LOVE TRAP-EZIUM

The moon was bleeding. At least, that was what the elders of Blackthorn called it. Every few generations, when the moon turned the color of fresh blood, the oldest members of the pack would lock their doors, extinguish every fire in their homes, and forbid their children from looking toward the sky. They said the Red Moon was an omen. A warning from the ancestors. A sign that an ancient evil had begun to move again. For centuries, the younger wolves had laughed at those stories. Kaelen Blackthorn had never been one of them. He had always believed that some legends survived because they were never really legends. Tonight, standing alone on the highest cliff overlooking Blackthorn territory, he was beginning to understand why. The moon above him was enormous. Crimson. Unnaturally bright. Its light spilled across the mountains, turning the snow-covered peaks red. Far below, thousands of wolves moved through the forest. The entire Blackthorn pack had gathered for the most important night of Kaelen’s life. His coronation. At midnight, he would become the youngest Alpha in the history of the northern territories. And Kaelen wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. He stood with his hands buried inside the pockets of his black trousers, his dark hair moving wildly in the mountain wind. Behind him, the enormous stone doors of the royal hall opened. “Kaelen.” He didn’t turn. He knew that voice. His father. Alpha Garrick Blackthorn. “The ceremony begins in less than an hour.” Kaelen stared at the moon. “I know.” “You were expected inside.” “I know.” “You were also expected to meet the visiting Alphas.” “I know.” Garrick sighed. “You seem determined to make tonight difficult.” Kaelen finally turned. “And you seem determined to pretend tonight is normal.” His father studied him. For several seconds, neither spoke. Garrick was an imposing man. Tall, broad-shouldered, and scarred from decades of war, he carried the authority of someone who had never needed to ask for obedience. His silver-and-black ceremonial coat hung perfectly over his shoulders. At his waist was the ancient Alpha blade. A weapon passed from one Blackthorn ruler to another for more than four hundred years. Kaelen had always hated that sword. Not because of what it could do. Because of what it represented. A throne. A bloodline. A prison. “You are my son,” Garrick finally said. “Unfortunately.” His father’s eyes narrowed. “You think this is a joke?” “No.” Kaelen looked toward the castle. “I think it’s a trap.” Garrick went still. The word seemed to strike something inside him. “What did you say?” “A trap.” Kaelen walked toward him. “Every person in that hall wants something from me. The council wants a powerful Alpha. The neighboring packs want an alliance. The nobles want influence. The warriors want a leader they can follow into war.” He stopped. “And you want an heir who will obey you.” Garrick’s jaw tightened. “You have no idea what you are talking about.” “Then tell me.” Silence. Kaelen searched his father’s face. “Why tonight?” “What?” “Why are you so desperate to crown me tonight?” Garrick looked away. That tiny movement was enough. Kaelen noticed. His father was hiding something. “You’ve never rushed my coronation before.” “You are old enough.” “That’s not the reason.” “Kaelen—” “What are you afraid of?” Garrick’s expression changed. Only for a second. But Kaelen saw it. Fear. Real fear. His father, the man who had faced armies without blinking, was afraid. And whatever frightened him was connected to Kaelen. Garrick stepped closer. “Listen to me carefully.” Kaelen said nothing. “Whatever happens tonight, you must remain inside the castle.” “Why?” “Because there are things moving beyond our borders.” “Enemies?” “Something worse.” Kaelen’s eyes narrowed. “What?” Garrick looked toward the blood-red moon. “Things that should have remained dead.” A chill ran through Kaelen. Before he could ask another question, Garrick turned. “Be inside before midnight.” He walked away. Kaelen watched him disappear through the stone doors. His suspicion deepened. Something was coming. His father knew. And apparently, whatever it was… It was coming for him. ⸻ THE BLACKTHORN KINGDOM Blackthorn wasn’t simply a werewolf pack. It was a kingdom. The northern territories contained dozens of smaller packs, each ruled by its own Alpha. But all of them ultimately answered to the Blackthorn bloodline. The Blackthorn wolves were considered among the strongest werewolves alive. Their ancestors had fought demons. They had survived witch hunts. They had driven rogue warlocks out of the northern territories. They had even fought the Seelies during the ancient border wars. But there was one enemy they never spoke about. Vampires. Not ordinary vampires. The ancient ones. The creatures that had