The sun blinds me into consciousness. Having no recollection of falling asleep last night, I pull myself from underneath the sheets and walk towards the door. How strong is mind control from a vampire? I pull on the handle and a small breeze hits my face as soon as the door is open.

I move my foot towards the threshold and then stop myself. I can't describe it, but my body will not let me leave.

I let out a sigh and then look over to see the guard standing next to the door frame. He has a faint bruise on his cheekbone.

He looks over at me and grunts.

"Good morning to you too." I roll my eyes as I shut the door behind me.

I walk to the bathroom and throw cold water into my face. There are bags underneath my puffy eyes. The cold water feels refreshing. I grab onto a small white towel and begin to wipe the water away.

I look into the mirror and am met with cold blue eyes. I jump at the sight of him, whipping my body around.

"Good morning" He rings out cheerfully.

"You scared me." I put my hand over my heart.

He ignores me, pushing himself off of the door frame and walking towards the mirror.

"Tonight we have an event in the ballroom. Your dress will be fitted and you will attend the ball with me. You will be on your best behaviour." He fixes his hair in the mirror before turning his eyes towards me.

"Why do I have to go to this?" I furrow my brows.

"Because you, my dear, are the highlight of the evening." He lifts my chin.

I swallow a knot in my throat. Being in the middle of a room full of vampires is the last thing on my bucket list today.

He clears his throat, "Are you ready for breakfast? We have a fancy cuisine of spinach omelets and fresh fruit," he rings. Today he radiates sunshine. His hair is perfectly brushed out of his face and he wears a black V-neck T-shirt.

"Are you ready to let Addison go?" I counter, raising a brow.

"Are you going to remain upset with me all morning?" He sighs.

"Are you going to stop keeping me prisoner?"

"Okay, fair enough." He says as he leans against the counter. "We can negotiate." He crosses his arms over his chest and a small smile plays on his lips. His blue eyes are alight with amusement.

I close my mouth at his words. Is he being... agreeable?

"Let Addison go." I begin.

"Okay." He breathes out casually. I am taken back by his sudden calm nature. Is he being reasonable?

Liam then pushes off of the bathroom countertop and takes a small step towards me. The scent of peppermint and wood hits my nose as he grows closer. He places both hands on either side of the counter, trapping me in.

He leans even closer, his face brushing past my cheek to rest beside my ear.

"As long as nothing goes wrong tonight, Addison will walk free." he whispers out.

Something important is happening tonight and Liam must need everything to be perfect. I wish I knew what it was. A small chill runs down my spine.

I slowly nod my head.

"Okay. I will do what you say. As long as she is okay."

Liam smiles, giving me my space. He takes my hand and leads me out of the bedroom. My feet do not shy away from the door this time. We walk down to the dining room.

I take my seat at the table and dare to look at him. It can't be that easy. He has to be lying to me. Why let her go now?

A plate of steaming food is placed in front of me along with a small crystal glass of orange juice. I take in the salty aroma of the spinach omelet with a side of fried potatoes.

I dare look at him.

He carefully places a napkin in his lap as one of the servants places a crystal glass full of red liquid on the table. He wraps his fingers around the cup and brings it to his lips.

"What happens if you don't drink... blood?" The question escapes my lips without my consent.

His eyes snap towards mine. He places the glass back onto the table, his eyes watching the liquid swirl in the cup.

"What do you think happens?" His voice floats across the table.

"You shrivel up into a pile of dust?" I say a little too hopefully.

"Not exactly." Is all he says as he picks up his fork and shoves a slide of his omelet into his mouth.

A moment of silence fills the room as I think about the reality of being a vampire.

"So then what happens?" I press.

He sighs, putting his fork down on the table once more. His gaze turns to me.

"If a vampire were to go through an extended period of time without blood, they would begin to get very very pale. Their blood would clot and it would not be a very pretty sight." He watches me for a moment.

Satisfied with his answer and uneasy under his stare, I pick up my fork and decide to try the potatoes.

