Chapter 7

Marius Draven strolls into the lavish Zampieri Estate, his bespoke suit fitting his trim physique like a glove. With slicked-back hair and an air of confidence, he commands attention as he moves through the estate, a respected Eldarion, a pureblood vampire, flaunting his dashing good looks.

The sleek, modern decor of the estate serves as the perfect backdrop for a man like Marius as he greets Aziel Zampieri, the young heir to the Zampieri throne.

"Marius, it"s good to see you."

Marius offers a charming smile, his silver eyes glinting. "Of course, Aziel. When I heard about the recent attacks, I knew I had to offer my assistance. These are troubling times, and we must stand united. Have you heard from your father?"

Aziel shakes his head, "Unfortunately, no. The bastard still hasn"t shown up, even my mother is still waiting for a word from him."

An unusual smile graces Marius"s lips. "Ah, Zeenia. How is she doing?"

"I know she"s worried about him, but she always puts a brave face on."

"Typical of the queen that she is." Marius sinks into the soft leather chair across from Aziel"s desk, his elbows perched on his knees as he leans in.

"Any idea who"s stirring up trouble?" Marius asks, quirking a brow. "Whoever"s behind these attacks clearly has a death wish, messing with the human population like this. It"s reckless."

Aziel exhales slowly, running a hand through his short, black hair. The weight of responsibility hangs heavy on his shoulders. "Unfortunately, the trail remains cold. The attacks seem random, striking without pattern or mercy."

Marius nods thoughtfully, his mind already working to untangle the twisted threads of this mystery. "And the victims? Surely their fates can offer some insight into the depravity we face."

Aziel"s words hang heavy in the air as he recounts the horrific fates of the human victims. Some were left as empty husks, while others vanished without a trace. The cruelty and sadism of the perpetrators are evident, and Aziel"s anger is palpable as he vows to stop them at any cost.

The muscles in his jaw clench as he continues, his voice tight with barely restrained anger. "Whoever did this...they"re not just strong. They"re cruel. Sadistic. They don"t give a damn about the lives they"re destroying." His fist clenches on the armrest of his chair. "And they need to be stopped. No matter what it takes."

Marius" brow furrows, his lips pressed into a thin line. "You have my full support and resources. We must unravel this darkness before it a starts a war." His tone carries a steely determination, a promise woven into every word.

Aziel and Marius share a knowing look, the gravity of their legacy an unspoken presence between them. "Alexi brought up Ghaurs," Aziel mentions, his brow furrowing.

Marius leans back, his fingers steepled. "Ghaurs, you say? We haven"t encountered Ghaurs in centuries." He pauses, "Do you have any leads on who"s creating them?"

Aziel meets his gaze, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "I"ve asked Alexi to investigate. He"s our best hope of unraveling this madness." He rises, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp shirt. "I"m expected to meet with him shortly. With your help, maybe we"ll find the answers."

"Well, you have my full support in this matter, Aziel. I"ll use all the resources at my disposal to help uncover the truth behind these attacks."

He meets Aziel"s gaze, determination etched in the set of his jaw. "I will do whatever is necessary to uncover who is responsible for these attacks. No stone will go unturned."

Marius dips his head in a sharp nod as turns to leave. "I must take my leave, but don"t worry, we"ll talk more soon. We have much to discuss and plan."

He strides down the hall, his footsteps echoing against the marble as he makes his way through the sprawling Zampieri estate. A hushed exchange, filtering in from an adjoining room, snags his attention.

Hold on, what"s going on there?Marius"s senses sharpen, homing in on a whispered conversation drifting in from the next room.

Is that Alexi Dragomir and Zeenia Zampieri?He strains to make out their words. The mention of Alexi and Zara Knight—the Zara Knight, Silvercrest heiress—along with some destined mate entanglement, kindles his curiosity. Isn"t that interesting...

His thoughts whirl as he absorbs the gravity of what he"s hearing—a vampire and a werewolf, bound together by fate? It"s unheard of, absurd even, considering the centuries of bad blood between their kinds. But there"s no mistaking the weight behind Alexi and Zeenia"s words. This is no idle gossip. Could it really be true? A fated mate bond between mortal enemies?

Marius lingers in the hallway. The revelation of a fated mate bond between a vampire and a werewolf sends his mind reeling. This changes everything, he thinks, his silver eyes narrowing. If Alexi and Zara"s bond is true, it could upend the very fabric of our society.

He steps closer to the doorway, careful to remain out of sight as he strains to catch every word. Zeenia"s voice is soft, almost reverent. "It"s said that when a vampire and a werewolf form a true mate bond, their union will bring about a new era of peace and unity among the supernatural races."

Alexi"s response is muffled, but Marius can sense the uncertainty in his tone. "But how can that be possible? Our kinds have been at war for centuries. The hatred runs too deep."

Marius steps back from the doorway, his mind racing with the implications of what he"s just heard. A new era of peace and unity? Absurd, he scoffs internally. The vampires have always been the dominant force.

With a final glance towards the room where Alexi and Zeenia continue their discussion, Marius turns on his heel and strides away, mulling over what this forbidden alliance might mean. His silver gaze flickers red as the gears turn.

He straightens his suit jacket, his jaw clenched with determination. Not on my watch. Whatever it takes I"ll bury this secret six feet deep. Along with anyone who gets in the way.