Chapter 4: Intruder

The words stopped me in my tracks. I composed myself before I turned around and responded in cold indifference, “Why wouldn't I be?”

Leonardo’s shocked face was evident, but he recovered quickly. “I saw you rushing and wondered if all was well”

“Worry about how to maintain peace on the borders.” I turned around and left. Served him right, for taunting me. I arrived at the coven library archive and leaped in hurriedly.

I walked to our early history section. As I read, I thought about my parents. What would they do if they were in my position? Grandfather was the most stubborn and dominant man I ever met. My heart ached at my current predicament.

The books had nothing new for me to learn. It was often said in the vampire society that vampires were born from the ice. Tales tell of how a god from the heavens loved the magnificent beauty of ice so much that he created special beings from it to live alongside humans, forever embodying the beauty of ice in walking flesh. And he loved Eshe so much that he placed the Vampires in Eshe.

However, as much as the goddess loved ice , he did not grant them the one ability that truly separated vampires from all paranormal beings: the ability to drink blood. Blood was the only thing that sustained vampires. There had been rumors of a cure, meaning how to survive without feeding. Centuries passed and the king all vampires once spoke of became nothing more than a fairy tale. And fairy tales don’t really exist, do they?

Over the century, I had seen vampires impress upon their mates. Being a vampire king, I knew that since the royal blood had diminished slowly, I would not have such luck.

Seeing someone find the person their body, heart, and soul were meant to be with, the person they’re meant to love for all of time and creation was a beautiful thing. Part of me often wondered if I would be lucky enough. I know I had Tristan and Leonardo, but it would be wonderful to have someone who was my missing half.

Perhaps that was why I had embraced loneliness all my life. And after a century of being a vampire, over a century of being alive, and then, meeting Alpha Lycus, everything changed. Now my life was in turmoil, craving my mate. The void in my dead heart grew bigger.

Suddenly, my nose picked up a sweet scent in the library. Was I dreaming about Alpha Lycus until I smelt him? I listened in again and the footsteps inside the library were clear.

I bet Tristan had already spread the word in the shifter clan for the intruder to appear this fast. I listened, and patiently waited, and then suddenly a man covered in black from head to toe appeared. Behind the masked face, our eyes clashed.

My heart leaped in my chest when I saw the glow in his eyes. I felt as if he was looking at me in shock. Perhaps it was related to the unbearable lust and thirst I felt and the fact that I couldn't align two coherent thoughts. I stood for a long time without saying anything. He and I were both in the same state. I expected an intruder, yes, but not him.

He pulled down the mask and his handsome face came into view. His eyes glowed even more, and I could tell he just realized this was a trap. I moved with speed and pinned him on the wall.

“What the...!”

My hand silenced his mouth. He tried to fight, but I exerted so much strength that he gasped.

“Stop struggling, it's useless," I whispered in his ear.

Our bodies pressed together had the same effect as the first time we met. He froze when I rubbed myself against him. I affected him as much as he affected me. This was good news for me. I was not in this predicament alone. I convinced myself.

“What brings the Alpha King Lycus to my territory?” I asked. “I think it's very bold of you to enter the coven like that.”

My tone was not aggressive, but still threatening. I loosened my hand on his mouth and he growled. The sound went straight to my groin. My c*ck became hard and my hunger for feeding rose. How can a shifter groan be this sexy?

“Answer me!” I tightened my grip.

“Did you not invite me, Your Highness?” Lycus responded sarcastically. “I followed a shadow that led me here.”

My mind was in a haze. Yes. I set the trap and got such a suitable response, right? Did I imprint on him the first time? Was this why I was so hooked on my mate?

“Don't tell me you wanted to see me that much, Your Highness. Are you that bored?” Alpha Lycus seethed.

My fangs were itching. I wanted to taste his skin and drink his blood. I was hungry and was irresistibly drawn to Alpha Lycus' dark throat. While brushing my lips against him, I slowly leaned toward him and scented him. I felt Alpha Lycus tremble, which only stirred my desire more, and I took my time breathing his scent and finally brushed my lips against his neck in a slow kiss.

“Get off me, you b*stard!” He cried out as he tried to free himself.

“Don't count on it.”

With so much strength, he pushed me away to free himself. Perhaps I wanted to test his power. His eyes blazed as the next words he spat from his mouth angered me beyond comprehension. “Your Highness, I am not interested in a blood-sucking vampire.”

"Tell me,” I cocked my head, staring at him. “Do you think that I want to feed you willingly?”

“I don't care what you want. You know very well the killings agitate my pack. And I must protect my people. I am not here to please you, Your Highness. You have other pets to do that.”

