The Alpha and his Vampire Mate

Episode 02

ELYNDRA

The lights in the Kingdom of Sin flash red and violet, rolling across the stage and making the dancers shine, the smell of perfume stays in the air, along with the sweet taste of alcohol men sit back in dark booths, drinking, laughing, and watching women in silk and lace move around them.

I sit in a booth in the corner, the glass cool in my hand as I drink more whisky. The burn goes down my throat, but it's not enough to stop my thoughts. I don't belong here, but this club feels safer than my bed tonight.

I shouldn't have come. Malrik wouldn't think to look for me here, though.

I touch the X2 scent disguiser on my wrist and let out a shaky breath. It hides my scent and makes me smell like a person. To other wolves, I'm just another face in the crowd. I need it. It makes my stomach turn to think of him being close to our land and breathing my air.

He should not be able to find me here. Yet the thought of his messages plays again and again in my mind. I see his words. I hear his voice. I try to get rid of it by having another drink.

The Blood Moon is tonight. Wolves from all over the country come together for the Blood Moon celebrations in the hopes of finding their soulmate. I should have left. My brother Alaric and my parents, Seliora and Alaric Caelora, would expect me to be there, smiling and pretending. But I couldn't.

I'm done with guys. I am no longer interested in playing games. I am tired of feeling dependent on others.

Still, my heart hurts. I want what everyone else has deep down. Affection. It's the type of affection that instills a sense of belonging. But what will happen when he finds out what I am, even if fate brings us together? What did I do? What leverage does Malrik still hold over me?

I pretend to watch the dancers while I drum my fingers on the table. The music makes me feel good and draws me in. One dancer moves with such confidence that her body twirls around the pole with ease. I let myself admire her strength for a moment. I used to love to dance. I even did it once, but I only kept the job until my brother came in and got furious at the men who were looking at me. That 's all there was to it.

The memory makes me smile a little as I reach for the bottle and pour again.

"Do you want some company?" A woman with brown hair leans towards me, and her perfume is strong.

"No thanks." I smile at her anyway and wink to make the rejection less harsh. She smiles and walks away, looking for another one.

The room spins a little as I drink another glass. The edges of my thoughts get fuzzy. That's what I want. I need to feel nothing, even for one night. Malrik has too much power over me. He is using it now to pull me back into the shadows I thought I had left.

There is something strange about him. Something that has always made me nervous. He is more than just a wolf. He is darker.

The whisky makes me sleepy, but remembering what he said earlier clears my head. I can picture the videos in my head. My throat closes up, and I hold the glass too tightly.

I push myself up and sway a little before moving towards the dance floor. The double doors open, the music gets louder, and people are close together. I tell myself that I can lose myself here and maybe even forget.

But then I smell it.

Known. Risky.

My heart beats hard against my ribs.

No.

Not here.

I freeze and turn my head towards the door. A man with a hood on stands there, and his presence cuts through the noise like a knife. My blood runs cold.

It's him.

Malrik.

I bow my head and hope that the smell blocker works. I turn around and look for a way out. My heels click too loudly on the floor, and panic grips me.

I see a woman step out of the VIP doors with drinks on a tray. A keycard lights up at her waist. Chance.

I bump into her and mumble an apology as I take the card out of her pocket. My chest hurts, and my breath is shallow, but I keep going.

The card is excellent. The doors make a clicking sound when they open. I get through, my heart racing.

The hallway is too quiet. There are three hallways in front of me. I choose the left and move quickly, the carpet muffling my steps. The air here smells cleaner, sharper, and a little bit like cologne.

I see a pair of glass doors, push through, and shut them behind me. A shaky sigh lets out relief.

The room is sleek, with black marble floors and blue velvet couches. There is a bar on one side and a glass table in the middle. I can see the club below through the one-way glass and the dancers moving, but the crowd doesn't know I'm there. It looks like a stage for gods to watch mortals from here.

I lean against the wall and try to calm down. I guess I can wait here until he leaves. I might be able to sneak out without being seen.

Thereafter, footsteps can be heard down the hall. Voices. They're getting closer.

I duck behind the bar and crouch down low, my heart pounding in my ears.

The doors swing open. A few men walk in, their suits sharp and their movements precise. Wolves. Their smell fills the room, thick and strong.

I swear under my breath. This is a club for people. What are the wolves doing here?

One voice says softly, "I don't know that smell." Someone is here.

My chest feels tight. I push back against the bar and try not to move.

Then he comes in.

Without saying a word, the others leave him. He walks with quiet authority, his steps steady, and it's hard to miss him.

My eyes are fixed on him.

A leader.

He has on a black shirt with rolled-up sleeves and black pants that are tucked into his boots. His jacket hangs over one shoulder in a casual but planned way. His hair is dark brown and styled back sharply. His arms, neck, and hands are covered in tattoos. He looks dangerous and like he can't be touched.

But it's not how he looks that grabs me. It smells like him.

Woody and rich, with warm cinnamon, blood orange, and patchouli woven through it. It hits me like a blow, and it spreads through me until my knees give out.

He stops. His head moves a little. His body gets tense.

He has smelt me.

The bond inside me is strong and wild. My wolf scratches my chest, alive and restless.

Every thought goes away as my heart beats.

He is searching for me.

And I already know.

He is my mate.