Chapter 0266

My gaze sweeps across the gathered faces. "Dorian is still with me. Weakened, but present."

The shackles clatter to the ground. I sense Dorian's relief like a weight lifting from my shoulders. "And it seems I've inherited my mate's remarkable healing gift. Dorian has fully recovered."

"Your turn, Adrian."

Oberon puts Adrian through identical trials. Wolfsbane and silver affect him more than they do me. The Fae king theorizes this is because Evelyn gained her resistances genetically, whereas Seraphina's lineage received theirs directly from the Moon Goddess.

But when testing mind links, Adrian and Evelyn demonstrate extraordinary range. I recall when Victor Blackwood kidnapped Evelyn—she could reach Gregory across impossible distances. Adrian confirms they've maintained that same connection.

Next comes Gregory's evaluation. His Guardian lineage gifts—long-distance linking and brute strength—remain intact despite his wheelchair confinement.

Finished, Oberon turns to Seraphina. "More tests today? Or shall we resume tomorrow?"

"Now works."

"Attempt to link with a pack member."

Her eyes glaze over as she reaches out mentally. When they refocus, I already know the outcome. I hear the pack's collective murmur, but no distinct voice.

"Nothing."

"Evelyn, join us please."

She approaches, and Oberon instructs her to clasp Seraphina's hands while channeling her enhancing ability into the mind link. Once prepared, he has Seraphina try again.

A sharp inhale. Seraphina's eyes snap to mine. "Nathaniel. I reached Nathaniel."

Further experiments prove Evelyn can only amplify Seraphina's and Gregory's abilities, not mine or Adrian's.

We conclude as dusk falls, retreating indoors for a subdued dinner before retiring.

At dawn, Oberon requests one final test with Seraphina and Evelyn. But first, he asks me to walk with him.

We stride toward the forest's edge, putting distance between us and the packhouse.

"I owe you clarity regarding my feelings toward your mate." His voice carries the weight of centuries. "Historical tensions between werewolf alphas and Fae created the rift that Alistair and Adrian now mend. I won't let personal misunderstandings hinder this reconciliation."

I nod curtly.

"Imagine the unthinkable—losing both Seraphina and Valeria." My snarl cuts through the morning air, muscles coiling. If this is his idea of diplomacy—

He raises placating hands. "Hear me out. The explanation matters."

After a tense pause, I gesture for him to continue.

"Should they perish, their Guardian essence would reincarnate. A fragment of Valeria would live on. But the new vessel wouldn't be Seraphina. Your bond wouldn't transfer. Yet you'd still feel compelled to protect her." He meets my glare unflinchingly. "That's my connection to Seraphina and Valeria. The remnants of my bond with Elowen and her wolf Emlyn forged this protective instinct—nothing more."

Turning fully toward me, he asks, "Does this help you understand? Does it ease your discomfort?"

"It does." The admission comes grudgingly. "You're right. If I lost Seraphina and somehow survived, I'd guard her successor with my life."

"Precisely. So know this—I'd die for Seraphina, but not out of the love you bear her."

He pivots toward the packhouse. "Now, let's discover what other surprises your remarkable mate possesses."