QUINNShe still looked like a deity. Now that she was "asleep," I approached her with curiosity and even touched her wings.The sharp tips were oozing a sticky, dark liquid.“Valeria… she’s incredible. No doubt about it—she must be a descendant of Juno. And I suspect she’s the daughter of Queen Gabrielle, which leads me to believe Gabrielle herself must also descend from that powerful woman, Juno,” I murmured, analyzing everything.“How can that be possible, Quinn? So much time has passed since that Queen died and was replaced by the idiot Vampire King. Valeria looks young…”“Looks, you said it yourself. Do you doubt anything after what just happened? Five specters, Celine. They’re not the same as vampires—they’re far more powerful, and Valeria swallowed them like candy,” I replied, and we fell silent for a moment, every hair on our bodies standing on end.“Let’s go. I think the worst danger is behind us.”“Really? It seems like you haven’t taken a good look at this old bridge.” Celin

VALERIAThe same arms that had just been resting wrapped around my waist, pulling me back toward the bed. I let out a surprised squeal, landing on his strong thighs.My ass pressed against that hard thing I’d been devouring with my eyes moments earlier.“What more do I have to do for you to come and ravish me? I was debating whether to keep my boxers on or wait for you naked. I think naked would’ve been the better choice,” his rough, wolf-like voice growled against my neck, sending shivers down my spine as he planted soft kisses there.His hands roamed over my hips and waist, pulling me even closer to his firm body.The image of him naked, that thick rod standing at attention as I walked through the door, flashed in my mind, and I thought, Yeah, I’d probably jump him for real.“I thought you were tired. I wanted to let you sleep a little longer, but there you were, being a pervert, putting temptation right in front of me,”I teased, nearly moaning, tilting my head to give him better a

ALDRIC"I told you he would get mad at us, damn it! You’ve got the balls to face those bloodsuckers but not to accept our mate!" My wolf, as usual, throwing everything in my face."Aldric, what if my inner wolf never comes out? What if I’m… something stranger?" I asked hesitantly, catching a murmur from his lips.“Stranger? No, no, you’re not strange at all. Don’t worry, Vale. The moment one of those damn sorcerers crosses the border, I’ll capture them. If I have to, I’ll force them to undo the damn curse they put on you as a child.”“Your wolf will emerge and recognize us. We can make our race’s vow and mark you as mine forever,” I assured her.“Why? Aldric, have you ever considered that maybe your blind hatred is keeping you from seeing past the tip of your nose? I think you’re condemning everyone in the Dark Realm just because of your grudges. What if there’s a good sorcerer who wants to help me simply because they’re kind?”She looked at me with red-tinged eyes, anger flickering i

VALERIA“Specters? Why haven’t you reported this to the Guardians so they can investigate?” Aldric interrogated him coldly.“It’s just… it’s just that there haven’t been any sightings in years. But in our pack, there’s a story—those who venture into this place are cursed, marked by specters to die later. That’s what happened to a couple, good people, members of our pack.”He spoke with his head bowed, sounding sorrowful. I had a strong feeling he was talking about my parents.“They found an abandoned baby in this forest, at the Altar, they said. Can you imagine? What baby could have survived here? We warned them repeatedly not to bring it to the pack, that the child was strange, but they didn’t listen. A few years later, they were torn apart by a specter, and only that abomination survived.”I clenched my fists at his words, wanting to lash out and defend myself, but Aldric beat me to it.“So, you would have left a baby to die in the forest out of fear?” Aldric interrupted, his voice

VALERIAIt felt as though time had frozen, taking me back to that moment when she walked into the room and saw her son dead in my hands.I don’t regret a thing. Dorian killed my pup first, so an eye for an eye seemed more than fair.I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin defiantly. If she thought I was going to fear her or show her the respect I once did, she was sorely mistaken.I knew she might try to accuse me in front of Aldric. After all, my former friend Sophia must have seen my transformation. But it would be her word against mine. Let’s see who the King chooses to believe.“Alpha, I didn’t know there would be additional guests,” Aldric said beside me, his tone as cold and sharp as ever.“Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to greet you personally earlier. The Alpha didn’t inform me of your arrival,” she said, stepping forward and bowing with sickening servility in front of my mate.“And you are?” His Majesty raised a questioning brow.“I am currently acting R