Chapter 0277

"She promised I could claim her after this battle. Genevieve...she asked me to return to her so she could accept me as her mate." I see the lump in his throat move as he swallows hard.

My fingers tighten around his forearm, forcing his gaze to meet mine. "Then you'd better listen to your mate and do exactly as she says."

A faint smile tugs at his lips before we turn to take our positions. Nathaniel leads a flanking group from the side, while I stand at the front with Sebastian, Evelyn, Adrian, and Gregory.

I break into a jog toward Sebastian. His arms open before I crash into them, my grip desperate around his waist.

"Little Seraphina," he murmurs into my hair. "Just focus on staying alive today. You survive, I survive, and we'll sort out the rest later." I press my forehead against his chest in silent agreement.

He pulls back, cradling my face between his hands. His eyes burn with intensity. "You and me, Seraphina. Promise me you'll fight beside me today—not in front of me. Promise."

Valeria, can we keep that promise?

Only if his life isn't in danger. Otherwise, we won't stand by and watch.

I hold Sebastian's gaze. "If you swear not to throw yourself into death's path, then yes. But if your life is at stake, Valeria and I won't hesitate to intervene."

"Understood." His thumb brushes my cheek. "Same goes for you. I'll trust you to handle yourself—but if I see you falter, I'm stepping in."

A soft smile curves my lips as I stare at the man who owns my soul. Never could I have imagined my life transforming so completely in such a short time. He is my everything. "You and me, Sebastian."

The battlefield hums with restless energy as we wait. Our front line is set—Evelyn stands between Gregory and me, Sebastian on my other side, Adrian beside Gregory. We are the shield. Evelyn, Gregory, and I will combine our power to decimate the first wave of vampires. We know we can't eliminate them all, but thinning their numbers will give our wolves an advantage.

Oberon's warriors flank our central line, led by Alistair. Nathaniel and Donovan command the groups poised to strike from the sides.

The stench hits me first—rotting flesh and cold malice. Evelyn and Gregory scent it the same instant I do, a heartbeat before Sebastian and Adrian.

Then they emerge.

Vampires pour from the tree line across the ravine. At their forefront stand Prince Damien and Malachi. Beside Damien, another vampire clad in royal garb surveys us with predatory amusement.

Damien inhales deeply, his lips curling. "Custos Regni." That sickening purr slithers down my spine, dragging up memories I'd rather forget. "Do you see now, Malachi?"

Malachi's fangs gleam as his eyes bleed crimson. Around us, wolves snarl, their growls vibrating the earth. Valeria's rage simmers in my mind, but I remain silent. Watching.

Vampires love theatrics. This is no different.

While the royals make a show of savoring our fear, two vampire units dart toward Oberon's warriors. I step forward, hands thrust out. My aura erupts like a solar flare. Evelyn grips my hand, her other clasping Gregory's. Their power merges with mine.

The vampires don't even have time to scream.

Where my light touches them, they crumble to ash.

Cheers erupt around me, but Damien's sneer never wavers. His eyes lock onto mine.

"I'm not the helpless girl you fed on for years, Damien." I spit his name like poison. "You'll find I'm not so easily caught this time."

His grin widens. "Then breaking you will be all the sweeter."