SHANE BLACKTHORN

I still can't shake the unease that gnaws at me. Tristan's appearance in Millie's memories—it's like a thread dangling, begging to be pulled. The missing piece to whatever this twisted puzzle is.

Verran steps into my study, his posture rigid as he approaches. "You called, sir?"

I barely glance up from the reports scattered across my desk. "What do you know about Tristan Valkera?"

Verran pauses, measuring his response. "He was meant to be the 47th Alpha of Halcyon, but he rejected the title, passing it on to your family, the Blackthorns."

"I don't need a history lesson, Verran. Did you know him personally?"

He shifts on his feet, searching his memory. "I was young, sir. From what I recall, he was... kind. Compassionate."

I lean forward, narrowing my gaze. "Do you know why he rejected the throne? Or where he disappeared to?"

"No, sir. Why? Is something wrong?"

I brush off the question, unwilling to reveal too much. "Nothing. I need you to dig into Esme's past—thoroughly. Find out where she went after her banishment. Who she spoke to, who she slept with, every single detail."

Verran gives a sharp nod. "Understood, sir." With that, he turns and leaves, leaving me alone with the mountain of paperwork that feels heavier than ever.

I toss the quill down in frustration, rubbing my temples as Esme's last words echo in my head. Her work is done.What did she mean by that? At the time, I assumed she was referring to the enchantment, but now...

<<Flashback to the night of Millie's birthday>>

Esme's eyes gleamed with a dark satisfaction as she sneered at me. "So this was an illusion? Reverse the spell, witch, or die by my hands."

Her smile widened. "You don't scare me. Kill me if you dare."

I stepped closer, my voice a low growl. "You think I won't?"

"If it is my time," she said with eerie calm, "then I will accept my fate. My work here is done. See you in hell, Alpha Shane."

<<End of flashback>>

Her work here is done. But what work? My instincts tell me there's more to it than just the enchantment. Something far more dangerous lurks beneath the surface.

A presence snaps me out of my thoughts. I feel it before I see him, a ripple in the air. A smile tugs at my lips.

"Come out, Caelum. Is this your idea of payback for showing up uninvited last time?" I say, my voice laced with amusement.

Caelum materializes in front of me, his face wild with disarray. He wastes no time. "Where is she? What have you done with her?"

I lean back in my chair, feigning ignorance. "What are you talking about?"

"Millie! Where is she?" His tone is frantic, laced with a desperation I didn't expect. Strange. I left her at his place. Why would she have left?

"And why should I tell you that?" I ask, enjoying the subtle shift in his demeanor as I toy with him.

"If you've harmed her in any way, I swear—"

"You'll what?" I rise from my chair, my patience thinning. "I understand you're worried about her, but don't cross the line, Caelum." My voice drops, letting him know just how far I'm willing to go if he challenges me.

He steps back, his eyes flickering with a mix of frustration and caution. The tension between us tightens like a drawn bowstring, but a knock on the door interrupts us.

"Come in," I call out, the words barely leaving my mouth before I regret it.

Leah strides in with her usual air of entitlement, her eyes locking onto me like a predator cornering prey. Perfect. Just what I needed.

The moment Caelum spots her, his entire demeanor shifts. His back stiffens, and without another word, he bows his head slightly in acknowledgment and slips out of the room. Smart move. Whatever conversation we were having, it could wait.

Now, I just have to deal with Leah.

"What do you want?" I ask, my tone sharper than intended.

Leah steps closer, her voice softening. "I came to apologize for what happened today."

I exhale, wishing this conversation would end. "You don't have to apologize."

She looks at me earnestly. "I don't like it when we fight. I thought I was helping ease your burden, but now I realize my mistake.
I'm sorry." Before I can respond, she reaches for me, pulling me into an embrace I don't reciprocate.

Kygara stirs within me, whining softly. I can sense her emotions-her love for me, her unease. It's overwhelming. The intensity of what she feels for me, I can't bring myself to mirror it. Not fully. There's a connection, yes-the same one I felt the night of my awakening. But when I'm around Millie, it fades like a shadow chased by the sun.