"That is until the thirst takes over." I can feel his smirk radiating through the room.

I shiver thinking of a rabid vampire roaming around like a hungry raccoon.

"How do you get... the blood?" I dare ask.

He tilts his head to the side.

"You are very bold today, Alexandra." His eyes dance over my form.

"Just trying to make sure you don't plan on biting me or something" I shudder at the thought of his teeth sinking into me.

"I've heard the experience is quite riveting." He smiles into his cup as he gulps down another sip.

"Does a vampire bite not turn someone into a vampire?" Another question.

"Do you wish to become a vampire?" He counters with a wicked smile.

I furrow my brows.

"I am a hybrid. I am already a vampire."

He then lets out an amused sputtering laugh.

"You, my dear, have not yet transitioned into a vampire. That is why you do not have to drink human blood." He talks with me as if I should have known this all along.

Part of it makes sense though. I do not drink blood. That sounds horrible.

"So when that happens does that mean that I will be stronger than you?" The thought of outmatching him entices me.

"Possibly," He says as he shoves a fork full of eggs into his mouth, "But I am not yet ready to unlock your full potential yet."

My stomach drops. What does that mean?

***

My heels click as I walk with Liam down the long hallway towards the ballroom. He wears a stark black suit with a bloody red tie around his neck. His hair is slicked back out of his freshly-shaved face. He slides a cool blue eye towards me for a moment. A warning.

I remember his words only moments ago.

Behave tonight and Addison will go free.

Simple enough. But something inside my stomach begins to knot. Red alarms go off in my head as I worry that I am not prepared for tonight.

Why would a pureblooded vampire invite his brand new hybrid trophy to an event. I replay his words in my head.

You, my dear, are the highlight of the evening.

We reach the large pair of doors to the ballroom and I pause to take in a deep breath. Behave Alex, behave. The doors open and we are greeted with a golden light.

The dress that I was fitted in is absolutely gorgeous. I have never worn a ball gown and part of me never wants to take it off. The fitted bodice is lined with sapphire blue jewels. The skirt of the dress flows around my legs. The material is a shimmering satin.

The dainty heels on my feet are silver with matching sapphires on the backs of them.

The women who dressed me also curled my hair, pinning it in little swirls out of my face. Small white flowers decorate the back of my head.

Inside the ballroom is littered with vampires. Each one of the vampires is flawless in every way. They are perfectly sculpted creatures with perfect complexions. The room is decorated with black and gold banners that dangle from the massive chandelier that hangs from the ceiling.

Soft slow music wanders through the air as quiet chatter is heard. Servants carry golden platters around the room filled with champagne and shrimp cocktails.

As soon as the doors open, eyes drift towards Liam and I. I immediately feel my stomach flip over at the attention.

The anxiety gets worse as two people move to approach us. The vampires smile and bow their heads to greet Liam.

"Liam, this is a wonderful event." One of the men gleams out. He washes his gaze over to the, "And who is this beauty?" He says to Liam.

"This is Alexandra." Liam says proudly, letting my hand go.

"Where did you find her?" He draws his glance back to Liam. His tone is intriguing.

He looks like someone of high class. He wears a white suit with no tie. His hair is black and reaches down to his shoulders. He stands about an inch shorter than Liam, but still towers about a head over me.

"She is special," Liam muses, looking my way. A small blush covers my face. But it's not flattery that makes me blush, it's nerves. I feel my heart speed in my chest.

"So not our kind?" the man looks back at me. I don't like this conversation anymore. I want to escape. "She reeks of wolf" he concludes and I grow slightly angry at his venomous choice of words.

"Now Brendon, don't disrespect the little lady." Liam softly scolds, squeezing my hand. "This is my hybrid. She is part vampire as well as a fine breed of white wolf." He informs him.

Brendon's face changes and he now looks at me with jealousy.

"Oh I see," he says, an interest peaking into his tone. "What do you want for her?" He bargains.

Want for me? Am I being sold like a pet? My lips part slightly as I think of taking a step back. My cheeks are flushed and I suddenly feel out of breath.

