The Nightshade Clan and the Slinter Clan were ancient enemies. Yet Augustine and I, the Prince and Princess of our rival clans, fell in love.

We were Mates. Our love was a firestorm, defying all who stood against us.

On the day we sealed our blood pact, Augustine held my hand and, with his own blood, made a solemn vow. "If I should ever betray you, may I suffer the agony of a thousand silver daggers to the heart. And may all the power of the Slinter Clan be yours."

I looked at him then, my smile so full of happiness it felt like it could light up the night.

On our 500th anniversary, Augustine filled an entire city with blood-red roses for me.

But all I got was a photo from his human blood slave.

In it, she was naked, her skin covered in the marks of a long night of sex.

And the hand wrapped around her waist… I knew it instantly. My name was tattooed on the wrist.

【The Prince says he only feels true pleasure when he's fucking me.】

【He took me five times tonight. I'm afraid he won't have anything left for you. Sorry, Princess.】

I didn’t reply. I just quietly took out the blood pact.

In seven days, I would hold him to his vow.

I sat in the study of our castle, the yellowed parchment clutched in my hand, a bitter smile on my lips.

The ancient vampiric script glowed a deep crimson in the candlelight: "Should Augustine Slinter betray this pact, he shall suffer the pain of a thousand blades through the heart, and his family’s power, fortune, and title will pass in their entirety to Haley Nightshade."

In the bottom right corner was a single, blood-red thumbprint. Augustine’s.

All I had to do was press my own thumbprint beside it, and the pact would be sealed.

My finger hovered over the parchment. I’d already pricked the skin. A bead of crimson blood was about to fall.

Just then, a knock came at the study door.

"My lady?"

It was Clara, my most trusted confidante.

"What is it?"

She smiled. "I just wanted to remind you, my lady. Your birthday is in seven days."

"Prince Augustine will surely throw you a grand celebration, just like every year."

A celebration?

In that instant, my plans changed.

I decided I would prepare a gift for Augustine, too. One he would never forget.

I would bring our 500-year bond to a spectacular end at a party everyone was watching.

"I need you to prepare a few things for me. Something to be… revealed at the banquet," I said, then paused. "And I will be returning to the Nightshade Clan in seven days. Make the arrangements."

Clara stared, stunned for a moment, before trying to gently reason with me. "My lady, perhaps you should reconsider?"

There was another clause in the pact: "If he betrays his mate, Augustine shall be barred from Nightshade territory for all eternity."

Once this was done, there was no turning back.

But I nodded, my resolve firm. "I'm sure."

After Clara left, I glanced at my constantly vibrating phone.

On the vampire social network, everyone was buzzing about my 500-year anniversary with Augustine.

He had apparently covered the entire city in my favorite blood-red roses and had even opened his private blood bank for a full day, all to celebrate our union.

I walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window.

The sight outside was indeed breathtaking.

A tide of blood-red roses flooded every street, glowing ethereally under the moonlight.

Comments scrolled by on the network feed.

【500 years and still so romantic!】

【Is this what being Mates looks like? I’m so jealous!】

【Prince Augustine is the definition of a perfect partner!】

A perfect partner?

Before I received those messages, I would have thought so too.

After all, Augustine remembered every important date. He planned thoughtful gifts. He even proposed a peace treaty to ease the tension between our clans…

But a month ago, on a night Augustine said he was away handling some unrest, I suddenly received a message from his phone. It was a woman's voice.

"The Prince says my blood is the best he's ever tasted."

"He got me blood-red roses tonight, but I don't like them. To avoid waste, he said he'd give them to you as an anniversary gift."

At the time, I didn't know who she was. I held on to a faint hope that it was all a misunderstanding.

A week later, I saw her at Augustine’s side. Lucy.

He introduced her with a calm expression. "Just a blood slave offered up by one of my vassals."

"Don't worry, my love," he had whispered to me. "I only had them draw blood for me. I can't stand touching those wretched things."

But I didn't miss the loaded glance they shared.

In that moment, my mind went blank.

And today, our anniversary, was the first one Augustine had ever missed.

I knew where he was.

Because I’d received another message from Lucy.

It was a photo. She was lounging on silk sheets in black lacy lingerie, her body covered in fresh love bites.

The most glaring detail was the blood-ruby ring on her hand. It was identical to the one on my ring finger.

A matched set Augustine had forged with his own heart’s blood. There were only two in the entire world.

