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13 Denial
Last Updated:
2025-04-26 21:44:42
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Fated In Darkness 14 An Invite
NatalieI made it back to my apartment on campus, bone-tired and ready to collapse into bed.But something stopped me at the door.A small package sat neatly on the mat, topped with a card. Not just tossed there—placed carefully, deliberately.I frowned, glancing up and down the hallway, but it was empty. Silent.Curiosity buzzing under my skin, I picked it up and carried it inside. I set it down on the couch, tossing my bag aside, and pulled the card free first.It was handwritten—elegant, precise.The roses are red,and the evening is bright.Come dance with meat the ball tonight.Adrian.My heart fluttered wildly.I opened the box next, and inside, lying atop soft tissue paper, was a single red rose—its thorns carefully removed. Thoughtful. Almost old-fashioned.Beneath the rose was a dress.A red dress.I pulled it out and gasped. It was stunning—short, backless, daring in all the right ways. The fabric shimmered faintly under the low apartment lights, the kind of dress designed
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness 15 The Ball
NatalieThere were a lot of important people there—senior students, alumni, professors, and even a handful of dignitaries and a few multi-billionaires.It was clear: this wasn’t just a party. It was an elite gathering.The kind where every handshake was a transaction and every smile was laced with expectation.The only person who didn’t belong was me.I knew I looked the part—the dress, the jewelry, the careful makeup—but I felt out of place.A freshman among giants.I kept scanning the room, searching for Adrian. Hoping he'd show up soon. Hoping I could have someone to lean on before my nerves unraveled completely.I was so caught up in my own swirling anxiety that I didn’t see her approach.Michelle.She slipped into my peripheral vision like a shadow, her presence sharper than a blade.“What are you doing here, Pierce?” she asked, her voice dripping with that familiar, I’m-better-than-you tone.I turned toward her slowly, trying to school my face into something neutral. She stood
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness 16 And He Arrives
NatalieOne of the security guards reached for my arm, and I yanked it away instinctively."Don’t touch me," I snapped, my voice low but firm.I wasn’t mad at Michelle anymore. Not really.I was furious at Adrian.Furious that he wasn’t here to meet me. Furious that he had left me standing alone in a place where I clearly didn’t belong."I can show myself out," I muttered.The guards exchanged a look and then stepped back, letting me be.Michelle stood nearby, watching the whole thing unfold with thinly veiled amusement. She didn’t even bother hiding the smug satisfaction on her face.Her expression practically screamed:If you were one of us, this wouldn’t happen.I had the sudden, immature urge to flip her off—but I was wearing a dress that cost more than some people's rent, and despite everything, I still had my dignity.I held my head high instead.I was just about to turn and leave when the announcement system crackled to life."Ladies and gentlemen," the voice boomed through t
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness 17 The Evening
Natalie"Let's go somewhere private," Adrian whispered against my ear, his breath warm, sending a shiver straight down my spine.I didn’t hesitate. I was more than ready.He excused himself with a graceful nod to the others at our table, and I mirrored him, barely aware of the curious stares trailing after us.But instead of leading me toward an exit, Adrian steered me toward the dance floor.A waltz had just begun, the orchestra swelling with old-world grandeur.He pulled me close, his hand steady against my back, guiding me with a confidence that left no room for doubt or hesitation.The last time I had danced like this was with my father—and for a moment, a sharp pang of bittersweet memory twisted inside me.But I pushed it down.Tonight wasn’t for sadness.Tonight was for living.I let myself lean into Adrian, feeling the way his body moved with mine, leading without words, commanding without force. I could feel eyes on us—burning, envious, curious. Let them watch.I didn’t car
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness 18 A Little Heat
