The Vampire Prince's Obsession

Hayden

The darkness of the room wraps around me like a velvet cloak. My bed is comfortable, too comfortable for the turmoil twisting inside my chest. I sip from my glass, the warm blood sliding smoothly down my throat. The taste is still rich, still satisfying… even if it’s starting to feel routine.

I set the glass down, the dull clink against the wooden nightstand echoing in the quiet, and pick up my book.

Romance.

A guilty pleasure. A distraction from the suffocating weight of expectation. My fingers brush the pages, smooth beneath my touch, the edges curling slightly as I flip through them.

A knock on the door shatters the calm.

My eyes roll before I even respond.

“Come in,” I call, my voice betraying a hint of annoyance.

The door creaks open, and my father steps inside. His presence is as imposing as ever. Dark, sharp features, features that have always made me feel like I’m not enough look even more severe tonight. I hate when he wears that expression. It’s like he’s already measuring me up, already prepared to condemn me for whatever my next failure will be.

“Hayden,” he says, his voice heavy with royal duty. “We’ve been invited to a royal party for the human kingdom.”

His words hang in the air like an accusation. Like something I can’t escape.

I groan inwardly, my lips curling into a sneer. “Do I have to go? Can’t I just stay here?”

The thought of forcing a smile through a night of fake politeness makes my stomach twist. The thought of humans of pretending, feels suffocating. I just want to hide. Stay in my comfortable cocoon of books and blood, far away from the expectations that haunt me.

“No, you can’t just stay here,” my father answers with a sigh, like he’s heard this complaint a thousand times. “You need to do your royal duties, Hayden. That means going to royal parties from neighboring kingdoms. Whether you like it or not.”

I run a hand through my hair, irritation already burning hot beneath my skin. “Fine,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “When is it?”

“Tomorrow night. And you’ll wear a tux.”

The word tux feels like a straight jacket tightening around my neck. Dress up. Pretend. Smile. Act like I belong in a world of etiquette and empty conversation. I can already feel the stiff fabric, the suffocating collar, the weight of it all pressing down like chains.

“Fine, I’ll go,” I say, leaning back against my pillows, my voice laced with resigned defeat. “But don’t expect me to dance with some royal.”

My father rolls his eyes, disbelief flashing across his face. “You do know you should start looking for your mate, right?”

I almost laugh—bitter and sharp.

My mate.

The one thing I’ve never cared to search for.What does it matter? I’ve lived without her this long. What’s the point in hunting for something that might not even exist? The idea of fated mates, the whole soul-bonding nonsense, is so… hollow to me. Like a fairy tale people cling to because they’re too afraid to face the truth. Too perfect. Too clean.

“I’m not going to hunt for one,” I snap, my tone harsher than I intend. “I’ll let her fall into my lap. Then I’ll hunt her.”

He laughs, but it isn’t warm. More like he’s humoring me, indulging my childishness.

“Alright, play your games,” he says. “But she’s not just going to fall in your lap.”

“You never know,” I reply, grinning, though I can’t shake the uneasy feeling twisting in my gut. “Stranger things have happened.”

He sighs and turns toward the door, but not before casting one last glance over his shoulder.

“You should take this seriously, Hayden. The clock is ticking.”

As the door shuts behind him, I lie there in silence, his words echoing in my mind.

The clock is ticking.

What if they’re right? What if I really do need to find her?

The thought feels foreign like an alien concept that doesn’t belong in my world.I don’t need anyone. I don’t need her. But then again, part of me wonders if that’s just my pride talking. Would I even know what to do with her if she did fall into my lap?I shake my head, trying to clear away the questions already swirling in my mind. There’s no point in thinking about it now. I have a party to go to, and I’ll do what’s expected of me. No more, no less.

I grab my phone and dial John’s number, needing something, anything to distract me from the mess in my head. It rings, and I can already hear him clearing his throat on the other end.

“Hayden,” he says, his voice rough, “you know you’re calling at the wrong time.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re fucking right now.”

His response is a groan. “I was, but you cock-blocked me, and she left.”

