Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 205: The Price of Independence

Chapter 205: The Price of Independence

"My dear nephew Thorin," Nina greeted, her voice dripping with a kind of affectionate malice that could only come from a woman who thought of family as little more than unfinished business.

She gazed down from the throne, eyes practically glowing with that twisted ’I could fix you’ energy. To Nina, Thorin wasn’t a cute nephew—he was more like a broken toy she was determined to fix.

Thorin took an instinctive step back, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. Puck nudged him in the ribs, a silent reminder of why he was there.

Clearing his throat—because it definitely needed clearing—Thorin took a deep breath and said, "Lately, my pack has been finding animals drained of blood, and the river’s been... well, a bit of a bloodbath."

Saying it aloud felt wrong, like he was reporting to a superior officer. Thorin shifted on his feet, trying to look like he was in control, even if his nerves were telling him otherwise. He squeezed his hands behind his back to keep them from betraying him.

"I know what you did to my home," he said, his voice holding firm, even if his insides were in freefall. Somehow, he managed not to sound like he was about to start hyperventilating.

"Home? My dear, this is your home." Nina stretched out her arms with a smile that could melt steel—or freeze the heart. But Thorin felt no warmth from it. In fact, he felt the exact opposite.

Thorin gritted his teeth, trying his best to act like he wasn’t about to burst into flames. "Aunt Nina, I’ve made it crystal clear before. You chased my mother out—"

"I did not!" Nina snapped, her voice like a whip. "I have never done such a thing."

Thorin’s eyes darted nervously, his words faltering. "My mother cut ties with this family. So naturally, I have nothing to do with it either. You all hated my father and acted like he was some kind of criminal just for... existing."

"Hate," Nina interrupted, her voice thick with venom.

"Pardon?" Thorin blinked, not sure he’d heard her right.

"The word you’re looking for is hate," Nina clarified, her eyes narrowing like she was about to list everything wrong with Thorin’s life. "Not ’hated.’ I still loathe that filthy rogue to this very second."

Thorin went quiet, his brain struggling to catch up. He always thought of Nina as the unstoppable force in his childhood.

She’d always been the one who could have destroyed everything he loved with a single word, a single gesture. As a kid, she felt as towering and impossible to fight as a storm.

But now, in this moment, something was different. Nina’s posture seemed smaller. Her words still packed a punch, but she wasn’t the unshakable force he remembered.

Sullivan and Warren were imposing, yes, but neither had ever been as dangerous as Nina. Somehow, now, she just seemed... smaller.

With a sudden surge of courage, Thorin clenched his fist and lifted his chin, standing tall. Nina’s eyes flickered with surprise, but her expression remained carefully neutral.

"I’m an Alpha now," Thorin said, his voice steady and commanding. "I have my own pack, and I’ve earned their loyalty through my leadership. You need to leave us alone. Consider this a warning."

He squeezed his other hand tight, willing his nerves into submission, but even as the words left his mouth, he could feel something shifting inside him.

Thorin closed his eyes for a moment, letting the image of Riona flood his mind. He remembered the first time he saw her—her fearlessness was magnetic. She wasn’t just strong—she was relentless. She didn’t just believe she was unstoppable—she acted like it.

He puffed out his chest, suddenly feeling a little more Alpha than his previous doubts would allow.

"I will build my own family," Thorin continued, his tone hardening with resolve. "And I don’t need your interference. Whatever issues you think I have with vampires, or anyone else, they’re mine to handle—not yours."

Nina’s expression stiffened.

"I’ve been blessed by the Blood Moon child, and I declare my independence! I’m the ultimate Alpha now. So do yourself a favor, Aunt Nina, and stop sticking your nose into Wintertooth’s business," Thorin added.

Thorin braced himself for his aunt’s usual explosion of rage—she could be downright fiery when she wanted to be.

But instead of blowing up, Nina took a long, calming breath and said, "My dear, I care about you. That’s why I’m offering you choices. I’m just that generous."

Thorin fought the urge to snap back, his eyes flicking to Puck to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid. Nina was giving off a dangerous vibe, and they had no idea what she was planning. One wrong move and things could get ugly—fast.

"Option one," Nina continued with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "You listen to me, and your sweet little love stays perfectly safe. Option two, you do what you want, and I’ll have that vampire’s head delivered to your doorstep."

Thorin growled, the deep sound rumbling from his chest like any Alpha would to protect his pack. The thing was, this wasn’t his turf, and right now, he wasn’t exactly in a position to make demands.

"The first option doesn’t sound too bad," Puck said, giving Thorin a pat on the back. He might not know Nina as well as Thorin did, but even he could tell that messing with her was a bad idea.

"Bullshit! Riona’s fine in Wintertooth. Zane’s with her. And honestly, Riona doesn’t need anyone’s protection. She can handle herself just fine. If anyone should be scared, it’s you!" Thorin snapped.

He wasn’t wrong. Riona was a Hybrid—vampire and werewolf blood combined, making her nearly unstoppable. And as the Blood Moon child? She was as powerful as they came.

But Thorin didn’t know that even someone as strong as Riona had her limits. She’d sacrificed her own strength to save Wintertooth’s pups.

"Oh, darling, you know I never lie about my threats," Nina said sweetly, her eyes cold.

Thorin’s heart raced. "What the hell have you done, Aunt Nina? Don’t you dare lay a finger on her!" he growled, trying to hold it together. He knew full well he wasn’t in a position to negotiate, but he couldn’t stop the rage building inside him.

Nina leaned to one side and asked, "So, what’s it going to be? Your choice?"

Thorin gritted his teeth. He knew exactly what her threat meant, and he couldn’t risk it. After a long moment, he finally relented. "I’ll do what you want," he said through clenched teeth.

Warren let out a heavy sigh and motioned for the Wintertooth werewolves to follow him out of the chamber. They trudged through the maze of corridors and endless stairs, the layout of the castle almost as confusing as the royal palace in Eira. Thorin’s jaw tightened as memories of Riona flooded his mind.

Is she okay? What has Aunt Nina done to her?

Thorin and Puck were essentially kept prisoners in the guest chambers. Thorin had tried to get a word with Nina, but she was always too busy to meet him.

Frustrated, Thorin considered making a run for it, but the thought of Riona being here made him hesitate. What if she was in danger? What if she’d pushed herself too far and fallen unconscious, like last time?

Then, suddenly... BOOM. An explosion rocked the castle.

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