You Rejected Me. Remember?

Draven stared into mist as he stood at the balcony of his palace. He had no desire to go outside of the palace. He wanted to be there when Monica woke up. His eyes darted towards the sky. He knew the sun would rise within a few hours. By then all the doors and windows of the palace should be tightly closed.

From where he stood, he could clearly see the flags of the prestigious vampire kingdom waving in the distance. It was night time and dark, however, the vampire’s gift of night vision enabled Draven to see through the darkness without any trouble.

He grimaced at the sight. His father was stupid to believe him when he said that he was going to live in the human city for a couple of months while in reality, he was perfecting his plan to attack them and take the throne for himself. Making a coalition with the werewolves and finding Monica was not in his plan. He had always thought that no woman could make his heart flutter, but just one glance at her innocent face proved him wrong.

So he wanted her as his bride. As his partner. And when he wins the war against his brother, he would announce her as his wife. But before that, he needed to mark her as his, so that no one else could claim her.

“Your Majesty. She has woken up.”

Draven blinked when he heard his faithful guard. His lips curved upwards slowly in a sly grin.

“Perfect,” mumbling, he turned around. “Now leave us alone. I need to speak with her alone.”

The warden bowed and walked towards the stairs. Taking in a deep breath, Draven straightened the collar of his long jacket and strolled towards his private chamber. The sound of muffled grunts made him smirk when he opened the door. His heart fluttered as soon as his eyes rested on the young girl who was struggling against the ropes that tied her to the bed. The fear that reflected in her eyes as she stared at him, made him chuckle.

“Hello princess. How are you?” He snickered.

Monica continued to try to break free, however, the knots were too tight. She felt her chest constrict in fear when she saw the pale stranger saunter over to her. She was trying to remember how she got here. She was waiting for Cade to return. Then why did she wake up to find herself tied up?

“He is a vampire,” Asena told her, and Monica’s eyes widened. She felt like she wanted to dig a hole and jump inside to escape this psycho. However, she was bound in such a way that she couldn’t budge.

She stared in utter horror when he reached out for her and removed the covering on her mouth. His cold, emotionless eyes studied her face as he traced her lips with his cold thumb.

“Monica, you are so beautiful,” he mumbled in a whisper.

Monica shuddered. She loved to hear Cade say that. But this vampire was just creepy. Frowning, she looked away from him. She didn’t want to look into his eyes.

That voice…. She frowned.

“That is the same voice we heard before. He must have hypnotised you. A vampiric trance will block me. No wonder I was confused all this time,” Asena’s explanation made Monica gulp.

“Whatever you do, don’t make eye contact with him. He might use his powers again,” Asena warned and went silent.

Monica’s heart raced. She couldn’t move but she had to find a way to escape the clutches of this crazy vampire.

“What do you want?” Her voice was firm, despite her anxiety.

“You,” He chuckled. “I want you as my bride!”

“What the….” Asena didn’t expect that.

His statement made her furious. Her fear suddenly changed to immense rage. She was once again captured by a crazy lunatic!

“Bride? Is this how you treat your bride? You abduct her and tie her up?” She retorted as she felt her face heat up in fury.

Draven raised an eyebrow in amusement. His lips stretched in a smile. He liked a feisty female.

She was perfect. He thought.

“I would let you go, princess. But if you agree to give me a chance,” he spoke.

“What chance? You cannot abduct me from my home and expect me to give you any chance!” Monica sneered.

“Go girl,” Asena cheered her on.

“Let me go!” Monica demanded.

Sighing, Draven sat beside her. “Look, princess, I can put you to sleep and mark you by force. But I don’t want that. I want you as my bride. I want to have you while you are fully aware and conscious. I don’t want to use my powers on you.” He spoke as softly as he could.

Monica stared at him. Nonetheless, she carefully avoided making eye contact and then rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“It’s a bit too late for that, isn’t it?” She scoffed. “You have hypnotised me already and brought me here without my consent.”

