xMy Vampire Kingx.

Chapter -3 | Not Just a Stranger

APRIL



I lay sprawled on the sofa, staring at the ceiling like it held answers to the cosmic mess that was my life. The events of last night kept playing on a loop in my brain like a fever dream. A very attractive, potentially life-ruining fever dream.

Was that real? Did that actually happen?

It felt too wild to be true. Like—hi, welcome to your summer break. Here’s a vampire prince and emotional whiplash as a bonus.

After forcing myself off the couch, I took a long, hot shower and downed some breakfast. Then I plopped back down and picked up my half-read romance novel. At least fictional love stories made some kind of sense.

As I reached the scene where the hero drops to one knee and confesses his undying love, I paused, staring at the page.

Did Edward ever have a girlfriend?

Was he just… playing with me? I mean, I’m human. Regular. Average. He’s a vampire—immortal, powerful, stupidly gorgeous. Why would someone like that waste time on someone like me unless he wanted something?

He did say I was his beloved. His soulmate. But… how do you even trust something like that?

I couldn’t help it—my brain spiraled. Self-doubt crept in like a shadow, slow and cold. I rubbed at my cheek absently.

Wait.

Was that... water?

I blinked up at the ceiling.

Nope. Definitely not rain.

I was crying. Again.

Ugh. These stupid tears—must be the pre-period hormone hurricane. That’s what I told myself, anyway.

But then my thoughts strayed back, deeper, darker—back to him. My ex.

"You’re worthless. Just die already. You’re a waste of space."

I’d tried so many times to forget the things he said, to scrub his voice out of my memory like dirt from under my nails. But it never really left. His words had sunk deep—like rust in my bones, impossible to shake off.

And the worst part? A small, awful part of me believed him. Maybe he was right. Maybe I am useless. People just take what they

want from me and toss me aside when they’re done. Like I’m nothing. Disposable.

Even my so-called friends only kept me around to copy my homework. I was just... boring. Background noise.

But not this time.

I wiped my face with both hands and stood up, a sudden decision hardening in my chest like a blade.

I’ll reject him today. I wouldn’t let anyone—even some ancient, ridiculously hot vampire—have the upper hand.

Before he gets the chance to play with me like the rest.

Still feeling heavy, I stepped outside to get some air. My apartment felt like it was closing in on me. I needed space, trees, silence. So I walked to the park, to my usual spot—under that old, stubborn tree near the pond.

Birds chirped above like they had no idea how hard life could be. Lucky them.

I stared out at the water, watching little ripples dance on the surface. Nature always made more sense than people. I’d once read that

when a baby monkey loses its parents, others in the group step in to care for it like their own.

Imagine that.

Meanwhile, humans can barely return a text.

Still, not everyone’s cruel. There are good people out there. I’d met a few. Maybe the world wasn’t entirely broken.

My phone buzzed, dragging me out of my broody nature documentary moment.

“Hey, April!” May’s voice chirped through the speaker.

“Hi, May,” I said, tossing a pebble into the pond and watching the rings spread out.

“Where are you, girl? I’m outside your apartment. We still have that project, remember?”

Oh, right. The project.

“May, breathe. I’m on my way,” I sighed and stood up.

I grabbed a coffee on the way back. When I got to my building, there she was—leaning on the wall, texting someone. Probably her

latest heartthrob.

“Here,” I said, handing her a cup.

“You’re a lifesaver.” She smiled and took a sip.

We headed inside and flopped down in the living room, spreading books across the coffee table. But my mind? It wasn’t cooperating.

I kept zoning out. Over and over again.

Eventually, I just gave up. When May asked if I was okay, the tears came again—fast and messy.

“Oh god, April—what’s wrong?” she gasped, rushing over to hug me. “Hey, hey. Shhh. It’s alright. I’m here, okay?”

I sobbed into her shoulder until I physically couldn’t cry anymore.

“It’s Leo’s words,” I mumbled finally. “They won’t shut up. They just keep spinning in my head.”

Her jaw clenched. “Forget that toxic i***t. You don’t need to carry his filth around. You’re not what he said. You know that.”

I sniffled. “He never called. Never checked in. I was just reading this romance novel, and then he just—appeared in my brain.”

