Selene stood tall at the head of the table, her cool, regal gaze sweeping over the clan. The weight of their discontent had been growing for weeks, a simmering resentment veiled beneath the surface of their submissive nods and reverent bows. Tonight, it had become almost unbearable.
"I have an announcement," she said, her voice steady yet sharp, slicing through the murmur of the room. Victor sat beside her, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the rising tide of tension. She felt his silent support, but also the hostile energy directed at him—mutants, outsiders, walking in the daylight as if they were untouchable. Her people resented that deeply, but they dared not openly challenge their queen. Not yet.
"The night of the new moon, three weeks from now," she began, eyes narrowing in warning as a ripple of unease passed through the clan, "there will be a bonding ceremony."
The murmurs turned into whispers of disapproval, growing louder, less restrained. It was Sawyer, the most outspoken of the lot, who finally rose to his feet, voice dripping with both concern and challenge.
"My Queen… do you truly believe this is in the best interest of our clan?" he asked. "To bond with a civilian—a mutant, no less? What will the rival clans think? They will see us as weak. You have passed over all of your dedicated soldiers, all who share your blood. Do you plan to sire Dhampir children? Do they deserve your throne?"
Selene felt the sting of his words, not because they held any truth, but because they echoed what she knew others were too afraid to say aloud. The tension within her people was palpable, growing daily, and now it threatened to explode.
Her hand instinctively went to her abdomen, her expression darkening as the room fell silent. "I am already carrying my child by Victor," she declared, her voice hard and unyielding. "Dhampir or not, this child is your future King. This child will be your superior, your heir."
A heavy silence descended, and not one face in the room showed relief or acceptance. Instead, there was only unease, thinly veiled beneath lowered gazes and reluctant deference.
Selene's rage ignited, flaring hotter and fiercer than she'd anticipated. "Does anyone take issue with that?" Her voice boomed, shaking the very walls of the grand hall. "Speak now, and I will set you ablaze in the noon sun! Or will you all bow before your Queen as you swore to do?"
The room went deathly still. One by one, her people dropped their eyes in submission, muttering the words she had drilled into their very souls: "What is dead may never die."
But the words rang hollow in her ears.
Still fuming, she stormed from the room, leaving Victor behind to deal with the lingering tension. She needed space, somewhere to think, to cool her boiling anger before it consumed her.
In the private heat of her sauna, the steam rising like smoke from a fire barely contained, Selene allowed her mind to drift to the future—her child, her throne, and the mounting struggles ahead. Could she truly keep the peace? Could she unite her people under the banner of a new era, a new bloodline? Or would this clan tear itself apart before her child even had a chance to take its first breath?
"I don't care that you have the queen under some hex, if you so much as look at her the wrong way-" Sawyer began, his words cutting off as Victor yawned loudly.
"So much complaining. This guy I know, we have the same name and he's a king. His people would be killed for even thinking of disobeying their ruler's words…"
Victor bared his teeth, his eyes glowing with excitement. "Since you were all too pussy to say it when Selene was around, go ahead and confess your disapproval. I'll take your words into consideration."
Sawyer hissed, stepping up onto the table and glaring down on Victor. "A mere mutant doesn't lead the clan. This coven is centuries of years old, stronger than anything your mortal mind could comprehend. Don't you dare… Stop besmirching the queen!" He finally yelled.
Victor just looked at him, shrugging after a bit and looking toward the rest. "Any other thoughts? I'll be king eventually so I'd rather we start getting along now. Joining a kingdom and starting a slaughter doesn't seem like the best approach to this, you know?"
So, for the rest of the day and night, Victor took the vampire's complaints, insults, and downright hatred for him. He didn't really care that much, they were just weaklings throwing a tantrum because he was fucking their crush.
If any of them could do something about it they would have. He finally returned to the room, undressing and joining Selene in the sauna.
Selene barely glanced up as Victor entered the sauna, the air still thick with the tension left behind from the coven's outbursts. Her eyes flickered with amusement, and a sly smile curved her lips.
"They're lucky I wasn't there to hear it myself," she murmured, her voice smooth and low. "Sawyer's bravado would've crumbled even faster. They forget their place so easily, don't they?"
She let out a soft, mocking laugh, shifting slightly to make room for him. The heat had already done wonders to soothe her muscles, but there was something about the chaos Victor stirred that exhilarated her in ways the sauna never could.
"They talk of strength, of centuries, but what does that mean when all they've done with it is cower behind titles and tradition?" Selene's gaze locked onto Victor's as she spoke, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "I could snap their fragile egos in half with a mere thought if I wanted. Yet here they are, challenging the very force that has kept them alive all this time."
Her fingers traced the edge of the wooden bench beside her, deliberate and slow, as though considering the weight of the conversation. "And you," she added, with a slight tilt of her head, "you enjoyed it, didn't you? Riling them up like that."
Her smile widened, predatory and pleased. "Let them hate you. Let them seethe. It only strengthens our hold. Fear is a far better motivator than respect." She leaned back against the wall, her dark hair sticking to her skin from the heat. "As a Queen, I have no need for their approval. I have what I want. The rest of them are just noise."
She closed her eyes for a moment, basking in the heat, then opened them to gaze at Victor. "So, what now, my king-in-waiting? Shall we give them something more to fear? Or mercy?"
She rested her head against his shoulder, curling up like an obedient puppy. "Are you still happy? About the baby?"
Victor chuckled, leaning against the wall next to Selene as he enjoyed the sauna. "It's funny seeing people who don't know what I'm capable of… I say fear." Victor said softly, draping his arm over Selene's shoulder.
"I'll make sure they fear me, no. They'll fear us. So much so they couldn't dare try anything against us. Now we just need an example…"
He sat in thought, his hand absentmindedly groping Selene's tits as he did so. "Are there any vampire games? Preferably bloody? Gotta be something for me to do right?"
As he asked this he slid her into his lap, leaning her head back against him and listening out. That Sawyer was damn annoying, and Victor wanted the little simp to suffer.
Selene's smirk grew as she leaned into Victor's touch, not resisting the pull as he slid her into his lap. "You want blood games? I can offer you much more than that, Victor." Her voice was sultry, but there was a warning in her tone as her eyes locked with his. "You know there's only one way they'll respect you."
His queen ran a gentle hand over her stomach, already feeling her seed beginning to grow. There wouldn't be a repeat of last time.
"Becoming a vampire, though... it would change everything. You'd feel power like you've never imagined, but it's not without cost."
Her fingers trailed lazily along his arm, drawing patterns as she spoke. "You'd lose more than just your humanity—everything you've known will shift. The bloodlust, the eternity… they're intoxicating, but they'll take over in ways you can't control." She turned slightly, facing him more directly. "Even your precious rage, the thing that drives you—would change. You'd have to be sure it's what you want."
Selene smiled darkly, fangs gleaming. "But I wouldn't oppose it. In fact, I think you'd thrive. Together, we could make them fear us more than they ever thought possible."
She leaned closer, lips near his ear. "As for Sawyer? Don't let him get to you. He wouldn't be a good vampire if he didn't try to seize power for himself, seize me. It's natural. He's a product of his nature. As we all are."
Victor kissed Selene's neck as she talked. Did he want that? To become a vampire, have things change for him? He'd said yes but… How could he be sure?
