Chapter 1

Okay, I know I’m not supposed to feel like this—like I’m in heat or whatever—but I couldn’t help it. Jason Nollan. The vampire king. He was hot. Big, bold letters, H.O.T.

Am I stupid for feeling this way? Probably.

I sighed, shifting my weight against the cold stone wall, my wrists still bound in shackles. The smirk never quite left my lips. Even in a situation like this, I found something to defy. My eyes landed on the worn copy of Homer that had somehow ended up on the floor, a reminder that my mind still clung to some semblance of normalcy. I could almost hear the ancient words whispering from the pages, though they felt worlds away from where I was now.

And there he was. The vampire king stalked toward me with a grace so predatory it was like he owned everything—the space, the air, even the very breath I struggled to inhale.

I was frozen. My gaze fixed on him, unable to look away, even though I knew it was dangerous. His presence was like a dark cloud, suffocating and absolute. But still, I couldn’t escape the pull of his power. He was the most dangerous being I’d ever come face to face with—the king of all vampires. The one who controlled entire realms with a single thought. And here I was, just a lowly shewolf, caught in his orbit.

Was he here to kill me? Or was he here to save me? Neither option seemed all that appealing.

I blinked, trying to clear my head. My thoughts raced. Why me?

I didn’t expect a rescue.

I was just a shadow in this world—a wolf girl with no real place to call home. No friends except Princess Diane, and Patrick—my supposed mate's brother.

My frown deepened as I watched the vampire king approach. What was I even doing here? Well, the answer was simple enough. The asshole—the son of the Alpha—had locked me away for not bowing to his demands. For not playing along with his little game. He was supposed to be my fated mate, but after I gave him my virginity and bonded with him, he turned around and proposed to Princess Victoria, daughter of the neighbouring pack. Betrayed, I had lashed out, and for that? Jail. Starvation. Scorn from the guards.

The vampire king’s frown deepened as if he’d somehow read my thoughts. Whatever he saw didn’t please him.

I cursed inwardly. God, he was so damn hot.

I had read about vampires—hell, everyone knew the myths. Tall, breathtakingly beautiful, chiselled like gods. The stories didn’t even begin to prepare me for the real thing. His bone structure was flawless, his skin pale, yet seemingly touched by moonlight. He moved with such fluidity, each step deliberate and graceful. His eyes—those eyes—twin pools of darkness that could trap you if you weren’t careful. And his voice? A melody that could have pulled the moon from the sky.

“There you are, little wolf,” he murmured, his voice low and rich, filling the empty space between us. The scent of cloves, cinnamon, honey, and something vaguely like incense washed over me. I stiffened as he bent down, picking up Homer and handing it to me with a small, mocking bow. “Poetry, I presume?”

I nodded stiffly, not trusting my voice to respond. His clothes were immaculate—dark, tailored perfection, the kind of wealth that radiated power in subtle, undeniable waves.

He didn’t need to boast. His very presence commanded authority. His body was a weapon—powerful, timeless. Every muscle, every movement, imbued with ancient strength. It was overwhelming, as though the very air around him shifted with his power.

Comparing him to Alpha Jehg—or his son, the asshole who had chained me here—was like comparing a wolf to a lion. Jehg might have been a formidable shifter, but he was nothing compared to the pure, primal intensity of the vampire standing before me. This vampire king wasn’t just a monster; he was a force of nature.

And I couldn’t help but envy that power. My own limitations stung as I watched him, realizing I could never hope to wield such strength.

This king wasn’t just a vampire; he was an ancient creature of myth. He had walked through centuries like a shadow, and now he was here, standing in front of me. But why me? What was his purpose? Was he here to save me—or to claim me?

I swallowed, fear and curiosity tangling inside me. Was he here because of my secret? Please, please tell me he didn’t know.

The uncertainty buzzed in the air, thick and oppressive.

I couldn’t ignore him. Not now, not when every part of me screamed to pay attention. My knowledge of vampires had always been academic—studied in books, discussed in whispers. But now that I was face to face with one, all that information seemed useless.

The only vampire I’d ever spoken to before this had been Jess, a flirtatious lab worker in Paris. Pretty, blonde, with blue eyes and a laugh that could light up a room. But compared to the king standing before me, Jess had been a child—a pretty, harmless child.

This vampire was all man—well over six feet, lean but powerfully built, a model of graceful strength. His dark, tousled hair framed his sharp face. His gaze locked with mine—intense, unreadable, black as night but flashing with an almost unnatural intelligence.

And his smile? It was small, polite, and utterly predatory. His lips barely parted, but I knew—without a doubt—that beneath them lay fangs that could tear me apart with a flick of his wrist.

But he didn’t move. Not yet. He just stood there, watching me with the kind of patience only a predator could possess.

My breath caught. Something was coming. I could feel it in the air.

And I couldn’t decide if I was about to be saved—or devoured.