(Zachary) ONLY this girl could save me from my own chaos. When I saw the bite mark on her shoulder, the fear that instantly gripped my heart upon knowing that I could lose her again anytime took me by surprise. The rage I felt next had overpowered me until I lost control. But when she held me, I began to see things clearly. I began to calm down. Unlike others, Kate just keeps on saying the opposite of the things I want to hear. And it really pisses me off, but when she looked at me, when her tears fell down along with the walls she surrounded her heart with, for a moment, I saw how vulnerable she was. I saw how rattled she was. She needed me. She needed more than my blood. Those were the things she would never say out loud, but I felt it when she kissed me. I felt her quiet desperation and her fears. When I released her mouth and looked into her eyes, I was greeted by her tough façade once again as if she was determined to see this whole thing as a task which she needed to do in

Present TimeWHEN everyone had left, I closed the door as quietly as possible and walked towards the bed. How many times did I imagine seeing Kate back in my chambers? In my bed?How many nights did I wake up wishing I could go back to that very first night she slept here? Just seeing her sleeping on my bed was enough to make me warm inside.But I wanted Kate here not for this reason, not in this condition. I wanted to bring her back here as naturally as possible. I wanted to take my time, to win her over first.And yet, this shit happened.There was color in her cheeks now, but I still feel restless. And I know this restlessness would stay inside me unless that goddamn bite mark on her shoulder magically disappears.No matter how I looked at it, the bite seemed like it came from a young Vampire. Was she bitten by a child of a Rogue? Was that why she seemed protective of her attacker? Because it was a child? But how come the child’s bite was as fatal as mine? For that to happen, he or

“YOUR majesty, General Damon is requesting an audience in the main hall. He said it’s code red,” the butler outside the door announced which broke the rising tension between me and Zachary.Of all the times Damon appeared, today was the day I feel truly thankful. Code red meant there was something that required Zachary’s immediate attention.He stood, annoyed.“Why does he have to do that? This is beyond him. He is never the kind to do things in a formal way. If it’s code red, we could communicate directly. What the heck is wrong with Damon these days?”“I… have no idea, your majesty. Pardon me,” Larry replied.“Go back and tell him I would meet him in a while,” Zachary ordered.“As you wished, your majesty.”“And Larry?”“Yes, your majesty?”“I remember telling you that I don’t wish to be disturbed when I’m resting in my chambers. You only had one job and you still failed to do it properly. I don’t want to hear your voice or even your footsteps here tomorrow morning and all the morni

CLAUDIA and her followers hated me with passion. They were all giving me a death glare as they walked towards the small bridge that connects to the tower. I managed to wriggle myself out from trouble before because His Majesty would constantly show up by my side like a phantom who quietly wanders around the castle. Unfortunately, that knight-in-shining phantom was busy today. I would have turned the other way if only they weren’t quick to see me. When their leader smiled, I knew I was doomed. I forced myself to keep walking until we met on the middle of the bridge. I stopped and against my better judgment, I lowered my head to greet Claudia. “Greetings, my lady,” I said in a polite tone. “So, the rumors are awfully true. The weakling had transformed. You look… a little decent now with all those expensive clothes His Majesty had wasted on you, but you are still an ugly and a dirty bitch in my eyes. Did you know how happy you made me when you suddenly disappea

EVERYBODY was dumbfounded by the king’s statement.“Your majesty!” Claudia cried out. “That human is lying! She broke the law and harmed the Vampires! She should be punished!”“With all due respect, why would you choose to believe a human more than your own kin, your majesty?” Vivianne added. “This is totally absurd! You only knew her for two years while you’ve known us for decades!”“That’s exactly the point.” The King smirked. “Except for Claudia who claimed to be the daughter of Lord Voroncova, I’ve known you all for decades. Lady Vivianne, you are an actress but you are more famous for your indecent behavior and for being a chronic liar. There are several scandals involving you all. You must be surprised how I knew about them. That’s because your fathers wanted me to choose you all as my concubines. But I cannot accept just anyone in my castle that’s why I had you all investigated. Should I tell everyone here about the interesting things I found out so far?”“I believe that you do