"If all I need to do is become a vampire, then so be it," He said softly, grinding Selene along his leg, his dick raging as she continued to speak to him.
"If he tries anything with you he'll die Selene," He practically growled, his eyes turning to slits. "Whether by your hand or mine, he'll die if he continues on with that perverted worship he smells like every time he's around."
Selene felt the tension in Victor's words as he spoke, his body pressing her firmly against him. His possessiveness was nothing new, but this time, it seemed sharper, more dangerous.
Her lips curled into a soft smile, but her eyes remained serious. "You think turning will solve everything? That the hunger, the rage, the need won't consume you?" She let her fingers trace lightly over his jawline, her touch gentle despite the storm brewing between them.
"You don't understand what you're asking for, Victor." Her voice softened, a mixture of warning and affection. "And as for him…" She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I can handle him. He's obsessed, yes, but it's a game to him—he won't survive it. Not if he crosses me."
Her hand slid up the back of his neck, pulling him closer as her lips hovered near his ear. "But we might have a solution to that." The vampire purred, biting gently at his chin, her breasts rubbing against his glistening body. "Sawyer demands a bride. He made it abundantly clear if he can't have me, he wants the next best thing. I'm not sure it's a good idea but it might work…" her claws smoothed his hair down, and she took a small pause. "You know what I'm referring to right?"
Victor grimaced, closing his eyes as he enjoyed Selene's teasing touches. "Yeah… Birdy right?" He asked, sighing.
He still hadn't talked much with his old partner, keeping her at a distance as he didn't know what to say. How to really say sorry. Selene was easier, because he knew absolutely everything he'd done to hurt her.
But he and Birdy had been together for years, he didn't remember every messed up thing he did to hurt her.
"If… If he really wants to have a bride then I suppose it's good… But let her decide, she deserves a little freedom."
Victor shook his thoughts away, kissing Selene deeply and adjusting her by the hips to grind her against his dick. "Now… I believe we have more important matters to get too?"
Selene chuckled softly, the sound low and dangerous against Victor's lips as he kissed her. She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her fingers still tracing along his neck.
"Birdy," she repeated, her voice firm but teasing. "She's not someone you can keep at arm's length forever, Victor. If you want things to be right, you're going to have to face her. Apologies are the easy part." Her thumb brushed his lower lip. "You owe her more than that, and you know it."
Selene's gaze softened slightly, though the intensity never fully left her expression. "And as for him… he can chase his fantasies all he wants, but I'll be the one to decide who gets to stand by me." Her voice dropped, taking on a more intimate tone. "But you'll be the one to tell Birdy. No more running from her, Victor. It's time to fix what's broken."
She let the words hang in the air for a moment before a playful smirk crossed her lips. "Now," she whispered, leaning in close to him again, her breath warm against his ear. "If you're done with all the worrying, then by all means…" Her lips brushed his, just barely, teasing. "Let's focus on those more important matters, shall we?"
Selene slunk low to the ground, her warm lips wrapping around his already throbbing cock. With the baby growing deep inside her, her lust only seemed to grow, if that was even possible.
The next day Victor sat outside of Birdy's room, knocking on the door and waiting for a response. Usually, Laura stayed with Birdy, she was becoming more used to the estate, though she had fought a random vampire one day.
"Victor?" Birdy asked, looking up at him before turning away. "Hi…" she said, looking down.
"Uhh, I'm sorry I didn't write before I-" Victor stopped Birdy, smiling and giving his old friend a hug.
"May I come in?" He asked politely, cringing still from the "Manners" lessons Selene had decided he needed before the ceremony. This wasn't going to be pleasant…
The wind howled through the barren streets of the town below as Selene stood at the gates of her father's estate. It was hers now, and with her rule came the shadow of fear that blanketed the same townspeople who once cast her family into the flames. They had no Grail to call, no higher power to seek refuge from her wrath. She was the Grail. And much like the fabled Dracula of legend, she made them an offer—one they could not refuse. Submit or die.
Their answer was swift, driven by terror. In exchange for their miserable lives, they would send the vilest members of their prisons—murderers, abusers, the lowest of their kind—to her estate. These men would serve as prey, chased down and consumed by her vampire flock. It was a cruel, yet fitting justice. She would prove she had more mercy than the humans who dared cast stones.
The arrangement had been held for months. But today was different. As the latest group of prisoners was dragged before her, one in particular caught her eye: an elderly African woman, frail but with an unmistakable air of quiet strength.
Selene raised a hand, halting the guards as she stepped forward. "Her charge?" she asked, her voice cold but curious.
"She poisoned her husband," one of the guards answered.
Selene's sharp gaze flicked over the woman. Small, weathered by time, yet there was a glint in her eye that stirred something deep within Selene. She felt a strange pull to this woman.
"You," Selene spoke softly but with a commanding edge. "Are you prepared to meet your God?"
The woman, Magritte, looked up, her dark eyes locking with Selene's. There was no fear in them, only a knowing, as if she had long since accepted her fate. But then her lips parted, and the words that came next chilled Selene to her core.
"I sense it," Magritte murmured, her voice low yet carrying weight. "The dark power growing within your womb."
Selene froze. Her heart thudded in her chest as a wave of dread washed over her. She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing in suspicion and fear. "What do you mean?" she demanded, though her voice wavered slightly. "What dark power?"
Magritte's gaze never faltered. "Great tragedy will come of it," she warned. "A darkness that will consume everything, starting with you."
Selene's breath caught. She clenched her fists, her rage flaring. "Elaborate," she growled. "Tell me more or I'll rip the answer from your throat."
But Magritte only shook her head. "I will tell you nothing unless you spare me."
Selene's fury swelled. A mere human—*daring* to bargain with her. It was unthinkable. Yet something held her back. She had to know more. Against her better judgment, she waved her hand toward the guards.
"Remove her from the chain gang," she ordered. "Take her to my office. We'll talk."
As the guards complied, Magritte smiled faintly, the look of someone who had seen far too much in life to fear what came next.
Selene watched her go, her mind racing. This woman knew something—something dangerous, something about the growing force inside her. She needed answers, and for now, that meant keeping Magritte alive.
But for how long, Selene couldn't say.
Smack.
Birdy's hand snapped against Victor's jaw, breaking as she tried to slap him. She ignored the pain, glaring up at him. "Seriously? You came here to tell me to marry that prick?" She said, disgusted by the mere thought.
"That's not all, I also-"
"Not only that, but for weeks all I've done is take care of that kid and listen to you and Selene fuck like it's the end of the world, and this is what makes you finally come talk to me!?"
Tears brimmed in Birdy's eyes, shoving past Victor and opening the door. "Get out," She hissed, eyes red as Victor just looked on awkwardly.
"Just think about it, Selene seems to think it'll work, and no one can hurt you ever again… I'm sorry Birdy," Victor said, obligingly leaving Birdy's room.
She leaned against the door. She'd waited a year and a half for him. Selene had cursed his name, locked him up and tried to kill him, yet she got all the love when he came back?
It wasn't fair… Then again, it wasn't like Victor knew the reason he had been locked up. He didn't even have a way to know Selene controlled the grail now.
How would he react when he learned his "love" had been the reason for his captivity. As well as the experiments on Laura.
Her heart burned with fury. She knew she shouldn't, but she wasn't thinking logically.
"Wait Victor!" She called out, opening the door and seeing he wasn't even that far.