existed before the modern supernatural kingdoms divided the world. The Blackthorn archives contained only a handful of references to them. Most were written in blood. Kaelen had once asked his father why. His father had burned the book. That had been twelve years ago. Kaelen had never forgotten it. Now, as he walked toward the castle, the memory returned. He could still hear his father’s voice. “Some things are safer forgotten.” Kaelen had always believed that was an excuse. Tonight, he wasn’t so sure. ⸻ Inside the castle, the atmosphere was completely different. Music filled the grand hall. Hundreds of guests had arrived. Werewolf Alphas from distant territories. Warriors. Healers. Nobles. Merchants. Even representatives from other supernatural races. Kaelen recognized several witches immediately. They sat near the eastern balcony, wearing silver necklaces covered in protective symbols. Across from them were three warlocks. Their faces were expressionless. Too expressionless. Kaelen didn’t trust them. He didn’t trust anyone tonight. As he entered, conversations stopped. Every head turned. Kaelen hated that too. Someone whispered. “The future Alpha.” Another voice answered. “He doesn’t look happy.” “Would you?” A woman laughed softly. Kaelen ignored them. He continued walking. Then he felt it. A stare. Not ordinary attention. Something deeper. Predatory. He stopped. Across the hall stood a woman in a dark crimson gown. She wasn’t dressed like a werewolf. Her skin was almost unnaturally pale. Her black hair fell to her waist. She stood perfectly still among the crowd. And she was looking directly at him. Kaelen couldn’t explain why, but his wolf reacted immediately. Danger. His heartbeat accelerated. The woman smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile. It was the smile of someone who knew something he didn’t. Kaelen started toward her. She turned. And disappeared into the crowd. “Excuse me.” Kaelen pushed past several guests. He reached the place where she had been standing. Nothing. No woman. No scent. Nothing. His wolf growled. Kaelen closed his eyes and inhaled. There was a faint scent. Roses. Cold stone. And something metallic. Blood. He opened his eyes. A hand touched his shoulder. He spun around. His younger cousin, Darius, stood behind him. “Relax.” Kaelen exhaled. “You almost lost your hand.” Darius laughed. “Still dramatic.” “What do you want?” “To tell you the ceremony is about to begin.” Kaelen glanced toward the throne. “I’ll be there.” Darius looked at him carefully. “You know, you could actually enjoy tonight.” Kaelen laughed. “How?” “You’re becoming Alpha.” “I never wanted it.” “Nobody wants responsibility.” Kaelen looked at him. “I don’t want the throne.” Darius’ smile faded. “Then what do you want?” Kaelen didn’t answer. Because he didn’t know. He only knew what he didn’t want. He didn’t want to become his father. He didn’t want a kingdom built on fear. And he certainly didn’t want a crown that felt like a chain. ⸻ THE CORONATION At eleven fifty-nine, the entire hall fell silent. The doors closed. The musicians stopped. The ancient priest stepped forward. He was blind. Or at least, everyone believed he was. His eyes were covered by a black cloth embroidered with silver symbols. In his hands was the Blackthorn Crown. It was not made of gold. It was made of dark silver. Four sharp points extended from its center. Kaelen stared at it. Something about those four points made his stomach twist. The priest lifted his head. “Kaelen Blackthorn.” Kaelen stepped forward. “Do you accept the blood of your ancestors?” Kaelen hesitated. “I accept my blood.” Murmurs spread through the hall. The priest tilted his head. “And the throne?” Kaelen looked at his father. Then at the crown. “I accept the responsibility.” The priest’s expression changed slightly. Perhaps he had expected a different answer. “Then kneel.” Kaelen knelt. The crown descended. The moment it touched his head— BOOM! The entire castle shook. People screamed. Every candle went out. A violent pulse of supernatural energy exploded from the throne. Kaelen collapsed. Pain ripped through his body. His bones felt like they were breaking. His wolf screamed. Not with rage. With terror. RUN! Kaelen clenched his fists against the floor. “What…” His vision blurred. Then the darkness came. ⸻ A forest. Fire. Screaming. A woman running through the trees. She was carrying a baby. Another baby lay in the arms of a man behind her. Someone was chasing them. A creature. No. A man. His eyes were red. His skin was pale. His smile was impossibly calm. The woman screamed. “Take them!” The man holding the babies shook his head. “We can’t separate them.” “We have to!” “If we do this, their bloodlines may awaken.” “They’ll die if we don’t!” The woman grabbed one child. A strange symbol appeared on the