【The Prince says he only feels true pleasure when he's fucking me.】

【He took me five times tonight. I'm afraid he won't have anything left for you. Sorry, Princess.】

Augustine’s phone call came right after.

"My dearest Haley, I'm so sorry I can't be with you tonight. I'm preparing a special surprise for you. You'll see it tomorrow, and I promise you'll love it. I love you, my queen."

In the background, I could hear the faint sound of a woman's laughter and the whisper of sheets.

"Of course," I heard myself say calmly. "I'll be waiting for your surprise."

After hanging up, I stared out at the sea of blood-red roses.

The vampires in the streets were still celebrating what they saw as "perfect love."

And Augustine? He probably whispered those sweet nothings to me from Lucy's arms.

I stood before my vanity, the blood-ruby ring in my hand. For five hundred years, it had never left my finger.

Augustine had said it was forged from his heart’s blood, one of a kind.

But now, Lucy wore its twin.

I clenched my fist, and the ring shattered. The crimson shards cut into my palm, my own blood dripping between my fingers. The pain was grounding.

I then took out the scroll of our Mating pact and, without hesitation, ripped it to shreds.

I placed the ring fragments and torn parchment into an elegant ebony box. On top, I placed a label I’d written myself: A Parting Gift.

"Haley? My love, I'm home!"

Augustine's voice, full of its usual warmth and affection, drifted up from downstairs.

I quickly tucked the box into a corner and composed my expression.

A few minutes later, he pushed open the study door, holding a lavish velvet box. He was still devastatingly handsome in the moonlight.

"My love, I have a special surprise for you." He walked toward me and slowly opened the box.

Inside lay a gem the size of a dove's egg, glowing with a soft, silvery light. It was perfectly clear, yet seemed to shimmer with a mysterious power.

"The Tear of the Moon," he said, his voice laced with pride. "A legendary jewel said to hold immense healing power. It took me three whole months to secure it from an ancient family in Northern Europe."

He knelt on one knee, his posture reverent and full of love. "I want to lay all the world's treasures at your feet, my queen. You deserve nothing but the best."

Such beautiful words. Such a loving gesture.

If I hadn’t caught the faint red smudge on his wrist—a stain that looked damningly like lipstick—I might have actually been moved.

Disgusting.

"It's beautiful. Thank you," I managed, forcing a small smile as I took the gem.

Augustine stood, seeming to notice my mood. "What's wrong? You don't seem happy."

"It's nothing."

His eyes fell on the ebony box in the corner. "What's this?"

He reached for it curiously.

"You can't have it yet," I said, pulling the box back. "You'll get it in seven days, along with my second gift."

"Seven days?" Augustine paused, then his eyes lit up in realization. "Gods, I almost forgot! Your birthday is in seven days!"

He was instantly animated. "I'll send out the orders at once! We'll prepare the grandest celebration, invite all the noble houses, and—"

In five hundred years, he had never forgotten my birthday.

It seemed that human blood slave was taking up a lot of his energy.

"Wait," I interrupted. "This year, I want to plan the party myself."

He looked at me, puzzled. "Why? I always—"

"Because I want us to have a truly 'memorable' birthday," I said, emphasizing the word. "Trust me, it will be a night no one will ever forget."

He didn't question it. Instead, a fond smile spread across his face. "Of course. Anything you want. As long as you're happy."

Just then, his phone rang.

"Lord Augustine," a subordinate's respectful voice came through the speaker. "Have you forgotten tonight's arrangement? You and the lady were scheduled to attend the masquerade at the Rose Manor, to recreate your first meeting…"

Augustine slapped his forehead. "Right! How could I forget our tradition!"

He looked at me, guilt-ridden. "I'm so sorry, my love. I've been so swamped lately, it completely slipped my mind. Shall we go now?"

The Rose Manor.

The place we first met. A sacred spot we visited every anniversary.

We were so innocent then, so in love.

Augustine always used to plan for it weeks in advance. Now he needed his underlings to remind him.

How ironic.

Half an hour later, we arrived at the Rose Manor. The owner, a respected elder Prince, greeted us personally.

"Augustine, Haley. Seeing you two always reminds me of my own youth," the elder Prince said with a kind smile. "Five hundred years, and your love is as sweet as ever."

Augustine gallantly removed my cloak, his touch as gentle as if he were handling a priceless work of art.

He then poured me a glass of blood-wine and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

The perfect, doting husband.

"Look at you two," the elder Prince sighed. "It's truly something to envy. By the way, have you two considered siring an heir?"

