Dressed in black velvet with her hair styled elegantly, Selena descended into the grand hall where the feast was in full swing. The opulence of the evening was matched only by the gathering of wolf hunters, all united in celebration.
For Selena, it was a perfect day to hunt.
Rumors swirled of a werewolf spy hiding among the streets of Hunter Village—an informant selling secrets to the wolves in exchange for silver. If the whispers were true, this night could provide the perfect opportunity to root them out.
Her earlier conversation lingered in her mind, spiraling through her thoughts and refusing to let go.
Her maid, Penelope, interrupted her thoughts earlier, by lowering the volume of the TV.
"You look beautiful, Selena. I wish I were as strong as you," Penelope said with admiration, her green eyes shimmering with innocence.
Selena's lips curved into a faint smile, though the maid's words stirred an ache in her chest. "Strong?" Selena echoed, her mind flashing with memories of the wolves she had killed. "What does 'strong' mean to you, Penny?"
Penelope hesitated, her voice soft but firm. "Someone who can dominate the battlefield and protect the people... someone who can kill werewolves."
Selena's smile grew colder. "And if that werewolf is just a child? A baby with no chance to defend itself?"
Penelope faltered, guilt flashing across her features. "I… I don't know. But our duty is to protect humans. Werewolves are dangerous. Humans and werewolves can't coexist."
Selena nodded slowly, patting the girl's shoulder. "You're right, Penny. Our duty is to protect humans."
As she left the room, Penelope's words echoed in her mind. Humans and werewolves can't coexist. But what makes humans any different from these monsters? Selena thought bitterly, her gaze drifting to the lively feast below as she descended the staircase.
In the grand hall, Aldric appeared at her side, extending a hand. His earlier entourage of admirers dispersed reluctantly.
"If it isn't the dutiful fiancé," Selena drawled, placing her hand in his begrudgingly.
"And if it isn't the reluctant bride," Aldric quipped, spinning her into the center of the crowd.
Their engagement was purely political—Selena's father, head of the White Hunters, and Aldric's father, leader of the Were-Hunters, sought to unify their territories through this union. The fact that both families chose their illegitimate offspring for the task only added to Selena's resentment.
"Your mother forced you into this tonight, didn't she?" Selena asked, catching his grimace.
"She's been unbearable," Aldric muttered, casting a glance at their mothers, who stood watching like hawks.
Selena smirked, but her amusement faded when her sharp senses picked up something unusual. Across the room, a young man in fine clothes was laughing with a maiden. Despite his polished appearance and the heavy scent of cologne, the unmistakable stench of werewolf clung to him.
Before she could act, her brother Isaac lunged forward, plunging a silver blade into the man's chest.
"Gotcha, you snitching bastard!" Isaac growled triumphantly.
But the man wasn't a werewolf. His eyes glowed crimson as he roared, revealing himself as a vampire. With inhuman strength, he hurled Isaac into the chandelier, sending shards of glass crashing to the floor.
Chaos erupted as the crowd scrambled for safety.
Selena moved swiftly, catching a table flung in her direction. The force drove her into the wall, and she coughed up blood, her ribs aching. Without hesitation, she snapped a leg off the table, fashioning a makeshift weapon.
The vampire was fast—too fast to pursue. But as it fed on a panicked villager, Selena took aim. Tightening her grip, she hurled the table leg with precision, watching it pierce the vampire's neck and stagger the creature.
Her father tossed her a stake, and she charged forward, ignoring the chaos around her. With a decisive thrust, she drove the stake into the vampire's chest, pinning it against the wall.
The creature hissed, its pale complexion now ghastly under the dim lights. Blood seeped from its neck and chest as Selena leaned closer.
"I can spare you," she said coldly. "Swear loyalty to us, and you'll live under our protection. Who sent you? What's their motive?"
The vampire spat blood in her face, defiance burning in its eyes. "Go to hell."
Selena's expression hardened. "Fine. I'll send you there first."
With a final, brutal thrust, she drove the stake through its heart. The vampire's body crumpled to the floor, lifeless.
"Greet the devil for me," she said, her voice icy as the room fell silent around her.