Betrayed By The Vampire Prince

A trip home

Lux's POV

I strode through the halls of the palace. The guards bowed at the sight of me. I can smell their fears as they bent their heads with their knees on the ground.

I'm the dark prince, the one who led my kingdom in a war against the dragons and returned victoriously. I have never lost a battle, and this earned me the title of the dark prince.

None of the guards are as scared of my brothers as they are of me. They all see me as a devil who will snap their necks at the slightest provocation.

I only spared a glance at them as I hastened into the throne room. I didn't bother to knock because I saw no use in that.

Father sat on his throne with a bored expression on his face. His green eyes looked tired, and his hair seemed to have gotten whiter since the last time I saw him.

Vampires don't grow old, but in my father's case, he's getting old. It's because of his mate. My mother was his first mate, and only love that was why they had a bonding ceremony. He thought they will live with each other for eternity, but the dragons killed her.

Though he found a second chance mate, he refused to mark her because of his love for my mother. Fruda sat next to my father with a pissed expression on her face.

It's not a secret that she abhors me. Hell, who won't do that after what I did to her son when he attempted to kill my father?

Had I not been at the wrong place at the right time, he would have succeeded. I would have killed him had father not interceded. He banished him —instead of beheading him — for his mother's sake.

Though I sought him for years, I haven't been able to get a trace of him, which is for the better.

Fruda is putting on a red gown, which is almost the same colour as my father's robe. Her red hair is tied up in a bun, making her look professional.

Before she got married to my father, she was a wrestler in the dark arena. That was how she got pregnant with Postuna.

Her green eyes locked me in place as she forced a smile. “Welcome home, son.”

Son?

I scoffed.

“Thank you.” I forced a smile, "you are looking good," I mocked.

She clenched her teeth with a pissed expression on her face —one she masked immediately.

I placed a palm on my heart and bowed to father. “Long live the king.” I knelt on the ground and bowed thrice before I got up.

Father nodded, “how is it going, son?” His voice is deep, yet, it sounded tired. He looked like he hadn't rested in days —his skin is almost ashen white.

“When was the last time you fed, father?” I gently asked, trying not to let the worry in my voice show.

“Since you returned.... that's a week now,” he managed a weak chuckle, “has it been that long?”

“A week?” I gasped. “Father, you—”

He raised a palm. “How is the plan, Lux? What news did you bring?” He sat up on his throne.

For a moment, he looked like the father I know —before my mother's death.

I sighed, “It's going as planned, father. They are a weak specie. It will only take half of my armies to bring them to their knees.”

Watching them for close to two weeks now, made me aware of all their weaknesses. Lala is also a big help. She was the one who told me about their different ranks.

“Good!” He chuckled. “What are you waiting for? Take your soldiers and conquer those pathetic animals.” He sounded thrilled. His eyes gleamed with a look I know too well.

Father is bloodthirsty. It has been his dream to conquer the wolves. None of the kings before him had been able to do that, but father is determined to do the impossible — through me.

“I don't think that's a good idea.” Somehow, the image of Lala flashed through my mind. I felt guilty at the thought that I'm betraying the trust she placed in me.

What will she do when she realizes that the man she saved and trusted isn't who he claimed to be? How will she react when she learns that I'm the prince of the vampires who went over to spy on them?

“Why?” Father sounded curious. “The informant I have at the pack told me that the next two full moons are the right time to strike. But since you have gotten—”

“You sent another vampire to them?” I tilted my head to the side. “But how were they able to hide their scents from me?”

One of my gifts is discerning scents. However, my most valued gift is teleportation. I'm the only vampire who has mastered the act since the last one died thousands of years ago.

“No, you seem to misunderstand, son. I didn't send any of the guards there. A werewolf is helping us.”

****

Father's words kept on ringing in my ear. How can a werewolf think to betray their pack?

I leaned on the rail of the balcony on the third floor. I just fed, and my eyes are a bit bright. That's why I'm out here, trying to get enough air.

Though father later agreed to my plans of monitoring the werewolves first before we take the first step, I can tell the second full moon is my deadline.

Yet, I don't think I'm ready for that. Before I went on this mission, I only had one thing in mind —to conquer the werewolves.

However, I don't feel that zeal any more. I can't help the fear that took root in my heart. Should Lala know of this, I doubt she will be happy.

Who am I kidding? I will automatically turn into an enemy.

I turned when I heard light footsteps coming my way. A frown adored my face when I saw who it was.

“What are you doing here?” I folded my arms.

“... I …" She gulped, “father told me you have returned. So, I came to…" She trailed off, looking like a rabbit in the presence of a Lion.

She's putting on a black gown with golden designs on it. Her red hair cascaded down her back like a blanket— she looked like a doll with those green eyes of hers and her little lips.

Yet, I can't understand why I hate her. Princess Lyda is the one I'm betrothed to. We are set to get married when I return from my mission.

Before I left, I never voiced my reluctance about marrying her or anything like that. However, I don't think I can proceed with the wedding any more.

My heart only wants a certain blonde, clumsy werewolf, who's waiting at home for me.

Home?

Funny how I have never seen the castle I grew up in as a home, but now, I'm calling an old hut home.

The building doesn't matter —what matters are the people in it. A house doesn't make a home without people.

I turned my back to her and focused on looking down at the guards who have been practicing since I left. I haven't seen my elder brother since I returned, which means he's either at the brothel wasting his life away or he's wasted in his room.

Father doesn't talk about him that much, but from the sad expressions in his eyes, you can see his disappointment.

“Lux, I….”

“Get out!” I growled without looking at her.

She gasped, sounding shocked. At other times, I will just ignore her. I hardly speak to her, and when I do, it's to exchange greetings.

“I'm sorry if I did anything to make you angry. I just wanted to know the colour to use for our —”

“Get the hell out!” I turned to her with a frown. “Get out!”

She yelped.

Without waiting for me to repeat my words, she ran out of the place, looking like all hell was after her.

My glares didn't ease, not even when she banged the door behind her. I was just too pissed.

“Well, well, well, is kid brother angry?” A taunting voice came from behind me. I didn't turn because I already knew who it was.

There is only one person who will dare call me 'kid brother'

“What?” I turned to face him. “I presumed you were either out there f*****g your brains out with a nameless w***e or drinking your stupid self to a stupor?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

His red hair is tousled, looking more like something birds nested on. There are shadows under his eyes —it made him look older than his 1000 years.

His green eyes are as dull as those of his father. The only difference between them is the colour of their hair. There is no white hair on his head.

From the distance, I can smell the alcohol wafting from his body. We don't get drunk on normal alcohol. However, when you mix it with blood, it makes us tipsy —not that I have ever experienced that.

He took a step towards me with dead eyes. Just like my father, I lost my brother when my mother died. He's the only one of my brothers who treated me well. The others are always up for a competition or two.

“You look like shit.” He wrinkled his nose, making it seem like I'm the one drunk.

“Thanks. You don't look good yourself.” I pointedly gave his shirt a look before I turned to look at him. “It was nice chatting with you, brother. But I don't think I have that time.” Before he could say a word, I teleported out of there. I'm just not in the mood to converse with him.

Right now, I only have one place I desire to go, and that's to Lala.