The night of the Blood Moon arrived faster than Selena expected.
The vampire kingdom was alive with preparation.
Torches burned brighter across the castle walls. Dark banners bearing the royal crest hung from every tower. Nobles filled the palace halls, dressed in elegant black and crimson garments.
But none of the celebration reached Selena's heart.
She stood in her chamber, staring at the dress laid across the bed.
It was beautiful.
A long gown made of deep silver silk, its fabric shimmering like moonlight. The sleeves were delicate and flowing, while the skirt trailed across the floor like a river of light.
It looked like something a queen would wear.
Selena felt sick looking at it.
"I'm not their queen," she muttered.
A vampire servant bowed nervously beside her.
"My lady… the ceremony will begin soon."
Selena didn't move.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Her silver hair fell down her back in soft waves. The servants had braided small strands along the sides, weaving them together with tiny moonstone clips.
They had tried to make her look elegant.
Regal.
But Selena's eyes still burned with quiet fury.
"This is a mistake," she whispered.
The servant avoided her gaze.
"The entire court is waiting."
Selena let out a slow breath.
Three nights ago she had agreed to this marriage.
But the reality of it still felt unreal.
She was about to marry the man who destroyed her home.
Her enemy.
Her captor.
Her fists tightened slightly.
"I'm doing this for my pack," she reminded herself.
Nothing else.
The servant carefully helped her into the gown.
The cool silk brushed against her skin.
When Selena finally looked at herself in the mirror again…
She barely recognized the woman staring back.
She looked like a queen.
But inside…
She still felt like a prisoner.
Another knock sounded on the door.
"The ceremony is ready," the servant said quietly.
Selena nodded once.
"Let's get this over with."
Outside the castle, the night sky had transformed.
The moon hung high above the kingdom.
But it wasn't silver tonight.
It was red.
A deep crimson glow spread across the sky, casting an eerie light over the castle grounds.
The Blood Moon had risen.
Hundreds of vampires gathered in the great courtyard.
Torches flickered along the stone walls.
Nobles stood in elegant rows, whispering among themselves.
At the far end of the courtyard stood a raised platform.
And on that platform…
Prince Adrian waited.
He wore a dark ceremonial coat embroidered with silver threads. The fabric hugged his tall frame perfectly, giving him the appearance of a warrior king rather than a groom.
His black hair fell slightly across his forehead.
His crimson eyes were calm.
Unshaken.
But inside his mind…
Even Adrian felt the weight of this moment.
This marriage was not about love.
It was about survival.
For both their worlds.
The murmurs of the crowd suddenly faded.
All eyes turned toward the castle doors.
They slowly opened.
Selena stepped out.
A ripple of whispers moved through the gathered vampires.
"She's beautiful."
"The wolf Luna…"
"Look at her."
Selena walked slowly toward the platform.
Her dress shimmered under the red moonlight.
But her expression remained cold.
Every step she took felt heavier than the last.
Her eyes never left Adrian.
When she finally reached the platform, they stood face to face.
For a moment…
Neither of them spoke.
The Blood Moon glowed brightly above them.
The Vampire King stepped forward.
"Tonight," he announced,
"the ancient prophecy begins."
The crowd fell silent.
"Under the Blood Moon, the Luna of the wolves and the Prince of the vampires will be bound together."
Selena's jaw tightened.
She hated every word.
The king turned toward Adrian.
"Prince Adrian Valerius."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"Do you accept this union as the prince of the vampire kingdom?"
His voice was steady.
"I do."
The king then turned toward Selena.
"Luna Selena Nightbane."
Selena's heart pounded loudly in her chest.
The entire court watched her.
Waiting.
Judging.
She glanced briefly at the red moon above.
Then back at Adrian.
His crimson eyes held hers calmly.
"Do you accept this union?"
Selena's throat tightened.
For a moment, she imagined refusing.
Walking away.
But she already knew the consequences.
War.
More death.
More destruction.
Her voice was quiet but clear.
"I accept."
The king raised his hand.
"Then by the ancient laws of blood and moon…"
He paused dramatically.
"You are now bound."
A ceremonial dagger was brought forward.
The king handed it to Adrian.
"Seal the bond."
Adrian looked at Selena briefly before taking the blade.
He cut his palm without hesitation.
Dark red blood ran down his hand.
Then he held the dagger out to her.
Selena hesitated only a moment.
Then she did the same.
A thin line of blood appeared across her palm.
Adrian reached forward and took her hand.
Their blood touched.
For a split second—
Something strange happened.
A pulse of energy shot through both of them.
Selena gasped.
Her eyes widened.
The ground beneath them trembled slightly.
The red moon above seemed to glow brighter.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
Adrian felt it too.
His grip tightened instinctively.
For a moment…
Their eyes locked.
Neither of them understood what had just happened.
But the king raised his voice again.
"The bond is sealed."
The crowd erupted into applause.
"Long live the prince!"
"Long live the Luna!"
Selena pulled her hand away immediately.
Her heart was still racing.
Something about that moment felt…
Wrong.
Or maybe dangerous.
Adrian looked at her quietly.
He had felt it too.
Whatever power had just awakened between them…
It was only the beginning.
And neither of them realized yet how deeply their fates were now connected.