Morning light filtered through the tall stained-glass windows of the royal palace, casting crimson and gold reflections across the marble floors.
Selena stood near the massive balcony doors of the royal chamber, staring out over the vampire capital.
The city stretched endlessly beneath the castle—dark towers, narrow streets, and shadowed courtyards. Even in daylight, the kingdom carried a cold elegance that made her uneasy.
Behind her, the chamber still showed signs of the previous night's battle.
The shattered windows had been replaced, though cracks remained in the stone where the assassin had struck. Servants had already cleared most of the debris, but Selena could still smell the faint scent of burnt magic.
She crossed her arms.
"So the cult is real."
The words left her lips in a quiet murmur.
Adrian stood across the room near the long table where several maps had been spread out.
"Yes."
Selena glanced over her shoulder.
"And they can apparently turn assassins into exploding bombs."
Adrian didn't react to the sarcasm.
"They're dangerous."
"That's an understatement."
Selena pushed herself away from the balcony.
"So what's the plan now?"
Adrian folded the map he had been studying.
"Today we attend court."
Selena froze.
"Court?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely not."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You're the Luna of the Moonfang Pack and the princess of the vampire kingdom now."
She scoffed.
"Don't call me that."
"You'll need to appear before the nobles."
"Why?"
"To establish authority."
Selena laughed.
"They hate me."
"Yes."
"And they'll hate me even more if I walk into their fancy meeting."
"That's unavoidable."
Selena groaned and ran a hand through her silver hair.
"This is ridiculous."
Adrian walked closer.
"If you avoid them, they'll see weakness."
"And if I show up?"
"They'll challenge you."
Selena grinned slightly.
"That sounds more fun."
Adrian almost smiled.
"Try not to kill anyone."
"No promises."
The vampire court chamber was massive.
Towering pillars lined the walls, each carved with ancient symbols representing the oldest vampire houses.
Long crimson banners hung from the ceiling.
At the far end of the hall stood the royal throne.
King Valerius already sat there, his pale face unreadable.
Dozens of vampire nobles filled the chamber.
When the doors opened—
Every conversation stopped.
Selena walked inside beside Adrian.
Whispers spread instantly.
"That's her."
"The wolf."
"The Luna."
"The one who attacked the prince."
Selena ignored them.
She walked forward with her head held high, her silver eyes glowing faintly under the torchlight.
If they expected her to look afraid, they would be disappointed.
Adrian stopped beside the throne.
Selena stood at his side.
King Valerius studied her carefully.
"So."
His deep voice echoed across the chamber.
"This is the Luna of Moonfang."
Selena met his gaze without hesitation.
"That's correct."
A murmur moved through the nobles.
The king leaned back slightly.
"You attempted to assassinate my son."
"Yes."
Several nobles gasped.
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
Selena shrugged.
"You asked."
King Valerius stared at her for a long moment.
Then—unexpectedly—he laughed.
A low, amused sound.
"I appreciate honesty."
Selena smirked.
"Good."
"But honesty does not excuse treason."
She tilted her head.
"Then why am I still alive?"
The king glanced toward Adrian.
"My son believes you are… necessary."
Selena rolled her eyes.
"Because of the prophecy."
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"Prophecies are annoying."
Some nobles began whispering angrily.
Finally one stepped forward.
Lord Cassian.
Selena recognized him from the previous day.
His sharp eyes studied her like she was something unpleasant.
"Your Majesty," he said coldly.
"Allowing this wolf to stand in our court is an insult to every noble house."
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Cassian ignored her and continued.
"She attacked the prince, disrespected the throne, and threatens our stability."
Murmurs of agreement spread through the chamber.
Selena leaned slightly toward Adrian.
"Your friends seem nice."
Adrian didn't respond.
Cassian turned toward her.
"You do not belong here."
Selena's smile slowly faded.
"And you do?"
"I am a lord of this kingdom."
She stepped forward slightly.
"And I'm the Luna."
Cassian's lip curled.
"You're a prisoner."
Selena's eyes flashed.
"Careful."
Cassian scoffed.
"Or what?"
Selena's voice dropped into a dangerous whisper.
"I might forget I'm surrounded by nobles."
Several guards immediately tensed.
Adrian finally spoke.
"That's enough."
The room fell silent.
Cassian stepped back slightly.
But the hostility in his gaze remained.
Adrian looked across the chamber.
"Selena is the Luna of the Moonfang Pack."
"And my wife."
Those words sent another ripple through the nobles.
"Whether you like it or not," Adrian continued, "she represents an alliance between our races."
Cassian laughed bitterly.
"An alliance built on force."
"An alliance built on necessity."
The tension in the room thickened.
Finally the king raised a hand.
"Enough arguing."
The nobles fell silent again.
King Valerius looked directly at Selena.
"If you wish to remain in this court…"
His voice carried authority.
"You must prove you deserve the title you claim."
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"What does that involve?"
The king gestured toward the center of the chamber.
"Strength."
The nobles stepped back, clearing the wide stone floor.
Selena understood immediately.
"They want a fight."
Adrian leaned slightly closer to her.
"Be careful."
She smirked.
"You're worried?"
"Only slightly."
Selena stepped forward into the center of the chamber.
The nobles watched eagerly.
Cassian's voice echoed across the hall.
"Very well."
"If the wolf wishes to stand among us…"
He gestured toward one of the armored vampire warriors nearby.
"Let her prove it."
The warrior stepped forward.
He was tall and heavily built, his armor dark and polished.
Selena cracked her knuckles.
"This should be interesting."
The warrior drew his blade.
Selena didn't draw a weapon.
She didn't need one.
Adrian watched from beside the throne, his crimson eyes focused on her.
The entire court held its breath.
Selena crouched slightly.
Her wolf instincts surged through her veins.
The warrior charged.
His sword swung toward her neck—
Selena moved faster.
She ducked under the strike and slammed her fist into his chest.
The impact sent the armored vampire flying backward across the chamber.
He crashed into one of the pillars and collapsed.
The room fell completely silent.
Selena straightened slowly.
"Well."
She brushed dust from her hands.
"Was that enough strength?"
The nobles stared at her in shock.
Adrian's lips curved faintly.
And somewhere among the watching nobles…
A pair of cold eyes watched the scene carefully.
Calculating.
Waiting.
Because while the court was busy arguing over politics…
The Blood Moon cult was still moving in the shadows.
And the next attack would not be so simple.