Augustine looked at me lovingly, his eyes filled with deep affection. "We'll let nature take its course. Besides…"

He paused, his voice growing even softer. "I want more time with just Haley. Our time alone is precious. I want to cherish every moment."

Hearing this, I silently took a sip of my wine.

The music began. The masquerade ball was starting.

Everyone donned their ornate masks, just like on that fateful night five hundred years ago.

Back then, Augustine and I both felt the mysterious pull between Mates, finding each other instantly in the crowded ballroom.

Ever since, on our anniversary, we would recreate that moment. Augustine would always walk through the sea of masked women and, without hesitation, take my hand.

It was our tradition.

I put on my silver mask and walked to the center of the dance floor.

As the familiar waltz began, everyone else started pairing up.

I stood still, waiting for Augustine to find me, just like every other year.

And then I saw him. Wearing a matching black mask, he started walking toward me.

But just as he was three steps away, he stopped.

A woman in a long, red gown approached him from the side, holding out her hand.

I recognized that figure instantly. It was Lucy.

I watched as Lucy leaned in and whispered something in his ear. A smile flickered across Augustine's face. He glanced around, as if checking to see if I was watching.

Then, under the cover of his mask, he followed her out of the ballroom.

Five hundred years of tradition, shattered by his own hand.

I quietly used my power to create a bat familiar and sent it to follow them.

They got into a black luxury car parked outside the manor.

My familiar perched on the window, and I heard their conversation clearly.

"What the hell are you doing here? This is reckless. I told you, Haley can't find out about you."

Lucy's voice was a whiny pout. "But it hurts. The thought of you spending your anniversary with her… the thought of you two making love later… it makes my skin crawl."

Augustine chuckled, trying to soothe her. "You're mine. What are you so worried about? You know where I like you best."

Rage and humiliation nearly made my familiar lose its form.

"Really?" Lucy giggled. "Then what about your promise to give me The Embrace?"

"I'll do it tonight. Happy now?" Augustine's voice turned husky. "I'll drain you dry tonight. That should keep you from getting needy and pulling a stunt like this again."

Lucy laughed and threw herself into his arms. The sound of wet, sloppy kisses filled the car.

Fighting back my nausea, I recorded it all and recalled my familiar.

Back in the ballroom, the other guests had sensed the crushing weight of my fury and had tactfully cleared out.

Half an hour later, Augustine rushed back.

Seeing the empty hall and my pale face, he immediately looked frantic.

"Haley! What happened? Why are you all alone? Where did everyone go?" He strode toward me. "I just got an urgent report from my men. A border dispute with another clan. I had to handle it personally. I'm sorry I left you alone…"

"Enough," I cut him off coldly. "I'm tired. I'm going home."

Without waiting for a reply, I teleported away from the manor.

Augustine followed me back to the castle, his face a mask of worry and confusion.

"Was it because I left to handle clan business? Because I didn't dance with you?"

I looked up, staring directly into his eyes.

His face was full of concern and self-reproach, but not a shred of guilt from his tryst.

"Yes."

Augustine sighed. "That was my mistake. From now on, no matter how urgent it is, I will always put you first."

He paused, then took my hand, asking carefully, "I just got another call from my men. An allied clan is under attack by werewolves. I have to go, Haley. You understand, don't you?"

I caught the flash of anticipation and excitement in his eyes, hidden beneath a facade of weary obligation.

So eager to give Lucy The Embrace, were you?

I forced a thin smile, too tired to call him on his lie. I just gave a quiet "Mm."

The moment he left, I dissolved into a black mist and followed him.

He went straight to the most luxurious hotel in the city and entered the presidential suite on the top floor.

I slipped through a crack in the window as a wisp of fog, hiding in the shadows.

Lucy was already waiting for him.

She wore a set of sheer black lace lingerie, her eyes smoldering as she looked at him.

"My Prince, I've been waiting for so long," she cooed. "You said you'd give me The Embrace tonight."

"Of course, my little demon," Augustine said, walking toward her, his eyes full of lust.

They embraced and kissed, his hands roaming her body.

I fought back my disgust, my phone steadily recording the scene.

"I'm going to take a shower. Wait for me, and we'll begin," Augustine murmured, kissing her neck.

After he went into the bathroom, Lucy picked up her phone, a triumphant smirk on her face.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzed with a notification.

A location pin, showing this exact hotel.

A second message followed immediately.

"Tonight, he's giving me The Embrace. I will be his, forever."