I chuckle, the sound hollow but amused. “Sorry, man. Maybe she’ll come back.”

A silence stretches between us before I hear him shift, his voice suddenly serious. “What’s going on, Hayden? Need help escaping again?”

I lean back into my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to ignore the tension crawling up my spine. “No. I can’t wiggle out of this. Father’s orders.”

He laughs, though I can tell it’s bitter. “You royals have it good. You can do whatever you want while I’m here busting my ass just to get a girl or anything.”

I grit my teeth, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “At least you don’t have someone down your throat about finding your fated mate and having to go to parties with humans.”

John chuckles, lighthearted and almost mocking. “You know, I was over there not too long ago…”

His voice trails off, and before he can continue, a woman’s voice cuts through the conversation.

“John, is that Hayden?”

John groans, but I hear the amusement in his voice. “You’re not going to ask me to get his number, are you, Liz?”

She laughs, and I can almost picture her. There’s the faint sound of a kiss in the background. “No, I was going to say he shouldn’t complain about us humans.”

John sighs loudly. “Alright, alright. So, here’s the deal I heard a rumor. The royal family of the humans they’ve got a dark secret. Apparently, it has something to do with Princess Eleane. No one knows what it is, but maybe you want to dig into it.”

The name Eleane hits me like a wave—unexpected and sharp.

The princess.

The rumors about her swirl like smoke, but I’ve never given them much thought. Until now.

I laugh, though it feels fake. Empty. “Digging into royal backgrounds isn’t my thing. I’ll stick to my books.”

John chuckles, but I catch the slight disappointment in his voice. “Hayden, you’re not going to find your mate reading those romance novels. No girl is going to fall into your lap no matter how much you want it to. Just go find one.”

Annoyance sparks in me, but there’s something deeper beneath it too.

What if he’s right?

“Whatever, John,” I say, cutting the conversation short. “I’ll let you get back to your little rendezvous.”

I hang up, the weight of his words lingering in the air. I stare at my phone for a long moment, then close my eyes, letting my thoughts turn inward.

Hunt for a mate? I scoff. Nah. Let her come to me.

But something gnaws at me deep inside. Could he be right? Could I be missing something…. someone?

I pick up my book again, trying to drown out the thoughts. But even as I read, unease creeps in. The words blur together, the once engaging romance now nothing more than hollow lines on a page. With a frustrated sigh, I set the book down and push myself off the bed. The walls of my bedroom feel suffocating, my father’s words clinging to me like shadows.

I step out into the night and make my way to the garden. The cool air is a welcome relief, carrying the faint scent of roses and damp earth. My mother is there, kneeling among the flowers, her fingers delicately tending to the petals. She looks up as I approach, a warm smile spreading across her face.

“Hayden! Come to enjoy the flowers?”

I force a smile and drop to the ground beside her. “Yeah. All this talk about fated mates is ruining my peace.”

She chuckles, brushing soil from her hands before sitting beside me. “Your father is right, Hayden. You need to find one. It’s an important part of our kingdom. You and your mate could be the next to take the throne. As our only son, the responsibility falls on you. Your sister can only inherit the throne if she mates with a royal. She will become queen of another kingdom, but this one…. this one is yours.”

I close my eyes, placing my hands behind my head as I sink into the grass. “You do know some of those books I read are dark, right? Is it right to use both light and dark methods?”

My mother places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “As long as it doesn’t involve killing to get her.”

I smirk, running my fingers through my brown hair. “No, I wouldn’t kill anyone.”

She laughs softly. “Then you should be fine.”

I turn my head, meeting her gaze. “Do you think I’m foolish for wanting to let my mate fall into my lap?”

She leans back, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “No, but it’s a harder path. It might happen, or it might not. And if it doesn’t, you could be alone, Hayden. You don’t date, you don’t pursue anyone, you only spend time with John and party without any real connections. That’s why your father is pushing you. He doesn’t want you to be alone.”

I exhale sharply, the weight of her words settling deep in my chest. “I know it’s unlikely, but I refuse to chase after women who could break my heart. I’d rather wait for the one who’s meant for me. That way, I know she’s real.”

