"Caleb!" Lilith moves swiftly to her brother's side, worries are evidenced in her eyes "Did you find her?"

A somber nod is all he can give her as the young lord drags his feet upstairs, away from prying eyes. He needs to get ready for the mission, the sooner they get Primrose out of that hell hole, the better. The younger Vatore looks at her brother before turning to everyone, sighing as she invites everyone to the living room.

When she received the news that Primrose had gone missing, her heart stopped. Those cowards chose to make an enemy out of House Vatore, striking their family in the most crucial time like this and laying their hands on the Lady of the House, unforgivable…

Placing a hand on her abdomen, Lilith silently curses at herself. If she is not in this state, then maybe she can help her brother in his quest to rescue Primrose. But circumstances prevent her from fulfilling her duty as a Vatore.

What a disgrace I am…

Rosalina is tending to Edward's health when she notices the odd action coming from the younger Vatore. Her eyes convey a sense of exhaustion, the dark circles are evidence of sleepless nights, and her hand on that flat stomach, could it be…?

"Lilith…" her soft call draws the attention of the other woman "You…well…Congratulations…"

Her comment sinks in and the younger Vatore startles, realizing what Primrose's mother is alluding to. Lowering her head, she nods, her hand trembling at the thought. She has not told Kian about this…

Caleb has asked her to tell the truth as it is wonderful news for House Vatore, but how can she when her family is facing such horrible news right now? And her brother, her heart is aching for him, knowing that his whole world just crashing down at the news of Primrose going missing. His striking silver eyes, once held the warmth reserved only for his maiden, are now plagued by fear and despair. In front of her and everyone else, he is not the mighty lord of House Vatore, but rather a broken man whose heart yearns to find his beloved.

"I'm okay now, Rosalina…" Edward gently holds onto his wife's hand "Marlin, how is the preparation?"

"Lumera already has the healing concoction in her hands, the administration is providing their aid as well." the fire mage responds "I believe your older brother, Alfred, also dispatching a small group to help us, right?"

"Indeed he does. I have informed him about the situation, he will have a team arrive with us at the main battleground."

Rosalina raises an eyebrow, inquiring about her husband's decision to join the rescue team. Nathaniel voices his concern regarding his health, but the man insists on saving his daughter.

"Then I'll go! Primrose will never forgive herself if she knows she is the reason behind your suffering, Dad." the younger blond exclaims "As her younger brother, I have to protect her."

But Edward refuses, pointing out how he must stay here to protect his mother and everyone instead. Nathaniel furrows his brows, arguing that he can do it and his father must stay rest, he can't ignore Edward's health like that.

"Nathaniel!" with a firm voice, he turns to his son "You will stay here. Your mother and Ember need you."

"I won't stay, Dad! She needs me too, and Mom needs you to stay al-?!"

A loud clanking sound stops their argument as both men turn to the matriarch of the family. Rosalina, caught in between Nathaniel's passion to save his sister and Edward's willingness to sacrifice everything for his family, decides to step in. Unlike her soft and gentle demeanor, the expression on her face darkens as she looks at her son and husband, the liquid in the teacup reflects her resolution.

"You both will stay here, I will join this rescue mission."

Both Nathaniel and Edward voice their objections, stating that they can not let her go on a dangerous mission like that, but the determination on Rosalina's face says otherwise.

"Any objection?" her question sounds more like a command, daring anyone who voices their complaints.

Edward, knowing he can never persuade his wife out of this, reluctantly turns away. Nathaniel bites his bottom lips, even his father stands no chance against Rosalina when she already made up her mind. The Emberlynn family, with a heavy heart, finally agrees on the matter.

Marlin stands on the side, surprised at the woman's sudden outburst. In his mind, Rosalina Emberlynn is a kind and gentle mother who loves and supports everyone in her family. Never had he seen this fiery side of her before.

I guess it is a good thing, considering her background as a member of the Minamoto clan…

Pondering his thoughts, the fire mage sighs. As long as she doesn't get in the way, everything is good. While Edward and Nathaniel prove to be formidable allies, he can not risk the older blond's health. The spell he used earlier has drained a lot of his stamina, not to mention the deathly side effects of reducing his lifespan. Maybe letting the man rest is the best way to preserve their power.

If those monsters decide to attack the Vatore estate, keeping Edward and Nathaniel behind might be a good strategy…

Back on Caleb's end, he slams the door of the bedroom behind him, the loud pang mirrors the pain in his heart. His mind wanders back to Primrose's desperate screams, the dreaded look on her face when she calls out his name imprinting deeply onto him. Her pleas were unheard, a grim reminder of his inability to protect her. Despite the promise he makes countless times, he fails to do it.

"Damn it…" anger surges in him as he sweeps off the desk, clutters falling on the floor "Damn it!"

