King Matei rose, and the ballroom fell silent so fast it felt like the air itself froze.
Gold walls, jeweled gowns, blazing chandeliers and none of it mattered. Every vampire's gaze locked on him, waiting for commands that could build or destroy lives.
Stefan felt his pulse thrum in his ears. His father didn't just command a room, he suffocated it.
"For centuries, vampires have been mocked and disrespected," Matei declared, his voice smooth and deadly.
Stefan's jaw clenched. Mocked? Disrespected?
His father raided mystic territories, enslaved packs, bled witches dry. Yet he spoke as if he were the wronged party.
"But that ends now. Matei's gaze swept over the influential figures, coven leaders, generals, and nobles, each a pawn. With your loyalty, we will dominate all three realms.
Stefan scanned the slaves nearby, shaking mages, hollow-eyed werewolves. Their fear twisted inside him like barbed wire.
Henry stood abruptly, wearing loyalty like a mask. "Long live King Matei!"
The hall echoed his cry. Stefan forced a swallow. The sound felt like chains clinking.
Then.
"How can a monster like you rule the three mystics?!"
The scream cracked through the ballroom.
A frail Mage slave staggered forward, chains tearing at her bruised skin. Her voice trembled with fury not fear.
Stefan's stomach dropped.
Matei stalked toward her, gripping her chin with cold fingers. "You bite the hand that feeds you?"
His slap echoed like a thunderclap. She hit the marble hard. Laughter rippled from the crowd,
But the air shifted.
Light pulsed beneath her skin. Frost crawled across the floor.
"You killed her, Matei!" her voice boomed, layered with ancient power. "But the Moon Goddess remembers! A child will soon be born, an heiress of all three mystics! She will destroy you!"
Matei stiffened.
For the first time in Stefan's life, fear flickered in the king's eyes.
A secret. A buried truth.
And Stefan's heart thudded. An heiress? Killed? Why didn't I know?
The Mage lifted her chained hands, whispering an incantation. A glowing blade shot toward Matei's back.
"Father!" Stefan shouted, his sword flashing as he lunged forward.
Matei spun, shock twisting his features.
The Mage smiled victorious.
Matei's fury snapped. His blade arced through the air and in one brutal strike, her her head rolled across the bloody marble.
Stefan exhaled shakily. His hands trembled, but he dropped his sword before anyone could notice.
"Again, you save me," Matei said, his voice hollow of gratitude. His sea-green eyes cut into Stefan like ice. "Now repay me properly."
He pulled Stefan close, grip bruising. "Plant spies in every realm. Every coven. Find this heir and kill her."
Stefan's throat tightened. Kill… a child?
He swallowed the nausea rising in him. "Yes, Father."
Matei turned, satisfied but failed to notice the storm breaking inside Stefan.
Because no one ever did.
His stepmother's scorn. His brother's hatred. His father's commands that treated him like a weapon, not a son.
His only comfort was the moon-shaped bracelet his mother left him which suddenly felt heavy on his wrist.
Across the hall, Sage glared, resentment burning in his eyes. Of course, Stefan thought bitterly. His brother didn't see the weight only the attention.
Henry lifted his cup again. "Long live King Matei!"
The vampires cheered, voices booming.
Stefan stood in the middle of it all, heart pounding, a prophecy echoing in his skull.
A child blessed by all three mystics…
And for the first time, he wondered if his mother's death and the secrets surrounding it were far darker than he'd ever been allowed to know.
In the Red Moon pack
"Catherine, push now!" the midwife urged.
Catherine's scream tore through the room. Her fingers twisted the sheets, her body shaking, her mind clinging to one thought—let the child live.
Then a baby's cry broke through the agony.
"It's a girl," the midwife breathed.
Gaius stepped forward instantly. The Alpha feared by many, handled the tiny infant as if she were something fragile enough to shatter at a breath. His eyes softened… then narrowed.
A silver crescent moon shimmered on the baby's shoulder.
"What is that?" His voice was barely above a whisper but thick with unease.
Catherine swallowed, exhaustion blurring her vision. "A blessing," she said quickly. She needed him to believe that. Needed herself to believe it. "Please, Gaius… don't fear her."
"She's our daughter. That's what matters."
"What will you name her?" she asked.
Gaius brushed a curl from her face. "Romilda. She'll be strong. Like you."
Catherine smiled weakly, relief washing through her. "Like us," she whispered, touching his hand. "She came from both of us."
He stayed beside her until her breathing evened, then placed the baby carefully at her side and stepped out, only to be swallowed by congratulations from Darius and Ambrose.
"New father!" Ambrose laughed, but the joy slid off Gaius like water.
"Preparations?" Gaius asked Darius, needing something simple, something controllable.
"All set. Even the priestess is coming."
Good. Answers. He needed answers.
---
By the next day, the celebration roared to life. But Gaius barely heard the music until he saw Catherine approaching with Romilda.
She looked radiant… fragile… brave. His chest tightened. "You're beautiful," he murmured, kissing her gently. "Both of you."
She smiled kissing him back as they both admired the baby.
He pulled out a small velvet box. "A gift for her."
A golden necklace glimmered inside. Catherine's breath hitched not because of the jewelry, but because of the love behind it.
"I'll keep it safe for her," she whispered.
He hooked an arm around her waist, grounding himself in the warmth of his family.
Then the priestess arrived.
Silence fell like a blade.
"Bring the child," she commanded, as Catherine stepped forward and handed the baby to her.
The priestess's eyes turned white the moment she touched the child.
Gasps rippled.
"This child is the destined Heiress of all three mystics," she intoned. "Blessed… and cursed. Enemies will rise for her. Protect her, or she will be the death or salvation of many."
Catherine's breath faltered. Gaius's entire body went rigid—his instinct to protect flaring like fire.
"From who?" he demanded.
The priestess only smiled, a slow, chilling expression.
"You will know soon."
She placed the baby back into Catherine's trembling arms and turned away, leaving the air thick with dread.
Gaius wrapped an arm around his wife and daughter, pulling them close as if that alone could shield them.
I will protect you, he vowed silently. No matter what comes.
---
Far away, in a fortress swallowed by shadows, Matei paced with restless hunger.
"My lord," the spy said, bowing, "the Red Moon Luna has given birth… to the Heiress."
Matei froze.
Then a cruel, victorious smile spread across his face.
"Perfect. Tell the armies to prepare," he whispered, eyes burning with the promise of blood.
"It's time to take what destiny owes me."