I couldn’t believe she’d set me up for this. What did I tell her? Do NOT set me up with him.

Out of every available man in Romansville, she chooses the one person I couldn’t bear. And in fifteen minutes, I’ll have to be in the same room as him.

She insisted I must find someone to marry, someone to strengthen our bloodline, I just didn’t think that someone would be a werewolf. Not that I have anything against them, I don’t. But what on earth would we have in common? Would he crave blood like I do? Want to draw every drop from every person he passed? Want to tear the skin from their bones, actually maybe. It’s not like they weren’t known for their murderous tendencies.

I finish getting ready, at my mother's request, a satin ruby slip, her mother's jewels, because of course, she had to be as over the top as possible with everything.

“Rue, are you ready dear?” Her voice was tight and screechy, she’s desperate for this to work. As is my father, of course for him it’s purely business, if I secure this with him it will mean that wrens father will make good on his promises to my father.

I find the whole thing ridiculous. My fathe is and always has been obsessed with artillery weapons, you name it he owned and sold it. Of course, Wren's family, his father, in particular, shared the same obsession. They’d wanted to go into business with each other for years and as the years went on they found any excuse to link our families together. I’m certain my father just wants to marry Wren’s at this point, and I would encourage him with the amount he and Mom argued.

But anyway, that’s for another day.

I wanted nothing more than to shove Wren’s date in his face. I’ve known him for years and by known I mean loathed, not pure hatred, he hadn't actually done anything to irk me as such. A gentle loathing you could call it. He always insisted i would fall victim to his charms, insisted that I would end up in his bed. I would die a painful death before he even dared touch me, but if an unhappy marriage was what I had to endure, then for my family and everything they’ve done for me, I would endure it. But that is it, nothing more. I wouldn’t touch the man, I don’t care if he has every woman in Romansville falling at his knees. I daren’t be one of them.

I touch up my scarlet red lipstick, at my mother's request, she wants me to look as good as vampirically possible.

The portal opens when I reach the bottom of the stairs, swirling and swooshing in the exact shape of my figure with its purple glitter. A few weeks back my mother had demanded I take lessons in decorum and manners, of course as vampires it wasn't exactly second nature for me to keep my elbows off of a table. My idea of courtesy was leaving the warm ones alive, but ah well, how the other half live.

And it’s not like werewolves were up to speed with it either, surely they were savages, worse than vampires? I haven’t even spent much time with them, only brief instances when my father had had meetings with Wren's father. But as my mother comes skirting into the entryway I push every thought away. As much as I hate their meddling, I love them dearly, I’ll suck it up for the time being.

“Darling you look…” my father, murderous Michaels they called him, has a single tear in his green eyes.

“I know, doesn’t she?” My mother adorns, tidying a few curls that framed my face, and jujjing up the rest of my raven hair for volume.

“My god don’t I have a good eye” She takes in my outfit, applauding her style skills.

“Now, do you remember the conversation topics?” Mother insists for I can’t remember how many numbers of times now.

“Jesus Mom, I don’t need conversation starters, I have interacted with other beings before.”

She closes her eyes and exhales to centre herself, she is taking this far too seriously,” Yes rue, other vampires, but werewolves, werewolves are…”

The apples of her cheeks redden, and her pupils dilate a touch, what on earth just crossed her mind?

“Anyway, it’ll be fine. You’ll be fine. Just, remember your lessons okay? They expect manners, they want a daughter-in-law with class.”

“Wow, mom.” I roll my eyes, not actually bothered, this is who she was, it’s my normal.

She smooths my hair out a final time, mumbling affirmations, more to herself than me.

I blow out a steadying breath, eyeing myself up in the mirror one final time.

You’ve got this.

My muscles ache and spasm slightly as I’m rushed through the portal, it’s not often I use them, I don’t like to if I can avoid it. I have a reoccurring thought that I’ll become diverted and trapped in a void, nothingness, forever.

_Jesus. _Think positive rue, you can have an existential crisis another time.

Wren's house comes into view and I’m jolted into his realm, my god it’s freezing, no wonder they’re covered in fur half the time.

I wrap my red shawl tighter, cursing the five-inch heels already digging into my skin. I’m welcomed by the house attendant, Renfield, fitting, I know.

“Miss Michaels, you look magnificent, it’s a pleasure to have you here. Sir Wren is awaiting you in the dining room.” Renfields gleaming smile soothes my nerves, the sooner I can get through tonight the better, the rest will be a breeze.

