Chapter 4 alastor

The next morning, I walked through the base camp as the sun began to rise over the horizon. The sky was breathtaking—a soft wash of pink layered with streaks of yellow and orange, blending together like brushstrokes on a canvas. The cool morning air carried the scent of damp earth and smoke from the night’s dying campfires. Soldiers were already beginning their rounds, their boots crunching against gravel and dirt as the camp slowly came to life.

“Captain!” Ace called, running toward me with a file clutched tightly in his hand.

I turned to face him, folding my hands behind my back. “Yes, soldier?”

“I got the file you wanted on the demon girl,” he said, slightly out of breath.

I quickly snatched the file from his hand. “Keep it quiet,” I muttered, trying to hide the faint blush warming my face.

“Sorry,” he replied, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

“You’re dismissed,” I said firmly.

He bowed before turning and hurrying away.

I looked back up at the sky, a small smile tugging at my lips. I wonder if she likes sunrises.

Shaking the thought from my mind, I headed toward my tent. Once inside, I sat down at my desk and opened the file carefully.

“Name: Lexie Smith. Age: 106. Species: Demon. Mate: Unknown. Mate’s Species: Unknown.”

I stared at her picture for a long moment. Her horns were a deep, dark purple that curved elegantly from her head. Her eyes were a rich crimson, sharp yet strangely warm. The photograph made her skin appear slightly darker than it truly was—just a shade deeper than I remembered.

“So, my little deer wasn’t lying,” I murmured softly. “She hasn’t found her mate. How cute.”

I leaned back in my chair, resting my elbow on the armrest and supporting my head in my hand. The thought of her being unmated sent a strange sense of relief through me—one I wasn’t entirely ready to admit.

The tent flap opened without warning.

“We need more blood bags,” Destiny announced as she stepped inside.

I straightened immediately. “I’ll send in a restock request.”

She crossed her arms and smirked. “Who are you thinking about?”

I rolled my eyes. “Go away.”

She laughed softly. “That’s not an answer.”

I grabbed a restock letter and stood. “You’re dismissed, too.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender and stepped aside as I exited the tent.

I headed toward the small post station set up between territories. As I approached, I noticed Lexie standing nearby, talking to another girl—Nancy, if I remembered correctly.

I slowed my steps, watching her from a distance.

Her hair was styled in a braided bun, keeping it neatly off her shoulders. She wore a red plaid skirt over black leggings and a simple T-shirt. Despite the war-torn surroundings, she somehow managed to look effortlessly composed.

She laughed at something Nancy said, and the sound carried faintly on the wind.

I stood there longer than I should have.

Finally, I forced myself inside the post office tent, sent the letter, and headed back toward camp.

As I passed near the demon nurse station, I heard her voice again.

“Nancy, please. I’m out of bandages, and you still have some. I just need one roll,” Lexie said.

Nancy laughed lightly. “You’re always underprepared.”

I paused briefly, then continued walking.

Back in vampire territory, I went straight to Destiny.

“Can you make a small box of medical supplies?” I asked.

She tilted her head. “Who needs it?”

“Just make it.”

Her smirk returned. “Is it for that demon girl?”

“Destiny,” I warned.

She laughed. “Alright, alright. I’ll make it. Come get it when it’s done.”

I returned to my tent and sat down heavily in my chair, rubbing my face with both hands.

What is so special about her?

I pulled her file back out, staring at the picture once more.

She was a demon. I was the prince of the vampires. Our territories barely tolerated each other. Yet somehow, every thought led back to her.

A while later, Destiny entered carrying two handmade medical baskets.

“Got them done, brother,” she said proudly.

I stood and took them from her. Inside were blood bags, clean bandages, bottled water, antiseptics, and other basic medical supplies.

“Thank you, Destiny,” I said sincerely.

She studied my expression carefully. “Be careful.”

I nodded and left before she could say anything else.

The sun was beginning to set as I approached the demon nurse station. The golden light painted everything in warm hues, casting long shadows across the ground.

Lexie was tending to several injured soldiers. Her movements were efficient but gentle, her voice calm and reassuring.

I quietly placed the baskets on an empty cot beside her without saying a word.

For a moment, I hesitated, watching her work.

Then I turned and began to leave.

I had only taken a few steps when something slammed into the back of my head.

Darkness.

When I regained awareness, everything felt wrong.

My vision was completely blocked.

My mouth was gagged.

My hands were bound behind me.

“We got the prince of the vampires,” one of the soldiers whispered excitedly.

“We’ll get the captain down here now,” another replied.

I heard the tent flap close.

I tried to move, but metal cuffs restrained my wrists. The blindfold pressed tightly against my eyes.

Great, I thought bitterly.

A chill ran down my spine.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

“You’re right. The baskets were sweet,” Lexie said softly.

“He likes you,” Nancy teased.

I tried to shout, but the gag muffled everything. Only strained air escaped my lungs.

“Something doesn’t feel right,” Lexie said after a moment.

“You’re just tired,” Nancy replied.

Their voices faded as they walked away.

I strained against the restraints, panic building in my chest.

The tent flap opened again.

“Wonderful. Now we have leverage,” a stern voice said.

“Yes, sir. What do we do with him now?” someone asked.

“Take him to the holding cell.”

Rough hands grabbed my arms and yanked me to my feet. I stumbled as they dragged me forward.

I tried to peer beneath the blindfold, but all I could see was dirt and dust beneath my boots.

The ground shifted from soft soil to rough stone.

A door creaked open.

The air grew colder.

They shoved me forward, and I nearly fell.

Chains rattled.

The cuffs were removed from my wrists only to be replaced by heavier restraints secured to the wall.

The blindfold was finally ripped away.

I blinked rapidly, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Stone walls surrounded me. A single torch flickered nearby, casting shadows that danced along the cold floor.

The door slammed shut.

I exhaled slowly, testing the chains.

Solid iron.

Whoever planned this had thought it through.

I leaned my head back against the stone wall.

Leverage.

They planned to use me against my territory.

Against my people.

And possibly against her.

Footsteps approached.

The door creaked open once more.

A tall figure stepped inside, his uniform marking him as a high-ranking demon officer.

“Well,” he said coolly. “This is an unexpected opportunity.”

I stared at him without speaking.

“You’ve been watching her,” he continued.

My jaw tightened.

He smiled faintly. “Don’t look surprised. You’re not subtle.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said evenly.

“Lexie Smith,” he replied. “Our little medic.”

His words sent tension through my body.

“She’s valuable to us. And now, so are you.”

“You’re making a mistake,” I warned.

“On the contrary,” he said. “We’re finally evening the scales.”

He turned and walked out, locking the door behind him.

I pulled against the chains again, frustration burning in my chest.

This wasn’t just about territory anymore.

They knew.

They knew I cared.

And if they figured out just how much—

I closed my eyes.

I needed a plan.

Because one thing was certain.

I wasn’t staying in this cell.

And I wasn’t letting them use her against me.