MasukKira’s POVThe hall buzzed with energy, but my mind was no longer in it. Victoria’s urgent mindlink kept replaying like a drumbeat in my skull. I exhaled slowly, the sound heavier than I meant it to be. Disappointment crashed over me like cold water.It can’t be Adrian. If it was him, I would’ve felt something…anything. A pull. A spark. That familiar warmth in my chest that always came when he was close. But there was nothing. Just silence.I pushed the thought aside and rose to my feet, voice carrying across the room with finality. “If there’s nothing more pressing, I’ll end the meeting here. We’ve covered the important points. Keep the search parties doubled. Update me the moment anything changes with Ariston and his wife. The rest can wait until tomorrow.”Chairs scraped back immediately. Every elder and council member stood, bowing low with genuine respect. “Your Majesty,” they murmured in unison. I gave them a nod and turned, the heavy royal gown swishing around my legs like it
Kira’s POVThe heavy doors had barely closed behind the vampires when Levi scrambled to his feet and bolted from the hall like his tail was on fire.“Thank you! Thank you!” he shouted, voice cracking with hope and desperation as he disappeared down the corridor. “Caroline! Where’s Caroline? Where’s my son?” I heard him yelling down the hall.A stunned beat of silence followed. Then the entire hall exploded.“Thank the Goddess it’s over!” Elder Marcus burst out, slumping back into his chair with a loud exhale. The old man looked like he’d aged ten years in the last hour and lost them all at once.One of the younger council members actually clapped. “That could’ve been a bloodbath. Literally. And you just… handled it, your majesty. Like it was a Tuesday morning budget meeting.”Thomas crossed his arms, but I caught the proud grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’m still not over the perfume line. ‘Midnight Seduction’? Really, your highness?”I shrugged, leaning back in the queen’s
Kira’s POVThe hall went dead silent, like someone had sucked all the air out of it. I gulped hard…visibly, my throat bobbing like I’d swallowed a whole damn orange…but I didn’t step back. My spine stayed straight, shoulders squared, even as Leah paced restlessly under my skin, ready to rip free if things went south.King Valerian stared at me for one long beat… then threw his head back and laughed.A deep, rich belly laugh that echoed off the stone walls. His vampire entourage stayed frozen, faces like marble statues. My own elders looked like they’d been slapped with a frozen fish. Thomas’s hand hovered near his side, probably itching for a weapon that wasn’t there.“Oh, come on,” the Vampire King said, still chuckling as he wiped a nonexistent tear from the corner of his eye. “Look at all your faces! So serious. Do you really think I crossed territories just to demand the queen’s blood like some cheap horror story? Relax, little queen. I’m old, not barbaric.”I let out a slow,
Kira’s POVThe Vampire King regarded me with open curiosity, then inclined his head in return, his voice smooth as aged wine and carrying the same formal cadence. “Well met, young Queen. The honor is ours.”The vampire king and I exchanged a brief, cool handshake. His skin was like polished stone…cold, flawless, like it was carefully crafted.I gestured gracefully. “Please, have a seat.”Thomas’s mouth was hanging slightly open as he couldn’t believe what was happening. I almost smirked. Guess all those late-night vampire movies had finally paid off.Once everyone was seated, I didn’t wait for him to speak. I already knew why they were here. “Welcome once more,” I said, voice steady and queenly. “We know why you have come and we apologize for not making the move to approach you first."Before the King could respond, his son…the prince…cut in, tone dripping with taunting venom. “Then where the hell is my sister? Why have we heard nothing for over a week? Your silence reeks of treach
Kira’s POVMy thoughts drifted further while the council murmured. Back in LA, reporters were having a field day with the fake Summers family. Last I checked the news, they were in absolute ruins. Corporate lawsuits piling up, employees suing for abuse, even their own staff turning on them.The empire Frederick stole by killing my mother and me, was crumbling like wet cardboard right in front of him.He can’t fix their ruin.I remembered one clip that made me snort-laugh in the middle of breakfast. Frederick screaming at some reporter, red-faced and wild-eyed… “This is not our end! We will recover! Adrian Draven has our back!” The desperation in his voice was chef’s kiss hilarious.Especially because two days ago, Frederick had texted Adrian’s phone. The message had been needy and demanding. I’d been the one to read it, sitting on the throne while pretending to listen to tax reports.‘Mr Adrian, when are you stepping in like you promised? We held up our end. The media is killing u
Kira’s POVAnd then, there was Levi.He got off easier, in a way. Demoted to nothing, stripped of rank. I’d locked him in the same room as his unconscious fiancée, Princess Loretta. “You’re still her fiancé,” I told him coldly during our last conversation.“Take care of her. Feed her blood to keep her alive longer. Wipe her brow. Empty the damn bedpan if you have to. Maybe you’ll finally learn to be your own person.” The guilt eating him alive was visible, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.His baby mama and their son are under tight supervision, waiting for Adrian’s decision when he comes back.Then there was Liana. Just the thought of her made Leah sigh tiredly now. That one still gave me chills.I’d gone down to the cells myself, expecting screams or defiance. Instead I got pure disgust. Her twisted, obsessive love for Abby had driven her to madness. “I did it all for you, my princess,” she’d whispered, eyes shining like a true believer. “For us. I love you more than l
Adrian’s POVThe courtyard was alive with restless energy when I stormed out…over twenty warriors already shifted or mid-shift, massive wolves pacing in tight circles, ears pricked, hackles half-raised. No armor, no swords, no horses. We didn’t need them. Claws, teeth, speed, and raw pack fury were
Adrain’s POVDerek snarled angrily when we saw it.Blood on the snow.Dark red, dried into rusty streaks against the white. Not much…just drops, smeared like she’d scratched herself on a branch or fallen. My heart slammed against my ribs.A wild animal? One of the cursed beasts? Had something sunk
Lady Margaret’s POVI swept into my private chambers, the heavy door clicking shut behind me like the closing of a trap. The fire in the hearth crackled low, casting long shadows across the velvet drapes and gilded mirrors. I paused before the largest one, studying my reflection with cold satisfac
Lady Margaret’s POVMy eyes snapped open to an empty bed, the sheets beside me already cold.Gone.That little worm Philip was gone.I bolted upright, the thin blanket slipping from my naked skin as fury ignited in my chest like wildfire. The room still smelled of sex and sweat, a cruel reminder of







