Chapter 98

Varen was more than eager to attend the celebration ball with me. The moment I mentioned it, he offered to introduce me to some of his supporters who would be there. It only solidified my belief that choosing him as my so-called partner would benefit us both. He had spent most of his thirty years living as an outcast, lingering in the shadows of the Palace that should have been his home. His wiry frame and lack of brawn left him vulnerable to the stronger semi-nobles and mixed-breed servants who dominated the palace. Mother Nature had denied him the physical strength to demand respect—but she had compensated him with a mind like no other.

Varen was a genius. He could multiply large numbers faster than most could blink and devoured advanced quantum physics as though it were light bedtime reading. Vampires who had lost their titles but still held centuries-old fortunes revered him for his sharp financial advice and shrewd project reviews. Yet despite their respect, none dared to show it openly—Varen’s inability to defend himself left him isolated. I understood him, though. I wanted to be his strength, and he knew my presence would attract more allies, especially with the Royal Army at my back.

“You’ve made quite the impression in just one day. Selene must be furious,” he chuckled.

“Good. I love pissing off my enemies,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“She’ll likely be wrapped around the King all evening tomorrow, so it’s doubtful she’ll have the chance to move against you,” he added, trying to ease my nerves.

Instead, his words only made my anxiety spike. “Why would she be around Hadrian? I thought she hated him—or does she?” My nervous laughter betrayed my unease, and I silently begged him to confirm my assumption.

“Hate him?” Varen broke into laughter. “She’s been obsessed with him for as long as I can remember. You didn’t know? Selene doesn’t just see you as a threat to her plans; she wants the King for herself.”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, cursing my naivety.

I would have preferred if her ambition were focused on power rather than the man I loved—especially when I knew Hadrian was bound to sweet-talk her. His so-called plan was beginning to feel like it could backfire in a way that would devastate me.

“You know, Selene probably killed every woman who got close to Hadrian Kessler,” Varen said casually, pouring me another glass of champagne.

“Good to know,” I replied dryly, forcing a strained smile.

“Including the human girl he once claimed to love,” he added, pausing for effect.

“Selene Mariner?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yes, that was her name,” he confirmed with a nod.

“That doesn’t add up. Hadrian told me he killed her by accident—that it happened during a full moon when he lost control,” I said, my voice tinged with uncertainty as I tried to defend the man I loved.

Varen smirked. “Do you really think someone as strong and composed as Hadrian would lose control simply because of the full moon? No, I can’t prove it, but I’d wager Selene orchestrated the entire thing. She likely poisoned him that night—not enough to kill him, but enough to amplify his bloodlust beyond reason.”

“How can you be so sure it was her?” I asked, suspicion and dread coiling in my chest.

“She may not be clairvoyant, but the servants who witnessed those events said she celebrated the girl’s death the night before it happened. Makes you think, doesn’t it?” His smirk deepened, sending chills down my spine.

Selene’s cunning was no secret, but the thought of her pulling off something as bold as poisoning Hadrian in his own home was horrifying.

“So… I probably shouldn’t eat or drink anything she gives me, right?” I quipped, attempting to mask my unease with humor.

“As long as the King keeps her close, you should be safe,” he said with a shrug.

That wasn’t comforting. The thought of Selene near Hadrian, of her touching him, breathing in his scent, and basking in his smile—even if it was fake—was enough to stoke the fires of jealousy burning within me. My heart ached at the thought of her being close while I was forced to stay away. This so-called necessary “game,” as Hadrian had put it, was already taking its toll.

“No offense, but I really want to get rid of your sister,” I muttered through gritted teeth, downing the last of my champagne.

“None taken,” Varen replied with a dry laugh, though his expression quickly darkened. “I’ve wanted her gone ever since I found out she killed my mother.”

