STOLEN IN BLOOD

ELYRIA’S POV So, this is what it is like for one to lose their virginity—excruciating pain mixed with unimaginable pleasure. Each thrust is charged with an electrifying passion. Every time a moan escapes my lips, I am brought closer to ecstasy. The cold from my mother’s necklace dangling around my neck ought to serve as a nagging reminder of my sin. After all, losing my virginity behind a tavern to a stranger is unbecoming of a future Luna to a pack as great as mine. But right now, I do not give a f**k. All I wanted was one night away from the public eye. I am tired of the rules, the endless expectations and Silver Hollow’s military-like scrutiny. Ever since my father named me his heir, I have had to prove my worth to an audience that would never willingly render power to a woman. I have trained harder than most warriors, studied just as much as the elders and even shed blood to prove the legitimacy of my succession. Even still, it is not enough. Fuck them. The beast in between my legs carries the face of a predator. He is the kind of man the moon goddess sculpted with dangerous intentions. Every feature is perfect. His jawline and cheekbones are sharp enough to cut through glass. His lips curve in a way that promise temptation and ruin. His hair is as dark as a moonless sky, framing his devastatingly handsome face. “f**k, you feel so good,” he groans into my ear. He presses my back against the cold brick wall, his fingers digging into my thighs. My legs around his waist tighten as he rams into me. My arms around his neck lock as my head falls. My eyes roll to the back of my skull and all I see are stars. I never knew I could feel this way. This is the best feeling in the world. I did not want it to end. Until it did. With one feral thrust, he collides with my g spot and pours every drop of his seed into me. His head falls onto my shoulder, and our panting fills the cold air. That is when my senses come crashing down. I just f****d a stranger! As though he could sense my panic, he pulls his member out of me. His eyes are dark, watching me with ominous intent as he places my shaky legs on the ground. A gasp leaves me when his finger slides through my c**t. Not once does he break eye contact while placing that finger in his mouth. Who the f**k is this man? His deep hum fills my ears and his finger slips out of his mouth with a pop. “I will miss this.” Then he walks away. “Wait!” I stumble as I take a step forward, wincing at the sting that courses through my c**t. His feet come to a halt, but he does not look back. “Is that it? You are just going to leave after what we just did? I don’t even know your name.” “Good.” And just like that, he disappears into the darkness. I stand in the dark alleyway, disbelief all over my features for only the goddess knows how long. Who the hell takes a girl’s virginity and vanishes like nothing happened? Asshole. The walk back to Silver Hollow’s royal estate is dreadful. My knees are wobbly and the sting only worsens with every step. The alcohol is yet to wear off as I sway my way back home. The second I catch sight of the gates, guards rush to my side. “Princess, what have you done?” Had the best and worst night of my life, that’s what. A familiar scent fills the air as they help me inside. Here we go. “Elyria Isabella Viremont!” My gaze lift to find a familiar face etched with worry and relief. His silver streaks thread through his golden hair falling right above his broad shoulders. He is a majestic being, towering over six feet. Each step carries authority and strength befitting an alpha of his status. His lavender eyes pierces through me with a lengthy lecture sitting on his tongue. “Hi, daddy,” I greet, a wide smile stretching across my face. “Leave,” he orders the guards. They unhand me, bow at their king and take their leave. Once out of sight, the most comforting arms in the world embrace me. “You terrified me. I thought you had been taken by those vile Vaelmonts! I almost sent out a search party.” My eyes roll. “You are being far too dramatic, dad. I just went out.” He pulls away and hikes a brow, “Since when do you just ‘go out?’” he pauses, his nostrils flaring. “Good heavens, child! Are you drunk?” My cheeks heat up a bit. “I just wanted one night to myself, dad! All my life I have been by your side, watching and aiding you. For once, I needed to be out and have fun.” Father’s face twists in offense. “I allow you to have fun, but going out in the middle of the night with no protection is careless!” he cups my cheeks, his purple eyes meeting mine. “You