I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door. I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "Come in."The door opened, and Lyn came into view with worry in her eyes."What's wrong?" I asked her."The King summoned you. "Get ready quickly." She said in a hurried tone, which made my mood drop. I was expecting it in my mind, but I didn't expect to meet him so soon. Either way, it's good. I thought."Kristen, are you okay?" She asked, placing her arms on my shoulder. I nodded.I hurried through my morning routine, finally deciding on a white gown that Lyn insisted I wear. I paired it with stud earrings, a silver bracelet, and black heels, letting my hair fall loose. The ruby pendant glowed vibrantly against my chest, so I left it outside the dress, feeling elegant and confident.As I followed Lyn and a few guards to the king's office, panic began to rise within me. The guards outside looked surprised; they expected a frightened girl, but I stood tall, smiling despite the churn of fear in my stomach. Lyn glanced at me, her surprise evident.The guards opened the door, but one stopped Lyn from entering. Every part of me screamed to turn back, but I pushed through, knowing I had to be brave. I stepped inside the large room, filled with documents and books, and felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety wash over me. The king wasn't here yet, and being alone made my heart race.I walked to the window, opening it for fresh air, trying to calm my nerves. Ever since arriving at the castle, I had disliked the king. His intimidating gaze unsettled me the most. I heard footsteps approaching, and I took a deep breath, focusing on the sound. The door opened, and there he was.He looked different from our last meeting, dressed in a sleek black suit that made him more handsome than William. He stood at the door, taking in my outfit before his gaze fixed on my ruby pendant, lingering for a moment before meeting my eyes."Hello, Kristen," he said softly, his evil smile sending a chill down my spine. I held my breath, sensing something off in his expression. "Are you okay?" His concern seemed insincere, shifting rapidly."Yes," I replied steadily, meeting his gaze without flinching. He looked surprised."You look so much like her," he remarked, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. I recoiled at his touch, stepping back."Take a seat," he instructed, settling onto the sofa. I followed, feeling unusually defiant today."I heard about last night's incident. I'm impressed by how you fought off the vampires," he said, sipping from a glass that looked suspiciously like blood. A lump formed in my throat."Thanks," I muttered, my heart racing."I missed the show, but I heard you burned a dozen of them with a single gesture. Am I right?" He looked at me with pride."I guess," I replied, trying to manage the buzzing sensation coursing through me."You're a bold girl, just as I expected. I hope you're ready to fight by my side," he said, his gaze intense. Panic surged within me as I struggled to respond. "I don't know what you expect from me, but I'm not ready for any kind of fight," I managed to say, glancing at his piercing eyes."You'll be fine as long as you're by my side," he replied calmly."Can I ask you something?" I finally found the courage to speak."Yes," he smiled, as if he anticipated my question."Why did you make the vampires attack me twice? Was it to help me awaken my powers or to kill me?" The words tumbled out.He laughed, a deep, unsettling sound. "What made you think I was behind this?""Because I know how powerful you are. You warned everyone at the ball not to attack me, yet it happened twice, and this time they even attacked William. I don't believe such an attack could happen in your castle without your permission." My anger surged, and he noticed as my eyes shifted color. His gaze darkened in response."You never fail to amaze me, love. You're not just beautiful, but smart too," he said, tilting his head. His change in demeanor made me uneasy as he moved to the window, blood-filled glass in hand."I know you have questions. Yes, I planned the attack—not to kill you, but to help you know your powers. If I wanted you dead, I could have done that easily. You're valuable to me and my kingdom, and I will keep you safe by my side," he said, stepping closer. A shiver ran down my spine.He took my pendant in his hand, smiling as he said, "You look so much like her." My heart sank as I realized he meant his late wife."You belong with me," he stated, pulling me against him in a tight embrace. I gasped in shock, trying to break free, but his grip was unyielding. "You even smell like her," he growled.Fueled by anger, I called on my powers, throwing him across the room. My eyes glowed brightly, and I felt a surge of energy coursing through me. How dare he? I clenched my fists to regain control.But in an instant, he was back, yanking my hair and pressing me against him. His fangs brushed my neck, and panic shot through me. Before I could react, he bit down. A sharp scream escaped my lips as pain radiated from the wound. My powers faltered, drowned by his hunger, and I felt helpless.After what felt like an eternity, he released me. I crumpled to the floor, blood trickling down my arm from the open wound, clutching my neck in agony."And that, dear," He leaned down a bit, lifting my chin up with his finger, "Is what you get for disrespecting me." He said and his eyes started to change color from black to red, it looked like he was losing control. My body shook in fear."Please..." was all that came out, "please don't," I begged, knowing well that it wasn't going to work. He took a step closer until