Chapter 9
430words
Cael had used me after all. With Lilith's help, he eventually broke the seal through countless painful rituals.
He returned to vampire society with vengeance, purging traitors and reclaiming his empire with brutal efficiency.
Now he ruled as an even more powerful and merciless vampire king than before.
I returned to my pack, ending my self-imposed exile.
Three years hardened me from a naive girl into a battle-tested warrior.
My pack continued to struggle against the Steel Claw's increasing aggression.
Today we faced them again, fighting over a water source vital to our survival.
They outnumbered us three to one—defeat seemed certain.
Just then, a sleek black car glided to a stop nearby.
The window lowered to reveal Lilith's perfect face.
She observed our struggle with detached amusement, like watching insects fight.
The Steel Claw thugs recognized her instantly—their aggression evaporating into fearful silence.
Lilith's gaze found me, her lips curving into a knowing smile.
"Still nursing that broken heart?" she asked in a voice only I could hear.
I said nothing.
"Let me tell you something," she said, lighting a cigarette. "He never needed you specifically. Your 'Moonlight Breath' was just one possible catalyst among many. That fool just didn't know how to keep something pure in his dark world."
With that, she raised her window and vanished in a cloud of exhaust.
Her words shook me to my core.
For three years, I'd clung to the comfort of betrayal, forcing myself to hate him.
But what if… what if she was telling the truth?
Lilith's appearance bought us temporary relief, but our problems remained.
The Steel Claw returned with an ultimatum: either my pack submits to them completely, or I marry their disgusting young alpha.
Pure humiliation, thinly disguised as negotiation.
Our elders, desperate to protect the pack, began suggesting I consider the marriage.
"Layla, we know it's unfair, but we're out of options."
I looked at their desperate, guilty faces and felt ice spreading through my veins.
I thought of Ethan from the moderate pack, who'd shown interest years ago.
His pack wasn't as strong as Steel Claw, but an alliance might give us breathing room.
Marrying without love seemed to be my only option.
I stood at my window watching the crescent moon, my heart heavy with resignation and rebellion.
I thought of Cael—the vampire I couldn't stop loving despite everything.
For three years, he haunted my every thought. I hated his lies but couldn't forget his protection, his rare moments of tenderness.
What would he do if he were here now?
