She was still in shock, dazed, and not believing what he said. How could he possibly be her mate? Something was wrong—something was totally wrong. She was not meant to have another mate.She tried stepping back from him, but he wasn’t allowing it. Instead, he..."What did you say you are?" she asked again, perhaps thinking she was dreaming or imagining herself dreaming. NO! She shook her head. She could never imagine herself getting mated to someone as ruthless and untamed as him."I am your mate. Haven’t your wolf told you that?" he said."I don’t have a wolf!" she replied, now pushing him forcefully away from her. She could tell he wasn’t expecting that.Draven stared at her, surprised by her actions and her response. She didn’t have a wolf, but her scent proved otherwise—she was a werewolf. She also had incredible strength to push him so hard.But that wasn’t what baffled him. He was still shocked by her sudden confession. That was news he wasn’t prepared for."Are you going to rej
She had almost forgotten—her newly found mate, the Vampire King, was, in fact, a vampire.When she turned back, she met Draven's intense gaze. She instinctively took a step back, but not before noticing the way he narrowed his eyes in irritation. Clearly, he was displeased with her reaction."I will give you the space you asked for, but as I said, I am not a being of patience. Do not keep me waiting. Also, this is my room—I do not wish to see you trying to escape again. The security around my chambers is tight, so don't think you can play silly games anymore," Draven said. He cast her one last look before leaving the room, leaving Aurora in a daze.Something twisted inside her at his words. She wasn’t sure what it was, so she let it slide. Then, her mind processed what the Vampire King had just said.His room!Her eyes widened at the thought. Why would he keep her in his room when he had promised to stay away from her? She looked around. Indeed, the space exuded the luxury and authori
It had been three days since she received the letter summoning her presence, and now, Aurora stood in the midst of the high-ranking vampires. As she stepped into the vast hall, the murmurs that had filled the air earlier hushed, and the vampires instinctively moved four feet away from her, as if her very existence was something to be cautious of.Her eyes darted around the room, searching for a familiar face, but there was no sign of Lilith. She hadn't seen her for a while and wondered if she was present, hidden among the silent onlookers.Aurora wrapped her arms around herself as a shiver ran down her spine. The presence of werewolves in the same room as her made her uneasy. Their cold, calculating stares felt like they were piercing through her, their expressions unreadable.The Judgment Hall, as she had come to know, was a grand yet imposing place. Elevated seats lined the room, towering over the ground, accessible only by staircases that gave the elders and high officials an air o
As Aurora watched Asmada collapse onto the cold stone floor after the final lash, an unexpected pain clenched at her heart. The sight before her was harrowing—Asmada’s back was marred with deep, raw wounds, crimson streaks of blood trailing down her tattered garments. Her flesh was torn open, evidence of the severity of her punishment.The room was silent, save for the sound of her ragged breathing.A voice pulled Aurora from her daze.“We are done for today,” King Draven’s deep voice echoed through the grand hall, his tone carrying a finality that left no room for argument. “But let it be known—” his gaze swept across the room, lingering a fraction too long on Aurora “—that I will treat anyone who dares insult me or anything that belongs to me the same way I treated this woman who now lies unconscious on the floor.”Aurora stiffened, her breath catching in her throat. There was no doubt in her mind that when he said anything that belongs to me, he was referring to her. The possessive
The air in the grand chamber was thick with tension, the dim candlelight casting flickering shadows across the ornate walls. The Vampire King sat at his massive wooden desk, his fingers drumming impatiently against the polished surface."Any news yet about the rogues?" Draven's voice carried a sharp edge, his crimson eyes narrowing at his men.Carlos shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his king’s gaze. "I'm sorry, my king. We searched outside the borders, focusing on the barren lands, but it seems the rogues caught wind of our search and vanished before we could track them."Draven's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. The lack of information infuriated him. For weeks now, the rogues had been untraceable. Not a single attack, not a whisper of their whereabouts. It was as if they had simply disappeared."Hmm, I see," Draven muttered, his expression unreadable.He didn’t like this silence. Rogues weren’t known for their patience. They were aggressive, reckless,
Darkness engulfed everything around her. The only thing Aurora could hear was the sharp, deafening sound of bullets slicing through the air. Her heart pounded violently in her chest as she ran, dodging every shot aimed at her. Sweat dripped from her forehead, stinging her eyes, but she couldn’t stop. Her pack members were struggling to keep up, their footsteps heavy behind her.The scent of her enemies surrounded her, thick with bloodlust. For years, she had believed they had no reason to come after her, no personal vendetta against her. But now, as they pursued her with unwavering determination, she realized how wrong she had been. They wanted her dead.Aurora's legs ached with exhaustion. Every step felt heavier than the last, her limbs trembling from the relentless chase. She stumbled, barely catching herself, but she knew it was only a matter of time before they caught up.And then it happened.A force like a hammer slammed into her body, sending her flying into a nearby tree. Pai