I’m not sure why I can’t stand Wren, he isn’t particularly unkind, sarcastic yes, but he was no doubt charming. Witty too. I wasn’t unaware of his seduction with women, and men too actually, he could seduce just anyone. I think it’s become a personal challenge. I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy his irritation when I resist him, I’m the only woman he can’t affect, but actually, to my misfortune, that only encourages him.

Though that might have to change, I can’t detest him forever, at least not outwardly, if this marriage is to work.

Renfield escorts me to the hallway, the candles beautifully lining the dark hallways, my heels clicking eerily against the marble. If I had a heart it would sprinting behind my sternum right now.

“Rue.”

I hear him before I see him, his voice strained. His suit is tailored to him with perfection, black, simple, and powerful, him.

I notice the seriousness in his tone, god what did they tell him, does he think I’ve already agreed?

His lingering stare pays me a compliment he doesn’t need to voice, Jesus he needs to cool it with this intensity.

“Hey!” I say in a cheery voice, attempting to undercut the atmosphere threatening to suffocate me.

He looks momentarily perplexed before gesturing towards the seat in front of me.

He leads me to the seat opposite his, pulling out my chair, his cologne is strong and unexpected. There’s something in it I can’t quite put my finger on that Is just so unexplainably him.

“So, this arrangement, what exactly do you want from it?”

He cocks a brow at me, smoothing his suit over with one palm, “We have all the time for that, food first.”

The second the words leave his mouth two waiters bring us covered dishes, before I object to what I believe is actual food, Wren raises his palm in a halt motion towards me, and the waiter removes the lid revealing the most exquisite-looking cocktail I’ve ever seen. Cherries line the Mary Antoinette-style glass, my god king Louis had a good eye. The sustenance I’ve consumed for the last twenty-four years sits there, elegantly if it were possible, I’m used to the human form so this is quite a level up for me.

“Type O is your preference, yes?” He says, though of course, he doesn’t need an answer, his ego would never allow for mistakes. He watches me intently as I take a sip.

I close my eyes as my tastebuds savour every drop of flavour bursting on my tongue, this was the blood of an emperor or an enemy, the latter of which was always my favourite, despite the cliche revenge was indeed sweet.

I lick the remnants off of my lips and his eyes follow the action.

“Good?” His voice is husky, not having yet even touched his steak that could feed two men.

“Exquisite,” I respond, forgetting my manners when I finish the glass in one.

His returning smirk warms my skin, and I shove down the sensation.

No. Nope. Not happening. He had to have spiked it with a seduction elixir, only explanation.

He cuts his steak with immaculate precision, the blood dripping off of it, his jaw works to chew it and I find myself honing in on that particular muscle straining with each punishing bite. A drop of blood falls against his lips and he’s quick to catch it with his tongue, swiping it across his mouth.

“I’m sorry did you want some? You can’t seem to take your eyes off of it.” He asks, his blue eyes flickering with deviousness.

“I’m full, thanks.”

He nods once, his expression still amused.

“So, you wanted to discuss things. Let’s discuss.” He leans back, undoing his tie and resting it on the chair next to him.

“Yes. I want to know what I’ll be letting myself in for.”

He suppresses a smile immediately.

“You make it sound as though you’re being forced, rue. This isn’t a grand scheme to make your life a misery.” He says, and those precise words make me think that that’s exactly what it is.

“I won’t sit here and whine but it’s not as though I volunteered to be your blushing bride.”

He twists the glass of whisky in his hand, contemplating my words.

“Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be pleasant for you.” He states, I have a dying urge to question what on earth he means by that, I have wealth and happiness, what could he possibly offer me?

“That’s wonderful but I’m not too eager to become one of your many escapades, I don’t enjoy for my connections to be so fleeting.”

“Fleeting they may be, my… connections are always eager.” He says with such conviction I can do nothing but process it.

He continues before I can respond, “But besides, you wouldn’t be an escapade, you’d be my wife. I your husband. And as with everything in my life, I would take that role very seriously.”

I don’t like where he’s going with this, the expression on his face, is one of hunger, of determination.

“I don’t expect an answer immediately Rue, I’m a patient man, I’ll wait. This may be business to our fathers, but I feel differently. You perplex and entice me all at once. Before you attempt to fool yourself you would be wise to remember that I too have abilities, I know of the effect I have on you, but we’ll leave it there tonight. I don’t want to overwhelm you. Sleep soundly princess, I’m sure tonight will be my second appearance in your dreams.” He says as he leaves me with one last heated glance, the room now cold in his absence.