---- NARRATOR "How do you sign a deal you can''t even read, you idiot? Are youa Selenia, a descendant of my royal bloodline?" Zarek mocked him, tightening his grip around Merkall''s throat, the blood already seeping down his strong arm and dripping onto the floor.


    "What a shame you can''t kill me and truly im ownership of the castle and the army.


    Tsk, tsk...


    Should I have your daughter executed by the very man who was once your enemy?" "T dont think so..." Merkall suddenlyughed, while behind Zarek, two hands rose, clutching a sharp dagger ready to strike.


    Merkall was hurled forcefully into a corner of the balcony, and below, the excitedmotion of the undead creatures grew louder once more.


    Zarek turned swiftly, and the daggers tipnded right against his heart, just above his shirt.


    Tell me, Celine, what choice will you make? Will you kill me, or will you finally ept me as your mate in your heart?" His voice was cold, harsher than ever before.


    Celines trembling hands gripped the daggers hilt tightly, every fiber of her being screaming in resistance.


    She bit her lips until they bled, and tears rolled down her cheeks; the internal battle raging within her was undeniable.


    "KILL HIM! I COMMAND YOU, YOU DAMN HYBRID! FINISH OFF THAT BASTARD!" ---- Merkall screamed, consumed by hatred and fury at having been deceived and outyed.


    He had to regain control somehowwithout the puppeteer, the puppets would fall, and those monsters wouldn''t be able to harm his daughter.


    "Stop me...


    Ibeg you, stop me!" Celine could barely hold back thepulsion surging in her mind.


    She fought against it as the dagger''s tip pressed into Zareks skin, and yet he merely watched her, making no move to defend himself.


    "ZAREK, DO SOMETHING, DAMN IT!" "Do it yourself! Stop repressing yourself, Celine.


    No one is imprisoning your will here; you''re the one keeping your powers locked away.


    Let them out! Let my other matee forth!" Zarek''s voice roared through the chamber, and for amoment, time seemed to stand still.


    Celine made the terrifying decision to break through the thorny barrier of pain and roses within the depths of her mind.


    She had met her wolf at eighteen, but this other being had always been thereprotecting her, watching over herbut she had hated it.


    She loathed it because it was a reminder of the bastard father who had cursed her with this bloodline.


    Behind that wall of pain, which she had built herself, was the other half of her soulthe powerful being that had longed to be set free.


    She and her wolf had repressed it mercilessly.


    "AAAHHHH!"" Her scream tore through the air as the barriers shattered, her mind