354- The Weight of War and Desire
POV Viktor Averwyn:
She cast one last glance toward my groin, smiled at everyone, and walked out, hips swaying.
“Fuck, after that I’m heading to their nest,” Petru said enthusiastically, waving as he followed her out.
“Why not accept right away?” Ionut asked.
“Katarina has no war strategy. It could be dangerous for her.” I walked toward the door. “I’ll analyze everything.”
I said goodbye and stepped out, exhausted, entering the night. At the Duchesses’ Nest, colored lights glowed outside and soft music played. Life continued inside—they were still protected. Celebrating the day’s victory.
I headed to the castle without rushing, deep in thought.
How was Adelina right now? What if Lucian had hurt her?
The thought gnawed at me relentlessly. It was a struggle not to let despair take over and run after her like a madman—or do something reckless, like accepting Katarina’s offer without thinking and putting innocent lives at risk.
Daciana was waiting for me, making sure I would eat.
“You should already be home. I know how to serve myself.” I was a bit rough, but I pulled her close and kissed her graying hair. “Tomorrow, leave on time.”
“Only if you promise not to skip meals.”
She served a mountain of food, almost spilling over the plate, and left after giving several warnings. Before she walked out, I asked:
“Did Seraphine behave today?”
“She stayed in her room most of the time, sewing your clothes.”
I sighed. It was pointless. None of them would survive anyway.
“Did she eat?”
“Yes, lunch and dinner. She even looks better. Is it true she fought Lana near the school?”
News spread quickly there. I nodded, and she seemed surprised.
“That small? She knocked down a she-wolf?”
I almost smiled—that caught me off guard.
When I noticed the commotion, I left the office to take a look. I was ready to intervene if her life was at risk or if Lana hurt her. That was the expected outcome—a strong she-wolf against a fragile human.
I hadn’t expected Seraphine’s strength and agility. I was genuinely impressed. So was everyone watching, shocked.
I only stepped in when I saw Lana begin to transform. A fierce surge of protection and anger filled me at the thought of her claws piercing the gypsy’s skin, hurting her.
“I hope she learned her lesson. I told her it was better to stay quiet—everyone’s tense. At least now we know she can defend herself.” The woman said goodbye and left.
I ate in silence, alone, my mind full. If my daughter were there, she wouldn’t let me think in peace, talking nonstop, complaining about something.
The longing hit, mixed with overwhelming worry. And guilt—for not going after her. I still couldn’t accept it.
I went to my room, irritated and restless. After cleaning up, I undressed and got into the large bed, the loneliness growing heavier.
Seraphine’s scent lingered strongly on the pillows, stirring my senses. I clenched my jaw, my intense appetites pushing forward, missing her beside me. The other room felt too far away.
I grew irritated with the physical need, how easily it affected me. It worsened as my skin burned, veins pulsing, when the memory of being inside her struck me again. It was vivid, immediate—my cock hardening instantly.
“Fuck…”
I closed my eyes, fighting the desire. Her soft mouth on mine, her scent flooding my system, her smooth, freckled skin. Her nipples, lips, hair. And her small, virgin pussy stretching to take me, gripping me painfully.
Tense and aroused, I covered my eyes with my arm, focusing on breathing. I had too much to think about, too much to resolve—I didn’t need to get lost in that violent, consuming lust.
I focused on the women who had come to me willingly. In a way, I had always hoped one of them would prove to be my destined mate. Watching them die hadn’t been easy. The only one who never showed fragility was Jasmina, Seraphine’s great-aunt.
Maybe it was the blood. Some said certain humans carried lupine DNA in their genetics, though it was rare. The result of some past mixing or a cellular mutation—no one knew. Seraphine might have inherited that. Or not.
I preferred not to find out.
I never should have slept with her—never should have put her life at risk. Now it was an addiction, consuming me, demanding more. I had to restrain my wolf, keep it from taking control and solving things its own way. For it, everything was simple and direct.
I punched the pillow, expecting another restless night—torn between worry for my daughter, the war, and the overwhelming urge to run to the guest room and bury myself in the gypsy.
But exhaustion won.
And sleep took everything away at once.
(...)
POV Seraphine Valerian:
I was at the window when I saw Viktor arrive at the castle gate.
That alone was enough to make my heart race as I drank in his image hungrily.
It was different seeing him without his old, elegant clothes, the ones that made him look like a man from another era. The jeans and shirt outlined the muscles of his large body, his broad shoulders, making him seem younger.
He was still just as beautiful.
He entered quickly, and I leaned back against the wall, wanting to leave the room and see him up close. But after the way he had treated me—angry, blaming me, giving me orders in front of everyone—it was better to stay away.
I returned to the bed and curled up, staring at his torn and stitched clothes on the armchair. I wouldn’t be able to save any of them—maybe only if a skilled seamstress came up with something. I blamed myself for that childishness too.
I went over everything in my mind, exhausted. And my tension worsened when I heard his footsteps in the hallway, a door slamming nearby. I imagined him there and desperately wished I were beside him in bed. It hurt, the need to be with him, to touch him.
Everything had been frantic and wild the night before, driven by adrenaline and desperation. Just thinking about it made me aroused, craving more—which was terrifying. There were no predictable consequences.
Time passed. A cold wind slipped through the window and I covered myself. Then I sank into sleep, part of me still focused on the room next door.
I found myself in a dense forest, filled with fog in the middle of the night. The cold air froze my bare arms and feet. Even so, I didn’t stop, stepping over leaves and branches, trying to find my way. Where was I?
I couldn’t see clearly and felt afraid. I knew someone was coming after me, but not their intentions. So I hurried, my breath turning to mist from my mouth and nose.
The sensation was familiar. I looked back and kept moving forward. Then I stopped when the fog cleared and I looked ahead again.
There was a cliff just a step away, and I nearly fell over the edge.