CHAPTER 171: SELENA GOMEZ - KILL EM WITH KINDNESS

Luna stepped into The Crimson Bell, a classy, candlelit restaurant nestled within the older part of Blood City. Red curtains swayed gently with the breeze from the windows, and violins played softly from the quartet in the corner. Her eyes scanned the tables quickly and then locked onto the figure seated at the back, sipping a drink with the smug air of a man who had always gotten his way—even when he shouldn’t have.

"Lord Gabriel," Luna called smoothly as she approached, her voice as poised as a blade sheathed in silk.

Gabriel looked up from his wine glass, surprise flickering across his handsome, ageless face. The vampire had the charm of an aristocrat and the soul of a venomous serpent. "Princess Luna," he greeted with a pleasant smile that didn’t touch his eyes. "How nice to see you. You look lovely despite the stress of carrying a strong vampire child."

There was a chill in his compliment. Luna’s lips curved into a practiced royal smile as she glided into the seat across from him. "Thank you," she replied, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, subtly exposing the mark on her neck—a silent message that she was claimed, powerful, and not to be trifled with. "I was quite surprised to realise you were so invested in my upcoming wedding."

Gabriel raised a brow, swirling his wine. "What can I say? Damien is my favourite nephew."

Luna tilted her head and gave a soft laugh, the kind women in court give when they know they’re about to draw blood. "Right. I see what you did there."

Gabriel’s smile twitched.

She leaned forward slightly, folding her hands atop the white linen tablecloth. "See, when I first arrived here, I was warned to be wary of you. I thought, ’Hey, give the poor guy a chance.’ You were dealt a terrible hand—anyone would be bitter and jealous if the throne was handed over to the son of a mere concubine instead of the crowned prince himself."

Gabriel chuckled darkly, leaning back. "You got the history lesson, congratulations."

"But," she continued, undeterred, her tone icy sweet, "It seems to me, you’re quite hell-bent on screwing with our lives."

Gabriel’s smile widened. "I must say, Princess, you’ve gotten sharper since we last spoke. I’m impressed."

"I’ve had excellent teachers," Luna said with a saccharine smile. "You see, I’ve learned that when someone offers you wine with one hand, they usually have a blade in the other."

"What is it you think I have done that warrants this hostile speech?" Gabriel asked, folding his napkin with the grace of a man who enjoyed a good duel of words over fine cuisine. His eyes glinted, amused, intrigued, and just the right amount of condescending. He reclined back into his leather chair, looking like he owned the room.

Luna leaned forward slightly, one elbow resting on the linen-draped table. She spoke calmly, but the heat in her gaze could have melted steel. "Not hostile. I’m just letting you know that you have my attention."

Gabriel’s brow arched, clearly delighted. "I’m glad."

"Trust me, it’s not a good thing." Her smile was all teeth. "Because I will watch you like a hawk. I will make sure that every second of the day, someone’s got eyes on you."

The flicker in Gabriel’s gaze didn’t waver. If anything, it brightened. He picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip before answering. "Maybe I should do the same. I heard the prince’s castle is a nest of secrets. Shady dealings, clandestine meetings with the lesser breeds. I dare say, it’s more gossip-worthy than the city salon."

"I’m sure you already do that," she said coolly. "Lord Gabriel, I’m a werewolf. We’re quite famous for being relentless. And vindictive as hell when crossed." She leaned in just a breath. "I have made you my personal project."

That hit home.

)

Gabriel’s smug smirk cracked. He chuckled, but this time the sound was more calculated than careless. "You say that like it’s a threat."

"Oh, darling," Luna stood, collecting her clutch and straightening her dress. "it isn’t. it’s the fact."

He tilted his head to admire her boldness. Damn, the girl was more formidable than half the council members. As she turned to leave, she tossed one final jab over her shoulder.

"Oh, and thank you for sending all those wedding invites on our behalf," she said sweetly. "It was quite thoughtful of you."

Gabriel chuckled, lifting his fork to resume his meal. "Anything for you, Princess," he drawled.

As she exited the restaurant, Gabriel’s expression slowly shifted. The corners of his lips curled. His eyes lingered on the place she had just stood, almost wistfully.

"She has no idea," he murmured to his half-eaten steak, slicing into it with surgical precision, "how tremendously I’m going to turn her perfect little life upside down."

And then he ate, slowly, savoring each bite. The princess had drawn a line in the sand.

Gabriel intended to pour gasoline on it.

*****

Blood City pulsed with life—more than usual. The air itself seemed to crackle with anticipation. Days before the royal wedding, the city had transformed into a kingdom-wide festival.

The influx of guests had turned Blood City into a sardine can of extravagantly dressed aristocrats and royals. Every inn, hotel, and bar was packed beyond capacity. Local business owners laughed all the way to the bank. Wine shops were sold out, tailors were triple-booked.

Inside Blood Castles, the heart of the festivities, a whole guest castle had been assigned to the visiting kings and queens Gabriel had invited. The high lords, who hadn’t made the cut for the castle, were scattered across luxury hotels in the capital.

Damien had taken it upon himself to handle the chaos personally. Not that he didn’t trust the royal stewards. He had smiled so hard in the last twenty-four hours his cheeks felt Botoxed. And he’d shaken hands with more royals than he remembered ever existing.

All Damien wanted now was ten minutes of silence or a bath. Preferably with his fiancée. But when he finally dragged his tired self back to their building, Luna was nowhere to be seen.