The Vampire's Luna

Damien arrived at the palace of the Alpha King earlier than expected. Damien had begun his travel as soon as the sun went down and would’ve arrived even earlier if he hadn’t paused mid-journey to track the pungent, filthy scent of rogue vampires wafting through the trees.

Thank the gods he did.

That detour had brought him to her. His mate. A literal goddess of a werewolf, snarling at danger with blood on her jaw and defiance in her gaze. She’d been seconds away from being mauled by rogue scum. And instead of cowering like most would, she was gloriously unbowed.

Damien hadn’t expected this. Hell, he’d stopped believing this. But when she’d turned those wild eyes on him in the light of the Blood moon, his dead heart had stuttered.

A werewolf for a mate. Rare, yes. But not impossible.

He’d waited centuries. Centuries. So many years of empty pleasure, meaningless seductions, and women with perfect bodies but eyes as hollow as a grave. He was tired of the loneliness that followed every fleeting night of passion. He wanted real. Someone who could challenge him. Set him on fire and keep up with his darkness. And then she’d run.

She ran from him.

But she wouldn’t get far. Because Damien knew how to find her.

He’d spotted the royal seal glinting on the delicate chain around her throat, an Alpha King’s sigil. That meant she was related.

But before he could chase her down, he had a meeting.

There were rogue vampires on werewolf land. Two confirmed. Possibly more. And Damien had come to make things very clear to the Alpha King.

He waited in the opulent guest wing of the palace. Not bad for a pack of wolves, he thought, gazing out at the courtyard beyond the arched window.

And then... she arrived.

A blur of movement in a familiar dress, storming through the grand front gates with a fury that made even the palace guards stiffen. Damien didn’t move at first, he simply leaned back against the doorway between the foyer and the guest hall, folding his arms and enjoying the show.

She looked even more breathtaking in proper light. Wild hair flowing, lips curled in frustration, cheeks flushed from rage. The princess didn’t walk. She marched.

He watched, smugly, as she turned toward the grand staircase then froze when she saw him.

"Somebody shoot me now!" she announced to absolutely no one.

Damien’s low, amused chuckle echoed through the corridors.

She turned toward him, eyes narrowing into slits.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she demanded.

Damien pushed off the wall and took a lazy step forward, his smirk dangerous. "Came to see the Alpha King."

Her mouth dropped open slightly in horror. "Are you fucking kidding me? You want to tell my father we’re mates?"

Damien’s brow arched. Well, well. So his suspicions were confirmed. "Your father?" he asked. Then his grin widened. "You’re the Alpha King’s daughter? That’s... just perfect. A match made in heaven."

Luna snorted and practically spat at him. "You are delusional, bloodsucker."

Oh, how he loved that fire. Damien took a step closer, just enough to invade her space. His fingers itched to reach for her, to tug at that stubborn lower lip she kept biting.

He gave in.

His hand snaked around her waist, and he pulled her against his chest, his cold body meeting her heat. Luna gasped, but not because she was scared. Oh no. Her breath hitched like she was fighting herself. Her body tensed but didn’t retreat.

"Shh," he whispered, his finger brushing her lips, just enough to make her eyes widen. "Why are you fighting this so badly?"

Luna struggled against him, though the fight was half-hearted, and they both knew it. Her voice trembled with confusion and rage. "You’re a vampire."

"A very hot vampire," Damien whispered, lips brushing her ear. He lifted her hand in his, intertwining their fingers and just like that, the magic responded.

The same crimson thread appeared, glowing faintly, snaking between their wrists, humming.

The Mate Bond.

"You can fight it, Princess," he murmured, eyes locked on hers. "But you’ll lose eventually. You’ll crave me in ways you can’t even imagine."

Her voice cracked as she yanked her hand away, the thread snapping. "You wanna bet?" she hissed. "I’d rather be thrown into an arranged marriage than end up mated to you."

Ouch. Damien’s smile faded for a second. The words cut. He knew she was terrified of what this bond meant. But that didn’t stop the sting. For all his bravado, this meant something to him. And rejection, even in jest, hit deep.

Before he could respond, before he could decide whether to kiss her or not...

"Announcing Their Royal Majesties, King Magnus and Queen Ravena."

