She should have never left the safe confinement of Nico's home. 

Instead of getting some needed rest, she was on her knees, heart pounding in her ears, under the scrutiny of every vampire clan member. She inhaled to soothe her nerves to no avail. 

"Rise." At Fane's husky voice, some of the turmoil threatening to shatter her composure eased. "Rise."

Don't you use that tone with me.

His laughter echoed in her mind like a serene melody. Come on, love. Rise to your feet.

I'm afraid they'll turn against you... I can't.

Those truly loyal to me will follow me despite who I choose today.

Were you planning on choosing someone? She raised her head, scowling at him despite the veil shrouding her vision.

Of course not.

Then what was your plan? 

I was not going to make a choice.

Even if it infuriated the council? Even if it threatened your family's place on the throne? 

A hand seized her forearm and hauled her to her feet, pulling her closer. "The council will not force my hand. Whether they like it or not, you are my beloved." He pulled back her veil, and his flickering crimson eyes met hers. "You look lovely."

When he smiled, she couldn't help but mirror the gesture. "Thank you. You look handsome." The charcoal suit he donned, accented with golden embellishments reminded her of the princes from the fairytales her mother told her as a child. It suited him perfectly.

His smile broadened as he seized her hand and raised it to his lips, turning it to plant a kiss on her wrist. Her eyes widened when he bit down, and although she tried her best to hide the effects, they consumed her. Once again, the heat spiked up.

"Fane."

He withdrew his fangs, his eyes meeting hers. Her cheeks flamed when his hand encircled her waist and drew her closer. Say it. 

Say what? 

Their laughter mingled together in her mind as he grasped her chin. 

I am forever yours. Until my last breath.

"I am forever yours..."

He rested his other hand on the back of her neck, prompting her to tilt her head and bare her neck to him. As he brushed his fangs over the tender skin, a sweet shiver flowed through her. "Until my last breath." She almost moaned in bliss as he teased her with a faint bite.

"This is forbidden."

With an apparent struggle, Fane stepped back, his eyes a storm of silver and crimson.

"She is the offspring of a traitor," declared a tall woman, her pitch-black hair cascading in waves to her knees. As she approached, her large, round brown eyes glowered at her. "Have we all forgotten the turmoil her father wrought before his demise? Are we all to act as if those dreadful events never transpired?" The woman gestured toward her. "You dishonor us all by choosing her over the others. Her lineage is tainted, and nothing will ever change that."

Fane stepped forward, halting when Quinn's father grasped his forearm. "She is not to be damned by the crimes of her father."

The woman faced the crowd. "Twenty-three years ago, a seer predicted that the offspring of Jericho would lead to our ruin. How can we disregard her warnings? Allowing this union means condemning our families to a future filled with turmoil and bloodshed." She gestured to her belly. "Fane, you damned us all by dismissing the seer's words and bedding this woman." The woman paused, her crimson eyes swirling into a pool of obsidian. "But there is still time to save our race."

Belinda gasped at a sharp pain exploding across her chest. Wide-eyed, she stared at a silver arrow protruding from her. She cocked her head, catching the sound of another piercing through the air before capturing it with ease and snapping it in half.

With anguish in his eyes, Fane wrenched the arrow out, moving too fast for her eyes to follow, and appeared beside one of the women presented as suitors. Belinda stumbled away as thread-like strands shimmered in the light and coiled around the woman, halting her escape. 

The woman groaned as the strands enclosed around her neck and tightened. Wisps of smoke emitted from wherever they touched her skin. When the pitch-black-haired woman moved to aid who Belinda suspected to be her daughter, threads also restrained her against her wishes.

This couldn't be happening. Belinda stared horrified at the threads, recalling the time they had stopped the beast, and the time they were wrapped around the masked man's fingers. She stared at her beloved, the menacing expression adorning his face making him unrecognizable. 

Quinn hurried to his side, halting when his gaze locked upon her. "Fane, please. This is not the way to gain their loyalty."

