Morning in the vampire kingdom looked nothing like morning in Moonfang.
There was no warm sunlight filtering through trees.
No birds singing.
No golden light touching the forest floor.
Instead, the sky above the vampire capital was gray and dim, the sun hidden behind thick clouds.
Selena stood by the tall window in her chamber, staring down at the dark city below.
Vampires moved through the streets like shadows.
Silent.
Cold.
Unfeeling.
Her jaw tightened.
"I hate this place."
Her thoughts drifted back to her pack.
Her home.
The village square.
The training fields.
The scent of pine and fresh earth.
Her people.
Were they really alive?
Adrian said they were.
But could she believe him?
A knock echoed against the door.
Selena didn't turn around.
"Go away."
The door still opened.
Footsteps entered the room.
Selena sighed in frustration and turned.
Prince Adrian stood there.
Of course it was him.
Her silver eyes narrowed instantly.
"Didn't I already tell you my answer?"
Adrian closed the door calmly.
"You did."
"Then why are you here?"
"To show you something."
Selena crossed her arms.
"I'm not interested."
Adrian didn't argue.
Instead, he walked toward the window.
"Come here."
She didn't move.
"Or what?" she challenged.
Adrian simply looked at her.
His expression remained unreadable.
But something in his gaze made her uneasy.
After a moment, Selena walked over reluctantly.
"What is so important?" she asked sharply.
Adrian pointed toward the distant mountains beyond the city walls.
"Look carefully."
Selena frowned but focused her gaze.
At first, she saw nothing.
Then—
Her breath caught.
Far in the distance…
Smoke rose into the sky.
Dark smoke.
From multiple places.
Selena's heart began to pound.
"What is that?"
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"Border villages."
Her stomach twisted.
"No…"
He continued.
"The war between vampires and wolves has not stopped."
Selena turned to him slowly.
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Her voice rose.
"My pack would never attack your borders."
Adrian held her gaze.
"They didn't."
The meaning behind his words hit her like a blade.
"You did this?"
"Not personally."
Selena's claws extended instantly.
"You're attacking them!"
"The war continues," Adrian corrected.
Her anger exploded.
"You said they were alive!"
"They are."
Selena grabbed his collar.
Her eyes burned with fury.
"Then stop your army!"
Adrian didn't try to remove her hand.
"You can stop it."
Selena froze.
"What?"
He looked down at her calmly.
"The war ends the moment the Luna accepts the union."
Her grip tightened.
"You're blackmailing me."
"I'm offering peace."
"By threatening my people!"
Adrian's voice hardened slightly.
"Your people have fought this war for centuries."
"And so have mine."
Selena glared at him.
"That doesn't justify this."
"No," he said.
"But it explains it."
She shoved him away.
"You're disgusting."
Adrian straightened his coat.
"Am I?"
He gestured toward the distant smoke.
"How many wolves will die today?"
Selena's heart pounded painfully.
"Or tomorrow?"
Her hands trembled.
"You can stop this," Adrian repeated.
"Just say yes."
The room fell silent.
Selena stared at the smoke rising far beyond the city.
Her mind filled with terrifying images.
Her pack fighting.
Her people bleeding.
Her home burning again.
"You're a monster," she whispered.
Adrian didn't react.
"Perhaps."
He walked toward the door.
"But monsters are honest about what they are."
He stopped before leaving.
"You have six days left."
The door opened.
"If you refuse…"
He glanced back at her one last time.
"…the war will continue."
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
Selena stood frozen by the window.
The distant smoke still rose into the sky.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"This isn't fair."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"They're forcing me to choose."
Her freedom…
Or her people.
Tears of anger filled her eyes.
"I hate him."
But deep down, Selena realized something terrifying.
Adrian had just turned her greatest strength—
Her love for her pack—
into her greatest weakness.
And the worst part?
She had no idea if she could still refuse.