I stepped out of the shower, shivering at the thought of wearing the same dirty clothes again. I scanned the small cabin, hoping to find something clean, but there was nothing. Tightening the bathrobe around myself, I hesitated before heading back into the main room.A sudden knock on the door made me jump. My heart pounded as I crept over and peeked outside.William stood there, a warm smile on his face. "I brought you some clothes," he said, holding out a small bundle. I took them from his hands—a T-shirt, shorts, and undergarments. They looked soft and comfortable. I felt my cheeks flush."Thank you," I mumbled, trying to smile back.The rich smell of coffee filled the air, and my stomach grumble loudly. William chuckled. "I'm making a sandwich. Want to join me?" He turned and headed into the kitchen without waiting for a response.I hesitated, then decided to follow him. I needed to understand what was going on and why he brought me here. Maybe if I played along, I could find a way out."Hi," he greeted me with a deep voice. I forced a small smile, trying to look relaxed."Take a seat," he gestured, his smile almost disarming. I couldn't help but notice how perfect he looked—his hair combed back, his sharp nose, those striking eyes. He moved with such grace, every step effortless. My heart fluttered for a moment, but I reminded myself to stay focused.I sat down, my stomach rumbling again, and he laughed softly. His laugh was almost soothing, but I couldn't forget the danger.I clenched my fists under the table, my mind racing. I had to stay strong, act like I was warming up to him, and find a way out of this mess.As I gazed at him, I noticed his lips twitching at the corner. "Is everything okay?" he asked, breaking me out of my thoughts."Yeah," I said, lowering my head. "Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Anne. She must be freaking out about my sudden disappearance and I need to make sure she's okay." I tried to persuade him with an innocent face, hoping that he would understand and trust me. He sighed, and I held my breath, waiting for his response."John has taken care of the situation at your home," William said casually, but his words made me freeze. My eyes shot up to meet his, filled with alarm."What?! Did you send that arrogant bastard to my aunt?" I snapped, panic rising in my chest. "Tell me he didn't hurt her!"I stood up, my heart racing. "She'll figure it out—John was involved in my disappearance. If my aunt reported me missing, he'd be the first suspect. And you'd be next!" I could hear the desperation in my own voice, my hands clutching my head as if to hold myself together.William's expression was calm, even amused, which only made my blood boil. "Why are you smiling?" I demanded, anger flaring."John didn't hurt your aunt," he answered calmly. "He just compelled her to believe you went to visit your parents. She's safe. She won't remember anything about the dinner or your disappearance."I stared at him, distrust heavy in my voice. "I don't trust him." My heart pounded with a mix of anger and fear, my mind racing with all the ways this could go wrong."I heard that!" John sneered as he swaggered into the cabin, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Miss me?" His mocking tone made my skin crawl.I clenched my fists, barely holding back my anger. "What did you do to Anne?" I demanded through gritted teeth.He shrugged casually. "I compelled her to believe you're visiting your parents and won't be back for a while."I scoffed, disbelief washing over me. "And she just... believed that?"John's smirk widened. "That's what compulsion is, dear. She can't question me."I felt my frustration boil over. "But my friends will notice I'm missing. You can't compel the entire college!" I shot back, my voice rising in panic.John's eyes glinted with amusement. "I have someone watching over them. So, stop freaking out," he sneered.William let out a low, threatening growl beside me, and I felt a surge of tension crackle in the air."Do not speak to her like that!" William's voice cut through the air, his glare piercing right through John.A smile crept its way onto my face without knowing. I couldn't show any emotion, not now.Then, I heard it—a low, menacing growl from outside the cabin. My stomach twisted in fear. My heart pounded in my chest as I glanced at William and John, who both stood still, alert. They signaled me to be quiet, their bodies tense, listening closely. I noticed a flicker of red in their eyes, and I felt a mix of awe and terror. They looked like they were ready to pounce, to defend against whatever was lurking out there.Suddenly, John bolted out of the cabin, moving faster before my eyes could follow his movement. I stood there, my breath caught in my throat, alone with William. He turned to me with a forced smile, trying to calm me."What's happening?" I asked, my voice shaking."Nothing," He said suddenly and I turned my head to look into his eyes. His