"I… I have something to tell you."
Magritte grinned, her eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. "I don't need much. Just a little blood from you. A taste every now and then, to keep me young and strong. The more powerful I am, the more I can help you."
Selene hesitated, her mind racing. She wanted to refuse, to break free of whatever hold Magritte had over her, but deep down, she knew she was out of options. If what the witch said was true… she couldn't do this alone.
Slowly, Selene raised her wrist, baring her pale skin. Without a word, she scratched it open with a sharp nail, crimson blood welling up from the wound. "Open your mouth," she ordered, her voice cold and commanding, masking her internal turmoil.
Magritte's lips parted, and as the first drop of blood touched her tongue, she muttered a strange, dark prayer in Creole, the words incomprehensible but filled with a sinister power. As Selene watched, the old woman's features transformed. Her wrinkled skin smoothed out, her hair darkened, and her hunched posture straightened. Within moments, Magritte stood before her, young and beautiful once more.
Selene stared, a chill creeping down her spine. She felt as though she had just made a deal with the devil himself. But as much as she wanted to turn away, she knew she had no other choice. Not if she was to survive what was coming.
For now, Magritte had won. But Selene vowed that she would never allow herself to be at this woman's mercy again.
"Tell me what needs to be done, Magritte. "
Laura hopped onto a ledge, pulling herself up and standing, looking to where Victor sat and watched the sunrise. "Dad?" Laura asked, reaching out as Victor kept staring straight, his emotions warring inside of him. "I guess I was worse than I thought…" Victor said, his claws slicing into his wrist, the wounds healing nigh-instantaneously. "I was so bad she locked me up and tortured me for a year…" He said quietly, sighing as he decided the peace was over. It was time for them to talk about the real things, Birdy's death and rebirth, the facility, and him killing the fetus. If he was going to commit to Selene he needed one more argument to lay it all out and get over things. "Laura, stay with Birdy today, don't want anyone butting in." He said, cracking his knuckles before hopping off the roof, catching a ledge and smoothly sliding into Selene's chambers…
Selene lay sprawled on the bed, her bare skin chilled by the open air, though the pain burning through her was all she could focus on. Magritte hovered over her, murmuring prayers as she carefully placed the white stones on Selene's stomach in a perfect circle. The stones began to glow, a soft light at first, but it quickly turned into a sickening black, as if the darkness within Selene was devouring them whole.
A sharp cry escaped her lips before she could stifle it. The pain was unbearable. Magritte glanced at the stones, her voice soft but laced with intrigue. "Ah… the beast who stole the heart of a queen, no doubt," she muttered, placing new stones down, continuing the process as if it were routine.
"Shut up and do your job," Selene hissed, her body trembling as another wave of pain coursed through her. Just then, a sharp sound made her tense further—Victor. He had entered through the window, his presence looming like a shadow in the room.
Selene's breath steadied, though her voice was still tight. "What do you need?" she asked, her gaze meeting his, eyes flickering between weariness and cold annoyance
.
Victor stared at the scene, not even bothering to look at the ancient smelling woman. He'd probably ask later, for now.
"Is it true Selene…" He asked, growling lowly as he pushed the witch away, looking down on the love of his life. He was angry, but more than that. He was hurt.
"Were you the one who had me captured and experimented on for a year?"
Selene's chest rose and fell unevenly as she felt Victor's piercing gaze on her, the weight of his presence making her already tense muscles tighten further. She hesitated, her lips parting but no words escaping at first. The stones, the ritual, none of it mattered in this moment. "Magritte," she whispered, the strength in her voice barely holding. "Leave us." The ancient woman glanced up, her thin lips curling in some silent protest, but a quick flash from Selene's eyes silenced her. Magritte gathered her stones and left with a huff, her form vanishing as the room's air thickened with the tension between the two.
Victor's growl rumbled through the space as he forcefully pushed the witch away, his focus entirely on Selene. His words struck like a blow, each syllable dripping with hurt and betrayal. Selene flinched, her composure cracking for a moment as she met his gaze. She pushed herself up on her elbows, wincing as the pain from the stones lingered in her body. Her eyes narrowed, a hint of defiance returning as she tried to steady her voice.
"My little Birdy has sung, huh? Disappointing. Even now she tries to sway you," she said defensively, her voice low but sharp. " I won't lie to you. Yes. But we aren't the same people we were back then."
"Do you even know what they did to me over there Selene?" Victor asked, his voice steely. "What they did to Laura?"
He growled, climbing atop Selene and pinning her down. "Do you know how helpless I felt when I was there? Imagining you showing up and us picking up right where we left off…"
Victor sighed, seeing Selene stare back up at him. "But you're right, we're different people. Don't punish Birdy for telling me and I'll just forgive and forget… Though I think you owe Laura something for her birthday, it's this Saturday and she's turning 13, make sure to get her something nice okay?" He asked, changing the subject so he could not be so angry about it.
But it was still there, the weeks he'd spent strapped to a wall, the times his body didn't have limbs, the time they had just kept his head to prove he'd survive even that.
He hoped Selene would drop it while he was still rational, he didn't want to say something he'd regret. "I love you," He said, just in case she continued the argument. At least the phrase would numb anything he said from then on.
Selene's eyes hardened as she felt Victor's weight pressing her down. She listened to his words, but instead of sympathy, she felt a cold detachment settling in.
She waited until he finished, then responded with a cruel edge to her voice, "At the time I did not care what they did to you, Victor. Or to Laura. I hoped for your suffering. Now, I love you, I will never do such a thing again. But her? She's nothing but a distraction, a weakness you can't afford."
"You think I should get her something nice for her birthday? She's just another liability. Like Logan showing up, dragging us into his mess. The more attachments we have, the weaker we become."
She met his gaze with icy determination. "If Laura lives or dies, it doesn't matter to me. I won't be burdened by your past or your little sister. Focus on what's important, Victor." She brought his hand to her warm stomach. "Or you'll lose everything."
Her words hung in the air like a blade, cutting through the remnants of his anger with a harsh finality.
"All that matters to me is our family. She's Logan's whelp, not yours. The only reason you care for her is your shared trauma in the facility, and you use her to hurt Logan…." She hesitated before the next part, but she still finished. "My last child was yours, or his. Who knows. And it makes you sick. So you make him suffer. Tell me, who's the monster now?"
Victor snarled, his hands coming to Selene's throat and squeezing tightly, seeing red for a fraction of a second before he calmed down.
"I…" He said, his words trailing off as he looked down on her.
Was that what he was doing? Was he only keeping the kid around to hurt Logan even more, did he still think the baby he'd killed had been Logan's…
"I guess you're right… Laura should meet her real family and…"
Victor had been planning to end the argument with sex, or at least get to finish the argument, but he didn't feel like it anymore.
He climbed off Selene, leaving without saying a word, his heart aching as he dreaded what he'd have to do.
He was a mutant, but he'd be a vampire soon. Laura was a mutant as well, but she wouldn't become a vampire. Her stay here needed to be cut short. He couldn't leave Selene pregnant with his kid just to take care of another one…
"Hey kid…" Victor said, almost choking up as he looked at the girl he'd raised, her eyes full of tears, like she sensed what was coming. Everything she owned was stuffed into her pack, she was already ready to leave.
"I… I love you," Laura said as Victor stood shocked, his heart aching even more.