May hugged me tighter. “Okay. Deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Now—on to better topics.” She suddenly grinned. “Actually, I have

news. Big news.”

I wiped my face with the sleeve of my shirt and gave her a suspicious look.

“Wait… are you pregnant?”

May gagged. “What—no, you lunatic. It’s about you.”

Uh-oh.

“You know Hunter? From physics?”

“The guy with the glasses?” I raised an eyebrow.

“That’s the one. He came to me yesterday and asked if you… maybe liked him. He’s had a crush on you for a year. A whole year,

April. The guy’s practically a puppy.”

My mouth dropped open. “Wait, what?”

“He’s sweet. Smart. Never had a girlfriend. I think you should give him a shot,” she said, bouncing a little like she was about to explode from excitement.

I blinked, mind flashing to a certain vampire with intense eyes and a painfully beautiful face.

“I… I don’t know, May. I just need time.”

She deflated a little but nodded. “Okay. Just think about it.”

After lunch, May headed home. I changed into jeans and a hoodie, tying my hair back like I was about to go fight a war.

Because, well… maybe I was.

I was going to reject Edward. A clean break. Let him find some perfect vampire goddess or immortal soulmate or whatever. Someone

like him. Not some ordinary, human mess of a girl.

Besides, I had a shot with Hunter, right? A real boy. Normal. Safe.

Ugh. Who was I kidding?

My thoughts tangled into one big storm as I walked through the trees, weaving between gnarled branches and thick undergrowth. The

tunnel loomed ahead like the gateway to my doom. I pushed open the heavy metal door and climbed the stone steps, heart pounding harder with each one.

Then I saw him.

Leaning against the wall, head tilted back, eyes closed—Edward looked like something carved out of moonlight and danger. Unreal. Perfect. Like he belonged in a painting, not real life.

I hated how my heart flipped.

Snap out of it, April.

I took a breath, shoved down the nerves, and stepped closer.

"Um… hey," I said, awkwardly.

His eyes fluttered open, glowing softly in the dim light. A smile curved his lips. "Hey, love. How have you been?"

I nodded stiffly. "I'm fine." I backed up half a step, instinctively creating space.

His brow furrowed slightly, but he moved closer anyway. "Is everything alright?"

"I—yeah. I'm fine." Another step back.

He stopped this time, watching me carefully. "You're pulling away from me," he said gently. "Talk to me, April. What’s bothering

you?"

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Hey, I came to reject you, thanks for the immortal attention but I’m opting out didn’t sound

like a great opener.

He took a step forward and caught my hands, his touch warm and grounding.

"You can trust me," he said softly. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."

I hesitated. The words burned in my throat. Then I blurted, “Do you have a girlfriend? And… am I really your beloved? Or is this just

some vampire trick?”

His expression didn’t flinch. He looked right into me, calm and steady. “No. I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said. “And yes, April, you

are my true beloved. That’s not a title I just hand out. It’s something sacred. I swear to you—I’m not lying.”

His voice was so certain, so open, it shook something in me. But I still crossed my arms.

“I need proof,” I said stubbornly. “You want me to just… believe all this?”

Edward’s expression didn’t waver. He didn’t flinch or pull away. He just looked at me—with those strange grey-gold eyes that saw

too much and yet never judged.

“What kind of proof would help you believe me?” he asked, voice calm, like he was genuinely ready to give me whatever I needed.

“I don’t know,” I mumbled, suddenly unsure. “Some kind of… I don’t know! You said I’m your ‘beloved’ like it’s some mystical

vampire destiny thing, and I’m just supposed to trust that? I don’t even trust my Wi-Fi connection, Edward.”

His lips twitched—he almost smiled. “I don’t expect blind faith, April. Not from you. You question everything. That’s one of the

things I admire about you.”

I blinked, a little thrown off.

He stepped back, giving me space, but his eyes stayed locked on mine—steady, unwavering. “As I told you before,” he said, voice

low and honest, “I have no hidden motives. If I ever wanted something from you, I could’ve taken it that very first night.”

He let the silence settle before continuing, softer now, “But I didn’t. Because that’s not what this is.”

His gaze deepened, full of something ancient and almost aching. “This bond… April, if I had the power to choose anyone—someone simpler, someone who wouldn’t fight me at every turn—I might’ve been tempted.”