face was unreadable."But I heard something," I insisted nervously."You don't have to worry when I'm here." William reassured me and placed his hand on my shoulder.His words were supposed to comfort me, but the fear still clung to my insides.I straightened my shoulders, forcing myself to look composed. I couldn't show any fear. I needed to act strong, to figure out what was really happening. But deep down, all I wanted was to be back home, away from this mess.I sank into the sofa, trying to calm my swirling thoughts. William sat near the door, holding a book, and gave me a reassuring smile. I closed my eyes, then opened them repeatedly, needing to see him there. Exhaustion soon overwhelmed me, and I fell asleep almost instantly.This was the longest I'd ever slept. The constant tension and arguments with the vampires had drained me. I wasn't weak, but I wasn't strong either. I longed to hear Stanley's voice again. He had communicated with me in my head, and I wasn't sure if he was real or magic. But I hoped he was real and that we'd meet someday. I closed my eyes and wished for him once more.Suddenly, Stanley's voice filled my mind, gentle and comforting."Kristen," he spoke softly, his tone warm."I miss you. I wish I could meet you," I thought, feeling a pang of longing."I miss you too," he replied, his voice heavy with pain."Do you know where I am?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.There was a pause, a moment of tense silence. "This wasn't supposed to happen. The vampires aren't a big threat right now," he said, his voice filled with regret."So you know about vampires? Are you one of them?" My palms began to sweat, anxiety gripping me."No, I am not a vampire, Kristen.""There are things I can't explain right now. But I will come for you very soon," he promised, his voice soothing yet firm."I'm scared. I don't know what they're planning to do to me.""They will not harm you for now. Listen carefully. When you meet the King, never show your emotions. You must appear strong," Stanley instructed, his voice urgent and serious.Before he could finish, William's growl pierced through the silence, jolting me awake. Stanley's voice faded into the darkness. My heart raced as I blinked awake, trying to shake off the lingering fear."Kristen!""Did you have a nightmare?" His fingers touched my chin, guiding my head upward. The contact sent shivers down my spine, and when I looked into William's green eyes, I swallowed the lump in my throat."Yes," I replied, moving away from his touch. His eyes turned to worry. "You scared me for a second," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose."It's okay, you're safe now," he said, brushing my hair away from my sweaty face. We just sat there, staring into each other's eyes. So many emotions swirled in William's eyes, and shades of red flickered among the green. I could feel the pain of my lack of trust fill his eyes as we continued to look at each other. His eyes begged me to open up, but I couldn't.John's heavy footsteps and the slamming open of the door made us break our eye contact and look at him in unison. He looked like he had just come out of a war zone, with disheveled hair and blood covering his shirt.William's shoulder tensed, taken aback by their look at John."What happened?" He asked, covering me behind him in a protective way."Werewolves happened! He answered casually."Kristen!"William's voice jolted me awake. His fingers touched my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. His touch sent a shiver down my spine. I looked into his worried green eyes and swallowed hard."Yes," I mumbled, trying to pull away from his touch. His concern was palpable."You scared me for a second," he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His eyes held a mix of pain and frustration, begging me to open up, but I couldn't.Before I could respond, John barged in, his heavy footsteps and the sound of the door slamming open breaking our eye contact. He looked like he had been through a war—his hair was a mess, and his shirt was stained with blood.William's shoulders tensed. "What happened?" he asked, stepping in front of me protectively."Werewolves!" John said casually, looking at me. My heart froze."I don't know how they found us, but they're after her," John continued. "I saw four of them at the border. They attacked me. I killed two. The Witch cast a new protection spell, but we need to leave before they bring more. Now that they know she's with us," he finished, glaring at me."John, stop! Don't freak her out," William hissed."Whatever. Get ready. We're leaving now!" John insisted."We can't leave now. It's not safe at night. We'll leave early tomorrow," William said firmly, cutting off any further argument."Kristen, don't worry. Go to your room.""What did he mean by werewolves looking for me?