Selena did not sleep that night.
Her chamber in the vampire castle was large, luxurious even—but to her it felt like a cage.
Heavy crimson curtains covered the tall windows. The stone walls were decorated with dark paintings of ancient vampire battles. A large bed stood in the center of the room, untouched.
Selena paced back and forth like a trapped animal.
"Marry him?" she muttered bitterly.
The very idea made her blood boil.
Prince Adrian Valerius.
The man responsible for the destruction of her home.
The enemy of her entire race.
And they expected her to marry him because of some ancient prophecy?
"Over my dead body," she growled again.
A knock suddenly echoed against the door.
Selena froze.
Before she could respond, the doors opened.
Two vampire guards stepped inside.
"Come with us," one of them said.
Selena crossed her arms.
"Why?"
"The king has summoned you."
She glared at them but followed anyway.
The long hallways of the castle were quiet as they escorted her toward the throne room again.
When the doors opened, Selena immediately felt dozens of eyes fall on her.
The vampire court had gathered once more.
Nobles stood in neat rows along the sides of the hall.
Some looked curious.
Some looked annoyed.
Others openly glared at her.
At the end of the hall sat the Vampire King on his dark throne.
And standing beside him…
Prince Adrian.
Selena felt anger rise instantly.
The guards stopped in the center of the room.
"Luna Selena Nightbane," one of them announced.
The king stood slowly.
"The court is assembled," he said calmly.
Selena said nothing.
Her silver eyes remained fixed on Adrian.
The king raised his hand for silence.
"As you all know," he began,
"the prophecy revealed yesterday cannot be ignored."
Murmurs spread through the court.
"The Blood Moon approaches."
He continued.
"And with it comes the moment when the Luna and the Vampire Prince must unite."
Selena stepped forward.
"I already told you," she said firmly.
"I refuse."
The hall fell silent again.
The king looked at her with mild amusement.
"You refuse destiny?"
"Yes."
Her voice was sharp and unwavering.
"I will never marry a vampire."
A few nobles laughed quietly.
The king turned toward Adrian.
"And what does the prince think?"
All eyes shifted to Adrian.
He remained calm as always.
His expression was unreadable.
"If the prophecy is real," Adrian said slowly,
"then the union must happen."
Selena stared at him in disbelief.
"You agree with this?"
He met her gaze evenly.
"I believe in survival."
Her anger exploded.
"My people are dead because of you!"
"They are not," Adrian replied calmly.
Selena froze.
"What?"
"Your pack still lives."
Her heart skipped.
"What are you talking about?"
"The attack on Moonfang was not meant to wipe them out," Adrian said.
"It was meant to capture you."
The court murmured again.
Selena's fists clenched.
"Then why destroy my village?!"
Adrian did not answer immediately.
Instead, the king spoke.
"The wolves would never have handed you over peacefully."
Selena's stomach twisted.
"So you slaughtered them instead?"
The king shrugged slightly.
"War has casualties."
Selena's claws extended instinctively.
"You monsters."
Several guards tensed.
But Adrian spoke before anyone moved.
"The point remains," he said.
"Your pack still exists."
Selena's breathing grew heavier.
"If that's true… then let me go back."
The king chuckled.
"No."
Her heart sank.
"You belong here now."
Selena stepped closer to the throne.
"No. I belong with my people."
The king's voice suddenly grew colder.
"You misunderstand your situation."
His crimson eyes glowed faintly.
"You are not here as a guest."
Selena stared at him.
"You are here as the future bride of the Vampire Prince."
The words echoed through the hall.
Selena laughed bitterly.
"You think I'll agree to that?"
The king leaned forward slightly.
"No."
He paused.
"I think you will eventually."
Selena shook her head.
"Never."
For the first time, Adrian stepped forward.
His voice was quieter now.
"But what if refusing means the destruction of your pack?"
Selena's heart stopped.
"What did you say?"
His crimson eyes held hers steadily.
"If you reject the union," he continued calmly,
"the war between vampires and werewolves will continue."
Selena felt cold all over.
"And war," Adrian said,
"rarely leaves survivors."
Her mind raced.
Was he threatening her people?
Or warning her?
She couldn't tell.
But the message was clear.
Her choice would decide the fate of her pack.
The king smiled faintly.
"Think carefully, Luna."
Selena's fists trembled with rage.
She looked between Adrian and the king.
"I hate you both."
Neither of them seemed surprised.
"Take her back to her chambers," the king ordered.
The guards grabbed her arms again.
As they dragged her toward the doors, Selena turned her head slightly.
Her eyes met Adrian's one last time.
Hatred burned in her gaze.
"I would rather die than marry you."
Adrian watched her calmly.
And for a brief moment…
Something strange flickered in his eyes.
Regret.
Or maybe something else.
Selena couldn't tell.
But one thing was certain.
This war between them had only just begun.