The glasses of the windows shatter, howling wind sweeps in, a haunting melody that echoes the storm of his heart.

Those monsters that lay their hands on his beloved, he will make sure they meet a gruesome end…

That's right, unleash it…That bloodlust beast within you, release it…

A voice calls out to him, an eerie smile adorns the face that mirrors his own. Those bloody red eyes hold no soul within them, a nonchalant expression that meets his despair, the figure leans down, just close to his ears, and encourages him to welcome that brutality part within his heart.

They lay their hands on our beloved Primrose, they must pay for their lives…

Unleash me Caleb, for I am the only one who can save her, for you and for us…

The young lord grasps his head, the tight grip breaking a few strands of his raven hair. His reflection in the shattered pieces of the window glass seems to distort, the blood-red eyes staring back at him more intensely than ever. That uncanny laugh becomes louder in the stillness of his chamber, his and Primrose's shared bedroom. His shadow is cast on the wall, a crouching man who is slowly succumbing to the darker side of his nature.

Caleb stares at the reflection of himself, the image of a broken man. His right eye, a beautiful silver color that Primrose adores. His left eye harbors the deep anger that manifests into a deep blood color.

Two souls in one body, the gentle façade and the bloodlust that craves violence…

Let the rage consume you, Caleb. Allow the darkness within to surface and become your strength. These wretched beings who dare to harm Primrose deserve the wrath that only you can unleash.

Images of vengeance play vividly in his mind – scenes of retribution, blood spilled, and justice served. A figure with an eerie smile on his face, the blood of the enemy splatters across the wall, clinging to his pale skin. The dreaded look on that lifeless head on his hand, the loud cries asking to be spared, that sinister voice in his head encourages more violence, more blood. A means to ensure Primrose's safety at any cost.

But…

Caleb!

The soft giggle that he adores, the smile that brightens his day, the pretty onyx orbs that stare at him with love and affection.

I love you, Caleb…

The young lord flinches, those arms around him, the warmth of her body merges into his cold one, the soft raven locks tickle his skin, those red hues on her cheek deepen their color as she tiptoes to steal a kiss from him.

Primrose…

"No, I won't become a monster." Caleb mutters through gritted teeth, a defiant resolve piercing through the shadows that threatened to engulf him.

The room, as if responding to his inner strength, gradually calms down. The broken items lay scattered, the wind outside settling into an eerie silence. His mind is filled with her beaming face, one that chases away his inner demon. A subtle tongue click is heard as those footsteps fade away in the shadow, replaced by the image of Primrose with that bright smile adorning her face. He has promised to never let her witness this side of him…

"Wait for me, beloved…" in the safety of their shared bedroom, a tear falls down "I will come for you, Primrose."

A knock on the door startles him as he calmly allows the person to come in, at the door is Butler Richard.

"My lord, the preparation is ready."

Keeping a watchful eye on his master, the wise butler casts a gaze at the broken clutters on the floor, the aftermath of his anger. Caleb Vatore who never wears his heart on his sleeves has allowed his emotions to dictate his actions, the mess in his room is a display of the turmoil amidst the missing of his mate.

"I understand…" nodding to his trusted advisor, he continues "Look after the estate for me, Richard. I will bring Primrose back, no matter the costs."

Primrose stirs lightly, eyes fluttering as she hears a loud thudding sound of footsteps. The imagery in front of her is hazy, but she can pick up a sense of dread, the foul odor that belongs to some kind of prison cells.

"Uhm…"

"Ah, wake up already, princess?"

The rough voice snaps her eyes wide open as she raises her head, meeting the eerie white eyes, empty of irises. The white canvas is a stark difference from Caleb's silver ones, those orbs that carry a warm gaze whenever he looks at her.

Knitting her brows, Primrose tries to move her hands, but the lock on top prevents her mobility. The white binding, fueled with some kind of enchantment, locks away her magic. Staring at the locks, she now realizes how sluggish her body is, as if her strength has been drained by some kind of spell.

So this is why…

"You like the new toy on your hands, princess?" the man laughs "Such a feisty one, I must say. It took all of us to capture you here…"

Primrose remains silent, the fire of anger is lit in her heart as she looks at the man. Her mind wanders back to what happened last night when these men grabbed onto her as she struggled to escape. The corner of her lips still stings and part of her cheek is now swollen, the slap she received last night slowly formed an ugly bruise on her pale skin. The tension in her head is so painful that she winces in pain.

"Oh I'm sorry, it hurts, doesn't it?" walking into her cells, the man caresses her injury with a sinister glint "However, that blood of yours is exquisite, nonetheless. I can see why he wants you…"

"He…?"

"Are you trying to be silly with me, princess? Everyone in Forgotten Hollow knows why Caleb Vatore keeps you by his side." a mocking laugh escapes his lips as he continues "Thinking so highly about himself and yet, just like us, he is nothing more than a bloodlust monster."

