The vampire castle was quiet at night.
Not silent—vampires rarely slept—but quieter than during the endless activity of the evening hours. Guards moved through the hallways with careful steps, their armor barely making a sound. Torches burned along the stone walls, casting shifting shadows that danced like ghosts.
Selena preferred the shadows.
They reminded her of hunting in the forest.
She moved through the corridor slowly, her steps light and controlled. Years of training with her pack had made stealth second nature. Even inside an unfamiliar castle, she knew how to disappear into darkness.
Tonight she wasn't exploring.
Tonight she was hunting.
Her target was Prince Adrian.
Selena's hand tightened around the dagger hidden beneath her cloak. She had taken it earlier from the training room while the guards were distracted. It wasn't a ceremonial blade—it was made for killing.
Sharp.
Balanced.
Perfect.
Her silver eyes glowed faintly as she continued down the corridor.
Every step brought her closer to the prince's private study.
She had spent the entire day observing the castle. Watching the guards. Learning their patrol routes. Memorizing the layout.
Adrian kept strange hours.
He spent most evenings meeting with advisors or reviewing reports.
But late at night, he always returned to his study alone.
Selena stopped at the corner of the hallway.
Two guards stood outside the large double doors.
She frowned slightly.
That complicated things.
But not enough to stop her.
She waited.
Patience had always been one of her strengths.
Several minutes passed.
Eventually one guard stepped away.
"Your shift," he muttered to the other.
"I'll return shortly."
The second guard nodded and remained near the door.
Selena smiled faintly in the darkness.
Perfect.
She moved silently along the wall, slipping closer until she was directly behind the guard.
Before he could react—
Her arm shot forward.
The edge of her hand struck the back of his neck with precise force.
The guard collapsed instantly.
Selena caught his body before it hit the ground.
"Sorry," she whispered as she dragged him into the shadows.
She straightened and glanced at the door.
Now there was only one obstacle left.
Prince Adrian himself.
Her heartbeat remained steady.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Only determination.
Selena pushed the door open slowly.
The study was dimly lit by several candles.
Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling. A massive wooden desk stood near the center of the room, covered in maps and scrolls.
And behind the desk—
Prince Adrian sat reading.
He didn't look up immediately.
Selena stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind her.
The dagger slid into her hand.
Her muscles tensed.
One strike.
Straight to the heart.
Even a vampire prince couldn't survive that.
She moved forward silently.
Three steps.
Two.
One—
Adrian spoke.
"You're walking very loudly for someone trying to sneak up on me."
Selena froze.
Slowly, Adrian lifted his gaze from the book.
His crimson eyes met hers.
Calm.
Almost amused.
"Good evening," he added.
Selena's grip tightened on the dagger.
"You knew I was here?"
"I heard the guard fall unconscious."
Her jaw clenched.
"Then why didn't you stop me?"
Adrian leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I was curious."
"About what?"
"How far you'd go."
Selena didn't waste another second.
She lunged forward.
The dagger aimed directly at his chest.
But Adrian moved faster.
His hand caught her wrist before the blade could reach him.
Their movements collided with sudden force.
Selena twisted, trying to break his grip, but his strength was overwhelming.
"Let go!" she snapped.
Adrian stood, easily deflecting her attack.
"You're predictable."
"I warned you I would kill you."
"Yes."
His voice remained frustratingly calm.
"You did."
Selena swung again.
Adrian blocked the strike and pushed her back several steps.
She stumbled but quickly regained her balance.
"You think this is a game?" she demanded.
"No."
"Then fight me properly!"
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"You're angry."
"Of course I am!"
Her silver eyes burned.
"You destroyed my life!"
She attacked again.
This time Adrian grabbed both her wrists and pinned them against the nearby bookshelf.
The dagger clattered to the floor.
Selena struggled, her wolf strength pushing against him.
But Adrian didn't release her.
Their faces were suddenly very close.
Her breathing was sharp and furious.
His expression remained steady.
"You're not thinking clearly."
"Let me go."
"No."
Her claws began to extend.
"Adrian…"
Her voice was low and dangerous.
"If you don't release me right now—"
"What?"
"You'll regret it."
Adrian studied her for a moment.
Then he slowly released her wrists.
Selena didn't hesitate.
She lunged for the dagger again.
But Adrian kicked it away across the floor.
The blade slid beneath the desk.
Selena growled in frustration.
"You're infuriating."
"I've been told that before."
She glared at him.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance."
Adrian folded his arms.
"That would defeat the purpose of the prophecy."
Selena scoffed.
"You really think that nonsense matters?"
"Yes."
Her anger flared again.
"You care more about a prophecy than the lives you destroyed!"
Adrian's voice grew colder.
"You think I wanted your village burned?"
"You led the attack!"
"Yes."
"But not for the reasons you believe."
Selena shook her head angrily.
"Stop lying."
"I'm not."
"Then explain it!"
Adrian remained silent.
That only made her more furious.
"You see?" she snapped.
"You have no explanation."
His crimson eyes hardened slightly.
"You're not ready to hear it."
Selena laughed bitterly.
"Oh please."
"You just don't want to admit you're a monster."
For a moment the room fell completely silent.
Then Adrian spoke quietly.
"If I were a monster…"
He stepped closer.
"…you would already be dead."
Selena didn't back down.
"Maybe you're just waiting for the right moment."
"Perhaps."
She crossed her arms.
"Next time I won't miss."
Adrian sighed softly.
"I believe you."
Selena blinked.
"You do?"
"Yes."
He walked back toward the desk.
"You're stubborn enough to keep trying."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You're not going to punish me?"
"For attempting to assassinate the prince?"
"Yes."
Adrian picked up the book he had been reading earlier.
"Should I?"
Selena stared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
"Why?"
"Because any other ruler would have me executed."
Adrian looked at her again.
"But you're not just anyone."
She frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"You're the Luna."
"And your wife."
Selena made a face.
"Don't remind me."
Adrian closed the book.
"You're also part of the prophecy."
"Which means killing you would be… inconvenient."
Selena rolled her eyes.
"So I'm alive purely for political reasons."
"That's one way to look at it."
She turned toward the door.
"This isn't over."
Adrian nodded.
"I know."
Selena paused before leaving.
"You should sleep with one eye open."
Adrian's lips curved faintly.
"I usually do."
She opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
The unconscious guard was still slumped against the wall.
Selena sighed.
"Well…"
She nudged him lightly with her foot.
"At least someone succeeded in sleeping tonight."
She walked away down the corridor, her mind still burning with anger.
Inside the study, Adrian remained standing near the desk.
He stared at the door long after she left.
Then he sighed quietly.
"She's going to keep trying."
But strangely…
The thought didn't bother him as much as it probably should have.
If anything—
It made things more interesting.
And deep down, Adrian had the uneasy feeling that Selena's hatred was only the beginning of a far more dangerous storm.