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POV Lio

He didn't choose me.

With all hopes shattered, I knew I needed to leave that place.

I didn't want to think about how we spoke telepathically, what the hell was happening all at once. All that kept hammering and screaming inside me was that I lost him. That I never had him. And that pain was about to tear me apart.

I hurried down the stairs, rushing through the hallway. I wouldn't take anything, I wouldn't wait for my father to come get me the next day. I had to run non-stop, until I was far away and exhausted, until I could breathe again without that horrible urge to cry.

I bumped into vampires along the way who looked at me in surprise. I barely saw them, anxious, needing air. But they seemed to be everywhere, even in the courtyard outside. Gathered in farewells, cars arriving to pick them up, my destiny being shaped by them. Or at least in part. The part I most desired and lost.

I hated Balthazar with all my being. My senses spinning wildly as I thought only of disappearing. Throwing myself into the woods and never looking back.

"Lio..." A hand grabbed my arm and I turned, half-numb, seeing Celestia's concerned face outside. "Where are you going?"

There were many people there, watching me, curiosity in the air. My eyes met Kassandra's, just behind her. Hers didn't hate me, only curious as well. As if trying to understand what had thrown me into such disarray. Calíope also approached.

I shook my head, pulling away from them. I was about to move forward, but Alexandar suddenly appeared in front of me, big and strong, blocking my way.

I wanted to scream, more rage rising inside me.

"What do you want?"

"You."

His low, intense voice caught me by surprise. Tense, I looked toward the entrance of the palace, at the vampires still leaving, others watching us. They couldn’t hear us.

I turned back to him, trying not to show that I was trembling.

"I don’t want to talk right now. I need to go."

"Where? Run away?" He furrowed his thick brows, irritated. "Did he affect you that much?"

"It’s none of your business!"

"Lioara, Balthazar did what was expected of him. He’ll marry my sister. And you, will you let that affect you? Will you let him have so much power over you?"

"Come with me."

I became impatient, devastated, torn apart, shivers of rage running through me.

"Go with you?"

"To Bulgaria. I'll give you anything you want. No commitment, no forcing anything. Just so you get to know me."

I looked at him, handsome, sexy, as powerful as Balthazar. Alexandar was offering me an escape for my wounded pride, an opportunity for revenge, even a way to forget the damn one.

But the pain remained, bigger than everything, as if it was stabbing me without giving me respite. I had to say no. Because in that moment, all I could think of was running into my mother's arms and letting myself cry. I wanted to be safely held by my father, to feel his strength, to be who he had taught me to be. Stronger than anything!

I opened my mouth to refuse and leave there alone. Then I felt him, as strongly as when we spoke telepathically. His massive presence approaching, his scent overwhelming my instincts.

I looked toward the entrance of the palace, my heart pounding with fury, my legs shaking. Everything was about to explode.

I saw the elegant and beautiful vampires, the Rolls Royces, the dark sky above us, the moon shining. Attentive judges organizing the departures, servants assisting. Celestia anxious, not taking her eyes off me. Calíope and Caliban getting closer, whispering something, Kassandra attentive.

And then Balthazar appeared at the door, his coat flying with the force of his arrival, until his silver eyes met mine. And he froze, tense, hard, focused.

The pain ripped me apart. And I knew I would never get rid of it. But I fought with the weapons I had. Without taking my eyes off Balthazar, I spoke harshly to Alexandar:

"I’ll go with you."

Even from afar, it seemed he heard. His expression changed, and he stepped forward, furious. I braced myself, ready for the fight. Hating him for thinking he had the right, my wolf wanting to tear him apart, just as he had torn me apart.

I felt Alexandar step forward, pissed off, ready too.

"Balthazar!"

Antares reached the courtyard, calling him loudly, irritated. Thorn stopped, tense. Everyone looked. Everything seemed to lose focus, an oppressive silence following the lack of response.

Time stretched as I watched him approach, something changing in his appearance right before my eyes. His muscles tensed under his clothes, evident, as if he were growing, becoming even bigger and stronger.

I froze, unable to understand what was happening so fast. And yet, it felt like it was in slow motion.

His eyes gleamed with an unnatural intensity, a deep red glow reflecting hatred and an ancient pain. Shadows spread across his face, darkness consuming his skin.

The veins in his neck and temples stood out, rising to his face, pulsing like dancing snakes. They were black as thick fog, throbbing under his skin, something consuming him, a force rising before everyone, the transformation taking shape.

All of this happened in seconds, the time it took him to reach us, the changes occurring. And shocking me. I had seen part of this when he fought, even his monstrous fangs coming out like they were now, all his teeth elongated and enormous. But not on this scale.

With a low growl, Balthazar stopped suddenly, his body contorting violently, and I gasped, unable to look away, fearing for him. Then, his back arched and a wave of energy surged through his limbs, so intense it spread through the air.

His shoulder blades expanded and, with a deafening snap, his coat was torn apart, enormous black wings unfolding from his back, spreading with the force of a hurricane. They had sharp edges, with a texture similar to a bat’s wings, veins pulsating with energy.

They opened suddenly, beating against the air, sending gusts of wind that shook even the nearby plants. Then he stood tall and grand, beautiful and terrifying. His red eyes burning into mine. I couldn’t look away from him, nor could anyone else present.

His hair was scattered around his face, messy from the force of the transformation, shining like old gold. In shock, I felt a mix of fear and fascination. What I saw there was both monstrous and magnificent. The creature before me was far beyond what I had imagined. Ancient and powerful, with an extraordinary gift.

Without saying a word, Balthazar looked at me with fierce intensity and advanced. I didn’t move, hypnotized, lost in his eyes, in what he would do to me. Then his voice came out like a growl from some never-before-seen beast in nature, wild, unique:

"You are mine!"