The afternoon sun dipped low over the Carpathian hills, painting the Draven Estate gardens in shades of crimson and gold.
Selene walked beside Viktor through rows of blood-red roses that seemed to lean toward him as he passed, their thorns glinting like tiny fangs.
His hand rested possessively at the small of her back, fingers occasionally drifting lower to brush the curve of her ass through the soft fabric of her pants.
Every touch sent sparks racing straight to her core, reminding her of how he had bent her over the obsidian table barely an hour ago and fucked her until she screamed his name.
You’re quiet, little mate, Viktor murmured, voice smooth as aged velvet.
Still thinking of running?
Selene shook her head, though her pulse quickened.
No.
But this is… a lot.
One night I was a journalist with a cheating fiancé.
Now I’m in a vampire king’s garden, wearing designer clothes that cost more than my car, and my body still aches from how deep you took me.
Viktor stopped, turning her to face him.
His black eyes glowed faintly in the fading light.
Good.
I want you to ache.
I want every step to remind you of my cock stretching that tight pussy, filling you with my seed.
He leaned down, lips brushing her ear.
And tonight, under the moonlight, I’ll take you again, slowly, until you beg me to turn you and make the ache eternal.
Selene’s breath hitched.
Her nipples tightened against the cashmere sweater, and fresh wetness gathered between her thighs.
She was becoming addicted to him far too quickly.
They returned to the estate as dusk fell.
Lena had prepared the east wing for the evening: a deep crimson gown laid out on the bed, silk that clung to every curve, with a plunging neckline and a slit that ran high up one thigh.
Matching diamond earrings and a delicate choker of black pearls completed the look.
Selene dressed with trembling hands, the fabric whispering against her sensitive skin like a lover’s caress.
When she stepped into the grand dining hall, the vampire council was already gathered around a long table set with crystal and silver.
Candles flickered, casting dramatic shadows.
Viktor waited at the head, magnificent in a tailored black suit, his gaze darkening with raw hunger the moment he saw her.
He pulled out the chair beside his own and guided her into it, his hand lingering on her thigh under the table.
“My queen,” he announced to the room.
Selene Voss.
Lady Irina, the crimson-haired vampire from the earlier meeting, raised a delicate eyebrow.
She cleans up well for a mortal.
But can she handle a council dinner without fainting at the sight of blood?
Selene met her gaze steadily.
I think I can manage dinner.
A ripple of surprised laughter went through the council.
Viktor’s fingers tightened approvingly on her thigh, sliding higher until they brushed the bare skin exposed by the gown’s high slit.
Selene fought to keep her expression neutral as he teased the edge of her panties.
The dinner began with courses of rare meats and rich sauces for the few humans in attendance, while the vampires sipped from crystal goblets filled with blood-wine.
Conversation flowed around politics, investments, and veiled threats from the Volkov clan.
Viktor participated with cool authority, all while his fingers worked beneath the table, slipping under the silk of her panties to circle her swollen clit with slow, maddening precision.
Selene gripped her fork tighter, biting her lip to stifle a moan.
Her pussy was soaked, clit throbbing under his expert touch.
He dipped one finger inside her, then two, pumping slowly while discussing border security in the same commanding tone he used when fucking her.
By the time dessert arrived, dark chocolate laced with cherries, she was trembling on the edge, hips subtly rocking against his hand.
Viktor leaned close, lips brushing her ear.
Come for me, mate.
Quietly.
The command pushed her over.
Selene came hard, walls clenching around his fingers, a soft whimper escaping despite her best efforts.
Juices coated his hand as pleasure crashed through her in waves.
Viktor withdrew his fingers and brought them to his lips under the pretense of sipping wine, licking them clean with deliberate sensuality while his eyes never left hers.
Lady Irina noticed and smirked.
The bond is strong, it seems.
But the Volkovs have sent an emissary.
He arrives at midnight.
They demand a formal audience.
Viktor’s expression hardened.
Let them come.
They will see my mate and understand that my power has only grown.
After dinner, Viktor led Selene out onto the moonlit terrace overlooking the gardens.
The night air was cool, carrying the scent of roses and distant pine.
He pulled her against his chest, one hand cupping her ass, the other tilting her chin up for a deep, claiming kiss.
His tongue stroked hers possessively, tasting the chocolate and her own sweetness.
You were perfect tonight, he growled against her mouth.
So wet for me under the table while vampires twice your age watched.
My brave little queen.
The gown’s high slit fell open, exposing her soaked panties.
Viktor dropped to his knees on the terrace, pushing the fabric aside.
Viktor!
someone might see…
Let them.
He dragged his tongue up her slit in one long, slow lick, savoring her arousal.
I want the world to know how sweetly my mate tastes.
Selene moaned, fingers threading through his dark hair as he feasted on her.
His tongue circled her clit with expert flicks, then plunged inside her, fucking her with deep strokes while his thumb worked the swollen nub.
She came quickly, biting her fist to muffle her cries, thighs trembling around his head.
Only then did he rise, freeing his massive cock from his trousers.
It stood thick and heavy, the head glistening.
He positioned himself between her spread thighs and thrust in deep, burying himself to the hilt in one powerful stroke.
Selene cried out, the fullness exquisite on her still-sensitive walls.
Viktor fucked her with long, deep thrusts, the moon lighting the hard planes of his face.
One hand gripped her hip, the other reached between them to rub her clit.
Come again, he commanded.
Milk my cock like the good queen you are.
She shattered around him, walls pulsing rhythmically as another orgasm ripped through her.
Viktor groaned, fangs lengthening.
He struck, biting the soft curve of her breast this time, drinking deep pulls that sent ecstasy flooding her veins.
The dual sensation of his cock driving into her and his mouth pulling at her blood pushed her into a third, blinding climax.
With a final, savage thrust, Viktor came, flooding her with thick pulses of his cool seed.
He licked the bite closed, then kissed her slowly, sharing the coppery tang.
They stayed locked together under the moonlight, his cock still buried inside her, softening gradually.
The Volkov emissary arrives soon, Viktor said quietly, stroking her hair.
Stay by my side.
Show them the strength of my mate.
And when this is over, I’ll take you to my private chambers and worship you until dawn.
Selene nodded, breathless and sated, her body humming with new power.
She was no longer running.
She was becoming the queen the vampire king deserved.
But as they straightened their clothes and returned inside, a shadow moved at the edge of the gardens, eyes watching from the darkness.
The Volkovs had arrived early.
And they had seen everything.