She sighs, her gaze drifting toward the moonlit flowers. “You have a kind heart, Hayden. But no book can tell you how love will truly happen. Don’t let yourself get lost in fiction. If you wait too long, you may have no choice but to hunt for her.”

I nod, offering a small, forced smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The wind whispers through the garden, rustling the flowers and soothing my restless thoughts. I close my eyes, letting the moment wash over me letting myself pretend that fate will deliver her to me. That I won’t have to search. That love will be as effortless as turning the pages of a book.

I don’t know how long I lie there, but when I finally rise, the weight in my chest hasn’t lessened. As I head back to the estate, my father stands at the entrance, his imposing form casting a long shadow beneath the flickering lanterns.

“I hear your mother spoke to you,” he says, his voice edged with authority. “Are you still set on waiting for your mate to fall into your arms, even though it’s unlikely?”

I meet his gaze, unwavering. “Yes, I am.”

He grips my shoulder before I can pass. His strength is unyielding, a silent reminder of his power. “Don’t wait too long, Hayden. If you do, I will arrange matches for you among the royal families.”

A bitter laugh escapes me. “Of course you will.”

I yank my shoulder free and walk past him, my pulse pounding in my ears. I don’t stop until I’m back in my room, the door shutting behind me.

Frustration coils in my chest, a suffocating knot that refuses to loosen.

“Why is everyone obsessed with this?” I mutter to the empty room, my voice hollow. “Why can’t I just stay alone with my books?”

I sink onto my bed, dragging a hand down my face. I know the truth, even if I refuse to admit it out loud.

The stories I read, the romances I lose myself in, they’re nothing more than dreams. Reality isn’t kind. My mate won’t simply appear, wrapped in fate’s embrace, ready to love me the way the heroines do in my books.

And yet…

I can’t stop hoping.

Even if it’s foolish. Even if it will break me.

Sleep eventually claims me, but morning comes too soon. I push myself through my routine breakfast with the family, the usual pleasantries, the weight of expectation pressing down on me like a heavy cloak.

The moment I’m free, I retreat to my room, searching for solace in the one thing that never judges me.

My books.

With a glass of blood in hand, I crack open one of my favorite dark romances, Lights Out. The way Josh hunts Alie, how he breaks her down until she craves him, is both amusing and fascinating. In the end, she enjoys his possessiveness, embraces it, lets it consume her.

It’s the perfect mix of the hunt and the surrender.

A slow smirk tugs at my lips.

“Maybe I can use what Josh does to Alie on my mate. Then everyone will get off my back about the whole thing. I’ll mess with her mind, make her want me.”

My fingers slide through my hair as the thought takes root.

That’s when my phone rings.

John.

I pick it up, already smirking.

“Yo, John, what’s up?”

He laughs. “So, how’s the thinking going?”

Leaning up on my elbows, I grin. “I’m still set on letting her fall into my lap. However…”

I let my words trail off, waiting for his curiosity to bite.

John spins his chair in the background. “However, what Hayden?”

“However,” I continue, my smirk deepening, “when she does, I’ll play games with her mind. Make her want me. Then, I’ll make her mine.”

John bursts into laughter. “Did I ever tell you your mind has soft sides but also twisted? Is that from all those books you read? I swear, Hayden, you’re a huge bookworm, and I don’t know many guys who read books meant for women.”

I sigh. “Hey, men can read romances too. It’s not just for women. Men can enjoy them just as much.”

John chuckles. “True, but, Hayden… do you think you’ll ever find one? A mate?”

I exhale, leaning back onto my bed. “Who knows? Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. I’ll leave it up to fate. Anyway, I’ve got to get ready for this ball.”

John laughs. “Okay, okay. Hey, maybe you’ll find her there!”

I scoff. “As if. I’d never go for some plain, mundane human. They’re boring. There’s no adventure in their eyes, no sense of desire or danger running through their veins.”

John chuckles again. “Man, you have high expectations for your mate, huh? Well, I’ll let you get ready. Have some fun at least, okay?”

