They both took their positions. His eyes were still on me—never flinching, roaming over my body as they constantly settled on my breasts. I felt some type of way under his gaze. Thankfully, the alcohol waved it off. The only thought on my mind was the fact that he and Laurane might be back together. Drey also watched me, a certain look in his eyes—one I did not feel proud of. Without a second thought, I pulled Kira along. “Let’s go dance.” She willingly tagged along, Jane running after us to join. The loudspeakers blasted across the beach. We arrived at the middle and immediately got into the rhythm of the music, our bodies moving with ease. We giggled often, shaking our hips to the beat. Everyone was lost in bliss. With the alcohol, I was lost in the music, swaying my hips until I felt strong hands wrap around my waist. When I turned around, it was a blonde boy—probably from the neighboring school. “You dance well. I’m sorry, had to,” he whispered in my ear. High
Aurelia’s POV"Can we stop by the mall, Mom? I need some new shoes." "Sure, honey." "Elia's growing too fast, Mom. Maybe we should take her to the doctor," Elliot teases, earning him a hard punch from me. "Shut up, dickhead," I snap back. "That's enough bickering, children," Mom scolds. Barely five minutes later, the crash happened. It all unfolded so fast that the next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. I woke up to a pounding heart, sweat trickling down my body. The same dream again—almost like reliving that moment, and every time, it affects me the same way. Maybe even worse as the days go by. For the first time since we moved, I had the dream. I saw them. Their faces, their laughter, their voices still haunt me. How can I forget them? A year has passed since that tragedy, yet I still find myself back in that car every single time. Perhaps it should have been me and not them. If only I hadn't insisted on going to the mall that day. If only I had stayed home. The
Aurelia’s POVIf only I had the power to disappear from everyone’s life—to slip into another world where no one knew my name. Maybe then, I’d finally escape this suffocating reality. But I knew better. The imprint of his touch burned into my skin, a constant reminder that I could never truly be free. The events at school replayed in my head, each moment laced with raw emotion—the reckless courage that drove me to attack Laurene, the way he devoured me yet again. Both haunted me. I tried calling Drey. Again. And again. Each call was declined, the silence a dagger to my heart. He must hate me. Guilt swallowed me whole, twisting inside me like a blade. I knew he was hurting. I saw it in the way he looked at me before I left school. Abaddon hadn’t held back—his fists rained down on Drey as if he were nothing more than an enemy to be obliterated. I turned to the bathroom mirror, my reflection a mess of swollen eyes and misery. The clock on the wall read past six, and with ev
The night air was merciless, each gust of wind cutting through me like a blade, a silent witness to the torment awaiting me. His eyes—dark, unwavering—tracked my every movement as I knelt before him, exactly where he ordered me to be. The only source of light in my room was the moon, slipping through the parted curtains in ghostly streaks. Yet his eyes burned through the darkness, their intensity searing into my skin. "Unsheath my cock, princess."The command sent a tremor down my spine. My heart pounded violently against my ribs as I reached forward, freeing him from the confines of his pants. Thick. Heavy. Bigger than I remembered.Without hesitation, I took him into my mouth, the salty taste of his precum coating my tongue. A moan escaped me—unbidden, shameless. He watched intently. The next second, his hand fisted in my hair, and he slammed deeper down my throat without warning. I choked, tears pricking my eyes at the intrusion. "Suck." The single word was sharp, unyield
After dropping me off at school, he disappeared. No sign of him or Kiwor the entire day. Not that I expected differently. Drey had shown up at school too, but after last night, I decided it was best to avoid him—for his own good. The last thing I needed was for Abaddon to lose control again, to hurt him just because of me. Tomorrow was a big day. The football tournament of the season. Black’s High was this year’s host, and the entire school was buzzing with excitement. Everyone but me. As a cheerleader, I had no choice but to be involved—not that I cared. I only kept up with it for the sake of my grades. The girls, on the other hand, were giddy with anticipation, already scheming their outfits for the afterparty at Black’s mansion. “Hey, Aurelia, Drey’s treating everyone to lunch after school. We should go,” Kira said, practically bouncing as we changed in the locker room after practice. I hesitated. “Kira, I doubt that’s a good idea.” “Hello? Girl, you’ve been distant
