I Chose His Ancestor Instead

After the Covenant Gala, Mother handed me a list. The names of every vampire at the banquet. I was to choose a blood-bound mate.

This time, I didn't choose Damon Blackwood. I didn't choose anyone on her list.

I chose Caspian Blackwood. Damon’s ancestor. The true Monarch of the Blackwood clan, slumbering for centuries.

Mother’s jaw dropped. Everyone knew I’d spent centuries chasing Damon.

But they didn't know the truth of my last life. After our blood bond, he refused my touch, my bed, my very existence.

I told myself he was consumed by Covenant affairs.

When no heir came, I blamed myself.

Then I found it. The truth. It had always been her. From the very beginning. My sister, Delia.

He never came home because the sight of me repulsed him.

But this time, as Caspian and I stood at the altar, our hands clasped to seal our bond…

Damon snapped.

The news spread fast. I had chosen a mate from the Blackwood clan. Everyone assumed it was the man I'd chased for centuries.

I ran into Damon the next day at the monthly "Evernight Salon."

"Well, well, Damon," his friend Marcus shouted as soon as he saw me, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't that your eternal bride-to-be?"

Every vampire turned. Their eyes flickered between me and Damon.

It made sense. Damon was the heir apparent, the next Lord. His choice of a mate was always a hot topic.

Damon heard him. He was in front of me in a flash, his crimson eyes burning with rage.

"Isolde!" His voice was a low growl, laced with venom. "How dare you? Did you really think you could force a bond with me?"

His rage boiled over. His fingers clamped around my wrist like a vice, tight enough to shatter bone.

"Are you that desperate?" he snarled. "That you’d use a political alliance to trap me?"

I’d seen that look in his eyes so many times before. But his disgust still sent a shard of pain through my heart.

I swallowed the ache. I fought to keep my hand from trembling.

You think an alliance with the Blackwoods automatically means an alliance with YOU? The arrogance.

"My blood-bound mate isn't you."

The words hissed through my teeth. I ripped my hand from his grasp.

The entire hall went silent.

Then, the vampires around him broke into laughter, their fangs showing.

"Gods, is she playing hard to get?"

"She's trying to make him jealous! Make him chase her!"

"A classic little trick. But who else in the Blackwood clan could she possibly mean? She can't even lie properly, hahaha."

Damon’s face went rigid.

He clenched his fists. He thought I was publicly humiliating him.

A moment later, a thought seemed to strike him. He leaned in close, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "Fine. This alliance is unavoidable. I'll play my part in the ceremony. But you will never have my true power."

His breath was hot against my ear, laced