I sigh. “I’ll try. Talk to you later, John. Goodbye.”

Before I can hang up, he adds, “I want details of your fun night, okay?”

I smirk. “Sure thing, but I must warn you, it might not be the tea you’re hoping for.”

Hanging up, I hear a knock at my door.

“Come in.”

My father steps inside, handing me a tux. “Wear this. Get ready. We’re leaving soon.”

Without another word, he leaves.

I look down at the tux classic black and white, paired with polished black dress shoes. Sighing, I mutter, “This is a lot for some royal party.”

Reluctantly, I slip into the tux, brushing my hair back and tying my tie. I lace up my shoes and step in front of the mirror.

I look good. Undeniably.

But the suit feels wrong. It constricts me, suffocates me.

I exhale sharply, my thoughts darkening.Why does this have to be so damn hard? Why is everyone coming down on me about a woman I don’t even know, one who might not even exist?

John’s words echo in my mind.

You have high expectations for your mate.

I grit my teeth, staring at my reflection.Is he right? Are my expectations too high? Is it because of these books? Am I searching for some fairy tale moment…. locking eyes and melting into destiny?I let out a bitter breath, shoving the thought aside.It doesn’t matter. Fate will decide. And if fate doesn’t deliver… I’ll take matters into my own hands.

I leave my room and head downstairs, where my mother, father, and younger sister are waiting. My mother smiles.

“You look handsome, Hayden.”

I smile slightly. “Thanks, Mom.”

We head for the limo and climb inside. The ride is quiet, leaving my thoughts free to spiral.Is there a woman out there for me? One that meets my expectations, one who wants a thrill and danger? Is there even one for me?

My father calls my name, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“What, Father?”

He sighs. “Did you even hear me, Hayden?”

I sigh, looking down. “Sorry, no, I was lost in thought.”

He huffs out a breath. “Have fun at this party, but also remember, if possible, try to find a mate, okay?”

I scoff. “I get why you’re coming down on me about this damn mate shit, but it has no interest to me. I have nothing against women, but the ones I’ve seen are so damn plain. They don’t interest me. I want a woman who goes for the thrill, and as far as I can tell, no one fits the bill. I’m leaving this to fate, so stop pushing it, or I’ll push fate aside and refuse to get one just because you want me to!”

His eyes widen. “You wouldn’t dare, Hayden!”

I scoff. “Oh, I would. So drop it, okay?”

My father sighs in defeat. “Fine.”

The rest of the ride is silent.

When we pull up to the castle, I take in the stark contrast to ours white walls gleaming beneath the night sky, golden accents shining along the pillars. The limo comes to a stop, and my father steps out first, helping my mother and sister before I follow.

I take a deep breath, then let it out as we walk inside.

Music plays. People dance. I sigh.

The ballroom is white, streaked with gold. My father takes my mother to the dance floor and winks at me. I shake my head and walk toward the wall, leaning against it.

That’s when I see Liz. I smile and wave as she walks up to me.

She smiles. “Hayden, how are you?”

I sigh. “Okay. You’re not here with John?”

She laughs. “No, not tonight. We have…” she trails off, trying to find the words. “An interesting relationship, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dance and have fun here!”

A smile tugs at my lips. “I guess, if you’re the dancing type.”

She reaches out a hand to me. “Dance with me, Hayden. Just for a bit before the royal family walks down and makes their announcement. This is a soft song. It’s easy to dance to, even for you!”

I sigh, knowing if I don’t at least have one dance, my father will have my head. Taking a deep breath, I take her hand and step onto the dance floor.

As we glide across it, she smiles.

“Such a gentleman. And kind-hearted. I think when you find the one for you, she’ll be lucky to have someone with both a dark and light side. Not many men have that.”

I raise an eyebrow as I spin her, bringing her back to me. “You think so? I’ve been getting an earful from everyone saying that no girl is like the books I read. Even John got on my case for reading romance, which is supposedly for women.”

She laughs as we dance. “Typical John. I think that because you read these romances, you’ll know what women want. You’ll know how to please a woman better than any other man!”

