Chapter 219. Reckless Defiance

Celeste’s POV

Draven’s irritation burned hotter than any flame magic as he glared at the she-wolf standing defiantly before him. The nerve of her—speaking to him in that insolent tone, as though he were some common thug!

For a moment, he even entertained the idea of molding her into a disciple, harnessing that raw power for his own ends. But Velvet’s unruly nature, that wild, undisciplined spirit, left a bad taste in his mouth. He’d seen too many like her over the centuries: unpredictable, uncoordinated mavericks who could tip the scales of battle on a whim. In Draven’s eyes, such volatile elements had to be neutralized before they wreaked havoc—end of story. That, to him, was simply the way of war.

But honestly? He was afraid. Afraid of talent he couldn’t cage, power he couldn’t suppress. Deep down, he knew himself a coward who struck down anything he perceived as a threat before it had the chance to overshadow him. He reminded himself, unhappily, of Byron