Fane glanced around, his eyes a pool of darkness. "Showing kindness has brought me nothing good, Quinn. They hurt my beloved. How am I supposed to react to that? Do you expect me to turn a blind eye—That's what my father did. He showed mercy to those who did not deserve it and in the end, it got him killed."

The black-haired woman struggled against the threads before laughing as though she had lost her mind. "I will never bow to you... Thread is a dangerous gift, Fane."

Charlotte hurried into the ballroom in a golden gown and a crown that appeared made of sharp obsidian. "What the hell is going on?"

"They came into our home to assassinate my beloved, mother."

"Is that true, Daphne?"

Daphne glared at Charlotte. "You should have killed her the second you knew who her father is. We all know what they seer foretold!"

"Enough." Fane met Belinda's gaze before plunging the arrow into the young woman's chest and pushing it deeper. "No one hurts my beloved and lives." Daphne screamed at the top of her lungs as flames consumed her daughter, leaving nothing behind.

"How dare you!" The strings tugged, and Daphne coughed, black liquid pooling from her mouth and wherever the thread touched. As Fane approached, the strings tugged her to her knees.

"You were the one to strike first," he said, seizing Daphne by the neck and hoisting her to her feet. "How dare you come into my home under the guise of fortifying our alliance?" His gaze swept the room, and those present dropped to their knees and bowed. "I welcomed you here despite our past feuds... Yet, you chose this. You damned your clan." He shoved his hand into her chest and wrenched out her heart, tossing it to the floor. Her body collapsed, lifeless.

Charlotte didn't seem perturbed by what had happened at all. "I should have known you'd possess our ancestor's ability."

Fane's eyes swirled back to normal and for a moment, he seemed confused. His eyes settled upon her and he approached, halting when she retrieved a couple of steps.

Our enemy owns such an ability...

He stared at his quivering hands. I would never harm you, love.

Zeref and the rest of Fane's family stood with Charlotte in front of the thrones. "Today, I received a message that made me believe we were close to finding our enemy, but now I see that was nothing but a ruse to leave my son alone." Her gaze swept over the crowd, finally resting on Quinn's father. "I am grateful to you, my friend, for the support you have shown my son and his beloved."

Quinn's father bowed. "Your gratitude is unnecessary, my queen. Fane is as dear to me as though he were my son."

Jasper stepped forward, arrogance radiating from his stance. "My queen, your son possesses an ability that would have sentenced another to death."

Charlotte sighed, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "I am aware of the actions my ancestor took against those with such abilities, and perhaps he was justified. It is perilous to allow anyone with such power to wander unchecked in our world, but he is not the only one." Her eyes met Fane's before returning to Jasper. "Many amongst us possess this power. Unless they exhibit signs of madness, I refuse to condemn them as my ancestor did long ago. Any ability in the wrong hands, can become an instrument of darkness." 

Belinda's world spun, and when she stumbled, Fane seized her forearm, but she recoiled. A searing heat radiated from her body, her skin feeling as though she were outside under the caress of the blazing sun. As she took unsteady steps, images spilled into her mind. She pressed a quavering hand against her throbbing temple. Darkness enveloped her and dragged her into an eerie silence.

A magnificent meadow replaced the shadows, and Belinda watched the scene play before her. She strolled through a garden ornate with glimmering heart-shaped flowers. She tied her lustrous ash blond hair back as she turned to smile at a man she no longer knew whether it was Fane or Dante. Her heart wanted to believe that all futures intertwined her destiny with Fane's, but that would be naïve.

The man raised a hand, and as an act of magic, a rose appeared in it. With a giggle, she took it. In the blink of an eye, the image distorted and she found herself sprinting through the same garden, except black tar coated the once brilliant flowers.

"Fane!"

Strings wrapped around the body of the man who had appeared to block her path and tightened their hold, piercing his skin. She whirled around and so did Belinda, her eyes meeting dark ones stripped of humanity. Fane extended his hand toward the man and the strings tightened, making the man scream in anguish.

