Chapter 1

The news spread fast. I had chosen a mate from the Blackwood clan. Everyone assumed it was the man I'd chased for centuries.

I ran into Damon the next day at the monthly "Evernight Salon."

"Well, well, Damon," his friend Marcus shouted as soon as he saw me, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't that your eternal bride-to-be?"

Every vampire turned. Their eyes flickered between me and Damon.

It made sense. Damon was the heir apparent, the next Lord. His choice of a mate was always a hot topic.

Damon heard him. He was in front of me in a flash, his crimson eyes burning with rage.

"Isolde!" His voice was a low growl, laced with venom. "How dare you? Did you really think you could force a bond with me?"

His rage boiled over. His fingers clamped around my wrist like a vice, tight enough to shatter bone.

"Are you that desperate?" he snarled. "That you’d use a political alliance to trap me?"

I’d seen that look in his eyes so many times before. But his disgust still sent a shard of pain through my heart.

I swallowed the ache. I fought to keep my hand from trembling.

You think an alliance with the Blackwoods automatically means an alliance with YOU? The arrogance.

"My blood-bound mate isn't you."

The words hissed through my teeth. I ripped my hand from his grasp.

The entire hall went silent.

Then, the vampires around him broke into laughter, their fangs showing.

"Gods, is she playing hard to get?"

"She's trying to make him jealous! Make him chase her!"

"A classic little trick. But who else in the Blackwood clan could she possibly mean? She can't even lie properly, hahaha."

Damon’s face went rigid.

He clenched his fists. He thought I was publicly humiliating him.

A moment later, a thought seemed to strike him. He leaned in close, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "Fine. This alliance is unavoidable. I'll play my part in the ceremony. But you will never have my true power."

His breath was hot against my ear, laced with threat. "I will not complete a true blood bond with you. I will never touch you. You just want the Blackwood name, right? Then you can be a mate in name only. An empty shell."

I froze.

Something was wrong.

This raw disgust, this cold, calculated plan for a sham marriage… this wasn't how it happened last time.

In my past life, Damon at least kept up a polite facade.

He only spat his hatred at me the day I found out his secret. He told me if it wasn't for the bond, he and Delia would have been together long ago.

Now, he couldn't even be bothered to pretend.

Could he also be…

My thoughts were cut short by a soft, frail voice.

"Damon?"

Damon's expression melted instantly.

Not for me. For Delia, who was gliding toward them.

My sister looked impossibly fragile, as if a harsh word could shatter her. Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she'd just been crying.

"Congratulations," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm so happy for you both."

Such a terrible actress.

"Delia, you don't have to force yourself," Damon said, rushing to her side. His tone was sickeningly gentle.

"No… I'm just so happy my sister has found her happiness…"

Her body swayed.

And then, in a perfect, theatrical swoon, she collapsed.

"Delia!"

Damon dove, catching her in his arms.

Everyone watched the show.

A pureblood's sister, heartbroken over a blood bond. It was the perfect gossip.

"You selfish, cruel bitch!" Damon snarled, cradling Delia as if she were precious glass, his eyes burning holes into me. As if my choice of a mate was some unforgivable sin.

The next second, to soothe the "weak" Delia…

He grabbed a nearby knife and sliced open his own wrist.