PROLOGUE

"May I inquire as to whether you believe that it is conceivable for you to terminate my existence using this blade? How naive." A mysterious man, as pale as ivory, adopts a tone of scorn as he stands in a menacing posture. Deliberately, he gazes down in a condescending manner at the woman before him.

Upon observing the dagger impaled in the man's chest, Sumire's eyes reflect a sense of bewilderment.

"What manner of being are you?" she inquired, noticing a malevolent grin spreading across the man's pallid visage. Gradually, his appearance transforms into that of a creature she had believed to exist solely in works of fiction.

"I am the embodiment of your worst fears," he declared, throwing his head back as a loud, hollow laughter escaped his lips.

As the man advanced towards her, seizing the dagger embedded in his chest while emitting a maniacal laugh, she instinctively recoiled.

His eyes began to emit a crimson glow and a fang emerged on his lips, prompting Sumire to realize that this man was not an ordinary human.

In a moment when a dagger was poised to strike her...

"No!" Sumire abruptly cried out and awoke from her slumber, heart beating rapidly and perspiration beading down her neck and chest.

"Goodness, why did that dream feel so vivid?" She remarked as she wiped off the sweat forming on her forehead.

Rising from her bed, she made her way to the nearest bathroom, unknowingly disregarding the presence of a set of eyes shimmering with desire in the dim corner of the room.

As midnight descended, the silver hue of the moon draped the world in a gentle, mystical radiance. A tapestry of silver moonlight adorned the floor of the penthouse balcony, casting a soft, unearthly glow that illuminated the path ahead. The night remained calm and uncannily quiet, devoid of the usual sounds of nocturnal creatures or the rustling of wind through the trees.

Unexpectedly, a chilling breeze disrupted the tranquil night, causing the ivory curtains to sway gracefully. A mysterious figure appears in Sumire's bedroom, prompting the lights to flicker erratically from a mysterious force.

Emerging from the bathroom clad in a white silk lace nightgown and a towel wrapped around her head, Sumire proceeded towards her bed.

As she hummed a melodious tune, a distant eerie howl shattered the silence of the night. Sumire extinguished the light and revealed the glow of the lamp. Just as she was about to recline onto the bed, a silhouette of a man caught her gaze before vanishing into the darkness.

Alarmed and uneasy, Sumire swiftly rose from the bed and retrieved a dagger concealed beneath her pillow. Her attention was drawn to three black roses and a letter placed near the lamp, objects that had not been there previously. With a furrowed brow, she picked up the letter and roses, bringing them close to her nose to inhale their scent.

"What the...where is this come from?" she utters in disbelief and looks around.

Deliberately and courageously, she strides towards the balcony, feeling her heart racing in her chest. She prepares to confront the intruder, but upon arrival, she realizes she is alone. Doubts start creeping in as she questions her senses, wondering if it's just her paranoia at play.

"Maybe am just too tired..." With a heavy sigh, she tries to calm herself.

Sumire gazes at the moon and stars illuminating the night sky, the peaceful moment disrupted by a sudden strong gust of wind that sends a chill down her spine and makes her hair dance in unrhythmic pattern.

Little does she know, a large figure of a man, concealed in the shadows, stands ominously behind her. His eyes gleaming red with desire as he fixates on her neck.

Sumire suddenly sensed a chilling gaze and the touch of cold lips against her bare shoulder, which then moved up to her neck as a lace draped on her arm.

Startled, she swiftly turned around and aimed her dagger at the person who boldly kissed her, only to find herself inexplicably lifted in the air.

"Ah!"

Within moments, she discovered herself pinned down on a bed by an unfamiliar man who had carried and tossed her onto the bed. The dim light emitted by a nearby lamp failed to illuminate the man's features, leaving Sumire unable to discern his appearance, except for a pair of red-glowing eyes in the darkness.

The warm breath from his lips stirred an unfamiliar sensation within her. As she struggled beneath him in an attempt to break free from his firm hold, he proceeded to position his knee between her thighs, applying pressure and provocation. His tall stature and aloof demeanor made her feel small and defenseless.

"We've finally met, my creepy stalker," Sumire remarked wryly upon encountering her unsettling pursuer.

The man possesses a large and imposing physique. Loomed over her, his actions and presence exuding a sense of darkness and threat.

He leaned in closely, his lips exploring every corner of her skin, as his red eyes, brightened by her intoxicating scent, fixated on her.

Dark and foreboding, a sinister grin appeared on his face, and a fang extended slowly, adding an eerie touch to the encounter. In a deep, husky, and compelling tone, he murmurs.

"Hi, my beloved mate."