Three years ago, the Zahryssar Empire saved the Northern Kingdom of Thalryn from absolute annihilation. In gratitude—and desperation—Duke Veyrhold of Thalryn swore a vow to the Coiled Throne: he would send a bride to the Serpent Emperor.

But gratitude soon turned to fear.

The ruler of Zahryssar, Zeramet Karash, Prime Alpha of a bloodline, was rumored to be a monster—the Serpent King who wiped out his own bloodline, a ruler no consort had ever survived, and a sovereign who could erase a person’s very identity.

No omega stepped forward and the promise remained unfulfilled.

Until Zahryssar demanded payment.

“If I could save your kingdom,” the Emperor declared, “I can erase it just as easily.”

With war threatening once more and innocent lives at stake, the Duke made a final choice to send his own omega daughter—only to be refused by her; she chose death over being sent to a monster.

And then, his son stepped forward.

Levin Veyrhold, Alpha heir of House Veyrhold—warrior, future heir of Veyrhold—offered himself instead. No Omega could survive the Serpent Emperor… but perhaps an Alpha could.

In a world where vows are law, power is biology, and love is the most dangerous defiance of all, can Levin Veyrhold survive the serpent emperor?

[Silthara Palace — One Week Later — The Throne Hall]


Steel flashed beneath the palace lights, a dagger pierced straight through the attendant's chest. The young serpent's eyes widened; blood spilled across the polished black marble.


She looked down...almost unable to understand what had happened; her lips parted, and a broken gasp escaped.


Her body collapsed before the throne, and silence...an absolute and horrifying silence. No one moved, and no one screamed because everyone inside the Throne Hall already knew...the moment anyone raised their voice...they would be next.


Then black mist slowly rose from beneath Slyvarakh's robes. It crept across the floor like living darkness, reaching the lifeless body. The mist wrapped itself around the fallen attendant, around her chest, around her throat and around her face.


Chapter 262 - Midnight at Silthara