"How dare you even consider another man when I'm here?" The Alpha snarled, his eyes ablaze with a fierce longing. He glared at Lavinia, who was bound, asking, "What does that man possess that I don't? Do you believe that despicable vampire can rescue you?" His hands traced over her bare skin, causing chills to run down her spine. "Please, just leave me alone," Lavinia pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes from desperation. "Then become mine, Lavinia," he whispered, drawing closer. His breath brushed against her face. "I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world." But Lavinia shook her head, her lips pressed together as she studied the man before her. Despite his power and authority, her heart yearned for someone else. "No, you're not him... You're not Sebastian," she said resolutely. She continued, sharing a memory, "We had an unspoken agreement: He provided me with warmth, vibrant moments, and fleeting illusions. In exchange, he took my blood when he needed sustenance, my body for his desires, and my heart when his own became restless. Surprisingly, I still find it a strangely fair trade, even now," she added with a hint of irony.
