Page 6 of French Quarter Heiress

Her eyes flash with anger, but I press on, my voice low and urgent, locking her in my grip. "I've seen the things your kind’s done, princess. The innocent blood they've spilled, the lives they've destroyed. Your father's hands are stained with the blood."

I lean in closer, my breath hot against her ear. "Open your eyes. Your father has lied to you, manipulated you, turned you into a weapon for his own selfish gain. He doesn't care about you, or the clan, or anything but his own power."

Elise snarls, shoving me away with a burst of preternatural strength. "Shut your filthy mouth! My father is a great man, a visionary leader who has guided our clan through centuries of turmoil and strife. I won't listen to your slander!"

For a long moment, Elise is silent, then, with a sudden burst, stomps on my foot and manages to stab me in the thigh before flipping away with supernatural grace.

"This isn't over, you mangy cur," Elise hisses, from the darkness. "You may have fought me to a standstill today, but mark my words - the Delacroix clan will have its vengeance. I will see you broken and begging at my feet, your precious pack scattered to the winds. This is only the beginning of your suffering, Beau. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be pleading for the sweet release of death."

I bare my teeth in a savage grin, my eyes flashing with defiance. "Bring it on, leech," I growl. "The Crescent City Wolves don't fear you or your kind. We'll fight you to the last breath, the last drop of blood. You'll never break us, no matter how hard you try."

"We shall see, dog. We shall see."

As we limp back to the city, our wounds already beginning to heal, I can't shake the image of Elise's face from my mind.

The hatred in her eyes, the cruel curve of her lips.

4

ELISE

Istride into the grand hall of our family manor, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor. The opulent surroundings, usually a source of pride and comfort, feel stifling. The weight of my father's disappointment and the shame of my failure at the plantation raid hang heavy on my shoulders. As I approach my father's study, I can hear the sound of shattering glass and raised voices. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation to come, and push open the heavy oak doors.

Inside, my father is a picture of barely contained rage. His eyes blaze with fury as he paces the room, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He whirls to face me as I enter, his voice dripping with venom. "Elise," he snarls. "How good of you to grace us with your presence. I trust you have an explanation for your failure at the Bouchard plantation?"

I bow my head, my cheeks burning with shame. "Father, I..."

He cuts me off with a wave of his hand. "I don't want to hear your excuses, girl. You had one task, one simple task. Crush the wolves and secure our supply lines. And yet, here we are, with our resources dwindling and those mangy beasts growing bolder by the day."

I feel a surge of anger at his words, mingled with a deep sense of unease. The memory of Beau's taunts echoes in my mind, the implications of his words like a splinter in my thoughts.

"Father, there's something you should know. The wolf, Beau... he’s getting inside my head. He told me things."

My father's eyes narrow, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "What things, daughter? What poison did that filthy mongrel drip into your ear?"

I hesitate, my heart pounding in my chest. "He said that our power is built on lies and secrets. That the Delacroix clan has a dark history, one that would turn the city against us if it ever came to light."

For a moment, my father is silent. Then, to my surprise, he begins to laugh. It's a cold, mirthless sound, devoid of any true humor.

"Oh, that. My dear sweet, naive girl. You really are your mother’s daughter…” He takes my hand in his. “Of course we have secrets. Of course our history is drenched in blood. We are vampires, the apex predators of the night. We take what we want, and we destroy anyone who stands in our way. It has always been that way, my heart."

He steps forward, gripping my shoulders with a force that borders on painful. His eyes bore into mine, his voice low and intense. "You are to rule, my princess of darkness, with an iron fist. This is your birthright, your destiny. The wolves, the humans, the lesser supernaturals... they are all beneath you. Never forget that."

I feel a chill run down my spine at his words, but I force myself to meet his gaze. "I understand, Father. I won't let you down again."

He releases me, turning away with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I had hoped for a son to carry on our legacy, but instead, I am cursed with a daughter who cannot even handle a pack of mangy dogs."

His words cut deep, but I refuse to let the pain show on my face. I square my shoulders, my voice steady and determined. "I can do this, Father. I will crush the wolves and restore our family's honor. It is my duty, my purpose."

He glances back at me, his expression unreadable. Then, with a twisted smile, he reaches for a crystal decanter on his desk. He pours two goblets of thick, dark liquid, the scent of fresh blood filling the air.

He hands me one of the goblets, his eyes glinting with a dark amusement. "Drink of the blood of the wolves, my daughter. Let it give you strength. Study it, learn the taste, then put them back in their place, otherwise, other measures will have to be taken."

I take the goblet, my hand trembling slightly. I raise it to my lips, the coppery taste of blood flooding my mouth. It's a dark sacrament, a reminder of the bond we share as vampires, as Delacroix.

My father drains his own goblet, his lips stained red as he sets it aside. He regards me with a calculating gaze, his voice smooth as silk. "A way to secure our power and expand our influence. The fae prince, Adrien Mercier, has expressed an interest in an alliance. A marriage between our families would bring great strength to the Delacroix clan."

I feel my stomach clench at his words, a sense of panic rising in my throat. "Father, I... I cannot. I told you, I must marry for love, not political gain."

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