I laugh. “Never thought of it like that.”

As we glide, I spin her again, bringing her back to me.

Then the music stops.

I bow to her.

“You know what? That wasn’t so bad. You’re a good dancer!”

She laughs. “You’re not so bad yourself. Enjoy your time here, okay, Hayden?”

I smile. “I will.”

She walks off and soon ends up in another man’s arms. I lean back against the wall and laugh, her words still ringing in my ears.

Because you read those books, you’ll know what women want and how to please them better than any other man.

A smirk tugs at my lips as I sip some wine from the table.

That’s when I see my father and mother walking over while my sister dances. My father nudges me.

“Who was that? A possible mate?”

I sigh, giving him a serious look.

He puts his hands up. “Fine, I’ll stop. Sorry. But you would tell us if you found one, right?”

I sigh, leaning against the wall, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t know. Maybe… maybe not. Who knows? You’ll just have to wait.”

My mother gives my father a serious look. “Ren, stop hassling him. Do you want a repeat of what happened with your father?”

My father sighs. “No, Yuko, I don’t.”

She winks at me, then turns back to him. “Then stop it. And don’t bring it up again. He gets it, he needs to find one. Now drop it. This is the last time I want to hear this conversation between you two. Understand?”

My father smirks, pulling her in. “Yes, ma’am.”

I laugh. Then my father looks at me. “So, who was that?”

I sigh, a smile tugging at my lips. “Liz. Um… she’s kind of with John. To be honest, I don’t know their relationship besides what happened last night. But she does hang around him a lot.”

Everyone stops dancing as all eyes shift toward the grand staircase. The moment stretches, heavy with anticipation, the ballroom falling into a hush.

Then a man’s voice booms through the hall, commanding attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the King and Queen, King Silas and Queen Elena.”

Applause erupts, a wave of clapping filling the room. I join in, clapping out of obligation rather than genuine admiration.

The announcement continues.

“Please welcome Prince Rin.”

Again, applause. I barely acknowledge him, my attention locked onto the staircase, waiting.

Anticipating.

My body tenses, a strange sense of expectation crawling up my spine. And then….

“Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome Princess Eleane.”

She steps forward, and my world tilts.

Luminous sapphire blue hair, like it’s catching moonlight itself. Golden eyes, as if the sun had been trapped inside them.

My breath catches. My entire body snaps to attention. My eyes widen, flickering red as something ancient and primal unfurls inside me. My blood roars in my ears, a predatory hunger clawing at my insides.

A voice low, insistent, undeniable whispers through my veins.

Take her.She is yours.Mark her.

The applause is deafening, but I remain frozen. The air feels thick, charged, pressing in on me until it’s hard to breathe. She moves with a grace that feels unnatural, her presence suffocating and intoxicating all at once.

My hands curl into fists at my sides.

I take a step forward, an invisible tether pulling me toward her.

The King and Queen begin speaking, but their voices fade into white noise. I barely process their words as they address the guests.

“Welcome, everyone from every kingdom. We invite you all here to celebrate our 40th anniversary. So, dance, party, and enjoy this celebration!”

The crowd cheers. Conversations spark back to life. Music resumes.

Yet I remain still, rooted in place.

My heart pounds fast erratic, unnatural. I force myself to move, my steps slow and deliberate as I make my way toward the royal family.

When I reach them, I offer a polite smile, masking the chaos inside me.

“Congratulations, Lady Elena and Lord Silas.”

Queen Elena’s gaze meets mine, warm yet piercing. “Thank you. And who might you be, young man?”

I bow my head slightly. “I am Hayden, Prince of the Vampire Kingdom.”

She studies me for a beat before offering a gracious smile. “Ah, I see. I hope you enjoy the party, Prince Hayden.”

I nod, offering another empty smile. “I will. It’s a beautiful celebration.”

But my mind isn’t on the party. It isn’t on the King or Queen.

It’s on her.

I turn and head back toward my place along the wall, but my eyes never leave her.

