Page 4 of Blood Moon Bound

“Your mate will demand certain things of you, Delphine. You must submit, always. Do as he says, follow his lead. Don’t ask for things or be demanding. He will decide what’s best for you. The five warriors here tonight hold positions of great power, are incredibly wealthy, and others will be jealous of you, of us, and the position you will hold by the end of the night. You must maintain that position at all cost, and that means keeping your male happy and satisfied in every way.”

This was the first time I’d seen anything close to emotion from her. Concern. But not for me, for herself, and the possibility of losing what this alliance would give her if I failed somehow.

Four other young women and their fathers made their way down the hall. I’d wondered who the others would be, and there was no missing that they were all as terrified as me, but there was also the same glimmer of hope in the eyes of a few of them that I’d seen in my own. They were finally escaping the loneliness.

We were led to the doors and lined up, and I forced myself to hold my ground when one of the other females took a terrified step back, then quickly composed herself.

My mother’s gaze swept over us all, and my stepfather took in the lineup, his spine straight, his gaze warning me not to embarrass him.

Two young males stepped forward and pushed the double doors wide.

The talking in the room stopped, and every set of eyes locked on us.

One of the males stepped forward and began to announce us, introducing us to the gathered crowd, telling them who our families were since no one had laid eyes on us for the last five years, hidden away as we’d been.

I suddenly felt faint. You can do this. You have to do this.

“Miss Delphine Albertan. Daughter of Douglas and Miriam Albertan.” On shaky legs, I stepped forward.

The air seemed to vibrate, humming with energy as if electricity were dancing across my skin. From the corner of my eye, I saw my parents step forward, inclining their heads to the crowd. But I didn’t turn to look. I kept my gaze trained straight ahead like I’d been told to do.

“Now, please welcome our honored guests. Warriors all, and protectors of our race,” the male by the door announced. “Stefan Valiente, Rainer Beiste, August Drapała, Nero Kossek—”

The crowd of vampires stepped back quickly as, one by one, the warriors strode into the room. My heart pounded, and the way their gazes raked over us as they entered the room—hungry, predatory—I knew I couldn’t be the only one silently terrified. Where was the fifth?

The vampires standing opposite us were the only ones who knew which of us would be their bride. My gaze flew over them. Which one? Which one would be my mate? Confusion rumbled through the room, because a male was missing, and there was now one female too many.

One of the warriors broke away from the group. My heart hammered as he walked toward me, but then he stopped in front of the female on my right, greeted her, and led her away from the lineup.

The next came forward, and then the next—

Until I was the only one standing there.

The room went utterly silent. Had my mate decided he didn’t want me? Everyone else had to think it. Humiliation burned my face. My gaze went to Douglas, and the fury in his eyes almost had my legs collapsing beneath me. Oh god, somehow, he would make this my fault and I would pay for it. He’d make good on his promise. It was over for me. He wouldn’t need to keep me scar-free anymore, and the twisted look in his eyes told me he knew it as well.

No.

Run, my mind screamed. Run as fast as you can.

I took a step back—

The sound of boots on the glossy marble floor echoed through the silent room.

“The final member of The Five, their esteemed commander, Constantine Caputo.”

A gasp was the only sound that followed that pronouncement. My mother’s. I froze, not looking up, because I knew what I’d see. Who I’d see. The footsteps drew nearer, and my heart pounded so hard I felt faint.

Extremely large boots filled my vision, but still I didn’t look up.

Oh god.

Seconds ticked by.

“Look at me,” an impossibly rough voice finally said.

I had no choice. I lifted my chin, tilting my head back, and looked up into the scarred face of the massive vampire I’d seen through the window.

His cold eyes locked on mine. “Delphine,” the dark-eyed vampire said and took my hand, bringing it to his perfectly sculpted lips. A shot of electricity bolted through me at the contact.