Married to the King of all Vampires

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Hazel’s voice trembled with worry. And who wouldn’t worry? If I were in her place, I wouldn’t leave my best friend standing on the side of the road looking like a drenched, exhausted, newly-delivered mother. I was talking about myself, obviously. I hated how sticky I felt. My wet shirt made my black tube top turn transparent, and my baggy clothes looked even more insulting because of my current state. I forced a smile at Hazel. I didn’t want to admit I wasn’t okay, or that I didn’t want to walk home alone. But I also didn’t want to act like a brat and ask to ride with her, especially because she was with her boyfriend, Richard. It would be embarrassing to third-wheel them, especially after the way he’d been glaring at me since earlier. “Yes, I’m fine. Go ahead, Richard seems like he’s in a hurry,” I said, glancing at him behind her. He looked irritated just waiting for Hazel. He didn’t have to say it out loud; I could feel he wanted me gone. He didn’t want Hazel stressing over me. I once mistook him for Hazel’s father, if not for the fact that he was way too handsome for that. His possessiveness was ridiculous. Sometimes he even got jealous of me, her best friend, as if I would steal Hazel from him. Hazel thought it was cute… sometimes. She even told me how “cute” his jealousy was. “Hazel! Are you gonna take forever?” Speak of the devil. Hazel turned around with a frown. “Can’t we just take Hope home first? It’s late. Something might happen to her.” “No.” Richard’s answer was quick and cold. He shot Hazel a meaningful look, thinking I didn’t see it. Deep inside, I wished Hazel would insist. But life and I were never on the same team. So of course my wish wouldn’t be granted. I watched them exchange looks. I understood why Hazel would follow him. She had that look every time she faced Richard, that I-will-be-your-slave look. You know the type? Like she’s under some spell whenever he’s involved. Richard was handsome, mysteriously attractive, the type women would beg for attention from. Not that I admired him, it was just an observation. The problem was he was cold, stoic, and rude. I understood why Hazel stayed. She was trapped in an invisible spell called love. Hazel faced me again, frowning. “I’m really sorry, Hope.” I knew it. “It’s really fine. I’ll just walk or wait for a taxi,” I assured her. “If only we could take you,” she muttered, glancing back at Richard, who raised a brow at her. She avoided his gaze and looked back at me. “Why did we even agree to go to that stupid party? Tss.” The frustration showed on her face as she remembered the disaster at Jessica’s house, the reason my night was ruined. Jessica was my classmate. One of those cliché bullies who made my life miserable with her minions. Why did I think they would change? She was so nice when she invited us. And like the fool I was, I fell for it. Someone pushed me into the pool, and everyone laughed as I soaked helplessly. Some even took pictures. Even now, the memory made my stomach twist in anger. Things only started getting this bad since I transferred to their class. Maybe they hated how well I performed. Instead of using me as an example, they labeled me a famewhore. “Let it go. Karma exists,” I chuckled. Hazel sighed. “And you still manage to laugh? They’re dead the next time I see them.” I smiled. “Of course you love me, best friend.” “Hazel!” We both looked at Richard inside the car, leaning out the window. He always knew how to ruin moments. “Tss… Can’t he wait? Is he starving or something?” Hazel muttered, and of course I heard it. I laughed. “He’s hungry. Go on.” She didn’t smile. I even felt her tense. I frowned. “You okay?” She nodded and forced a smile. “I’ll go ahead. Call me if something happens, okay?” I nodded. She walked toward the car but turned back again. “Please be careful, Hope.” “Yes, yes. Shoo!” I laughed, waving her off. “I’m serious. Call me when you get home.” I nodded again. She turned and got into the car. I watched Richard say something to her, and Hazel rolled her eyes. I stood there until their car disappeared from the street, hugging myself as the cold seeped through Hazel’s jacket. That’s when I realized, I was alone on this side of the road. But I still heard the noise from Jessica’s party. If only I wouldn’t get arrested for it, I would’ve burned her house down. Morbid thought. I closed my eyes, inhaling the night air. I waited. Maybe a car would pass by. I looked up at the full moon. For some reason, I felt watched. Protected. Clouds covered most of the sky except for the bright moon. “Hey, Miss!” I looked to my side and saw a drunk man stumbling toward me. He smelled like alcohol and vomit, like he threw up on his way out. Probably one of Jessica’s friends. “Come with me… hehehe…” he hiccuped. I stepped away, heart pounding. Before he could get closer, I walked away quickly. I needed to leave. Who knows what he’d do. Maybe if I walked far