Dangerous. This was dangerous.
The Blood Moon amplified everything—rage, hunger, the feral instincts that lurked beneath the veneer of civilization. Kings had lost themselves on nights like these. Had claimed mates and then torn them apart when the hunt’s bloodlust refused to fade. The histories were full of cautionary tales, whispered warnings passed from generation to generation.
Control yourself, or the moon will control you.
Sylas had never worried about it before. He’d never had anything worth losing control over.
Now he did.
His gaze drifted back to Elsa’s sleeping form. In the pale blue light, she looked impossibly fragile—all soft skin and golden hair and delicate bones not built for his world. His claws could shred her without effort. His teeth could snap her in half. And yet hereshe lay, trusting him to hold her through the night, trusting him to keep the beast at bay.
What right did he have to that trust?
None. The answer came swift and certain. He had taken her as property, used her as a weapon, let his obsession grow until it consumed every rational thought. He’d told himself it was for the realm, for stability, for the careful balance of power that kept his people alive.
Lies. Comfortable lies that let him pretend he was anything other than what she’d called him the first night: a monster.
But monsters could love. Could worship. Could protect with the same ferocity they used to destroy.
Tonight would prove which one he truly was.
He slipped from the furs without waking her, moving with a hunter’s silence that came as naturally as breathing.
Let them watch.
He crossed to the window and looked out over his territory. The sun hung low and pale above the frost-covered peaks, its light thin and watery—nothing compared to the crimson that would flood the sky tonight. Beyond the fortress walls, the snow-laden forest stretched toward the horizon, dark pines standing like sentinels against the white expanse.
Somewhere in those woods, he would catch her.
The thought sent a low growl rumbling through his chest before he could stop it.
“Sylas?”
Elsa’s voice, thick with sleep, pulled him back. He turned to find her sitting up in the furs, hair disheveled, the thin shift she wore slipping off one shoulder. Morning light caught her face and turned her eyes to ice and sky.
Beautiful. Fragile.His.
“The Lux Sabers will come for you soon.” His voice came out rougher than intended. “To prepare you in the Luna room.”
She was quiet for a moment, processing the information. Through the bond, he felt her pulse quicken—nerves rather than fear. Good. Fear would slow her down tonight, and he needed her fast.
“What happens there?”
“You’ll be anointed with ceremonial oils. Scented with Frosted Tears.” He crossed back to her, lowering himself to one knee beside the sleeping platform so their eyes were level. “The Luna Ceremony room is sacred. Only those chosen for the hunt may enter. The preparations bind you to Lux’s blessing and ensure I can track you through any terrain, any distance.”
“So you can find me.”
“I will always find you.”
Her hand lifted to his jaw, her fingers tracing the line of his muzzle with a gentleness that made something ache behind his ribs. “And what will you be doing while they prepare me?”
“Waiting.” The word tasted like restraint. “Tradition requires I enter the Luna room only after your preparations are complete. I take in your essence—your scent amplified by the oils—and it locks into my instincts. From that moment until I catch you, nothing else exists. No politics. No duties. No distractions.” His paw covered hers, pressing her palm flat against his face. “Only you.”
Something flickered in her expression. Not quite fear. Not quite desire. Something between.
“That sounds...”
“Intense.” He finished the thought for her. “It is. The Blood Moon sharpens everything. Including me.” He held her gaze without flinching. “I need you to understand, Elsa. Tonight, I will not be fully myself. The predator you’ve glimpsed—the one that wants to hunt, to chase, to claim—it will be closer to the surface than I’ve ever allowed you to see.”