Chapter 1
In a realm filled with allure and mystique, Verena, a spirited princess, longs to escape the confines of her kingdom. Seeking an exhilarating taste of freedom, she ventures into a brothel with her best friend. Little does she know, this will be a night that forever changes her life. Here, Verena finds herself captivated by a ravenous vampire and a commanding alpha, both of whom awaken her deepest, most forbidden desires. Prepare to be consumed by Euphoria.
Chapter One
Verena
I stared at the girl whom I considered as my closest friend. Crossing my arms, I finally said, “You can’t be serious.”
Lilith rolled her eyes and dragged me in front of the dresser. The emerald-green dress I wore for today’s ball whispered against the marble floors. “I’m always serious, Ren,” she said, pushing me down on the plush seat. Gathering my red-ginger hair—the only sign that proved my royalty—she smiled mischievously from the reflection of the intricate gold mirror. “You can go out and have fun before your birthday. Think of it as an early present from me.”
My hazel eyes narrowed further. “You gifted me a frog last year. I don’t trust your gifts.”
Her black hair shone in the candle as she ignited them with her magic. “It was a prank. I got you your favorite herb later, didn’t I?”
I remember being as light as the weather and feeling joyous for hours when I ate it. Having a witch as a friend sure had its perks.
“But I can’t go out of the palace,” I mumbled, touching a ginger lock. Only royals, especially my family, were born with red hair. “I will stick out like a sore thumb.”
“Not if I do this.” Lilith grinned and stepped back. She waved her hands in the air, creating a symbol and muttered a few words. I smelled the acidic scent of magic and gaped at the reflection when my hair started to turn golden from the roots.
“How?” I whispered in awe when she was done.
She smiled at me. “I learned a few tricks. Now, get dressed. You only have this night.”
I beamed and quickly got dressed in the clothes she had brought for me. A dull brown dress with a corset and shoes without any gemstones.
“Are you sure no one will recognize me?” I asked, twirling a blond lock of my hair.
She smacked my hand. “Stop touching it!” I glared at her and dropped my hand. “The magic will wash away quicker if you keep running your hand through your hair. It should last for a few hours until we are back in your chamber. I’ve masked your scent as well, so don’t worry.”
I clasped her hand in mine as we sneaked out of my room through a secret door to the palace grounds. Since Lilith knew about guards rotation at night, we could walk away without being seen. I knew my father, the king, would be furious if he found out, but I needed to enjoy the nightlife of our kingdom. I wanted to see what it had to offer.
Our steps increased when we reached a steep wall. I helped her up with my adjoined hands and grabbed one of hers to pull me up.
“Where are we going, anyway?” I panted, wiping perspiration from my brow.
“We’re going to a brothel,” she grinned after climbing down the wall.
“What?” I gaped, losing my balance and falling on my knees on the hard ground. It hurt, but the pain wasn’t as big as the shock. “What do you mean, we’re going to a brothel?”
Leaning down, Lilith gripped my elbow and helped me to my feet, checking our surroundings. The air smelled like the sea and the chilly breeze felt calming on my bare skin. Enough to calm me from punching her.
“Stay quiet and don’t smile at anyone,” she whispered, straightening her back and leading me through the market.
Delicious scent of fish, rabbit and bread was in the air as people mingled around laughing, smoking and drinking. It was so crowded that I had to hold her arm. It was an odd feeling to get bumped into so many strangers, yet none of them knew I was the princess. It felt liberating.
“We should eat something,” I said.
“Later,” she replied, pulling me close. “There will be guards outside Euphoria, so let me handle them.”
I nodded, nerves bubbling in my stomach when the stench of smoke and liquor hovered in the air. We stopped outside huge double doors and the guards looked like they were half-wolves. I leaned closer to Lilith when she talked to them in a confident voice.
“And this is?” one of the guards asked in a gruff voice.
I looked down at the dirty floor.
“My mate.” I bit down on my tongue from choking and sighed in relief when they opened the doors for us.
“Your mate? Seriously?” I whispered harshly in her ear. But all my nervousness and surprise vanished when I entered Euphoria. The sounds of sex, moans, whimpers, skin slapping against each other greeted me first. Then the hushed whispers, flirty laughter and teasing banter. And finally, the sight of a couple engaging in a slow mating on the center of the stage. The woman was moaning with her eyes closed and neck arched while her partner feasted on her neck with kisses, pushing inside her repeatedly.
I quickly averted my gaze from them, my cheeks heating. There were all kinds of people, wolves and witches in the brothel. Some men kneeled by their owners, ready to service them while some women sat on others lap. There were women with barely any clothing serving drinks and a platter of food to drunken men and women.
“Heaven, isn’t it?” Lilith said as we walked deeper into the brothel, my eyes dancing from throuple to a man who was being kissed and worshiped by five women.
I met her twinkling dark eyes and nodded. “I… I have never seen anything like this before.”
“You’re welcome. Open your mouth.”
She placed a small piece of herb on my tongue. “Let it melt and enjoy the sensation. I will be right back.”
The drug from the herb was already hitting me as I watched the debauchery and a silly smile curled on my lips when warmth rushed through my body. It made me feel light as air. As if I could walk on the clouds.
“Do you want to get a room, sweetling?” A man said, coming up to me and eyeing me like a piece of meat.
I made a face and shook my head. “No.”
“Oh, come on, I’m Enzo. What’s your name?” he said, leaning closer and before I could process what was happening, he had pushed me on the wall and grabbed my waist. “I can make you feel really good.”
“Stop, go away!” I shouted, but the music was too loud and we were in a dark corner. Mustering up all the strength, I pushed him off of me and ran.
Seeing the stairs, I climbed up, wincing at the small stab of pain in my knees. Why did Lilith leave me alone? I pushed through the pain and forced myself to move, even though I was feeling dizzy with a strange sensation in my lower abdomen.
“Come here, let me lick you, sweetling!”
“I said no,” I said harshly.
When a hand grabbed my wrist, I was ready to scream. My lip parted as I peered up at the handsome face with eerie blue eyes and shining silver hair. He was tall with a slender frame that made him even more strange yet attractive. His black tunic did little to hide the slender muscles.
“So sweet,” he whispered, his eyes roving down my neck to my legs making me shiver. His touch was cold, but his gaze was scorching hot.
“I found her first!”
He looked over his shoulder, his grip tightening on my hand. “I believe the lady said no.”
He faced me again and my throat tightened every time he looked at me with his strange blue eyes.
Who was he?
Why was I scared yet hot for him?
A hand grabbed his shoulder and before I knew it, Enzo was screaming. A trickle of terror rolled down my spine as I looked at his unconscious body on the ground. His neck had two holes from where blood was pooling out.
The man had bitten his neck.
I staggered back when he licked his blood-soaked lips. Sharp canines glinted in the candlelight. Eyes as red as the crimson blood that was pooling on the floor.
“Come with me,” the vampire said, tilting his head and smiling at me. I stared at him, my body locking with fear and something else.
A/N: I co-wrote this entire novella with JP Sina who is a paranormal romance writer and if you enjoy shifter romance, you should check out her books!