"You promised… You promised you'd come with me if I had to leave…" Laura choked up, a few feet away from Victor as she clenched her backpack straps.
"You're breaking your promise… Aren't you?"
Victor didn't say anything, he didn't need to. He'd taught Laura what to look for in different scents, and as his changed, she walked off. Within minutes she was far from the estate, sniffling and crying as she walked away, the only person she'd ever let into her heart still sitting in the room she'd been in…
"Liar…"
The mansion had become a prison of venomous tension for Selene. It clung to her like a suffocating fog, choking out any trace of peace. Every corner, every hallway, carried the weight of unspoken resentments and growing distrust. Birdy's eyes blazed with fury whenever they landed on her or Victor, as though their very presence was a curse. She had her own reasons, Selene knew—Victor's spiral into depression after Laura's disappearance had left him a hollow shell, barely able to maintain his authority. His sorrow ate at Selene, stirring a fury within her that was as irrational as it was consuming.
The vampires in the clan weren't any better. They watched her with thinly veiled contempt, their whispers growing more venomous with each passing day. Sawyer, in particular, had taken it upon himself to fan the flames of discontent, spreading rumors, poisoning the clan's perception of their pregnant leader. The whispers—about her losing control, about her inability to lead—festered in the back of Selene's mind, feeding her growing paranoia.
It was only Magritte who remained by her side, though Selene knew better than to call her a true friend. Magritte was a business partner at best, one whose loyalty was tied to necessity, not affection. But still, in a house that had turned against her, even that thread of companionship was a lifeline.
Selene's body was no longer her own, not since the pregnancy had taken root. Her hormones flared and burned through her veins, turning her into a creature ruled by irrational rage and fleeting emotions. One moment, she was cold and cruel, lashing out at those around her with biting words; the next, she was overcome with sadness, retreating into herself with a trembling vulnerability.
It all came to a head during the community dinner, the one night where the clan was expected to gather together in a semblance of unity. As usual, the air was thick with barely concealed animosity. Sawyer, seated across the table, watched Selene with that smug smirk of his, the one she had come to loathe.
"You should eat more," Sawyer remarked casually, though his eyes sparkled with malice. "That Dhampir in your belly needs to grow, doesn't it?"
His words were the spark that set her ablaze. Selene's fork clattered against her plate, her eyes narrowing as the rage erupted from her.
"How dare you," she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. "You think you can speak to me like that? You, who has done nothing but poison this clan, turning them against me at every opportunity. You snake. You speak of growth when all you've done is rot from the inside out!"
Sawyer raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin unrelenting. "Easy now, Selene, no need to—"
"Shut your mouth!" Selene's voice cut through the room like a whip. "You should've been gone long ago. I don't need your twisted humor or your pathetic attempts to undermine me."
The tension in the room shifted, and before anyone could intervene, her eyes darted to Birdy, whose stoic mask was cracking. "And you," Selene spat. "You're so blinded by your obsession with Victor that you can't even think straight. Are you lovesick for him, Birdy? Is that why you glare at me every day? Because you can't stand the sight of us together?"
Birdy's lips parted, but she didn't have time to respond before Selene turned on Victor. Her voice was venomous now, dripping with years of unspoken frustration.
"And you!" she cried, eyes blazing as she stared down her king. "Look at you. You're a shell. Weak. Pathetic. A slave to your guilt. You brood over Laura, but what about us? What about this clan? What about your future? You call yourself a king, but kings don't wallow in self-pity. Kings lead. Kings protect. Are you even fit to wear the crown anymore?"
The room fell deathly silent. Victor's eyes, once filled with sorrow, now reflected a deep, simmering rage. But before he could respond, a sharp, searing pain tore through Selene's body, forcing her to gasp and clutch her stomach. The heat of her anger was replaced with something far more urgent, far more terrifying.
Magritte was at her side in an instant, her presence surprisingly gentle. "Easy, easy," she whispered, helping Selene sit down. "Don't let them get to you. Not now."
Magritte's voice was calm, soothing, as she addressed Birdy without even looking up. "Give her The Glow. Now."
Birdy hesitated, her anger still simmering just beneath the surface, but she complied. As she moved to administer The Glow, the other vampires exchanged glances, their disapproval palpable. But no one spoke. No one dared.
Selene's breaths came in shallow gasps as the pain began to subside, the cool relief of The Glow easing the tension in her body. But the rage, the betrayal, the isolation—those things would not be so easily soothed.
Victor grunted, grabbing Selene by the scruff of her neck and practically dragging her to her chambers.
"What was that all about love?" He asked, his voice monotone but still trying his best to hide how he felt with Laura gone now. He laid Selene down on the bed, lying next to her closely.
At the very least, her words had woken him up a bit. Laura would always be family, but this family needed a strong leader… Even if he wasn't exactly in the right mindset to do so.
"So? Tell me what's wrong."
Selene's body trembled with fury as she lay there, still seething from the humiliation. She glared at Victor, her fangs bared in a snarl, not ready to submit to the vulnerability he wanted from her.
"What's wrong?" she spat, her voice low but sharp as a dagger. "You dragged me in front of them like some helpless child, Victor. Do you think they'll respect me now? After you put me in my place like that?" Her eyes burned with resentment. "I am not some weakling you can throw around whenever you feel like it."
Her fists clenched at her sides as she tried to reign in her rage. "Laura's gone, and you're losing control. And now, thanks to you, they see me as nothing but an extension of your failures, Victor, but I'll never forget the way you made me look today."
Victor snarled, pinning Selene to the mattress so she didn't move. "You need to calm down and relax. No one thinks you're a failure Selene…" He leaned down, leaving a light kiss on her lips. "You're just frustrated and your hormones are driving you crazy, close your eyes and let me take care of you for a bit." He trailed soft kisses across her face, kissing down to her neck as he massaged her shoulders. "Everyone knows you're in charge Selene, relax and stop worrying for a bit…"
Selene's eyes darkened with anger as Victor pinned her down, his words doing nothing to quell the storm inside her. His kiss felt hollow, a distraction from the humiliation still burning in her chest. She yanked her head away from him, her voice cold and biting.
"Don't patronize me, Victor," she hissed, her fangs flashing again. "This isn't about my 'hormones,' and you know it. You think a few kisses are going to make me forget how you undermined me in front of everyone?" She shoved against him, her muscles tensing beneath his touch.
"I don't need you to take care of me. I need you to respect me, to stop treating me like some fragile thing that needs coddling." Her voice trembled with barely-contained fury. "If you can't see that, then maybe you've forgotten who you're lying next to."
Her tone switched suddenly, far more loving and kind, as if she was split between two psyches. "You understand don't you, my darling? I need to turn you. If I don't turn you, Sawyer and the rest will tear everything I've built apart. But if I turn you…." She pressed her lips against him, sucking his lips greedily, flush with love. "I need to know you can do what I need you to do and not ruin anything."
Victor nodded slowly. "Then do it. We don't need to wait for a ceremony. If you're that worried about them betraying you because I'm not a vampire, then go ahead and turn me Selene."
Victor kissed her again, rolling them over so she was on top. "And I only treat you like you're fragile because I'm worried you're too stressed," He defended, hands resting on Selene's ass.
"I'll do everything you need me to do Selene… Within reason. Don't try and compel me to listen either, I don't think it'll have quite the same effect on me as it does on those weaklings outside…"
Giving his condition, Victor readied himself, prepared for Selene to turn him here and now if need be.
