't respond.
Her face twisted in pain, her lips forming silent pleas.
Archer's wolf stirred inside him, restless, agitated.
"She's stuck," the beast growled. "I have to bring her back."
Archer clenched his jaw. He had never done this before….entering a dream realm was dangerous. But he had no choice.
With a deep inhale, he closed his eyes and let his wolf pull him in.
The moment Archer stepped into the darkness of her nightmare, the air grew heavier. The scent of fear and blood surrounded him, suffocating and raw.
Then he saw her.
Haelyn….trapped, broken, pleading.
Arthur loomed over her, his dagger poised to strike.
Archer growled. The sound rippled through the dream realm, shattering the illusion.
Arthur's eyes snapped up in shock. "What…"
Archer lunged.
The dream world trembled as he slammed into Arthur, knocking him back. Haelyn gasped, her chains shattering as she collapsed into his arms.
"Archer…" she sobbed, clinging to him.
"I'm here," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I've got you."
Arthur's form flickered, his face twisting in fury. "She'll never be free of me."
Archer snarled. "Watch me prove you wrong."
With a powerful surge of will, he tore Haelyn away from the nightmare.
Haelyn gasped awake, her body jerking forward. Her breathing was erratic, her face drenched in sweat.
She clutched Archer's shirt tightly, her sobs uncontrollable.
"Why…?" Her voice cracked. "Why does he keep saying he's not my father? Why does he hate me so much?"
The door burst open.
Marlyil, Rowena, Cerius, Kieran, and Seraphis rushed inside, their faces etched with worry.
"Haelyn?" Marlyil called, moving to her side.
Cerius clenched his fists, his golden eyes burning with fury. But he swallowed his rage, pushing it down as he stepped forward.
He knelt beside Haelyn, his large hand gently cupping her face. "Forget him," he murmured. "You don't need him."
Haelyn sniffled, staring at him with tear-filled eyes. "But… he's my father."
Cerius's jaw tightened.
"No," he said softly. "He's just a man who doesn't deserve you."
Haelyn trembled.
Cerius pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"If you need a father," he whispered, his voice steady, "then I will be that for you."
Haelyn broke.
She buried her face in his chest, sobbing as he held her protectively.
Seraphis and Marlyil exchanged glances, but neither spoke.
Because only they, Kieran, and Cerius knew the truth.
Cerius wasn't just offering comfort.
He was her real father.