Luna jerked away. She smoothed her dress, straightened her spine, and shot him one last glare.

Damien watched her ascend the stairs, her back ramrod straight.

He smirked to himself.

"Run all you want, Princess," he murmured. "You’re already mine."

*****

Kyllian stormed into his residence. The usually composed Alpha was visibly seething. His mind was a whirlwind of frustration and indignation, the audacity of the day’s events replaying in his head.

The grand ballroom had been a spectacle of opulence. Yet, amidst the grandeur, Kyllian had felt like a pawn being maneuvered in a game he hadn’t agreed to play. The Alpha King, in all his regal authority, had nonchalantly decreed that Kyllian and Princess Luna should unite in matrimony. As if choosing a life partner was as simple as selecting a dance partner for the evening.

Kyllian had always harbored a certain admiration for Luna. She was the epitome of strength and beauty. But the notion of an arranged marriage chafed against his very being. He was an Alpha, accustomed to forging his own path, not one to be tethered by obligations imposed upon him, even by a king.

He ascended the staircase two steps at a time, his mind racing with thoughts of defiance and rebellion.

As he reached his study, Talon, his ever-loyal Beta, was lounging on the leather sofa. The man had an uncanny ability to appear at the most inopportune moments.

"Did all the young ladies step on your feet while dancing?" Talon quipped, noting the annoyance in Kyllian’s eyes.

Kyllian shot him a withering glare. "One young lady, and there was no dancing involved," he retorted. "The Alpha King is pairing me with the princess."

Talon’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "That’s wonderful news!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. But the sharp look from Kyllian made him reconsider his enthusiasm. "Oh! Such sorrowful news..." he added, chuckling softly.

Kyllian pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture he often resorted to when dealing with Talon’s antics. "Take your idiocy elsewhere," he muttered, though there was no real heat behind his words.

Talon leaned back, resting his arms behind his head. "What are you going to do about all the ladies dreaming of becoming your Luna?" he inquired.

Kyllian arched an eyebrow. "They can dream, but I never promised anyone anything," he replied nonchalantly.

"No?" Talon feigned surprise. "I could have sworn I heard you once, in the throes of passion, promising heaven and earth."

"Heaven and earth don’t translate to wife," he said firmly.

Talon’s grin only widened. "Awwww... our bad boy is finally going to be a married man."

In a swift motion, Kyllian grabbed his shoe and hurled it at Talon, who dodged it with ease, laughing heartily. "Get out of here!" Kyllian barked.

Talon stood, stretching leisurely. "Alright, alright. I’ll leave you to your brooding."

With that, Talon sauntered out of the room, leaving Kyllian alone with his tumultuous thoughts. The Alpha sank into his chair. The idea of marriage to Luna was both enticing and infuriating. He admired her spirit, her strength, and yes, her beauty. But the chains of obligation was a bitter pill to swallow.

Yet, deep down, a part of him wondered. Could this union be more than a political maneuver? Could it be the very thing he never knew he needed?

*****

The next morning, Luna prepared herself for breakfast. Her father had summoned her to join him, and she saw this as the perfect opportunity to challenge his absurd plans for her future. She rehearsed her arguments in her head, determined to assert her independence and reject the notion of an arranged marriage. However, as she stepped into the grand dining room, her resolve wavered.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room, and her stomach dropped. Seated at the table, alongside her parents, were the two most vexing men in her life: Alpha Kyllian and the vampire.

Oh, for the love of the Moon Goddess, she groaned inwardly. Could this day get any worse?

"Ah, there you are, darling," King Magnus greeted her with a broad smile, oblivious to her internal turmoil. He gestured to the empty seat between Kyllian and Damien. "Come, join us."

Luna squared her shoulders, plastered a neutral expression on her face, and approached the table with the grace befitting a princess.

"Prince Dragos," her father began, "allow me to formally introduce my daughter, Princess Luna."

So, the vampire had a name. Damien Dragos. How fittingly dramatic, she thought. Did the Moon Goddess think she would soften the blow of being mated to a vampire by making him royalty?

"Actually," Damien interjected, "we’ve already had the pleasure of meeting."

King Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And where did this meeting occur?"