Marked by the Vampire Prince: I’m His Mate, Not His Baby Maker!

Trigger Warning: blood and sudden death

Lyra's POV 

My body felt a strange heat each time we touched but I was too stunned and scared to care.

He hadn't released me, his arms tightening his embrace and I could feel his face pressed against my hair.

Was h-he sniffing me?

"Do you think you could hide from me?" Once again his voice had done something to me that no man had ever done. "I've long memorized your scent and tracked you here weeks ago."

"Then what took you so long?" I challenged him.

"To test you, kitten," he mused. "It was so fascinating to see you hide from your guises, meticulously conceal your scent when I even had to spoon feed them of your whereabouts…" he chuckled. "Yet you outsmarted them—even the mutts. I am impressed." His hand traced my collarbone before he suddenly grabbed my chin, raising my head up as he whispered in my ear.

"Unfortunately, playtime's over. You're coming with me."

"W-Who says I'm c-coming with you?!" I squirmed from his grip. Why was he so damn strong?! If he wasn't a werewolf or an ogre, then what was he?! 

"You will," he said, amusement dancing in his voice. "Besides, kitten…"

He spinned me around, guiding me to face him. 

Leaning in, his breath tickled my ear as he murmured, "I can smell how much you want me."

My breath hitched. My cheeks flamed. And all I could do was to stand there, completely stunned.

H-How could he tell?!

He chuckled as if he had read my thoughts. "You are a fascinating species, kitten." He caressed my hair.

"Stop calling me that!" I slapped his hand away, my glare never faltered. "I don't care what kind of games you are playing but if you are here to punish me for protecting myself, I won't go without putting up a fight!"

"Oh? Is that so?" He leaned my face, his breath brushing against my lips. It was only when I met his gaze–his eyes were a striking shade of gray that they were…hypnotizing.

And based on that smirk, I was sure he had read me like an open book.

"You think I come here seeking revenge for that silly stunt of yours?"

"Is there another reason?" 

"You seem to have forgotten about what I've said, Lyra Ellison." He cupped my chin once more. "You are my fated mate. If your little head couldn't understand the meaning of my words, it means we are meant to consummate our marriage."

"WHAT?! MARRIAGE?!" My feet backed away but he tightened the grip on my chin–yet, not too strong to leave a bruise. I was more surprised that this monster held me like a delicate leaf. 

But before I could retort–feet stormed to our direction. 

"Oh there she is!" 

Thanks to my loud voice, the men in black and that tall regal man in a suit similar to this creature turned their attention to us. 

The two goons were the first ones to run towards our direction. "Hey, that prey is ours!"

"You pathetic creature! We saw her first! We've been chasing that bitch for years! Hand her over! That bounty money is ours–!"

A warm spray hit my face. 

I touched the liquid and stared for a moment.

Red.

Watery–no, it's definitely blood.

Looking at the men, I turned pale. 

Their eyes bulging, slowly staring down to see the crimson blooming across their stomachs. One of them, crimson-stained foot mid-stepped and more blood spills out faster than the other.

With a sickening crack, their bodies tore apart in perfect unison—slumping on the dirty road like discarded meat. 

They had been sliced in half. Just l like that.

Behind them as they dropped, the man they talked to earlier stepped forward. His blood-soaked hand had long sharp nails before they slowly reverted back to its human form. 

"Never insult my master in front of my face," the man hissed, his eyes glowing a menacing red.

Next thing I knew, someone was screaming—my scream as I squirmed violently from the man's grip after witnessing such a horrendous grotesque death.

"Calm down, Lyra," he growled as he tightened his grip on my waist at the brink of bruising them. But I didn't care.

"Marriage, my ass! You are here to kill me!" I yelled as I kept squirming. 

He sighed as he gave a warning glare to his accomplice. "Jakub, how many times have I told you not to act recklessly? Now, you have scared off my fated mate." 

"Sorry, sir. Those inferiors insulted your presence and I can't just let it slide. After all, how could they not recognize you as the great Count Julian Czarnel?"

My world stopped the moment I heard that name.

"J-Julian C-Czarnel?" I stared at him, my mind filled with thoughts of despair. "Y-Your name is Julian Czarnel?"

"Tch," The man, Julian, frowned as he stared at me with a nonchalant expression before turning back to Jakub. "You and I have a talk later after this."

Now it made sense. Diamond Hotel was hosted by Julian Czarnel. He was there.

But now he saw me. I had caught the attention of this High Vampire!

"GET OFF ME, GET OFF ME!" I sounded like a wailing child while these two were talking calmly without a care of my desperation. 

While I was screaming my head off, Mr. Berns, who also witnessed what happened and hearing the name he recognized so well, suddenly ran away. I didn't blame him. I would rather get away from this scene than to get involved if I were in his shoes, too.

But still, I wished anyone could save me from their clutches. Being held like this made my heart raced, my blood cold and my head spinning out of fear.

"Y-You monsters! Vampires! You only care about exterminating us!" I yelled as I glared at them. 

It was a defense mechanism. A way to conceal my fear and desperation.

"What marriage? What fated mates?! You were the ones who KILLED half of the human population during the war!"

I knew my history so well. People had been passing down to all of us living in Slumber Hound City. Everyone knew that the catalyst of the downfall of humankind were the vampires.

More specifically, the High Vampires.

And one particular creature was now in front of me.

The creature who ended the war and threw all of us underground, banishing us from seeing the sky ever again.

Julian Czarnel, the name we refused to speak throughout all these years.

I glared at my so-called fated mate, gritting my teeth. "I won't marry you, you fucking asshole! Even if you have to kill me!"

It was out of desperation. I couldn't go with this vampire and I absolutely couldn't marry him!

I would rather die!

I grabbed my knife on my hip pocket and in one swift motion, I plunge it right directly to my neck—

"Sleep!" yelled out his desperation. I could see a flicker of fear in his eyes. No, that couldn't be. It must be my imagination. 

And just like that, I couldn't move. Julian's hypnotizing command stopped the point of the blade from piercing through my skin. My hands stiffened and tried as I might, I could never budge. 

"Fuck…" I mumbled before darkness enveloped my vision as I embraced this forced slumber.