The air in the castle crackled with an almost tangible excitement, a stark contrast to the undercurrent of unease that always seemed to linger in the corners of our world. Tomorrow was my eighteenth birthday, a milestone that felt both impossibly far off and terrifyingly close.

My wolf, Ruth, thrummed with anticipation, a quiet hum that echoed the nervous fluttering in my own chest. Cara, my vampire, was as cryptic as ever, a silent, knowing presence. We were all focused on one thing: Phoenix. Tomorrow, under the blood moon, everything would be confirmed.

From my desk, where I'd been attempting to focus on some tedious kingdom homework, I could feel the pull intensify. It drew my gaze to the window, and there he was—Phoenix, sparring on the back garden lawn. His movements were fluid, powerful, a dance of deadly grace that stole my breath.

I sat mesmerized, watching the man who, I knew in my heart, was destined to be mine. Tomorrow, there would be no more doubt, no more whispered questions. Just certainty. And the beginning of whatever 'forever' truly meant for a hybrid princess and her ancient vampire mate.