Her Vampire King: A Dark Vampire Romance (Royally Mated Book 4) Read online

  I raise a brow. “No one leaves the pack.” It’s the truth. Once you’re in a pack, it’s very difficult to cut ties. I know for certain he’s lying, as I know enough about shifter rules. It’s almost like being part of a criminal gang or the mafia.

  He smiles. “Things are different from when you were last in America, Rosie. Rhys rules all the packs now.” He steps toward me, setting my nerves on edge. “Many have given up hope of getting revenge for what you did, even more so since Rhys took control. We’ve had many Alphas since Neil.” He shrugs, but his expression is tight. “I never cared for him much anyway. I reckon you did us all a favor.”

  I shift my weight from one foot to the other, feeling on edge. What I did was an act in self-defense, but in the process, I killed their Alpha. He tried to rape me, and I lashed out. It will haunt me forever. The sight of him lifeless and bloody on the ground. “I best be going,” I say, wanting nothing more than to put distance between us fast.

  He pats my shoulder. “Of course, seriously, you’ve got nothing to worry about from me, Rosie. I promise.”

  As I look into his eyes, I’m not sure he’s telling the truth, but I nod and try to keep my cool. I’ve been hiding from his pack for six years. It’s impossible to leave behind my suspicions. London has been a great home, but something tells me it’s time to leave. “Thank you, Elias. It was good to see you,” I lie.

  “And you. Maybe see you around.” His eyes flicker with amusement at that line.

  He knows that I’m dead. There’s no way he will keep this from the pack, and before I know it, they will descend on me.

  I give him a nod, hugging my coat tighter around me. Every footstep is faster than the other as I continue toward my apartment. My heart is still pounding as I rush away from him. Elias was always one of the better ones, but when I was seventeen, I got caught up with their pack.

  It was a big mistake. Even more so when Neil, the leader, decided to try and take advantage of me. I was underage, and he tried to rape me, unaware that I had a knife strapped to my calf. My dad was a bit paranoid, and he taught me how to hunt and fight from a young age, making sure I could take care of myself in a world where we are at the bottom of the food chain.

  I managed to stab Neil in the neck when he was off guard, and then again in the heart. He died right in front of my eyes, and I’ve never got over that moment. It haunts my nightmares.

  I rush to my right, getting off the main street into an alleyway. It’s safer to make my way back where no one can see me; that way, he can’t track me. If he finds out where I live, they will come for me.

  Elias wants me dead, but he can’t kill me in London. The protection order means no wolves can kill humans in the city confines. His story might be an attempt to put me at ease and stall me until he can get back up and kidnap me. I swallow hard, feeling overwhelmed that my past life has finally caught up with me.

  I know they say not to run from your problems, it only creates more, but I did what I had to do to survive. I’ll do it again now. My friends will wonder what happened to me for a while, but they’ll move on. At least we’ll all be safe and alive. Wolves don’t drop grudges easily, and I won’t take Elias’ word for it. He wants me dead—all of them do.

  As I rush down the quiet street, a sense of someone watching me sweeps over me. I glance back and notice a man walking the same way down the street. It’s not Elias, so I push it out of my mind, hoping it’s a coincidence. The last thing I need right now is something else to worry about. I just need to get home and catch my breath.

  As I round the next corner, I glance over my shoulder to see the man is closer and still following. My heart skips a beat, and I quicken my footsteps. Today isn’t going my way.

  3

  Vladimir

  Alastair reluctantly pulls the vehicle to a stop at an old borderline. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  I don’t even bother glancing at him. “Alastair, how long have you known me?”

  “Hundreds of years.” He shrugs. “I’ve lost count.”

  I nod. “Eight hundred and fifty-five to be exact.” I pat him on the shoulder. “In all of those years, have you ever known me to fail?” I meet his gaze, knowing that he hasn’t. I made mistakes in my early years, but I soon learned from them.

  He shakes his head. “Of course not.” I smile. “Then quit fucking worrying.”

