Zyra slammed the chamber door behind her, fists clenched.
As expected, they were already waiting.
Celestine…her late mother's Beta…stood near the hearth, arms crossed. Kael leaned on the window frame, while two elders sat stiffly, eyes sharp with silent judgment.
"Who is your mate?" one of them asked coldly.
Zyra's jaw tightened. Her wolf growled beneath her skin.
"Get out," she said, low and firm.
The command hit the air like thunder.
Celestine raised a hand. "Leave us."
The elders grumbled but obeyed, walking out with slow, reluctant steps.
Now only Celestine and Kael remained.
"Zyra," Celestine said, tone hard. "Who is it?"
Zyra stared at the floor. "A Moonveil."
Silence dropped.
"She said she's a True Blood Omega," Zyra added, voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was the only true blood existing."
Celestine's face twisted in instant disgust. "What?"
Zyra nodded once, jaw tight.
Celestine scoffed. "That's impossible. True Bloods are forged by dominance. You were born of two Alphas. That's power and legacy."
She stepped closer, voice low with disdain.
"And she? If truely she is a true blood… then she was born from two Omegas. Two submissives. That's not strength, Zyra. That's weakness, a curse in disguise, the Goddess must be insane if she thinks we'll accept that. She is not your equal. Don't you ever mistake that."
Celestine turned to the door. "Rest up. But this won't stay quiet. The pack will have to know."
She left without another word.
Kael stepped forward, brows drawn. "Hey... what happened out there? You look like you walked through a fire."
Zyra didn't answer.
"And why didn't you reject her?" he pushed. "You had the chance, right?"
Zyra ran a hand through her short black hair, tension radiating from her shoulders. "She tried to reject me."
Kael blinked. "Then what's the problem?"
"She didn't know my name."
Kael's jaw dropped. "You're telling me… you came back here still bonded because she didn't know your name?"
Zyra glared. "I didn't want to let the bond stay. But my wolf—she… hesitated. And I didn't want to hurt her."
Kael let out a low whistle. "Damn. You're a ruthless piece of shit... but a softy for your wolf."
"Now's not the time for jokes."
Zyra turned away, shoulders tight.
"I hate this. I hate how soft my wolf had gone. I hated how she looked at that Omega like she was something worth saving. Worth protecting, why would I be bonded to a useless pack?"
Kael's voice softened. "I don't know, Zy. But I'm sure Celestine won't let it sit. Not with your rut days away."
Zyra's breath hitched.
The bond pulsed at her core.
And deep inside… her wolf was just quiet.
*********
(Moonveil)
The sun peeked through the curtains, casting golden light across Liora's face.
She stirred.
"Finally, you're awake," Sera muttered from the corner, arms crossed. "You've been out like the dead. It's noon, Liora. Noon. You remember you're supposed to train the pups for tonight's hunt?"
Liora blinked groggily. "Wait… Sera. Last night. She came. I saw her."
Sera frowned. "Who?"
"Her," Liora whispered, sitting up quickly. "The Alpha. She seems dangerous, Sera. But… she's everything. And my wolf won't let her go."
Sera's eyes widened. "Wait. It happened? You actually met her? So what the hell are you saying right now....don't tell me… you didn't reject her?"
Liora rubbed her face. "I tried. I really did. But I didn't know her name. She didn't say it, and you know how rejection works….."
"You need their name," Sera muttered. "Yeah, I know but why didn't she reject you instead?"
Liora looked away. "I don't know , maybe.…"
Sera sighed sharply knowing where the omega was heading with the maybe…. "No. Absolutely not. According to the elders, there's an ancient reason we've never aligned with them, and don't forget they killed your mother, that should be enough reason for you to snap out of this.
"I get it," Liora whispered.
"Do you?" Sera snapped. "Because it sure sounds like your wolf is ready to roll over and bare her neck to the enemy."
Liora didn't respond.
