Chapter 15 FIFTEEN

Chapter 15 FIFTEEN
ILYANA’S POV.

“It’s the vampires, your highness. They’ve breached the entire pack. The north section is now under serious attack,” Carius said.

I froze on top of him, my body going still. The word looped in my head over and over. 

Vampires.

They were one of the most dangerous creatures in our world. Ten years ago, they had led the war against the werewolves, wanting our land and doing everything to wipe us out. They had been winning—until the Alpha King came, bringing a power no werewolf had ever wielded before and driving them back to wherever they came from.

For years, there had been no attacks. Not that I knew of. Until now.

Yesterday, it was the lycans. Now the vampires.

What was happening?

He carried me as he stood, walking to the bed and placing me gently on it. My mind raced, but something heavier settled in my chest—the image of blood, of screams, of bodies drained dry by those vicious things. That’s what happened when vampires attacked. 

“Gather every troop and guard. Send all of them to the north side. I’ll handle the other parts,” he commanded, his voice firm as he pulled the covers over me and moved toward the door.

He had just opened it when I spoke, and he turned back, clearly caught off guard.

“Please be safe.”

He stared at me for a moment, his face caught between saying something and holding it back. My chest tightened, waiting—just once—for him to drop that cold mask.

“I’ll return soon,” he said simply, then left, shutting the door behind him.

I let out a breath, the silence pressing in on me. I was half-naked under the duvet, so I stood, gathering my clothes and slipping them on quietly. Heat crept up my skin as I dressed, every touch of fabric reminding me of where his hands had been.

I had just put on my robe when I heard it.

A soft tapping.

I stilled, listening. It wasn’t the door. It wasn’t coming from anywhere inside the room.

I followed the sound slowly until I reached one of the windows. Pulling the curtain aside, I found a white crow tapping against the glass, more aggressively now.

My heart softened. “Aww, you poor thing.”

It kept pecking, its black eyes fixed on me. The attack must have scared it. Animals always fled when danger came.

“Don’t worry… shhh… stop that.”

I unlocked the window and gently brought it in. But the moment I loosened my hold, it burst free, flying wildly around the room.

“Stop! Stop! This is not my room—this is the Alpha King’s room!”

It didn’t listen, flapping from wall to wall, knocking into things in a frenzy. I forgot to close the window, chasing after it until it finally darted back out the same way it came.

“You stupid thing!” I snapped, breathless.

“Are you sure the bird is the stupid thing and not you?”

I spun around, my stomach dropping.

At the end of the bed stood a man.

No.

Not just a man.

Something else.

He looked unreal. His black hair flowed down his back, almost to his waist. He wore a long, elegant robe over fitted clothes, his frame lean and sharp. His skin was pale—too pale—as if no blood lived beneath it. His features were carved, every line precise, from his jaw to his nose to his striking red eyes that were both beautiful and terrifying.

“I know I’m breathtaking,” he said smoothly. “But you don’t have all day to stare.”

A cold gust swept through the room, raising goosebumps on my skin. He stepped forward. I stepped back.

How did he get in here?

“I’m the main monster of the night,” he answered, as if reading my thoughts. “And that bird? A distraction to open the window.”

My heart slammed against my ribs, realization sinking in. 

“You… you’re a… a vampire.”

He smiled, slow and deliberate, his fangs glinting under the pale moonlight.

“You have such a strong scent,” he murmured. “I could smell you the moment we entered this pack.”

“You’re the one leading the attack,” I said, my voice trembling. “Why are you here?”

“Why else?” he replied, stepping closer. “I want you.”

“I want to drink you in. Taste your blood.”

Fear settled deep in my bones. His gaze was filled with something dark, something hungry. I took a step back, quickly analyzing the situation. He was bigger than me, and a man. And with those fangs and wicked eyes, I had no chance against him.  I couldn’t fight him. I didn’t even know how to fight a vampire.

I took another step back, my eyes darting for anything I could use.

“You don’t want to do this. I’m the Alpha King’s mate,” I said shakily.

He stopped, tilting his head as he looked me over. Then he laughed—a soft, chilling sound that filled the room.

“You’re the one.”

I frowned. “What one—”

He moved faster than I could see.

One second he was across the room. The next, his hand was around my neck, slamming me against the wall. I braced for pain, but none came. When I looked down, I realized he had shielded me from the impact.

His face dipped to my neck, inhaling deeply.

“Hmmm… you smell ravishing. Elegant, even.”

“I haven’t scented someone like you in a long time,” he rasped, his tongue dragging slowly along my skin.

A shiver of dread ran through me. Something sharp pressed against my neck.

His fangs.

He was going to bite me.

I struggled instantly, pushing against him, clawing at his arm. “Let me go! Release me!”

His grip tightened. “Stop fighting, little wolf, or I’ll kill you.”

Kill me?

Vampire bites were deadly, and not once has someone survived them. If he bit me, I would die anyway.

I fought harder, my nails scraping uselessly against him, my body twisting for any escape. He lifted me and slammed me harder against the wall this time. Pain shot through me, sharp and blinding.

His hand tightened around my throat, cutting off my air. My fingers clawed weakly at him, my vision starting to blur.

“P… please… don’t… kill me…” I choked out.

A faint smile curved his lips.

“Oh, I’m not going to kill you, little wolf.”

The red in his eyes deepened, spreading unnaturally as dark veins crept along the edges.

“I just want to taste you.”

His fangs extended further, gleaming as he lowered his mouth to my neck and sank them in.

A scream tore from my throat.