CHAPTER ONE

Eight years ago, I was a carefree young woman who loved life. But all of that changed when I saw what I shouldn't have seen.

A real life beast.

I wasn't the only one that saw the beast. Yet, I was the one that wasn't killed for it. 

The red eyed beast who called himself Maximilian kept me in a dark room for a year and fed on me every single day because apparently, I was delicious. 

He'd force me to eat fruits and full meals so he could have me again. 

But all that stopped one year later. 

He took me to cave and told me pitiful stories of how he'd lived a lonely life until I came along. The night closed with him getting me drunk so he could take advantage of me without me putting up a fight.

The mating process was disgusting but he probably thought otherwise because I had no control over my body and moaned his name shamelessly under the bright moonlight. 

Eight years together taught me about Maximilian and the vampire's world.

Surviving was not a difficult thing because I was Maximilian's property and others didn't dare to offend him by laying a finger on me. However, he himself was difficult to please.

I contemplated killing him since I turned vampire but he was still stronger. My risk turned into a wild adventure on his bed so I gave up the idea and simply served him.

Today for Maximilian's breakfast, I served meat, vegetables and wine. He never ate at the table downstairs so I took it to his office upstairs.

He never complains when I don't knock so I walked straight in. There he was on his office chair, legs parted, nose poked into the book he was reading. He was wearing dark glasses that covered his red eyes.

A fake smile crossed my face on impulse as I walked towards him.

“Breakfast.” I announced.

“Why don't you use your endearments, darling?”

Even though he wasn't looking at me, I felt shivers run down my spine. That was how much power he had over me and everyone else living in the castle.

“u-um..”

“What?” A smirk appeared across his lips as he closed the book and lifted his head so he was looking at me. “You can't even use your words properly.”

“Baby—”

He glanced at the side briefly and leaned against the chair, leaving more space between his legs. “—We've talked about this, love. You are not allowed to call me baby, It sounds too mushy coming from you.”

Like I practiced, I placed the tray on his desk and closed the distance between us. Our lips brushed and I sucked his bottom lip once.. Twice. Enough to drive him insane.

“Baby?” I whispered against his lips and added pressure untill he parted his lips wide open for me to devour.

A giggle escaped my lips as I moved away from his face. I straightened up and stood in front of the desk.

“I think I win, baby. Have breakfast.” 

Maximilian sighed and shut his mouth while playing with his black long hair, “You little snake.”

“Have breakfast.” I repeated

“Unfortunately, i don't have an appetite for this kind of food.”

My face dropped.

Maximilian shook his head quickly, “Don't worry. I won't eat humans.”

“It's okay if you do. You have to eat after all.” I lied.

“You know I can sniff the lies right out of you anytime.” Maximilian said, looking through the tray of the dishes I prepared. 

“um..” I trailed off. Making more excuses would only prove his point.

“I'll eat. Since you put so much effort in making the meal.”

I couldn't help but smile as he inched closer to the desk and have a mouthful of chicken.

”Just the right amount of spice.” He said while shoving more meat into his mouth. 

I should've added poison.

He used to let me taste his food first so I couldn't do it but now that he was eating so enthusiastically.. what a waste. 

“Darling?”

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up, “Yes?”

“I'm going hunting tonight. Don't wait up.”

“Oh”  I grabbed the now-empty tray and started walking out. At least, my effort was not in vain. Next time, I would find the chance to kill him.

“Are you okay?” I heard a voice ask as I close Maximilian's office door. It was Felix. Once of Maximilian's confidant.

His blue eyes instantly gave me some sort of warm feeling. 

“I am, thank you. I'll bring some coffee and snacks.”

“That won't be necessary, I don't have an appetite.” My eyes widened. If that were true then tonight would be a blood bath.

“Oh.” I stated and started heading back to the kitchen.

There I met the other three cooks.

Helen, Bosvana, Jacob. They were the ones in charge of cooking the people in the mansion meals while I only made Maximilian's. 

“Are you okay?” Helen asked.

Again?

“I'm fine. I'll be at the beach.” I announced and Jacob nodded. 

“Take your time. I'll serve the Lord for you if he needs anything.”

“—Are you seeking your own death? You know it is her responsibility to serve the Lord. If you intervene you'll die! So she shouldn't even go to beach at all.” Bosvana snapped.

“It will only take a moment don't worry.”  I said.

“Easy for you to say. The Lord is fond of you so he won't kill you but me and Jacob are different. One mistake and we're dead meat.”

“Even if you die, trust me, you're not meat.”

Bosvana eyes widened, “Y-you—”

“—Bosvana,” I smiled, “It will just be a minute, I promise.”

I grabbed a bowl of fresh carrots filled with water and took a bite of it before heading out of the kitchen. The backyard led to the beach directly so i decided to take that route.

I nodded to the guards guarding the gate and they let me pass. 

Outside made me feel joyful again and the sun reminded me of hope.

As half vampire, the sun doesn't hurt me and my crave for blood was not intense as the others. I had the ability to keep my blood thirst in check.

The only time I went mad, I bit Maximilian and fed on his blood. It was both sweet and magnificent. However, that was the last time I ever did that because he got pissed and almost took my life. Thinking about it now, there were many near deaths experience in his hands yet he managed to stay seductive.

That was understandable after all, seduction was second to his nature.

My hunger for Maximilian back then didn't make sense to me though. If I was thirsty, I could've had some animal's blood. Why did I choose him?