When Fane stumbled, Belinda caught him, astonished. She never imagined she could touch anyone from her visions. Soon, she realized it had not been her who had, but the image of herself. She struggled to hold back her cries as she stumbled away from them, her chest tightening.

"They have brought this upon themselves, love." A deep laceration appeared across his cheekbone, and another in his hand as he raised it to her cheek.

"This is killing you. Stop, please."

Belinda's anguished scream blended with those of her future self when Fane lost unconsciousness. She wobbled as she watched herself struggle to hold up Fane.

"Dante!"

Their surroundings went still as Dante appeared in the path of the garden. Sorrow flashed across his face, obsidian glowing in his eyes before consuming them. A humorless laugh escaped his lips. "You have always been the one to trust blindly, brother... Just like our father..." Danter took one step before dropping to his knees. "I told you to never trust them... Kill them all! Every slayer!"

A chilling, animalistic sound from within the veil of shadows captured Belinda's attention. She expected one of the lost to come forth, but what emerged was a beast resembling both a panther and a lynx with horns that seemed to be crafted from obsidian adorning its head.

Belinda stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the beast as it positioned itself in front of Fane and her future self, unleashing a roar. Silver arrows sliced through the night, glinting against the moonlight. The scene before her halted, as though she had pressed pause on a film. 

So many outcomes our future holds.

She whirled around and the masked man cradled her face. No matter how many paths we take, the result will forever be set in stone. The death of the royals is bound to happen. No matter how many times, time is reset.

He shoved her back, and she fell into an endless abyss. Her tears glinted in the darkness, her hair floating around her as though she were in the deep sea. Tell me how to save him...

You are their demise...

Belinda screamed at the top of her lungs as she snapped back to the present. She whirled around and stumbled a few steps before dropping to her knees.

It does not matter how many chances you are gifted, fate cannot be escaped.

Her head cocked at the high-pitched voice in her mind. Images bombarded her once again, and she pressed her quavering hands against her temples. "Get the fuck out of my head!" A screech escaped her lips as she bent forward, digging her razor-sharp nails into the floor. This time, her scream morphed into a snarl, which was answered in the distance.

I command you... Nico's voice filled her mind like a whisper. We are almost there...

What's happening to me? Her voice was unrecognizable to her ears.

When she glanced around, everyone stared at her in utter astonishment.

The crowd moved aside as Nico rushed toward her and cupped her face while Silas restrained Fane. "Look at me. Take a deep breath. Everything is going to be alright."

"I can't... I can't breathe well."

Skylar hurried to her side, along with Aurora and Ezra, a syringe in hand. "I thought... I thought you said Silas was wrong."

"Well, I stand corrected." He took the syringe and shoved it in her arm, evoking a low whimper from her. He cradled her face and forced her to keep eye contact with him. "I command the wolf spirit within..." Wisps of smoke emanated from her body and she shuddered. "I am your alpha. Submit to me."

Belinda narrowed her eyes as the storm causing havoc within her eased and a soothing electricity flowed through her. "What... I don't understand..."

Nico rose to his feet. "Welcome to the pack." A brief sadness flashed across his face as he stared at something behind her. Belinda followed his gaze to find Charlotte holding Zeref back.

The anguish in his eyes created a sharp pain in her chest. "How can this be?"

"Zeref was born a werewolf."

Her chest constricted as she attempted to hold on to her composure. Without another word, she turned and headed away from everyone. The guests moved aside, head bowed. She could hear nothing but her beating heart. With each step, her legs wobbled, yet she still made it out into a corridor that led to the foyer. Then, she was sprinting through the garden, images of her vision flashing in her mind. 

Why did her mother continue to lie to her?

Even when rain hammered down from the sky, she continued to run. As she did, she spotted a couple of black wolves keeping up with her. At a soft tingle in her mind, she shook her head.

"I'm no werewolf!"

