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
Abaddon’s PovThe second those words left her mouth, I fucking lost it. Another man? Touching her? Kissing her? Having her? Rage coiled through my veins, dark and vicious. My grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles straining white, my vision clouding with red. She had no fucking idea what she did to me. No idea how deep this obsession ran. Aurelia was mine. Always had been. Always would be. The car barely stopped before she flung the door open and stormed into the mansion, her hips swaying, her short cheer skirt bouncing, the bare skin of her thighs taunting me like a goddamn punishment. Fuck. All I saw was her beneath me, writhing, moaning, crying my name. I hadn't stopped thinking about it—not since that halftime show, when she stood there drenched in sweat, her body teasing me with every movement. My cock had been hard for her ever since, and it hadn't fucking gone away. My body burned for her. I followed her inside, closing the door behind me, the quiet of
AURELIAI ran. My feet carried me faster than my mind could process, following his direction blindly, my breath ragged as I stumbled into the room. The door slammed shut behind me, the lock clicking into place. And then— I broke. The sob tore out of me before I could stop it, my body crumpling to the floor, arms wrapping around myself as if I could hold in the pain. The shame burned hot in my chest, mixing with the betrayal, the helplessness, the anger. I should have known better. I did know better. And yet, I had still stood there, hands trembling, voice cracking as I begged, begged for mercy in front of that sick bastard Kiwor. Abaddon made me do that. Made me fall to my knees, stripping me of whatever dignity I had left, and now I didn’t know if I could ever look at myself the same way again. Tears streamed down my face, fast and unrelenting, and I let them. Let them drown me. Minutes passed—maybe hours. I didn’t know. The ache settled deep in my bones, but
I woke to soft, teasing touches trailing over my skin, the sensation so light, so deliberate, it felt like the remnants of a dream. But when his warm, wet mouth latched onto my other lips—the ones between my legs—it became clear this was anything but a dream. A broken moan slipped from my lips as he growled, low and commanding. “Sit on my face, baby.” I barely had time to process before he flipped me, his strong hands gripping my thighs, holding me in place as I trembled above him. His tongue flicked and teased, and I lost all control, grinding down, riding the pleasure as he devoured me. It didn’t stop until I shattered, until my release poured over his face, my cries of pleasure filling the air. Only when he had licked me dry, his hands still possessively tight on my hips, did he let go. And when he did, the smug grin curving his lips was a silent reminder of who owned me. The moon was high in the sky, its soft light flickering into the room, illuminating his sharp feature
After having our outdoor breakfast, he pulled me back into the mansion. This time, we entered through the front door instead. Some students had already left, while a few still lingered in the Black mansion. Well, the entire group was still present. Kiwor stood by the kitchen counter with a mug in hand, dressed casually in joggers with his upper body bare. The same formidable smirk that never left his face was plastered as usual. My cheeks burned as the memory of last night resurfaced—how I had begged in front of this lunatic. The girls were already up, and before I could blink, they pulled me away from Abaddon's grip. I missed his warmth immediately. His eyes swept over my body possessively as he strode over to Kiwor, a silent reminder that I was his. The girls dragged me into a room, their chatter filling the air. Kira still had her makeup from last night, smudged but intact—a clear sign they had enjoyed themselves. "We figured you went home," Jane mused, her tone light.
Darkness. Then whispers. Low, hushed voices stirred through the silence, threading through my mind like an eerie melody. My body felt heavy, limbs weighed down as if the air itself was pressing against me. The bed beneath me was familiar—his bed. I blinked, my vision hazy, the room tilting in and out of focus. "She almost fell into the trap." "You should tell her sooner or later…" That voice. My pulse spiked as fragments of memory slammed into me all at once. The library. The whispers. That desperate plea for help. And then—Abaddon. I tried to move, my fingers twitching against the silk sheets. The voices stopped abruptly. Then—footsteps. Abaddon and Kiwor stood at the foot of the bed. "How do you feel?" His voice was deep, calm, but his dark eyes burned into me with something unreadable. "Like shit," I muttered, throat dry. My body ached, and a dull throbbing pounded at the back of my skull. They exchanged a look. One of those silent, knowing glances that only
The cold air burned my lungs as I ran, feet pounding against the forest floor, my breath ragged and sharp. Branches lashed at my arms, my face, but I didn’t stop—not when I heard him behind me, his voice like thunder crashing through the trees. “Aurelia!” His roar sent a fresh surge of adrenaline through my veins. I pushed harder, my legs trembling beneath me, but Abaddon was fast. Too fast. His heavy footfalls were closing in, his presence a force pressing against my back. I didn’t dare look over my shoulder. I couldn’t. Then my foot caught on something—an exposed root, a patch of uneven ground, I didn’t know. I stumbled, arms flailing, weight pitching forward. The world tilted as I fell, crashing through tangled branches before I hit the icy surface of the river below. Water enveloped me in an instant. Cold. So fucking cold. It stole the air from my lungs, numbed my limbs. The current dragged me under, spinning me in a violent embrace. I kicked, clawed at the surface, but
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