Night had fallen quietly over the vampire palace.
The royal corridors were dimly lit by long rows of silver candles, their pale flames reflecting against the polished black marble floors. Shadows stretched across the walls like silent watchers.
Most of the court had already retired for the evening.
But not everyone.
Inside one of the private council chambers, three vampire nobles sat around a circular table.
Their voices were low.
Careful.
Lord Cassian stood near the tall window, staring out into the dark city below.
Lady Seraphine sat across from him, her expression still tense from the humiliation she had suffered in the garden earlier that day.
The third noble, Lord Marcellus, leaned forward in his chair.
"That wolf has become a problem," he said quietly.
Seraphine's crimson eyes flashed.
"A problem?"
"She embarrassed me in front of the prince."
Cassian turned slowly.
"And worse… the court found it amusing."
Marcellus frowned.
"The longer she stays here, the stronger her influence becomes."
Seraphine clenched her jaw.
"She must be removed."
Cassian's expression remained calm.
"You're suggesting assassination?"
Seraphine didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Marcellus looked uneasy.
"The prince will never allow it."
Cassian's lips curved slightly.
"Then we make sure he never knows."
Meanwhile, in another part of the palace—
Selena walked alone through the upper corridors.
She had spent most of the evening exploring the castle, memorizing its layout the same way she would study unfamiliar forest territory.
Old habit.
Wolves always learned their surroundings.
The vampire palace was enormous.
Too many hallways.
Too many hidden doors.
Too many shadows.
Selena stretched her arms above her head as she walked.
"This place is a maze."
Her silver eyes moved carefully along the corridor.
Even though everything appeared calm, her instincts remained alert.
Ever since the cult assassin attack, she trusted nothing.
A sudden sound behind her made her stop.
Footsteps.
Selena slowly turned.
A palace servant stood at the far end of the hallway, holding a small lantern.
"My lady," the servant said nervously.
Selena relaxed slightly.
"Yes?"
"The prince requested your presence in the east library."
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"The east library?"
"Yes."
"He asked me to guide you."
Selena hesitated.
Something about the situation felt strange.
Adrian rarely sent servants for something so simple.
Still…
Curiosity won.
"Fine."
She followed the servant down the corridor.
The palace grew quieter the deeper they walked.
Soon the familiar sounds of the main halls faded.
Selena frowned.
"Is the library this far?"
"Yes, my lady."
The servant avoided eye contact.
Her suspicion grew.
But before Selena could question further—
Another corridor appeared ahead.
Dark.
Empty.
The servant suddenly stopped.
"My lady… it's just through there."
Selena looked toward the shadowed hallway.
Then she looked back at the servant.
But the servant had already stepped away quickly.
Selena's wolf instincts roared with warning.
"Trap."
The moment she stepped into the hallway—
Two masked figures dropped from the ceiling.
Blades flashed in the darkness.
Selena reacted instantly.
She spun sideways as the first assassin lunged.
The blade missed her throat by inches.
Her claws extended.
She grabbed the attacker's wrist and twisted hard.
The bone cracked.
The assassin screamed.
The second attacker struck from behind.
Selena ducked low and kicked backward, sending the attacker crashing into the wall.
"Cowards," she growled.
The injured assassin lunged again with their remaining hand.
Selena slammed her fist into their chest.
The force sent the attacker sliding across the floor.
But before she could finish them—
A third figure stepped out of the shadows.
This one moved differently.
Faster.
Deadlier.
Selena barely had time to react as the assassin's blade sliced toward her side.
The strike was precise.
Professional.
Selena blocked it with her claws, but the impact forced her backward.
Three assassins.
And these were far more skilled than the previous cult attacker.
The third assassin attacked again, moving with terrifying speed.
Selena barely avoided the blade.
"Persistent little wolves," the assassin muttered behind the mask.
Selena's eyes glowed silver.
"You talk too much."
She lunged forward.
But the assassin suddenly threw a small metal sphere at the ground.
It exploded into blinding light.
Selena stumbled back, temporarily blinded.
The assassins rushed forward for the killing strike—
And suddenly stopped.
A new presence filled the corridor.
Cold.
Powerful.
Deadly.
Prince Adrian stepped out of the shadows.
His crimson eyes glowed like fire in the darkness.
The assassins froze.
One of them whispered in shock.
"The prince—"
Adrian's voice was calm.
"Wrong target."
The assassins immediately turned toward him.
If they killed the prince, the reward would be even greater.
They attacked together.
Adrian moved like a shadow.
The first assassin's blade never reached him.
Adrian caught the attacker's wrist and snapped it instantly.
The second assassin lunged.
Adrian grabbed their throat and slammed them into the wall.
The third assassin tried to escape.
Adrian moved faster than the eye could follow.
A single strike to the neck.
The assassin collapsed unconscious.
The entire fight lasted less than ten seconds.
Selena blinked as her vision returned.
When she finally focused again—
The three assassins were already lying motionless on the floor.
Adrian stood in the middle of the corridor.
Selena stared at him.
"You followed me."
"No."
He glanced down at the unconscious attackers.
"I was already here."
She crossed her arms.
"Sure you were."
Adrian ignored the comment.
"Are you injured?"
Selena glanced at the assassins.
"No."
"Disappointed?"
She smirked.
"A little."
Adrian studied the attackers carefully.
"They're not from the cult."
Selena frowned.
"Then who?"
"Human assassins."
She blinked.
"Humans?"
"Yes."
Selena knelt beside one of the unconscious figures.
"These idiots tried to kill a werewolf and a vampire prince?"
Adrian's voice was colder now.
"They were hired."
Selena stood again.
"By your lovely noble friends?"
"Most likely."
Selena sighed.
"This palace is exhausting."
Adrian looked at her carefully.
"You should be more cautious."
"You told me not to wander alone."
"Yes."
"And you followed me anyway."
Adrian didn't answer.
Selena tilted her head slightly.
"You protected me."
"No."
"Yes you did."
"I protected the stability of the kingdom."
She laughed.
"You're terrible at lying."
Adrian turned away slightly.
"The guards will handle this."
Selena watched him carefully.
"You didn't tell them."
"Tell them what?"
"That I almost died."
Adrian's expression remained calm.
"Because you didn't."
Selena smiled faintly.
"You're secretly nice."
"That's a dangerous accusation."
She stepped past him toward the corridor exit.
"Well…"
"Thanks anyway."
Adrian didn't respond.
But as Selena walked away, his gaze followed her quietly.
Because whether he admitted it or not…
Protecting her had already become instinct.
And neither of them realized yet just how dangerous that instinct would become.