Selene's eyes darkened, her lips parting as her fangs extended. The temptation to sink them into Victor's neck, to bind him to her for eternity, was overwhelming. His offer was tempting — too tempting. She straddled him, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw as she leaned in close.
Her breath was warm against his skin, and her voice, low and sultry, wove around them. "You don't know what you're asking for, Victor. Once I turn you, there's no going back. You'll never be the same."
Her fangs hovered just above his neck when the door creaked open.
Magritte stood there, her silhouette illuminated by the dim light from the hallway. Her voice was calm but stern. "Selene. Think carefully before you do this."
Selene froze, her eyes flicking toward Magritte, annoyance flashing in them. "What are you doing here, Magritte?"
Magritte stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "I'm reminding you of what's at stake. Think of the baby. What if Victor can't handle the bloodlust? What if he hurts you again — or worse?"
Selene hesitated, the weight of Magritte's words settling on her like a heavy cloak. Her hand trembled slightly as she kept her gaze fixed on Victor, a storm of emotions swirling within her.
"What if…" Magritte continued, her voice softer now, almost pleading, "what if turning him doesn't change him for the better? What if it only makes him more dangerous?"
Selene's heart raced, and her fangs retracted slowly. She could feel Victor's pulse under her hand, his body still, as if he were waiting for her next move.
"Victor…" she whispered, uncertainty now creeping into her voice. "I…I…"
Victor pushed his neck up, Selene's fangs piercing into them as he held her by the ass.
"I appreciate your concern witch," He said growling low in satisfaction as he looked over to the older woman. "But I'm different than I once was. Emotion will not control me… Besides, if I attack Selene I want you to kill me. I wouldn't deserve to continue on if that's how I backslide…"
He grunted, Selene's fangs sinking deeper into his vein…
Selene's grip on Victor tightened as her fangs pierced deeper, the warm rush of his blood filling her senses. Her eyes fluttered shut, momentarily overwhelmed by the intimacy of the moment, the bond between them finally sealed in the way she'd resisted for so long. The connection coursed through her, deeper than just blood—this was their souls entwining, her power flowing into him, making him something more. She pulled back slightly, her lips grazing his skin as she whispered, her voice a soft rasp, "You're mine now, Victor... There's no going back. We'll walk this path together."
Her gaze flickered to the older woman, her eyes glowing a deep crimson. "He's right. If he loses control… if he hurts me, you'll end him. But until that day comes, he's stronger. We are stronger." She pressed her lips to Victor's neck once more, sealing the bite as her tongue traced the wound. "You won't backslide. Not with me at your side." She drank greedily, heartily, without stopping, to the point she was almost sick. His healing factor made it difficult, but soon she was able to drain him quicker than he could replenish. When he finally turned pale, and seemed to be losing consciousness, she slit her wrist, and brought it to his puckered mouth. "Here, my love. Drink. Drink and be born again."
Victor grinned, feeling lightheaded as he grabbed Selene's wrist, greedily sucking her sweet blood. Her lavender scent, her honey taste, he loved every second of it.
He groaned, licking at her cut and sucking down again, her blood filling him as he sucked harder and harder, feeling his body change.
His senses grew sharper, he smelled everything within a 100 mile radius, he could pick out every scent, every beating heart within that range, and even the sounds of sawyer badmouthing him to his other vampires.
His eyes glowed a deep golden hue as he pulled away from her wrist, his skin, once tan, now had a more pale color to it. His fangs, already razor sharp and made of vibranium, grew longer,
"Selene," He said softly, kissing his mate deeply, his hands tracing over her stomach. "I love you."
He deepened the kiss, his enhanced vampire emotions making him horny as he breathed in the scent of his future wife.
Selene shivered under his touch, the intensity of the bond they now shared igniting something primal within her. His hunger, his need—it mirrored her own. Her skin, so sensitive to his every movement, seemed to come alive as his hands roamed over her, his words slipping through her mind like a warm caress.
Her lips parted beneath his, accepting the kiss with a fierce hunger of her own. The taste of him lingered on her tongue, intoxicating and rich, pulling her deeper into him. She could feel the change in him, his power merging with hers, creating something neither of them had anticipated.
Pulling back for a brief moment, her eyes locked onto his golden gaze. The sight of him—newly reborn, pale, powerful, and hers—made her heart race in a way it hadn't for centuries. She cupped his face in her hands, her thumb brushing across his lips where the faintest trace of her blood still lingered.
"I love you too, Victor," she whispered, her voice soft yet filled with the weight of eternity. "You're mine… and I am yours. Always."
Her body responded to his every touch, her skin humming with the heightened awareness their bond had brought. But more than the physical, it was the sheer emotion pouring from him—his love, his desire, his loyalty—that made her chest tighten with something she hadn't felt in so long: vulnerability.
Lowering her head to rest on his chest, she listened to his heart beating strong and steady beneath her ear, a soothing rhythm in the chaos of their existence. "We'll face whatever comes, together."
Magritte rolled her eyes, having no time for all this fuss. "Ah shit. Well if yall gonna run headfirst into the night together, yall better have a plan. To make it so." She sighed, preparing to make Selene's nightly tincture. "Want me to arrange the ceremony, Miss Selly? Full moon is only a few days away."
With the hint of tears in her eyes, the queen nodded, burying her face into her soon to be mate's shoulder.
Victor was amazed. He'd always been powerful, hell he'd taken Selene down before ever turning into a vampire, but this was on a different level.
It was like he'd connected to a god, borrowing their power for the rest of eternity. His fists used to crack walls just by hitting too close, now he was sure he could collapse buildings if he felt like it.
His lust?
Victor's world slowed down, everything around him moving in slow motion as he grinned against Selene, kissing the top of her head as his hand came to her breasts.
Vampires apparently could conceive quicker than humans, it hadn't even been a month yet and he could see the baby bump on his dark haired vampire.
"Shall we celebrate my queen?" He asked, his voice smooth and regal, as if he was truly a king. He kissed her hand, his fangs popping out and bleeding her, dripping some of her blood into his mouth before she healed.
"It would be my honor." She murmured against his touch, melting into his touch. He smelled divine, he sounded like heaven and his taste was triple. So long had she agonized over this decision, but now Selene knew that this was right, this was good. Fuck Margerite and Sawyer, who tried to undermine and question her authority at every chance they had. Now she had a King, she had a mate, she was about to bear his child, and everything would be okay. Hopefully.
"What did you have in mind, My King?" She asked with wicked delight, tugging him ever so slightly to the bed, her intentions clear. With a quick but deadly glance, she instructed her witch to leave them to privacy.
She let Victor settle between her legs, and felt the fabric of her dress slide up past her pale thighs. She looked beautiful, an unnaturally warm and rosy color overtaking her pale complexion. Selene made mewling, soft noises as she settled into the sheets, welcoming him in every way. While she was already seeded, she very much intended on enjoying her fresh, handsome Vampiric King.
Victor was faster, stronger, and all around better. He could see and sense everything he wanted to around him, but all he wanted right now was Selene.
His advanced senses made it difficult to start, everything moving slowly as he settled in between Selene's legs, his dick pressing past her folds as he kissed her.