Aurora gasped in shock. Someone she hadn't seen in a long time—someone she had specifically asked to stay away—had accepted an invitation from her. And not just any invitation—one that involved his birthday."Now get your butt up. It's time for breakfast," Lilith said.Aurora quickly stood, shaking off her thoughts.Vuk watched her movements, his sharp eyes scrutinizing every detail. He couldn't understand why his brother was taking so long to claim her as his mate."Mother, don't you think it's time my brother claims his mate?" VuK asked, his tone neutral but edged with curiosity.Lilith and Aurora both turned their heads sharply toward him.Aurora didn't wait to hear their conversation. She didn't want to hear any talk about mates, especially when it concerned her. Without another word, she turned and left the room.Lilith's gaze lingered on the door, where Aurora had disappeared."I don't see why you're bringing this up. You know she's uncomfortable with the term 'mate,'" Lilith sai
"So, where were we, Kitty?" Draven said, standing up and striding toward his mate. She still wasn't used to his presence, but he no longer cared about her rules. All he had been thinking about all day was kissing her senseless, tasting her until she surrendered completely.Aurora smacked her hands against her forehead. She was rambling, explaining something as simple as birthdays to a grown man who should already know. "Can you please celebrate your birthday?" She asked him.Draven watched her, amused but also pleased. She was beginning to open up, speaking more than she ever had before."Don't you think there's a reason I don't celebrate my birthdays?" he asked.Aurora looked up at him, surprised. She hadn't expected an actual response from him. Maybe this conversation was finally leading somewhere."I'm sorry, but the only reason I can think of for not celebrating would be death. I don’t see why—""Why are you so eager for me to celebrate my birthday?" Draven interrupted, his gaze s
Carlos and Aurora emerged from the tunnel, the hidden panel sliding shut behind them. The passage had left streaks of ash and blood on their clothes, but there was no time to rest—not while the scent of betrayal still lingered in the air.“Where now?” Aurora asked, eyes scanning the dim corridor. Her body remained tense, alert, even as her breath slowed.Carlos narrowed his gaze, nostrils flaring. “Back to the dungeons,” he said. “If Kael and Elizabeth were released from there, someone had to break the lock—or use a key.”They moved swiftly through the lower levels of the castle, avoiding the main hallways where patrolling guards could be seen in the distance. Carlos kept to the shadows, Aurora moving beside him with the grace of a predator. The halls beneath the palace had always felt heavy with secrets, but tonight, the air seemed denser. Something foul lingered in every breath.As they neared the entrance to the dungeon wing, Carlos halted, raising a hand.“You smell that?” he aske
The castle loomed in uneasy silence as dawn's first light crept across the sky. The air inside the stone corridors was still, heavy with tension. Carlos, still wearing his bloodstained armor, paced the length of the war room. His mind reeled from the ambush, from Kael’s venomous words… and from the gnawing sense of danger he couldn’t shake.Aurora.Draven’s mate hadn’t been seen since the king left. And now, with the chaos outside and betrayal within, Carlos could no longer assume she was safe. He had sent messengers to every wing of the castle, ordered every guard to sweep the halls—but no sign of her.He returned to her chamber personally, pushing open the heavy door, calling her name. Silence greeted him.The bed was neatly made. Her crimson cloak was gone. But something caught his attention.A strange scent.Carlos's sharp vampire senses caught it immediately—something not quite vampire, not quite werewolf. He inhaled deeper. It was faint, but recent.His eyes scanned the room. Th
The war room buzzed with tension, lit by the dull glow of enchanted magical lanterns. Maps of the Eastern vampire territories were spread across the grand table, red ink marking the fallen clans. King Draven stood at the head, his arms crossed over his broad chest, crimson eyes burning with barely contained fury. Around him, his council whispered nervously, exchanging fearful glances."We must respond swiftly," said Carlos, Draven's loyal assistant. He pointed to the affected regions. "They've struck seven clans already. We can't risk losing the Eastern front."Elder Eric slammed his hand on the table, drawing all attention. "We should not involve the other vampire clans in this, Your Majesty. This is a werewolf conflict. Bringing in outsiders will only sow discord."Draven's jaw tightened. "Seven of our own have fallen, Elder. They were not outsiders. They were family.""And seeking help makes us look weak," Eric hissed. "We are Vampires. We do not beg."Draven’s gaze snapped to him