Sympathy welled up in me. I didn’t even know if my own mother was alive. From Oberon’s words, I’d learned that she had loved me—cared for me deeply—and had been heartbroken when my father sent me away. For years, I resented her for not trying to find me, but in time, I understood. She had to choose between meeting me or protecting the pack. She wasn’t powerful enough to do both. Eventually, I stopped hoping to see her again and simply wished she had found some measure of peace in her life, even if it came at the cost of losing me.

I met Varen’s gaze and gave him a sad smile. “Do you know… how your mother died?” I asked hesitantly.

He sighed, his eyes dropping to the table.

“You don’t have to answer,” I added nervously, trying to laugh it off while waving the question away.

“It’s okay,” he replied with a faint smile. “My nanny used to say the story of her death was like something out of a tragic love tale.” He paused, as if piecing together fragments of a memory he wasn’t sure he wanted to share.

“If it’s too painful, don’t tell me. I don’t need to—”

“It’s fine,” he interrupted, letting out a chuckle laced with irony. “In some twisted, masochistic way, I almost like the story.” He took a deep breath, bracing himself. “As I told you before, Selene tried to kill my mother several times while she was pregnant with me. Luckily, my mother had a few trusted vampires by her side. They examined everything she ate or drank, and sure enough, most of her meals were poisoned.

“When she discovered this, she went to my father, named Selene as the culprit, and demanded justice. But justice never came. Only the servants who delivered her food were sentenced to death, while Selene—” his voice darkened—“escaped punishment entirely.

“After that, my mother withdrew from my father, and Selene became more cunning. She knew there were toxins harmless to vampires but lethal to humans, even in tiny doses. She bribed one of my mother’s servants to lace her desserts with diethylene glycol. It’s sweet, so my mother couldn’t detect it. At first, she only had stomachaches, headaches, and dizziness. But as the poisoning continued, the symptoms worsened—hallucinations, crippling pain. By the time she realized what was happening, the damage was done.

“She confronted my father again, told him she wanted to leave him and raise me on her own. When he refused, she stood in front of him and declared, ‘I am breaking the blood bond between us. No drop of my blood will be yours from now on. I am no longer yours, just as you are no longer mine.’

“Then she turned and walked out of the throne hall. My father chased after her, calling her name like a brokenhearted madman, only to find her unconscious on the Palace steps. He summoned every doctor he could find, desperate to save her. They saved me.” Varen’s voice wavered, and his next words were quiet. “She died the next day, never regaining consciousness.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I listened, my heart aching for him.

“Your mother must have been a brave woman,” I said softly, resting my hand gently on his clenched fist.

His jaw tightened, the weight of his anger palpable. I could tell recalling the story only deepened his hatred for Selene. Yet, he forced a smile in response.

“She loved my father,” he said, his voice tinged with bitterness. “And he supposedly loved her. But he was too much of a coward to punish his own child, even when that child murdered the woman he claimed to love. I hated him for that. I still do. I’ve never forgiven him.” His expression hardened before he gave me a wry smile. “So, what about your parents?”

I grimaced, knowing I had no one but myself to blame for opening Pandora’s box. With a deep breath, I told him about my own complicated relationship with my father and the mother I could barely remember. I explained how my father had planned to sell me to the Northern Alpha, turning me into his sex slave and a living incubator for his so-called ‘super-heir.’

“Oh, and did I mention,” I added, laughing hysterically, “that both my father and the Northern Alpha are invited to tomorrow’s celebration ball?”

“Thalassa, relax,” Varen said, leaning forward to place his hands on my shoulders, his touch grounding me. “You’re not the same person you used to be. You’re stronger now—and I don’t just mean physically. You’ve learned how to live by the rule of an eye for an eye. You’re ready for this messed-up world we live in.” He grinned, the confidence in his voice infectious.

I gave him a weak smile, struggling to absorb his words.

“One more thing, Thalassa,” he said, his tone turning serious. He locked his eyes on mine, his expression unwavering. “You are no longer an ordinary human they can step on. Your father and that Northern Alpha are no longer your superiors. It’s time you start thinking of them as your equals.”