NatalieI jumped into Adrian’s arms, and he caught me with effortless strength, like I weighed nothing.My fingers threaded through his thick hair, pulling him closer, desperate to taste more of him.The ache inside me was blinding, a raw need that only he could ease—and he knew it. He pressed me tighter against the wall, his mouth devouring mine, his tongue claiming, coaxing, making me forget where I ended and he began.The world outside the office blurred into nothing.There was only us. Only this."Natalie," he whispered against my lips, my name falling from him like a broken prayer. There was a roughness to it—a battle raging inside him, one he was barely winning.I was already lost.His lips trailed down my jaw to my neck, then lower to the bare skin of my shoulder, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.Goosebumps broke out across my skin, every nerve ending alive and straining for more.When I felt his teeth graze my neck—just the barest, teasing scrape—I arched into him,
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Fated In Darkness 19 After the Ball
NatalieJust as I'd expected, the next day was chaos. Everywhere I went, eyes followed. Whispers floated through hallways and over lunch tables.Overnight, I had somehow become a sensation, and no one could seem to look away. Even people who used to barely tolerate me were now gawking like I was something rare on display.A few of the Phi girls, who had never spared me a second glance before, suddenly decided we should be best friends.The attention pressed down on me, heavy and strange. I couldn't figure out what had sparked it. Was it the invitation to the ball? Or was it the fact that I was with Adrian?Honestly, separating the two felt pointless. Still, it stung a little — since when did it matter so much who you showed up with?Lisa plopped down beside me on the grass, her grin wide with gossip. "Apparently, our handsome stranger is a big deal," she said, practically buzzing with excitement.I laughed, shaking my head before glancing at her. "A big shot isn't dangerous anymore,
Last Updated : 2025-04-29Fated In Darkness 20 An Unwanted Visitor
NatalieI got back to my apartment earlier than usual that day. I couldn't take it anymore — the constant staring, the whispering behind my back.Some students didn’t even bother to be subtle. They walked right up to me, their questions blunt, their curiosity practically dripping off them.How do you know him?What's he like?Can you introduce us?Is it serious? Are you two a thing?And those were the good ones.The ugly ones came with sneers and fake smiles:"Watch your back, bitch.""You have no idea what you're getting into.""You're in way over your head.""You're just a distraction. Don't get cocky.""You're punching way above your league."Then there was Michelle and her little pack of hyenas — keeping their distance, which was unusual for them.I could feel the hate in Michelle’s eyes when we crossed paths, even if she didn’t say a word.Whatever had happened at the ball had shifted things. I wasn’t sure if that should make me feel relieved or afraid.After freshening up, I was
Last Updated : 2025-04-29Fated In Darkness 21 An Unwanted Visitor 2
NatalieUncle Michael studied me for a moment, his laugh dying before it ever reached his eyes. They stayed cold, dark — almost predatory. Nothing about him found my rebellion amusing."Do you even know what world you live in, little girl?" he said, voice low and cutting. "It’s not painted with roses and prince charmings, no matter what fairytales you’ve started to believe. It’s rough. It’s brutal. And no one climbs to the top because they’re smart or hardworking. We get ahead because of what we sacrifice — the things we give up to stay ahead. Freedom, Natalie, is one of those things. It's the price we pay."He stepped closer, and I had to fight the urge to move back."You were chosen. You will be the one to marry into that family," he said, each word dropping like a stone.I narrowed my eyes at him. "What family, Uncle Mike? Who exactly am I supposed to throw myself at? Maybe I’ll go have a nice little chat with him. Let him know he’s about to marry a nightmare," I said, my voice dr
Last Updated : 2025-04-29
Latest chapter
Fated In Darkness 47 The Ball 4
