BOUND BY BLOOD:THE ALPHA VAMPIRE MATE

Selena Blackthorn was born into the Silverfang Pack, one of the most respected wolf clans in the northern territories. Unlike most of her peers, she was not a natural fighter. Where others excelled at claw and fang, she was more thoughtful, observant, and soft-hearted. She tried to keep up with training, but no matter how hard she worked, the whispers followed her: weak, fragile, unworthy.Still, Selena held onto her dreams. She believed in loyalty, in love, in the will of the Moon Goddess. From a young age, her heart belonged to Alpha Darius Blackthorn, the powerful and commanding leader of their pack. He was everything she was not—strong, fearless, respected, and untouchable. She admired him from afar, never daring to imagine that destiny would one day tie them together.On her eighteenth birthday, destiny revealed itself. During the sacred Moon Ceremony, when bonds were awakened and mates were revealed, Selena felt the surge of connection. Her soul recognized Darius as her fated mate. Her heart soared. After years of feeling like an outsider, she finally had proof that the Moon Goddess had chosen her. She would stand at Darius’s side as his Luna. She would finally be accepted, respected, loved.The entire pack gathered in the sacred circle that night. Torches burned, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. Selena stood at the center, trembling with anticipation. Every gaze was upon her, and though her stomach fluttered with nerves, joy swelled inside her. This was the moment she had waited for her entire life.Alpha Darius stepped forward, tall and imposing, his golden eyes fixed on her. Selena’s heart leapt. She dropped her gaze respectfully, waiting for him to claim her hand, waiting for the words that would seal their bond forever.But those words never came.Instead, his voice rang out, sharp and merciless:“I, Alpha Darius Blackthorn, reject you as my mate.”The clearing erupted in gasps, whispers, and cruel laughter. Selena’s head jerked up, her eyes wide with disbelief. Surely she had heard wrong. Surely this was a test. But Darius’s expression was unyielding, his lips curled in disdain.“You are weak, Selena,” he sneered. “A Luna must be powerful, fearless, a leader to stand beside her Alpha. Look at you—trembling like a frightened pup. Did you truly think I would claim someone like you?”The words struck her harder than any physical blow. Her chest caved, her knees wobbled, but the worst pain came from the faces of her pack. Wolves she had grown up with, bled with, trained beside—they were smirking, laughing, whispering cruelly as if her humiliation was entertainment.“Please,” she choked, tears burning her eyes. “We’re fated… the Moon Goddess—”“The Moon Goddess made a mistake,” Darius interrupted, his voice final, absolute. “And I don’t accept mistakes.”Laughter roared louder, echoing in her ears.Selena’s vision blurred with tears. Her heart shattered into pieces. The dream of being Luna, the hope of love, the promise of destiny—all torn away in front of everyone she had ever known. She could not breathe under their stares. Could not endure the humiliation another second.She ran.Her bare feet pounded against the earth as she fled the sacred circle, the cruel laughter chasing her into the night. She did not stop until she crossed into the cursed forest, a place wolves avoided at all costs. Legends spoke of shadows that devoured souls, of monsters that lurked between the trees, of the ancient war with creatures darker than wolves—vampires.But Selena did not care. Anything was better than facing her pack again.The deeper she went, the stranger the forest became. The air grew colder, heavier, as if the woods themselves were alive. Whispers floated on the wind, and the shadows stretched unnaturally. Her wolf whimpered inside her, warning her to turn back, but she pressed on, desperate to escape her shame.Then, she saw it.A crimson glow flickered between the trees, like dying embers. A figure emerged from the shadows—tall, impossibly graceful, draped in black. His presence froze her in place.Her knees weakened as he stepped closer, the moonlight illuminating his face. Pale, sharp, beautiful in a way that stole her breath. And his eyes—gods, his eyes—glowed crimson like blood-crystals.A vampire.Selena’s heart stuttered. Every childhood tale flooded her mind, warning of monsters that drank blood and slaughtered wolves. She stumbled back, her voice trembling. “Stay away!”But the creature did not obey. In a blur of inhuman speed, he appeared before her. His hand caught her chin, cold as ice yet burning fire into her veins. She gasped, frozen by his touch, by the overwhelming power radiating from him.She should have screamed. She should have fought. But something inside her stirred instead—something ancient, primal, recognizing him in a way she could not understand.The vampire leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear, his voice smooth velvet edged with dange