“You are here for the secrets of the vampires. How to kill my coven, right?” I could see the embarrassment on his face. He looked so guilty. I was right.

“Since you know very well, why am I here? I will be leaving now, Your Highness,” he sighed.

I smirked at him and turned around. “Since you are already here, follow me Alpha Lycus”

It was time for my mate to understand that I needed him. I walked to the secret room behind the library and sat down. A minute later, he walked in cautiously. Lycus looked at me with impatience, but from his eyes, he was intrigued and wanted to know where this was going.

“Have a seat,” I instructed.

“I prefer to stand, Your Highness.” He sounded guarded.

I opened the book on the table and specifically tapped on the page about the mating of a vampire with a shifter. He walked over and lowered his head and started to read. By the time he was done, his hands trembled. He took a step back and swore. He paced up and down the floor.

"Is this why you set this trap?" he seethed. "You wanted me to lose my mind? Attacking me in the Sila council was not enough for you?"

“How long will you deny it? You know very well it surprised me as much as you. Do you think that I want this voluntarily?”

I willed my body to solidify as I stood and Alpha Lycus stepped back. Something around my mate was an aura of power. His stance was powerful, his eyes were squinted, and his lips were pulled up in displeasure. I know that if I wanted, I could pin him down and take him. But since he was here, it was time to discuss the partnership.

“So, you demanded an apology? You will not get it from me. But I am willing to work with you to draw the mastermind out. I hate disturbance and I wish to abide by the Sila council treaty,” I politely suggested.

The change in my tone made him confused.

"You suspect that someone from my pack also had a hand in this?" Alpha Lycus whispered.

“I know you suspected it.”

He did not deny or confirm it. He walked over and sat down. Deep in thought, he asked, “How do we do this? Don't tell me you want us to be bait?” His head lifted as he stared at me.

“It's the only way. I will secretly send Tristan over through the magical passage at the back of the villa that leads to your forest. He will discuss the foolproof plan with you.”

“Can I have this old book?”

“No,” my answer came swiftly. “If you want to read it, just come over.”

He walked to the door and smirked. ”Don't think I can't read your thoughts, Your Highness.”

"If I wanted to feed on you today, no one could have stopped me. I could have you. If I wanted to drink, how easy would it be to sink my fangs into your flesh for a taste? How easy, Alpha? Hm?" The words came from deep down in my cold, icy heart.

Lycus looked back and his eyes showed uncertainty and for the first time since I met him, need. He blinked and in an instant, I was behind him, lips brushing over his exposed collarbone, and this created a vibration between us. I just wanted to be near him. Be it for a few more days, and for a few more hours, and for a few more seconds — it didn't matter.

Taking a deep breath, Alpha Lycus turned his head back to look at me. "Y-you."

I smirked, a predatory glint in my blood-red eyes. "I’m drawn to you. Are we mates? You can’t deny you feel it, too."

His blush increased tenfold, but he kept his gaze clear. “You keep confusing me, Your Highness. As we all know, vampires love to seduce."

My heart probably skipped a beat or two at those words, and I couldn't control the wide, ear-to-ear smile that curved on my lips. In response, I leaned forward and connected my forehead with his.

Okay, so it didn't exactly go as I had planned, but it was undeniably better than being pushed away.

Nobody would have imagined a vampire from royalty succumbing to desire before an Alpha.

“If this was one-sided, I would not pursue you. Your body calls me. Your blood calls to me. I can feel your veins manufacturing blood every time I am near you.”

“My pack comes first.” His voice sounded wrecked.

“I know that. I am not asking you to leave your pack,” I whispered.

And although neither of us moved, the words were enough to cut deep. I could feel the tension from Alpha Lycus's body. I was greedy. I needed to keep him at the library longer.

“Did you know I scented you before I even saw you? At the council meeting and today when you entered the library?”

Alpha Lycus' eyes opened, and he looked at me. He gave me a commanding, yet powerful, look. He growled and bared his teeth. Other shifters would be fearful, but for me, it encouraged me to continue.

“Pinecones, wet leaves, morning dew, a hint of strawberry, and weirdly mint. I can't get enough of it.”

His eyes glowed, and his beast rose to the surface. I could see it. Truly magnificent. “You keep spouting nonsense.”

“I don't know how long I can control the thirst. They say that if you are a vampire, and your mate rejects you, only death can heal our souls. I’m not ready to die. So, we have to work this out. One way or the other.” I bared my soul to him. I waited for him to push me away.

“Your Highness, the coven council is waiting…for you,” Tristan’s voice boomed from the other side of the door.