---- "Your mate asked for your hand.


    He asked me for permission to im you as his mate," I was shocked to hear what Zarek had done.


    It was an ancient tradition when male mates sought permission from the father to im their mate.


    "Now I know exactly what answer to give him." I bit my trembling lower lip, overwhelmed with emotions swirling in my chest.


    "Come here, my crybaby, let me hold you onest time before youre covered in warning marks and your dark prince wants to rip my throat out for touching you." "Tf he dares threaten you, I''ll cut off his bits," I joked, throwing myself into his embrace, feeling nostalgia and all the love I had for him that would never change.


    In my stormy world, Quinn was always the reliable lifeline that kept me afloat.


    sek That night, we were invited to dinner in the castle''s grand dining hall under candlelight.


    When I stepped out of the bathroom, I was surprised to see a beautiful turquoise dressid on the bed, along with high leather boots and even essories.


    ---- "Celine!" "Brother," I let him embrace me tightly, almost suffocating me.


    I hugged him back as if I hadn''t seen him in ages.


    After a few seconds, he let me go and began examining me from head to toe while scolding me.


    "Tleave you alone for a few days, and look how you end up.


    Are you okay? Did that arrogant vampire hurt you? Don''t be afraid just because he''s powerfulif he forced you into anything..." "Shhh," I covered his mouth and pulled him inside.


    I could feel itZarek was listening to every single insult.


    Nothing escaped him in this pce.


    "He didn''t do anything to me.


    I''m fine, Quinn," I assured him, even turning around so he could check, trying to smile a little.


    "If anything, your sister almost took him down," I said, running a finger across my neck in a death gesture.


    "And thats a joke now?" He raised an eyebrow, always the grumpy one.


    Your mind..." "Well, pfft, you see, I''m fine," I rolled my eyes, pretending, but my chest warmed at his concern.


    Where''s Gabrielle? What happened with the rebellion? What has been going on? Everything was chaos." Then we sat down on thefortable sofas in front of the fire.


    Quinn told me how our people had defeated the rogue vampires and warlocks, and then those terrifying undead rose to hunt down the ---- survivors and secure the territory.


    "Aldric left right after the battle to return to the camp because he was worried about Valeria.


    He''ll bring her tomorrow; we all need to sit down and talk," he looked at me withplicated eyes.


    "Celine, you know your mate is practically the ruler of the entire realm now, right? That makes you..." We''ll talk about itter, okay? I don''t even want to think about what they''ll propose to me...


    we ll figure it outter," I interrupted, not wanting toplicate my life any further right now.


    "Do you like him? He''s a vampire.


    Do you feelfortable with him?" "Yes," I answered, lowering my head and looking at my knees, feeling my ears burn.


    "I never thought I could ept a vampire as my mate, but he...


    he makes me feel different.


    He...


    makes me not feel so...


    strange." Icouldnt bring myself to look into my brother''s eyes, feeling like an ungrateful traitor.


    He always protected me, sacrificed everything for me, and now here I was, confessing that I always felt out of ce in his world.


    Suddenly, a gentle touch fell on my hair, smoothing it softly.


    I swallowed the lump in my throatthose were the hands that always healed my wounds, that fed me, the hands that protected me with ws and blood.


    "Then I''m happy, my little Celine.


    Your brother can finally be at peace and tell Mom that he entrusted you to a strong man who respects and loves you, who can make you happy as you deserve." "Brother..." I lifted my head, unable to control the tears spilling from my eyes.


    He just smiled at me with that warm expression he always had.