CELINE

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the same crypt where I had fallen asleep.

Had that strange encounter been just a dream? I pressed my thighs together in discomfort, feeling the dampness soaking my panties.

If it was just a delusion of my mind, then I was clearly too needy. And with a vampire, of all things?

"I don't think it was a dream," I heard Mía's voice as I brushed the dust off the floor and adjusted my cloak.

"Are you telling me there's a powerful vampire locked up in the castle dungeons? Besides, he said…" I hesitated, recalling his words—the ending was a bit blurry, but I was sure I had heard him say…

"He says he's our mate."

Mía continued my thoughts, pacing anxiously.

"But even though I felt strange, I couldn’t identify him as our mate... I don’t know, Celine, I’m confused. Should we do as he told us?"

I was just as uncertain.

I opened the crypt door and stepped outside; it was already daytime, but the dense fog allowed only a few rays of sunlight through, preser