𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒑𝒉𝒂'𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒆

The cold wind whispered through the towering pine trees, carrying with it the scent of blood.

Lyra Nightshade ran as fast as she could, her bare feet sinking into the damp forest floor. Her lungs burned, but she didn't dare stop.

Behind her, flames devoured the ancient vampire castle.

Her home.

Her kingdom.

Everything she had ever known.

Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let them fall.

"Run, Lyra!" her mother's voice echoed in her mind.

"No matter what happens... never let the Alpha King find you."

A deafening howl split the night.

One.

Then another.

Then dozens.

The wolves had found her.

Lyra's heart pounded violently.

She was the last pure-blood vampire princess.

If they caught her...

The vampire bloodline would disappear forever.

She reached into her cloak and grabbed the silver moon pendant hanging around her neck.

It suddenly grew warm.

A strange blue light spread across its surface.

"What...?"

Before she could understand what was happening, a massive black wolf landed in front of her with terrifying force.

Its golden eyes glowed in the darkness.

More wolves emerged from the shadows, surrounding her from every direction.

Lyra slowly stepped backward.

There was nowhere left to run.

The enormous wolf transformed before her eyes.

Bones cracked.

Muscles shifted.

Within seconds, a tall man stood before her.

His black hair moved with the wind.

His golden eyes never left hers.

He was breathtaking...

And terrifying.

Every wolf around him lowered their heads.

"Alpha."

The single word echoed through the forest.

Lyra's face turned pale.

There was only one Alpha powerful enough to command every werewolf.

Kael Blackthorn.

The Alpha King.

The man who had sworn to destroy every vampire.

Kael stared at her silently.

Then he took one slow step forward.

Another.

Another.

His sharp eyes studied every detail of her face.

Suddenly...

He inhaled deeply.

His entire body froze.

His wolf roared inside his mind.

Mate.

Impossible.

His mate...

Was a vampire.

Lyra noticed the change in his expression.

Without thinking, she turned and ran.

She had taken only two steps.

A powerful arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a hard chest.

His deep voice brushed against her ear.

"You can run from my warriors..."

He tightened his grip.

"...but you'll never run from your fate."