Chapter 436

Selene’s POV
Cold water slammed across my face and yanked me into ragged consciousness. I gasped, choking on the icy liquid as it ran down my neck. My body jerked violently, but before I could move, pain shot through me like lightning. Something was wrong.
I tried to shift—to call on my wolf—but the moment I did, fire burned around my throat. My body convulsed, and I screamed. My wolf whimpered inside me, caged.
Then I felt it. A collar. Heavy. Cold. Laced with dark energy. A magic choker.
Panic filled my chest. I reached for it, my fingers brushing the metal, but the contact alone made my skin sizzle. My breath came out ragged as laughter echoed from the corner of the room.
“Well, look who’s finally awake,” one of the men sneered. He stepped closer, his mask hiding most of his face, but I could still see the cruel curve of his mouth.
“Where am I?” I demanded, forcing my voice to steady even though fear gripped me. “What do you want?”
Another man laughed, circling me like a predator. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s not what we want. It’s what our master wants.”
I glared at them. “Your master?”
They didn’t answer. Instead, one of them grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back. “You’ll find out soon enough, little hybrid.”
I bared my teeth, my body trembling from both anger and pain. “If you think you can keep me here, you’re—”
The sound of footsteps cut me off. Slow. Heavy. Confident. The men instantly straightened, their laughter dying as they turned toward the door.
A figure stepped inside. He moved with authority, dressed in simple gray pants and a black T-shirt, the air around him thick with power—and death. I couldn’t see his face clearly at first, but his presence alone was enough to make my blood run cold.
“Leave us,” he said quietly.
His voice was smooth, deep, and commanding—the kind that didn’t need to be raised to inspire fear. The masked men hesitated for only a moment before they bowed slightly and hurried out, shutting the door behind them.
Silence filled the room.
The man finally looked at me. His eyes glowed faintly red. Vampire. But not just any vampire—an Alpha among them. I could feel it in the air, in the weight of his gaze. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn
A slow, cruel smile spread across his face. “Selene,” he said, my name rolling off his tongue like poison wrapped in silk. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
I glared at him, every muscle in my body tense. “Who the fuck are you?”
His grin widened, revealing sharp fangs. “Oh, patience… you will know soon.”
He casually took a seat in front of me and sat down calmly. My frown deepened as I glared at him. I didn’t need to be told—I knew he was one of those power-seeking vampires. They are one of the reasons I don’t leave my pack; they find my blood so tasty.
He leaned forward in the chair, his red eyes glowing brighter in the dim light. “Let’s skip the games, shall we?” he said smoothly, his voice calm but deadly. “I’m not here to kill you, Selene. I’m here to offer you a deal.”
My jaw clenched. “A deal?”
“Yes,” he said, crossing one leg over the other, his posture relaxed—too relaxed. “Either you allow me to feed from you willingly until I am satisfied His lips curved into a slow, cruel smile. or I drain your blood into a bottle and take my time savoring it later.”
I froze, my stomach twisting in disgust.
I could have allowed him to feed because I could poison my blood, but with my wolf trapped, I won’t be able to do that.
He tilted his head, watching my reaction like a cat watching a trapped mouse. “Your blood,” he murmured, “is special. Rare. A perfect mix of wolf, human, and vampire. Do you know what that makes you, Selene? Power in liquid form.”
I spat on the ground between us. “I’ll never let you feed from me.”
His smirk didn’t fade; rather, he looked more excited than before. “Then you’ll die. Slowly.”
I lifted my chin, glaring at him even though my body trembled. “I know,” I hissed. “If you feed from me, you’ll become unstoppable. That’s what you want, isn’t it? Power. But I’d rather die than give it to you.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, his fangs glinting as he leaned closer. “Such bravery… or stupidity. I can’t decide which.”
I turned my face away, my jaw tight. He is not the first vampire to want what’s in my veins. He won’t be the last. But then I thought of someone who once refused it—my throat tightening as Frederick flashed in my mind. I remembered when I told him to feed from me, to take what he needed. He refused. He said he wouldn’t be able to stop. He said he’d kill me if he did. He cared so much. Despite being a vampire and knowing how my blood could make him more powerful, he refused simply because he cared for me..
My chest ached. Was he looking for me now? Or did he think I’d run away? The thought hurt so much. I missed him. I would do anything to see him right now.
The vampire chuckled darkly, breaking through my thoughts. “Ah… there it is,” he said softly, his tone mocking. “That little flicker in your eyes. You’re thinking of someone, aren’t you? Someone who had the chance to taste you—and didn’t.”
I shot him a deadly glare, saying nothing.
He smiled wider, pleased by my silence. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, rising to his feet. “If he was foolish enough not to taste you, I’ll be sure to make up for it.”
He brushed his fingers lightly under my chin, forcing my head up. His touch was cold—unnaturally cold.
“By the time I’m done,” he murmured, “he’ll wish he’d drained you himself.”
My heart pounded, fear twisting into anger. I wanted to kill him. But I couldn’t even shift. And that helplessness hurt worse than the magic choking my neck.
He smirked at me. “You have three hours to make the decision: allow me to feed willingly on you, or I’ll drain your blood into bottles.”