enough, I’d see a car. The lamp posts lit my way, but the world grew quieter. Too quiet. Only silence kept me company, and fear crept up my spine. I must be far from Jessica’s house by now. Why did it feel like someone would grab me from behind? I looked back, no one. Not even the drunk man. My breath eased slightly. The lamp post beside me flickered, buzzing like electricity shorted. Cold shivers shot through me. I stared at the flickering bulb, and it suddenly stopped. As if noticing my stare. I pulled out my phone and called Hazel. She didn’t pick up. That girl! She told me to call her, yet she won’t answer. Why can’t she pick up? My hands were shaking as I plugged in my earphones and blasted music at full volume. I didn’t care if it damaged my ears. I just wanted the fear to stop clawing at me. Minutes passed. No cars. Alfrancia wasn’t part of the city or town, a secluded place where the elites lived. Houses were hidden deep in the forest. I didn’t know why they preferred to live concealed. My stomach twisted as I approached the road known for disappearances. Alfrancia’s beliefs. Legends. Nightmares. The darkness ahead felt alive. The lamp posts there were dead. Even with the moon, the area looked straight out of a horror movie. And my brain started imagining the worst. What if a ghost appears? My legs trembled. I wanted to run back, but where? I couldn’t even look into that darkness. What if a white lady appeared? God. I wanted to die. Even with loud music, I heard my heartbeat hammering. Clouds swallowed the moonlight, plunging the area darker. Maybe if I look up, I’ll distract myself. Somehow, I made my legs move. Everything will be okay… I walked faster. I wanted out. I never wanted to walk at night again. Then I hit something. Hard. I squeaked and jumped as my earphones fell out. My heart nearly exploded as I forced myself to look up. I froze. For five whole seconds. Then blinked. It wasn’t a white lady. It wasn’t a headless man either, thank God. A man stood there, tall, broad, wearing a hoodie that hid his face from the moonlight. For some reason, I felt relieved. “Sorry,” I whispered. He clicked his tongue and walked past me. My brows furrowed. Great. I probably looked stupid staring at him like a frozen i***t. I looked back as he walked away. At least I wasn’t alone on the road. Maybe I was just scaring myself. I looked up, and stopped. My mouth fell open. The full moon… was turning red. Slowly, a dark crimson color swallowed its glow, consuming the moon. How…? I rubbed my eyes. But it was real. When the moon fully turned red, darkness wrapped the whole place. My skin tingled in fear. That’s when I noticed, I was standing in the cursed area. My blood ran cold. In the corner of the forest stood an enormous house. Might actually look like an ancient palace even. Where did that come from? I looked around for the man, but he was gone. How did he disappear so fast on an empty, straight road? Fear slithered up my spine. What if this place was haunted? What if that man… wasn’t human? I forced myself not to imagine things. Then I heard footsteps. Soft, calculated footsteps behind me. I quickened my pace. Not a ghost. Not a ghost. NOT A GHOST. My heart was losing its mind. The footsteps grew quicker, closer. I ran. I screamed when I collided with someone again. “s**t…” I whispered, panting. Thank God people still wandered at night. But whose footsteps were those? I looked up and horror punched the breath out of me. Fangs. Black eyes. I screamed. I tried to run but he grabbed my arm his touch icy cold. Ghost. Monster. Something. I struggled but he was too strong. “Help! Somebody help me!” He yanked me to face him, and I stared into those terrifying eyes. “Got you.” His voice was cold, and the corner of his lips curled, revealing those sharp fangs. What is hell?! His face dipped toward my neck and my heart thrashed wildly. Cold breath ghosted over my skin. Something sharp touched my neck, I jerked but he held my arms tightly. His claws dug into my skin as I struggled. “You’re mine,” he growled, voice deep and rough. Terror drenched me. I squeezed my eyes shut. A sting pierced my neck, his fangs. I whimpered, kicking, thrashing, pleading silently. Pain shot through me. Then suddenly he pulled back and shoved me away, as if burned. He wiped something off his lips. “Damn it!” I ran but didn’t make it far before someone grabbed me from behind and lifted me like a child. Another man. I screamed like a madwoman. “Let me go! Help!” He chuckled, deep and masculine. His voice… strangely alluring. “No one will help you. Screaming is useless,” he said. Another voice growled nearby. “Her blood burned me.” The second man chuckled. “That means she’s ready.” “She better be. I must bring her home before this damn blood moon ends.” That was the last thing I heard before consciousness faded. I woke up later to someone gently stroking my head. Their hand soothed me, lulling me back to sleep. I wanted to see who it was… But sleep pulled me under again.