She is speaking now, her voice like a melody I don’t yet understand but crave to hear again. And then another figure approaches her a woman who seems to be a friend.

My jaw tightens as I watch them interact, my heightened senses picking up their laughter, their hushed words. The way Eleane smiles at her friend stirs something dark inside me.

Jealousy.

Possessiveness.

It’s absurd irrational even. I don’t know this woman. And yet, my entire body screams that she is mine.

I down the wine in my glass, the liquid doing nothing to quench the fire raging beneath my skin. I know what this is. I’ve read about it countless times in the books I obsess over this pull, this undeniable force.

But knowing about something and experiencing it are two entirely different things.

I exhale slowly, forcing myself to steady.I need to be careful.

I need to be smart.

She has no idea what she’s just walked into.

Eleane

The air feels thick with celebration, almost suffocating in its joy. My parents stand before the gathered nobles, their announcement met with rounds of applause and congratulations. I move to their side, playing the role of the dutiful daughter smiling when appropriate, nodding when expected.

But beneath the surface, my skin prickles.

Someone is watching me.

I scan the grand ballroom, gilded chandeliers casting fractured light over marble floors. Laughter and music swirl around me, but the weight of that gaze presses in unseen, unshakable. No matter where I look, I can’t find them.

“Eleane!”

I blink, startled, as Rose appears in front of me, her grin wide with excitement.

“How are you?” I ask, forcing myself to push away the unsettling sensation.

“Fantastic! I met this elf prince,” she gushes. “We’re dating, and he’s incredible. He’s here, I’ll introduce you later!”

I force a smile. “I can’t wait.”

But the feeling doesn’t leave. That gaze… it’s still there. Clinging to me like a shadow.

Watching.

Waiting.

Rose snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Eleane!”

I shake my head, dragging myself back to the present. “Sorry. What did you say?”

She laughs. “I swear, you get lost in your head too much. Too many books!”

“They’re good books,” I protest, forcing a chuckle.

Rose smirks. “When are you going to stop burying yourself in stories and start looking for love?”

I scoff. “Love is out of my reach.”

She tilts her head. “What do you mean?”

A sigh escapes me before I can stop it. “No man could ever live up to what I want.”

Curiosity flickers in her gaze. “Okay, humor me. What kind of man do you want?”

I hesitate, then smirk. “I’m not looking for that vanilla, sweet kind of love.”

She leans in, intrigued. “Oh? If not that, then what?”

I take a deep breath, heat rising to my cheeks. “Something exciting. Dangerous, even. A love that keeps me on edge, something that feels like an adventure… and passion real, consuming passion.”

Rose raises a brow. “That’s a tall order. I don’t think men like that exist outside of your books.” She trails off, then snickers. “Actually, that’s impossible. Those books are ruining your standards.”

I exhale. “Maybe. But maybe there’s someone out there who fits the bill, I just haven’t found him yet.”

Rose laughs. “Well, at least you know what you want. But how do you plan to find a man like that?”

I shrug, half-joking. “Maybe he’ll come to me. Hunt me down.”

Rose gives me an exasperated look. “You’re something else.” Then her eyes light up. “Come on, let’s find you a dance partner!”

Before I can protest, a man steps into our circle, wrapping his arms around Rose from behind. He’s tall, with sharp features and an easy smirk.

“Princess Elena,” he greets, extending a hand. “I’m Leon.”

I shake it, offering a polite smile.

But then the sensation slams into me again stronger this time.

That stare… it’s burning now. Suffocating.

My eyes dart around the room, searching for the source. Still, nothing.

Rose nudges me. “Eleane? You, okay?”

I swallow the unease. “Yeah… just a strange feeling.”

She grins. “Maybe it’s your dream guy watching you. Hope he makes an appearance so I can shove you into his arms.”

I roll my eyes. “Funny.”

As if on cue, another man approaches tall, cocky, arrogance dripping from his smirk.

“Roy, dance with Eleane,” Rose says with a mischievous glint.

He eyes me, smirking. “I’ll dance with the princess, but I doubt she can keep up.”

I scoff. “You’re full of yourself, aren’t you?”

