Chapter 59
Valencia’s POV
The scream tore through my mind, sharp and deafening, like the splitting of my very soul. Black spots danced across my vision, and the room swayed around me. My legs buckled as I tried to stand, and I fell from the chair, my body crumpling onto the cold marble floor.
It was instantaneous. The moment of severance.
My heart, once connected to an unshakable‘ rhythm, went utterly and completely silent. Gone. The bond between Dante and -a constant hum I’d come to rely on–was severed. But worse, there was nothing from Castor either. The connection to my baby, that precious link, was cut.
Nothingness.
Was this what I used to feel before? How did I ever live like this? This empty, hollow void?
The scream grew louder, drilling into my e
my ears, consuming every thought. Then I realized–oh. It was me. I was screaming-
The room blurred around me, the council chamber warping into indistinct shapes as my vision swam with tears. My throat burned, raw and rough, but I couldn’t stop the sound. It clawed its way out, desperate and uncontrollable.
Loud banging echoed in the distance, the noise barely registering through the chaos in my mind. Arms wrapped around me, strong and familiar, pulling me into an embrace that smelled of citrus and musk.
“Valencia,” Marcy’s voice cut through the haze, her tone firm yet soothing. “You’re okay. Breathe”
My hands clawed at my dress as I buried my face against her shoulder, my tears soaking into her shirt. “Where is he?” I choked out. “Dante–Castor–where are they?”
Marcy’s hand cradled the back of my head, her voice steady despite the buzzing panic in my mind. “He’s okay, he’s here. They’re here. They’re okay. They’re fine. I promise.”
But the siren in my head wouldn’t quiet. It screamed louder, drowning out her reassurances. My chest heaved with sobs, and my hands clenched tightly around her shirt as if she were my anchor in a storm..
“Please,” I whispered, the words tumbling out in a desperate ple “Not again. Not my baby. Not again. Please–please-”
The darkness clawed at the edges of my vision, and I couldn’t hold on any longer. My body gave in, collapsing into the void.
Dante’s POV
I’m going to kill them.
The thought burned in my mind, raw and relentless as I stared at Valencia’s unconscious form.
Her face was pale, her breaths shallow. Blood trickled from her ears, staining her soft blue dress with vivid crimson streaks. My hands trembled as I pressed a wet cloth to her fate, wiping away the blood.
I wanted to burn this entire building to the ground. Every last one of them–especially the council members who sat so coldly, so indifferent to the chaos they’d caused.
And my father.
Raiden stood in the corner of the room, his expression grave. He looked genuinely upset, as though he hadn’t anticipated this. But I couldn’t trust that Not now.
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Chapter 59
Who am I even kidding? This was my fault.
64%
I should have known better. I should have refused when they’d ked me to step outside, to “test the bond.” I should have demanded more details.
Minutes earlier, I had complied with the council’s request, stepping out of the chamber to “prove” the strength of the connection between Castor and me. I had thought it was harmles, that they were just observing.
Then the glass walls erupted around me, caging me inside.
“What is the meaning of this?” I growled, half–transforming into my wolf form. My claws extendet, slashing at the barrier. The shimmer of black magic told me everything I needed to know this was the work of a witch.
Their plan became clear. They knew about the connection between dragons and their mates. This wasn’t just a test–it was a
severance.
My heart raced as I felt the strings of our bond grow faint, then silent.
“Valencia,” I muttered, panic clawing at my chest.
1 struck the glass walls bgain and again, my claws coming back bloody. The cage shimmered with dark energy, a cruel design meant to restrain even an Alpha. My wolf snarled, desperate to break free, but the barrier held strong
I could have transformed into a dragon. I should have. But a niggling voice in the back of my mind stopped me. couldn’t be any more reckless. In the back of my mind I knew this was a test. It will end soon.
By the time the walls came down, my hands were mangled and raw. Blood dripped from my fingers, but I didn’t care. The moment I was free, I bolted into the council chamber.
And there she was.
Marcy was carrying her out of the room, her arms wrapped protectively around Valencia’s limp form. Her face was etched with fury as she met my gaze.
“This,” she spat, her voice venomous, “this is how you protect her? Just like every other Alpha. Aren’t you?”
Her words struck like a blade.
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. I could only watch as Caius followed behind, carrying Castor with care. The weight of my failure pressed down on me, heavier than anything I’d ever felt.
The council members remained seated, their expressions neutral, some even preoccupied with writing notes.
All except Lupin Blanc.
He watched me, his piercing black eyes narrowing as they trailed to my bloodied hands. Judging, Calculating
I forced myself to slow the healing, letting the wounds linger. An Alpha’s healing was fast but not as fast as a dragons. I couldn’t risk revealing too much of my abilities–not here, not now. They already knew too much.
Still, I couldn’t shake the weight of his gaze.
The white–haired servant brought a stretcher, assisting Caius and Marcy as they settled Valencia into a private room. I followed closel
unwilling to leave her side.
Her breathing had steadied, but the sight of her bloodied face made my heart clench. I took a seat by her bedside, clutching
cloth. her hand as I dabbed at her wounds with a damp
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Chapter 59
“I’m sorry.” I whispered, though I knew she couldn’t hear me.
The thought of what she’d just endured made my blood boil. The severing of our connection wasn’t just cruel–it was dangerous. Her body hadn’t been ready for such a shock, and now she was paying the price. This was why even though I wanted to hide my emotions. I didn’t completely silence them.
Marcy and Caius were called away for questioning, leaving me alone with her.
The room was silent except for the sound of her breathing and the faint rustle of fabric as I worked to clean her wounds.
Her heartbeat was steady beneath my fingers, a fragile reassurance in the face of everything that had happened.
If it weren’t for my pack–if it weren’t for the people counting on me–I would have torn this building apart. Piece by piece.
For now, all I could do was wait.
But that didn’t mean I would make things easier for them. I was going to get revenge, Not now. But soon.