there was only an inch's gap between us."Your blood smells wonderful," he said, wiping the bead of blood from my forehead with his finger and licking it. He got hold of my arm and pulled me closer as he spoke."I was wondering why I shouldn't keep you for myself." He said, and my stomach turned even more. He laughed, looking at my shocked expression. "Relax, dear." He spoke slowly."All you have to do is give yourself to me," he said, his lips inching closer to my neck. "Your blood is exhilarating; I want more." His hand trailed along my waist, and a shiver of dread shot through me."Now I know why William wants you, even though you aren't his mate." His words struck me hard, like a punch to the gut. Fueled by anger, I shoved him and ran for the door, but it wouldn't budge. He laughed, a maniacal sound that echoed in the room.So this was his plan—to awaken my powers and claim me. He approached slowly, eyes locked on me like a predator."P-Please don't hurt me," I cried, but he grabbed my arm and threw me to the ground, climbing on top of me as I struggled."I can claim you right now, and I will see who dares to stop me." His grip tightened around my hips, his lips brushing my neck."Please let me go," I pleaded, voice shaking. He yanked me up and slammed me back down, pain exploding in my head."I am your king, and you will do whatever I please, understood?" he spat, his fury palpable.Desperate to escape, I struggled but his grip was unyielding. Just then, the double doors swung open, and I heard a familiar voice."What the hell! Get away from her!" William shouted, lunging forward and pushing his father away from me.I sobbed, burying my face in William's shirt, tears streaming down my cheeks."What were you trying to do with her?" William roared, anger radiating from him."She is mine," the king snarled, but William lunged at him, only to be caught by the neck and thrown across the room like a rag doll. The king was much stronger."Do you want her even though you have a mate out there?" the king asked, eyeing William as he struggled to rise."Yes, I don't care about that mate," William shouted, fury igniting his words. "I like Kristen, and I'll make her mine at any cost.""Even if you can't love her?" the king pressed."Yes!" William's voice was raw with rage, his eyes turning red.My heart raced as I processed this. He has a mate, yet he wants me. Lyn had told me that supernatural beings couldn't love anyone but their mates. Why did William want me, knowing this?"Now you know, love," the king said, looking at me. "He doesn't love you; he just wants you." His laughter sent chills down my spine.Betrayal washed over me as I met William's horrified gaze. I thought he liked me, but to hear that he wanted to possess me? With a surge of anger, I slapped his cheek before I could stop myself. The pain in my neck flared, and I bit my lip to stifle a cry."Is that true?" I asked, my heart sinking at his silence. I dashed for the door and fled to my room.As I ran past John, his shock was evident when he saw my bloody appearance. "Kristen," he called, grabbing my hand to stop me."Leave me alone!" I shouted, trying to pull away. It was easier to face vampires than to confront someone I knew."Kristen, look at me," he said gently, lifting my chin to meet his gaze. My tears flowed harder as I saw genuine concern mixed with anger in his eyes when he noticed the bite mark on my neck and the blood staining my chest."Who did this to you?" John's voice was thick with anger, his eyes glowing blood red.I cried, clutching him tightly. "I don't want to be here. Please take me somewhere," I sobbed. He bit his palm, offering his blood to heal my wound, but I flinched away."Kristen, you're losing too much blood. This will help," he insisted, stepping closer, but I shook my head.When William approached, John instinctively moved to shield me. I hid behind him, gripping his shirt."John, leave. I want to talk to her," William commanded, his tone chilling.John stood firm. "William, whatever happened, you should give her space," he replied calmly.William tried to push past him, but John held him back. "Let her calm down first. You know what happens when she gets angry," John warned.William stepped back, glaring. "I'll see you later, Kristen," he said, storming off."Are you okay?" John asked softly."Yes," I managed, wiping my tears."Let's go," he said, taking my hand. As we walked in silence, I could sense his anger simmering just below the surface. It comforted me to know he cared enough to stand up for me."Get some rest, and use your powers if you can. Keep the door closed; only I and Lyn will come in. I'll have guards posted," he said, offering a tight smile.I sighed. "There's no need for guards. I can protect myself. Thanks, John," I replied, forcing a sad smile. The events from earlier weighed heavily on me. I needed to talk to Lyn before the King made his next move. William's words felt like lies; to him, I was just a pet he wanted to keep by his side. The thought ignited a fresh rage within me, and I struggled to hide it from John. I couldn't drag him into this chaos.Once John left, I locked the door with a spell. My legs felt weak from the blood loss, but I managed to reach the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I gasped at the two puncture marks on my neck. "That bastard," I muttered, my eyes glowing with fury. I concentrated, and the wounds began to close, leaving my skin flawless.After stripping off my blood-stained clothes and washing up, I changed into a nightdress. Climbing into bed, sleep eluded me. A sense of impending doom settled over me; I was too familiar with these signs. I braced myself for whatever the day might bring.