Draven felt his patience run thin. He couldn’t understand why women had to be so difficult to deal with. He liked fiery chicks, but not when he had to deal with their sass. He suddenly sprung up from where he sat.

“Just marry me! I can give you wealth and power! We can rule the vampire kingdom together. You can have as much money as you ask for! Just be my bride and my partner on the bed!” He exclaimed, clenching his fists in frustration.

Monica scoffed. Staying with Cade and being loved by them had increased her confidence. She was no longer the timid girl who could be pushed around. She had learnt that she too was needed. Cade needs her. He wants her. And for him, she would preserve herself.

“In your dreams, bloodsucker,” she snickered.

Draven couldn’t believe his ears. Who wouldn’t want to share a prestigious throne? Why wouldn’t she want the wealth he could offer her? This woman was unbelievable.

“Why? Don’t you want to be the Queen? Don’t you desire to be addressed as the most beautiful vampire Queen who ever lived?” He expressed his curiosity.

Monica started to laugh in amusement. “Why would I want to share a throne with you? You just kidnapped me and now you are demanding me to marry you? That’s pathetic!”

Draven felt his anger skyrocket. No one has ever had the guts to argue with him. He was used to having everything he wanted. Everything, except the crown. Since he didn’t stand a chance to inherit the crown, he was going to snatch that away.

Infuriated, he stormed towards the cupboard where he had kept his whips. His eyes were wide in fury when he returned.

“Oh, princess. I’m used to having everything I want. If you don’t agree to be my bride, I will force you into submission.” He warned.

Yet his threats didn’t bother her. She simply snickered as she glanced in his direction.

“Do you think a simple whip will scare me? I’ve been through worse!” She sneered.

“I’m with you,” she heard Asena support her.

Draven beat her using his whip. Yet none of those beatings seemed to waver her determination. She winced as the whip made contact with her skin. It was painful. She wouldn’t lie. However, there was no way that she would give in to a vampire.

After beating her black and blue, Draven threw his whip in frustration. Groaning, he slumped onto the couch that was in front of the bed and stared at her bruised form. She wouldn’t give in to his demands. Neither bribery nor torture worked. Shaking his head in annoyance, he took a couple of hundred dollar bills from his pocket and threw them at her.

“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t budge to this!”

Chuckling, she glanced at him, despite the throbbing pain in her body.

“Light those up, and it will burn….” she laughed.

Her laughter was laced with agony. Yet pain wasn’t something new to her. She was used to it.

“Nothing could be worse than being fed wolfsbane, or shackled up in silver,” Asena sneered in her mind. “Don’t give in to him, Monica. I’m with you,” she cheered, giving her human the support she needed.

“You are outrageous!” Draven hissed as he stood up and stormed out of the chamber, leaving Monica alone.

---

Dawn broke. The leaders of the Dark Howl pack had a sleepless night. Cassy and Elliot arrived in the pack as soon as they could. When they did, the war was over and their friends were indulged in a deep discussion.

When Amelia explained everything to the lycan Queen, she was flabbergasted. She never thought that she would have to see a day like this. A day that she would have to declare war against the vampires.

“But I don’t understand…. Their king is responsible.” She frowned.

“It isn’t their king, your majesty,” Amelia spoke softly. “The prince is recruiting the vampire rogues. If I’m not mistaken, his name is Draven,” She explained.

“Draven. The king’s second born!” Elliot mumbled.

“Draven has been recruiting rogues and his father is unaware of that?” Cassy exclaimed. “Damn! We need to arrange a meeting with him at once! But the problem is, he wouldn’t believe mere words. We need to prove it to him.” She tapped on her chin as the creases on her forehead deepened.

“I will help you with that.” Amelia offered.

Nodding her head, “now, let’s make that call. The sun is rising and they will go to sleep soon. We better call them now,” Cassy mumbled.

Miles hastened to make the call as everyone else silently, and eagerly waited for the phone to be answered.