As a larger wolf leaped in front of the path, she came to a halt, an actual snarl escaping her lips. 

Please, you must calm down...

The other wolves stood around her, and somehow she knew they were her friends. 

"How can any of you ask that of me?" She glanced at the sky, wishing the icy rain washed away her pain. "Why does she continue to lie to me?" She met the wolf's gaze. "I can't bear another lie, Nico." 

He shifted and embraced her. "Sometimes we lie when we believe it will keep someone we love safe."

"No—Don't you dare try to excuse her—I asked her to be honest with me... Zeref asked her if I was his daughter and she lied to him."

She pulled away from him and turned only to bump into Fane, who cradled her face and brought her close until their foreheads touched. "You are one swift little wolf, love."

"I don't want to be a werewolf... or a vampire...." She leaned her head on his chest. "Life would have been so much simpler had I been just a human..."

His embrace eased some of the storm within. "Let us return to the palace. We can discuss this further there."

She pulled back enough to meet his gaze, shaking her head. "I don't want to talk to anyone..."

He cradled her face. "I will ensure no one does, love."

*****

Once in the palace, thankfully no one objected when Fane informed everyone she wanted time alone to process everything. Yes, she had many questions, but she was also pregnant and exhausted. If only she could remain in bed and sleep for days, but, eventually, she'd have to leave the bedroom.

A knock interrupted her thoughts, and she opened the door, smiling at her friends.

Aurora held a plate loaded with food. "Now that appetite of yours makes sense."

Belinda moved aside, and they entered the bedroom, Skylar shutting the door behind them. "Has everyone left the palace?"

"No," Skylar replied. "After" everything that occurred, they're holding an emergency meeting with the clan leaders... and Nico."

"Your grandfather insists on staying until he speaks with you." Aurora handed her the plate of food. "And Charlotte has ordered the guards not to allow Zeref to leave the palace until he calms down."

Belinda wrapped her arms around herself. "He wants to speak with my mother, doesn't he?"

"When you left the throne room, he tried to follow you but Fane's uncle restrained him. Your mother has inflicted immense suffering on that man. I've tried to understand her reasonings, but nothing excuses what she has done. He might have forgiven her for hiding their marks with magic, but this... this is beyond forgiveness. She denied him the chance to be a part of your life..."

"And she endangered your life by not revealing you're a werewolf," Skylar interjected. "What was going through your mother's mind? Your wolf side could have risen in the town... the slayers would have killed you."

Belinda inhaled, struggling to suppress her tears. "I don't know..."

Another knock sounded, and Skylar opened the door to reveal Silas in the corridor, worry etched on his face. "Is everything alright?"

Belinda glanced at her quivering hands and paused, staring at her razor-sharp nails. "Is it true? What I've read in the library about a werewolf's bite—Is it lethal for vampires?"

Silas took two long strides into the room. "Belinda, you're not entirely werewolf. You're a hybrid." He diverted his gaze. "Such unique power belongs only to the royals. When a royal werewolf bites a vampire, the vampire might indeed fall ill, but they usually recover within a week... That is if an enemy has not taken advantage of their sickness and killed them."

"And if they can't overcome a werewolf's bite?"

"Madness consumes them and they perish—but that's quite rare."

Her chest constricted, "My mother is of royal blood..." She met his gaze. "Isn't she?"

His eyes narrowed. "Have you bitten Fane?"

Her cheeks flamed, and she looked away as Aurora glanced at her. 

"Oh, my... Did you feel an urge to bite him during intimacy?" She turned to Silas. "Could it be her wolf spirit seeking to claim him as her mate?"

"Perhaps..." 

"And what if she bites him while her wolf spirit is on the surface? Silas..." Aurora fell silent and slumped onto the bed. "Why do things continue to get more complicated?"

"Is this the reason for the meeting? Has no werewolf ever before dated a vampire?" Belinda inquired. 

"Zeref... If your grandfather had known he was dating your mother, Zeref would have been executed immediately... by Nico."

