ONE: THE AMBUSHED

~Nyra

Working as a stripper was the only way I could provide for my mother since we moved into Blood Hollow Pack.

Even if I had to keep it a secret from her.

“Nyra!” my boss’s voice called from the doorway, snapping me out of my thoughts. “That was a great performance out there—they loved you, as always.”

I exhaled sharply, pushing the guilt to the farthest part of my brain. “I’m glad they enjoyed it.”

“You sure you won’t take up the offer of entertaining those men privately?” he asked.

I gritted my teeth. It was hard enough doing this in the first place—there was no way I could take it to the next level.

“Arden, please, just pay me for my work,” I cut him off.

The older man sighed and handed me a small bag of coins. “If you change your mind, I’m right here,” he said, turning to walk away. “Be careful on your way home.”

I released another breath and slipped the pouch of coins into my bag. I grabbed the pants and shirt I had worn earlier, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

My silver eyes looked more intense beneath my short, dark wavy hair. The lacey catsuit I still had on deepened my guilt, and I hurriedly changed back into my normal clothes.

With that, I rushed out of the door, eager to escape Sin City Club as fast as possible. That was when someone appeared from the other end of the hallway and bumped into me.

“Gods! Watch where you’re going, what’s the fucking—”

I froze mid-outburst when I looked into his face and was met with eyes so green, they nearly made me lose my balance.

His eyes glowed under the dim hallway light, and his beauty stirred something deep inside me. I was suddenly speechless—I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

It was as if his entire aura demanded power and dominance, and I couldn’t resist it.

He took a step toward me, and I felt an involuntary shiver run down my spine as I backed away—until I hit the wall.

Everything about him felt evil and dangerous, yet enticing in a way that made my body tremble—screaming at me to run, while also begging me to stay and stare into those forest green eyes forever.

“How dare you raise your voice at me?” he asked, so calmly I could’ve sworn he didn’t even move his lips.

My lips quivered, but not a single word escaped. I felt completely overpowered.

Suddenly, he raised a hand and grabbed my neck, slamming me into the wall.

“How dare a mere human like you disrespect me?”

His aura grew darker, more dangerous—and I knew if I listened to the treacherous part of me begging to stay, I was going to die.

So I did the first thing that came to mind.

I drove my knee into his groin. He groaned—half in pain, half in surprise. I seized the moment and slipped past him.

Without looking back, I ran out the main door into the night. People crowded the streets, and I hoped that would be enough to discourage him from following me.

“What a fucking creep,” I muttered to myself.

Then I started walking, heading down the lonely road that led to my house. If we weren’t so broke, I would’ve taken a carriage home—but I couldn’t afford to touch the money I’d earned tonight.

It was meant for our house rent.

I shook off the thoughts and told myself to focus on the road. I’d already reached a quiet street when I sensed I was being followed. I froze and looked around.

Could that creep have followed me all the way here?

Just as the thought crossed my mind, a shadow appeared in my path. At first, I thought it was the green-eyed man—until I saw the glowing red eyes staring back at me.

Instant fear tore through me, and I staggered back in shock.

“V–vampire…” I stammered, my eyes going wide.

“That’s right. Eryndor sent me to get you…”

I spun around, trying to run—even though I knew a human like me could never outrun a vampire.

But two more men were already waiting behind me, their red eyes glowing. I gasped, tears already welling.

“P–please…”

“Begging won’t save you, Nyra. I’ve been hunting you for three years—and you think you can beg your way out of this? I’m taking you back to Eryndor,” he said coldly.

I shook my head. It had taken my mother and me years to plan and pull off our escape from him. There was no way I was letting these vampires take me back.

I had to fight for my freedom.

Fueled by that thought, I tried to run—even though I knew my chances were slim. I barely made it three steps before one of them grabbed me.

He opened his mouth, fangs bared to bite me when—

“Don’t! Rufus. We were strictly ordered not to taste her blood!” the first vampire barked. “Gag her and bring her to the vehicle.”

Rufus stopped and grabbed me by the neck instead. I thrashed violently as he reached to tie me up. I kicked and bit him so hard, he responded by whacking me across the face.

I groaned in pain.

“That’s no way to treat a lady… didn’t your mother teach you manners?” a strangely familiar voice called from the shadows.

All three vampires—and I—turned toward it.

There he was. The man with forest green eyes. He had followed me.

“Scram. This is none of your business,” the lead vampire growled.

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong,” he said, stepping out. “It is my business… because I want the girl.”

Rufus scoffed. “Even if you try, you’ll never win. You’re badly outnumbered.”

The green-eyed man chuckled softly. “Am I now?”

That’s when a pair of golden eyes and another ocean-blue pair emerged behind him. They stepped into the moonlight—and I gasped, blood turning cold.

They all had the same face.

Triplets.

“You were saying?” the green-eyed one said calmly.