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Why are they after me?" Panic surged again, my chest tightening with fear."They can't breach through the spell of the Witches. They can lurk around but they can't enter the territory. I told you earlier there are other supernatural creatures looking for you. You are safe with us." He said calmly. I nodded and made my way back to the room.I woke up to a strange, peaceful quiet. Stretching my arms, I saw the first snowflakes drifting past the window. It reminded me of my childhood—simpler days spent laughing with friends and playing in the snow. A pang of nostalgia hit me, mixing with the cold reality of my current situation.I slipped out of bed and walked to the door, my heart aching with the memory of those easier times. As I opened it, William was there, waiting. He draped a fur coat around me, his hands gentle despite my coldness. The coat smelled like him—a mix of cedar and something faintly sweet. It was warm, but it didn't quite chase away the chill in my heart."It's snowing," he said softly. "Ready?"The words jolted me back to the present. The realization that we were leaving for the vampire land hit me like a wave. I nodded, staring out at the snow-covered ground, feeling a mix of dread and resignation.John's dark-tinted Range Rover was parked outside, a stark contrast to the delicate snowflakes. He leaned against the car, his expression unreadable. I slipped into the front seat as instructed. William settled in beside me, while John and the witch took the back.The witch was on edge, her gaze flicking nervously between me and the window. I caught her eyes for a moment; she seemed to sense something about me, something that made her uncomfortable.William shot a warning glance at the witch. "Don't speak to her," he commanded, his voice firm. The witch nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on the back of my head.I sighed and turned to the window. The woods blurred past, shadows flickering like ghosts among the trees. I felt something inside me stir, an inexplicable pull, urging me to look closer. As I leaned forward, my heart began to race. Then, out of the darkness, a pair of amber eyes caught mine.My breath hitched. The eyes were sharp, wild, glowing with an otherworldly light. I strained my eyes, trying to make out more, and saw a figure—a wolf, massive and shadowy—running parallel to our car but far deeper in the woods. I felt a chill creep up my spine, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. I couldn't tear my eyes away.The wolf's stare pierced through me like it was looking straight into my soul. My chest tightened, and panic bubbled up inside me. I forced myself to look away, my breath ragged, trying to steady the pounding in my chest."What's wrong?" William's voice cut through the silence."Nothing," I replied flatly, though my voice shook slightly. I could feel his eyes on me, searching, probing for something I wasn't ready to share. I turned back toward the window, unable to resist the urge to look again.But the wolf was gone. Only the dense trees remained, shrouded in mist. My pulse quickened, my skin tingling with the remnants of fear. Had I imagined it? Was it paranoia, creeping in and clouding my mind? Or was William right—was something or someone really trying to harm me.I swallowed hard, my mouth dry, and forced myself to breathe. The tension in the car was thick, every second stretching painfully long. The witch's eyes burned into my back like she could sense my fear, and William's presence felt heavier, closer. I couldn't tell if it was him or the wolf I was more afraid of now.As William drove the car, his mind drifted back to his father, Edmund Michaelson. Edmund was notorious for his ruthless and cruel rule as the King of Ontario. The stories of his tyranny and the fear he instilled in his subjects were totally opposite to him.William remembered his mother vividly. She was a powerful queen, her kindness won her the admiration of the kingdom. She was bold and never feared to do what was right for the people.The world William knew shattered on his fifth birthday. The memory of his mother's death was a painful and dark scar on his soul.Flashback:The sound of screams filled the air, sending a jolt of terror through William. His heart pounded as he opened the door and was met with a scene of utter chaos. The once beautiful castle was now a battlefield. The metallic scent of blood was overpowering, mingling with the sight of red-stained walls and lifeless bodies scattered across the floor. Soldiers and witches lay day on the floor, their soulless eyes staring into the void.A guard, his face etched with fear, grabbed William's hand and yanked him towards the third wing. William's legs felt like lead, weighed down by fear as he stumbled alongside the guard. The corridors, once familiar, now seemed like a labyrinth of horror.Suddenly, an old woman appeared before them. Her white hair and twisted face made her look otherworldly, and her long, blood-coated nails gleamed menacingly. Before William could react, he