Blood-Oath to the Wolf Billionaire

The first time I saw a man drink blood from a woman’s throat, I thought exhaustion had finally driven me insane. New Avalon never truly slept. Even at two in the morning, the city pulsed with neon lights, music, and expensive cars sliding down rain-slick streets like predators hunting in the dark. But hospitals never slept either. I pushed open the staff exit of Saint Aurora Medical Center and stepped into the cold night air, rubbing my tired eyes. My shift had ended ten minutes ago, yet my body still felt like it was trapped under the harsh white lights of the forensic lab.. Twelve long hours of examining blood samples, paperwork, and assisting in an autopsy that I wished I could forget because being a forensic assistant wasn’t glamorous like the crime shows made it look. Most days it meant exhaustion, caffeine, and the constant reminder that death could arrive without warning and tonight had been worse. I checked my phone, Three missed calls, All from the same number, My stomach tightened. Loan sharks again, i sighed and shoved the phone back into my coat pocket. Ever since my father died two years ago, debt had been the shadow following me everywhere. Apparently, the brilliant scholar who raised me had also left behind financial disasters that I was still trying to clean up, Like; Medical bills, Loans, with interest piling up like a mountain I could never climb. “Just one more year,” I murmured to myself. “One more year and I’ll clear everything at least that’s what I kept telling myself. But tonight, I wasn’t ready to go back to my empty apartment, I needed something stronger than hospital coffee to keep my sanity intact. Across the street, neon lights flickered in seductive colors, illuminating the entrance of Velvet Eclipse, one of the most exclusive nightclubs in New Avalon. Normally, I wouldn’t even look in its direction because places like that were for rich people and socialites, people who wore designer clothes and didn’t check their bank accounts before buying dinner. But tonight… Tonight I just wanted music loud enough to drown my thoughts. “Just one drink,” I muttered. I crossed the street before my common sense could stop me. The moment I stepped inside Velvet Eclipse, the atmosphere wrapped around me like a spell. Heavy, Bass music vibrated through the floor, pulsing through the walls and into my bones. Blue and crimson lights danced across the crowded room, reflecting off expensive jewelry and polished marble surfaces. Everyone looked beautiful, Too perfect. I suddenly felt very aware of my simple black coat and tired eyes. Still, I pushed my way toward the bar. The bartender barely looked at me as he slid a glass across the counter. “House special,” he said. I blinked, and said, “I didn’t order.” then he said, “Complimentary.” I frowned but accepted the drink anyway. It smelled faintly sweet, something fruity mixed with alcohol. Fine, One more drink then I’d go home. I lifted the glass to my lips and that’s when I felt it, a strange sensation crawling across my skin like someone was watching me, Not casually, but Intensively.. Slowly, I turned my head, wondering why my gaze drifted upward toward the second floor of the club, where a row of private VIP lounges overlooked the dance floor. And that’s when I saw him. He stood near the balcony railing like a king observing his kingdom, Tall with broad shoulders and dark hair perfectly styled. Even from a distance, his presence dominated the room. The man wore an expensive black suit that fit him like it had been tailored by the gods themselves but it wasn’t the suit that caught my attention, It was his eyes. Even from across the room, they seemed… silver sharp, and predatory and they were staring directly at me. My heart skipped. Then the moment broke as someone stepped beside him, a beautiful blonde woman laughing softly as she leaned into his shoulder. I looked away immediately, embarrassed for staring “Get a grip, Gabrielle,” I whispered to myself I finished my drink quickly, and murmured, time to leave. But before I could step away from the bar, a scream echoed faintly through the music. I froze Has anyone else heard that? The crowd kept dancing, laughing and no one reacted. Maybe I imagined it, I said, but then I heard it again, A muffled cry which seemed to be coming from upstairs. Curiosity tugged at me, which was a terrible idea But curiosity has always been my biggest weakness. So I slipped away from the bar and made my way toward the staircase leading to the VIP section. Surprisingly, No one stopped me, Strange, I murmured. The hallway upstairs was dimly lit, quiet compared to the chaos below, Several private doors lined the corridor, and then the sound came again, From the last room. My heart began to pound as I took a cautious step forward. Then I reached the door and It wasn’t fully closed, A thin line of light spilled into the hallway And the sound… A woman gasping, Weak, And desperate. I pushed the door open Just a little And my world shattered. Inside the room, a young woman was pinned against the wall with Her head tilted back, Her throat exposed, And a man was drinking from her neck. His mouth was pressed against her skin as dark red blood slid down her collarbone. For a second, my brain refused to process what I was seeing This couldn’t be real i said, This is insane. The man suddenly lifted his head, Blood stained his lips as His eyes glowed an unnatural crimson. Vampire, The word exploded inside my mind and I gasped. The sound was small, Barely audible But it was enough. His head snapped the door Toward me, then Our eyes met And I ran. My heart slammed wildly in my chest as I sprinted down the hallway. What the hell was that?! What did I just see?! My hands trembled as I rushed down the stairs toward the exit, I needed to leave, Now. But the moment I reached the bottom step, two men stepped into my path, Both dressed in black suits Both are far too calm. “Miss Montaña,” one of them said smoothly Ice ran through my veins. “How do you know my name?” I whispered, The man didn’t answer Instead, he spoke into a small earpiece saying, “We have the witness.” Witness? Panic exploded in my chest “I didn’t see anything,” I said quickly. “I swear” “Unfortunately,” the second man said quietly, “you saw everything.” They grabbed my arms as I struggled immediately saying, “Let go of me!” The music swallowed my voice so No one noticed as they dragged me toward a private elevator near the VIP stairs. The doors slid open, I was shoved inside The elevator then began rising, higher and higher, My breathing turned frantic. “Where are you taking me?” I demanded. The elevator stopped, The doors opened And the first thing I saw was him. The man from the balcony The silver-eyed stranger. He stood near the massive window of a luxurious office overlooking the entire city, New Avalon glittered behind him like a sea of stars, He turned slowly. The moment his gaze landed on me, the atmosphere changed, The air felt heavier and dangerous. The guards released my arms and stepped back, leaving me alone with him. He studied me silently. His expression is unreadable. Then he took one slow step forward. Something inside me screamed to run But my legs refused to move. “Gabrielle Montaña,” he said, His voice was deep Controlled. “How do you know my name?” I whispered. He didn’t answer Instead, he stopped directly in front of me. Close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. His gaze dropped slightly Toward my neck And then it happened, His nostrils flared Like he had just caught a scent The change was instant. His entire body went rigid, His silver eyes darkened with something primal Something wild. A low growl vibrated in his chest Not human, Not even close. “What…” he murmured, his voice suddenly rough His eyes snapped back to mine. Shock flickered across his face Then hunger, Then something far more dangerous. “My God,” he whispered. The room fell silent And the next words that left his mouth made my blood turn cold, “You’re my mate.”