The Vampire's Luna

And then, with a faint rasp of amusement, Luna asked, "Since when are you his fan?"

Ravena gave a soft snort, the first sound that wasn’t laced in sorrow. "I think he’s more suitable than Kyllian."

Luna blinked up at her mother, confused. "Okay, am I hallucinating? Or are you just saying what you think I’ll like to hear to distract me from the pain?"

A corner of Ravena’s mouth tugged upward. "Oh, I’m definitely trying to distract you. But also, I’m making a choice from the perspective of a mother." She sat back a little, gathering herself. "With everything going on, Prince Damien is more equipped to handle it. He’s calculated. Powerful. Loyal to you, not your father. And if you want the truth... I give him my blessing."

"Wow. I really am hallucinating."

"I mean it." Ravena smoothed back another damp curl from Luna’s cheek. "Kyllian... he’s a good man. He is. But he answers to your father. And your father answers to duty. That’s the difference. Damien, if we look beyond his...vampiric nature. he’s a little unhinged, sure. But his loyalty is to you."

"You do realise if we have babies, they will be vampires."

"I don’t care. I will love them like I love you."

"You have to tell father, Mom," she said quietly. "What if he finds me like this?"

Ravena inhaled sharply. Luna looked more vampire than wolf now. Fangs. Pale skin. Bloodless lips. A creature born of ancient nightmares and forbidden magic.

"I don’t want to put him in that position," Ravena finally admitted. "He loves you. We both know that. But if it comes down to choosing, we also know what he’ll do."

Luna turned her head, pain etched deeply into the corners of her eyes. "He’ll choose his people."