"What happens now?" He asked, a hand on Selene's breasts as he thrust hard. If he could get her double pregnant he would try.
His eyes glowed as he smelled her, tasted her, and fucked her. He loved it so much, he never wanted it to end, so it was really a shame when the scent of Sawyer and Birdy appeared at the door, knocking lightly and making him pause mid thrust.
"What happens?" She echoed, a shit eating grin on her face as her body accepted his cock once again, like all the times before but so much more beautifully. "You shall be named as my king and we will be together for eternity." Selene's eyes half lidded in pleasure, once again not being ashamed of the noise she was making. She'd never been more turned on, and a puddle of her arousal was soaking the bed.
The vampire queen's body was extra sensitive and responsive due to the hormones that flooded through her, and within minutes, she was close to the edge of orgasm. Until…
"Why did you stop? Wh—-" she glowered at the door, letting out an exasperated sigh. "This better be important. So important that the very heavens themselves will collapse." Selene covered her and her King under the blanket for modesty, expression sour.
"**Come. In.**"
Victor smirked, continuing to thrust as Sawyer and Birdy walked in holding hands. Sawyer seeming angry and jealous and Birdy seeming… Done?
He wasn't sure what he smelled from Birdy, but it was like she was giving up on something. He didn't care at the moment though, not as he sunk his fangs into Selene's breasts, allowing her to talk to the two weaker vampires while he pleasured her.
"My lady…" Sawyer said, his teeth clenched as he stared over at the two, seeing the blanket move as Victor continued fucking Selene. "I have come to terms that you will continue to give yourself to this… Animal. I am here to request Birdy's hand."
Birdy scowled, but she bowed, feeling helpless and useless. She's been forgotten and left behind, now she was an object all over again, but by someone she didn't even like this time.
Selene either intentionally or unintentionally ignored his request. This was what the interruption was for?
"Doggystyle." She instructed her mate, and he was more than happy to oblige. Selene peered at the young couple, and a mix between laughter and moaning could be heard.
"Ah. You realize it now, don't you Sawyer? You wouldn't ever be for me. You are…too…" She tried to find the right words in between thrusts, her body pushing back to match his pace. A devilish smirk crossed her lips. "You think I can't smell it on you? You think I can't sense that underused cock of yours twitching in delight? You love it don't you? You love knowing how many times he's made me cum tonight." Selene accused in a low tone, and she wasn't lying. The younger vampire's scent was burning with such a familiar desire. "You know you're worthless, that you don't compare. So watching is the closest thing you can get? Right?"
To add insult to injury, Selene wiped a claw against her abused cunt, that had already been filled, and would be filled again. Victor's cum mixed with hers into one singular substance that dripped down her pinky.
"Oh my little Cuckoo. I'm going to call you that from now on. You may have Birdy, but on one condition…." She outstretched her hand, intentions clear. "Eat it, Cuckoo. And tell me how much you love it. Just don't finish on my floors, I've just had them cleaned."
It must be humiliating for Birdy. Losing not only her first lover, but her maker, and now designated to share a bed with a cuck. The power dynamic was broken, she felt like she was worthless. Just like Laura had. Selene had that effect on people.
Birdy trembled as she watched Sawyer go forward, like a puppy following orders he dipped his head below.
She gulped, locking eyes with victor, his piercing gaze that much more alluring, as if… Birdy widened her eyes, her heart speeding up and her cunt dripping.
Victor was a vampire, one on par with her maker, one who had her maker taking it from the back. She watched his dick slam into her cunt over and over, her future husband watching just as fascinated.
"Mistress… May I add my own condition to marrying this…" She looked down on him before looking back up at her betters. "Disappointment."
"Look at that cuck, he thinks if he listens to you he might get a chance. Look how hopeful his fucking eyes are," Victor growls in Selene's ear, picking up the pace as he sinks his fangs into her neck again.
"Might as well fulfill his fantasy even more, the big strong beast taking both of the women he wants?" Victor chuckled, still slamming into Selene's cunt without slowing down.
Selene's eyes narrow as she glares at Birdy, her fangs faintly visible as she seethes with fury.
"You dare bring Victor into this? Of all the people... You want him involved?" Her voice is venomous, her anger pulsing through the room. "You think I'd just... agree to this without a second thought?"
She instantly stops her loud grunts of pleasure. Her gaze is intense, sharp, and unforgiving. Birdy's calm expression only irritates her further, feeding the fire burning inside.
"I ought to tear you apart for even suggesting such a thing—"
But then, a sudden thought hits her. The storm in her eyes dims, replaced by something colder, more calculating.
"Wait..." She trails off, her lips curling into a dangerous smirk. "Actually, this is perfect. This will break him." she hesitates before smirking. "And I'm sure its not too bad for you either."
Her smile widens as she imagines the panic in Sawyer's eyes, the fear and desire he'll try to hide but fail miserably at.
"You know what, Birdy?" She said, posture relaxing, though her voice still carries a wicked edge. "Let's do it. If Sawyer wants to doubt me, let him face the consequences."
She motions for the telepath to join them in the bed, gaze never leaving Sawyer. "Victor will be the punishment you deserve. Sit and touch yourself. Know that everytime you touch your bride, she will not be thinking of you."
Birdy breathed heavily, stripping and crawling into bed with Victor and Selene as Victor emptied his load once again into his future bride.
"How long has it been Birdy?" Victor asked, grabbing her hair and shoving her face into Selene's cum filled cunt, the pathetic cuck sitting stroking his dick in shame a few feet away.
Birdy moaned, licking the cum out of Selene's pussy as she arched her back, giving Victor free access. "Too long~" she moaned out, staring up at Selene through half lidded eyes.
Thank you mistress.
Selene hummed in approval, feeling her pet lick and lap at her slick cunt with excitement. Selene considered herself a kind, understanding, loving ruler. Sometimes, her love could be confused for malice and cruelty, as in this case. But in her eyes, she was giving everyone what they wanted, even if they were too ashamed to admit.
"Good girl, good good girl…" she murmured, rocking her hips against Birdy's face. One time, Selene saw herself as the cuckold. It's time someone else felt that pain. "Bury yourself inside her, my love. Give him a good show. Who knows. Maybe you'll breed her before they even take their vows."
That last part gave her great pleasure. Obviously she would kill Birdy's child if that were to happen, but the idea made her happy nonetheless.
Birdy shivered as she felt Victor's dick tease at her lips. Smirking, she licked up some of his cum, turning her head to show the ashamed Sawyer, jerking off his pitiful cock as she showed Victors cum on her tongue.
"Please boss, it's been too long without a good fucking," She moaned, diving back into Selene's pussy. She reached out and grabbed Selene's tits, slightly bigger due to her sped up pregnancy.
"And here I thought marrying Sawyer would mean having to take a loser cock… glad to see that's not the case."
Victor shoved his full length into Birdy, forcing her hips up more as he began to pound her, his hand coming back to her hair and forcing her face deep into Selene's pussy.
"This is what gets you going? Can't believe I let such a weak fuck threaten me," Victor unsheathed his fangs, diving down and sinking them into Selene's leg, her blood addicting and only making him thirstier for more.
"I know…I'm an embarrassment to my clan…" Sawyer agreed softly, his pale, thick cock twitching as he jerked himself off, eyes never leaving the glorious scene. "I should just walk into the Daybreak and end my existence."
