The contract of blood
1507 Words
He did not come to protect her.
A pause in the middle of the sentence they all felt the tension
He came to claim her.
Alina felt it before she saw him.
The chapel air shifted.
Heavy.
Possessive in every sense of the world.
Predatory.
The red eyes in the shadows moved closer, low hisses vibrating through the darkness.
Her back hit the wooden pew.
Lucien stepped in front of her.
His shoulders straightened. His jaw tightened. Something ancient slid over his expression — not billionaire CEO… not charming predator…
Alpha.
“You shouldn’t have followed me here,” he said calmly.
A deep voice answered from the darkness.
“She carries royal blood.”
Alina’s stomach dropped.
Royal?
What were they talking about?
Lucien didn’t move.
But the temperature in the room plummeted.
“She’s mine,” he said.
Mine.
The word wrapped around her like chains.
The red eyes multiplied rapidly . Five pairs now.
Council.
Even without understanding the hierarchy, she quietly felt the authority radiating from them.
“She belongs to the Council,” the voice repeated. “Her bloodline predates your clan.”
Lucien’s hand slid back slightly — brushing against her fingers.
A silent command.
Stay behind me.
Alina swallowed.
“I don’t belong to anyone,” she whispered.
But no one was listening.
The first vampire lunged.
Alina never saw him move.
One second shadows.
Next second — chaos.
Lucien caught the attacker mid-air, slamming him into a marble column so hard it cracked.
Stone shattered.
Dust filled the chapel.
The others moved.
Too fast.
Too lethal.
Alina screamed.
Lucien tore through them like controlled violence. Every movement precise. Brutal. Beautiful in a horrifying way.
Blood splattered across the chapel floor.
And yet, they tried Thier best.
They weren’t trying to kill him.
They hardly tried to touch him.
They were trying to reach her.
One broke past Lucien.
A cold hand wrapped around her throat.
“Your blood will awaken the throne—”
The vampire’s head snapped sideways with a sickening c***k.
Lucien stood behind him.
Eyes blazing.
Fangs fully extended.
“You touch her again,” he growled with a loud voice, voice layered with something inhuman, “and I will end your entire bloodline.”
The threat wasn’t dramatic.
It was factual.
The remaining vampires stepped back.
The tallest one — clearly their leader — studied Lucien carefully.
“You would start a war for a human girl?”
Lucien didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Silence. A deafening silence.
The Council member’s gaze shifted to Alina.
She saw calculation there.
Fear.
And something worse.
Recognition.
“This isn’t over,” he said.
And they vanished.
Just like that.
The chapel was silent again as a graveyard.
Broken marble.
Blood on the floor.
Lucien breathing so steadily.
Alina shaking uncontrollably.
He turned toward her slowly.
“You’re bleeding,” he said quietly.
As if he was steadily quiet.
She looked down.
A thin cut along her wrist.
When had that happened?
His eyes darkened instantly.
Crimson.
Hungry.
Her pulse thundered.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
“You need to control yourself,” she whispered.
He exhaled sharply.
“As do you.”
Her brows furrowed.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
His jaw tightened.
“They know what you are.”
Her heart skipped.
“I’m human.”
His gaze held hers.
“No.”
The word landed like a bullet straight to the heart .
He brought her to his penthouse.
He did that intentionally.
Not asking.
Not offering.
Telling.
The elevator ride was silent.
She felt small beside him, like a match stick beside a tree.
Not physically.
Power-wise.
The doors opened to a skyline view dripping in luxury.
Glass walls.
Black marble floors.
A city that looked like it belonged to him.
He poured himself a drink.
Didn’t offer her one at all.
“You’re not safe alone,” he said.
“From what?”
“From your own blood.”
Her patience snapped.
“Stop speaking in riddles! I deserve answers!”
His eyes flicked toward her.
For a second, something softened.
Then hardened again.
“You are the last descendant of the Crimson Queen.”
She stared blankly.
“I don’t know what that means.”
“It means,” he said carefully, “your blood can either control vampires… or destroy them.”
The room felt smaller.
“That’s impossible.”
“Your mother knew.”
Her knees nearly gave out.
