The night bled crimson across the sky, staining the clouds like spilled wine. From the highest tower of the Reon Palace, Princess Isabella Reon stood in silence, her eyes glinting like shards of garnet under the Blood Moon. The wind carried with it the faint scent of ash and decay-a reminder of how fragile her world had become. Below her the once glorious Vampire Kingdom of Theralis lay in uneasy slumber. The marble streets that had once echoed with laughter and music were now empty, haunted by whispers of the dying. Every night, another house was draped in black, another soul lost to the Blood Plague. A disease that had no mercy, spreading through the veins of vampires like wildfire. And the cruel irony? The cure-wolfsbane-thrived only in the land of their sworn enemies: the werewolves.
The Summoning
The heavy iron doors of the throne hall groaned open. Torches flickered against the obsidian walls, casting shadows that danced like restless spirits. King Darius Reon, Isabella's father, sat upon the ancient Blood Throne, his crimson robes pooling around him like a river of death. Hid face pale even for a vampire, was etched with years of grief and the burden of a dying race.
''Father,'' Isabella greeted softly, bowing her head with grace that belied the turmoil within her.
''Rise, my daughter,'' his voice was low, weary.
''We have a guest.''
The sound of boots echoed against the stone floor- a steady, commanding rhythm that sent a chill crawling down her spine. The scent reached her before the sight did-iron, pine, and danger. A scent that didn't belong in a vampire palace. And when she looked up, the world seemed to still.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows, his broad shoulders framed by a dark cloak that shimmered faintly with dew. His hair, black as night itself, fell in tousled strands over eyes the color of molten gold. Ryan Azaron Steel. The Alpha King of Lycanthra. The King of all Alphas. Every instinct in Isabella screamed to bare her fangs. The aura that rolled off him was suffocating-power, dominance, violence barely caged. Even in disguise, his presence commanded the room like a storm commands the sea.
Yet she did not bow.
Not even to him.
The Revelation
''Your majesty,'' Ryan said smoothly, his voice deep and resonant. ''I come on behalf of the Lycanthran territories to discuss...an arrangement.''
King Darius gestured for him to continue, his eyes sharp despite his frailty.
''The thefts,'' Ryan began, his golden gaze sweeping towards Isabella. ''Your people have been stealing wolfsbane from our plantations. A dangerous act, considering it is the only cure for your...predicament.''
The air was heavy the silence like the stillness before an execution.
''Desperate people do desperate things,'' Isabella interjected, her tone sharp as a blade. ''You would let thousands die rather than share what grows in abundance in your lands?''
Ryan's lips curved in a faint, mocking smile.
''Your kind has never been known for the gratitude. Why should we start now?''
Her crimson eyes flared, but her father's hand silenced her.
''Peace , Isabella,'' Darius murmured. He turned to Ryan. ''I will not deny what you accuse us of. But we are willing to negotiate.''
Ryan stepped closer, and Isabella felt the pull of something she didn't understand-a thrumming energy in the air, ancient and primal. His gaze met hers, and for a fleeting moment, the world blurred at the edges. Her pulse quickened, her breath caught.
No...it couldn't be.
A mate bond.
The realization hit Ryan like a blade to the heart.
The scent that had haunted his senses since he stepped into Theralis-the sweetness of blood and moonlight-belonged to her.
A vampire.
His mate.
Fate, it seemed, was crueler than even he had imagined.
The Pact
''I will supply your kingdom with wolfsbane,'' Ryan said finally, masking the turmoil that stormed inside him. ''But in return, I demand...a token of trust.''
King Darius's brows furrowed. ''And what would that be?''
Ryan's gaze flickered once more to Isabella.
''Your daughter. Princess Isabella Reon. She will serve under me, in Lycanthra, as a...liaison.''
The hall erupted into gasps and whispers.
Isabella's fangs bared in fury. ''You dare reduce me to a servant?''
Ryan's eyes burned with challenge. ''Would you prefer to watch your people die instead?''
Her father's voice broke through the tension, frail but resolute. ''If this is what it takes to save our kind...then so be it.'' He looked at his daughter, pain swimming in his eyes. ''Forgive me, Isabella. But you will go with him.''
The Blood Princess stood frozen, every muscle tight with defiance. Her pride screamed against obedience, but her heart-the heart that still bled for her people-knew the truth.
Finally, she bowed her head. ''As you command, Father.''
Ryan stepped forward, offering his hand.
'' Your Highness.''
She looked at him, her crimson eyes cold and unyielding. ''Don't mistake this for submission, Alpha. You may have my presence, but not my loyalty.''
Ryan's lips curved into a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. ''We'll see about that.''
***********
As they walked from the throne hall, the Blood Moon bathed them both in it's light-a predator and his mate, bound by a curse older than time.
Neither knew whether this was the dawn of salvation...or the beginning of war.