Chapter 4 A vampire mate?!

LUCIEN DRAVEN

The scent of sex hit me as I rose from the bed. I glanced at the two women beside me and felt nothing but disgust. They had served their purpose, props for a night that left me emptier than before.

Women like them were easy to bed, their lack of resistance enabling me to unleash my anger upon them without consequence.

Yet, after satisfying my desires, I couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness and revulsion. Their willingness to submit so easily cheapened the experience, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

As I had said, they had fulfilled their purpose, and now it was time to dismiss them.

With a low sigh, I pushed off the sheets and crossed the room to the bathroom.

Steam filled the air as I turned on the shower, the hiss of water drowning out the remnants of the night. I stepped under the stream, letting it wash away the scent of lust and sweat, though it could do nothing for the thoughts that refused to leave me.

Sex had never meant anything to me. It was a distraction, a momentary silence in the constant noise of my existence.

Beyond my duties as an alpha, there was little else to occupy my time. At thirty-one, I remained without a mate, a curse, perhaps, placed upon me by the moon goddess herself.

Of all the alphas across the country, my name was etched in history as the one who had killed the most.

That reputation kept others wary, save for one fool who seemed intent on digging his own grave.

Enemies surrounded me on all sides, but it was the vampires whom I despised the most. Those bloodsuckers, who venture into human settlements at night to steal lives for their own hunger. I found their actions barbaric and repugnant.

People called me murderous and cruel, but at least I only killed those who stood in my way or tried to take what was mine.

I hadn’t inherited the Nightfall alpha title by birthright. In fact, I was never intended to succeed my father after his death cause he had despised me too much to allow that.

From a young age, I had shown strength far surpassing his own, a fact that fueled his animosity.

Unfortunately for him, he met his end when the vampires descended upon us, claiming the lives of both my mother and him.

My father’s death meant nothing to me. My mother’s, however… that shattered something inside.

She had been the only light in my life, the only one who looked at me and saw more than the beast everyone else feared.

And when the vampires took her from me, I swore they would pay for it, every last one of them.

Ten years ago, even the peace treaty between our species could not quell the inferno of my wrath, but it unfortunately hindered it.

At just ten years old, my uncle was set to take control of the pack, but I refused to stand by and watch. His actions incited a rage within me that defied explanation. I ended his life, as well as the lives of his entire family, claiming my rightful place as Alpha.

It was through acts such as these that the others learned to fear me. Since then, no alpha has dared to challenge my authority. No one has the strength to stop my crusade against the vampires.

Indeed, I am akin to a king among the werewolves, my name revered by some, feared by most.

One day, I’ll wipe the vampires from this earth completely. I’ll make sure of it.

A mind link cut through my thoughts as I wore one of my shirts. It was Silas, my head scout stationed near the border.

‘Alpha Draven, we’ve spotted someone.’

My brows furrowed. ‘Who?’

‘A young woman. Looks like she wandered into our territory by accident.’

I scoffed. ‘Accident or not, eliminate her.’

‘There’s something strange, Alpha. Her eyes, they’re golden, like ours, but lighter. She looks like a vampire, but not quite.’

"Do what you must. I'm on my way," I replied, ending the link. Then I reached out to my beta.

‘I just got word about a vampire on our land,’ Brennan said before I could speak.

‘Meet me there,’ I ordered.

‘Yes, Alpha.’

I grabbed my boots, laced them quickly, and stood. Just as I reached for the door, someone called my name softly.

“Alp…”

I turned, voice cold. “Don’t be here when I return. Or you’ll regret it.”

Then I slammed the door behind me and stepped into the night.

As I neared the border of my territory, a scent hit me, faint at first, like incense or embalming fluid, confirming the presence of a vampire. However, the scent was too feeble to ignore, piquing my curiosity.

Drawing nearer, the scent dissipated entirely, only to be replaced by the sweetest aroma, stirring my wolf within, chanting the word "mate" repeatedly in my head.

Without thinking, I swept the werewolf who’d lunged at the girl aside. He landed in a heap and whimpered.

The girl’s eyes opened and locked onto mine.

Surprise flashed across her face, and for a bitter second I felt the same, only to be replaced by outrage.

Of all the tricks the moon could play on me, this was the worst: my mate, and a vampire.

"How dare you?" I snapped, my annoyance palpable.

It wasn’t just that she had stepped into my land, it was mostly due to the fact that she’d shown herself to me. The audacity of my mate to set foot in my domain as a vampire infuriated me.

With anger seething within me, I lashed out, "You dare trespass into my territory, you vampire filth,"

She shrank back, fear plain in her features, but I barely noticed. The idea that the moon goddess would bind me to a vampire felt like a mockery.

No way!

“I…I didn’t know,” she stammered. “I didn’t realize…”

I tilted my head at her, still perplexed by my situation.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered.

As if those words could rectify the situation. This was utterly unacceptable!

“Alpha…” My beta, Brennan, moved up beside me. “There’s no need to waste words on it. Let’s just kill the vampire and be done with it.”

A tightness formed in my throat at his suggestion. My face stayed calm, but the wolf inside me snarled at the thought. The scent wrapping around her, the pull in my bones, none of it allowed me to end her life like Brennan suggested.

Vampire or not, she was my mate.

“Take her to the dungeon,” I ordered.

“What?!" Her and Brennan exclaimed simultaneously, displaying their clear disapproval of my choice. However, I couldn't waver in my decision.

"Alpha, we don’t keep vampires alive,” Brennan protested. “We execute them on sight.”

If only he could smell what I smelled.

My gaze narrowed as I caught what the scout meant. “This one is different. Look at her eyes,” I said, unable to hide the pull I felt.

Suddenly, she blinked, and her eyes shifted into a shade as blue as the midwinter sky. It was a sight both striking and beautiful.

Internally, I scolded myself. Damn it! Pull yourself together, Lucien!

Then she pleaded with me in desperation. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trespass. Please, please don’t lock me up.”

She appeared so innocent, and I couldn't help but wonder how she had arrived in my domain alone and without fear. Yet, I couldn't give in.

I couldn’t let myself be swayed. This was the pack’s land; I was its ruler and I couldn't help but scoff.

“I don’t show mercy to trespassers, especially vampires,” I said, voice flat. “We’ll see how you fare in confinement.” Then, I turned to Brennan, who appeared perplexed. "Take her away and lock her up. Vervain should quell her feisty attitude."

I referred to her as feisty because, despite her frail appearance, there was nothing timid about the way she’d fought.

One of my men still groaned on the ground, clutching his side where she’d clawed him.

Curiously, I wondered why his recovery was taking longer than expected...

With that, I walked away.