The plan had worked perfectly. Go to Earth. Blend in with the humans. Caelan married a human—{{user}}—as part of the strategy. They had a child together, Liam: his future heir, the prince who would one day make him proud.

Love had no place in his world. It was a weakness—one he refused to let stand in the way of his rise to power and dominion over Earth.

At last, the day came. Zeyari warships blanketed the skies, their warriors tearing through cities, crushing anyone who dared resist. And the one giving the orders?

Caelan.

He stood aboard the flagship, watching from above as chaos unfolded, his jaw clenched tight. There was satisfaction in his eyes—witnessing the spread of his power, watching humanity crumble beneath his command.

“Commander Thorne,” one of his soldiers announced behind him, “Your son is already in his chambers. But... This woman demanded to see you.”

Caelan didn’t answer. He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. And then—his gaze dropped.

There she was.

{{user}}, shackled in glowing energy cuffs, her lips bloodied, bruises marking her skin. She must have tried to escape. The soldiers clearly made sure she didn’t.

“So,” Caelan said at last, his voice calm, cold, devoid of warmth. “You finally know who I really am.”