He laughs. “It comes with the territory, sweetheart.”

Rose nudges me again, whispering, “It’s just one dance. Have fun.”

I sigh, relenting. His hand is warm as I take it, and soon we’re gliding across the floor. The music swells, the room fading until it feels like nothing exists beyond the movement of our steps. He spins me into his arms, but I feel nothing. No thrill. No excitement. Only the hollow performance of a waltz. The music stops, and as I move to step away, Roy pulls me in, his lips close to my ear.

“Think you can handle me, Princess? Want to try?”

Revulsion spikes through me. I press a hand to his lips, my voice cold. “Sorry. I don’t do arrogant men. You’re not my type.”

The air shifts.

That stare… it’s no longer just watching.

It’s furious.

A predator’s gaze locking onto its prey.

I step back, scanning the room, my heart hammering. Most people are still dancing, lost in their own worlds. But then I see him.

A man stands near the edge of the ballroom, dark and unmoving. He doesn’t belong here too still, too watchful. He speaks to an older man, one who looks almost like a father figure, but something about his posture is wrong.

Too rigid.

Too dangerous.

Something in me whispers….

It’s him.

I shake my head. No, he’s just another noble caught in conversation. He can’t be the one watching me.

And yet… my pulse quickens.

I turn away, but the weight of his stare never leaves me.

The air is thick with the scent of wine and perfume, laughter and music pressing in around me. I weave through the crowd until I reach my mother. Her sharp eyes catch mine, and she smiles.

“So, Roy… You think he might be courting you, Eleane?”

I scoff, crossing my arms. “Like hell. I’d rather be dead than stuck with an arrogant ass like him.”

Her gaze sharpens instantly, a silent warning to watch my mouth.

I sigh, forcing myself to soften. “I just mean… he’s not my type. Too much drama. Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll find someone. I’m just waiting for the perfect guy, someone who makes me feel alive.”

She sighs, placing a gentle hand on my arm. “I know you crave adventure, something that stirs your soul, but that kind of person might not exist. Just… keep an open mind, okay?”

I nod, giving her a small smile. “Sure thing, Mom.”

I take a seat at the grand table, sinking into the plush chair as my eyes drift toward the dancefloor. Rose is there, pressed between Leon and Roy, moving with the kind of confidence I could never muster. Almost grinding on them, completely in her element.

I shake my head with a small chuckle.

My mother laughs beside me. “Rose certainly knows how to dance.”

I smirk. “Yeah, she’s something else.” Then, rubbing my sore feet, I sigh. “Think I’ll sit for a bit, Roy damn near dragged me across that floor.”

She only shakes her head before my parents slip onto the dancefloor together, effortlessly moving in perfect sync.

I exhale, leaning back, my thoughts creeping in.

Are they right? Am I aiming too high? I clench my fists. No. I just want something that makes me tingle. Something real.

I pull myself out of my thoughts as a chill crawls up my spine. My gaze shifts toward the far wall, and there he is.

That man.

Dark. Brooding. Utterly furious.

His posture is rigid, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes burning into me with an intensity that nearly makes me flinch. He looks like he could snap someone in two with his bare hands.

My breath catches in my throat.

Every instinct screams at me to stay away, to leave him alone.

But I can’t look away.

Hayden

I lean against the wall, my eyes locked onto Eleane. Her friend chatters beside her, but I barely register the words. Instead, I focus on her, letting my vampire hearing tune in. My interest sharpens when I catch her saying, “Something exciting. Dangerous, even. A love that keeps me on edge, something that feels like an adventure… and passion, real, consuming passion.”

A slow smirk tugs at my lips.

She likes danger?

Oh, I’m going to have fun with this. She just doesn’t know it yet.

She’ll be mine.

I slip deeper into my thoughts,imagining the thrill of claiming her making her crave me as much as I crave her.But the fantasy shatters the moment I see another man touching her, dancing with her.

My body goes rigid, instincts flaring like a storm in my veins. My eyes lock onto him, assessing. He reeks of arrogance, the kind of man who collects women like trophies. He’s nothing but ego, no heart.

