Rejected by my Alpha mate. Claimed by a vampire king

“You’ll wear it tonight, right?”Simon’s voice was gentle, coaxing—but there was steel beneath it. His hand brushed against mine, warm and possessive. I stiffened.My gaze dropped to his phone screen. A dress. Crimson silk kissed with gold threading, elegant and expensive—too extravagant for someone like me.I hesitated. “Babe… don’t you think it’s a little early for that?”His smile faded slightly, the edges tightening. “We’ve been together for nearly a year, Lisa.” He stepped closer, his scent washing over me—cedarwood and danger. “You’re my mate. What’s the point in waiting?”I swallowed. “It’s not that I don’t want to—”“Then don’t make this difficult.” His voice was still soft, but it cut like a knife. Then, a pause. His eyes narrowed, tone darkening. “Unless... you’re seeing someone else.”“No! Never!” The denial tore from me before I could stop it. Panic bubbled up like bile. Why did he always go there?He exhaled slowly, placing both hands on my shoulders. “You’re the only one,

I didn’t think. I just lunged.I rushed at Mira and grabbed a handful of her clothes, my grip trembling with rage and confusion. But before I could speak, she shoved me—hard.I crashed to the floor, pain exploding in my elbow as it slammed into the rough tiles. Tears sprang to my eyes, not just from the pain, but from everything unraveling at once.“Get off me, you ungrateful bitch!” she spat, towering over me like I was filth.I pushed myself up slowly, my whole body shaking. “What did my father do?!” I screamed, my voice cracking. “What happened to him?!”Her lips curled into something cold. “We tried to protect your mental health all this time,” she said smoothly. “But clearly, our kindness has been wasted.”I stared at her, eyes blurred by tears. “Mira, you’re wrong about everything. I swear—you’ve misunderstood it all. But even if nothing I say will change your mind... I deserve to know the truth. Please. Just tell me what crime my father committed.”Before she could answer, the B

I woke up slowly, my body aching like it had been crushed under something heavy. The pain was dull but deep, like a cruel reminder that I wasn’t dreaming.I sat up.The room around me was empty—but painfully elegant. Gold-gilded walls, velvet drapes, and polished dark-wood furniture surrounded me like a prison dressed in riches. This wasn’t just any place.It belonged to someone powerful. Someone dangerous.And I had no idea how I got here.Panic curled in my stomach.I stood, legs wobbling beneath me, and tiptoed to the window. Outside was eerily still—no wind, no birds, no signs of life. Just a quiet that felt suffocating.Should I lie back down and pretend to be asleep? Or face whoever brought me here?I chose the latter.I opened the door quietly and stepped out. My heartbeat thundered louder with every step. A grand staircase spiraled downward into the heart of what looked like a mansion. Slowly, I descended.The sitting room was massive—almost absurd. High ceilings, marble floors,