  “Yes, sir.” He bows his head. “I’ll wait for you at our agreed pick up point.”

  I draw in a deep breath, glancing at the towering walls in front of us. The height isn’t the issue with getting through, and it’s the enchantment. “If it gets near sunrise tomorrow and I haven’t returned, promise me you will drive back to the safe house.” I glance at my friend. “This might take longer than I expect, but I will take the necessary precautions, somewhere.”

  Alastair’s jaw clenches. “Of course, sir. I’ll return the night after if you aren’t back by sunrise.”

  I smile. “Thanks, Alastair. I’ll see you on the other side.” I open the door and get out of the car. I walk down the road toward the city, making sure not to glance back. The boundaries of London are enchanted too, but I am allowed to walk over it. Vampires just aren’t supposed to go beyond the wall, since it protects humans.

  I don’t hesitate, stepping over the line, but it hits me the moment I pass through—a strong scent of hot blood flowing through millions of humans’ veins.

  I grit my teeth, knowing it is more than I’d expected. Nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of the human blood. I’m only on the outer lines and haven’t made it over the walls yet.

  My fangs lengthen in my mouth. I sink them into my tongue, wanting to feel the pain. Pain is what I need right now. It sharpens my mind and senses.

  The chalice is why I’m here—the only reason for stepping foot into a city crammed with millions of gallons of blood. The gap in the wall around the city is noticeable and a little surprising.

  Every entrance into the city is guarded by wolves, making it impossible for any vampire to get through. Yet, there’s a big fucking hole in their defenses clear as day, which isn’t defended by the enchantment.

  My brow furrows as I get closer, as it seems too obvious. I guess all places have a weakness and a way in—I hope it will be this easy when I make it to the Tower of London. Something tells me that’s highly unlikely. Getting into the city is just half of the struggle.

  I climb easily through the crack, dropping down on the other side. It takes me into a small back alley with an exit to the left and a dead-end to the right. The scent of blood increases and I’m thankful I drank from David just before coming here. Otherwise, I may have been driven to feed.

  Clenching my fists by my side, I take a left and get the fuck out of the alleyway, heading into the city of London. Alastair might be right. Perhaps I’m stepping into my demise.

  * * *

  I’ve been walking through the city streets for twenty minutes. My hold on my control is there, but it feels like one wrong move could send me spiraling.

  There are humans close by, and I can hear the rush of blood in their veins. It’s goading me, challenging me. I step off the main street and onto a side alley, and every muscle in my body tenses.

  A sweet scent hits me, snapping the little control I have on my urges. Blood so divine I forget everything in an instance, scenting it over every other blood in the city.

  I change direction, walking the opposite way of the tower. A place I was heading to, but I can’t even remember why anymore.

  The scent calls to me so strongly that I can’t resist. The scent of the millions of other humans surrounding me pales in comparison.

  How can one blood be more potent than millions?

  I walk faster, drawn simply by the scent of blood. No thought to anything else crosses my mind as I track the source down, stalking the streets.

  A guy bashes into me coming the other way, breaking the trance I’d fallen into.

  “Watch i
t,” I growl, baring my fangs at him.

  He pales and dashes off the other way. My head snaps back toward the source of the blood as it gets further away. I’m the oldest vampire in existence and the strongest.

  As I try desperately to cling onto my common sense, the scent wins. I sprint for the source, no longer able to hold myself back. If the shifters catch wind of a vampire stalking the streets, I’ll be in serious fucking trouble. Even as that thought passes through my mind, I don’t care. As I step around the corner of the next street, my heart skips a beat. I stop dead in my tracks, staring at the source of the blood that drives me wild.

  The scent is coming from a human female, who is talking to a wolf shifter. I step back, making sure they don’t detect me. Perfect. The last thing I need is a wolf-shifter talking to my prey. All I can smell is her, and it’s fucking beautiful.

  I can’t get a good view of her, not in the dim streetlight. All I want is to get closer. The wolf shifter is a problem. I tune into their conversation.