"Hi, Elia. I brought you some chocolate—I know you like them."The young boy with striking green eyes spoke softly, his voice a balm to the sobbing girl. At the sight of him, her cries faded, her lips twitching into a small, hopeful smile. She threw her tiny arms around him, seeking comfort in his warmth, and he held her just as tightly. "Thank you. But… can you take me to my brother? I miss him."A sharp pang of jealousy twisted in the boy’s chest, but he swallowed it down, masking the hurt with a smile. "I promise to bring you to your brother."And she believed him. Every night, he came. Her only light in the dark. Her only escape from the cold, empty days. Until one night… he didn’t. His visits stopped. She waited. And waited. But he never returned. The little girl wept for days, convinced he had abandoned her—just like everyone else.Aurelia’s POVI woke up with a dull ache in my head, my body sluggish as the weight of last night’s memories crashed into me. Abadd
My reflection stared back at me, my eyes red and puffy from crying. Whether they were sad tears or happy ones, I had no idea at this point. Everything felt like a blur—like my emotions had been wrung out, leaving me raw and exposed. A knock on the stall door broke through my thoughts, persistent and unrelenting. I released a heavy sigh before finally unlocking it. "Can we please set aside the tension and have fun for the rest of the day?" Jane's voice was light, but there was an edge of concern as she reached for my hand, pulling me out of the stall. Kira stood nearby, arms crossed, guilt evident on her face. "I'm really sorry, Aurelia. For everything. We didn’t know how bad Abaddon had made things for you." I forced a half-hearted laugh, shaking my head. "It’s not your fault. He’s just a possessive, selfish bastard with no heart." Both girls giggled at that, though it was clear they were trying to lighten the mood. Before I knew it, they were pulling me into a tight hug, s
The entire ride, I sat in silence, staring out at the city blurring past. My hands curled into fists in my lap, my chest tightening with every passing second. If only he knew what he did to me. How my body betrayed me whenever we were close. Like now, in his car, the scent of him surrounding me, the heat of his presence crawling under my skin. I bet I’d be called crazy for feeling this way about him. Maybe I am. But the worst part isn’t admitting it—it’s keeping it locked away, caging it inside, because the person responsible for it doesn’t treat me the way I wish he would. He’s been here for so long, traveled across countries, met women more beautiful, more experienced, more...everything. Kira made sure I knew that. That I was just another girl in the long line of them. There’s no way he’d treat me differently. So why do I feel like it should be different? Just because we fucked doesn’t mean I’m anything more than a bed warmer. The thought sent a violent shiver through me, m
The wind lashed against my skin as we sped down the deserted road in his Jeep. The sky above was cloaked in an ominous dark veil, mirroring the chaos churning inside my mind. Emotions clawed their way out of me in silent, violent waves, and though I tried to bury them, I knew he felt every single one. Hot glances slid my way, full of questions he didn’t ask out loud—until a cool hand slid over mine, anchoring me. I looked down at our intertwined fingers, then up at his face. He was watching me, his gaze intense yet heartbreakingly calm. Somehow, the world dulled when I looked at him. His sharp cheekbones, that perfectly sculpted jawline, and those haunted eyes—all of it stole the breath from my lungs.I could stare at this man for hours and still not have enough. That’s how far gone I was. Maybe that mate bond he spoke of wasn’t a myth after all. Because what I felt? It was too real. Too consuming.But even the strongest bonds couldn’t erase the pain of today. My mind kept slipping
Aurelia’s POV“How much did you hear?” His voice cracked through the silence like a whip, sharp and sudden, slicing through the tension that clung to the air after Kiwor’s departure.“Just enough,” I whispered.His jaw flexed. “Ignore him. Kiwor’s just bitter his cock hasn’t been sucked in days.” A bitter chuckle followed, dry and empty like the wind that blows through graves.“Abaddon, please…” My voice broke, and I hated it. My tears, traitorous and hot, betrayed me again.“I’m sorry,” he said, softer now. His hand found my face, cold fingers brushing away my tears like they were something sacred. “If I’d gone inside when Huron first mentioned it, maybe all of this—maybe none of this would’ve happened.”His touch burned and froze me all at once. I trembled beneath it.“It’s in the past now, Elia,” he murmured, as if that could erase the images seared behind my eyelids. “Don’t carry guilt that isn’t yours.”“But what if you hadn’t made it on time?” I swallowed hard, voice catching.