are my pride—my life. I can not lose anyone else in the hands of those beasts! Not after-“ His gaze drops to my mother’s necklace. The delicate silver chain holding a teardrop-shaped pendant carved from deep violet amethyst rests against my skin, holding more agonizing memories for him than it did for me. In that moment, guilt and regret washes over me. “I am sorry, dad.” His eyes brim with pride as his thumb caresses my cheek, “I am just glad you are safe. Also, I do hope you did not have too much fun. We don’t want to give the council more reasons to believe you are not worthy of the Silver crown.” A snort leaves me before I can stop it. “As though their opinion matters.” Father is seconds away from berating me when a loud boom hits our ears and the earth trembles beneath our feet. His arms wrap around me protectively as the scent of burning flesh and blood fills the hall. Battle cries accompany lethal growls as our men rush out to the gates. “What just happened?!” I ask over the chaos. Rhaegar, my younger brother, comes into view with a wild look in his purple eyes. I have never seen him so excited. “The rumours were true, dad. That bastard is here!” “Wait, son-“ Rhaegar draws his sword and dashes out the door before father can stop him. He turns to me, his eyes full of worry and panic. “Get to somewhere safe, Elyria. I will deal with them.” I shrug his hands away, “No!” “This is not the time to be stubborn, Elyria!” A disbelieving look strikes my countenance. “You have spent years training me. How the hell am I supposed to earn our people’s respect if I don’t fight alongside my men?” Silence. Chaos and doom surround us as he silently weighs his options. “I am ready, father. Please, give me this chance,” I plead, and he lifts his chin. He walks up to the katana display and tosses one at me. My hand catches the handle with ease as he takes one for himself. “Let’s give them hell.” Our once tranquil courtyard has turned into a battlefield that reeks of blood. Many believe Silver Hollow is no match for our century old enemy—Blackthorn. They had the gift of wolves while ours was stripped from us hundreds of years ago. But even without our wolves, we thrived. Silver Hollow is a pack of honour and perseverance while blackthorns possess the hearts of demons. That is why they possess crimson eyes and ours amethyst. The stories surrounding them are sinister, but this is my first time coming face to face with their kind. Their wolves are driven by bloodlust and hate, while our men fight to defend and protect. Steel clashes with claws as deafening howls cut through the night air. Father and Rhaegar cut down every beast with lethal precision and strength. Our warriors fight with everything they have, and so do I. “Watch out, Elyria!” I hear father yell from my left. The first beast that charges at me bars its canines. I duck beneath its sweeping claws and drive my sword upward into its throat. Warm blood sprays my face as I retract my weapon. Another lunges at me, but before its fangs can clamp around my neck, father cleaves through its neck. “Thanks, dad,” I say in between pants and he nods. We cut down the enemy side by side until their numbers diminish greatly. My grip on the bloody sword tightens as I severe and stab through every beast. Victory hangs in the air. Until I see him. He is neither beast nor man. His Godlike figure is surrounded by the corpses of my men. He tears through the neck of one of our own, severing his head from his body as though tearing through paper. Rage boils within me and I charge without hesitation, my sword aiming straight for his heart. “Elyria, stop! That’s Lucien Vaelmont!” In that moment, the devil turns and our eyes lock. My body slams into an invisible wall, knocking the breath out of my lungs. It’s him. The man who disappeared my virginity in his hands. For a moment, the earth stands still. His eyes are no longer the dark brown I thought they were, but a dark crimson similar to the blood on his hands. He drops the bloody head in his hands and utters one word. “Now.” He shifts before me, possessing the largest wolf among them. I watch him retreat, unable to move a muscle as his men follow closely behind him. “f**k! He is getting away!” Rhaegar growls, sprinting to my side. “Leave them. We have lost far too much,” I hear father say. Rhaegar continues to bicker, but every sound fades into the distance as the weight of my sin slams into me with brute force. The stranger between my legs was Lucien bloody Vaelmont. I just f****d our century-old enemy. A crime punishable by death.