Natalie “Lord Dimitri Orlov, Lady Martina Nikolson, Sir Lancly Warlock.” The announcement rang out like the toll of a bell, deep and ceremonial. My stomach tightened instinctively. And there he was. Dimitri Orlov. The same hauntingly elegant figure who had glided through the Cainebrielle Ball like some ancient noble stepped out of a painting. Flanking him were two others—a woman with icy composure and a man with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. All three of them were beautiful. But not in a comforting way. They had the kind of beauty that made people uneasy. Pale, ethereal, almost fragile-looking, like they’d been carved from marble and never intended to bleed. Their skin was so pasty it bordered on unnatural—like sunlight hadn’t touched them in years. It made you wonder: Where do they live? How do they live? Caves? Castles wrapped in shadow? Subterranean estates? If I were close to them—which I wasn’t—I’d tell them to book a vacation somewhere tropical. Let the sun
Fated In Darkness 46 The Ball 3
NatalieUncle Mike and Mr. Graham returned not long after, along with the rest of the family heads who had vanished into that shadowy meeting.Whatever had been discussed behind those doors had left no visible trace on their faces, but the air felt heavier, more strained. Like something had been set in motion and no one wanted to admit it.Since Lisa and I were already seated, her father and my uncle settled at the same table, ending our conversation without so much as a glance. Their presence shifted the mood instantly—quiet tension replacing the fragile safety we’d carved out.Then a voice rang out, crisp and commanding, calling the room to attention.All eyes turned toward the front as a curtain began to rise.I hadn’t even realized the hall was partitioned. But now, as the heavy fabric lifted, it revealed what had been hidden in plain sight—a separate section, elevated and almost shrine-like.Three sleek tables stood in a wide arc, each with three chairs. Nine in total.Nine seats
Fated In Darkness 45 The Ball 2
Natalie“Be on your best behavior,” Uncle Mike said under his breath, releasing my arm like I was a marionette he no longer needed to control.Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd with the ease of someone who belonged here—who thrived in these quiet, manipulative circles.I stayed where I was, watching the people who lingered in the hall. They weren’t students. Their eyes were too calculating, their smiles too strategic. Prospective families, maybe.Scoping out Cainebrielle, weighing its prestige against their ambition. This—this glittering room full of artifice and half-truths—was where futures were brokered.I couldn’t help but wonder if Uncle Mike had once stood in a place like this for me. Had he shaken hands with the right devils? Made promises I didn’t know I’d be paying for?But it wasn’t Mr. Graham’s bitterness that haunted me—it was that one sentence. “Wished my great-grandfather…” Then silence. Cut off deliberately. Regret tangled in hi
Fated In Darkness 44 The Ball
Natalie“Behave,” Uncle Mike muttered the moment we stepped into the grand hall, his voice low but sharp enough to slice through my nerves. I straightened beside him, forcing a polite smile that barely masked the storm twisting inside me.If only they knew.If only they could see how every polished tile, every glittering chandelier made me want to disappear.The hall was extravagant—an architectural performance meant to impress—but it only made me feel trapped. I didn’t want to be here. Not in this sea of suits, strained smiles, and unspoken judgments. I wanted to be anywhere else—preferably with Adrian, already planning an escape into tomorrow.First-year students were scattered everywhere, each tethered to a parent or relative like reluctant satellites. It was strange. Like we were all being paraded, dressed up dreams standing beside the people who were betting on us.I caught sight of Lisa. She stood near a tall man whose features mirrored hers—had to be her father. There was somet
Fated In Darkness 43 Getting Ready
Natalie I didn’t need to stop by my apartment—everything was already in place. My weekend bag was packed. I'd arranged everything with the quiet hope that Adrian would pick me up from my mother’s house tomorrow, just like he’d promised. When I got home, the sky was already beginning to shift into dusk. Two hours left before the ball. My mother greeted me with her usual calm, and without needing to ask, she helped me get ready—fixing my hair, touching up my makeup. I hadn’t planned to make a statement tonight, but with the chance Adrian might be there, I couldn’t help myself. Even if I wouldn’t say it out loud—I wanted to look good. Not just because of him, but maybe… because of what he made me feel. My gown was cream, soft as breath and stitched with tiny pearls that caught the light when I moved. It flowed around me, elegant and silent, with a slit running high up my right thigh—subtle, but bold. It showed more skin than a short dress ever could, and I wasn’t used to that. My ha