"Mm..yes perhaps…well…" Selene gasped, the scent of Birdy's blood hitting her nose and making her head spin. Sexdrunk blood was the best blood. "We all have our interests, it's not like you chose to be a degenerate." Was her only consolation as she bore down harder onto Birdy relentlessly, glancing back to watch her beautiful lover desecrate her "child." She hummed in approval when Birdy massaged her swollen breasts. "Think of this as your wedding present, Little Dove. I can't have you going into your nuptials without you being stretched out properly one final time."
Sawyer sat there, furiously pumping, and bit his bottom lip so hard it bled profusely. "That is true, you can't pick your interests," he replied finally. "For this reason, I hope your child doesn't follow yours, my Queen. To enjoy the sensation of another woman being defiled by her proposed 'mate.' You really will do anything to lord your power, won't you? What's more humiliating? Watching helplessly, or actively participating in it?"
The mood in the room instantly shifted.
Victor, still newly changed and not caring about the newly sour mood, just laughed. "Obviously watching it dumbass," He said, pounding Birdy harder as he laughed loudly at Sawyer.
"I mean, you're jacking off to your old crush and your future wife getting fucked by a newly changed vampire, that's way worse. Are you fucking retarded?"
Victor stilled, cumming deep into Birdy as his eyes flashed. He pulled her off Selene, his cum spilling out of her cunt as he glared at Sawyer. "If you think it's so bad to participate, go ahead and give your lover a little kiss runt. Show her how much you care."
Perhaps becoming a vampire made him more sadistic, but ordering the senior vampire around just made him feel content. Plus he'd tried to anger Selene after his attempts at keeping her calm. Fucking dumbass.
Sawyer burned in indignation, so close to the edge of climax. He almost came right then and there as he saw his fiance's abused pussy, red and gushing with another man's seed. It made him delirious, the pain fed his pleasure and vice versa. When Victor made that scathing retort, all he wanted to do was challenge the larger man, slit his throat, and claim both Birdy and Selene as his wives. But… "Fuck…" he hissed, feeling the warmth coat his hand as the torture sent him overboard. With bleary eyes, he looked at Birdy who was standing before him, looking disgusted. He couldn't please her, and he only pleased Selene when he acted like an abused dog.
His eyes flickered in defeat, too feeble to challenge Victor's authoritarianism. He motioned to bring Birdy close, his sticky hand coming to rest against her cheek, and leaned in to–
A demonic snarl rippled through the room, and Selene's face was contorted in a dark, demonic rage. "Get out. All of you. Get out. Get the **FUCK** out!" Sawyer's words seemed to have unlocked something deep within the already emotionally conflicted Queen.
With impeccable timing, Magritte entered the room without asking, not shocked by the scene at all. "You be vexin' her. You gotta mind your tongue before the Devil come for ya throat." she chastised the group, placing a comforting hand on Selene,who was now standing by the window, practically foaming at the mouth.
"Y'all be goin' now. And Birdy, I suggest you take yourself down to da store, get yourself one of them pills. Lucifer himself couldn't pull her off ya if you whelp. Tsk." She waved them away dismissively, pressing small needles deeply into Selene's shoulders for some strange reason. Acupuncture maybe? "And if you can't find da pills, come to me. I know how to strip a womb."
Victor laughed on the bed, seeing the other two scurry off. "I gotta say that was funny, come on Selene you're not too mad are you?"
Victor watched Magritte rush to her side, deciding he'd rather be testing out his new vampiric abilities, he bid them farewell and walked out of the room. Hopefully the old witch could get Selene to relax.
The sun was out, and as he looked over his slightly paler skin, his golden hair flowing down to his shoulders, he shrugged and walked out into the courtyard, right into the sun…
"Hey! The new vampire is committing suicide!"
"Call the queen, she needs a new husband!"
The taunts kept coming as he felt himself burn up, but he didn't catch fire, his insides were hurt, his skin felt like it was being ripped apart with each second.
Yet he didn't burn, he didn't die. He healed nigh-instantly from anything now, which was only boosted by his vampire state now.
He smirked, eyes glowing as he stared out at the other vampires. "Anyone up for a challenge?"
The courtyard fell into an uneasy silence as Victor's bold smirk cut through the tension, his golden hair shimmering under the punishing light of the sun. A few of the younger, braver vampires exchanged glances, their pride too stung to ignore the taunt. One by one, three of them stepped forward—Gareth, a brash warrior, Lilith, an impulsive fledgling, and Marcus, ever hungry for glory.
"Victor thinks he's special," Gareth muttered, glaring as he stepped into the light. "I can do that."
Lilith followed, her fangs bared in a mix of fear and defiance. Marcus joined them, his muscles tense under his pale skin.
But the moment their bodies touched the sunlight, an agonizing scream pierced the air. Gareth's skin ignited first, flames crawling up his arms as he tried to backtrack, but it was too late. His body crumbled into ash, his eyes wide in horror. Lilith followed next, her beauty lost in an instant as her flesh sizzled, her shrieks echoing off the stone walls. Marcus was the last to go, his prideful glare turning into sheer terror as he dissolved into nothing more than a pile of cinders.
The remaining vampires gasped in horror, taking several steps back, their previous bravado shattered. Fear rippled through the crowd, the scent of burning flesh filling the air.
Silence fell once more, broken only by the soft thud of knees hitting the stone. The surviving vampires dropped to their knees in unison, their heads bowed in submission, trembling before Victor's unyielding form. No one dared to speak or make eye contact, the horror of what they had witnessed fresh in their minds.
The clan's loyalty shifted in an instant, and their submission to Victor was absolute. They had seen what he could withstand, what they could not. And from that moment, none would ever question his authority again.
Victor smirked, looking at the kneeling vampires and stretching his arms. "That's right, this is how you all should have been when I first came here."
He took off his shirt, folding it and dropping it to the ground. "The queen is very stressed right now, and I keep hearing all your stupid whispers questioning her decisions…"
Victor growled now, his body bulking up as he turned around, again and again, daring anyone to question his next orders.
"So, if anyone thinks she's wrong, or feels like she's not doing the right thing, step up and say it to me. Strength rules correct? Then let's see who's right…"
Victor tore an arm off, keeping it in his hand as it tried to pull back toward his body, almost magnetically trying to heal him.
"There, one arm is fair, no? I keep my arm off and we fight. C'mon guys, who's Vamp enough?"
Nobody challenged him.
A few days later, the full moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie, silver glow over the courtyard where the ceremony was about to take place. Torches flickered along the edges, illuminating the night, as the air buzzed with a strange mixture of tension and anticipation. The vampires and their servants, dressed in dark, extravagant finery, whispered among themselves as they awaited the grand spectacle. Sawyer and Birdy, seated at the front, remained quiet, their eyes scanning the scene, each fully aware of the magnitude of what was unfolding.
Selene stood at the entrance to the aisle, her figure shrouded in a flowing, macabre gown that rippled like shadows in the moonlight. The fabric, dark as the abyss, clung to her frame, though her stomach betrayed the secret she could no longer hide. Her pregnancy was undeniable now—her belly had swelled to that of someone halfway through term, though only two months had passed. And with that growth had come a shift in her demeanor. Each passing day had seen her become more erratic, her once poised and measured nature slipping into something darker, more violent, as if the life growing within her fed off her rage.