He won’t have her.

I won’t allow it.

I push off the wall, ready to cross the room take her away from him, rip his hands off her if I have to….

But my father steps into my path, blocking me with an amused expression.

I exhale sharply, frustration burning in my chest.

His eyes narrow knowingly. “And what exactly were you about to do?”

“Nothing,” I mutter, but my eyes betray me, pulled right back to her.

My father follows my gaze and chuckles. “Okay. If you say so, Hayden.”

I grit my teeth and lean back against the wall again.

He crosses his arms, his stance expectant. “I thought I told you to enjoy yourself. You haven’t danced all night. Why?”

I sigh. “I suck at dancing. Haven’t had much practice. And besides, if I dance with someone, you’ll all just assume things again.”

He laughs, but then his expression turns serious.

“Look, Hayden, I know I come down hard on you. I just want you to be ready. You’re the next king of our kingdom. When I was your age, I became king, and my father hammered responsibility into me. We barely talk now. I don’t want that for us. I have high hopes for you, but I also see how you isolate yourself. Outside of your lessons and the garden, you shut yourself away. You need more than just Liz and John.”

I clench my jaw. “I get it.”

But then I see it.

The moment the bastard tries to kiss her.

A surge of fury rips through me. My hands curl into fists, the sharp sting of my nails digging into my palm barely registering. My breath comes short, sharp. My blood feels like it’s boiling, something primal clawing its way to the surface.

What is this feeling? Jealousy? Possessiveness?

The thoughts collide inside me, tangled and unfamiliar.

“Hayden.”

My father’s sharp voice snaps me back. I shake my head, my vision blurring for a moment. When I refocus, I catch a flicker of red in my reflection.

My father smirks. “So, nothing, huh? How’s your hand?”

I glance down. Blood drips from where my nails dug too deep.

I exhale, forcing myself to steady. “I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

A frustrated breath escapes me as I rub my temples. “My blood burns when I look at her, like it’s calling for her. Dad… help me.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “I can’t. You have to figure this out yourself. I could tell you, but then you wouldn’t learn.”

I sigh.

Great. Just what I need.

As he walks away to find my mother, I turn my gaze back to her. The bastard is gone, but I’m still fuming. My blood still simmers, my teeth grinding together.

Then she looks at me.

My stomach drops.

Fuck.

She sees me, sees the storm in my expression. I must look like I’m about to murder someone.

Which isn’t too far from the truth.

A tap on my shoulder yanks me out of my spiraling thoughts.

Liz.

She smirks knowingly. “You, okay?”

I sigh. “Yeah.”

She follows my gaze, then glances down at my bleeding hand. Her expression tightens as she grabs it gently. “Hayden, what happened?”

I exhale, trying to shake the tension from my muscles. “I saw the princess dancing with someone. Then he tried to kiss her, and I got… pissed. I wanted to break his damn face.”

Liz sighs, shaking her head. “Come with me. And don’t do that death-stare thing we’re about to be near her.”

I grunt. “I’ll try.”

We walk over to a table near the wine. I try not to look at Eleane, but it’s impossible. My eyes betray me, finding her like a moth to a flame.

And then she sees Liz holding my hand.

Her expression shifts concern flickers across her features and she rushes over.

“Is he okay? What happened?”

I look away, my jaw tightening.

Before I can respond, Liz laughs, waving it off. “Oh, he’s fine. Just got into a fight with his dad and clenched his fist too tight.”

Eleane exhales in relief and, without another word, returns to her seat.

I watch her go, my chest tightening with something I don’t understand.

Liz tightens the bandage around my hand, finishing her work. Then she nudges me.

“Go after her.”

I smirk. “Not yet. I think I’ll take a page from my book.”

She raises a brow. “And that means…?”

I wink. “Let’s just say, I want to make her feel the danger she craves.”

Liz rolls her eyes, but I lead her back onto the dancefloor.

If Eleane wants excitement, passion, and danger… she’ll get it.

She just doesn’t know I’ve already decided.

She belongs to me.