The Vampire King's Mate

Chapter 1

Sleep didn’t come easy that night.

I rolled onto my side for what must’ve been the hundredth time, the sheets tangling around my legs like vines refusing to let me escape the thoughts racing through my mind. The moonlight filtering through the curtains cast silvery patterns on the walls, ghostly and cold almost like a warning.

We were leaving.

Leaving everything I had ever known for a town hidden deep in the mountains.... a place called Frost Town. The name alone felt like a chill against my skin, even before we’d set foot there. But Mom had made up her mind, and ever since I told her about the dream… there was no turning back.

I could still remember the dream vividly too vividly.

I had been standing in the center of a forest, ancient trees surrounding me like sentinels. Their branches twisted toward the sky like skeletal fingers, and a low mist clung to the earth, whispering in a language I couldn’t understand.

Then they came figures cloaked in shadows, their faces hidden, but their voices unmistakably urgent.

“Return, Ivory. Return to where you belong. The time has come.”

I woke up gasping. My hands were trembling, heart pounding like a war drum. I thought it was just another one of those weird nightmares. But when I told Mom, something in her eyes shifted. Something unspoken. She didn’t hesitate. She said it was time.

That same night, she began making arrangements.

I didn’t ask questions. Part of me didn’t want to know.

The sun was just beginning to rise when I finally gave up on sleep. I pushed myself out of bed, dragging my feet to the bathroom. The mirror greeted me with a pale reflection. My long brunette hair hung limply around my shoulders, damp with sweat from my restless night. My blue eyes—usually bright—looked dull and worn out, as if they too hadn’t slept.

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake off the dream’s residue, but it clung to me like perfume.

After brushing my teeth and towel-drying my hair, I stood for a moment, just staring. I didn’t recognize the girl in the mirror. She looked like someone caught between who she used to be and who she was about to become.

Shaking off the unease, I rummaged through my wardrobe and chose the usual: a crisp white shirt, my favorite faded jeans, a suede brown jacket, and black boots. I pulled the jacket close like armor, gave myself a nod of approval in the mirror, and trudged down the stairs.

The scent of toast and coffee filled the kitchen.

“Morning, Mom,” I greeted, trying to sound cheerful.

She turned with a warm smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Good morning, sweetheart. Sleep okay?”

“Yeah,” I lied. She didn’t press. She never did.

I ate quickly, feeling the seconds tick by. My last day in this town, in this school, in this version of my life.

I grabbed my bag and hurried out to catch the bus. The air outside was crisp, with a touch of frost that made my breath visible. Foreshadowing, maybe.

School was the same blur of noise, fluorescent lights, and teenage chaos. Thirty minutes later, I stepped into my class and was immediately met with a familiar voice.

“Ivory!” Alicia beamed, practically bouncing toward me. Her curls danced with each step.

“Good morning,” I replied, smiling despite myself.

“Sleep well?” she asked.

“Great,” I lied again. “You?”

“Meh, dreams of mystery guys and vampire promposals, the usual.”

I laughed, grateful for her energy. “We better get to class before Mrs. Carter decides to crucify us.”

We walked in together, sliding into our usual spots. Mine was at the back, of course. It was easier to disappear that way. Out of sight, out of mind. Being the quiet girl had its perks until it didn’t.

See, I wasn’t just the quiet girl.

I was the bullied quiet girl.

It wasn’t even dramatic bullying. No slushies in the face. Just whispers, stares, the occasional shove, and that horrible feeling of not belonging no matter how hard you try. So I hid. I made myself invisible.

At least, I tried.

Until he walked in.

The room seemed to still. I wasn’t even sure if that was possible, but it did. The air shifted like it was holding its breath. Even Mrs. Carter paused.

He was tall.. obnoxiously tall... with messy black hair and eyes that were nothing short of hypnotic. Green. Not just green. Emerald. Piercing, intense, alive. His leather jacket creaked as he walked, unbothered by the attention. Like he was used to it. Like he craved it.

And then…

He looked at me.

Right at me.

And I froze.

Of all the empty seats, he chose the one behind me. I swallowed hard, feeling the heat crawl up my neck. I could feel his presence like a current, humming through the air. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the back of my neck prickled under his gaze.

Who was he?

And why did it feel like he wasn’t just looking but seeing?

~~~

Unknown POV

They were staring again.

Not that I blamed them. It came with the territory.. new guy, mysterious aura, devastatingly good looks. Yawn.

I hated attention. Okay, no I thrived on it. But only when I wanted it.

Today, I didn’t.

I just wanted to find a seat and survive the first day without someone throwing themselves at me. But then... I saw her.

She was sitting at the back, head down, trying to disappear. Brunette hair, soft waves. A small frame tucked into a suede jacket. But what caught me.. what snared me—were her eyes. Sky blue. Distant. Almost haunted.

She didn’t look like the others. She didn’t look at me like I was a prize.

She looked at me like she wished I hadn’t noticed her.

Challenge accepted.

I took the seat behind her.

She didn’t turn. Didn’t speak. But I could feel the tension radiating off her like heat from a flame. It was... intriguing.

When class ended, I leaned forward.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

She bolted.

Actually ran.

I blinked in shock before springing to my feet and chasing after her. Was this a thing now? Girls running like I was some kind of plague?

She moved fast, darting down the hallway like a gazelle. I caught up with her near the staircase, panting.

“Damn,” I muttered. “I need to get back into my morning runs.”

She turned, startled, blue eyes wide with panic. I almost felt bad.

Almost.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded, half amused, half annoyed.

She said nothing, just blinked up at me.

Up close, she was even more breathtaking.

Nervous. But breathtaking.

“Nerd,” I thought. “Definitely a nerd.”

Not that it mattered. She was interesting. And different.

I softened my voice. “Daniel Connor,” I said, offering my hand.

She hesitated before whispering, “Ivory Walter.”

“Ivory,” I repeated. “Pretty name. Doesn’t match the attitude, though.”

I reached out and gently lifted her chin. “Next time, don’t run like a hog.”

She blinked again. Nodded, barely.

I leaned in, my voice dropping to a whisper. “See you soon… kitten.”

And I walked away, knowing she'd be thinking about me all day.

Just like I’d be thinking about her.