The war room pulsed with low, urgent energy as dusk approached on the second day after the first attack.
Maps glowed on holographic displays, red markers showing Volkov troop concentrations massing just beyond the northern ridges.
Draven loyalists and allied clan representatives filled the long obsidian table, their pale faces tense.
Selene sat at Viktor’s right hand, dressed in sleek black tactical gear that accentuated every curve while allowing full mobility.
The mate bond hummed steadily in her veins, sharpening her senses and lending her an inner strength she was still learning to trust.
Between her legs, a constant, delicious ache reminded her of how Viktor had tied her to their bed the night before and fucked her slowly for hours, whispering eternal vows between every deep thrust until she had come undone screaming his name.
Viktor’s hand rested possessively on her thigh under the table, thumb tracing slow circles that crept higher with every passing minute.
Even now, in the middle of war planning, he couldn’t keep from touching her.
Lady Irina slammed a fist on the table.
We cannot wait.
The Volkovs will strike at midnight with everything they have, silver ordnance, daylight grenades, and at least three hundred fighters.
We need to hit their forward camp before they mobilize.
Darius Vale nodded, silver-streaked hair catching the light.
Our scouts confirm it.
But there’s a problem.
Someone leaked the exact timing of our outer ward reinforcements.
Only a handful of people knew the details.
A heavy silence fell.
Eyes turned toward the council members.
Selene felt Viktor’s fingers tighten on her thigh.
His voice remained calm, but the air around him grew colder.
A traitor in our midst.
How convenient for the Volkovs.
One of the lesser lords, a thin vampire named Lord Cassian with nervous eyes, shifted uncomfortably.
Surely not among us.
Perhaps a servant
Enough, Viktor cut him off.
His gaze swept the room like a blade.
The leak came from this table.
Tonight we strike anyway, but we change the plan at the last moment.
Only those I trust will know the real timing.
Under the table, Viktor’s hand slid higher, fingers brushing the seam of Selene’s pants directly over her clit.
She bit her lip, forcing her expression to remain neutral as he began slow, firm circles through the fabric.
Heat pooled instantly between her legs.
The meeting continued with revised strike coordinates and troop assignments.
All the while, Viktor teased her mercilessly, pressing harder against her swollen clit until she was soaked and fighting to keep her breathing even.
When the council finally dispersed to prepare, Viktor dismissed Darius with a nod and pulled Selene into the adjacent private antechamber, locking the door behind them.
The moment they were alone, he spun her around and bent her over the heavy oak desk.
In one swift motion he yanked her pants and panties down to her knees.
You were so wet during the meeting, he growled, freeing his thick cock.
Sitting there like a perfect queen while I played with your cunt.
Did you enjoy knowing anyone could have noticed?
“Yes,” Selene gasped, pushing back against him.
I loved it.
He thrust into her in one hard stroke, burying himself balls-deep.
Selene moaned loudly, the stretch perfect after the long night of slow lovemaking.
Viktor fucked her with deep, punishing strokes, one hand fisting her hair, the other reaching around to rub her clit.
Such a filthy, brave queen, he snarled.
Fighting Volkovs by day and dripping for your king by night.
I’m going to fill you again before we ride out.
He pounded into her harder, the desk creaking beneath them.
Selene came quickly, walls clenching around his cock as pleasure exploded through her.
Viktor followed with a deep groan, fangs sinking into her shoulder as he flooded her with thick ropes of cool seed.
He stayed buried inside her, grinding slow circles while licking the new bite closed.
When we return victorious tonight, he promised, voice rough, I’m going to tie you down and fuck you until you can’t walk.
But right now, we have a traitor to flush out.
They rejoined the main force as night fully fell.
Viktor had quietly altered the plan: a smaller, faster strike team would hit the Volkov forward camp while the main army created a diversion at the border.
Selene rode at Viktor’s side on a black stallion, her curved blade strapped to her thigh and pistol holstered at her hip.
The forest was dark and silent as they moved.
The mate bond allowed her to sense Viktor’s presence like a warm anchor, his calm rage, his hunger for her, his fierce protectiveness.
They struck hard and fast.
Selene fought beside Viktor with deadly precision.
When a Volkov vampire charged her with silver claws extended, she ducked, slashed low across his knees, then drove her blade up through his heart.
Ash exploded around her.
Another attacker came from the side; she fired two shots, then finished him with a spinning kick and a throat slash.
Viktor was a storm of violence and grace, tearing through enemies while always keeping her in his line of sight.
In the heart of the enemy camp they found the proof they sought: Lord Cassian, the nervous council member, meeting secretly with a Volkov commander.
Traitor, Viktor snarled, grabbing Cassian by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
Power?
Gold?
Cassian gasped, eyes wide with terror.
They promised me a seat at their table… and your mate as a prize.
Rage ignited in Selene.
She stepped forward, dagger raised.
Then you’ll die knowing you failed.
Viktor nodded once.
Selene drove her blade into the traitor’s heart.
Cassian screamed and dissolved into ash.
The strike team destroyed the forward camp, burning supplies and scattering the remaining Volkov forces.
By the time they rode back to the estate, victory tasted sweet on the night air.
The moment they reached the master suite, Viktor had Selene pinned against the wall.
You were incredible tonight, he growled, tearing at her clothes.
Killing that traitor.
Fighting like you were born for this.
I’ve never wanted you more.”
He lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist, and thrust into her still-slick pussy in one powerful stroke.
Selene cried out, nails digging into his shoulders as he fucked her hard against the wall, deep, savage thrusts that shook the heavy paintings.
“Come for your king,” he commanded, fangs grazing her throat.
She shattered around him, screaming his name as orgasm tore through her battle-heated body.
Viktor followed with a roar, flooding her once again while drinking deeply from her neck.
When they finally collapsed onto the bed, bodies entwined and slick with sweat and blood, Viktor pulled her close.
The traitor is dead, he murmured, stroking her hair.
But the war is far from over.
Tomorrow we prepare for the full assault.
And every night until then, I will remind you exactly why I fight, for you, my queen.
Selene smiled against his chest, feeling his cock twitch inside her again.
I’m ready for whatever comes, she whispered.
As long as I have you.
Outside, the night was quiet once more.
But both of them knew the Volkovs would strike harder next time.
And when they did, the vampire king and his warrior queen would be waiting, bound in blood, battle, and unbreakable desire.