I sprint from the grand dining hall, catching up to King Dominic and Deryn just as they near the wolves in attack mode.
“Adira, stay back!” Eric shouts at me. “We can’t afford you getting injured!”
He grins at me, aware of my thirst for a fight. I’ve had enough of Blood Moon thinking they can do as they please.
Eric is the first to strike, Dominic quickly follows, fending off a wolf.
I can’t help but smile as I dash past the small group, seizing a man about to assault Deryn. I hurl him to the ground, stepping on his throat. My heel pierces his neck, crushing it under my weight, and he dies.
Another charges at me, I seize his paws and toss him down, hearing the snap of his neck.
I glance at Eric, who’s having a hard time fending them off. I rush over, sliding under a leaping wolf, grabbing his paw, intercepting him mid-leap, and slamming him into another wolf, toppling them both.
They rise, growling at me, and I growl back, making them shrink back and then bow. I’ve discovered that when challenged, I possess a growl that can command all wolves, regardless of their rank.
I survey the scene and count about a dozen dead wolves scattered on the ground.
“They just stopped fighting?” Deryn asks, staring at me in disbelief as I keep my gaze on the remaining wolves, ensuring none of them move.
“I know you’re hiding, Blade! Come out and face the consequences,” I demand. No one dares to defy me.
Deryn’s gaze flicks to me before he approaches. “You despise them, don’t you?” he murmurs in my ear as I keep my eyes on the remaining wolves.
“I despise those who lack loyalty,” I reply. I notice one wolf transform, and I smirk, recognizing it’s Blade.
He strides over to us, naked, and growls at me. I laugh at him.
“You used to revel in all this, so don’t play innocent now that you’re with your vampire buddies,” he says, feigning confidence.
Deryn looks at me, taken aback. Dominic turns serious, and Eric steps up behind me.
“Let’s correct that statement. I slept with you twelve years ago, and look at you now, all grubby and unkempt. Tsk tsk. You always seem to be begging for death,” I retort, laughing hysterically.
“Why did you attack me?” Deryn asks, his voice icy.
But Blade’s gaze remains fixed on me. He’s furious. I suppose he never found his second mate, not that I really care.
“I don’t owe you an explanation,” he growls, his eyes pitch black. He steps closer to me, reaching for my face. I snap at him in revulsion but he persists. He pulls me towards him and kisses me.
Everyone tenses at his audacity, but I play along, making him believe I’m enjoying it. I shove him against a tree with everyone watching and run my hand through his hair, pulling him close to me.
But the moment his guard drops, I seize his neck with all my strength and bite his face, causing his mouth to bleed.
“I’ve warned you repeatedly not to touch me,” I say, baring my fangs at him.
His pack merely watches, unable to challenge me. He attempts to knock me down, but I stand firm.
“Aw. Did you forget who I am?” I taunt, throwing him to the ground.
“Your brother will have your head if you kill me,” he threatens.
I burst out laughing. “He’d have to reach me first, but he’s welcome to try. I’d love to pay him a visit, considering he’s been causing me trouble again.”
Deryn approaches. “Get rid of him,” he whispers to me, and a wide grin spreads across my face. It would be disrespectful to kill a leader on another’s territory without permission, so this suits me just fine.
I crouch down next to Blade, knees drawn up to my chest. He looks at me, about to rise, but I growl, forcing him back down. I slowly remove my gloves as everyone watches me.
I drive a nail into his chest, his screams echoing in the night. My claws morph into their full form, piercing his chest and seizing his heart, halting its rhythm.
His life ebbs away in a slow, terrifying dance.
“Take comfort in meeting your mate in the afterlife,” I whisper, his tears falling freely. “My brother will be joining you soon.” I tighten my grip on his heart, crushing it, watching the life fade from his eyes.
I taste his blood on my fingers, turning to face Dominic. His eyes are filled with pride, while Deryn can only stare, shocked by my brutality.
“Apologies for the mess,” I say, a laugh escaping my lips as I continue to savor the taste of blood. I address the frightened wolves. “I expect to see all of you at Lunar Sun in a few days. Absence will be taken as rebellion, and you will be executed.
“I’ll find homes for those who don’t wish to join me, and those who choose to stay will be cared for. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” I flash a smile and turn away.
Dominic’s gaze is filled with admiration as he realizes the implications of my actions—I’m their luna now, and with Blade's death, I’ve expanded my territory. Blade left no heirs, his family long gone, leaving his pack with no one to turn to.
They bow in respect and disappear into the forest.
“Is there blood in my hair?” I ask Dominic, a hint of annoyance in my voice.
He approaches me, intertwining his arm with mine.
Deryn instructs Eric to gather some men and clean up the mess, then joins us as we head back to the banquet hall.
“How do you manage to look so alluring, even after a kill?” Dominic asks.
“Because unlike most women, I don’t fear who I have to kill and I fear no one,” I reply nonchalantly.
“I see why you said she was needed in a fight,” Deryn comments.
Upon our return to the hall, the crowd erupts in applause, relieved to see us unharmed. We clean ourselves up before making our entrance.
“I can assure everyone that we are safe,” Deryn announces. “I would like to express our gratitude to our guests, King Dominic and Queen Adira, for fighting alongside us without any obligation.” He signals for the festivities to resume.
We engage in conversation for hours until I notice Mason leaving with the girl I had warned him about. I shake my head, scanning the room. No one here piques my interest.
Later, Dominic leaves the ball with a stunning redhead, a vampire, heading towards his room. Leaving me alone with Deryn.
“For a man so protective of you, he sure does get around,” Deryn comments as we ascend a staircase leading to a private area where we can still observe the floor but be alone.
“He just wants me to bear his children,” we settle on a couch together. He leans back, crossing his legs, while I lounge on the armrest.
“Why you? Aren’t you his son’s sister? Doesn’t he already have children?”
“They aren’t immortal like me. Plus, I am pureblooded—alpha blood and royal blood. If anything were to happen to him, I’m next in line for his coven.”
“Is that why everyone fears you?” he asks, fiddling with his cufflinks.
“Mostly, I’m seen as a chance to sire pureblood royal children,” I admit. “Dominic could easily have children with a regular vampire, like many others have done, but he wants to keep his lineage pure.”
He runs his hands through his hair. “How old are you?”
“I’m quite young for a queen—thirty-one,” I say, watching the dancers below as others begin to leave.
“Wow. And yet you carry yourself like someone who has been doing this for centuries.” He smiles at me.
“That’s another reason why King Dominic wants me. We share the same mentality.
“I just don’t want children anytime soon. I had a child once, and he was killed when he was two. I just want to live life, have fun, and take care of my people.”
“I apologize,” he murmurs, his gaze locked on mine. “I understand that pain. When I ascended the throne, I had a son, just an infant then. His mother was a wolf, but his hybrid status didn’t bother me.
“His mother found her mate and a pack descended upon us. She accused me of violating her, and they murdered my son in vengeance.”
A pause hangs between us before I gesture towards the nearly deserted ballroom below. “Looks like the party’s winding down.” I spot a lingering guest glaring our way, but I dismiss it as a scorned lover and pay it no mind.
“Seems so,” he replies softly, his eyes studying me. I arch an eyebrow at his scrutiny and rise to adjust my gown. It catches on the edge of the sofa, and Deryn rises to assist me, kneeling to free the fabric.
His eyes spark with something as he gazes up at me, and he tenderly cradles my face before leaning in to kiss me. I retreat before he can deepen the kiss and make my way down the staircase and into the corridor.