Abaddon’s POVFor a vast moment, I’m stunned. When it hit me—the struggle, the worry, the wrenching pain in my gut—I didn’t know what to do with it. This was new. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever felt before, because I felt it *all.* Her fear. Her pain. And it slammed into me, sudden and brutal.She was in trouble.My cold blood... it nearly boiled. I could feel it heat, tremble beneath my skin as her scent pulled me forward—dragged me like a tether into the woods behind the house.And then I saw it.My mate—*my mate*—being chased. A bear. A furious, wild-looking thing with eyes that burned with rage.Fear gripped me, sharp and punishing, when I caught the scent of her blood. It was heavy. Thick. Overwhelming. It clogged the air, soaked into everything around me. I could *feel* it. And I knew—every vampire even remotely near would’ve sensed it too.Gods, it was so enticing.Huron... he hadn’t learned control yet. Poor kid. I couldn’t blame him. I could barely manage it myself, and I’d
Aurelia’s POVThe cold bit into my skin as I stood frozen, snow crunching beneath my bare feet. The air tasted sharp, almost metallic, as my gaze clung to Huron’s back. His form was tense, shoulders stiff, fangs bared, facing down the massive wall of white fur just a few feet ahead. A polar bear—no, something more. Its breath steamed in thick, huffing clouds, dark eyes locked on the boy in front of me.“Huron,” I whispered, but the name burned my throat.The beast lunged.He moved fast, too fast for my human eyes to fully comprehend. One moment he was standing still, the next, he launched himself at the bear, his claws slicing at its face. Blood splattered across the snow, steaming as it landed. The bear roared, swiping at Huron with such force he flew backward into a snowbank with a grunt that made my stomach churn.“No! Huron!” My scream echoed through the woods, strangled and wild.He staggered to his feet, already rushing back in. He wasn’t strong enough—I saw it. The bear rear
Aurelia’s POVThis might be the first time I’d ever realized that having your feelings truly reciprocated can feel like the closest thing to heaven in a world like this. It’s wild—funny, even—to think that from the very first time I saw him make that entrance into the cafeteria, I already liked him. The pull was magnetic, violent. The strings yanked hard, dragging my soul toward him while I stayed behind, watching from the shadows. I desired him in silence, craved him in secret, until that night he finally approached me. His blackmail had come from a place of pent-up fury, directed straight at my family. It was cruel. Dark. Twisted. And yet, I still found myself staying up late, waiting for the next chapter in his cruelty. And maybe it’s sick—maybe it’s *wrong*—but deep down I *enjoyed* most of the torture he put me through. I never admitted it before, but now it’s starting to make sense. This bond he speaks of… it must be the reason I’ve always wanted him so desperately. It’
Like an obsessed man, I tore her clothes—ripping every thread, every fabric into shreds beneath my greedy hands. Her gasp didn’t stop me—it fueled me. My lips latched onto a taut nipple, sucking hard, flicking my tongue over her sensitive bud until her body trembled. For ten long days. Ten brutal, hungry days without her warmth. I’d starved for her—craved her like a man on the verge of death. But I’d given her space. I had to. There was no question. Still, it tore me apart. I missed her so much it burned. Stars, I missed her wet, silken warmth. Missed the soft moans only I could draw out of her. Just like now. As my mouth worked her tender breast, she whimpered and arched, made just for me. There was no denying it. She belonged to me. My sanity cracked two days ago when I caught the scent of her arousal. The sounds from the bathroom... I knew she was showering, but my feet moved on their own. The door—unlocked. And fuck, I peeked. She was sprawled in the tub, eyes close
Of all the myths I’ve heard, the bloodsuckers were the last I ever expected to encounter in this lifetime. It still feels like a goddamn movie. I’m trying—failing—to process the secrets I’ve uncovered. In just a few days, everything I knew about my life flipped. And now there’s some flimsy curse to break, one I know nothing about. The worst part? The fucking leader of a vampire clan is on my trail.It’s been five days. Five goddamn days since that conversation on the terrace. We’re still holed up on his private island, surrounded by silence and secrets. But I’ve learned more about their kind than I ever wanted to know.What shocked me most? Almost everyone at school is a vampire. Everyone. Black High was founded by Mr. Lucian right after his son was born—at least, according to Abaddon. I nearly choked on my juice when he casually admitted that the group, my so-called friends, were part of the clan. Born into the bloodline. All this time, I’ve laughed with, cried with, *trusted* the
Seconds passed before he blinked away, his gaze slipping from mine. Avoiding. Hiding. I needed to know the truth—if only for my sanity. The Abaddon I knew never cared about me, not truly. It had always been a game to him. His blackmail. His cruelty. The countless times he made me cry. So why? Why risk so much to save me now? My voice shook, but I forced it out. "You say your father and your clan want me—that they'd hurt me. And I’ve seen it. I know how far they’ll go. But he’s your father, and they’re your people. So why defy them just for me? Why are you doing all of this?" I was spiraling, my mind unraveling thread by thread, losing all sense of logic. "Because it's the right thing to do." His voice was quiet, but the weight of it pressed against my chest. He turned away, his hands gripping the steel railing so hard his knuckles turned white. I saw the anger flicker behind his composed mask, the way he fought to keep it buried. He was exhausted, the kind of exhaustion that
Abaddon’s POVShe fucking saw me. That was never how I wanted her to find out. Not like this. Not with the horror carved into her face, not with the fear in her eyes. It triggered something deep inside me—something violent, something primal. But not against her. Never against her. I would kill for her. I had killed for her. She must know this, right? The car sped down the darkened streets, the cold night air cutting through the windows like a blade. I barely felt it. My mind was a storm, my thoughts clawing at me from the inside. My father and his men should have fucking known better. They should have realized by now—I would never let them have her. Never let them hurt her. All my life, it had been about the clan. About duty. About fucking rules. For once, I was doing something that wasn’t for them. It was for her. I clenched my jaw, watching the shadowed town blur past through the window, but Kiwor’s voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. “We’re here,” he announce