The dungeon was cold, echoing with the anguished cries of those who had defied King Draven. A torch flickered on the stone wall, casting sharp shadows over Delilah’s bruised face. She was shackled to a post, her knees scraped and bleeding. Aurora stood nearby, her hands trembling as she clung to Draven’s arm. Kael and Elizabeth were locked in the adjoining cells, silent for once, their eyes avoiding Aurora’s gaze.Draven stood tall, his piercing crimson eyes narrowed on Delilah. "Tell me why Aurora has no wolf," he demanded, his voice cold, commanding, and echoing with authority.Delilah winced, her lips dry and cracked. A beat of silence passed before she finally spoke. "It was an order from the late Alpha Rowan," she croaked, shame dripping from every word. "He... he wanted to dull her wolf, to sever her bond with the beast within. So... so she wouldn't fight back. So she wouldn't claim what was rightfully hers."Aurora flinched. Her heart twisted as the weight of betrayal pressed a
As the tension in the hall settled, the scent of Alpha Rowan's blood lingering in the air, King Draven stood tall amid the chaos. His crimson eyes swept over the crowd of shivering wolves and subdued vampires. With a single flick of his hand, his guards closed in on the three figures trying to escape into the shadows—Delilah, Elizabeth, and Kael."Seize them," Draven commanded, his voice calm yet thunderous, echoing with a power that could not be denied.The guards obeyed immediately, shackling the trio with enchanted chains that shimmered faintly under the moonlight. The crowd parted as they were dragged through the assembly, their heads lowered in shame. Aurora stood still, her fists clenched, the truth clawing at the edges of her mind. Something inside her told her she was on the brink of unraveling a past that had been stolen from her.Draven followed his prisoners into the dungeon below the castle, a place built to break the strongest of wills. The stone corridors were damp, lit
Draven’s voice echoed like thunder across the ballroom, silencing every murmur. “Bring him in,” he commanded, his tone sharp and absolute.All eyes turned toward the massive doors as they creaked open. Every person brought in through that entrance so far had unraveled secrets buried deep in blood and betrayal. This one was no different.Kael’s eyes widened the moment he saw who had been dragged into the hall. His shock quickly morphed into fury, his body vibrating with rage.“How dare you bring my father here!” Kael snarled. “You attacked Red Moon Pack? You invaded our home!”He took a step forward, but Draven’s guards moved swiftly, blocking his path with unflinching precision.Draven's expression remained cold. “Your father stole the Alpha title from my mate’s father,” he said, his voice low but heavy with truth. “He murdered him in cold blood and claimed the title that never belonged to him.”The crowd gasped, whispers rippling like wildfire. The shame of the Red Moon Pack was unra
Elizabeth turned sharply, her eyes locking on the people clapping their hands, mocking the tension in the air."How dare you deceive us?!" she screamed, her voice rising above the murmurs of the crowd.The room fell into complete silence. Kael turned to look at Elizabeth, his eyes begging her to stop. He slowly shook his head, trying to urge her into silence. But Elizabeth was past reasoning. Rage, betrayal, and a seething jealousy frothed within her.She couldn't believe Aurora was not only alive but thriving—standing proud in the very place she had once been humiliated."You came to my pack to deceive me," Elizabeth spat. "And now you have the audacity to insult me? You slut!"Before the final word even landed, Draven had moved. In the blink of an eye, he had Elizabeth pinned to the wall, one hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground with terrifying strength."Don’t you ever call my mate a slut again," he snarled, his crimson eyes glowing with fury. "If you do, I wi
As Draven was about to walk toward the werewolves, who were already laughing heartily and sipping one of the finest imported wines, a hand gently touched his shoulder.“Son.”Queen Lilith’s voice was soft, but it held a weight of emotions buried under centuries of silence. Slowly, King Draven turned to face his mother. He had only agreed to invite her to his mate celebration because Aurora had insisted. She missed the queen and wanted her there. Draven had relented, not because of sentiment, but to make Aurora happy.“I told you not to cross my path,” Draven said coldly, his gaze dropping to the elegant black and silver dress he had specifically chosen for her to wear.“You can’t hold this grudge forever, you know,” Lilith replied, her tone calm but weary. “I even wore this dress just to please you. You know I never wear what you pick for me.”She reached out to touch his shoulder again, a fragile attempt at reconciliation, but Draven shifted away before her fingers could graze him.“
Warning, Matured context.“First thing first, the child does not belong to Kael,” Aurora said, picking up a pen and flipping through a book. She was deep in thought, formulating the perfect plan.“Which child?” Draven asked, now sitting up. His mate was like a machine—a calculating force with a clear mission, and he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her intensity.“The child that Elizabeth bore doesn’t belong to Kael,” Aurora replied, her voice steady and confident. “The child belongs to her true mate, who was previously her ex-boyfriend, Ronald. I know Ronald—I always caught them sneaking out of her room. Even in broad daylight, I would hear their moans and screams. But suddenly, Ronald disappeared from the pack. No one knew where he went. Soon enough, he was forgotten.” Aurora stated the hard facts as if they were nothing but simple truths.Draven stared at her in shock, trying to process her words. “How did you find out about this?” His voice was tinged with disbelief. How had she un