Her heart clenches at those words and she snaps her head away, angry onyx orbs look at him for daring to speak ill about Caleb. The man smirks, seemingly enjoying the effect of his words on Primrose. He paces around the cell, his gaze fixed on her.

"You are not special, princess. Just like his previous partners, you are just a pawn in his hand…" the taunting continues "The mighty Caleb Vatore is nothing more than a beast who craves blood. And you, my dear, are just a means to an end."

Primrose refuses to yield. Her eyes shine a brilliant light, hanging on to the warm memories of her and Caleb. The man this monster is talking about is not the same Caleb she knows and loves, and the raven head chooses to believe her heart. Her furious gaze, burning by a powerful passion in her heart, startles the man as he smirks, crouching down to meet her eyes.

"Aw, are you hurt, princess?"

Her lips form a thin light as the anger lingers.

"Your foul words won't fool me." she says with resolute "And you will be sorry once Caleb arrives."

A low chuckle escapes his lips as he looks at her, amused by her foolish love for that bloodthirsty beast. Caleb Vatore, even the thought of his name disgusts him.

"We will see about that, princess. But let me assure you, you will no longer be worthy in his eyes once we finish with you."

His words send chills down her spine, what is this man mean by that? What are these people going to do to her?

Ignoring his words, Primrose scans her surroundings, searching for any sign of weakness in her captors or a way to escape. The enchanted bindings continue to suppress her magical abilities, leaving her feeling vulnerable. But she can not give up, she refuses to give up.

Another man steps into the cell, whispering something into his ear. The smirk on his face grows wider, so it is time…

Snapping his fingers, the underlings begin to unlock the chains, releasing her from the crampness of her arms, yet the binds are still there. She groans softly at the discomfort feeling and the man snatches her chin, raising her head to meet his eerie white canvas. Studying her face a bit, he scoffs at how she is not a reward for him and his goons after a hectic chase.

"Such a lovely girl, too bad though…" Primrose's face turns pale at his words "You are their next meal after all…"

Meal?!

Seizing her opportunity, the raven head pushes him and makes her escape. However, the binding on her wrist along with the pang on her head prove to be obstacles for her. Another of his underlings stops her and the man laughs at her pathetic run, mocking her uselessness the moment they block her magical energy with those locks.

Lying on the dirt ground, she thrashes violently as the man hangs her on his shoulders with ease, telling her to stop trying. The drugs they put in her are a strong one and unless she wants another dose, Primrose should stop opposing them.

"Let me go!" she screams, her panic becomes a laughing stock to them.

"Feisty princess, we'll see how much you enjoy yourself once he has his way with you."

Primrose freezes at his alluding words, it can not be… They are not meant to…

No, no, no…

She can not give up, she can not let them do that to her. Her heart, her soul and her body, all of them belong to no one but Caleb. She won't let them break her, she must resist…

A loud gasp escapes her as the man throws her onto the hard, cold floor. An eerie laugh catches her attention as she raises her head, only to meet those familiar green eyes. That face, that golden hair, that lilac-colored dress…

"Seraphina Bloodhaven…"

"Hello there, wretched human." her chuckle sends a chill down Primrose's spine "I am glad to see you…"

"What do you want?" the raven head exclaims "What are you scheming?"

"Oh my, scheming? A noblewoman like me?"

She dismisses the notion with a laugh. Sitting in a throne-like chair next to her is a man bearing appalling ember eyes, the way he looks at Primrose strikes a nerve on her as she unconsciously moves back. What are they doing? What is their plan? And why is she here in the first place?

"My dear, it is you who bring this onto yourself. Had you not been stubborn and given up lord Vatore, you would not have been here…"

"What of madness are you planning to do?" Primrose looks at her, shuddering at how the Bloodhaven princess is leering at her.

Seraphina descends the stairs, her smile is nothing but unveiling her sadistic nature. She speaks of her love for Caleb, saying how she is meant to be by his side and rule this realm with him, similar to Selene Voss before her demise. However, the more she speaks about her feelings, phrasing it as the only true love that Caleb needs, Primrose realizes she is nothing more than a delusional woman.

However, her plan is beyond the scope of capturing the heart of lord Vatore, she insists that beauty must be built on the lives of mortals, and the blood that flows in Primrose's veins is the most exquisite of all.

"Blood? Are you out of your mind?" the water mage exclaims "Caleb never wants this, he doesn't harm humans, yet you…you…"

To view human life as nothing but a stepping stone to eternal beauty, Seraphina is the same madwoman as Selene Voss herself.

"Selene Voss? Ah, that's right…" she chuckles, her shadow cast on the wall, a looming threat to Primrose "She is just a mere pawn in my hand. That wicked woman who thinks she can surpass me, what foolish thought."

"What…?"