"Nico would never..." Skylar's voice trailed off, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "He wouldn't."

"An alpha always prioritizes the welfare of the pack above everything else..." Silas said. "If your bite can indeed affect Fane and leads to his death, it would ignite a war between our races. That would lead to far greater innocent lives lost. Any alpha would exterminate such a threat without a second thought."

"And now I understand why her mother has lied all these years," Skylar moved closer to Silas, and although she was much shorter, she glared up at him, her eyes gleaming amber. "You think I would allow such a thing to happen? If Nico dares agree with the council's demands, then this is where our paths divert from each other."

"You can't simply leave him, Skylar. Your wolf spirit will perish."

Skylar stared at him, astonished. "W—What?"

"You're wolves have bonded... and that bond is until your last breath."

"Please don't fight over this," Belinda said, fidgeting with the ring Fane gifted her. "I don't want y'all to turn against each other because of me."

"But what if the council commands Niko to kill you? Do you think Fane would stand by and let it happen?" Aurora rose to her feet, fear crossing her face. "Fane is barely hanging on as it is. If they put a target on your head, I'm afraid he might take out the council members." 

"Werewolf and vampires were once enemies... Whoever is behind this madness wants to reignite that old war, to see the council fall."

Belinda wrapped her arms around herself. "Did you know of his ability?"

"No. Most vampires gain their abilities after their twentieth birthday."

"But he can read thoughts and compels others--"

"Those are minor abilities. Threads is a much more potent ability... It could be fatal if he overuses it."

"Threads stopped the beast from attacking me—I saw them entwined around the masked man haunting my mind--" She raked a hand through her hair. "The enemy wields such an ability—When Fane regained composure, I saw the confusion in his eyes. What if he's not in control when he uses it?"

Aurora moved closer and rested her hands on Belinda's shoulders. "Look at me." Belinda listened. "Relax. Fane is not the masked man."

"I have never seen both of them at the same time... One victim had identified him. Aurora... I don't know what to think anymore. I want to believe it's not him..." Aurora stepped back, her gaze fixated on something behind Belinda. 

Belinda turned and met silvery eyes. "Fane."

"Leave us."

Her friends embraced her briefly and exited the bedroom.

A prolonged silence hung between them. He inspected the spot where an arrow wound should have been. "Forgive me for frightening you."

"Frightening me?"

"I could not control myself when they hurt you."

Memories of the threads coiling around the women surfaced, and she retreated, needing space to think clearly, uninfluenced by their bond. "How long have you known?"

"That was my first time wielding such an ability," he said, observing the threads webbing across his palm, glinting like minuscule diamond fragments. As his hand quivered, the threads wound up his forearm. 

Belinda moved closer, and as she placed her hand over his, the threads vanished. His eyes flickered to her, darkening. "You have the strength to wield this ability." 

Their fingers intertwined, and he brought her hand to his lips, bestowing a gentle kiss upon her knuckles. He rested his hand on her small bump, a smile spreading across his face as the babies stirred. "My mother was aware of the truth that occurred long ago." His eyes met hers. "My great-grandfather witnessed his brother succumb to madness. He opposed him for the crown. This made my great-grandfather believe that anyone possessing such ability would ultimately descend into insanity..."

"Did he kill his brother?"

"He did not stop, despite the toll threads took on his body... His desire for power led to his demise." He examined his hand. "Potent abilities exact a toll on us; if we disregard the signs, we might not heal fast enough. It is like a venom that gradually destroys us from within. Once the injuries manifest visibly, it is often too late."

The memory of her future self supporting him as lacerations appeared on his flesh induced an acute ache in her heart. "Maybe it's best you don't use it again." He drew nearer, connecting their foreheads. His silence only amplified the ache in her chest. "We can defeat our enemy without resorting to threads. Vow to me that you won't use it."

"Should all else fail, forgive me, my love... but I am prepared to do whatever it takes to protect you and our children, even at the cost of my life."