Fated In Darkness 42 It’s Thursday
Natalie “Friday after lectures,” I said, my voice softer than I intended. “No interruptions,” he promised. I sighed and then hung up. He’d called me twice since the last time we saw each other, and on both calls, I ended things quickly. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I just didn’t want the conversations to feel finished. Hanging up meant there was still something lingering. It felt better that way—like we weren’t done. “Was that Adrian?” Lisa asked, dropping down beside me on the bench. We were at the campus park, under one of those old trees that always dropped leaves no matter the season. I smiled in her direction but didn’t say anything right away. “So, it’s official?” she pressed, eyes watching me closely. I hesitated. He had said things that day at his getaway home—things that hinted at something real. But I couldn’t tell if it had just been the heat of the moment, or if he’d truly meant it. And then there was the issue with my uncle, always looming in the background like a shad
Fated In Darkness 41 Kappa Lunaris House 3
CarsonI stood the moment he walked in. My father’s presence always commanded respect, and I wasn’t about to break tradition. Grant and Willis greeted him formally, then quickly excused themselves, sensing the shift in the air.As soon as the door shut behind them, my father’s expression darkened.“Do you mind telling me why Adrian Balshov is asking for an apology?” he snapped, wasting no time with pleasantries.I exhaled through my nose, cursing silently. Of course this would be the first thing he brought up.“I didn’t get there in time,” I admitted. “It was a questioning gone wrong.”He nodded slowly, but it wasn’t approval—it was disappointment settling in.“He isn’t even part of the Strigoi clan,” he said. “So why take the fight to his doorstep? Why drag him into it?”“It was a mistake,” I said, standing my ground. “And I plan to apologise to him personally to make it right—”“You will do no such thing,” he growled, cutting me off.I tensed but stayed silent.“I’m tired of those th
Fated In Darkness 40 Kappa Lunaris House 2
CarsonI leaned forward slightly, voice lowering. “We might be supernatural, Grant… but we’re still closer to humans than you think. We’re just humans with superpowers.”Grant blinked, caught off-guard. “What are you trying to say?”“I’m saying that, unlike those blood-sucking creatures, we can die. And we do. They’re harder to kill. Much harder. Our parents told us about the war that led to the treaty—for a reason.”I paused, letting the memory settle between us.“All sides bled,” I said quietly. “But we bled the most.”Grant looked away, but I could tell the words had landed.“Yes, we can walk in the sun. Yes, we blend in better. That’s our edge. But don’t forget—Adrian’s clan has that ability too, and some of the strigoi offspring have adapted to a point. Some of them can tolerate sunlight now, even walk the streets in broad daylight. All it takes is one wrong move, and this whole campus turns into a battlefield.”“Needless to say,” I began, keeping my voice steady, “as much as I ha
Fated In Darkness 39 Kappa Lunaris House
CarsonI couldn’t get her out of my head.From the moment our eyes met in the woods, she’d been lodged there—quietly, relentlessly. At first, I tried to shrug it off. Told myself it was nothing. A fleeting thought. A trick of adrenaline.But it wasn’t.Especially not after seeing him behind her. Adrian Balshov. The bloodsucker.Even that didn’t kill the feeling. If anything, it made it worse. Obsessive. Irrational. The pull I felt toward her was something I couldn’t explain—intense, magnetic, and entirely out of my control.I thought it would pass. I thought she'd be like every other girl—intrigued, flattered, maybe a little dazzled. But Natalie? She was different. She didn’t fall for smooth words or good looks. Or maybe she had… just not mine.Maybe it was his.Adrian Balshov—immortal, ancient, powerful. And if she knew the truth about what he was… how many lifetimes he’d lived… how unnatural his very existence was… would she still look at him the same way?Would she still want him?
