Elira gasped.
The moment Lucien's fingers closed around hers, a surge of magic burst between them, like lightning streaking through her veins. It wasn't pain. It was worse—desire so intense it stole her breath and bent reality around it. Her knees buckled, but he caught her, pulling her against his chest.
"Breathe," Lucien whispered, his voice trembling despite his iron control.
She clutched his coat, heart hammering wildly. "What was that?"
"The bond," he said, eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. "It's awakened."
She stared up at him, dazed. "You mean the... Alpha-Omega bond? That's real?"
His lips twitched—not quite a smile. "More real than the world you know."
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Time itself seemed suspended, caught in the electric pull between them. Lucien's thumb brushed the skin above her mark, and she gasped again—the touch was fire, thunder, gravity.
"You're not human," she whispered.
"No," he said simply. "I'm not."
"Then what are you?"
Lucien's eyes darkened, and a cold wind swept through the garden. "A vampire. The last true Alpha of the Night Court."
Her breath hitched.
Every instinct in her told her to run—but something deeper, something ancient, said stay.
"And me?" she asked, voice barely audible.
"You're Omega," he said. "The last one. And now... mine."
She should have been afraid. She should have pushed him away.
Instead, she whispered, "What does that mean?"
Lucien stepped back just enough to look into her eyes. "It means you're bound to me now. Body, soul, and magic."
"No," she said, shaking her head. "That's not possible. I didn't choose this."
"No one chooses fate," he said quietly. "But fate always claims what belongs to it."
The words struck her like a blow. She pulled her hand away. "I didn't ask for this. I don't want to be part of some... ancient vampire curse."
"It's not a curse," Lucien said. "It's a gift. And a danger."
She stared at him. "Why me?"
He looked away, jaw tightening. "Because your blood woke the magic. And because the prophecy said the final Omega would be born under a red moon… and would either save the Night Court or destroy it."
Elira took a step back. "Prophecy? This is insane."
Lucien didn't follow her. "You've felt it your whole life. Haven't you? The mark burning. The sense that you didn't belong in this world."
Her fingers brushed her wrist unconsciously. "How do I break it?"
"You don't," he said, eyes locking onto hers. "Unless you die. Or I do."
A chill settled over them. Somewhere in the distance, wolves howled.
Suddenly, Elira felt it—a cold presence watching from beyond the garden wall. She turned sharply, her skin crawling.
"We're not alone," she whispered.
Lucien was already moving.
In a blur, he was in front of her, shielding her with his body. Shadows moved beyond the rose bushes. Figures cloaked in black emerged, eyes glowing crimson.
"Coven guards," Lucien hissed. "They must have tracked the bond."
The tallest figure stepped forward. "Lucien Valtoris," the vampire spat. "You've broken the Accord."
Lucien's fangs bared. "I've done nothing unlawful."
"You've claimed an Omega."
"I touched her. That's all."
"She is awakened. The Council will not allow this. You know the law."
Elira's heart pounded. "What are they talking about?"
Lucien didn't take his eyes off the guard. "The Night Court fears Omegas. Because a true bond unleashes power even the Council can't control."
"Then you know what must be done," the guard growled.
Elira flinched as the others drew their blades—silver glinting with deadly intent.
Lucien's eyes blazed. "You'll lay one finger on her… over my ashes."
The magic in the air snapped like a whip. Elira could feel it pulsing from him, dark and overwhelming. She should have been afraid.
But instead... she felt safe.
Lucien stepped forward, every inch the Alpha. "Leave. Now."
"You would start a war over her?"
His voice was ice. "I would end one."
The guards hesitated—uncertain. Lucien's magic coiled around him like a living storm. Then, with a hiss of cloaks, they vanished into the night.
Only silence remained.
Lucien turned to her, his face unreadable. "You need to come with me."
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe. You're marked now. The bond has made you visible to every vampire in the city. They'll hunt you. Not for your blood—"
"But for what I am." Her voice trembled. "Omega."
He nodded. "And mine."
She stared at him, every thought clashing like thunder in her mind. "I don't know you."
"You will," he said softly. "Or we'll both die."
Before she could speak, he swept her into his arms.
Elira gasped, clutching his chest as he leapt—soaring into the night sky like a dark-winged god, the city blurring below.
Above them, the blood moon watched. And in its crimson light, destiny had begun its cruel descent.