The forest is dark—dim, I must say. He's coming, and he won't stop until the last drop of blood is spilled. His goal? To destroy humanity and everything built to make the world thrive. He is the Dragon Lord, and he doesn't play fair. A killer of species, ruthless and unyielding. His name is Marcus Ruth, and he is coming for his mate.
"Jake, where's my folder of paperwork on all the different species? I need it on my desk in ten minutes!"
Rubbing my tired eyes, I sigh, exhaustion settling deep in my bones. A headache pounds against my skull, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down harder with each passing day. My shaggy brown hair is a mess from neglect—no time to brush it today. Yet, despite my disheveled state, the women still want me. Not for who I am, but for what I represent—for power, for lust, for what I could offer them in bed. But none of that matters. For over five hundred years, I have searched for my mate, and still, nothing. I had begun to believe she didn't exist—until a little birdie whispered something very intriguing.
The Phoenix Prince has supposedly found his mate. But she's also bound to a bloodsucker.
How is that even possible?
A chuckle escapes me. Very interesting.
My second-in-command bursts into my office, slamming down the folder I requested.
"Jake, I asked for this five minutes ago, and you just now bring it to me? I should tear your wings out for making me wait!" I growl, irritation lacing my tone.
"Sorry, boss, got a little caught up with everything else you've piled on me," he quips, sarcasm dripping from his words. He saunters over to my couch, grinning like he just won the lottery. "I think you'll find some good stuff in there. Especially about this girl everyone seems to be after."
I open the folder, and the moment my eyes land on her, the world tilts. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen—bright blue eyes that sparkle like diamonds, hair as black as midnight, a body sculpted to perfection. But there's something missing. Her smile. Her eyes look dead, devoid of the joy that should be there. What happened to her? Who stole her light?
"Who is this, Jake?"
"Oh, her? That's the girl they're all fighting over, from what I can tell," he replies. He studies my expression and smirks. "Judging by that look on your face, you've got a plan."
"Yes, Jake, I do. And this girl is going to help me execute it."
"Got it, boss. Tell me what you need."
I close the folder, fingers tightening around its edges. "Find this girl and bring her to me. If you have to kill to do it, then get it done."
Jake rises, heading toward the door, but I stop him with a quiet command.
"Jake... be careful. I can't lose you too. Take some men if you need them. Look out for yourself."
He nods, his usual cocky grin softened by something almost genuine. "Got it, bud. I can handle myself. Don't worry about me."
As he leaves, a strange sensation settles over me—something foreign, something dangerous. I glance back at the picture of her, my supposed mate. My fate.
She may be my mate, but she will not be my salvation. She will be my tool, my weapon, my key to victory. And when I no longer need her, I will cast her aside.
Love cannot save me.
Love is already too late to save my dark soul.