Chapter 1
Marissa POV
The grand hall of the Northwind Reach Assembly was a spectacle of opulence and power, a place where the fate of the continent was decided by the hands of a few. The high vaulted ceilings glittered with chandeliers made of enchanted crystal, casting a cold, ethereal light over the gathered leaders. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made your skin prickle and your breath hitch. I stood at the edge of the room, my arms crossed, my claws itching to break free. The press lined the walls, their cameras flashing like tiny bursts of lightning, capturing every moment of this farce.
Julian Corbin sat at the head of the room, his presence commanding, his aura suffocating. He was a man who looked like he'd been carved from marble—perfectly chiseled features, a body that defied his real age, probably centuries under his belt, and eyes that burned with a cold, unyielding fire. He was the embodiment of vampiric superiority, and he knew it. His lips curled into a faint smirk as he watched the leaders of the species step forward, one by one, to cast their votes.
Theo Black, the leader of the werewolves, was the first to rise. He was a mountain of a man, his brawny frame covered in scars that told stories of battles fought and won. His eyes, however, told a different story—one of submission. He walked to the podium, his heavy boots echoing in the silence, and cast his vote for Julian. My stomach churned. Theo was supposed to represent us, the werewolves, the second-largest population in Northwind Reach. Yet here he was, bowing to a vampire like a beaten dog.
"Theo Black, leader of the werewolves, votes in favor of Julian Corbin," the announcer declared, his voice ringing through the hall.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Traitor
Next was Miles Storm, the leader of the witches. He was a tall, gaunt man with beady eyes that darted around the room like a rat searching for crumbs. His robes, embroidered with arcane symbols, swished as he moved to the podium.
"Miles Storm, leader of the witches, votes in favor of Julian Corbin."
I scoffed. Of course he did. Miles had always been a snake, slithering his way into power by any means necessary. He was someone whom I imagined that one day he would sell his own mother to get what he wanted. Julian had probably promised him a new spellbook or ancient relics.
Nadia Fern, the leader of the elementals, was next. She was a striking woman, her beauty almost otherworldly, with hair that shimmered like molten gold and eyes that glowed like embers. She moved with grace, her every step deliberate, as if she were dancing on air. But even her elegance couldn't hide the fact that she, too, was bending the knee to Julian.
"Nadia Fern, leader of the elementals, votes in favor of Julian Corbin."
I wanted to scream. How could they all be so blind? So willing to sell their souls for a taste of power?
Finally, Luca Wilder, the leader of the shifters, stepped forward. He was the picture of modern sophistication, dressed in a sleek suit that probably cost more than most people made in a year. His clean-cut appearance and calm demeanor made him look more like a billionaire CEO than a leader of a species known for their wild, untamed nature. He cast his vote with a smile, as if he were signing a business deal rather than sealing the fate of our continent.
"Luca Wilder, leader of the shifters, votes in favor of Julian Corbin."
And then, of course, there was Julian himself. He rose from his seat, his movements smooth and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. He didn't even bother to hide his arrogance as he cast his own vote, his voice dripping with condescension. He knew he'd win, he wasn't suprised
"Since I'm the defacto leader of the vampires, I'll vote for myself"
The announcer cleared his throat, his voice booming through the hall. "The vote is unanimous. Julian Corbin is hereby elected as the ruler of Northwind Reach."
The room erupted into a hollow applause, the sound grating against my ears. I couldn't take it anymore. I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the noise like a knife.
"This is a farce!" I shouted, my words echoing in the sudden silence.
All eyes turned to me, some filled with curiosity, others with suprise. Julian's smirk widened, as if he'd been waiting for this moment when I'd confront him, me being his competitor for the position.
"Ah, Marissa Fairmont," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "The lone wolf. You should be congratulating me, no?"
I glared at him, my hatred burning brighter than the chandeliers above. "You can bribe every gullible leader in this room with power, wealth, or threaten them," I spat, my voice trembling with anger. "But unfortunately for you, I can't be bribed nor threatened. And mark my words, Julian, I will take you down by whatever means necessary….expose you for the crook you are"
Theo Black shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding my gaze. Miles Storm sneered, while Nadia Fern looked almost amused. Luca Wilder simply adjusted his tie, as if my outburst were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Julian chuckled, a low, menacing sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Come now, a little bit of respect won't kill, I'm officially your superior."
"I'll die first" I shot back, my voice steady despite the rage boiling inside me. "This puppet council you've assembled will be your downfall. They'll turn on you the moment they see an opportunity. And when they do, I'll be there, watching as you crumble."
Julian's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, but it was enough. I had struck a nerve.
"Northwind Reach is in the hands of a tyrant," I continued, my voice rising. "A simple-minded old man who believes only vampires are superior in this world. And you—" I pointed at the council leaders, my claws extending as my anger surged. "You're cowards. Every single one of you. The continent will burn under Julian's rule, and you'll have no one to blame but yourselves."
The room was silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. Julian's eyes narrowed, his amusement replaced by a cold, calculating glare.
"Your insolent words will only be tolerated this once," he said, his voice icy. "You can scamper off to whatever pack you came from and submit like everyone else. But if you decide to cross me, I'll have you thrown in the deepest cell and have the key thrown away, that is if I don't have you killed first."
I didn't wait for him to say another word. I turned on my heel and stormed out of the hall, my heart pounding in my chest. They just installed a man who can openly threaten to kill anyone who opposes him as the supreme leader of the continent.
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