POV Naynah
I was running in my wolf form, too angry to stop. This cursed alliance had brought nothing but trouble.
{Ava: Nayn, slow down, you're going to get us exposed.}
Naynah: I'm sorry, Ava. I'm just so furious.
{Ava: Well, you're not the only one who's angry.}
Naynah: I knew I should never have trusted them.
{Ava: That was the problem — none of you trusted each other.}
I hid behind a bush and shifted back into my human form. I walked calmly, though I felt the sudden gust of wind brushing past me — Kemran, I assumed, since his unnatural speed made him nearly invisible.
{Ava: Are we going to reject him?}
Naynah: We have to. We can't afford to keep any ties with them.
{Ava: Yeah, alright.}
When I reached the building, I ran into James.
James: Oh, good morning, Miss DELMAL.
Naynah: Morning, James.
James: How are you?
Naynah: I'm fine, and you?
James: Not too bad. You look like you're in a hurry.
Naynah: Sorry if I bumped into you.
James: Oh, it's no problem, Alpha. I wasn't looking where I was going either.
Naynah: I'm not Alpha yet.
I said as I walked inside. Something about James didn't sit right with me.
{Ava: No one ever sits right with you.}
Naynah: No one except my aunt.
{Ava: At first, you didn't even trust Aunt Athèna.}
Naynah: Someone once told me — never trust anyone. If even those closest to you can betray you, then strangers won't hesitate.
{Ava: Who told you that?}
Naynah: My own conscience.
{Ava: Then your conscience is stupid.}
Naynah: And why's that?
{Ava: Because you're blind. Didn't you see Athènia's friends? They stand by each other. They just lost someone, and Tevi wasn't just an ally — he was a friend who swore to protect them.}
Naynah: So, what are you saying?
{Ava: That sometimes, you can give your trust to those who truly deserve it.}
Naynah: Too bad for you, Athènia and Kemran don't deserve it. Athènia kept a truth from us that we had the right to know.
{Ava: But what about Kemran?}
Naynah: This bond game ends now. I'll reject him and move on.
{Ava: Nayn, at least talk to Athènia first, clear things up.}
Naynah: Everything's already clear, Ava.
I shut her out. Just as I reached my apartment door, I reminded myself of my first mission — kill the princess. The alliance that could have been ended today. We were nothing now.
---
POV Kemran
I had just gotten back to my apartment.
F***ing hell. I'm screwed. My old man will kill me if he ever finds out I allied with our enemies. No — he won't just kill me, he'll burn me alive. He must never know.
Athènia… I had started to love her. No — not "started." I already loved her. Both her and Naynah. But that betrayal changed everything. Athènia knew about the past and said nothing. If she had told us, maybe we would've kept going, maybe we would've defeated that guy by now.
But now? I'll finish my mission and go home. I'll negotiate with the Supreme, make sure he spares the vampires from the destruction to come. I grabbed my phone and called Evera. Back to square one. I might not be able to kill the Alpha with this, but I'll weaken her.
She picked up.
Evera: Hello?
Kemran: Evera…
Evera: Kemran, is that you?
Her voice sounded surprised.
Kemran: Meet me at my apartment at 7 p.m.
Before she could say a word, I hung up. First, I'll deal with Naynah. Then Athènia.
I sat down, a memory rushing back — of me, Naynah, and Athènia.
Flashback...
I was sitting on my couch when Athènia joined me, wearing her pajamas and carrying popcorn. She gave me a bright smile.
Athènia: Now this is going to be the perfect movie night.
She sat beside me, handed me some popcorn, and we started watching. Then Naynah walked in, carrying her own bowl.
Naynah: So, you're having a movie night without me?
She smirked.
Athènia: We didn't want to bother you.
Naynah: Well, I'm watching too.
She sat down on my other side. We kept watching until Naynah suddenly threw a pillow at Athènia's face.
Athènia: Hey!
Naynah: Your face terrifies me.
Athènia threw one back, but Naynah dodged. Soon the movie night turned into a pillow fight, and all three of us were laughing.
End of flashback.
That moment will forever be carved into my memory. Back then, we were just three young people having fun. We weren't a vampire lord, an Alpha, or a princess. We were just… compatible.
But now? Now we're nothing. And we'll stay that way until the end of our miserable lives.