Selena didn't move for a long time after Adrian left.
She stood beside the window, staring at the dark smoke rising far beyond the city walls.
Each thick column twisted slowly into the gray sky.
Her chest tightened.
Those villages were close to wolf territory.
Too close.
Her fingers curled against the cold stone windowsill.
"No…" she whispered.
Her pack had already suffered enough.
The memory of the attack returned vividly.
Flames devouring the forest.
Vampires pouring through the village like shadows.
The screams of her people.
Her heart pounded painfully.
"If this war keeps going…"
She couldn't finish the thought.
More wolves would die.
Maybe even the people she had grown up with.
Her Beta.
Her warriors.
Her friends.
Selena shut her eyes tightly.
"They're forcing me."
The anger inside her burned hotter than ever.
She hated the king.
She hated this cursed castle.
But most of all…
She hated Prince Adrian.
He had cornered her perfectly.
He knew exactly what she would choose.
Because he knew she would never abandon her pack.
Selena pushed herself away from the window and began pacing the room again.
"There has to be another way."
She thought of escaping again.
But the castle was heavily guarded.
Even if she somehow escaped…
The war would still continue.
Adrian had made that clear.
This wasn't just about her anymore.
It was about two entire races.
Her fists trembled.
"This isn't destiny."
"It's manipulation."
Another knock sounded at the door.
Selena didn't bother answering this time.
"Enter," she said coldly.
The door opened.
A servant stepped inside and bowed.
"My lady, the king requests your presence in the throne hall."
Selena gave a bitter laugh.
"Of course he does."
The servant avoided her gaze.
"The court has gathered."
Selena sighed slowly.
It seemed they were expecting her decision.
She straightened her shoulders.
"Fine."
If they wanted an answer…
They were going to get one.
The throne hall was already filled when Selena arrived.
Vampire nobles stood in long rows along the sides of the chamber.
Their whispers filled the air as she walked forward.
"The wolf is back."
"Has she made her decision?"
"She won't accept."
"She has no choice."
Selena ignored them.
At the far end of the hall sat the Vampire King on his dark throne.
Prince Adrian stood beside him.
His crimson eyes met hers the moment she entered.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Selena's anger flared again.
But she forced herself to stay composed.
She stopped in the center of the hall.
The whispers slowly faded.
The king leaned forward slightly.
"Luna Selena," he said.
"Have you come to give us your answer?"
Selena stared directly at him.
For a moment, the entire hall held its breath.
Her mind flashed back to the smoke rising over the border villages.
To her pack.
To the people she had sworn to protect.
Her nails dug into her palms.
"I will never forgive you for this," she said quietly.
The king smiled faintly.
"But you have made a decision."
Selena turned her head slightly.
Her eyes locked with Adrian's.
He watched her silently.
Like he already knew.
Her chest tightened.
"I…"
The word felt like poison.
"I accept."
The hall exploded with murmurs.
Some nobles looked shocked.
Others looked pleased.
Selena kept speaking before anyone could interrupt.
"But understand this clearly."
Her voice hardened.
"This marriage means nothing to me."
She turned fully toward Adrian.
"I will never love you."
The prince didn't react.
His expression remained calm.
Selena continued.
"I'm only doing this to stop the war."
The king stood slowly.
"A wise choice."
Selena glared at him.
"Don't mistake this for loyalty."
The king chuckled softly.
"Loyalty can grow with time."
Selena almost laughed.
"Not in this lifetime."
Adrian finally stepped forward.
The court fell silent again.
He stopped a few feet away from her.
"You understand what this means," he said quietly.
"Yes."
Her voice was cold.
"It means I'm your prisoner forever."
"No," Adrian replied.
"It means the future of two kingdoms now depends on us."
Selena looked at him with pure hatred.
"Don't pretend this is some noble sacrifice."
His crimson eyes held hers steadily.
"I never said it was."
For a moment, neither of them looked away.
The tension between them was sharp enough to cut through stone.
Finally, the king spoke again.
"Prepare the ceremony."
The nobles immediately began whispering excitedly.
"The Blood Moon rises in three nights."
Selena's heart sank.
Three nights.
That was all the time left before she would be bound to the enemy she hated most.
The king raised his voice again.
"Under the Blood Moon, the Luna and the Vampire Prince will be united."
Selena clenched her fists.
Her decision was made.
But inside her heart…
Another vow formed.
If she was forced to marry Adrian…
Then she would make him regret it.
She would play their game.
Smile in front of the court.
Act like the obedient bride.
But the moment she found the opportunity…
She would destroy him.
And take back her freedom.