xMy Vampire Kingx.

Chapter-2 | He’s Hot, Immortal, and Brought Me Food

APRIL

I woke up to sunlight stabbing my eyeballs like a thousand tiny knives. Rude.

Blinking a few times, I groaned and flopped back into the pillow. “Okay, thank god—it was just a dream,” I mumbled, half-relieved, half-exhausted. The vampire, the tunnel, the weirdo with the smug face and predator grip… all in my head. Had to be.

I dragged myself out of bed like a zombie, shuffled to the mirror, and got a good look at the disaster known as Me. Messy brunette hair doing its best bird's nest impression. Puffy brown eyes. A pink-lipped pout that screamed don’t talk to me unless you have coffee.

I looked like someone who'd fought a wild raccoon in her sleep. And lost.

After a hot shower and enough dry shampoo to choke a horse, I put on my go-to outfit: white shirt, black jeans, black sneakers. Classic. I tossed on a coat, grabbed my purse, and headed out in desperate pursuit of caffeine.

As soon as I stepped out, my phone rang.

“Hey, April. How’re you?” May’s voice came through, soft and hesitant.

“Hey! I’m good, what about you?” I chirped, maybe too cheerfully. I didn’t trust this sudden sweetness. She sounded like someone who’d just accidentally stepped on your cat.

“I—uh—I’m fine. Are you okay?” she asked.

That tone. That guilty, tiptoeing tone. Just like in my dream. Wait—was it...?

“Yup. Totally fine.” I frowning, trying not to over-analyze it.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slow and awkward like she was tiptoeing around something.

Suspicious. Almost like… dream-May. Weird.

“I’m heading to the café for some coffee. Wanna join?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

But as I crossed the street, a chill ran down my spine. The forest lining the edge of town—silent. Too silent. My instincts screamed that I was being watched. I pulled my coat tighter and walked faster. Don’t be dramatic, April. It's just daylight paranoia.

I spotted May at our usual booth, waving stiffly like a robot. I gave her a quick hug.

“Hey, May.”

“Hey, April…” Her eyes didn’t meet mine. Something was up.

“You okay?” I asked, squinting at her suspiciously.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…” she scratched her head, “I’m really sorry.”

“Huh? For what?”

“For yesterday,” she blurted. “You looked super mad when you came home from the tunnel, remember?”

Oh no.

It wasn’t a dream.

Everything froze. My stomach twisted. My heartbeat did a tap dance in my ears. Edward. The tunnel. The fangs.

My eyes widened, and I gulped. Hard.

“April? You okay there?” May asked, leaning forward with a worried look.

“Y-yeah, I’m just… tired,” I lied, forcing a smile that probably looked like a nervous twitch.

“You sure? You can talk to me, you know that, right?” she said, gently grabbing my hands.

I wanted to. I really did. But how was I supposed to say, “Hey May, funny story, turns out vampires are real and one of them basically threatened me into a second date tonight”?

“I know,” I said instead, squeezing her hands. “Thanks for being there for me.”

She blinked at me like I’d grown a second head. “Uh… okay?”

We talked for a while longer—random stuff, nothing too heavy. Then I suggested a mini get-together with the whole g**g. No one questioned why I suddenly wanted a party. Maybe they just thought I was being peak-April.

But deep down, I knew what I was doing.

If tonight was going to be my end, I wanted one last stupid, happy memory. Laughing with my friends. Eating chips I wasn’t supposed to. Dancing like an i***t. Being… alive.

They had no clue it was my unofficial funeral.

Maybe I was being overdramatic. Or maybe I had a sixth sense that tonight was going to wreck my whole existence.

Something was coming. I could feel it in my bones.

By the time I got home, it was after 7. I called my parents and talked for what felt like forever. I told them I loved them. I cried. I said goodbye without saying goodbye.

This is so stupid, I told myself. You’re not dying tonight.

But another part of me whispered, Then why does it feel like you are?

I stood by the window, watching the sky go from pink to deep navy. The clock ticked past 9:30.

“Alright, April,” I whispered, “say goodbye to everything.”

And with one final breath, I stepped into whatever the hell fate had planned for me.

Acting brave—which is really just another word for “lying to yourself”—I pasted a smile on my face and got ready.

I figured, if I was going to die tonight, I might as well look good doing it. That’s what the movies never show—main characters facing death in old pajamas and bad hair. No thanks. I went out with style.

After a little eyeliner magic and some strategic outfit choices (black jeans, cute top, minimal effort but secretly slaying), I left my phone behind like the bold, possibly doomed i***t I was.

