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Gianna's Pov
One Month Later

A soft gasp escaped me as desire sparked, winding its way through me, fierce and relentless. I bit my lip, inhaling deeply. The scent of citrus was all around, igniting my senses. A shiver ran through me as I stirred awake, the final dregs of sleep slipping away.

I lay there, legs spread, and there he was—my King between them. His head lifted, a wicked grin dancing across his face. “Now that you’re awake, my little one,” he murmured, “shall I stop, or shall I continue?”

A groan escaped my lips as heat blazed under my skin, every nerve ending alight and begging for him. He knew what I wanted, but still, his fingers lingered teasingly, just out of reach. “Your choice, my Queen,” he purred.

“Don’t stop,” I whispered, my hips moving instinctively toward him.

He laughed, then lowered his head, his tongue tracing a line down my center. Every touch sent me spiraling closer to a place where pleasure and madness collided, and yet I wanted more. “Please,” I whispered.

His deep voice thrummed through me. “What do you want, little one?”

“More,” I managed, almost breathless.

“More of what?” he asked, his tongue finding that place that undid me.

“You,” I choked out. “I want you inside me.”

A fierce hunger lit his gaze. Rising to his knees, he guided himself to me, his form stunning, all sculpted strength and power. His grin grew smug as he met my eyes.

“Your wish, my Queen.”

And with that, he entered, filling me completely, leaving me gasping. As he waited for me to adjust, he leaned down to claim my mouth, starting with slow, deliberate thrusts that had me arching for more.

“More!” I groaned.

He chuckled, quickening his pace. His grip shifted as he draped my legs over his shoulders, each thrust sending me closer to the edge. I cried his name as the tension in me grew, an unstoppable wave of pleasure building. And then, in perfect unison, we reached that shuddering release, our voices mingling, fading into soft murmurs and contented sighs.

A lazy smile stretched across my lips. “I wouldn’t mind waking up like this every day,” I murmured.

He kissed me, his reply a gentle promise. “Consider it done.”



“Are you certain you want to do this?” Davide asked, holding the keys to the prison cells, his face etched with concern.

“I need to speak with her, at least,” I said quietly.

He sighed but led me down the stairs to the dungeons. “We should just kill her,” he muttered, his voice rough with conviction. “That’s my view, and plenty of others would agree.”

I couldn’t argue. Since confining Ornella to Daeville’s prison, I’d heard it countless times. Perhaps they were right—perhaps she should face death. But no matter the darkness war had awakened in me, I couldn’t bring myself to take her life so easily. She was, after all, my blood.

I held onto a faint hope that breaking the blood spell might somehow lift the poison within her. Stefano understood why I needed to try, as he’d known her before the spell. So I followed Davide through the torch-lit corridor to her cell, where he handed me the key.

“I’ll be close by. Call if you need anything, my Queen.” He stepped back as I entered alone.

Inside, Ornella sat huddled against the wall, stripped of her usual opulent attire, her figure clad only in simple linen. Her head lifted, eyes narrowing, a sneer twisting her lips.

“Come to mock me, Queen?”

“I’m here to give you a chance,” I replied, biting back anger.

She scoffed. “I know you want to kill me. Just do it already.”

Studying her, I asked, “If our roles were reversed, would you kill your own blood without hesitation?”

She laughed coldly. “I’d have skinned you alive! Do you think I care that my mother had another daughter? She was worthless—a disgrace! I was meant to rule the Night Mist Pack, and she ruined everything.”

I barely kept my composure. “You…killed our mother?”

She shrugged with indifference. “The only useful thing she ever did was create the blood spell.”

Rage simmered in my veins. I took a steadying breath, stepping back. “Ornella Fontana,” I said, my voice clear, “I have decided. You won’t face death. You will live out your days here, left to confront every vile decision you’ve made. I hope the spirits of those you’ve wronged haunt you until you find madness.”

I turned, locking the cell door behind me, her cries echoing as I walked away.

“No! You coward! Don’t leave me here—kill me!”

Outside, Davide leaned against the wall, a faint smirk on his face. “You can always kill her later.”

“That would be merciful,” I replied. “Mercy she doesn’t deserve.”

“Maybe someday she will,” he said thoughtfully.

“Maybe,” I whispered, though a sliver of hope lingered.



Today marked our first royal council. Rebuilding the continent would take years, and now, as King and Queen, we had the duty of charting the way forward. Some Alphas had initially opposed our coronation, even seeking the throne themselves. But the people had spoken, and now they looked to us to lead.

Dressed in a long white gown adorned with gold, a heavy cloak resting on my shoulders, I stood before a mirror. My crown—a twisted design of golden and silver thorns with tiny pearls—felt weighty, a tangible reminder of my responsibility. Stefano’s crown mirrored mine in silver and black steel.

“This is it,” Livia said, her eyes bright. “How do you feel, sis?”

“Nervous,” I admitted. “Some of these nobles were against us from the start.”

“They’ll see what you’ve done already,” she said firmly.

I nodded and stepped into the corridor. The throne room gleamed with new white marble, its heavy curtains replaced with cream and gold. Sunlight poured in, bathing the hall in warmth. At the far end, Stefano stood waiting by the entrance, his onyx cloak draped over his broad shoulders.

He held out his hand to me, his smile full of quiet assurance. “Come, my Queen. Time to make those proud Alphas bow.”

Grinning, I walked with him to the dais, feeling a flush rise as I recalled the morning’s intimacies. We turned to face the gathered nobles, and Emiliano, newly named Alpha, stepped forward.

“Long live the King and Queen!”

The crowd echoed his words, a powerful chant that sent a thrill through me. Then, as if choreographed, the nobles dropped to their knees, hands over their hearts in loyalty. I was momentarily breathless.

“See?” Stefano murmured, his eyes glinting. “I told you they’d be on their knees.” He leaned close, his lips brushing my ear. “And your King will be, too, whenever you wish.”

Heat stirred within me, but I kept my voice steady. “Rise,” I commanded the crowd, glancing sidelong at my incorrigible King. “You’re impossible,” I muttered.

“Fear not, my Queen,” he whispered. “We’ll keep this meeting brief. Then, you can have all of me.”

“I love you, my wicked Alpha,” I whispered.

“And I love you, my fierce Luna,” he replied, his dark gaze locking with mine as we shared a kiss, ignoring the watching crowd.

THE END