"Thank you for the birthday gift. It looks lovely."Aurora heard King Draven respond to the mysterious woman in the room with him. Her heart clenched. What cardigan were they talking about?She had also made a cardigan for the king.She never expected anyone else to give him such a ridiculous gift for his birthday.Stepping back, she hesitated. There was no way she was going to enter the room now. The king already had a woman with him. The thought sent a sharp sting through her chest.Just as she turned to leave, the door swung open. A woman with long, thick hair stepped out, followed closely by King Draven."The she-wol—""In my chambers, My Star."Draven cut the woman off and, without hesitation, strode toward Aurora. Before she could react, he grabbed her and pulled her into the room, slamming the door shut in Bella’s face.Draven walked to the table, his gaze fixed on Aurora. She stood there, her expression twisted in frustration."You look upset," he remarked, watching her finge
"You wouldn’t have done that."Aurora's voice wavered as she spoke. She couldn't believe something like this had happened between them again.No matter how much she tried to deny it, there was no escaping what they felt for each other."Oh? And what should I have done instead?" Draven smirked, his tone teasing. "Left you wanting? Needing my touch?" He took slow, deliberate steps toward the large table in his room, picking up a piece of clothing that rested upon it. Bringing it to his nose, he inhaled deeply, sighing."I can’t believe Bella made a cardigan like this." He ran his fingers over the fabric, admiring the intricate pattern.Aurora clenched her fists at her sides. The doctor was a terrible liar. She shut her eyes tightly, swallowing down the cry threatening to escape her lips."Is something wrong?" Draven asked, watching her closely.Aurora quickly shook her head and rose to her feet. "Nothing," she murmured, striding toward the door. Pausing, she turned back to face him. "I’
Aurora and Queen Lilith sat on the front balcony, knitting together. The cool breeze carried a sense of calm, but Aurora found herself momentarily lost in thought. This morning’s events still lingered in her mind—particularly the doctor and her deceit.“What did the Vampire King say about the gift you gave him?” Queen Lilith asked, her hands moving skillfully as she worked on her knitting.Aurora paused, almost forgetting about the incident. She let out a small sigh. “He hasn’t said anything,” she replied, continuing to knit a new garment for herself.“Why not? The cardigan is beautiful. I see no reason why he wouldn’t appreciate such a thoughtful gift,” the queen said, glancing at Aurora with curiosity.“He never acknowledged it because he doesn’t know I made it,” Aurora admitted, closing her eyes for a moment. That morning, King Draven had confronted her in his own way, demanding the truth, yet she had been unable to explain.Queen Lilith frowned. “What do you mean?”“The doctor,” A
The door to King Draven’s office swung open abruptly, revealing Carlos, his second-in-command. His usually composed demeanor was shaken, and his breathing was labored, as if he had sprinted all the way there.“We have a problem, King Draven,” Carlos announced, striding toward the king’s desk.Draven’s piercing gaze locked onto Carlos, his expression unreadable. “What kind of problem?”Carlos swallowed hard before speaking. “A body was discovered in the secret hall.”Draven’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as fury flickered in his crimson eyes. “A dead body? In my castle?” His voice was low and dangerous, his anger barely contained. How dare anyone violate his sanctuary and commit murder within these walls?Carlos nodded grimly. “It was a human. The victim was shot—silencer rounds to the chest and forehead. Whoever did this knew how to move undetected. No one saw or heard anything. I’ve already ordered an interrogation of every guard stationed near the hall.”Carlos’ hands tre
Silo stared at King Draven in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend what he had just heard. The vampire king was planning to make contact with a werewolf—an act that directly violated long-standing laws."I'm sorry to say this, King Draven, but you're breaking the rule. Vampires are forbidden from associating with werewolves," Silo said, his voice laced with concern. He wondered if the king had lost his mind.Draven's eyes darkened as he fixed Silo with a piercing glare. "I am the king. I make the rules. Do you understand me?"Silo immediately lowered his head in submission. "Yes, King Draven. I apologize."Draven studied him for a moment before shifting his attention to the second letter that had been delivered to him. His fingers traced the wax seal before he carefully broke it open. As his eyes scanned the parchment, he realized the letter bore no address—no sign of its sender."What is this?" he muttered, his curiosity quickly turning to dread as he read its contents.A letter for the
The black market was no place for the weak. It was a dangerous and unpredictable territory where vampires sought rare and forbidden goods—things they would never find in ordinary markets. Only the strongest and most ruthless vampires were granted entry, and now, his mother had brought his mate to a place as perilous as this.King Draven clenched his jaw, his fury simmering beneath the surface as he scanned the marketplace. It wasn’t difficult to locate Carlos. Three black SUVs idled in the center of the market, waiting for his arrival.As Draven moved through the crowd, the other vampires instinctively bowed their heads in submission. It was rare—almost unheard of—to see the Vampire King in a black market. His presence alone was enough to demand respect.Lilith, his mother, shivered beneath his gaze. He could tell she was terrified. Draven was dangerously close to losing control, his anger boiling just beneath the surface. Every fiber of his being wanted to rip her apart for what she
