Chapter 57
Valencia’s POV
Memories hit me like a tidal wave, dragging me back to a time I had buried deep in my mind.
The first time I saw him. Celeste had paraded him in front of the pack like a prized possession. Her slim fingers had gripped his chin, tilting his face up for everyone to see. His silver hair gleamed under the moonlight, tied neatly into a ponytail, Those striking crimson eyes had stared straight ahead, empty yet burning with something unspokeri He was beautiful in a haunting way–too perfect, almost ethereal.
Celeste had strutted around the room like she’d won some grand prize, her sickly sweet voice dripping with pride. “A gift,” she had said, her grin sharp and cruel “From Jaxon. Isn’t he exquisite?”
The pack had murmured their approval.
He was known only as Seven. Not a name, but a number. Less than a person.
Ana had laughed at the display, her arm slung around Celeste’s waist as if to share in her triumph. I’d stood in the corner, wishing I could disappear, my stomach twisting at the sight.
Seven was Celeste’s toy. Gifted to her by Dante around the third year of our marriage. A servant, a symbol of her status. She would snap her fingers, and he would obey, no matter how degrading the task. But even as he bent to her will, there had been something in his eyes–something broken.
Until the day it was completely shattered.
It had been a small mistake on his part. Seven had stepped forward, shielding me from Jaxon’s fury during one of his drunken rages. His voice had been quiet, almost pleading, as he begged Jaxon to stop.
That was all it had taken.
The punishment had been swift and merciless. I could still see it clearly: the pack gathered under the full moon, the lake reflecting the crimson hue of the blood that stained its surface. Seven’s severed head had been tossed into the water, his lifeless eyes staring at nothing.
I’d wanted to scream, but I’d been too broken to make a sound. The pack had celebrated the execution, their howls echoing into the night as the lake turned red.
Since that day, deep water had always filled me with uncase. Not outright fear, but a sickening mix of memories and emotions I couldn’t untangle.
“Valencia
Dante’s voice pulled me out of the haze. The burning pain on my lap finally registered, but I barely noticed it. My eyes were locked on him–on Seven.
He was standing before me now, alive, though his trembling hands and bowed head antrrored the submissiveness I remembered all too well. His fear was palpable, his shoulders hunched as if expecting a blow
The cup of tea I had dropped lay shattered on the floor, the hot liquid soaking into my dress. My chest felt tight, my breaths shallow as I tried to process what was happening.
Dante’s voice was sharp. “What’s wrong with you? Are you blind
Seven flinched at the tone, dropping to his knees to gather the shards of the broken cup. “I–I’m sorry,” he stammered, his voice trembling. “Please forgive me.”
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Chapter 57
I couldn’t speak. My throat felt like it was closing, and my vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes.
“Stop,” I croaked, barely audible.
Dante turned to me, his anger softening into concern. “Vi”
1 shook my head, forcing myself to focus. “It’s okay,” I said quickly, my voice shaky. “It was my fault. Don’t blame him.”
Raiden’s voice cut through the tension. “Dante, stand down.”
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Dante hesitated, his jaw tightening as he glanced between me and Seven. He was angry–1 could feel it through the bond- but he held it back.
Seven’s hands were trembling as he placed the broken pieces of the cup onto the tray. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. He looked the same, yet different. Younger, perhaps. Fragile despite his tall frame. Like a porcelain doll that had already been glued back together too many times.
Dante’s voice was low. “Do you know him?”
My breath hitched, and my eyes widened as I realized what he was doing. He could feel my emotions. My fear, my anxiety- it was all laid bare to him.
I wanted to hide it, to mask it the way he could, but I didn’t know how. Not yet.
Before I could respond, a stern voice interrupted us. “The council is ready to see you now.”
A man in a formal uniform stood at the entrance, his expression unreadable. The room seemed to hold its breath as we all rose to our feet.
But the servant stepped forward, his voice quiet but firm. “Only Alpha Dante and Mrs. Valencia are permitted to enter. The rest must wait here”
Raiden’s brows furrowed, but he said nothing.
Dante reached for my hand, his grip steady and grounding as we followed the servant into the council chamber.
The room was vast, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of illegible words. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves, and a long, curved table dominated the center of the room Seated at the table were five figures, each exuding an aura of authority that made it hard to breathe. Two of whom recognized, while the others I had heard of and seen portraits of
To the far left probably sat Lupin Blanc, the leader of the witch cluster. His angular features and piercing black eyes gave him an otherworldly appearance. Dressed in flowing robes of deep black, he seemed to radiate a quiet, commanding power.
Next to him was Maya Bordeaux, the oldest vampire royal. Her crimson gown flowed like liquid fire, and her pale skin glowed under the soft light. Her sharp, calculating eyes scanned us, her presence cold and unyielding.
At the center was Alpha Selene, the representative of the Onyx pack and the representative for wolves in the council. Her sharp features were framed by midnight–black hair, and her steely gaze felt like a blade cutting through the tension.
To her right sat Arnav Evangeline, the siren cluster representative. His aquamarine suit shimmered like the ocean, and his pale blue eyes held a depth that seemed to pull you in. I’d exchanged letters with him once, though we’d never met in
person.
Finally, there was Adam Miller, the representative for the uncommon shifters–bears, foxes, and others. Whom I had encountered a handful of times in my previous life. His sturdy frame and warm brown eyes were a stark contrast to the others, but his aura was no less imposing-
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Chapter 57
The weight of their combined presence was suffocating. My knees felt weak, and I instinctively gripped Dante’s arm for
support.
Lupin Blanc spoke first, his voice smooth and calculated. “We’ve been made aware of your… situation.”
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His gaze drifted to the egg in Dante’s carrier, and I felt Castor’s anxiety ripple through the bond. I tugged at Dante’s sleeve, silently pleading.
Dante seemed to understand. He reached to pass Castor to me, but before he could, a thick black fog enveloped the egg.
“No!” I cried, panic clawing at my chest. “What are you doing?!”
Lupin’s voice was calm, almost dismissive. “Rest assured, your child will be safe. The egg will remain here until the trial is complete.”
My fists clenched, my nails biting into my palms as I struggled to reign in my emotions. Raiden’s warning echoed in my mind. Any outburst, any sign of defiance, could make things worse.
I watched helplessly as the egg was placed into a glass case. The sight of Castor, encased and separated from me, made my already frayed nerves snap tighter.
A sickening sense of dread settled over me. Why did I feel like something was about to go wrong?
