Chapter 38

The moonlight glowed brighter on his skin, his eyes glistening like ripples on a river as they pierced into mine.

He wore a sparkling white shirt tucked into blue trousers, the sleeves rolled up to reveal beautifully inked tattoos along his arms. The shirt was unbuttoned halfway, exposing a broad, sculpted chest.

Though the shirt was neatly tucked in like a professor’s, his tousled brown hair gave him a rugged charm.

“That was an interesting battle to watch,” he said, his deep voice resonating as if it were speaking directly to my soul. A subtle smile played on his lips.

I stood frozen, mouth slightly open, eyes locked on him. I couldn’t tell if this was real or some vivid hallucination.

He stepped closer, hands casually tucked in his pockets stood close, his tall figure towering over my small frame.

My breath caught.

I raised my gaze to meet his, and his smile made my stomach flutter like it was filled with butterflies.

“I enjoyed the show,” he said, winking before shifting his eyes to the bracelet on my wrist. “I didn’t expect you to survive… but you did.”

“You were watching all that?” I whispered, my voice shaky as I swallowed hard, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Yes,” he nodded, lifting a hand to my lips. With his thumb, he gently wiped away a trace of blood. The touch sent shivers down my spine.

“If you were watching, then you should know they overpowered me and nearly killed me. I only escaped because—somehow—this bracelet healed me. It saved both me and my wolf.” I lifted my wrist for him to see. “This isn’t just any bracelet, right?.”

His smile widened as he took my hand, his touch gentle as he studied the bracelet. “It looks beautiful on you… like it was made for you. Do you like it?”

I nodded, barely whispering, “Yes, please.”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t keep it,” he said suddenly, his tone sharp.

I quickly pulled my hand away, hiding it behind me. “Why not? Please… I’ll pay for it if I have to.”

“I don’t recall saying it was for sale,” he replied, folding his arms across his chest.

“Okay… but how did it heal me? That poisonous incense from the vampire kingdom didn’t affect me anymore. Where did you get this?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You ask a lot of questions, girl.”

“Let’s introduce ourselves, then. My name is Reina. And you are?” I offered my hand, but he simply stared at it.

“You don’t need to know my name,” He said in a breathy voice, leaning close until his warm breath tickled my ear. “We’re from different worlds." You should return to the castle before the Alpha…”

“You know I’m the Alpha’s daughter?” I pulled back, eyes wide in surprise.

He narrowed his eyes. “Is that a secret?”

“No, but not everyone knows. I usually hide my scent. And when we first met, you didn’t act like you knew who I was.”

He chuckled, tapping my smooth forehead with his index finger.

“Think. I told you I was watching your fight with these two men that wanted to kill you for the throne. I heard all the conversation, so I found out you’re the Alpha’s daughter and next to the throne.”

“Oh that’s true.”

“Now can I have my bracelet?” He asked with his hand forward.

“Tell me about it. How does it heal energy and give strength? And before you leave, I have to introduce you to my father as the man who saved my life. If I didn’t have this bracelet. They would kill…”

“I am not meeting your father.” He cut in, his face grim and his voice cold this time, as if the mention of meeting my father unlocked the other side of him.

“Why?” I asked.

“I am not answering that!” His voice was harsh and eyes suddenly distant. “You either hand that bracelet over the easy way or the hard way.”

I sulked, feeling heaviness in my chest as I saw him change just when I thought he would be nice this time.

“Did I offend you?”

“Hand my stuff back!” He snapped, irritation sharp in his voice.

Wasn’t he just friendly earlier? He even said the bracelet looked good on me.

“Why are you being so harsh? You’re hurting me.” My voice cracked as tears welled in my eyes.

He reached out and yanked the bracelet from my wrist.

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

“Thank you for keeping it safe,” he said curtly and turned to leave.

“At least… can I know your name?”

“I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong one,” he replied, spinning back to me. His expression was cold, his voice like ice. “I hope we never meet again.”

“Why?” I asked through tears. “Do you hate me that much?”

He let out a dry chuckle. “ I can sense your father coming to pick you up so I should leave quickly before he kills me.”

“He won’t kill you, I promise.”

Liam’s pov

Leaving her was actually hard. Much harder than I thought.

I came here only to meet her one last time before Leo returned to complete his mission, which would definitely be her end.

Leo might have lost the other mission because of Diane, but it won’t happen the second time.

He will sneak in here and Reina will be the sacrificial lamb to pay for what her father had done to us.

Reina had said her father wouldn’t kill me, but I knew it was all because she didn't know who I was.

The moment she found out I was a vampire, any feelings she had for me would vanish. We’d become the enemies we were destined to be.

“Why are you leaving like this? Will we ever meet again?” she called out behind me, but I didn’t turn.

When she ran after me, I used my vampire speed to outrun her.

That would be enough to hint to her why we could never be together.

“You’re a vampire!” her tiny voice rang out from far behind me, tinged with disappointment and a sinking feeling consumed me.

A bittersweet smile tugged at my lips as I remembered how it felt to be close to her—her sweet, delicate voice and those captivating blue eyes. Not to mention the addictive strawberry scent she possessed.

I won’t deny she was a goddess. And yes.. I wanted more with her, but unfortunately, fate was against my wish.

She was a target for our king and the entire werewolf community is our biggest enemy, so I should have nothing to do with her rather than help get her captured.

I don’t know why my stupid heart was going soft for her, even when my brain kept reminding me of who she was. I almost fell for her irresistible charm.

Just as I was close to the border, I caught a scent that made me pull to a halt. My eyes widened as I turned in its direction.

As a vampire, I was able to detect the hidden scent immediately.

Leo.

What is he doing in this pack at this hour of the night?

Without hesitation, I chased after his scent trail.

He was fast. Faster than me. I pushed my senses to the limit, tracking every faint trace he left behind—until finally, I found him.

“Leo!!” I shouted, stopping him just as he was about to sink his claws into someone’s chest.

He was feral. Unhinged. A beast in pure rage.

“Please don’t do this,” I pleaded, not even knowing who he was about to kill since he was backing me.

Leo darted his bloodshot eyes at me and snarled. “ What are you doing here?”

He stood up from the defeated female figure under him and I stepped back.

A soft whimper came from the figure Leo was about to kill and my heart dropped.

I recognized the voice instantly.

“Reina!”