Chapter 2

His fingers were long and powerful, with distinct knuckles. In the instant he reached out, I saw it clearly.

On his wrist, there was a distinct bite mark that hadn't fully healed yet.

My mind went blank with a "boom."

Last night, in the heat of passion, I lost control and bit him. The man groaned in pain, but indulgently stroked my hair, gently tugging at my strands to make me lift my head and meet his even more fervent, deep kiss.

"Scarlett, you're being naughty."

At that moment, warm breath brushed against my cheek, scorching hot with no distinction between us. His fingers explored the most sensitive areas of my body, making me tremble constantly.

I vaguely remembered.

The place I bit was the wrist.

Last night, was it him?

Damien always had a hint of playfulness about him, never really serious. We first met in Ethan's territory.

Back then, Damien was a nobody, staying as a guest in Ethan's castle. He liked to parade in front of me after showering, with only a gossamer-thin towel wrapped around his lower body. Water droplets would slide down his toned chest, boldly displaying his perfect pecs and abs. The subtle bulge beneath the towel made me too shy to look directly.

Once, when I had a small argument with Ethan, all the other vampires came to mediate.

Only he sent me a telepathic message.

"If you break up, consider me? I promise to give you unparalleled ecstasy like you've never experienced before."

This cheap attempt at seduction amused me. I coldly retorted:

"I wouldn't consider you, even if you were the last person on earth."

A mocking laugh quickly came from the other end.

"Wrong number, esteemed Scarlett. My apologies, I'm in pursuit of a newly turned beauty at the moment."

"Are you really angry? You didn't take me seriously, did you?"

I didn't take it seriously. Afterwards, I complained to Ethan about it, and he told me not to mind: "Damien just loves to tease women. He doesn't mean any harm. Just ignore him."

My gaze was fixed intently on Damien.

How could I lure him out?

Last night couldn't have been an accident. Perhaps it was premeditated, and there might be more to come.

I absolutely cannot let Ethan and Lilith catch onto anything.

After breakfast, we were to head to the next event location - the hunting grounds under the blood moon.

Ethan pretended to complain to me in frustration: "I told you not to bring your 'sister.' She doesn't even understand basic hunting etiquette. If it weren't for you..."

This time, I didn't even frown.

Once the two of them had walked away, I immediately grabbed the vampire-specific healing salve and approached Damien.

"Be a good boy and give me your hand."

"The wound can't touch impure things." When Damien's hand was in mine, he turned his head to the side, his ears suspiciously flushed.

But he didn't refuse me.

Feigning composure, I rolled up his sleeve.

Damien asked me, "What do you plan to do? The tokens of engagement have been exchanged, the ceremony is set, guests have received their invitations, and you've been preparing for this eternal union for so long."

"So what do you think we should do?"

I looked up, meeting Damien's eyes. He chuckled softly, a hint of inexplicable pleasure in his gaze.

"I think it'd be a shame to cancel. Let's not waste it."

He favored an old, forest-scented cologne. As he leaned in, his warm breath fell precisely on my ear, his chest pressed against my back, allowing me to feel the quickening rhythm of his heartbeat.

"You could always switch out the groom."

"For instance..." his fingers inadvertently grazed my neck, sending a shiver through me.

My heart skipped a beat, his answer not yet spoken.

A thunderous shout shattered the silence.

"What are you doing!"

It was Ethan.

He was furious: "Damien, why are you so close to your mistress?"

I didn't let go of Damien's hand: "I'm tending to his wound. Is that not allowed?" Damien obligingly wrapped an arm around my shoulders, his hand lingering suggestively at my waist. With a mischievous grin, he teased, "That's right, Ethan. Scarlett saw you and Lilith were busy 'bonding,' so she came to check on me. You wouldn't happen to be... jealous, would you?"

Ethan's face darkened to a shade that could have dripped black blood.

On the way, Lilith feigned concern, "Scarlett, I don't mean to preach, but as a vampire who's about to have an eternal companion, you really should be mindful of your proximity to other men."