Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 249: Wake-Up Call

Chapter 249: Wake-Up Call

"He’s not just under the demon’s influence anymore. He’s completely consumed by it," Lady Maris said, her voice laced with grim finality.

Lady Maris went on to explain Lisbeth’s latest horror story, complete with the demon’s new trick: popping up as some creepy shadow form.

Then she threw in the witch’s ominous warning for good measure—because apparently, things weren’t already dire enough—that Florian’s life was teetering on the edge of doom.

"Is that even possible?" Riona muttered, mostly to herself. She wasn’t expecting an answer, but of course, someone just had to chime in.

"Oh, it’s possible, all right," said the Fallen One in a voice thick with self-importance. "In fact, it’s the grand finale. Once Ol’gaz fully moves in and starts redecorating Florian’s body, your brother’s gone. Poof. Bye-bye. Is that what you want? Because, you know, I’m sure it’ll make for a lovely family reunion."

Their words hung in the air like the world’s most passive-aggressive ultimatum.

"Has he called you?" Lady Maris asked, her tone sharp with urgency. "The witch said he might unconsciously reach out to someone he trusts. Obviously, that someone wouldn’t be me. But if there’s anyone he’d trust enough to call, it must be you."

She fixed Riona with a look that said she was certain of it.

Riona, however, couldn’t help but laugh bitterly to herself. Trust her? Florian wouldn’t trust her to water a houseplant, let alone save his soul. If there were a Sister of the Year Award, she’d be the one everyone whispered about as definitely not winning it.

But the Fallen One had other thoughts—and absolutely no patience for her self-deprecation.

"Oh, for crying out loud," they said, throwing up their hands. "What have I been saying this whole time? All those dreams—those nightmares—what do you think they were? They were messages. He’s been trying to reach you, waving a giant metaphorical flag in your face, and you’re just sitting here, what? Ignoring it? Too busy spitting on the mirror? I mean, seriously!"

The sarcasm turned razor-sharp. "When are you going to wake up and realize he’s been calling you this whole time? Or would you like me to draw you a diagram?"

"Pft! Don’t be ridiculous! Why would he—"

Whack. Before Riona could finish, Lady Maris smacked her arm, hard enough to sting.

"OW!" Riona yelped, turning to glare, but Lady Maris was already staring her down like she’d just insulted her favorite child—or worse, her fashion sense.

"Are you still sulking?" Lady Maris snapped, her voice dripping with exasperation.

"Sul–what? Who’s sulking? I’m not sulking!" Riona spluttered, completely flustered.

Lady Maris wasn’t having it. She smacked Riona’s arm again for good measure, her glare growing sharper. "Don’t play dumb with me, Riona. You’re being absolutely ridiculous."

"Would you stop hitting me?" Riona snapped, rubbing her arm, which was starting to throb. "Seriously, what’s your deal?"

"My deal," Lady Maris said slowly and deliberately, "is that you’re being an idiot. He did that to protect you. But you’re too busy throwing a pity party to notice. I thought you were smarter than this."

Riona blinked at her, completely lost. "Protect me? What are you even talking about?"

Lady Maris’s glare didn’t waver, as if daring her to figure it out. Meanwhile, Riona stood there, still confused, her arm starting to throb from all the unwarranted hitting.

"Oh, for heaven’s sake," Lady Maris groaned, throwing up her hands.

"He’s dangerous, and he knows it. For someone who claims to love someone deeply, you’re not exactly the most perceptive. He’s doing everything he can to drive you away because he’s terrified of what he might do to you if you stay close."

Riona blinked at her, utterly baffled, torn between confusion and the very real temptation to smack her right back.

"Did he tell you that?" she asked, her tone sharp with doubt.

Lady Maris gave her an eye-roll dramatically. "No, Riona, he didn’t need to. I watched him. I watched him, day after day. I saw the way he struggled—curling up in the corner of his room like a wounded animal, berating himself, calling out your name, and, for reasons I’ll never understand, making faces as if he were arguing with someone."

Riona opened her mouth, unsure whether to laugh or argue, but Lady Maris’s expression was dead serious

"And if that wasn’t enough of a clue for you, let’s talk about his victims," Lady Maris continued, her voice icy. "Didn’t notice the pattern, did you? They all looked like you. It’s either one with the same appearance, same reputation or same power level. It’s not subtle, Riona. You’re the demon’s real target. Every move Florian’s made, every desperate attempt to push you away—it’s all because he knows it’s only a matter of time before it comes for you directly."

For once, Riona was speechless.

"Congratulations, Riona—you’re the main course," the Fallen One whispered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Riona gritted her teeth, her fists clenching tightly. "Alright," she muttered through sheer willpower. "Let’s save him."

It wasn’t like she had much of a choice anymore. She had not wanted to admit it but now that even Lady Maris said it, she felt like it was time for her to act.

She knew the risks—hell, she’d practically memorized them. It would be dangerous. It could end in disaster.

Worse still, there was a very real possibility that Florian would shove her away again, rejecting her like he’d done before. The thought alone was enough to make her stomach churn.

Ugh, why am I even doing this? she wondered for half a second before the answer hit her like a slap: because standing on the sidelines, useless and afraid, wasn’t an option anymore. She’d done that for far too long.

If it came down to it—if it meant sacrificing herself—then so be it. She would drag Florian out of the darkness kicking and screaming if she had to. And when she found that demon?

She was going to kill it. With her own hands.

No more running. No more hesitating. It was time to fight.

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