Sera sighed, pushing off the wall. "Look, let it go. You may never see her again. And even if you do, nothing good will come of it."
Silence.
"Now," Sera clapped once. "Get your ass out of bed. We've got pups to train."
"The sacred first hunt, it's today already? " Liora groaned. "I'm still tired."
"Then sleep later," Sera snapped, yanking the blanket off. "Besides, I'm helping you."
"Then go do it without me."
"Nice try."
Sera grabbed Liora by the arm, dragging her out of bed and shoving her toward the bathroom.
"You have five minutes. Get clean. Then outside. I'm not doing this alone."
Liora growled under her breath but didn't fight back.
The door slammed shut behind her.
************
(Training Grounds)
Sweat dripped down Liora's back as she watched the last pup finish their run. She was breathing heavily, hair clinging to her neck, but her face was glowing with that fierce pride only a teacher could wear.
She raised her voice, firm and clear. "Good job, everyone! Tonight's hunt is important….prove yourselves."
Then she smirked.
"And the one with the most kills gets my gold necklace. Don't lose your heads out there."
The pups howled and scattered with excitement, energized by her words.
Liora exhaled slowly, her wolf restless beneath her skin.
>what is the problem? she asked her wolf but got no response .
**********
(Lunarion)
Zyra stood at the edge of the training grounds, arms crossed as she watched her young wolves stretch and shift eagerly.
"You must be strong," she said. "Fast. Smart. And most importantly….hunt with purpose. Now go."
The group howled and dashed into the forest.
Kael stepped beside her, chewing an apple. "Are you sure it's safe to send them off alone?"
Zyra rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Kael. They'll be fine. They've trained for this. And I already sent a guard to shadow them."
Kael raised a brow. "Still… maybe you should go with them"
"Nothing will go wrong," Zyra said with finality, watching the forest swallow the last of her wolves.
**********
(Inside the vampire king's chambers)
The young vampire whimpered beneath him, nails clawing at the silk sheets as Veyron drove into him without mercy.
Each thrust was deep, brutal, perfect….designed to make the boy scream.
And scream he did.
Veyron's hand gripped his throat, not enough to choke….just enough to remind him who was in control.
The king's hips snapped harder, grinding deep into the boy's core, hitting a spot that made his back arch in helpless pleasure.
"Is this what you came for?" Veyron purred darkly, fangs grazing the boy's ear.
"Y–Yes, Sire… please don't stop….!"
A growl rumbled from Veyron's chest.
He slammed in once more, burying himself to the hilt. He held still for a heartbeat… then spilled his release deep inside the trembling vampire beneath him.
Moments later, he pulled out with a wet sound and wiped himself lazily with a silk cloth before tossing it aside.
The boy lay spent, dazed, legs trembling from the sheer force of the kings violent thrusts.
Veyron stood, rolling his shoulders, muscles flexing under the low candlelight. Then he slipped into a black velvet robe that left his chest exposed.
He didn't look back at the young Vampire.
Instead, he clapped his hands once and four of his personal vampire guards appeared at the door.
His voice was cold, commanding.
"Tonight, you hunt."
The guards bowed.
"They'll be out there… wolves. Young. Reckless. Hunting for food."
He said with a slow smirk. "I want to taste fear. Bring me wolves… ripe and breathing."
One guard dared to ask, "How many, Sire?"
Veyron's crimson eyes gleamed.
"As many as you can carry"
**************
The hunt had begun.
Paws pounded against the earth as young wolves from both Lunarion and Moonveil scattered through the dense forest.
On one side, the Lunarion pups howled with confidence, fangs bared, tracking deer prints.
On the other, Moonveil wolves moved with silent discipline, their noses low, hearts pounding with excitement.
Then the wind shifted.
Their ears picked up sounds…footsteps, fast and scattered.
Excited, they thought it was prey.
But then...
Their eyes widened.
Figures burst through the trees,
Moving crazily…
Eyes glowing green.
The hunter is now being hunted.