Chapter 2

In over two hundred years, no one had ever dared to be this arrogant to my face.

I found it hilarious. I tilted my head.

"What did you want me to say? I didn't quite catch that."

"Perfect. You're deaf, too. Listen closely. 'I am a half-breed!' See? It's not hard."

"Loud and clear," I smiled. "So, since you're the trash here, why don't you stay in your lane? You're in my way."

Realizing I played her, Victoria shrieked. She bared her fangs and lunged at me.

Cute.

I trained under the harshest Senate masters since childhood. Did she really think she could hurt me?

I didn't even have to fight back.

The second she lunged, I simply teleported a few yards away.

She missed completely. She tripped over her own heels and face-planted onto the marble floor.

The crowd stared at me in pure shock.

"Oh my god! How dare she treat Lady Victoria like that?"

"When Lord Julian finds out, he'll tear her to shreds!"

"Nobody can save her now. She's dead."

Hearing their gasps and whispers, I felt nothing.

I didn't know what fear felt like.

My father, Kaelen Nightshade, was an Ancient. He ruled every vampire on this continent.

Nothing living could scare me.

I pulled out my limitless black Centurion card. It bore our family crest. I slapped it on the counter.

"Ring it up."

The manager packed the cloak with shaking hands. His terrified eyes darted between me and Victoria.

I took the box and turned to leave. But Victoria scrambled up and blocked my path.

"You're not going anywhere!"

I glanced at the dust on her dress. "What's wrong? Want to kiss the floor again?"

She flinched instinctively. I chuckled.

Just as I was about to walk past her, a cold wind swept through the room. The grand doors slammed open.

Dark mist gathered in the air and formed a tall figure.

The moment he appeared, the whole shop went dead silent.

A massive Lord's aura swept over us, weighing heavily on everyone.

My eyes moved up from his polished leather shoes. I couldn't help but think: Damn. He's hot.

He was about six-foot-three. Gorgeous like a fallen angel. He oozed power. He was born to rule.

Broad shoulders, long legs. Every move he made was sharp and decisive.

The moment Victoria saw him, her whole attitude changed. She ran to him, crying.

"Lord Julian! She stole my cloak and hit me!"

So, this was Julian in the flesh.

Fine, I admit I was a little shallow. He was exactly my type.

No wonder my father thought I wouldn't fight this marriage. He knew me too well.

Honestly, with a face like that, I could almost forgive him for being a jerk on the phone.

I looked him up and down. A slow, satisfied smile crept onto my face.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Elara Nightshade. Your fiancée."

The surrounding vampires gasped.

"What? She's Lord Julian's fiancée?"

"No wonder she dared to cross Victoria. Surely Lord Julian will protect his own fiancée, right?"

"You're so naive. It all depends on who Lord Julian cares about more..."

Julian looked at me. His eyes held nothing but pure disgust.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. That ridiculous blood pact was my father's idea, not mine. I never agreed to it."

Victoria clung to his arm instantly.

"Hear that? Someone like you will never be worthy to stand beside a Lord!"

A few voices quickly agreed.

"Exactly! Lord Julian's mate should be a noble like Lady Victoria. Not some ugly nobody from a nameless clan!"

"Right? She doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as Lady Victoria."

I never thought I was a jaw-dropping beauty, but I definitely wasn't ugly.

Yet hearing them talk, you'd think my face could scare people away.

Some things never change. People always worship the strong and crush the weak.

I shook my head and walked past Julian.

"Do me a favor. Tell your dad to cancel the wedding. You're not good enough for me."