Claimed by the Alpha I Hate – Episode 51
The empty guarded room confirmed that Daisy’s grandfather had been taken through the mansion itself. Mila’s cell stood open, its lock coated with vampire residue.
Nolan ordered every gate sealed, though he knew the kidnappers were already beyond Eastwind. Klaudius’s message named the destination.
“We go to the castle,” Daisy said. Her fear had hardened into decision.
Elias argued that marching directly into vampire territory fulfilled Klaudius’s plan. Daisy agreed, which was why they would not march as an army.
She proposed a small infiltration team using the mountain tunnels found in Scott’s camp. Nolan recognized the tactical sense and hated the risk.
“You stay connected to me at all times,” he said. Their partial mate bond could guide him even where scent failed.
Daisy fastened Vera’s pendant. “And you remember this is my choice.”
They left before sunrise with Elias and four trusted Blackwood warriors. The rest prepared Eastwind for a retaliatory attack.
The mountain road narrowed into frozen stone. Daisy felt vampire power increasing with each mile, answering the blood she wished she could silence.
At dusk, the black castle from her dream appeared beyond the trees. Its towers rose against the moon exactly as Klaudius had shown her.
Nolan felt recognition through the bond. He had seen the place in nightmares built from reports of his parents’ murder.
They found the tunnel entrance beneath an abandoned shrine. Fresh footprints included Mila’s and Scott’s scents.
Elias remained with the warriors to secure an escape route. Nolan and Daisy entered the narrow passage together.
Whispers followed Daisy through the dark, calling her heir, daughter, and savior. Nolan heard only stone, but he felt her distress.
He took her hand. The voices weakened when their bond brightened.
The tunnel opened behind a tapestry inside the castle. No guards waited, which made the entrance feel deliberately permitted.
A trail of blood led down the corridor. Daisy recognized her grandfather’s scent and moved before Nolan could stop her.
They reached a locked chamber and found only the old man’s jacket. A message beneath it instructed Daisy to enter the throne room alone.
Nolan refused to separate. Daisy reminded him that Klaudius expected their fear to control them.
The throne-room doors opened by themselves. Lord Klaudius waited beyond, smiling at the daughter he had finally brought home.