The swelling organ music began, its haunting tones filling the air, and all eyes turned to Selene. She inhaled deeply, her sharp features hardening with each step she took. Her body moved with the epitome of grace, yet those closest to her could sense the underlying menace, the volatility simmering just beneath her flawless exterior. Her eyes, glowing faintly in the night, locked onto Victor standing at the altar.
Victor. The one who had so brazenly defied the natural order, standing there with his golden hair flowing over his shoulders, his eyes gleaming with unshakable confidence. Selene's lips curled into a smile, though it was a dangerous one, a mixture of fondness and the sense of someone who held a secret. As she approached him, every step felt heavier, the weight of her own transformation pressing upon her.
When she finally reached him, she turned to face him, her eyes never leaving his. The organ music ceased, leaving the night in an almost unbearable silence. Magritte stood before them, her eyes cold and calculating as she prepared to officiate the union. Yet Selene barely acknowledged her, all her focus was on Victor. His power, his aura, had drawn her in deeper than she had ever anticipated. But now, with their child growing inside her, it was no longer just about their union—it was about control, legacy, and the twisted bond that tied them together.
"Victor," she purred softly, her voice carrying through the night, barely more than a whisper, but enough for him to hear. "I have an early wedding gift for you."
His eyes flashed with interest, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Selene's smile widened, her voice dripping with satisfaction. She motioned to the side, where Laura emerged from the shadows, her figure slight but unmistakable as she moved toward the front row, sitting beside Birdy. The sight of her drew gasps from those gathered, whispers breaking out like wildfire. Laura, the once-estranged member, had been brought back into the fold—Selene's doing.
"I thought it fitting," Selene continued, her voice rich with pride, "to reunite the family before our child arrives."
The tension in the air shifted, a murmur of disbelief rippling through the crowd. Laura's presence had an undeniable weight, a symbol of power and dominance that Selene was slowly reclaiming. The gesture was not just for Victor; it was a declaration to everyone gathered. Selene was not merely a bride—she was a force to be reckoned with, and her reign was only just beginning.
As she joined hands with Victor, her gaze never wavered, even as her mind swirled with violent impulses, erratic thoughts, and the overwhelming hunger that had begun to consume her. The child inside her was changing her, warping her in ways she hadn't expected, but in that moment, she felt in control—enough to smile, enough to make this night unforgettable.
Victor's glowing eyes settled on Laura. She'd been gone for a few months now, he'd have to say hi tomorrow morning, since he had no plans for anything but Selene tonight.
Victor took Selene's hands, his eyes wandering over her red dress, extravagant and almost certainly priceless. "You look beautiful my dear," He said softly, cringing a bit at his tone.
The manners and grace lessons had paid off, but he missed telling people they looked good enough to eat. Now he could only say the dirty stuff in private.
Image was important to vampires, it's why he'd shown that he was superior early on. Right now, despite his warning, there were many here that still doubted Selene's rule. Yet none could question him, funny how that worked.
"Shall we get started then?" Victor asked, looking at Magritte.
Magritte stepped forward, her voice a low, reverent hum that filled the room, bouncing off the ancient walls. "We gather here beneath the pale gaze of the moon, as those before us have done for centuries, to unite two souls in the unholiest of bonds. Blood for blood, essence for essence."
She held the silver dagger aloft, the blade catching the dim light of the candles surrounding them, glinting as though alive. The cup she held in her other hand, blackened by centuries of use, gleamed ominously. Her eyes, dark and void of warmth, flicked between Selene and Victor before settling on Selene first.
"Extend your hand, my queen," Magritte said softly, her words laced with ritualistic weight.
Selene's eyes shone with a dangerous excitement as she extended her pale wrist toward the dagger, unflinching. The blade slid against her skin, parting it with a deliberate slowness, allowing the crimson to well up and drip into the cup. She didn't even blink, her gaze fixed on Victor as if daring him to falter, as if this was the moment they'd both been waiting for.
Victor's eyes were warm as he stared down at his love. Once the chalice had been filled he held his own wrist out, breathing in the delightful aroma of Selene's blood.
Magritte cut into his wrist, blood flowing into the other cup before allowing him to heal. He smirked, eyeing the servants and guests, his eyes glowing red as Magritte held the cups out.
"If any object to this bonding speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Nobody said a word.
Selene smirked as she drank deeply from the cup, savoring the thick, rich taste of blood. Her gaze lingered on Victor, feeling the warmth of his eyes as he watched her, a bond stronger than words passing between them. She wiped the corner of her lips with a deliberate slowness, before offering the chalice to Victor, her movements graceful yet brimming with dark power.
"Dare to object, and it will be your final breath," she whispered telepathically to her zealous followers, her mental voice laced with venom. The tension in the room thickened as she let the threat hang in the air, her dark eyes scanning the crowd. No one moved. Not a single breath out of place.
As Victor's blood poured into the cup, the rich, metallic scent filled the air, intoxicating. Magritte cut swiftly, with precision, and once the cup was filled, Selene could feel the power surging, the mingling of their essence—the ultimate bond. She leaned into Victor, her voice a soft, dangerous purr. "They know better."
Victor drank, his eyes glowing that deep golden glow as Selene leaned into him. He smirked at the followers, blood on his lips and fangs as he felt a connection to Selene form.
He handed the chalice back to Magritte, holding Selene close as he waited for the next part.
Feeling Victor's warm presence against her, Selene's eyes fluttered shut for a moment as the bond deepened. She could feel the power pulsing between them, like an ancient, unspoken vow binding them together. Her fingers trailed over his chest, feeling the heat of his heartbeat beneath her touch, her lips curving into a dangerous, pleased smile.
"Do you feel it too, Victor?" Her voice was a low, sultry whisper, laced with a hint of madness, her gaze lifting to his, glowing with hunger and possession. "The connection... it grows stronger with every drop of blood shared. Soon, we will be unstoppable."
Magritte took the chalice from Victor with a respectful nod, her own eyes flickering with a hint of amusement at the display before her. She was used to the dramatics by now, though there was no denying the power radiating from the pair. Stepping back, she raised the chalice in ceremonial fashion, her voice smooth and reverent.
"The blood of the old, the blood of the new. A union blessed by ancient forces." Her gaze shifted between Victor and Selene, her tone almost teasing. "The next part, my dear, is for you both to fulfill what has been set in motion. Are you ready to embrace the final step of your binding?" The Witch bowed ever so slightly. "Then before Akasha, before Ishtar, before Ba'al, before Shaitan, may you be bonded until the stars themselves cease to shine. Imbed your fangs in one another's vein, and be born anew, as Selene and Victor Gallio."
Victor looked out at the followers, smirking as they watched closely.
Victor smiled, kissing Selene deeply before pulling her back, sinking his new fangs deep into her vein and taking a long suck of his lover's blood.
"Truly the most perfect being alive, I love you Selene," He whispered, her blood on his lips as he turned his head a bit, giving her better access to his neck.
"Drink love, go ahead and make it official."
And drank she did. "I love you, Victor Gallio." she whispered when she finally pulled her fangs out of his wonderful jugular. It was like a fairytale.
As the months passed it stayed that way; the celebration of bonding had indeed been a success. None dared to openly challenge the King or Queen, but tension lingered beneath the surface. The atmosphere in the mansion grew heavier with each passing day, and a sense of impending change loomed over all who resided within its ancient walls.