*Selena*
“Father, let’s keep this fight between us. Don’t involve a child in this. Release Selena’s son!” Damon interrupted.
“Have you forgotten your manners, Damon? What’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Don’t you remember that they are our enemies, and we need to defeat them?” Silas scolded his son with a snarl, but Damon seemed unaffected, glaring at his father with fury.
“I haven’t forgotten anything, Father. I remember very well that a true warrior never uses elders, children, or women in their fight. They fight with bravery and rely on strength,” Damon declared with a roar.
I was deeply impressed by his words. Despite being seen as our rival, a bloodthirsty Vampire, he appeared to be a man of honor and power.
Zander exchanged a glance with Damon, and without a word, Damon lunged at the vampire holding Austin, swiftly grabbing him and passing him to me. I held my son tightly in my arms while our soldiers drew their swords, launching an attack on the cunning vampires.
Silas was caught off guard by Zander and Damon’s unexpected move, looking shocked and bewildered.
“Damon, you’re a traitor! You’re fighting for the enemy’s side. I disown you,” Silas snarled, ordering his soldiers, “Attack! Ensure no one escapes alive.”
“Keep dreaming, Silas. Your time is up,” Zander declared as he shifted and leaped into the fray.
I held onto Austin firmly, reassuring him, “Baby boy, Mom’s here. No one can harm you. Just keep your eyes closed and don’t look at what’s happening around us.”
Austin obediently hid his face in my shoulder, holding me tightly and shutting his eyes.
Zander and Maddox shielded me, safeguarding both Austin and me by fiercely battling the Vampires with their expert skills.
However, more Vampire soldiers arrived, intensifying the fight. There were painful screams, blood spattering everywhere, creating a frightening scene.
Amidst the chaos, I witnessed Uncle Jack, fighting alongside the Vampires, launching an attack on Zander from behind. But he was no match for the Alpha King. In a swift move, Zander tossed him into the air, snapping his neck, and Uncle’s lifeless body slammed against the far wall. Tears welled up in my eyes involuntarily. No matter how cunning he was, witnessing his death pained my heart. I wished he had listened to me, improved his actions by apologizing, and surrendered before the Alpha King.
“Selena, who will save you now?” I was lost in mourning over Uncle’s death and didn’t have time to be alert when Silas suddenly appeared behind me, grabbing me and preparing to bite. Austin screamed in horror.
Zander’s gaze snapped toward me. He was at another corner as he shouted warnings at Silas. “Don’t do anything foolish, Silas. I’m warning you.”
But Silas laughed wickedly. “Your mate has to die, Alpha King.”
Zander lunged, dashing toward me, and as Silas descended towards my neck, his teeth touched my skin. I closed my eyes, feeling my death drawing near, holding my breath and praying to the moon Goddess to save my son.
Suddenly, Silas was forcefully pulled away from me while Zander pulled me away at the same time before Silas’s teeth could sink into my neck. I saw Damon stabbing his father with a wooden stake, piercing his heart. “No one can harm my mate,” he declared, trembling with anger, heaving and breathing loudly.
The Vampire king was killed, and his soldiers stopped fighting, surrendering to the Alpha king.
Zander’s concerned gaze was fixed on me intently as he asked, “Are you okay?”
I nodded, then turned to look at Austin. He observed his father with curiosity in his eyes.
Zander tousled Austin’s hair as he assured him, “I’m here, son. No one can hurt you.”
“Austin, you’ve always wanted to meet your dad, right?” I asked gently, kissing his head.
He nodded eagerly.
“He’s your dad,” I said, gesturing towards Zander.
“Austin, my son!” Zander whispered in amazement. His eyes overflowed with all the love he had. I had never seen him display any emotions, but for the first time in his life, I saw softness and vulnerability in his expression. Zander opened his arms, and Austin jumped into his father’s embrace.
A tear of joy fell from my eyes. I had been waiting for this day since I first learned I was carrying Austin.
Zander showered sloppy kisses all over Austin’s face, repeating, “My son. My blood. My heir!”
“Dad!” Austin laughed joyfully, embracing his father. “Will you live with us now?” he asked innocently, tugging at my heartstrings. I remembered how much he longed for his dad when he saw other kids playing with theirs.
“Yes, son. I’m here to take you and your mother with me. We’ll all live together,” Zander confirmed, gently stroking Austin’s head.
“So, you’ll never leave us alone?!” Innocence shone in Austin’s eyes as he looked at Zander, who briefly glanced at me before returning his gaze to Austin.
“Never!” Zander vowed, hugging Austin tightly to his chest. It was an incredibly emotional moment, and I struggled to hold back tears. Zander’s long arm wrapped around my shoulder, pulling me closer, and for a brief moment, we stood there together, sharing that heartfelt connection.
Then Zander approached Damon.
“Prince Damon, after your father’s passing, I hereby declare you the new king of the Vampires,” Zander proclaimed, removing the crown from Dmon’s father’s head and gently placing it on Damon’s temple.
A wave of applause and cheers erupted throughout the gathering, celebrating the ascension of the new Vampire king.
With the transfer of leadership to Damon complete, we departed for the Moonglow Pack territory. During the journey, Austin bombarded his father with questions, eager to understand the truth about their heritage as werewolves and Alpha lineage. Zander shared everything with remarkable patience, a rare trait for him.
Austin’s eyes sparkled with excitement upon learning that his father was the Alpha King and he was a prince. A smile crept across my face as I gazed at my small family. I hoped that finally, everything would fall into place, and we could lead a peaceful life together.