My thoughts however came to a halt when I saw a familiar nest across of me. I was already at the beach. My shoes disappeared into the sand and reappeared as I walked. 

“Puffy!” I gushed as I reached the nest and knelt in front of it.

Puffy ears perked up and he finally looked at me, his eyes huge.

He jumped off the cage and I opened my arms for his embrace but instead, he jumped inside the bowl containing carrots and started munching on them.

I rolled my eyes at that and placed the bowl down. 

“Fine. Eat all of that. Today, I'll find a safer spot for you to live. I guess Maximilian and his friends will go hunting tonight and you'll be doomed if your scent appeals to them.”

Puffy scratched his feet and ate unconcernedly. I shook my head at him. He was so small and he ate a lot but wasn't so active at jumping. I feared for his safety.

“You idiot” I murmured. “Get out of the bowl now, all the carrots are yours anyway.”

Puffy pouted and jumped of the bowl while staring at me with cute big eyes and a plumpy pout. 

“awww.” I couldn't help but say.

I placed the bowl in the cage and rubbed Puffy's body with sand to mask his scent. He handed me the lock's key I let him keep in between his chubby stomach and I collected it kindly.

“Thank you, love. Now get in.”

Puffy bowed his head and jumped into the cage. I closed it and locked it before handling Puffy the tiny key through the small holes on the cage.  He took it and put it near his mouth.

“Not for eating! Hide it under your fat juicy stomach.” 

Puffy mouth went an O shape before he finally kept the key under his stomach. 

“Nice.” I smiled

I held the cage and stood up from the ground. I started walking into the forest. It appears that the safest place was the wildest place.

It took a while but I found a place. 

I covered the cage with leaves and left it behind a tall tree after marking it.

“I'll come back for you puffy. Don't eat all your meals at once so you don't starve.” With that, I started to leave. 

The sound of the forest creatures filled my ears and I exhaled. Puffy was safe for now because I couldn't hear anything unusual.

Soon I reached the beach. The sun had set. Nearly time for Maximilian's lunch. But he said he didn't have an appetite so it should be fine but if I didn't offer him a drink at least, he could get offended. 

Despite being a vampire, Maximilian sure was petty.

Suddenly, I heard a fast movement. I immediately balanced myself. Someone else was in the vicinity.

After sniffing the air, I figured it wasn't something I was familiar with.

I relaxed my mind. I was part vampire so it should be fine. It's not like I've never encountered something like this before.

My heart fell when I felt a hand wrapped around my throat. That speed was too smooth I barely sensed it. He must be as powerful as Max's confidant, Felix.

“Who are you?” I said to the black eyed vampire who had his fingers wrapped around my throat. 

He looked built and muscular with short black hair. If I fought against him, I might not have a chance. However, there was one thing I was good at.

“Did you happen to lose your way around here?” I leaned into the man's face and he loosened his grip but not enough for me to escape.

“Why are you here? Do you know whose territory this is.” I was staring into the vampire's eyes with my glassy grey eyes. I knew how intimidating it could look to people who did not know me well.

“Of course. But do I look like I give a fuck?”

I tried to mask the surprise on my face. If Max's name did not ignite fear in this vampire's heart then I was fucked.

“You should give plenty of fucks, loser.” I said as the vampire tightened his grip.

“Because I am Maximilian's slave.”

“Another reason I should kill you.”

I forced a smirk across my lips. His grip blocked the air from my lungs so I couldn't breathe. 

“Fool!” I said, “I don't know what that beast did to you but you really think a mere slave like me will touch him?”

“You don't know the high Lord Maximilian well don't you?”

I arched an eyebrow.

“What pains him the most is touching things that belong to him. Slave or not.”

“Fool.” I hissed as his fangs grew past my surface flesh. “That beast couldn't care less about replaceable objects. I really thought you knew something tangible about the high lord. Have you seriously not heard about the presia box?”

The vampire eyes widened and I relaxed. I had him hooked.

It won't be long now..

The vampire let go of me to catch my breath but hovered over me afterwards.

“The presia box? The high lord Maximilian was involved in the situation decades ago. Quickly tell me.. what secrets lies within the box?”

“I-i can't tell you. H-he'll kill me.” I stuttered.

The vampire suddenly froze in place and I could see the panic in his eyes.

The hairs on my neck stood as I felt a depressing aura around me.

Maximilian was here.

I let out a sigh of relief and gently backed up from the vampire.

I must've overestimated the gap between Maximilian and I because I bumped into a hard and sturdy thing—

After realizing what it was, I moved from the way and stood behind Maximilian who wasn't paying any attention to me. Thank God.

“Close your eyes.” Maximilian ordered.

I closed my eyes and heard a crack then, a thud. 

I knew better than to look.

“Come with me.” 

My eyes refused to open out of fear of what I would see. 

“I'm sorry.” I said as I felt an overwhelming energy in front of me.

“I didn't expect a dog in my territory and neither did you. This time, it's not your fault. Now open your eyes.”

I opened my eyes and instantly came into contact with harsh red eyes. I nearly flinched when he ran his fingers through my bleeding neck.

“Good job holding out untill I arrived.”

My neck tingled and I held onto Maximilian's right hand as I felt an overwhelming pressure on my neck.

“It hurts, doesn't it?” He said.

Well duh! If it didn't hurt I wouldn't be like this. 

“It's bearable.” I said.

Maximilian leaned closer to my neck and licked the blood off of it. I wanted to complain but whatever he was doing eased the pain so I let him.

Soon, he left my neck and we headed back to the mansion.