VIKTOR WALKED INTO the royal living room, his thoughts a million miles away. He wished he could turn back time an hour and be back in the garden with Cate. He would’ve kissed her, instead of holding back. He needed to feel her skin against his and inhale the sweet citrus scent of her chocolate brown hair. Taste her lips and listen to the soft inhale of her breath as she kissed him back. He wished he hadn’t let her go without telling her how he felt.

But the proper side of him knew that he’d done the right thing. In a few days, Cate would go home, alive and well. She’d eventually forget him, as she should, and maybe build a family of her own. He could picture her forty years from now, graying and beautiful, wisdom painted into the lines on her face. She would grow old and die, as mortals did. The proper circle of life. Not the twisted result of a parasitic curse that created a thirst for blood and granted immortality.

For the first time in a long time, he wished things were different.

“How’s lover-boy doing tonight?” Leo was sprawled across a couch, a glass of red liquid in his hand. He held a TV remote in his other hand and flicked casually through the channels.

Victor growled and threw himself in a stiff backed chair. “Don’t call me that.”

“Yikes, someone’s in a mood.” Shutting the TV off, he fixed all his attention on his brother. “Want to vent?”

“Not particularly.” 

“I thought a night snog with the alluring Cate would’ve left you in a better mood.” Leo laughed heartily and sipped at his drink. “What’s wrong? Did she turn you down?”

He looked away, the muscles in his jaw tensing.

His brother groaned. “Don’t tell me you turned her down. What is it going to take to get my big brother to loosen up? Live a little. Kiss the girl. Better yet, invite her to your bed for the night.”

Viktor stiffened in his chair. Rage coursed through him and he could feel his self-control slipping. “You have no idea of the things you speak of,” he snapped. “You go through life as if it’s one big party. But there are consequences for your actions. Life or death consequences. Love isn’t a game. Neither is intimacy. I would think after seven hundred years, you’d have learned one of these lessons.”

Leo blinked at him, his blue eyes wide. Carefully setting his drink on a nearby table, he pursed his lips and pinned his brother with a serious expression. “You’re in love with her.”

It wasn’t a question. Viktor chewed the inside of his cheek, unsure how to respond. He hadn’t considered love up until now. Still, the word lingered in the air like a truth whispered by a celestial being. Was that what he was feeling? A hope so bright it stung and a simultaneous anguish that crushed his vital organs. It felt like flying high and plunging to his death at the same time. 

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, his voice quieting. “We aren’t meant to be together.”

“How can you say that, brother?” Leo leaned forward, grasping his own knees. “She’s perfect for you. And believe me, I’ve been watching you grapple with the opposite sex for centuries. No one has ever compared to Cate.”

He couldn’t argue with that. But Leo didn’t know about the one big thing separating them. It wasn’t that simple.

“What if it’s not meant to be?” 

“Why don’t you leave that decision up to her?” Leo asked with an incredulous smile.

“How can you say that when you’ve witnessed our own parents’ heartache?” He sighed and shook his head. “How much it hurt them to put their hearts on the line? Do you truly wish for me to put my happiness in the hands of another person who could crush it fully?”

Their father had never been the same when their mother passed. They’d both witnessed the change. It was undeniable and crushing.

A thoughtful frown crossed Leo’s face. Slowly, his licked his lips and looked up at his brother. “Even at the end, I don’t think our parents would’ve chosen anything else. They were truly in love. Sometimes that happiness is fleeting. But it’s worth all the pain in the world to hold it in your hands, for even a second.”

Viktor considered his brother’s words as the room fell into silence. He’d been so consumed by the pain of his mother’s loss, he’d forgotten the wonderful moments of their life. His parents had been in love. Sturdy, unchangeable love that still permeated his life. A relationship like that didn’t come without the risk of heartache, but he had to admit that it was worth it.

“When did you become so wise?” he asked his brother with a grin.

Leo snatched the TV remote and began flipping through the channels again. A wicked gleam lit up his eyes. “Don’t get used to it. I’m afraid I’ve just about used up my wisdom quota for the next century.”

❖

Cate was stuffing the last of her things into her suitcase when Miranda knocked at the door. Her friend looked weary, as if she’d been out partying all night. Her usually impeccable work clothes were replaced with a soft green t-shirt and yoga pants that clung to her curvy hips. She hadn’t bothered to hide the dark circles under her eyes with concealer.

Cate ushered her in quickly and locked the door behind her. “Where have you been?” she demanded in a hushed whisper. “I left you a message hours ago. What’s the good of lending me a track phone if you’re not going to answer when I call?”

Miranda sighed and sunk into a chair. “Last night was a special initiation event for my pack. I spent the whole night running through the mountains. You’ll have to forgive me for not answering. My werewolf form doesn’t come with pockets.”

Cate ignored her friend’s sass and zipped her suitcase shut. Glancing around the room, she was glad to see she hadn’t missed anything, except for a single blue box laying on the dresser. It had appeared late last night, during her walk in the gardens. The jewelry she’d picked out for the final ceremony tonight. The ceremony she would never attend.