  “Thank you, Elias. It was good to see you,” the female says, voice a little shaky.

  I can’t understand why an instinct to protect her floods me, but I hold myself back, waiting to see what he does.

  “And you. Maybe see you around,” he replies, the threat is clear in his voice, and I’m ready to intervene.

  I watch, keeping back in the shadows, as the female heads right toward me.

  She doesn’t notice me lurking in the shadows, watching her.

  I can hear her heart pounding frantically, as all she cares about is escaped the shifter.

  She slips past me, heading down the street.

  My feet follow her without thought as if I no longer have control over my body. All that matters to me is this human, and everything else has faded into the background. I won’t be right until I get a taste of her.

  My steps are careful and quiet, as I follow her, watching her hips sway. It feels like every one of her movements is tempting me. Not to mention, the scent of her blood makes my mind hazy and my cock hard.

  Humans provide vampires with intoxicating pleasure, and it goes both ways. Maybe I’ve found the perfect replacement for David.

  Fuck.

  I shouldn’t even think of using a female for my feeding, but I want her. I want her more than anything I’ve wanted in a long time. I didn’t come here for this, but I can’t remember why I’m here. There are only a few meters between us now. As the woman takes the corner, she glances back at me.

  Our eyes meet for a brief moment, and electricity pulses between us. This woman has got the most stunning green eyes I’ve ever seen. She’s also beyond beautiful. My balls ache at the thought of giving her the night of her life—a night she’ll never forget. I want to taste her repeatedly until she’s begging me for my fangs and cock.

  How the fuck am I not able to control my urges?

  There’s something important I came here to do, and it wasn’t chasing poor human women down the street. I’m acting like a primal animal, hunting its prey. I grit my teeth, trying desperately to remember why the fuck I’m here as I follow her around the next corner.

  She glances back at me again, hastening her steps. It’s clear she has noticed me, and her heart rate is getting quicker.

  The predator inside rises to the surface—excited by the chase. The moment I set eyes on her again, the haze clouds my mind stronger than before.

  I’m a vampire, which means I could catch her in seconds. Yet, I’m enjoying the chase and listening to the erratic beat of her heart as she tries to escape. There is no escape from me.

  Why the fuck didn’t I listen to Alastair?

  He always knows best, and as always, I’m a hot head that wants to save the day. I never think things through, but then, I didn’t expect to be bowled over by some human blood. It wasn’t until I caught her scent, that I got derailed. Even as I try to recall the important reason why I’m here, I can’t even remember what it was.

  The woman glances over her shoulder for the third time. She sees me, and her stunning emerald eyes widen. Her nostrils flare, and her fear hits me.

  Suddenly, she breaks into a sprint away.

  I smirk, feeling the need to chase her increase. We’re natural predators and get a kick from human fear. I break into a jog, which would seem like a fast sprint to more humans.

  She glances back over her shoulder again to see me closing in. It’s a mistake to look back as she tumbles to the ground, screaming.

  I grab her by the jacket, yanking her to her feet. Quickly, I move with her down an alleyway and push her against the wall. The last thing I need is for wolf-shifters to find me attacking a human in the streets of London.

  She breathes erratically, shaking as I pin her there.

  My cock and fangs are aching to be embedded in this woman. Her emerald eyes are full of fear, but once I bite her, all she will look at me with is pure desire.

  4

  Rosie

  My body shakes as he holds me against the wall. His red eyes glow in the dark of the alleyway he has me trapped in. I can’t believe I’m about to be murdered by a vampire. The shifters are supposed to keep them out of the city—a great fucking job they’ve done.

  “What’s your name, darling?” he asks in a deep, baritone rumble.

  My stomach clenches at the sound of his voice. I’ve heard about the allure of vampires on humans—they have a the ability to seduce us. It’s part of their predatory senses, allowing them to get close enough to humans to feed.