The cunning voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, dripping with mockery.Aurora felt herself freeze at the words. Her mistakes were catching up to her, returning with twice the force. This was something the king should never hear from someone else."What? Wow! So, I was right, then? Your second mate has no idea you once had a first mate? This is absolutely insane! Well, don’t worry. I’ll do you a favor and let King Draven know myself."Aurora’s heart pounded against her ribs. A chill ran down her spine."Please, no! I beg you—don’t tell him!" she pleaded desperately. She had planned to tell the king herself—if she ever made it out of this miserable hole she was tied up in.Laughter erupted from the unseen figure, sharp and cruel."Hahaha! Why? You don’t want the king to think you’re disgusting? You don’t want him to see you as filthy, unworthy?" The voice grew more venomous. "Well, I do. I want him to despise you. I want him to look at you with nothing but hatred. And that’s why
It was going to be difficult—almost impossible—to find the particular observatory she was being held in. Definitely difficult. The only way to track her down was to use his powers, and right now, he was already weak to the core. But he had no other option.Closing his eyes, Draven took a deep breath. He needed to focus, to listen—to pick up the faintest sound of her breathing. His head throbbed with exhaustion, but he pushed through the pain.Then, he heard it.A noise. Slow and melodic.A heartbeat.Light but quick, the rhythm pounded in his head, guiding him like a beacon. The sound was coming from an observatory not far from where he stood."Draven!"A tiny voice whispered into his mind, weak but familiar. His eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, he turned left. There it was—the observatory. It was the weakest structure among the surrounding buildings, its walls barely holding together.Summoning what little strength he had left, he shot forward, his vampire speed propelling him
It was going to be difficult—almost impossible—to find the particular observatory she was being held in. Definitely difficult. The only way to track her down was to use his powers, and right now, he was already weak to the core. But he had no other option.Closing his eyes, Draven took a deep breath. He needed to focus, to listen—to pick up the faintest sound of her breathing. His head throbbed with exhaustion, but he pushed through the pain.Then, he heard it.A noise. Slow and melodic.A heartbeat.Light but quick, the rhythm pounded in his head, guiding him like a beacon. The sound was coming from an observatory not far from where he stood."Draven!"A tiny voice whispered into his mind, weak but familiar. His eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, he turned left. There it was—the observatory. It was the weakest structure among the surrounding buildings, its walls barely holding together.Summoning what little strength he had left, he shot forward, his vampire speed propelling him
The cunning voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, dripping with mockery.Aurora felt herself freeze at the words. Her mistakes were catching up to her, returning with twice the force. This was something the king should never hear from someone else."What? Wow! So, I was right, then? Your second mate has no idea you once had a first mate? This is absolutely insane! Well, don’t worry. I’ll do you a favor and let King Draven know myself."Aurora’s heart pounded against her ribs. A chill ran down her spine."Please, no! I beg you—don’t tell him!" she pleaded desperately. She had planned to tell the king herself—if she ever made it out of this miserable hole she was tied up in.Laughter erupted from the unseen figure, sharp and cruel."Hahaha! Why? You don’t want the king to think you’re disgusting? You don’t want him to see you as filthy, unworthy?" The voice grew more venomous. "Well, I do. I want him to despise you. I want him to look at you with nothing but hatred. And that’s why
The black market was no place for the weak. It was a dangerous and unpredictable territory where vampires sought rare and forbidden goods—things they would never find in ordinary markets. Only the strongest and most ruthless vampires were granted entry, and now, his mother had brought his mate to a place as perilous as this.King Draven clenched his jaw, his fury simmering beneath the surface as he scanned the marketplace. It wasn’t difficult to locate Carlos. Three black SUVs idled in the center of the market, waiting for his arrival.As Draven moved through the crowd, the other vampires instinctively bowed their heads in submission. It was rare—almost unheard of—to see the Vampire King in a black market. His presence alone was enough to demand respect.Lilith, his mother, shivered beneath his gaze. He could tell she was terrified. Draven was dangerously close to losing control, his anger boiling just beneath the surface. Every fiber of his being wanted to rip her apart for what she
