The Vampire's werewolf mate

Chapter 6

Face to Face (Part 2)

Lucien POV

A chill ran down my spine as Father and I entered the Nightfang territory.

I'd never stepped foot in werewolf lands before. The towering trees, the scent of pine, and the warriors guarding every corner all felt unfamiliar.

And knowing this was my mate's home only made things worse.

No.

I pushed the thought away.

When we entered the grand hall, both kingdoms were already gathered. Werewolves occupied one side, vampires the other.

As expected.

My eyes wandered around the room before landing on Princess Valeria Nightshade. She smiled and waved flirtatiously.

I looked away.

Absolutely not.

Father and I took our seats opposite King Alaric and the Nightfang royal family.

Then I saw her.

Princess Lyra Nightfang.

My mate.

She looked up, and our eyes met for only a moment before she quickly looked away.

Good.

I had no intention of speaking to her either.

---

King Alaric rose.

"For generations, our people have lived in hatred. Our borders grow weaker while our enemies grow stronger."

Father stood next.

"The vampire kingdom has suffered repeated attacks near our eastern territories. We believe they may be connected to recent disturbances along the border."

An elderly werewolf stood.

"Are you accusing us?"

Father's expression never changed.

"If I wished to accuse you, Elder, I would have done so directly."

Several wolves growled.

Several vampires smirked.

This meeting was falling apart already.

---

Alpha Rowan Stormfang stood.

"If neither kingdom benefits from these attacks... perhaps someone else does."

The hall fell silent.

"Our people continue dying while an unseen enemy profits from our hatred."

For the first time that morning...

Everyone agreed.

---

Father folded his hands.

"The Dravens propose a temporary alliance until this threat is eliminated."

Neither side looked pleased.

---

King Alaric cleared his throat.

"There is another matter."

I already had a bad feeling.

"Prince Darius has expressed interest in courting Princess Lyra."

My eyes instinctively found Lyra.

She looked horrified.

Interesting.

Maybe she hated the idea as much as I hated mine.

Father stood.

"Prince Lucien has also received a proposal."

Here we go.

"The Nightshade family has agreed to unite their bloodline with ours."

Valeria smiled proudly.

I looked away immediately.

---

Then my chest tightened.

I looked up.

Lyra was already staring at me.

Our eyes met.

Again.

The hall disappeared.

The voices faded.

Then the bond stirred.

Mate.

I clenched my jaw.

No.

I refused to let fate decide my life.

Across the room, Lyra quickly looked away.

Good.

This changed nothing.

...Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself.

---

After the meeting paused for a short break, everyone split into smaller groups.

I sat alone near one of the windows.

Then I noticed movement.

Lyra walked toward Prince Darius.

He handed her a glass of wine.

She accepted it.

Moments later, they left the hall together.

My jaw tightened.

Really?

What's so important that it couldn't wait?

...Why do I even care?

"Prince Lucien."

Valeria.

I looked at her.

---

"You seem awfully interested in Princess Lyra."

"I wasn't."

She laughed.

"Of course you weren't."

She sat beside me without asking.

"I've heard she's beautiful. Strong. Stubborn."

I stayed silent.

"You looked worried when she left with Darius."

"You imagine things."

"Do I?"

I sighed.

"This conversation is exhausting."

"And you're surprisingly easy to tease."

I glanced toward the hallway.

Still no Lyra.

Valeria noticed.

"There it is again."

"What?"

"That look."

"What look?"

"The one that says you're worried."

"I am not."

She smiled knowingly.

"If you say so."

---

As she continued talking, a strange feeling suddenly shot through my chest.

Fear.

My heartbeat quickened.

Something was wrong.

"Prince Lucien?"

I barely heard Valeria.

She called my name again.

Still nothing.

I stood.

"I'll be right back."

I grabbed a glass of wine and emptied it in one gulp.

Why do I feel like this?

Then I realized...

Lyra still hadn't returned.

The bond pulsed again.

Stronger.

Then I heard it.

A faint whisper.

"Lucien..."

My eyes widened.

Her voice.

The same one from our shared dream.

"Lyra..."

Fear.

Panic.

Desperation.

I didn't think.

I ran.

Behind me, Valeria called my name, but I ignored her.

I followed the hallway where Lyra and Darius had gone.

A shattered wine glass lay on the floor.

My stomach dropped.

I searched every room until I noticed one door slightly open.

Without hesitation—

I slammed it open.

There he was.

Darius.

Standing over Lyra.

---

"What are you doing here?" Darius snapped.

I looked past him.

Lyra was lying on the bed.

Her dress was torn.

Tears stained her face.

A dangerous calm settled over me.

"Step away from her."

He laughed.

"And if I don't?"

"That wasn't a request."

He lunged first.

I dodged.

He swung again.

I caught his arm and threw him into a table.

Wood shattered.

He partially shifted, claws extending.

Bad choice.

He attacked again.

I moved faster.

One punch.

A kick.

An elbow.

He crashed into the wall.

Again.

He tried one last time.

I grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off the floor.

"If you ever touch her again..."

My grip tightened.

"You'll wish I had killed you."

For the first time...

Fear appeared in his eyes.

Then I heard her.

"Lucien..."

Immediately I let him go.

Darius stumbled away and fled the room.

I ignored him.

I walked straight to Lyra.

"Are you hurt?"

She looked at me for several seconds before shaking her head.

"I'm okay."

I picked up the blanket from the bed and gently covered the torn part of her dress.

Only then did I allow myself to breathe.

"You came," she whispered.

I looked away.

"The bond led me here."

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Right."

Despite everything...

She almost smiled.

And for the first time in years...

I realized something that terrified me.

Seeing her safe mattered far more than it should have.