Then his lips curled into a faint, almost-sad smile.

“But I didn’t choose. My soul did. And it chose you.”

Something inside me fluttered, then twisted. Not in fear, but in that confusing, breath-stealing way that makes your chest ache for no reason at all.

He was still looking at me like I was something rare. Like I was the answer to a question he’d been carrying for a long, long time.

“And then you showed up. Loud. Messy. Chaotic. You dared to break into my world without even knowing it—and everything changed. My instincts don’t lie, April. Not about this.”

He took a step closer again, slower this time. “I know you’ve been hurt. I see it in your eyes. You’ve built walls, and I don’t blame you for them. But I’m not here to tear them down. I just want you to know… I’ll be on the other side, waiting. For as long as it takes.”

My breath caught.

“You want proof?” Edward asked, his voice lower now, gentler. “Then take your time. Watch me. Pay attention to how I treat you.

See if I lie. See if I try to control you. See if I ever put myself before you.”

He took a breath, eyes steady. “That’s all I have to offer—my actions. Let them speak for me.”

And somehow, they did. His words weren’t empty. I felt the truth of them settle into my chest, quiet and solid like stone.

But the doubt was louder. Echoing.

Even if he meant it, how long would it last? Leo had once looked at me with warmth too. Said he cared. Said he loved me. Then he called me worthless. Left me with a heart that barely held itself together.

I wasn’t going through that again.

“Iwanttorejectyou,” I blurted, fast and all in one breath.

Edward blinked. “What?”

“I… I just think you should find someone else,” I said quickly, backing up a step. “Someone like you. A vampire. You’ll be happier, you’ll—”

“April,” he interrupted, stepping forward again. His brows were drawn in—hurt, confused. “I thought we were doing well. Where is

this coming from?” His hands tightened on my arms, not enough to hurt, but enough that I felt the tremble in him.

I looked down. “I’m not good for you.”

His hands loosened instantly, as if the words struck him like a blow. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s true,” I whispered. “I’m not even… beautiful. Not like the girls you could have.”

He stepped closer again, his voice low but fierce. “Don’t you dare say that about yourself.”

I looked up, and his eyes were burning—bright with something I couldn’t name.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. “You don’t see it, but I do. The way your eyes light up when you talk, the way your voice shakes when

you’re trying to be strong. Your hair, your lips—God, your lips—I want to kiss them every second. Your heart, April…” He cupped

my face in his cold hands, and somehow they felt warm. “You’re perfect to me.”

His arms wrapped around me, and even with his cold body, I felt warmth flood into my chest. Like I’d stepped into sunlight.

Maybe he really did care.

Maybe that’s what scared me most.

“But what if you get tired of me?” I asked quietly, afraid to ruin this moment but more afraid not to. “What if you leave?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I won’t. April, you’re my light. My life. My everything. The idea of losing you…” His voice cracked, just barely.

He pulled me into his chest, pressing a kiss to my forehead. His hold was protective, almost desperate.

My heart was begging me to believe him. My mind? Still wrapped in chains from the past. But every time I trusted my mind, I got

hurt.

So maybe, just this once, I’d try trusting my heart.

May was right. Let go of what broke you. Think of what could heal you.

I slowly stepped out of his arms and looked up at him. He wore a soft, hopeful smile—like he was afraid to breathe in case I changed

my mind.

"I will give you a week, then i will decide. is that oky?" I asked, i know i making unfair decision but i needed assurance that i could

trust him.

He pulled me into his arms instantly, lifting me slightly off the ground in a crushing hug.

“E-Edward—I c-an’t—breathe,” I gasped, laughing.

“Oh!” He set me down, grinning. “Sorry. I was just… happy.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, blushing.

"Okay, let’s get out of here," I said, eyeing the dark tunnel like it owed me money. "My apartment’s not haunted. Probably."

"Lead the way," Edward said, already moving. "Though technically, I know it."

I paused. Narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean you know it?"

He gave me a very innocent shrug. "I followed you home last night."

My jaw dropped. "You what?"

He had the audacity to look casual about it. "I just wanted to make sure you got home safely. You tend to get… distracted. What if

you walked into traffic?"

