The last Bite of Love

Finally, my college life is about to start. After all the trouble I went through in high school, I deserve a fresh start. Standing in front of the mirror, Elara adjusted the strap of her bag and gave herself a small nod. “This is it. Just blend in,” she whispered, as if saying it aloud would make it true. “Elara! Breakfast is ready!” her aunt’s cheerful voice floated up the stairs. She grabbed her notebook and hurried downstairs, where the smell of pancakes greeted her like an old friend. Her aunt, Lydia, stood by the stove, flipping another golden-brown pancake onto a plate. “You sure you’re ready for this?” Lydia asked, setting the plate on the table. Elara slid into her seat, poking at the pancakes with her fork. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Lydia gave her a pointed look, hands on her hips. “College isn’t high school, you know. Nobody’s going to be whispering behind your back or ignoring you here. It’s a fresh start.” Elara gave her a weak smile. “I know, Aunt Lydia. It’s just...you never forget what it feels like.” Her aunt reached out, squeezing her hand. “They didn’t see what I see. You’re going to do great things, Elara. Just give yourself a chance.” The doorbell rang before Elara could respond. She stood, grabbing her bag. “That’s Aiden. I’ll see you later.” Her aunt winked. “Tell him not to distract you too much.” Elara rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the faint smile that crept onto her lips. Aiden was leaning against the porch railing, his usual confident grin plastered across his face. “Took you long enough. I was starting to think you’d chickened out.” “Very funny,” Elara muttered, stepping outside and closing the door behind her. As they walked toward campus, Aiden fell into step beside her, hands stuffed into his pockets. “Excited?” he asked, breaking the silence. “More like nervous,” she admitted. He smirked. “Don’t be. It’s college. Nobody cares enough to pick on anyone here. Not like back in high school.” Elara winced at the memory. The faint echoes of laughter and whispered taunts tugged at the edges of her mind. “Remember that time in sophomore year?” Aiden continued, his tone light, trying to make her laugh. “You came to class with that handmade scarf, and those girls—what were their names again?—thought it was ‘so weird.’” “They said I looked like a grandma,” Elara muttered, her cheeks flushing. “Yeah, and then I told them you were a fashion icon ahead of your time.” Aiden grinned. “Didn’t work, but hey, at least you got detention with me for trying to trip them in the hallway.” Elara let out a reluctant laugh. “You’re impossible.” “And you’re welcome,” Aiden replied smugly. As they reached the college gates, Elara hesitated, taking in the sight. The sprawling campus was alive with students, their chatter and laughter filling the air. Her chest tightened. “You good?” Aiden asked, nudging her. “Yeah,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’ll see you later.” “Later,” he said, shooting her a quick wave as they went their separate ways. Elara wandered through the unfamiliar hallways, clutching her schedule tightly. The buildings seemed endless, each corridor identical to the last. She muttered under her breath, “Lost. On the first day. Of course.” As she turned another corner, a muffled sound caught her attention. It was faint but distinct—a mix of gasps and something almost...a moan? Her stomach twisted, a strange unease settling over her. Her curiosity got the better of her. She crept toward the sound, her footsteps soft against the tiled floor. A door slightly ajar revealed a dimly lit room. Peeking through the crack, she froze. A boy stood there, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair catching the faint light. His face was buried in the neck of a girl, his hands gripping her arms. Crimson trickled down her skin, staining the collar of her shirt. The girl’s eyes were half-closed, her expression dazed, almost serene. Elara’s breath hitched, and a tiny gasp escaped her lips. The boy’s head snapped up, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. Blood stained his lips, a sharp contrast to his amused, almost predatory smile. Elara stumbled back, her heart hammering. He moved, faster than she could comprehend, and suddenly he was right in front of her. “Well, well,” he drawled, his voice low and smooth. “What do we have here?” Before she could scream, another voice cut through the tension. “Step away from her.” The boy hissed, clutching his head in sudden pain. Elara turned to see Aiden standing at the end of the hallway, his hand raised, fingers curling as if grasping something invisible. The air around him shimmered with an unnatural energy. “A witch,” the boy growled, his voice strained. Aiden’s eyes glowed faintly, his jaw set. “Leave. Now.” The boy smirked through the pain, retreating in a blur of motion. Elara turned to Aiden, her legs shaking, her voice barely a whisper. “What...just happened? And you...?” Aiden sighed, lowering his hand. “Elara, there’s something I need to tell you.” Her eyes widened, her mind racing. Everything she thought she knew about her best friend—and the world—had just shattered. “Who… are you… You’re not Aiden…” Elara stammered, her voice trembling as her hands flew up to cover her face. Her chest heaved, panic clawing its way through her. “I can explain, Elara,” Aiden said quickly, his voice filled with worry. He took a hesitant step toward her, his hands outstretched. “Please, let me explain—” Before he could say more, Damien let out a low chuckle, breaking the tension. He reached into Elara’s bag, pulling out a scarf. “Oops,” he said mockingly, walking toward the girl whose blood he had just been drinking. “Looks like someone’s got a lot of explaining to do.” Damien crouched slightly, draping the scarf around the girl’s neck. His voice softened as he compelled her, his tone smooth and commanding. “Forget everything. Walk away, and don’t take off this scarf.” The girl blinked, her expression vacant before she turned and walked away as if nothing had happened. Elara’s jaw dropped as she watched, frozen in place. How could someone act so normal after what she had just witnessed? Her world spun, the foundations of reality crumbling beneath her. Damien straightened, turning back to face them, his smirk firmly in place. “Well, this has been fun. A little messy, sure, but fun.” Aiden stepped forward, his face dark with anger. His voice was low, each word sharp. “Why are you here, Damien Deveraux? The infamous vampire who killed his own brother for a girl... and now running away from his family?” Damien’s smirk vanished, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer, mere inches from Aiden. His voice was a venomous whisper. “And this, coming from Aiden Hale? A failed witch cast aside by his own family?” Aiden’s fists clenched, his expression twisting in fury. “What did you just say?” Damien’s smile returned, his amusement evident. “You heard me.” Before Aiden could lash out, Elara screamed, “STOP!” Both men froze, turning to look at her. Her hands were pressed tightly to her ears, her body trembling. Her eyes darted between the two of them, wide with fear and disbelief. “What… what is happening? What are you? What is this?” she cried, her voice breaking. Aiden’s face softened, guilt and concern flashing across his features. “Elara, I swear, I’ll explain everything. But you need to calm down first—” “Calm down?” Elara interrupted, her voice rising. “I just saw a vampire drinking someone’s blood! And you—” Her voice caught as her gaze fell on Aiden. “You’re not even human…” Damien chuckled again, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. “This is going to be fun.” Aiden shot him a warning glare before turning back to Elara. “Elara, please. I’ve always been your friend. That hasn’t changed.” “Except that you lied to me!” she snapped, stepping back. Her mind raced, filled with fragments of everything she’d seen—the glowing eyes, the girl’s blood, the unnatural strength. None of it made sense. “I didn’t lie,” Aiden said quietly, his voice pained. “I just didn’t tell you everything.” “And what about him?” Elara gestured toward Damien, who raised a hand in mock surrender. “I’m the least of your worries,” Damien said casually, though his sharp grin said otherwise. Elara shook her head, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She had no idea what world she had just been thrust into, but she knew one thing: nothing would ever be the same.