Alex lifted his glass to his lips, savoring the burn of whiskey as it slid down his throat. He wasn’t here to meet anyone or have fun. Just to drink, forget the weight of his days, and leave before the atmosphere became suffocating.

But tonight, something caught his attention.

Across the bar, in a private booth reserved for the elite of the night, Gabriel De Noctis lounged like a king among his worshippers.

Women clung to him, laughing too loudly, whispering sweet nothings into his ear, vying for even a shred of his attention.

He didn’t seem to care.

Slouched against the plush velvet seat, a glass lazily dangling from his fingers, Gabriel watched the room with an air of detached superiority. His deep red eyes glowed under the dim lighting, his slightly unbuttoned shirt revealing just enough skin to tease and entice.

Alex clenched his jaw.

Of course he’s here.

Everyone knew Gabriel—the arrogant, dangerously attractive vampire from a powerful bloodline. His reputation preceded him: a privileged, self-indulgent hedonist who drifted through life, collecting lovers and discarding them without a second thought. A living indulgence, a nocturnal prince who took what he wanted and left the rest behind.

And yet…

Without warning, Gabriel turned his head toward Alex.

Their eyes met, and the vampire smirked—a knowing, deliberate smirk.

Shit.

Alex quickly looked away, focusing on his drink, but it was too late.

A shiver ran down his spine as a shadow slid into the seat beside him.

— "Mind if I sit?"

A deep, smooth voice, dripping with confidence. Gabriel didn’t wait for an answer before settling in as if his presence was a given.

— "We’ve never spoken," Alex noted, eyes narrowing.

— "A mistake that needs fixing, don’t you think?"

Gabriel lazily signaled for a drink, ignoring the jealous stares of those who would have killed to be in Alex’s position.

— "Why are you here?" Alex asked, wary.

Gabriel arched an eyebrow, amused by the question.

— "Because I have an offer for you."

Alex folded his arms.

— "An offer?"

— "A deal," Gabriel corrected, swirling the liquid in his glass. "You know how it works, don’t you? A vampire needs a stable blood partner. It’s a hassle, but my family insists."

He chuckled, as if the whole situation was nothing more than an inconvenience.

— "You seem… convenient."

Alex raised an eyebrow.

— "Convenient?"

— "You don’t look like the clingy type," Gabriel replied, smirking. "I don’t need a human who gets attached. It saves me the headache."

Alex’s fists clenched under the table. This bastard didn’t even try to sugarcoat it.

— "And what do I get out of this… arrangement?"

Gabriel shrugged, as if the answer was obvious.

— "The protection of my name. Maybe a few perks."

He pulled out a folded piece of paper and tossed it onto the counter.

— "Read it, sign it, and we’re done."

Alex picked up the document. The terms were clear: he would be Gabriel’s exclusive blood partner, available whenever the vampire needed him. In return, they would have no say in each other’s personal lives. No attachments. No interference.

A purely transactional agreement.

Something in Alex’s chest tightened, though he couldn’t say why.

— "I accept," he said, signing without hesitation.

Gabriel’s smirk widened.

— "Good. Now, let’s see if you’re worth it."

Before Alex could react, Gabriel seized his wrist and pulled him toward a secluded room at the back of the bar.

Once they were alone, the vampire shoved him against the wall, his breath cold against Alex’s skin.

— "Don’t move."

Alex barely had time to process before sharp fangs sank into his neck.

A sharp pain lanced through him, followed by a chilling sensation that made his breath hitch. His body tensed at the sudden, ruthless bite. Blood rushed from the wound, drawn out in slow, greedy pulls, leaving him dizzy with a strange heat spreading through his limbs.

Gabriel didn’t stop for several long moments, drinking without restraint.

When he finally pulled away, he licked the stray drops of blood from his lips, his red eyes glowing with satisfaction.

— "You’ll do."

Alex, still shaking, barely registered what had just happened.

He had signed a contract with a vampire.

Or perhaps, with the devil himself.