Leah rises on her toes, her lips finding mine in a kiss. She tugs at my bottom lip, coaxing me to let her in. Reluctantly, I do. Her tongue seeks mine, and my hands move on their own accord-one gripping her waist, the other sliding into her hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss.

A soft moan escapes her, and the sound sends a jolt through me, stirring something primal. I lift her off the ground in one swift motion, setting her on the edge of the desk. Her legs part, and I press myself between them, my growing arousal evident.

"Shane," she moans, but the voice... it's not hers. It's Millie's.

I freeze, pulling back, and blink. Leah's still there in front of me, but for a brief moment, I could've sworn it was Millie. It had to be an illusion-just my mind playing tricks. But the image of Millie, with that flushed, needy look on her face, lingers.

"Shane," Leah says again, oblivious to my inner turmoil, her voice still somehow echoing Millie's. The sound sends a rush of blood straight to my core.

"Say my name again," I murmur, the words slipping out before I can stop them. I remember Millie's voice, calling for Caelum, and something dark stirs inside me.

Leah looks puzzled but complies, her lips forming my name again. "Shane."

That's it. My restraint snaps. "Fuck," I mutter under my breath, diving back into the kiss, harder this time, more desperate. Her lips are soft, warm, and for a fleeting second, I can almost convince myself they belong to someone else.

My hands roam, finding her hips and creeping upward beneath her skirts. Her moans spur me on, her fingers tangling in my hair. She yanks my hair tie free, and the strands tumble over my shoulders in waves.

I pull away just long enough to look at her— really look at her. This is wrong. Every fiber of me knows it, yet I can't stop. My hands drift higher, brushing against the delicate fabric of her underwear. I trace lazy circles over the fabric, teasing her, testing myself.

But as I watch her, it's not Leah's face I see.
It's Millie's.

"Shane, I love you." Leah's words pierce through the fog clouding my mind, and I pull back. The illusion crumbles, and her face comes into view—clear, real.

Fuck. I definitely messed up.

"Shane, what's wrong?" Leah reaches out to me, her eyes wide with concern, but I instinctively take a step back.

"Is this because I said I love you? You don't have to say it back. I can wait..." Her voice is soft, hopeful.

"You shouldn't have to wait," I cut her off, the weight of my own guilt pressing down on me. She shouldn't have to wait for someone like me—someone obsessed with another woman.

I've known for a long time that Leah's in love with me. It's been painfully obvious to everyone. The day I felt the connection between us during my awakening, I'd said terrible things—things like this was a mistake. Yet, despite that, she stayed. She pined for me, took me back, even after I convinced myself that Millie was the mistake.

I wanted to make it up to her. I wanted to focus on Leah, to somehow make things right. But I'm too messed up. Too lost in this web of feelings I can't untangle.

"I have to go," I mutter, turning away from her. I leave her standing in the study and head straight for the training square, where I spend the next three days in a haze of exhaustion and rage, throwing myself into relentless drills.

Maybe I should just let her go. But I need her. I need her to complete the awakening ritual. Yet the thought gnaws at me—using her for something and knowing I'll never be able to give back what she truly desires-Love.

After days of punishing my body, I sink into the bath, the cool water offering some reprieve. My mind, however, remains anything but calm.

"Sir," a voice intrudes, and my temper flares instantly. Do they not understand what do not disturb means?

"I've made it very clear I do not wish to be disturbed during my baths," I snap, my voice sharp with irritation.

"Sir, they've found her. The stray," the guard announces, and in an instant, my anger vanishes.

They found her?

"Where is she?" My voice comes out steadier than I feel.

"She's being brought to the palace. She was found taking refuge with a witch family in Belcliff."

"Witches?" My interest is piqued. Millie, hiding among witches?

"Yes, sir."

"Get me my robe," I command, urgency surging through me. As I rise, my thoughts are consumed by one question: What will her reaction be when she sees me again?

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Guys, finally Shane and Millie meet one on one. What do you think is going to happen. I'm so excited for the new chapters coming. Hope you are too. Love y'all.