The heavy doors of Selena's chamber slammed shut behind her.
The guards left without another word, locking the door from the outside.
Selena stood frozen in the center of the room.
Her chest rose and fell with furious breaths.
"Marry him…"
The words echoed in her mind like poison.
She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
"No."
She paced across the room.
"I won't do it."
Every instinct in her body rejected the idea.
She was the Luna of Moonfang Pack.
A wolf.
A leader.
Her duty was to protect her people, not betray them by marrying their greatest enemy.
And yet…
Adrian's words returned to her thoughts.
Your pack still exists.
If that was true…
If her people were still alive…
Then refusing the marriage might put them in danger.
Selena shook her head violently.
"No."
"That's exactly what they want."
They were trying to manipulate her.
Control her.
Break her.
She walked toward the window and pushed the curtain aside.
Outside, the vampire kingdom stretched endlessly beneath the night sky.
Dark towers.
Stone streets.
Torches burning with red flame.
Vampires walked through the city like shadows.
This place was nothing like her forest home.
Moonfang had been wild.
Free.
Alive.
This kingdom felt cold.
Dead.
Her anger returned instantly.
"They destroyed my home and now they expect me to marry their prince?"
Selena let out a bitter laugh.
"They've lost their minds."
Another knock came from the door.
Selena turned sharply.
"What now?"
The door opened slowly.
But this time it wasn't guards who entered.
It was him.
Prince Adrian.
Selena's eyes narrowed immediately.
"What are you doing here?"
He closed the door behind him calmly.
"I came to talk."
She crossed her arms.
"There's nothing to talk about."
Adrian studied her quietly.
His crimson eyes reflected the candlelight.
"You're angry."
Selena laughed.
"Angry?"
She stepped closer to him.
"You attacked my pack."
"You burned my home."
"You dragged me here like a prisoner."
Her voice hardened.
"And now you expect me to marry you."
She stopped only a few feet away from him.
"You're lucky angry is the only thing I feel."
Adrian didn't move.
His expression remained calm.
"I expected that reaction."
Selena scoffed.
"Then you should already know my answer."
She pointed toward the door.
"I refuse."
Silence filled the room.
Adrian watched her for a moment.
"You understand the consequences?"
Selena lifted her chin stubbornly.
"I don't care."
"That's not true."
Her eyes flashed.
"Don't pretend you understand me."
"I understand that you care about your pack," Adrian said quietly.
Her heart tightened.
"And that makes you predictable."
Her anger flared again.
"You think threatening my people will change my mind?"
Adrian's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I didn't threaten them."
"Then what was that in the throne room?"
"A warning."
Selena laughed bitterly.
"Same thing."
He stepped a little closer.
"The war between vampires and wolves has lasted centuries."
His voice remained calm but serious.
"Thousands have died on both sides."
Selena glared at him.
"And you think forcing this marriage will magically fix everything?"
"No."
"Then why are you doing this?"
For the first time, Adrian hesitated.
Just slightly.
"Because the prophecy has never been wrong."
Selena rolled her eyes.
"Oh please."
"You really believe that nonsense?"
Adrian's gaze didn't waver.
"Yes."
She stared at him for a moment.
Trying to understand him.
"Let me guess," she said.
"You believe we're destined to fall in love too?"
A faint shadow of amusement crossed his face.
"That part wasn't mentioned."
Selena huffed.
"Good."
"Because that would never happen."
The words left her mouth with complete certainty.
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"You're very confident."
"I know myself."
"And I know my enemies."
Her silver eyes burned with hatred.
"I will never marry you."
Adrian studied her again.
Longer this time.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Very well."
Selena blinked.
"That's it?"
"For now."
Her suspicion grew immediately.
"You're giving up already?"
"No."
His voice remained calm.
"I'm giving you time."
"Time for what?"
"To realize you don't have a better choice."
Selena's temper snapped again.
"You arrogant—"
Before she could finish, Adrian stepped closer.
Very close.
So close she could feel the cold air around him.
Their eyes locked.
His crimson gaze was intense.
"You're strong," he said quietly.
"Stubborn."
Selena glared.
"And you're insufferable."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Probably."
Then he stepped back.
"I'll give you one week."
Selena frowned.
"One week for what?"
"To change your answer."
"And if I don't?"
Adrian walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he looked back at her.
"Then the king will decide your fate."
The door opened.
"And trust me," he added calmly,
"You won't like his decision."
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
Selena stood there for a long moment.
Her heart was still racing.
"One week…"
She clenched her fists again.
"No."
"They can threaten me all they want."
Her voice was quiet but determined.
"I will never marry a vampire."
But deep down…
A small, uneasy feeling began to grow.
Because something about Adrian's words didn't sound like a bluff.
And if he was telling the truth…
Then her refusal might cost more than just her freedom.