The celebration lasted long into the night.
Music echoed through the vampire castle.
Nobles filled the great hall, drinking dark crimson wine and whispering excitedly about the royal wedding.
But Selena wasn't celebrating.
She stood alone on the balcony outside the banquet hall, her fingers gripping the cold stone railing.
The red glow of the Blood Moon still painted the sky.
It cast an eerie light over the city below.
Selena's chest felt tight.
She glanced down at her palm.
The small cut from the ceremony had already healed.
But she could still feel the strange warmth that had surged through her when her blood touched Adrian's.
"What was that…?" she whispered.
The moment had been brief.
But powerful.
Like something ancient had awakened between them.
Selena shook her head.
"It doesn't matter."
She forced the thought away.
Nothing about this marriage mattered to her.
It was only a deal.
A sacrifice she had made to protect her pack.
Nothing more.
Behind her, laughter echoed from inside the hall.
Vampire nobles were celebrating their prince's new bride.
The idea made Selena sick.
"They think this means I belong to them now."
Her eyes hardened.
"They're wrong."
The door behind her opened quietly.
Selena didn't turn around.
She already knew who it was.
Prince Adrian.
His footsteps were silent as he stepped onto the balcony.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The tension between them was thick.
Finally, Adrian spoke.
"You left the celebration early."
Selena scoffed.
"I wasn't invited to celebrate."
"You're the bride."
She turned sharply.
"I'm a hostage."
Adrian didn't argue.
He leaned lightly against the stone railing.
"The court will take time to accept you."
Selena laughed bitterly.
"I don't want their acceptance."
Her silver eyes burned with anger.
"I want my freedom."
Adrian studied her quietly.
"That's not possible anymore."
Selena stepped closer.
"You forced this marriage."
"I agreed to it to stop the war."
Her voice grew colder.
"But don't mistake that for surrender."
Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What are you planning?"
Selena smirked faintly.
"You'll see."
The prince watched her carefully.
"You should be careful with threats."
"They aren't threats."
Her voice dropped to a quiet whisper.
"They're promises."
The wind moved through the balcony, lifting strands of her silver hair.
Selena turned back toward the city.
"You think you've won," she said.
"But this isn't over."
Adrian's gaze remained fixed on her.
"Why do you hate me so much?"
Selena spun around instantly.
"Are you serious?"
Her voice was sharp.
"You attacked my home."
"You killed my warriors."
"You dragged me here like a prisoner."
Her eyes flashed with pain and fury.
"You expect me to thank you for that?"
Adrian's expression remained calm.
"The attack wasn't meant to destroy your pack."
Selena shook her head angrily.
"I've heard that excuse already."
"It's not an excuse."
"Then what is it?"
Adrian hesitated.
For the first time since she had met him…
He looked slightly uncertain.
But the moment passed quickly.
"You'll understand eventually."
Selena laughed coldly.
"I doubt that."
She stepped closer again.
Their faces were only inches apart now.
"If you think this marriage will make me loyal to you…"
Her voice dropped lower.
"You're a fool."
Adrian didn't step away.
"Loyalty can grow."
Selena smiled faintly.
But there was no warmth in it.
"Not in my heart."
Her silver eyes burned with quiet determination.
"I will find a way to destroy you."
The words hung in the air between them.
Adrian studied her for a long moment.
Then he sighed softly.
"You're free to try."
Selena blinked.
"That's your response?"
"Yes."
He stepped away from the railing.
"If revenge is what keeps you strong…"
His crimson eyes met hers again.
"Then hold onto it."
Selena frowned slightly.
His calm reaction irritated her even more.
"Why aren't you angry?"
"Because I expected this."
He turned toward the door.
"You're a warrior."
"You lost everything."
"It would be strange if you didn't hate me."
Selena watched him carefully.
"You're very confident."
Adrian paused at the doorway.
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"I'm realistic."
Then he left.
The balcony fell silent again.
Selena remained standing there for a long moment.
Her heart still burned with anger.
But Adrian's words lingered in her thoughts.
You're free to try.
Her jaw tightened.
"Good."
She stared at the red moon above the castle.
"If that's the case…"
Her voice became a quiet vow.
"I will."
She clenched her fist tightly.
"I will destroy the vampire prince."
"And when I do…"
"I'll take back my freedom."
But deep down…
Selena didn't realize something had already changed.
The moment their blood had touched beneath the Blood Moon…
Their fates had become intertwined.
And breaking that bond would not be as easy as she believed.