Liam clicks his teeth at the man, "Now why would I sell her?". My heart pounds.

"Excuse me, I have to go to the ladies room." I smile, trying not to show my distaste for them both. I duck my head and turn away from the pair as they continue to converse. I walk towards the bar on the far side of the room.

There are three people seated on dark velvet stools in front of the bar.

"What can I get ya?" A friendly man asks from behind the bar.

"Just water please." I choke out.

I take a deep breath, gathering all of my emotions. Throw my head to look behind me. Liam's group of buyers has grown by three or four more people.

My heart won't calm down. This is the reason he wanted me to attend tonight. He wants everybody to know that he single-handedly captured the hybrid. I tap my finger anxiously on the bar.

"Here try this," the bartender says as he hands me a glass of purple liquid.

"Thanks, but I asked for water.." I say kindly, returning the tempting liquid.

"You look like you need it. Just one sip won't hurt." He says softly, pushing it back. He spares me a quick wink before turning back to his work.

"You know? Screw it." I let out a breath as I take a sip of the purple liquid in the wine glass. The faintest taste of berries dances on my tongue.

I drink the entire glass of swirling liquid. I have been here a solid twenty minutes and have calmed myself down enough.

I set the glass down and turn to walk back and find Liam. My head gently spins from the sudden buzz of alcohol in my system. I feel like a lightweight as I begin to shift through the moving crowd of vampires. What was in that drink? I stumble in my heels and my arm is grabbed by a gentle hand. I am pulled back up and immediately my brows furrow as I meet a familiar face.

Russell.

My eyes widen as I stumble into him. He catches me easily with his strong arms.

"Alex?" He questions me, shock covering his features. I wobble back to where I was standing straight. My eyes dart for an escape.

Russell was the rogue I met in the woods. He was sent to kidnap me by Liam. His counterpart, Aubrey, stabbed me in the side with a knife. They both left me bleeding out in the woods.

"Russel, what are you doing here?" I let out a nervous breath.

"I was going to ask you then same thing." He says, puzzled.

My head still rushes, I don't feel like figuring this mystery out right now. I turn the opposite direction and start walking away. Whatever was in that drink is hitting me hard.

"Alex, wait." I hear Russell yell behind me. He is probably going to come fetch me next so I pick up the pace.

I see the large exit about ten feet to my left and immediately correct my direction to head towards it. I am blocked by a crowd of vampires dancing in front of the entrance. I politely shove my way through the mass only to be met once again by Russell.

"Alex," he holds his hands out and waves me over. He looks relieved.

I decide to hear him out. Maybe there is an explanation for why he left me to die in the woods. Maybe not.

I gently shove past another person, heading towards Russell. Only a foot catches on mine and I crash to the floor. On the way down, I knock into one of the waiters, sending cocktails flying into the air. I crumble on top of Russell and knock my chin on the cold stone floor.

I turn back around in shock to look at the damage. Two people are laying on the floor covered in red cocktails and shrimp. The waiter quickly pulls his black towel to clean the mess.

I look up to meet eyes with a woman wearing a white dress. It is covered in red sauce.

"Are you kidding me?" She booms furiously, "This is a custom dress that cost me like four thousand dollars."

The angry red woman makes her way towards me, leaving a trail of steam behind her.

"It was an accident." I hear Russell say firmly from behind me.

I pull myself to my feet and throw my arms out in front of me as she approaches me.

"I am so sorry." I say with a shaky voice.

The woman, now looking like a fuzzy blob, glares at me angrily. My head spins as I try to stay focused on the woman.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Pay up now!" She screeches out, her voice cracking at the end.

"Alex? Are you okay?" I hear Russell's faint voice as he walks in front of me. His figure is fuzzy.

I furrow my brows as my head continues to spin wildly. Next thing I know, I collapse onto the floor. I force my eyes back open as I feel arms around me. I look into the furrowed brows of Liam.

_____________________________

Updated chapter*

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