"I just need to taunt her a bit, showing her the nectar that was Lilian Collins. Too bad though, she died thinking that she could capture the heart of lord Caleb with her madness." Seraphina's beautiful face is painted with a satisfying smile "Thanks to him, another threat is eliminated."

Primrose's body shakes violently at the revelation, this woman uses Selene's madness and obsession as a tool of her own. Just how many lives she has laid her hands on to reach this absurdity?

"You speak so highly of yourself, yet you are the same as Selene Voss!"

A loud smack echoes the quietude of the room, Primrose is knocked back at Seraphina's slap. The woman grabs a handful of her hair, pulling it backward to reveal the red handprint on her delicate skin.

"Me? The same as the wicked woman? Don't make me laugh!" throwing her onto the floor, the blond princess continues "Selene Voss wishes to be the mother of the Realm, but I have a better plan…"

To secure the heart of lord Vatore, to shower Forgotten Hollow with an endless supply of human blood, to return to those happy days of vampires chasing down their prey, and most important of all…

"To the rise of House Bloodhaven, the new ruler of Forgotten Hollow…" her sadistic laugh is a haunting melody that unnerves Primrose as she turns to the man sitting on the throne "Right, dear Father?"

Respond to her question is an eerie chuckle, those amber eyes stare down at her, hollow and soulless. The man looks at his daughter, the smirk on his lips grows wider at her madness, all for the best of Forgotten Hollow, all for the rise of House Bloodhaven.

And it is not only the humans who will suffer under their hands, spellcasters are the next exquisite nectar that will enhance their meal. The never-ending vicious cycle of the strong preying on the weak will return, the eternal darkness will spread and she, as the new Lady of House Vatore, will rule over this realm with Caleb.

Seraphina is an ambitious woman. Not only does she want the title of being his wife, but she also desires beauty that is beyond her reach. Along with that, her house must rise above all, even if it is built on the blood and bones of those she sacrifices.

She uses Inna Cents and builds a connection with House Vatore through her, knowing that House Cents has been a formidable ally of House Vatore through the centuries. Behind the façade of a graceful noblewoman, Inna Cents is nothing but a tool in her arsenal. Her friendship with Caleb and the desire to protect traditionalism, shaped over the years of alliance and camaraderie, proves to be too useful for Seraphina to not manipulate it.

"She trusts you! She trusts that you are the right person for Caleb, yet you use her to your advantage…"

Inna Cents shares the same belief as Caleb, that humans are not mere food stock for vampires to prey on. Despite being a traditionalist, she desires peace for Forgotten Hollow and does everything she can to keep it. Her loyalty to this realm and House Vatore is commendable, and yet, that is also the same reason for Seraphina to take advantage of her. If she didn't have any connection to House Vatore, the Bloodhaven princess would have gotten rid of her ages ago.

Inna's trust in Seraphina as a suitable match for Caleb becomes a point of vulnerability for the well-intentioned House Cents member. She goes against his decision to make Primrose his mate, constantly jabs Lilith and Kian's union, bullies Primrose into leaving his side, and so much more, all for the sake of House Vatore and Forgotten Hollow's future.

"Once I'm done with her, she will meet the same end as Selene Voss. Getting slayed by the hands of her own friend, Caleb himself…"

"Monster… You're nothing but a monster!"

"Oh my, someone needs to teach you some manner, my dear…" Seraphina turns to her father, who is slowly descending the throne "Lucky for you, he is here to help…"

Primrose avoids the hand that extends towards her, but he harshly yanks her chin back, forcing her to meet his hollow amber eyes. The emptiness within those orbs unnerves her as Seraphina steps away, allowing her father to observe the mate of Caleb Vatore.

"Father, what do you think?" her question hangs in the air, holding an underlying tone as she speaks "A new bloom like her is lovely to be plucked, doesn't it?"

"You're right, even her scent is exquisitely wonderful…" the calmness in his voice is eerily scary.

"When you're done with her, give the boys a taste too…" eyeing at the man who has captured Primrose, she continues "I'm sure they would enjoy the nectar. After that, well…"

Tears well on her onyx orbs as she struggles to get away, her fear rises at the thought of what this woman is going to do with her. Seraphina's eyes gleam with anticipation, her sadistic pleasure is heightened. She steps closer to the man, caressing his cheeks. A lustful smile forms on her lips when the man reciprocates her advances.

"Allow me to reward you boys, after that, she is all yours…"

She shudders at her words, understanding the eerie meaning behind it. It is not only her blood that they desire, it is much more than that. The lecherous tone in her voice is evidenced when the man takes Seraphina away as she smiles eerily at her.

Primrose struggles to break free. Lord Bloodhaven has secured a tight hold on her hair and drags her away, ignoring her painful wails as she cries out for help, for Caleb to come to her. The chamber door closes behind his back as she is tossed on the bed, her face turns pale, fearing for what is next to come…