Chapter 361
THIRD POV
Roman wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand, letting out a low breath as he stepped
back from Jeffery.
“So…” Jeffery started, tilting his head slightly. “I heard that you weren’t from Blood Crescent, that you were
… found at the border or something. I just thought I’d ask you directly–if you don’t mind.” His tone was
careful, respectful, but the underlying curiosity was impossible to miss.
Roman straightened, running a hand through his messy hair, and let out a short, dry laugh. “So they already
told you,” he said, his voice calm, almost amused. “I suppose I can’t exactly blame anyone. It does sound
a little… out there.”
Jeffery’s lips pressed together in a small smile. “It was hard to believe. But I’d rather hear it from you than
from stories or rumors.”
Roman shrugged, his posture relaxed, like he’d had this conversation enough times to have learned how to make it simple. “Alright, then. Whatever you heard…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “It’s true. I’m
not from here. I was found near the border. I don’t remember anything before that. That’s… about it.”
te further. There was no bitterness or defensiveness in his voice, just a straightforward
It was almost as if he had resigned himself to the curiosity that came with being the
odded slowly, processing the information. There was a moment of silence, but it wasn’t
comfortable. It felt almost natural, like this was one of those rare pauses where neither of them needed
to fill the air with unnecessary words.
Roman was used to people asking questions, and Jeffery, for his part, seemed content to just understand
what he could without pushing for more than Roman was willing to give.
Then a familiar voice came through, carrying that slight note of amusement that always made Roman
glance up immediately. “There you are.”
Irene stepped into the clearing, her presence immediately noticeable. Her eyes flicked to Jeffery first, then
to Roman, and a faint smile touched her lips. She moved with her usual ease, approaching Jeffery, a hand
brushing over his arm in greeting. Roman’s attention shifted just long enough to take in the exchange, but
he didn’t linger.
7
He took a small step back, straightening his shoulders and giving a slight nod. “Good sparring,” he said to Jeffery, his voice casual but carrying a hint of acknowledgment for the effort they’d both put in. It was the kind of remark that left space fotopreciation without needing to linger on it.
Jeffery grinned, a spa
ness still alive in his eyes. “We should have a rematch sometime,”
he said, his tone l
Chapay 365
Roman smirked, lifting a hand in mock salute, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in an almost teasing gesture. “We’ll see about that,” he replied. Then, without waiting for more, he turned on his heel.
STONEVALE PACK
THIRD POV
The night was heavy with mist. Darren’s boots crunched over fallen leaves as he waited, glancing impatiently at the shadows stretching between the trunks.
Janet emerged from the darkness, her movements unhurried.
“You’ve kept me standing out here too long,” Darren said, irritation lacing his voice. “Why not meet in your
chambers–or mine? Why out here?”
Janet didn’t flinch. She stepped closer, the moonlight catching faint highlights in her hair. “I didn’t think it wise,” she replied. “You coming to my chambers all the time… people would notice. It would raise questions. Curiosity gets its way in Stonevale.”
Darren’s jaw tightened. “And yet here you are, meeting me in the middle of nowhere.”
“Exactly,” Janet said, a faint edge of amusement in her tone. “It draws no attention, and we’re free to speak
plainly.”
“Then speak plainly,” Darren said, crossing his arms. “Why haven’t you told me where to find the…. Celestine Luna? Why haven’t you-” He paused, his words sharp. “-just given me the answer and gotten this over
with?”
Janet tilted her head slightly, considering him. “Impatience has always been your weakness,” she said. You want control over everything, over every step, every decision… and yet you cannot see what’s already
in motion.”
Darren frowned. “I’m listening. Enlighten me, then.”
Janet’s eyes flicked toward the thick shadow of trees around them. “While you slept at night, I set things in
motion.”
Darren’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“Even I do not know the exact person who bears the mark–the chosen one,” Janet explained. “Not yet. But the spell is working. The prophecy will reveal itself in time.”
Darren ran a hand through his hair. “And how exactly does a prophecy ‘reveal itself‘? Because I’m beginning to suspect this is just more… mysticism to stall me.”
Janet’s expression remained serene. “Not at all. Right now, she is restless. Her powers are stirring. And the more she resists, the more… difficult it becomes for her to maintain balance. Her gifts will flare uncontrollably. The agitation… it will feel like madness.”
iren blinked. “You’re telling me she is out there losing her hind?ind?”
in guiding it. The magic is subtle, precise. It will continue to edostolate until the final stage. And when
at stage arrives…” She paused, letting her words settle thinferiop right at the Celestine Luna will ne to us of her own accord. No chasing, no quessing 9hg wie wilkappear”
ren’s arms fell to his sides, skepticism and curiosity witringing across his face. “That sounds…
venient.”
et’s lips curved faintly. “Absolutely. I trust the procproctve dive seen its patterns before.”
d if it doesn’t work?” Darren asked, his voice cjuie tuinter now a thread of caution creeping in.
let’s gaze sharpened. “It will. You’ll seel Patienticficer Darren. All things must reach their moment.” ren exhaled, the frustration in his shoulders dersing singh slightly. “You make it sound so certain. But still…! uld feel better if i had a name. A face/SomSontene torifyerify.”
u don’t,” Janet said simply. “Not yet: And yod you won’t. The mark will choose the moment. She cannot ist its pull forever. When it grows unbearablerabile, she will seek us out. The spell ensures that.”
hen exhaled slowly, trying to shakehoffe lod fithe impatience gnawing at him. “I suppose we wait, then.” et nodded, her expression calminthtitemoonlight. “We wait. And we watch.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
