Chapter 2 The night I met the monster

Emily’s POV

Five minutes later, I had already put on my gloves and was ready to leave. The only problem was that I was still waiting for Penny to return.

“Let’s go, Ems!” Penny suddenly yelled from behind me, startling the life out of me.

She was such a walking dead! Well, technically, she was actually dead.

All vampires were dead, and that was what made us different from humans. Just because we had weak, beating hearts didn’t mean we were alive. Especially considering that some of us had been turned into vampires.

“Do you want to give me a heart attack?” I yelled at her.

She rolled her eyes and walked out of my room through the door.

Wow. What a rare sight! She was actually using a door instead of jumping out of a window or somewhere high.

A miracle had just occurred.

I glanced down at my gown. It made me feel a little puffy, but it was surprisingly lightweight.

A few minutes later, we were already inside a limousine belonging to her family. We should arrive at the palace in no time.

“Don’t you find it weird that the king is still a bachelor?” I asked, breaking the silence.

She looked up from her phone and turned towards me.

“It really is weird. He should be over three hundred years old, but he still looks twenty-six,” she said.

I stared at her in disbelief.

Damn! That man was old.

“But I actually learnt something from my grandfather,” she continued in a slightly sceptical tone.

Her grandfather was the Supreme Commander of all warriors, the highest-ranking position among them.

“Werewolves are granted mates by their so called Moon Goddess. Their equal and soulmate, someone they’re supposed to spend eternity with. But it mostly happens among werewolves,” she explained. “Since he’s also a werewolf, maybe the Moon Goddess hasn’t granted him a mate yet.”

I scoffed internally.

Of course, he didn’t have a mate. Why would the so called Moon Goddess grant a monster like him a mate?

I didn’t know much about werewolves because we didn’t live together. Wolves lived in packs, while vampires lived among humans, witches, and hunters, although a few wolves lived among us too.

I wasn’t allowed to go out much, which explained why I was clueless about so many things. Thankfully, Penny was always there to provide the information I desperately lacked.

“Well, I guess he deserves it,” I said with a shrug.

Penny gave me a pointed look but

decided not to respond.

“Here we are, ma’am,” the driver announced.

I looked through the window, and there it was.

Hamilton Palace.

It was the most beautiful and mystical place I had ever seen. The palace had always stood out in all of Blackthorn, and I’d often felt a strange sense of longing whenever I drove past it.

But what exactly was I longing for?

And why did I always feel as though someone was watching me whenever I passed by?

The castle was massive, with high Gothic towers rising into the dark, cloudy sky. Its black walls were covered in intricate carvings, pointed arches, and narrow windows glowing with warm golden light. Several smaller towers surrounded the main building, each crowned with sharp spires.

A large stone bridge led to the grand entrance. Old-fashioned lanterns lined its walls, casting a warm glow across the pavement. Neatly trimmed gardens surrounded the castle, making the entire place look grand, ancient, and incredibly intimidating.

A royal footman opened the car door and bowed his head in greeting before extending his hand to help me out.

Thank goodness I was wearing gloves. I hated strangers touching me.

I took his hand and carefully stepped out of the limousine. Penny climbed out right behind me and helped adjust my gown.

We linked arms and walked into the castle.

I was pretty sure my jaw had already hit the floor.

The entrance was breathtaking, with a touch of mystery that made the entire place feel almost unreal. A grand staircase stood in the centre, leading to the upper floors, while tall pillars and intricately carved walls surrounded the room. Old paintings and statues decorated the walls, adding to the palace’s ancient charm.

Candles along the walls and a massive chandelier above provided most of the light.

“Close your mouth before a bug flies in,” Penny chuckled beside me.

I immediately shut it.

Maids hurried from one place to another, carrying trays of food, drinks, and other things needed for the evening.

“Hello, ladies.” A butler suddenly appeared behind us. “Please, follow me to the ballroom.”

“Thank you, sir,” I replied politely.

We followed him through a door, climbed the staircase behind it, and walked down a hallway until we stopped in front of a large wooden door.

The butler opened it, and we stepped inside.

The ballroom was beautiful and brightly lit. A huge chandelier hung from the centre of the ceiling, its light illuminating the wall paintings and intricate carvings until everything looked almost ethereal.

The dancing had already begun, and I looked down at the guests moving gracefully across the floor below.

The staircase leading to the ground floor was only a few feet away from me.

“This is so pretty. Thank you for bringing me here, Penny,” I said with a smile.

I’d never imagined that I would actually get the chance to attend this ball.

“It’s no biggie.” She smiled back and wiggled her eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes at her antics before looking around, feeling slightly nervous.

“I’m thirsty. Should I get you a drink too?” Penny asked.

I nodded.

She turned and left, disappearing into the crowd.

As I stood there, a warm, overwhelming feeling settled deep in my chest.

I couldn’t explain it.

I started walking in the opposite direction, moving farther away from the staircase. My parents could be anywhere on the lower floor, and the last thing I needed was to run into them.

As I walked, I noticed a few people staring at me from the upper floor.

“Who is she?”

“She’s so beautiful.”

“Is she a princess?”

Their whispers made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to receiving so much attention, and I had no idea what to do with it.

I kept my head lowered, watching the guests dancing on the floor below without paying attention to where I was going.

Then I suddenly collided with a hard wall.

Ouch!

I pressed my hand against the side of my aching head.

But I didn’t remember seeing a wall there earlier.

Unless…

I slowly looked up.

At the same time, I heard people greeting someone with respect.

“Welcome, Your Majesty,” they said, their voices polite and graceful.

Your… Your Majesty?!

I lifted my head, and my eyes widened in shock. A jolt of embarrassment and fear shot down my spine.

Holy shit!

King Caesar stood right in front of me, looking unfairly handsome.

His light-blonde hair was slightly tousled, while his golden eyes held a calm yet intimidating gaze as he stared down at me. He had a pointed nose, thin pink lips, and a sharp jawline that could probably make half the women in the room forget their own names.

He wore a black velvet coat decorated with gold embroidery over a loose white shirt, complemented by layered gold chains and a unique crystal pendant. His fitted trousers were held up by a black-and-gold belt, and polished black shoes completed the outfit. A white-and-black velvet royal mantle draped elegantly over his shoulders.

How could someone who looked this good be a monster?

“What am I thinking?” I mentally scolded myself.

I should be worrying about whether he was going to kill me, not admiring his face!

I needed to find a way to escape him.

I quickly bowed my head.

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t see you coming. Please forgive my ignorance.”

My words came out rushed, but he didn’t respond.

His eyes remained fixed on me, as though he were looking straight into my soul.

Suddenly, warmth spread throughout my body. An unfamiliar pull, or perhaps attraction began clouding my thoughts.

Why was I feeling this way towards him?

I quickly stepped back, staring at him in confusion. Then, gathering both sides of my gown, I turned and bolted out of the ballroom.

What was he doing to me?

I asked myself as I hurried away from the loud music and crowded guests.

Somehow, I found myself in the open field behind the castle.

My vampire speed could be a little over the top sometimes.

I slowed to a walk, wondering if coming here tonight had been a huge mistake. It was my first time seeing Caesar in person, and I couldn’t believe that was how our first encounter had gone.

What if word reached my parents?

Then again, I doubted they would recognise me. I hadn’t come face-to-face with them, and no one knew I was related to them.

Suddenly, a deep masculine voice growled behind me, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Why did you run away, love?”