baby’s chest. Four connected sides. Then another symbol appeared on the second child. Different. But connected. The man whispered: “Suppress the secondary blood.” The woman began crying. “They’ll hate us for this.” “They’ll be alive.” Then the vampire appeared. His crimson eyes looked directly at Kaelen. Not at the babies. At Kaelen. As though he could see him inside the vision. He smiled. “Run.” The world shattered. Kaelen screamed. ⸻ He opened his eyes. He was back inside the hall. The candles had returned. Everyone was staring at him. Kaelen tried to stand. His legs shook. His father rushed forward. “What did you see?” Kaelen stared at him. “You know.” Garrick froze. “What?” “You know.” Kaelen grabbed his father’s arm. “Who was that man?” Garrick’s face went pale. Kaelen’s voice became harder. “The vampire.” The entire hall fell silent. Someone gasped. An elderly woman whispered: “Impossible.” The priest slowly removed the cloth covering his eyes. For the first time, Kaelen saw them. The priest’s eyes were completely black. “The seal has been disturbed,” the priest whispered. Garrick looked toward him. “How?” The priest shook his head. “It wasn’t the boy.” Kaelen frowned. “What does that mean?” The priest looked directly at him. “It means someone has found him.” “Found who?” The priest’s lips trembled. “The one who has been waiting.” Then— CRASH! Every window shattered. Black shapes flooded into the hall. Bats. Hundreds of them. The guests screamed. Werewolves shifted. Warriors drew weapons. Witches began casting spells. A warlock shouted something in an ancient language. Then every bat suddenly dropped to the floor. Silence. One figure stood on the balcony. A man. Tall. Elegant. Pale. He wore a long black coat. His hair was dark. His face looked almost impossibly young. But his eyes… His eyes were ancient. Crimson. Kaelen’s wolf went completely silent. The stranger looked around the room. Then his gaze stopped on Kaelen. A smile slowly appeared. “Kaelen Blackthorn.” Kaelen stepped forward. “Who are you?” The vampire smiled. “That question will become very important.” “Answer me.” The vampire laughed softly. “You still have your father’s temper.” Kaelen’s eyes widened. “What did you say?” The vampire looked toward Garrick. “Still protecting him, I see.” Garrick stepped between them. “You will not touch my son.” The vampire’s smile disappeared. For the first time, something cold entered his expression. “I never intended to.” He looked back at Kaelen. “Not yet.” Then the vampire vanished. The hall erupted. Kaelen shifted. Bones cracked. His body expanded. Dark fur covered his skin. His wolf exploded through the shattered balcony doors and landed outside. He ran. Not away. After the vampire. But there was nothing. Only the forest. Only the moon. And the smell of blood. Kaelen slowed. Something was carved into a tree. Four connected sides. A strange geometric symbol. He approached it. The moment his paw touched the mark— Pain shot through him. A voice whispered inside his mind. One side awakened. Kaelen pulled away. His breathing became heavy. Then another voice followed. Three remain. He looked toward the horizon. He didn’t know who the other three were. He didn’t know where they lived. He didn’t know why he had seen two babies in that vision. And he certainly didn’t know why the vampire had called his name as though they had met before. But he knew one thing. His life had changed tonight. The crown he’d feared was no longer his biggest problem. His blood was. ⸻ SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY Deep beneath an abandoned cathedral, candles burned around an enormous stone table. A man sat alone. The same vampire from Blackthorn. He slowly poured blood into a crystal glass. Then he looked toward the center of the table. Four stones rested there. One glowed red. The vampire smiled. “Kaelen.” He touched the first stone. It began to pulse. “One.” His finger moved to the second. It remained dark. “Three more.” He leaned back. Centuries had passed since he began this plan. Kingdoms had risen. Kingdoms had fallen. Witches had died. Werewolf dynasties had collapsed. Human empires had disappeared. Seelie courts had changed rulers. Demons had crossed realms and been driven back. But he had remained. Waiting. Patient. Watching bloodlines move through generations. He had never needed to hurry. He had eternity. And now the first piece had finally awakened. The vampire lifted his glass. “Let the game begin.” Far away, beneath another sky, a young woman suddenly woke from a nightmare. She didn’t know why. She only knew that her chest hurt. And for the first time in her life, something beneath her skin had begun to stir. A faint symbol appeared against her collarbone. Four connected sides. Then vanished. The vampire smiled. “Two.” TO BE CONTINUED…