I took a dramatic step back and crossed my arms. “Wow. Okay. Creepy alert.”

He leaned in slightly, brushing a strand of hair off my face with a maddening gentleness. “Slightly creepy,” he agreed. “But sweet.

No?”

“Sweet?” I echoed. “That's what we’re calling stalking now?”

“Protective,” he said, lacing his fingers through mine. “Also, I like you.”

I gave an exaggerated sigh. “Great. My first supernatural stalker.”

He grinned. “And your last, hopefully.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t let go of his hand as we stepped out into the daylight. Honestly? I probably should’ve been more alarmed.

We walked in silence for a while—one of those silences that wasn’t heavy, just… unfamiliar. The kind where you’re not sure if you should speak or if the other person is enjoying the quiet.

I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. Edward moved like he belonged in a Renaissance painting—tall, elegant, and annoyingly unaware of how perfect he looked under the street light. His expression was calm, but every so often, he’d glance at me like he was checking if I was still there. Like he couldn't believe I hadn't vanished yet.

When we reached my apartment building, I stopped at the door and turned to him. “Okay, so. Just a warning. My place is… chaotic.

Like, socks-on-the-lampshade chaotic.”

He tilted his head, amused. “I’m sure I’ve seen worse. I lived through the 1800s.”

I snorted. “Yeah, well, my laundry pile could take down an empire.”

He grinned. “Lead the way, Empress of Chaos.”

Inside, I scrambled to toss a throw blanket over the couch that may or may not have a suspicious pizza stain. Edward stood in the middle of the room, looking both curious and oddly comfortable, like he'd imagined being here a hundred times.

“So this is where the mysterious April lives,” he said, glancing at the bookshelves, the tiny kitchen, the plants that were mostly alive. “It suits you.”

I raised a brow. “Messy with good lighting?”

He chuckled. “Warm. And real.”

I blinked. No one had ever called my space warm. Maybe ‘disaster zone,’ or ‘wow, bold color choices,’ but not warm.

I busied myself making tea. It was the only thing I could do to avoid melting under his gaze.

He sat on the couch, hands folded politely in his lap like some Victorian gentleman, while I handed him a mug. Our fingers brushed,

and my heart did this ridiculous little hop in my chest. Of course.

He took a sip and smiled. “This is nice.”

“Tea?” I asked, plopping down beside him.

“No,” he said softly. “This. Being here. With you.”

I glanced away, pretending to care a lot about the chipped edge of the coffee table.

“You’re not used to people meaning what they say, are you?” he added, voice quieter now.

I didn’t answer right away. “No,” I admitted. “I’m not.”

He didn’t push. He just shifted slightly, closer—but not too close. His presence was careful. Like he knew I was still figuring things

out.

“So,” I said, forcing a playful tone back into the room. “Are all vampires this… polite?”

He smirked. “No. I’m one of the rare models. Comes with manners, good hair, and light emotional trauma.”

I laughed, despite myself. He looked so proud of that answer, too.

My phone started ringing. I grabbed it from the table.

“Hey April!” May’s voice burst through, cheerful and loud.

“Hey May. Everything alright?” I asked, glancing at Edward. He gave me a soft smile, casually lounging like he had nothing to prove.

“You won’t believe it—Tyler proposed!” she squealed.

“What? Oh my God—congratulations!” I said, grinning wide. I was genuinely happy for her. After three years together, ending high

school with a fiancé didn’t seem like such a bad way to wrap things up.

“Thanks! We’re coming to your apartment to celebrate. Get ready!” she said, and before I could respond, she hung up.

I sighed, staring at the now-black screen. “Um… my friend and her boyfriend are coming over. Is that okay with you?” I asked, not

looking up.

Edward didn’t miss a beat. “Don’t worry,” he said, voice calm. “Everything will be fine.”

I nodded, biting my lip. “So... what’s your favorite color?”

He raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift but played along. “Emerald. And yours?”

“Mine’s royal blue,” I said. “Like navy, but flashier.”

“Fits you perfectly,” he said, right before the doorbell rang.

“That must be May.” I told him, before heading to the door.

When I opened it, May and Tyler were standing hand-in-hand, both beaming.

