Destroy My Life In You
Chapter 89: The Vampire King

Chapter 89: The Vampire King

The village of Vetheris was unlike anything Astrid had ever seen before. It pulsed with life, voices overlapping in endless bickering, merchants haggling over prices, and laughter spilling from taverns. Children weaved through the crowds, playing games as their parents scolded them, and the scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the sharp tang of herbs being sold in open stalls.

Astrid had spent months living in fear, always watching her back, never knowing if she was truly safe. But now, standing amidst this unfamiliar place, she felt a momentary sense of wonder. If not for her wariness, she might have allowed herself to be fully captivated. Instead, her gaze flitted around cautiously, a creeping paranoia seeping into her bones. Like someone was watching her, or if someone would suspect her identity.

Her purpose was clear, she needed work and not have such thoughts. A job that would help her and her brothers survive. She passed by a few shops and taverns, but all said they had enough labour. As she debated approaching a modest-looking bakery, a sudden uproar caught her attention.

Loud cheers and excited murmurs echoed from the main street ahead. Curious, Astrid slowed her pace. People were shifting, stepping aside as if making way for someone important. The energy in the air changed, thick with anticipation. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Astrid moved to the side as well, blending into the crowd.

Then, she saw group of soldiers marching in formation. Their disciplined steps echoed across the street, creating a rhythmic sound that added to the growing tension. Behind them, a carriage followed. The horses leading it were enormous, their powerful strides full of grace.

Excited chatter surrounded her, especially from the women lining the roadside. They whispered among themselves, giggling with flushed faces.

Astrid frowned, wondering who could possiblg be important enough to cause such a commotion.

Her question was soon answered when she overheard two ladies nearby, their voices filled with breathless excitement.

"I hope we get to see even a glimpse of his majesty’s face," one whispered, practically bouncing on her toes.

"I know," the other sighed dreamily. "I don’t care if he’s a hybrid and we’re witches. I’d let him turn me in a heartbeat."

Astrid stiffened. His majesty? Realization struck her after a moment. The person inside that carriage wasn’t just some noble or general, it was infamous Vampire King.

A half-vampire, half-werewolf, but ruled over the vampires as their King.

The stories about him were countless, passed down in hushed and loud tones. He was said to be over two hundred years old, ruling with a ruthless efficiency that left no room for opposition. His name alone was enough to strike terror into those who defied him. Yet, despite his fearsome reputation, he was also spoken of in admiration, especially by women, who were enchanted by tales of his otherworldly beauty.

Astrid kept her head down, debating whether she should move away. But before she could act, something made her breath hitch. It was a sweet, intoxicating scent, familiar yet foreign, overwhelming her senses. Her heart pounded, knowing for sure it is her mate. He was here.

Panic and exhilaration surged through her veins. She was sure he had also sensed her presence wherever he was.

Astrid’s grip tightened on her cloak. She hesitated, unsure whether to run or stay. Her instincts screamed at her to flee and protect herself from the unknown. But her body betrayed her, feet planted firmly to the ground. Her eyes darted around, searching for the source of the scent.

A frown formed on her face when she noticed somwthing. The closer the carriage came, the stronger the scent grew. Thus, she assumed her mate was one of the guards, perhaps a hybrid serving the Vampire King. That would have made sense. After all, hybrids could choose allegiance to either vampires or werewolves.

But as the carriage slowed, something unexpected happened.

The heavy curtains were drawn back, revealing the man within.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by a chorus of delighted squeals from the women.

But Astrid barely heard them. Because at that moment, her gaze locked onto a pair of deep, dark eyes staring directly at her. Everything around her blurred and breath caught in her throat. A familiar feeling surged, accelerating her heartbeat.

It was him.The man inside the carriage was her mate. Astrid’s mind reeled, her thoughts tangling into an incoherent mess. The person inside the carriage was supposed to be the... Vampire King. How was this possible?

Staggering back, she collided with someone, barely registering their annoyed grunt. She mumbled a hasty apology before turning on her heel and fleeing, and didn’t dare look back.

Her heart pounded violently as she pushed through the streets, desperate to put distance between herself and that man. The bond’s pull was suffocating, demanding, but she refused to acknowledge it.

She forced herself to focus on something ,anything lse. She was here to find work, to survive, to protect her brothers. Not to be tangled up in the fate of a king. It could be possible that that was not truly the Vampire King.