Silo stared at King Draven in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend what he had just heard. The vampire king was planning to make contact with a werewolf—an act that directly violated long-standing laws."I'm sorry to say this, King Draven, but you're breaking the rule. Vampires are forbidden from associating with werewolves," Silo said, his voice laced with concern. He wondered if the king had lost his mind.Draven's eyes darkened as he fixed Silo with a piercing glare. "I am the king. I make the rules. Do you understand me?"Silo immediately lowered his head in submission. "Yes, King Draven. I apologize."Draven studied him for a moment before shifting his attention to the second letter that had been delivered to him. His fingers traced the wax seal before he carefully broke it open. As his eyes scanned the parchment, he realized the letter bore no address—no sign of its sender."What is this?" he muttered, his curiosity quickly turning to dread as he read its contents.A letter for the
The door to King Draven’s office swung open abruptly, revealing Carlos, his second-in-command. His usually composed demeanor was shaken, and his breathing was labored, as if he had sprinted all the way there.“We have a problem, King Draven,” Carlos announced, striding toward the king’s desk.Draven’s piercing gaze locked onto Carlos, his expression unreadable. “What kind of problem?”Carlos swallowed hard before speaking. “A body was discovered in the secret hall.”Draven’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as fury flickered in his crimson eyes. “A dead body? In my castle?” His voice was low and dangerous, his anger barely contained. How dare anyone violate his sanctuary and commit murder within these walls?Carlos nodded grimly. “It was a human. The victim was shot—silencer rounds to the chest and forehead. Whoever did this knew how to move undetected. No one saw or heard anything. I’ve already ordered an interrogation of every guard stationed near the hall.”Carlos’ hands tre
Aurora and Queen Lilith sat on the front balcony, knitting together. The cool breeze carried a sense of calm, but Aurora found herself momentarily lost in thought. This morning’s events still lingered in her mind—particularly the doctor and her deceit.“What did the Vampire King say about the gift you gave him?” Queen Lilith asked, her hands moving skillfully as she worked on her knitting.Aurora paused, almost forgetting about the incident. She let out a small sigh. “He hasn’t said anything,” she replied, continuing to knit a new garment for herself.“Why not? The cardigan is beautiful. I see no reason why he wouldn’t appreciate such a thoughtful gift,” the queen said, glancing at Aurora with curiosity.“He never acknowledged it because he doesn’t know I made it,” Aurora admitted, closing her eyes for a moment. That morning, King Draven had confronted her in his own way, demanding the truth, yet she had been unable to explain.Queen Lilith frowned. “What do you mean?”“The doctor,” A
"You wouldn’t have done that."Aurora's voice wavered as she spoke. She couldn't believe something like this had happened between them again.No matter how much she tried to deny it, there was no escaping what they felt for each other."Oh? And what should I have done instead?" Draven smirked, his tone teasing. "Left you wanting? Needing my touch?" He took slow, deliberate steps toward the large table in his room, picking up a piece of clothing that rested upon it. Bringing it to his nose, he inhaled deeply, sighing."I can’t believe Bella made a cardigan like this." He ran his fingers over the fabric, admiring the intricate pattern.Aurora clenched her fists at her sides. The doctor was a terrible liar. She shut her eyes tightly, swallowing down the cry threatening to escape her lips."Is something wrong?" Draven asked, watching her closely.Aurora quickly shook her head and rose to her feet. "Nothing," she murmured, striding toward the door. Pausing, she turned back to face him. "I’
"Thank you for the birthday gift. It looks lovely."Aurora heard King Draven respond to the mysterious woman in the room with him. Her heart clenched. What cardigan were they talking about?She had also made a cardigan for the king.She never expected anyone else to give him such a ridiculous gift for his birthday.Stepping back, she hesitated. There was no way she was going to enter the room now. The king already had a woman with him. The thought sent a sharp sting through her chest.Just as she turned to leave, the door swung open. A woman with long, thick hair stepped out, followed closely by King Draven."The she-wol—""In my chambers, My Star."Draven cut the woman off and, without hesitation, strode toward Aurora. Before she could react, he grabbed her and pulled her into the room, slamming the door shut in Bella’s face.Draven walked to the table, his gaze fixed on Aurora. She stood there, her expression twisted in frustration."You look upset," he remarked, watching her finge
Aurora's eyes snapped open. She blinked rapidly, adjusting to the dim morning light filtering through the tall windows. The air was crisp, carrying the distant chirping of birds outside. She sat up quickly, her heart pounding. The room was empty.She pressed her palms against her forehead, squeezing her eyes shut. She needed to remember what had happened last night. The memories felt fragmented, like shattered glass piecing itself together.Then, it hit her.A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she recalled every detail. There was no way she could forget. The previous night, King Draven had been the one who was drunk—not her. But what had she done?Aurora groaned, rolling over the plush bed, clutching the sheets tightly. A wave of anxiety crashed over her. Had she really done something like that with him?"What the hell have I done?" she muttered, gripping the pillow and smacking it against the bed in frustration.A sudden voice broke through her thoughts."What are you doing, attacking a