LOGINRAINA’S POV“Right. This is for Vaheed.” I pursed my lips and lowered my head.I did not like relying on Jiya’s power. I was unsettled about it, but what else could we do? There might not be another option to help Vaheed.Valen sensed my disconcertment and clipped my chin with his fingers, lifting it to gain my gaze. “If Jiya succeeds today, that’s just one accomplishment for her. So stop looking at what she can do because what you mean to me was never up for comparison. It doesn’t decide your worth. It never will. Okay?”I nodded with a smile.He nuzzled his nose with mine, which elicited a soft giggle from me.“I made sure Vaheed will be unconscious throughout the procedure. No one can go in or out of the dungeon without my magic. You’ll be safe until I return.” He pecked a kiss on my cheek and then my lips as his body shimmered and vanished.The room was unnervingly quiet and chilly. It was my first time here, so I glanced around a bit. I was surprised by how futuristic it looked.
VALEN’S POVDespite her soreness, she planted her palms on the mattress and leaned sideways. “Well, it beats the alternative.”I blinked in mild confusion as she raised and reached out both hands to me.“Come here, you idiot,” she beckoned lovingly. Her expression was so heartwarmingly soft, and her eyes filled with quiet devotion.I swear my heart jumped with hope. I released a shaky breath and shot up off my knees.Bending at the waist, I pressed my hands onto the bed to brace my weight as I let my face rest in her soft, cuddling palms.With the gentlest touches, her thumbs wiped my tears. The sparks... my body shivered beneath her fingertips.With a sad smile, she whispered, “I’ll forgive you because I know it’s hard for you, and because love's not about getting everything perfect. I guess as long as we keep finding our way back to each other, without betrayal, we can move forward.”With a sigh of relief, I bolted into the bed and hurriedly pulled her into another passionate kiss.
VALEN’S POVThe minute I walked into our sun-lit bedroom, Raina stirred in the king-sized bed. She shifted on her side, her fingers crimping the edge of the white cover over her ears.I shoved my hands in my jeans pockets. My shoulders caved as I stood in front of the bed.For several seconds, I watched her silently.All I could think about was my moment of weakness when I got swayed by Jiya’s pheromones. I got a vile taste in the back of my throat from the memories. Remorse tore through me. The shame was unbearable. And I was nervous about how she would react.Unable to bear the distance between us, I ran a hand through my loose hair and then moved to the side of the bed.The mattress dipped when I climbed in beside her. I braced on my elbow and inhaled deeply. She smelled heavenly. So divine.“Rise and shine, sleeping queen.” I placed my other hand on her waist, gently rubbing the curve of her body as I stared at her beautiful half-covered face.Her dark brows were furrowed, and her
RAINA’S POV“You chose her,” I croaked, feeling more tears brimming. “Nuk-symos proth-kai thar-fros! ”I wasn't sure how those strange words blurted out of my mouth, yet somehow I knew they conveyed my meaning, that he was rejecting me for her.His forehead creased as if he were confused, even taken aback.“Na-proth. N’zan-avdija,” he rasped, a flicker of remorse roughening the beast's voice.Somehow, I understood him. Not rejected. Never leaving.He gripped both of my shoulders, and was careful not to let his claws hurt me. He leaned into me with his head tilted, his searing red eyes completely focused on my wound.“Then stay by my side,” I whispered, “Trust me. I’m mate.”“Mate,” he echoed in a throaty groan, and I saw his emeralds tentatively breaking through. “Need mate.”Very gently, he pushed me onto my back on the grass with my knees still raised. He loomed over me, planting his hands on the ground where my shoulders were.Hot tears streamed from the outer corners of my eyes as
RAINA’S POVI couldn’t ignore the pain of watching the man, who normally put me above everyone else, become enthralled by another woman…leaving me to be nothing but background noise.“Is that all you’re going to say?” My voice came out low and broken.He did not look back or bother to give me a response.My heart clenched from the bitter humiliation, and the pain in my chest intensified.Has it really come to this?Still, part of me wanted to go after him, not to give up, although his determination was clear. My stomach churned and began to cramp as I watched him slowly climb the first step.This wasn’t going to end well for us, not if he successfully mated her.Theo wasn’t letting him off so easily, though. “You’re not setting another foot toward her.”Valen reached the last steps, only to be pushed back by the determined Gamma.My Alpha mate roared deafeningly, and it shook the ground.That didn’t deter Theo. He pummeled punches into Valen’s face, driving him backwards. With every h
RAINA’S POVThe blood rushed from Jiya's face, leaving her ghastly white. Her eyes flitted over the council. She swallowed, getting as flustered as a bee caught in a jar. Her confidence was completely gone.“I-I…I…” she stuttered, breaking out in cold sweat like a guilty sinner at communion. Then she broke into an arrogant rant. “So what if she has the moonstone? Her bond will never be blessed. One day you’ll live to see her bleed.”“Show us you possess the queen's authority,” Elder Victor pressed with calm scrutiny. “I want to see if you also have a connection to the moonstone.”“It is quite simple. Lift your hands and center your thoughts on the moonstone,” Elder Sybil tried to help.We waited and waited in the anxious silence.When Jiya hung her head, the audience grew restless, buzzing with murmurs.“Did we just corner her?” I asked, shifting my gaze to Valen. I was still holding out the moonstone, and my hand was growing tired.“Well, she hasn't tried,” he said softly, dipping hi
VALEN’S POV“Bullshit!” I snarled, nostrils flaring.Dad threw his hands up. “You'll both keep suffering until the bond ends.”“Over my dead body,” I growled. It was so animalistic that it frightened everyone except him.“Didn't that almost happen?” Dad snapped back, not relenting.“Boys!” Mom repr
VALEN’S POVHeidi's tipsy squeal stole our attention. Raina and I couldn't help but laugh at her antics and poor timing."Oh, my Gosh! You two look so happy. It's so perfect. I can't even look at you!" Heidi squealed, meandering closer to us."Thanks?" Raina responded with a laugh."The girls and I
VALEN’S POVUpon teleporting to the ritual temple, I snapped my fingers, and the building’s light came on. Raina rushed out of my arms, straight to the altar, and grabbed the Coyolxāuhqui stone with both hands.I yawned, scrubbing a hand down my face. I opened the mind-link to summon my Beta. “Dev,
VALEN’S POVAll twelve of us sauntered into Isaac's house. Even on a bad day, this brightly lit dwelling beats Miriam's gloomy basement.Devin dragged me and Raina here. The gang wanted to see the new me. They couldn't wait, and since the voices and noises in Raina's head stopped, she thought it be