This time, I didn’t run. I walked like I had all the time in the world. A snail on a mission. I passed familiar streets, breathing in the night air, replaying my life like it was a trailer for a movie no one asked to see.

Sometimes I wish I could go back and fix things—say the right thing, not mess up that friendship, tell my younger self not to cut bangs. But maybe mistakes were the whole point. Maybe they were how we end up exactly where we’re supposed to be.

Even if “where I’m supposed to be” is apparently... dead in a tunnel.

As I reached the entrance, I blew out a shaky breath.

Tomorrow’s headlines: LOCAL GIRL FOUND DEAD IN CREEPY TUNNEL. No One Knows Why She Went Alone.

At least I'd be famous. Not the way I wanted, but hey—press is press.

I shoved the heavy metal door open with a dramatic grunt, climbed the staircase, and stepped into the wide, empty space at the top. It was quiet. Too quiet. I scanned the room. No vampire in sight. Maybe he got busy drinking someone else’s blood.

I wandered toward the edge, peeking over the tunnel’s high wall on my tiptoes. Still nothing.

Then—hands.

Arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I froze. Warm breath brushed against my ear.

“You came,” Edward’s voice murmured, low and way too close.

I spun around so fast I almost tripped. There he was—white shirt, black coat, black jeans, holding a red rose like he was auditioning for a gothic prom.

“This is for you,” he said, offering the rose like we were on The Bachelor.

I blinked. “Bit romantic for someone about to murder me.”

He just chuckled.

“And this flower?” I lifted it with two fingers like it might explode. “Isn’t that a little… grave-ish? Do vampires usually gift people flowers before turning them into corpses?”

“I’m not going to kill you, April,” he said with frustrating calm. “I told you—I’ll explain everything. Come on.”

He took my hand before I could protest. His grip was cool, firm, annoyingly confident. I had half a mind to yank it away and run, but I also had zero sense of direction and a powerful curiosity problem.

He led me out of the tunnel and up a hill, toward a quiet park that sat just above the town. There were a few people around—some walkers, a couple of teens making out like the world was ending. Normal human things. Safe-ish.

Edward gestured to a bench with a view. “Sit.”

I did. Hesitant, but curious.

He disappeared for a second, then came back—with food. Like actual, human food. A fast food bag in one hand and two drinks in the other.

“I heard your stomach earlier,” he said, handing me the bag. “Figured you might want something to eat. It’s easier to talk when you’re not starving.”

I stared at the burger like it might also be a trap. “You brought me food?”

He shrugged, sitting beside me. “I’m not a total monster.”

I raised an eyebrow, but opened the bag anyway. Fries. A burger. A soda. Okay, so maybe vampires could be thoughtful.

He watched me as I took a bite, probably waiting for me to choke or throw it at him. Instead, I just nodded, mouth full. “Okay… thanks.”

We sat there in silence for a few moments. Lights from the town sparkled below. The wind played with my hair. I was sitting beside a vampire, eating a burger, and not dying—yet.

So many questions buzzed through my brain, none of them polite.

Who are you really?

What do you want from me?

Are you going to bite me mid-fry?

But for now, I just ate in silence. Because whatever happened next—I had a feeling it would change everything.

“Okay,” Edward said, turning to me with a small, crooked smile, “now promise me you won’t shriek or run away.”

I raised a brow. “Why? You gonna turn into a bat?”

He smirked. “Your shriek is... incredibly ear-damaging.”

I blushed. “Rude.”

But I nodded anyway.

“Vampires,” he began, his tone soft, “are real. I proved that to you yesterday.”

I leaned in slightly, all ears.

“I’m what the vampire world sees as... their prince,” he said carefully. “We live in covens—think of them as clans. And vampires, well... we have soulmates. A destined bond. Each of us has one other half. We call them our beloveds. It’s a connection that’s unbreakable.”

He paused, but I cut in, brain already racing.

“They become stronger together,” I said, remembering half-forgotten mythology books. “They feel whole. The pull between them is magnetic. You can accept or reject your beloved—but either way, they’re your missing piece. You can’t live without them.”

Edward blinked. “How did you know all that?”

I shrugged, grinning a little. “I read too many weird books. Myths, legends, cursed love stories... you name it.”

He let out a small laugh, then shifted. His smile faded slightly. “Well, since you already know that much, I’m going to tell you something important. Just... let me finish. No interrupting. It’s going to sound crazy.”

Great. Now my stomach twisted into a nervous pretzel.