heard the sickening crack of the guard's neck breaking behind him. He gasped in terror as the woman's bloodshot eyes fixed on him, her sinister presence filling the air with an even greater sense of dread."Mother!" William screamed, his voice breaking with panic as he ran away from the attacking witch. The woman's sinister chuckle echoed behind him. Just as he felt the icy grip of fear tightening around him, his mother appeared in an instant. She stood firm and with a swift movement, she grabbed the witch by the neck.The witch's eyes widened in shock, her arrogance replaced by fear. His mother fought fiercely, punching and kicking the witch until she was forced backward. With a final, brutal blow, she ripped the witch's heart from her chest.Turning to William, his mother's face softened. She scooped him into her arms, her gaze intense yet tender. "Darling, do not be afraid. You are safe. The castle is under attack, and you must not leave this room at any cost, do you understand?"William clung to her, tears streaming down his face. "Mother, please don't leave me alone," he pleaded, his voice choked with fear."I'll be back, darling. Your father needs me right now. I've cast a spell on this room. No one will be able to get through that door. You are my brave little warrior, aren't you?" Her voice was steady, full of pride."Yes, mother," William managed, forcing a tearful smile through his fear.William's mother placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "That's my boy. You must not come out of this room until I or your father comes to get you, okay?" She said, her voice soft but firm. William nodded, his eyes wide with fear.She locked the door and muttered a spell. A bright light filled the room, and a powerful energy surrounded the door. The room was bathed in a warm glow, and William felt the protective magic settle around him. The noise outside faded away, and he felt a sense of security knowing his mother was protecting him.The deep-rooted hatred between witches and vampires simmered in the background of William's thoughts. His mother's death had cemented this enmity. Witches, with their connection to nature and the earth, used spells and rituals to harness natural power. Vampires, seen as soulless and immortal, defied the natural order, feeding on the blood of the living.There was a treaty signed by both races to protect humans. Witches took on the responsibility of collecting blood from human hospitals and supplying it to us, while vampires protected them from any threat. However, the relationship broke when his mother, a pure-blood witch, married his father.William glanced at Kristen as she slept during the ride back to the castle. Her skin was pale and flawless, her golden-brown eyes peaceful in rest. He was captivated by her beauty. The thought of their uncertain future weighed on him, but his resolve to protect her remained strong.As Kristen's eyes opened, they met his gaze. William gently stroked her hair. "Did you sleep well?" he asked softly, his voice tender and caring.William watched as Kristen moved away from his touch, just as she had before. Her distance towards him made him worried. He noticed the way her wounds seemed to heal quickly—likely due to their shared blood bond.Their mission was to gain her trust and bring her safely to the castle. John's actions had made that much harder. William felt a strong protective bond with Kristen, despite his father's wish for a mate from a royal vampire family. Kristen felt like his soul mate.William stepped on the gas, eager to reach the castle. The drive was mostly silent, with occasional glances between them. He ignored John's bickering with the witch and focused on Kristen and his growing feelings for her.As we neared the towering golden gates, my heart raced. The castle looked like a gateway to heaven, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it might be a gateway to hell instead.William explained the security system, but I barely heard him. My eyes were fixed on the intimidating security guards in black suits standing by the gate. They made me feel uneasy and scared.Noticing my discomfort, William placed a reassuring hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. I tried to smile, but it felt forced and awkward.The castle's exterior was breathtaking, surrounded by a beautifully manicured garden with a stunning white marble fountain in the center. For a moment, I was mesmerized by its beauty.When the car stopped, I nervously fidgeted with my fingers. William opened the passenger door for me, but two young women standing at the entrance scrutinized me with sharp eyes. Their gaze made me feel small and exposed.I tried to hold my head up high, but unease lingered. What was waiting for me inside this castle? What secrets did it hold?As we stepped inside, my heart pounded with dread. I had a sense that my life was about to change forever. Little did I know, the biggest surprise was still to come.