  He grips my hips possessively, digging his fingers in so hard it hurts. The last thing I should feel is aroused, but he is working his magic right now. As I look into the stunning vampire’s eyes, I can’t conjure the fear that should be there.

  “I asked you a question,” he growls.

  I lick my too dry lips, drawing his attention to them. “Rosie,” I say, my voice quiet.

  “Rosie,” he repeats my name in a husky tone. “Why are you out here all on your own at this time of night?” He tilts his head in an almost predatory way.

  I swallow hard, wishing I’d waited at the bar for Kev. I may have been there another two hours, but that beats getting murdered down an alley. Vampires are notoriously weak when it comes to resisting their thirst. “Walking home,” I squeak.

  His eyes flash with fire that borders on sexual. “Where is that?” he purrs.

  I lick my bottom lip slowly and try to weigh up my options. If this vampire seriously thinks I’m going to tell him where I live, he is deluded. Alice, my friend, also lives there, and I’m not about to lead her to the slaughter too. “Why do you need to know?”

  He growls a deep, viscous sound and tightens his grip on me. “Tell me now.”

  “A few blocks from here,” I say.

  There’s a flash of rage in his eyes. “I need the address.”

  I shake my head, knowing I’m dead either way. “No, I won’t risk my roommate’s life.” I hold my chin up high, despite the fact I am scared.

  He snarls, eyes flashing with rage and desire. “You don’t know who I am.” His grip tightens painfully on my hips, bruising the flesh and making me wince.

  I shake my head. “You’re a vampire,” I say, wishing I had a knife. For a year or so, I’ve stopped carrying one, a decision I’m coming to regret not only once tonight. First, the run-in with Elias, and now a vampire attack.

  Can’t I catch a break?

  He moves his face closer to mine, his breath hitting my lips. “Not any vampire. I’m the vampire king.”

  A shiver runs down my spine. If this vampire is the vampire king, then I’m screwed. He’s the oldest and most powerful vampire on the earth. “Vladimir Balan,” I breathe.

  He moves his lips close to mine but doesn’t kiss me. “You can call me Vlad.”

  I’ve heard so many rumors about the pleasure of a vampire bite. Some insist it’s more addictive than any drug. “What are you going to do to me?”

  He nips my bottom lip with his f
ang, breaking the skin. “Drive you insane,” he growls, before melding his lips to mine.

  I tense at first, before relaxing.

  His lips are hard and dominant as he kisses me deeply, tongue sliding into my mouth.

  I moan against him, feeling all of my self-control slip. Is this some kind of magic he’s using? Vampires can’t use magic, but it feels like all my self-control has been taken away from me.

  Vlad’s grip tightens on my hips, and he pulls me harder against him, groaning softly. He moves his lips from my mouth, down my neck, making me shiver.

  I know the danger this man puts me in. He’s a vampire. He could drain me in a matter of minutes, and I wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it. As I try to remind myself of that fact, I feel his fangs lightly graze my skin.

  “You are more intoxicating than anything I’ve ever scented before.” He pulls away and looks me in the eye. “Would you allow me a taste?”

  I stare up at the vampire king, blinking.

  Did he just ask my position to bite me?

  “Why do you look so shocked? Did you expect me to take whatever I want in a town like this? I may be powerful, but I don’t have a fucking death wish.” He smiles handsomely at me, and it’s at that point, I let myself take in his appearance.

  The man is stunning. He has dark, tanned skin, a black beard and black hair shaved on the sides, revealing tattoos that snake down his neck and disappear below his shirt.

  “Do you like what you see?” he asks, snapping my eyes back up to his.

  I swallow hard. “I should get going. No biting for me tonight, please.” I try to step to my side, but he puts his arm in the way.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go.” His jaw is tight, and his eyes are piercing.

  “Why not?”

  He breathes in deep. “You are too addictive.”

  I raise a brow. “Is that what you say to all the ladies?” I laugh, feeling a little more at ease ever since he asked my permission to bite me. He doesn’t want to break the rules. I get a feeling he doesn’t intend to murder me.