Back at the border, anger crackled in the air as a furious vampire strode toward Lucian, his eyes blazing with outrage. “What the hell, young prince?!” he barked, his voice sharp as a blade. “You draw your weapon against your own kind? I swore an oath to protect you from danger, not to see you defending dogs!”

Lucian’s heart sank further at the reprimand. He felt the weight of his decisions crashing down on him, the memory of Rylan’s fretting gaze still fresh in his mind. “It was necessary!” Lucian countered, defending his actions not just for himself but for Rylan and Celeste. “They were threatened.”

“Your mother will hear about this,” the vampire hissed, clenching his fists at his sides, as if holding back the urge to physically restrain him.

Without waiting for a response, Lucian pushed past his bodyguard, ignoring the looming threat in those words. He took flight, soaring through the forest, the cool night air brushing against his skin, the trees blurring past him. He didn’t stop until he reached Bloodhaven, a castle that loomed ominously over the valley. Its gothic architecture stood stark against the moonlight, a ring of mountains guarding the city from prying eyes.

With one final effort, Lucian flew into his window, landing softly in his well-decorated room—a sanctuary that felt void of warmth in that moment. Anger pulsed through his veins, and he pounded his fist against the stone wall, the echo of his frustration reverberating through the silence. He was furious not just at the situation but also at himself for allowing it to escalate.

His gaze fell upon the ring that Rylan had given him, gleaming on his desk. Picking it up, Lucian felt a pang of longing for the brief moments they had shared, and the bond that had formed amid the chaos. With a sigh, he quickly slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling the familiar comfort it provided.

Then his hand brushed against something else in his cloak pocket—the crushed remnants of a moon pastry, a reminder of the carefree times they had enjoyed together under the willow tree. He had thought carrying it would bring him closer to Rylan, but now it felt more like a bitter reminder of what he had lost.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Lucian’s bodyguard stood on the other side, his presence a reminder of his obligations and the danger that still lingered. Lucian, feeling the walls of his room close in on him, couldn't bear the thought of being confined any longer.

With an impulsive flick of his wrist, he flew out of the window again, soaring high above the castle. The cool night air enveloped him, calming his turbulent thoughts as he landed softly on the roof. Lying there, he stared up at the star-specked sky, letting the weight of his emotions wash over him. The fear and confusion surrounding Rylan and Celeste churned in his chest, and guilt gnawed at him.

“Why did it have to come to this?” he whispered into the night, hoping the stars would carry his questions into the cosmos as he lay atop the castle, the world below fading away, torn between the duty to his bloodline and the bonds he had formed with those he cherished.

In the stillness, amidst the distant whispers of the wind, Lucian made a silent promise to himself—to seek out Rylan and Celeste again, to understand the choices that lay before him, and to forge a path that honored both his heritage and his growing feelings for the young wolf. Even if it meant bridging a divide that seemed insurmountable, he would not let fear dictate his destiny.