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."

Ignoring the ache in my chest, I remained silent in the shadows and kept watching.

Augustine emerged from the bathroom with only a towel around his waist, water droplets tracing paths down his chiseled chest.

"Ready to be mine forever, my love?" he asked, his voice low and sensual as he approached Lucy.

She nodded shyly and untied the strings of her bra. "I've been ready for so long, Augustine. I want to be yours forever."

They came together, and Augustine’s fangs sank into her neck.

Blood trickled down her pale skin, but she didn't cry out in pain. She let out a soft moan of pleasure.

The ritual of The Embrace was performed with the most primal act of union.

Augustine drank her blood while they writhed together, their bodies entwined.

They even moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, letting the pedestrians below catch shadowed glimpses of their intimate dance.

Lucy seemed to revel in the thrill of being watched, pressing herself against the glass to expose more of her body.

"Look, Augustine, they're all watching us," she purred. "They must be so jealous that I have the love of a vampire Prince."

Augustine chuckled darkly, his movements becoming more feral. "Let them watch."

I calmly recorded every second of it. Then I sent the video to Clara with a short message:

"Play this at the banquet."

Clara’s reply was swift: "Understood."

Next, I sent a message to the elders of the Nightshade Clan.

"In seven days, I am returning home."

The High Elder, Damien, sensed something was wrong immediately. "Did Augustine betray you?"

"Yes."

"Damn him!" Damien’s reply was a furious curse. "I always said you couldn't trust a Slinter! Haley, you know the Nightshade Clan will always be your home."

The other elders sent messages of comfort, their words filled with disgust for Augustine and sympathy for me.

In the hotel room, the two were still lost in their sordid ritual.

I had seen enough. I slipped out of the hotel unnoticed.

Late that night, Augustine finally returned to the castle.

He reeked of Lucy’s perfume and the unmistakable scent of sex. He hadn't even bothered to hide the bite mark on his neck—a mark Lucy had left in the throes of passion.

He thought I was asleep, that I wouldn't notice such details.

He wrapped his arms around me tightly, whispering with false emotion, "Haley, I love you so much."

His hand stroked my hair. "Promise me you'll never leave me, alright? I can't lose you. I absolutely can't."

As he spoke, I could clearly smell the other woman on him.

Hypocrite.

The next day, Augustine left again, this time with the excuse of a clan council meeting.

"It will probably run late. I might not be back until late tonight," he said, kissing my forehead. "Get some rest. Don't wait up for me."

I nodded, watching him go.

Five minutes later, I was following him again.

Augustine didn't go to the council chambers. He drove to an old church on the outskirts of the city.

Lucy was already there, dressed in a pure white gown.

"Augustine!" She threw herself at him, pouting like a little girl. "I thought you weren't coming."

"How could I not?" He stroked her head fondly. "Now tell me, why did you want me to meet you at a church?"

Lucy bit her lip, putting on a wounded expression. "I know I'm just your lover. I can't compare to Haley. But…"

She paused, tears welling in her eyes. "Can't I have a ceremony of my own? Even if it's just for show, just something to make me feel like I have a place in your heart."

She clutched his hand tightly. "I won't compete with Haley for anything. I just want a ceremony to prove my love for you. Is that too much to ask?"

Augustine was silent for a long time, conflict warring in his eyes.

Finally, he sighed. "Alright. If it will make you happy."

Lucy's tears vanished, replaced by a radiant smile. She stood on her toes and kissed him. "I knew you cared about me the most!"

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from my best friend, Lila.

"Babe, where are you?"

I didn't hide anything. I told her everything that had happened.

Seconds later, she called, her voice seething with rage. "What? That bitch dared to humiliate you like that? Where are you? I'm coming over right now to gut her with a silver dagger!"

"Calm down, Lila," I stopped her. "It's not time yet. I have a much better plan."

Inside the church, everything was ready.

A priest stood at the altar. Augustine and Lucy stood before him, hand in hand.

Lucy was wearing a white wedding gown and a veil, looking every bit the bride.

The priest began the rites. "Do you, in the presence of God, wish to pledge your eternal vows?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

Augustine gazed at Lucy, his voice soft and heartbreakingly tender. "Lucy, will you spend eternity with me?"