After hours of searching, she finally found an inn that was willing to hire her for cleaning work. It was menial, scrubbing floors, washing dishes but it was enough. She accepted without hesitation, throwing herself into the labor to keep her mind occupied.

By twilight, she got off work and at least she had earned enough to buy some vegetables for dinner. With the small bag of supplies in hand, she made her way back home

As soon as she stepped into the modest dwelling, three small figures rushed toward her.

"Sister!" Her younger brothers threw their arms around her, their innocent faces lighting up with joy. "We missed you all day!"

A tired but genuine smile curved Astrid’s lips. She knelt, hugging them tightly. "I missed you both too."

They beamed at her, and her chest ached with warmth. "Let’s go inside," she said, ruffling their hair. "I’ll cook us something nice."

They cheered and ran ahead, eager for dinner. Astrid followed, but just as she stepped forward, her stepps foze.

She perceived that scent again. This had been happened all day, the undeniable presence of her mate’s scent clinging to the air. At first, she had convinced herself it was just her imagination, a lingering effect of their earlier encounter. And even now, she brushed off with the same thought.

Unbeknownst to her, in the shadows beyond, a pair of sharp dark eyes had been following her.

The grand dining hall of the Vampire King’s palace was bathed in the soft glow of golden chandeliers. The long, polished ebony table stretched across the room, its surface gleaming under the flickering candlelight. Heavy velvet curtains draped the tall windows, shielding the outside world from the conversations within. The air carried the faint aroma of wine and rich, exotic dishes, but the atmosphere remained heavy with unspoken power.

Two men sat at the dining table, their goblets filled with dark crimson liquid. The first, Finn, leaned back lazily in his chair, swirling his drink while smirking at his companion. He had sharp, fox-like features, his golden-brown eyes always filled with amusement. The other man, Zander, was more reserved, his demeanor quiet yet observant. His jet-black hair framed his chiseled face, and unlike Finn, his goblet remained untouched.

They didn’t have to wait long.

The doors to the hall swung open without warning, and a presence filled the room.

A man strode inside, his every step exuding dominance. He was dressed in black, his tailored coat adorned with intricate silver embroidery. His sharp, aristocratic features were as breathtaking as they were intimidating. But it was his eyes, dark as the abyss, holding an unfathomable depth that made even the strongest men hesitate.

Alaric. The Vampire King. He approached the table with unhurried confidence, his lips curved into a subtle, almost wicked smile. The kind of smile that sent chills down spines. He took the seat at the head of the table, his fingers casually tapping against the goblet set before him.

Finn, never one to hold back, raised an eyebrow. "What’s got you in such a good mood tonight, Your Majesty?"

Alaric didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his goblet, taking a slow sip of his drink before setting it down with deliberate grace.

Then, he chuckled. The sound was deep, rich, carrying an undertone of amusement.

His gaze flickered toward Finn, a knowing look in his dark eyes. "Finn," he mused, shaking his head slightly. "When will you ever stop being so nosy?"

Finn grinned, unfazed. "Come on, you can’t blame me. You rarely smile like that unless you’ve found a new plaything."

At this, Zander scoffed, but his sharp eyes remained trained on Alaric. "Or a new prey," he added dryly.

Alaric merely smiled again, his fingers still leisurely tracing the rim of his goblet. "She’s more than just prey."

Finn leaned forward, intrigued. "Oh?" His golden-brown eyes gleamed with curiosity. "That’s a first. You don’t usually entertain anyone beyond a few weeks. Who is she?"

Zander, on the other hand, wasn’t as amused. He rested his forearm on the table, his expression darkening. "Alaric," he warned, "you need to be careful. You know better than anyone that there are plenty of people out there who would love to see you fall."

Alaric exhaled through his nose, reclining slightly in his chair, completely unbothered. "And who," he mused, tilting his head, "would dare to come at the ruthless, merciless Vampire King?"

Finn burst into laughter, slamming his palm against the table. "Now that is true." His grin widened. "Only a fool would try."

Still, his curiosity hadn’t waned. He rested his chin on his palm, watching Alaric with interest. "So," he prodded again, "who is she? Where is she from?"

For the first time, Alaric’s smirk faded into something unreadable. His dark eyes grew distant, as if recalling something, or someone.

Then, without hesitation, he answered with just three words.

"My sweet mate."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.