Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 21: Moonlight Embrace

The room pulses with anticipation as the moment draws near, the air heavy with the weight of centuries–old traditions. All eyes are on my mother as she gazes up at the moon, its eerie red light casting a haunting glow across her features. A mixture of awe and pain paints her expression, a testament to the gravity of the transformation that is about to unfold. The room holds its breath, a silent reverence permeating the atmosphere–a collective acknowledgment of the sacred ritual that is taking place.

And then, as I watch, my mother’s transformation begins. The world seems to hold its breath as she falls to her knees under the crimson moonlight, her wails of pain piercing the silence. Her body twists and contorts, a visceral display of agony that sends shivers down my spine. I instinctively jolt forward, a fierce desire to rush to her side. But Aleksandr’s firm grip halts me, his words a soothing balm amidst the chaos. “Wait. Trust your mother, trust the process,” he murmurs, his voice a steady anchor in the storm.

Amid the eerie light of the moon streaming through the open window in the ceiling, my mother’s eyes widen, her screams resonating with a primal intensity. It’s a sound that tears at the fabric of my being, an echo of pain that reverberates within me. She grips her chest, as though she’s having a heart attack. On all fours now, she moans, her whole body shaking violently. Her canines grow, elongating into sharp points, while her eyes transform from their once–familiar green to a piercing blood red, the colour flickering momentarily before settling back. Her nails extend into glittering talons before retracting.

Her shaven head, the result of the chemotherapy she’s kept hidden from me, undergoes a miraculous change, sprouting curls that cascade down her back, a waterfall of golden locks that shine under the red moonlight. Her face takes on a new sharpness, a heightened definition. Imperfections vanish–scars, blemishes, every mark of mortality erased. The transformation is stunning, ethereal, a metamorphosis that defies comprehension. She is my mother, yet she is different, radiant in a way that transcends the bounds of the human experience. Konstantin kneels down and helps her to her feet. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

The room erupts in applause, a joyous celebration of my mother’s rebirth, of her union with the vampire world. Konstantin, a steadfast pillar of support, steadies her as others approach the dais to offer their embraces and congratulations. My gaze remains fixed on her, my heart caught between conflicting emotions–a mingling of happiness and sorrow that leaves me unsteady.

The sight is overwhelming, a blur of conflicting emotions that threatens to consume me. Part of me yearns to rush to her, to hold her close. But the reality of her transformation, the fantastical otherness of what she has become, is a shock to my senses. The weight of it all presses upon me, making my head spin. Fresh air–yes, I need fresh air.

Chapter 21: Moonlight Embrace

1 turn, step away, my heart still racing, and slip out through a side door onto the balcony. The night air is cool against my skin, a welcome contrast to the intensity of the ballroom. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I grapple with the melts withwind of emotions that courses through me. The joy of her sundval, the beauty of her transformation, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead–they all collide within me, a phony of feeling.

Standing alone on the moonlit balcony, the air and me is fragrant with the heady sweetness of night–blooming jasmine. Twining stems adorned with delicate sprays of blossoms cascade from wrought iron trellis, the white petale capturing the ethereal glow of the red moonlight. The valley below is veiled in a thick mist, through which the lights of the distant village twinkle. casting an eerie red bur upon the landscape. It’s as if the world below is submerged in a sea of blood, a surreal and haunting sight.

The stillness of the night is disrupted by Aleksander’s quiet footsteps as he approaches, his

prestera sanwaring anchor amidst the swing deets of emotions. He stands by my side, his presence both calming and magnetic. Quite the ceremony, wasn’t it?” he asks, his voice a

soothing balm to my soul

les out a dreg breath, the events of the evening swirling within me. “Yeah, it was… interse

I reply, glancing back towards the castle, the data echoes of the celebration still faintly audible.

He nods, his go fued on the distance. Your mother seems happy. It’s a new chapter for her.”

A bittersweet smile tugs at my lips. Yeah, I guess she deserves that happiness. Especially considering.” I trail off, the weight of my mother witness and sacrifice hanging heavily in the air

Aleksandr turns towards me, his expression both gentle and understanding “You’re coming to

terms with it, arent you?

1 meet his gor, finding a sense of comfort in his eyes. “Yeah, I think I am. I mean, she was dying

and this was a way out, a way to survive. How could I not want that for her?

sut

He smiles, his fingers brushing against sine in a silent gesture of support. You’re stronger than

you know, Ariana

A quiet moment passes between us before Aleksandr breaks the silence. “Will you go back to

California now? If you want, I can take you whenever you’re ready. You’re not a prisoner here.”

I consider his words, the idea of returning home tempting yet uncertain. “I think… I’d like to wait

a bat. There’s so much I haven’t experienced here, so much to explore

His gaze holds mine, his curiosity piqued. And what exactly are you hoping to explore here?”

1 lov at him the monight casting his ha some features in a soft, ethereal glow. Tis,” I say, my wake a whisper, heavy with longing. D

There, I said it. My face barns up with shame, and I immediately regret my loose tongue. I can’t believe I fost admitted my deviant, unnatural feelings for my mom’s new brother in law. Age

ece aside, it’s just wrong.

To my surprise, Aleksandr does something unexpected. As if drawn by an invisible force, he leans in, grabbing my waist and pulling me into his arms, his lips finding mine in a searing kiss. It’s a kiss, that ignites a fire within me, a passionate connection that leaves me breathless. His cold lips are soft yet insistent against mine, a dance of desire and longing. I feel a shiver course through me as his mouth trails along my jawline, finding the curve of my neck. Pleasurable pain blooms as his lips press against my skin, a mark of possession that sends a rush of heat through me.

Oh my god. I’m going to have the mother of all hickeys tomorrow.

Suddenly, he scoops me up into his strong arms, lifting me effortlessly. In the blink of an eye, we’re in a darkened alcove, shadows dancing around us. His hands move with purpose, undoing the fastenings of my silken red dress with a deftness that sets my pulse racing. The cool night air kisses my skin as the fabric slips down over my shoulders and falls away, leaving me exposed and vulnerable, aching for his touch. He deftly unhooks my bra straps and then casts aside the offending item, his glittering blue eyes taking in the sight of my exposed breasts. He smiles devilishly, taking his time.

With both breasts exposed to the cold night air, I feel my nipples harden before he leans down and takes one greedily between his lips, sucking it as I arch my back against the stone wall and moan in ecstasy. His rock hard length is pressing into my thigh, driving me wild, and right now, there’s nothing that I want more than to feel him inside of me, for him to rip off my clothes and fuck me right here against the cool hard stones.

“Aleksandr,” I pant his name, as his lips find mine again. I can barely speak between the panting and gasping and moans of pleasure. “I want… I want…”

“What do you want, little slut?” He whispers, as he allows my dress to drop to the floor. Luckily I’m wearing cute underwear – a pair of lacy red high cut panties to match my dress. Aleksandr slips his hand beneath the lace, his fingers stroking my mound, finding my hot wetness as I cry out, my whole body on fire.

But just as he runs a finger up my wet slit, a familiar voice pierces the air from behind us.

“Well, well, what have we here?”