In Prince Raymond's private chamber, the walls were lined with ancient maps marking the three clans. The fireplace crackled softly, casting warm light across the stone walls. Piper guided Lillian into the room and gestured to a chair across from the prince. Raymond sat at the head of the long wooden table, calm but alert, with Piper at his side like a shadow ready to strike.
The child—swaddled in soft linen—lay sleeping peacefully in Lillian's arms, her tiny breaths the only sound that dared interrupt the silence.
"Tea?" Raymond asked, pushing a tray forward that held a white ceramic kettle and two delicate cups.
"No, thank you," Lillian said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Raymond shrugged lightly, then leaned back in his chair. "Her name?"
"She… was named Cara by her mother . Not officially," Lillian said, her tone quiet but steady. "She's a witch… and a werewolf. My sister's daughter. Was." Her voice cracked subtly on the last word.
"She doesn't exist to the werewolves," Lillian continued, brushing her hand gently across the baby's forehead, "and to the witches, she's already dead. And it must stay that way. I've cloaked her aura, but her powers… they're beginning to stir. When the time is right, they will awaken."
Piper's eyes widened in recognition. "The child of the lycan witch? I heard the rumors. A lycan wolf murdered by his own kin, and the witch mother hunted down as a traitor. But I never heard they left a child behind."
Raymond's brow furrowed. "I remember the tale. And last I checked, the witch—your sister—was betrayed even by her own blood. Including you."
Lillian lowered her gaze. "I… received her message too late. By the time I reached her, she was already dead. My task was to kill the child and cleanse our line. But…" Her voice softened as she looked at the sleeping infant, "I couldn't do it."
"You couldn't," Raymond echoed, "so now you've betrayed your own clan."
"I have," she said, firm now. "Tell me what to do. As long as you protect her, I will do anything."
Raymond studied her silently for a moment. "Have you heard of the Covenant Blood Charm?" he asked. "A spell that redirects a vampire's thirst from human blood to that of animals. I want it."
Lillian froze. Her lips parted as if to speak, but she said nothing. Finally, she answered. "The spell was destroyed. Our high priestess—Selene—burned the original tome. Some pages were salvaged, but key ingredients and rituals were lost. Only Selene still holds the full knowledge, and she's… inaccessible. I'm sorry."
Raymond exhaled slowly, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
"But I swear to you," Lillian added quickly, "I'll do everything in my power to retrieve it—or reconstruct it. If there's any other request I can fulfill in the meantime, name it."
"Then I want full access to witch movements," Raymond said coldly. "Every action, every meeting, every whisper."
Lillian nodded. "You would have it anyway. I've already made my choice. I can't go back."
Raymond folded his arms. "You said the stone was supposed to lead you to Alpha Kaelen. Why?"
"I heard he'd begun building a clan," Lillian replied. "One not unlike yours. Hidden, inclusive. A safe haven."
Raymond frowned. "A clan like mine? Who told you this?"
"A friend," she said vaguely.
"We'll need to speak to this Alpha Kaelen," Raymond said, almost to himself. "But how?"
"I can help with that," Lillian offered. "The baby. She might be the key."
Raymond nodded to Piper. "Find a breastfeeding maiden. She needs nourishment."
"Yes, my lord," Piper said, bowing before stepping out.
Raymond stood slowly and crossed the room. "I want to see her."
He approached cautiously and leaned over the child. As he extended a hand to touch her cheek, the moment his skin brushed her face, a sudden surge of energy raced through him. Visions—fragmented and chaotic—flashed before his eyes. He saw himself marking someone. A bond… a claim… a future.
He staggered back, drawing in a sharp breath, hand trembling. His teeth itched unnaturally, the edge of transformation pulling at him.
Lillian stood abruptly. "What happened?" she asked, alarmed.
Raymond looked up, eyes wide in disbelief. "We're… she's my… mate?"
The words escaped his mouth before he could stop them. The room fell into stunned silence. Lillian clutched the baby closer, eyes flickering with shock.
"You're saying… my niece, this child, is destined to be your mate?" she whispered.
Raymond didn't answer right away. He turned his face away, wrestling with the urge to mark.