Ancient meets modern. Primal meets digital.

After leaving the motel, Alexander brought me to Grey Investments. On the surface, a Manhattan business miracle, but as we entered the underground levels, the world transformed. Ancient runes coexisted with high-tech security panels on stone walls, the scent of wolf mingling with electronics.


"Welcome to pack territory," Alexander says with pride. "Business above, home below."

I studied this integration, surprised by his adaptability. "You"ve combined tradition with technology unexpectedly well."

"Traditions must evolve to survive." His amber eyes met mine. "Just like us."


As we entered the main hall, dozens of eyes turned toward us, the air instantly solidifying. Hostility pressed against me like something tangible. A vampire in wolf territory—an invasion.

Alexander introduced key members: "Jackson, my Beta; Emma, Elder; Kayla, our best warrior."


I immediately observed the internal factions—young reformists supporting Alexander versus traditionalist conservatives. But Kayla stood out most—beautiful, powerful, deliberately touching Alexander"s arm when she approached him, her eyes flashing with possessiveness.

"You smell of death and decay, vampire," she attacked directly, her voice like a blade. "You don"t belong here."

Before I could respond, Alexander"s voice echoed through the hall: "She is under my protection. Any offense to her is an offense to me."

Silence fell. But Kayla"s eyes burned with fury.

His protection felt like a double-edged sword—safety yet constraint. Why didn"t I completely despise it? The memory of last night"s warmth flashed through my mind. Perhaps three centuries of solitude had finally affected my judgment. Or worse—perhaps I was beginning to get used to his presence.

"Victor wasn"t just your creator," Alexander revealed privately. "He was a guardian of the Book of Ancient Blood."

"What?" Shock rippled through me. "He never mentioned this."

"Guardian status is secret. Victor believes controlling powerful vampires through marking grants him prophesied power."

Then the bombshell: "Your blood genetics are special, Isabella. You"re key to the prophecy."

My world crumbled. "So I"m just your tool? A pawn? The Council sent you to use me?"

Alexander confessed: "Initially, yes. But things have changed."

Victor once said similar things—claiming his control "protected" me. History repeating with a new manipulator.

"For three centuries, I"ve been treated as a pawn," my voice trembled. "First Victor, now you and the Council. I"ve had enough."

I stormed away. Alexander called after me, but I"d rebuilt my walls: "Don"t follow me. I need to think."

Wandering alone through wolf territory, betrayal burned inside me. Three hundred years running from control, yet never truly escaping. Every time I trusted—betrayal followed.

Kayla approached, smile false but threat real: "After he lost his mate, I helped him through his darkest times. Our bond runs deeper than you imagine."

"That"s between you two," I responded coolly. "He and I are forced collaborators, nothing more."

"Really?" Her smile sharpened. "I smell his scent on you. Blood connection… such a dangerous game."

This encounter alerted me. I noticed her secret communications with other wolves—subtle glances, hidden gestures. Something wasn"t right in this pack, and the center of that wrongness seemed to be Kayla. As I watched her walk away, a chill ran down my spine. I needed to know more—and quickly. Because whatever game she was playing, I suspected it would end in blood.