“Come in, come in,” I said.

They stepped inside, and then immediately froze when they saw Edward. He stood there, calm and quiet—but he definitely had a

presence. May’s eyes widened.

“What the hell! Who is that? And why is he here?” she whisper-yelled, dragging me a few steps away from the guys.

“Relax,” I said quickly. “He’s… a guy I met. We’re friends.”

May blinked. “Friends?” Her expression screamed: Yeah, right.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. “April, since when do you make friends like that and not tell us?”

“We met like a week ago. We just… clicked,” I said, glancing back at Edward. He gave May and Tyler a polite nod.

May was still staring, eyes narrowed like she was trying to see through a lie.

I looked at her, half-expecting a full interrogation. She looked at Edward, then at me… and raised an eyebrow, suspicious.

And suddenly, I felt very warm in the face.

“Oh, I’m sensing something more than just friends,” May said, narrowing her eyes at me with a teasing pout. “But I know you. You

won’t tell me until I drag it out of you. So I’ll wait.”

Before I could say anything, she glanced at Edward and added, “Still—good. Get to know each other. Maybe you’ll fall for him. And please, for once, don’t bring up Leo.”

Crap.

I froze.

Edward didn’t know about Leo. Not one bit. And now he was looking at me with his arms crossed and an expression that clearly read: Who's Leo?

I looked down, suddenly very interested in the floor. I was not ready for a full-blown trauma dump.

Edward cleared his throat and stepped forward. “I’m Edward,” he said, offering a faint smile. “Nice to meet you…?”

“Oh! I’m May,” she said quickly, recovering her cheerful tone. “And this is Tyler, my fiancé.” She tilted her head toward Tyler, who was still proudly standing behind her, hands on her shoulders like he’d just won a trophy.

Tyler and Edward exchanged a bro-style handshake—Edward doing surprisingly well for someone from a different century.

May turned to me and immediately shoved her hand in my face. “Look at the ring!”

It sparkled under the lights, a big diamond in the middle surrounded by smaller ones like a glittering halo.

“It's gorgeous,” I said, running my fingers lightly across it.

Then, as if summoned by the devil himself, May tilted her head and said, “So… what about Hunter?”

Edward’s eyes snapped to me.

Of course they did.

I didn’t even look at him. I just tried not to combust.

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “I already told you—I’m not looking for a relationship. And honestly? I never even liked him that way.”

I could feel Edward listening to every word like he was analyzing it under a microscope.

May gave me a hmm face and then whispered under her breath, “Well, this one’s hot,” jerking her chin at Edward with a grin.

“May,” I hissed. “No. We’re not in a relationship.”

She rolled her eyes like I’d just told her I planned on dying alone and left it at that.

We all pitched in to make dinner, though Edward didn’t do much more than stand beside me like a silent, suspicious bodyguard. He

was a vegetarian, which surprised May, but of course, I didn’t tell her that also meant he drank animal blood.

Dinner was loud, a little chaotic, and kind of perfect.

Eventually, May and Tyler left, promising to plan some double date thing I definitely wasn’t agreeing to.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I turned around—and sure enough, Edward was still standing in the living room.

Arms crossed. Brow furrowed. Silent judgment mode: activated.

“So,” he said, slowly walking toward me, “should I be worried about Leo? Or perhaps… Hunter?”

He stopped just a few steps away from me. The crease in his forehead deepened.

I swallowed. Loudly.

Busted.

I tried to play it off with a weak smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “I… I’ll tell you. I promise I will,” I said, hugging my arms around myself. “Just… not right now.”

I met his eyes then, forcing myself not to look away. “There’s a lot, and I don’t think I can get into it tonight. I don’t want to ruin this.”

He studied me for a long moment—long enough to make my chest tighten—but then, slowly, he stepped closer. His fingers found mine, gently lacing them together, and his thumb began tracing soft circles across my palm. The touch sent a quiet calm through me,

soothing the nerves I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Okay,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I won’t ask unless you’re ready to tell me.”

With his other hand, he reached up and brushed the back of his fingers along my cheek—a delicate, almost reverent touch.

No pressure. No demands. Just quiet understanding.

I let out a breath I’d been holding and gave him a small, grateful smile, nodding.

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