“Okay,” I said quietly.

He inhaled once and then dropped it like a bomb:

“I have a beloved. And... it’s you.”

I stared at him. “Me?”

“Yes,” he said, completely serious.

I blinked. “But—I’m human. You’re a vampire. That’s like... peanut butter and garlic.”

He chuckled. “It doesn’t matter. The bond doesn’t care about species. If the connection exists, it exists. And it does—with you.”

I suddenly felt like I’d stepped into some dark fantasy novel and accidentally become the main character.

“I... I don’t even know what to say,” I mumbled. “This is all happening so fast. I just found out vampires are real and now I’m someone’s—what—eternal soulmate?”

He nodded slowly. “I get it. It’s overwhelming. I’m not asking for anything right now. Just... a chance. Take your time. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it.”

He reached toward me and nudged the burger. “Also, eat. Cold fries are a crime.”

I managed a soft laugh and took a sip of the drink, my hands shaking slightly. He was watching me with this tenderness I didn’t know how to process. Like I was made of glass and he was terrified of breaking me.

Then, quietly, he said: “April... I promise I’ll protect you with my life. I know you don’t trust me yet, and you’re scared. But I swear—I’ll never hurt you. I’ll love you, cherish you, every single day if you’ll let me. Just give me a chance. One chance. Even if you don’t want this now.”

My throat tightened.

No one’s ever said something like that to me before. Not with that kind of quiet desperation. Except for my parents, no one’s ever held me like I meant something. And here was a vampire—an actual, ancient vampire—offering me the kind of love every girl secretly dreams about.

And yeah, sure, he was hot. Like, unreasonably hot.

I mean, seriously—shoulders, jawline, voice, all elite tier. But there was something more. Something... real.

“Do I even have a choice?” I asked quietly.

“Yes, love,” he whispered. “I’ll never force you. If you say no, I’ll walk away. Somehow, I’ll survive it.”

Ouch. That hit right in the feels.

I nodded slowly. “I just... need time to wrap my head around this.”

He smiled, relieved. “Of course.”

We fell into a weirdly comfortable silence. He looked out over the glowing town lights, and I... I tried not to choke on my straw while sneaking glances at his face. I missed the straw twice and wanted to disappear into the bench.

“So,” I said, trying to sound casual, “how old are you?”

“I’m five hundred years old,” he said, then reached over to gently take my hand. His smile was warm and annoyingly perfect.

I gawked. “Dude, you’re ancient.”

He laughed. I swear his laugh could be bottled and sold as a love potion.

Was I going insane? Had he glamoured me like in those vampire shows?

“Love,” he said with a dramatic hand to his chest, “I’m young at heart. Besides...” He smirked and gestured to himself. “I wasn’t going to brag, but—check me out.”

My eyes, traitorous as ever, drifted to his abs under that tight shirt. Yep. Full six-pack situation going on.

Yeah—so that’s what he meant. A well-built body, and he knew it. He was fully aware he looked like a Greek god and was using it like a weapon. My mouth might’ve watered a little. I shook my head fast, trying to snap out of it.

What? I’m just a girl. A girl with eyes. And a weakness for muscles.

I cleared my throat and looked away quickly.

“And how old are you?” he asked, pretending not to notice me checking him out.

“Eighteen. Basically a baby compared to you.”

“Technically yes,” he chuckled. “But I appear around twenty-three, twenty-four by human standards.”

“Good,” I muttered. “At least I’m not into someone who looks like Gandalf.”

We kept talking. It was random, natural, weirdly fun. I couldn’t believe how easily conversation flowed. No pressure. Just... us.

Eventually, I started yawning.

“You should head home,” he said gently, brushing my cheek with his thumb.

“Yeah. I’m super sleepy,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes like a toddler.

He stood, leaned down, and kissed my forehead and cheek. “Come visit me tomorrow?”

I nodded without thinking. “Sure.”

I waved, turned, and began walking back toward my apartment. I could feel him behind me—not following, just... watching. It

should’ve creeped me out, but instead, it made me feel safe.

The second I hit my bed, I passed out—still in my clothes, still smiling like a total i***t.

He hadn’t killed me. He fed me. He smiled at me like I was the only girl in the world.

And he was kind. Gentle. Loyal. Better than most of the guys I’d met who couldn’t even reply to texts.

Maybe... being someone’s “beloved” wasn’t such a curse.

Maybe it was fate being weird and dramatic—like me.

And maybe, just maybe, I’d give this vampire a chance.

*********