CHAPTER 1 - The Blood Tea

Maya’s POV

The Alpha’s floor was always the coldest place to clean. It was made of shiny black stone that looked like glass and reflected the candlelight.

Tonight, I was on my knees, scrubbing a stain that looked like dried blood. My hands were sore and rough from the strong soap, but I didn’t care. The pain helped me ignore the deep cold inside my body… It was a vampire’s cold, and it was my biggest secret.

To everyone in the Silver Peak Pack, I was just Maya Ashley, the weak omega who couldn’t shift. If they knew the truth, they would actually burn me alive.

A loud thud made me freeze. The sound came from the heavy door to Kael’s private study. Then I heard a deep growl that made the walls shake.

“Elias, get out!” Kael roared. His voice didn’t sound human. It sounded like a wild beast.

The door swung open, and Elias, the Beta, stumbled out. His face was pale, and there was a long scratch mark on his forearm. He looked at me, sitting on the floor with my bucket, and his eyes narrowed.

"Maya," he barked, his voice tight with panic. "Is the tea ready?”

My heart started beating fast. Not because of Kael, but because of what I had to do.

“Almost, Beta,” I said softly, keeping my head down.

“Bring it now,” Elias said. He looked back at the door and shivered. “He is losing control. The 'Killer's Fever' is strong tonight. He almost tore the throat out of a guard a few minutes back.”

I didn’t waste time. I grabbed the tray and went to the small kitchen. The tea was a mix of calming herbs… lavender, chamomile, valerian root. It smelled sweet and peaceful.

But the herbs were a lie. They did nothing for Kael’s madness.

I looked around to make sure no one was there. Then I pulled out a tiny needle from my skirt. I pricked my thumb without thinking. A drop of blood came out. It was dark red and slightly glowing. It was my blood… the blood of a vampire and a wolf.

I held my thumb over the tea, letting one drop fall into it. It made a soft sound and disappeared. The smell changed at once. It became deeper and sharp, making my fangs ache. This was the ‘blood tea.’ The only thing that could calm Kael. And I was the only one who could make it.

I hid my thumb, picked up the tray, and walked to the door. Elias stood there and nodded.

“Put it down and leave,” he said quietly. “Make sure you don’t look at him.”

I pushed the door open, the room was a mess. Furniture was broken, books were everywhere, and glass from a smashed lamp was all over the obsidian floor.

In the center of the room, Alpha Kael was on his hands and knees. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and his massive back muscles were tense, covered in sweat. He was breathing in loud, wet gasps.

"I told you... to leave me!" he growled, not looking up.

I remained silent at first and walked forward slowly, the tray balanced in my hands. The room smelled like rage and terror.

"It is only Maya, Alpha Kael," I said softly. I didn't want to startle him. "I brought your tea.”

He stopped and slowly looked up. His eyes, usually a piercing gold, were entirely black. The fever had taken him over completely. He looked at me, but he didn't see Maya the servant. He saw an enemy.

He let out a roar that echoed off the walls and lunged.

I should have ran. Any sane omega would have dropped the tray and screamed. But I stood my ground. Kael slammed into me, knocking the tray from my hands. The teacup shattered, spilling the precious blood-tea all over the black floor.

He grabbed me and pushed me against the wall. His grip was like iron, bruising my skin. His face was inches from mine, and I could see the sharp points of his wolf fangs. He snarled, his hot breath smelling of raw meat and anger.

He lifted his hand, clawed fingers ready to strike.

"Kael, stop!" I shouted. I didn't use his title. I needed to reach him… the man inside the beast.

He paused, his black eyes flickering. He seemed confused by my voice. It wasn't full of fear like everyone else’s.

I looked at his clawed hand, then at the shattered cup on the floor. I knew I couldn't get him to drink. I had to get the blood into his system another way.

Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist. I squeezed hard, pressing my injured, unhealed thumb against his skin. My hybrid blood… wet and dark, smeared against his pulse point.

“Please work,” I prayed silently.

His body went still. The change was fast. The darkness in his eyes faded, and the gold came back. He looked at his wrist, then at me.

The hunger in his eyes changed, It was no longer to kill… It was something deeper. He pulled me close and held me tight.

He buried his face in my neck and breathed in slowly.

“You smell…” he whispered. “Like rain… like the moon… like life.”

His body shook slightly, like he needed me. He didn’t understand why, but he needed my blood. And now that he had it, he wouldn’t let me go.

Suddenly, a horn sounded outside.

“Alpha! Prince Victor has arrived!” Elias shouted. “He is here for the Treaty Bride!”

Kael froze. He pulled away and looked at me, his eyes sharp and clear.

“Victor Valerius,” he said coldly. “He is not here for a bride. He is here to hunt.”

I looked out the window, the moon was turning purple. The Blood Moon was coming soon. If the prince smelled my blood, my secret would be gone.

“Stay here, Maya,” Kael said firmly. “Do not leave this room for now.”

He walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at me.

"And when I get back, you are going to tell me exactly why your blood tastes like salvation."

He opened the door and slammed it shut, locking me inside.