Chapter 7
651words
I knew he would come.
Ever since my father spread the rumor that the Moonlit Holy Mountain held a Bloodspring of Life capable of purifying any curse, I knew that dying clan would come sniffing like sharks to blood.
But I didn't expect him to be so quick. Or so disgustingly arrogant.
That day, I was in the council hall, reviewing trade reports about the Bloodspring.
The main doors were suddenly blasted open.
"Gracie!"
Justin stormed in.
His clothes were a mess, his eyes sunken, and his handsome face was a ruin, marred by the creeping black veins of the curse.
The price of being near the demon-spawn.
But when he saw me sitting on the main throne, a twisted look of ecstasy and possession exploded in his crimson eyes.
He broke through the guards' line and seized my wrist.
"You really are here!" his voice was hoarse, excited. "I came for the Bloodspring and heard your name... I knew it was you!"
He greedily inhaled my scent, as if I were his antidote.
Then, his sharp vampire eyes scanned the room, his brow furrowed.
"This place has powerful wards. How did a stray wolf like you get into such a high-level territory? Gracie, stop being stubborn. This is no place for you."
He had no idea the wolf elders in the room were looking at him like he was already dead.
He ordered me like he owned me. "Come with me. Now."
I didn't move. I just looked at him coldly. "Go where with you? Back to that stinking, rotting, curse-ridden clan of yours?"
At the mention of the "demon-spawn," Justin's face tightened. Then his expression turned urgent.
"Isolde tricked me! That child is a monster, and it's draining our people dry! Only the 'Bloodspring of Life' here can save us."
He gripped my wrist tighter, his tone impatient, as if he were doing me a favor. "Gracie, listen to me. If you help me steal... or get... a little of the Bloodspring, I'll forgive you for faking your death. I'll take you back."
Hearing that, I couldn't help but laugh.
The old me would have been heartbroken. But now? He just looked like a pathetic clown.
I yanked my hand free and stood up. The aura of a royal Alpha exploded from me, forcing him back a step.
"Forgive me? Take me back?"
I stalked toward him, my eyes like ice.
"Justin, have you not figured it out yet? You think you're here to bring your runaway mate home? No. You are a beggar. A trespasser on my lands, pleading for your pathetic life."
Justin was stunned by my power, but his vampire arrogance refused to accept what was happening.
"Stop messing around! I know you hate me, that you want revenge. But don't joke about this!"
He reached for me again, his voice rising. "I'm trying to save our clan! That monster is about to kill everyone! As my mate, it's your duty to help me!"
"Duty?" I sneered. "The only bond between us was severed the moment you locked me and our child in that coffin of ice."
"As for the child..." I paused, enjoying the flicker of panic in his eyes.
"Didn't you say Isolde's child was an honor? Then go die with your honor."
With that, I picked up a file from the table and turned to leave.
Justin was furious. He couldn't stand that his obedient little "pet" had suddenly bitten back.
He lunged, moving at full vampire lord speed, and blocked my path again.
"You're going to do this the hard way, then! Gracie, you've disappointed me. It seems I'll have to take you back by force. Once you've calmed down, you'll understand it's for your own good!"
He was actually trying to kidnap me. In the council hall of the Moonlit Alliance.
Who the hell did he think he was?
