CHAPTER 52

Serena POV

(After the Duel, Dawn Aftermath)

For a moment, there was no arena. No Elders. No blood.

Only Lucien.

He staggered toward me, still half-shifted, fur soaked with crimson, breaths coming in ragged bursts. His gold-and-silver eyes were wild, but not with rage anymore—this time, with something softer. Disbelieving. Reverent.

Our son’s cry split the air again, thin but fierce, as if he somehow sensed his father’s nearness. I pressed the tiny bundle closer to my ...