“What’s going on?” Miranda demanded, perking up at the sight of the suitcase. “Did Prince Viktor finally eliminate you?”

“No, I’m being blackmailed,” she shot back bitterly. “Jezebel found out I’m a human. She threatened to reveal the truth to the Queen and King if I don’t leave before the ceremony tonight.”

Her friend ground her teeth and anger flashed in her dark eyes. “She can’t do that! What about Prince Viktor? He’ll stop her.”

“He can’t stop her,” she responded, sinking into the chair next to Miranda. “He’s a crown prince, but he’s not above supernatural law. You said it yourself. If they find out I’m human, you’ll be in trouble.”

“I don’t care.” Miranda lifted her chin and growled. “No one pushes my best friend around.”

Despite herself, a light smile came to Cate’s lips. She was glad to know her old best friend still existed in this messed up place. Miranda wasn’t someone who took things lying down. She was a fighter. She’d go to the ends of the Earth to defend Cate. Unfortunately, they were already there.

“It doesn’t matter.” She placed a hand on Miranda’s knee. “If they find out, I’ll be changed. And worse, I’ll be guilty of lying to the King. They’ll have to punish me.”

The hesitation in Miranda’s eyes told her she was right. There was no way out of this. She had to leave. And that meant leaving Viktor. The thought hurt like a knife to the gut.

“This is what you wanted, though, right?” Miranda grabbed her hand. “To go home? Surely, no one will suspect you now. You’ve been in the competition long enough.”

“Yes, it’s what I wanted.”

She sighed, unable to contain the disappointment. This was what she wanted just days ago. How quickly things changed.

Miranda watched her closely, squeezing her hand. “Why do I sense that’s not true anymore?”

Pushing up from the chair, Cate went to stare out the window. The sun had just begun to rise on the horizon. Yellow and orange streaks burst across the sky, building anticipation for the beautiful day to come. The sea blinked in the distance, the calmest she’d seen it since arriving. It was a deceitful scene, so unlike the emotions rolling through her at that moment.

“If someone would’ve told you five years ago that you would become a werewolf, what would you have said?” Cate asked, turning toward her best friend.

Miranda laughed and waved her hand. “I would’ve said they’d lost their mind. That monsters didn’t exist.”

“Monsters don’t exist.” She shook her head solemnly, little lines forming between her eyebrows. “But they do. Werewolves, and vampires, and according to you, all other sorts of paranormal creatures.”

People who turned into wolves. Creatures who survived on blood to exist. That was the very epitome of monsters. She should be running away from this place, grateful to be rid of it. Still, she lingered next to her suitcase, not quite ready to run. The few days she’d spent here had been amazing. After a year of feeling lost, she’d finally begun to find herself. Her old passions were resurfacing, along with a confidence she thought had perished with her mother.

And it was all because of one monster in particular. A monster with a gentle smile and a soft touch. She was attached to him, in some way. Like a string extending from her chest. If she left now, she was afraid it would snap and leave her paralyzed. But, what choice did she have?

“You know, it’s not such a bad thing to fall in love with a monster,” Miranda said in a hushed tone, coming to stand next to her.

Cate closed her eyes against a rush of emotion. “Fall in love?”

“Yes, fall in love.” Miranda gave a sad laugh. “By all accounts, it seems like he’s the least monstrous man you’ve ever fallen for. And believe me, I’ve hated them all. Except, for him.”

She laughed and squinted at her friend. “You’re serious? He’s a vampire and drinks blood.”

“Does he treat you like you deserve?” Miranda placed a soft hand on her arm. “And make you feel like flying? I’ve known you almost my entire life, Cate. And I’ve never seen you like this. It’s the real deal, vampire or not.”

Her shoulders wilted and she felt tears burn at the corner of her eyes. “But Jezebel...”

“Screw Jezebel!” Miranda’s eyes flashed yellow again. “She doesn’t control you. And I have a feeling her bark is worse than her bite. Stay for Prince Viktor. Stay for love, if that’s what you want. I’ll be behind you all the way. You’re my best friend and you deserve happiness, no matter what form that takes.”

“The King and Queen won’t like it.”

“The King and Queen don’t have to know.” She held up Cate’s hand and pointed to the ring. “You’re still protected. Take a chance on him, Cate. Don’t let fear keep you from gaining the world.”

A laugh bubbled from deep within Cate’s chest. She let it loose and fell upon her friend with a lung-crushing hug.

“Have I ever told you that you’re the world’s best friend?”

Miranda eyed her, a playful frown on her lips. “Not enough.”

“Well, I vow to remind you every day until I die.”

Cate started, realizing exactly what those words meant. She wasn’t ready to become one with the undead — yet. But the possibility was there. A life with Prince Viktor meant several lifetimes. If he felt the same way about her, she’d have to consider it.

“Come on, we’ve got to get you ready for the ball,” Miranda said, tugging on Cate’s hands. She dug her feet into the carpet suddenly and sighed. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

They both laughed and ran toward the giant suite closet to investigate.