“Don’t talk about my mother.”
“She wasn’t entirely human.”
The echoed silence that followed was deafening.
“You’re lying.”
“I don’t lie about power.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Everything she thought she was in actual fact— cracked.
“Why me?” she whispered.
Lucien walked closer.
His presence overwhelming.
“Because fate is cruel.”
“And what does fate want?”
He studied her for a long moment.
Then:
“To bind you to me.”
Her breath hitched.
“What does that mean?”
His voice lowered.
“It means the Council will either kill you… or force you into marriage with one of them to control your bloodline.”
Her stomach twisted.
Marriage?
“To a monster?”
His expression darkened.
“They are worse than me.”
The way he said it chilled her.
“Then what are you?” she asked.
He stepped closer.
So close she could feel the coolness of his skin.
“I am offering you protection.”
“At what cost?”
Silence.
Then immediately he said —
“Marry me.”
Her heart stopped.
“No.”
“It won’t be real,” he said smoothly. “A contract. Legal. Political. You’ll live here. You’ll be safe. The Council cannot touch the Alpha’s wife.”
“And what do you get?” she demanded.
His jaw flexed.
“Control.”
Of course.
She laughed bitterly.
“You want to own me.”
His hand shot out, gripping her chin gently but firmly.
“Careful nowl.”
Her breath trembled.
“I don’t belong to you.”
His eyes flashed.
“Not yet.”
The tension between them burned.
“You’re insane if you think I’ll agree.”
He released her slowly.
“Then I cannot guarantee your father’s safety.”
Her blood went cold.
“You wouldn’t.”
His silence was answer enough.
She stepped back like he’d struck her.
“You said you were protecting me.”
“I am.”
“That’s blackmail.”
“That’s strategy.”
Hot tears streamed down her face as to say why me .
“You’re cruel.”
Something flickered across his expression.
Pain?
Regret?
Gone in an instant.
Almost in a flash.
“Sign the contract,” he said quietly. “Or they will make the choice for you.”
She looked at him.
At the man who fought an entire Council for her.
At the monster who just threatened her father.
At the Alpha who claimed she was his.
And she realized something terrifying.
He wasn’t asking.
He was giving her the illusion of choice.
The city lights shimmered behind him.
Cold.
Beautiful.
Untouchable.
“Fine,” she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
“Say it properly.”
She hated him in that moment.
“I’ll marry you.”
Something changed in the air.
Like a pact had just been sealed.
Lucien stepped closer.
Close enough that his forehead nearly touched hers.
“You have no idea,” he murmured, “what you just agreed to.
All in a major bid to put fear in him.
A knock sounded at the penthouse door.
Lucien stiffened.
No one came unannounced.
He moved instantly, opening it.
Rafael stood there.
Blood on his shirt.
“Alpha,” he said urgently.
“They’ve moved.”
Lucien’s expression turned lethal.
“Who?”
“The Council.”
Alina’s heart pounded.
“What now?” she whispered.
Rafael looked at her.
Then back at Lucien.
“They know about the pregnancy.”
Silence.
Complete.
Total.
Lucien turned slowly.
Eyes glowing.
“What did you say?”
Alina’s world tilted.
Pregnancy?
She hadn’t even—
“That’s impossible,” she breathed.
With so much exhale,
Without a doubt she was shocked
Maybe even devastated
Rafael swallowed.
“They’ve seen the prophecy.”
Lucien’s jaw tightened.
“She’s not even—”
He stopped.
His gaze dropped to her stomach.
The air between them shifted.
Possessive.
Territorial.
Terrifying.
Alina’s hand moved instinctively to her abdomen.
“What prophecy?” she whispered.
Lucien didn’t answer.
He stayed glued on the floor
Instead, he stepped in front of her again.
Protective.
Feral.
The windows behind them exploded inward.
Glass raining down like lethal diamonds.
Figures stepped through the smoke.
Council assassins.
One smiled.
“Congratulations,” he said softly.
“The heir of darkness has been conceived.”
Alina’s breath shattered.
Lucien’s voice dropped into something ancient.
“They will not take what is mine.”
And the war began.
Immediately
- Writer
