I Am The Only One

Cage

The assembly was in a state of frenetic turmoil. Alcohol, poor choices, and a vow of regret in the future were almost certain outcomes.

That was just what I needed to let off some steam.

Kieran, the ever-calm voice behind me, said, "Armand is going to be pissed if you fuck up the Treaty," as we pushed through the crowd. For the last six months, our agreement with the hunters had remained intact. They maintained a safe distance from our region and we avoided entering it.

We had a common ground tonight.

I doubted they would antagonize me, even if we stumbled upon hunters. They were aware of my situation with Armand, the Vampire King. I was made by him millennia ago. I was the Prince, the heir apparent. The term seemed redundant and arrogant to me, but the tradition was a hard habit to break.

When I got to the bar, I gave an order and looked up at Kieran. With the knowledge that he would call me out on my answer, I said, "Really Kieran, it's just a drink. How much trouble could I get into?"

He did not let us down. His eyebrows shot up in shock. "Do you really want me to itemize all of your past indiscretions? Because I am not certain eternity is enough time to sufficiently do them justice."

With a naughty dance of her gaze, Natalia's chocolate brown eyes glowed with laughter. She was just as excited to let go of herself and follow the night wherever it led. Kieran cast a scowl. "Talia, don't encourage him."

She playfully pursed her lips and spread her sable irises wide. "I'm hurt you would think such a thing of me."

His countenance softened, but he still rolled his eyes at her blatant pretense of innocence. I grinned. He was encircled around her pinky finger. I easily grabbed a glass that the bartender dropped in my way. At last, maybe I could unwind.

But as soon as I raised the drink to my lips, I smelled it, and my intentions for a typical evening of drinking, quenching my thirst, and maybe a little frolicking with one or maybe two willing partners went completely awry.

A hiss leaked out between my teeth. I felt every muscle in my body tensing and locking, pushing against the limits of my clothes.

It was not achievable.

Finding a human with the smell of an old vampire lineage was very uncommon, but it did occur.

However, this was different—incorrect.

Whoever it was, there was definitely a bloodline fragrance about them. That was simply not the only known five lineages. And that's what prevented it from happening. Beside me, Kieran's body became similarly tight and he growled, "What is that?"

And so did he smell it.

I shrugged off his query and gently scanned the throng as I tilted my head toward the aroma. Kieran stopped talking, realizing that I was faking it. The individual was easily recognized, even in a room full of inebriated partygoers.

She was giving me a really serious look.

My veins were filled with adrenaline, which sharpened my already keen senses. The devil did I know her? What was her desire and what did she know?

I took in her beauty. Even though she seemed very youthful, the firmness in her shoulders suggested that she had more experience and resolve than her years. Her broad face was framed by strawberry blonde hair, plump lips, and big crystal blue eyes. Her ivory complexion glinted in the illumination. She seemed perfectly normal. There was no physical hint that I could identify her. All OK, except for her awful smell—sweet, tangerine, and spicy. stimulating. I gave it a big inhale. Fuck, I knew she was dangerous, no question about it. This had to end.

but, not before I had responses.

She seemed astonished to be gazing at me while having a strong, confused stare. That was nonsensical. I first spotted Hayden sitting next to her until she eventually diverted her attention.

Hell, hunter. Of course, she couldn't be cozying up to their commander; she couldn't simply be any hunter. My hands instinctively balled into fists, my knuckles cracking under the strain. I resisted the strong temptation to strike someone or anything.

This exceeded my expectations in severity.

I listened to their discussion, honing my extrasensory hearing until just the slightest tilt of my head revealed my intention. Asking Hayden, "How did you know I spoke English?" the little woman's lips curled down into the tiniest of frowns and her eyebrows puckered.

Interesting. She had never met him before.

Her blunt inquiry took him off guard, as he paused for a moment before immediately gaining his composure. "Your blonde hair and pale features. I had a hunch. And while I may have presumed your language correctly, I doubt very highly that I would be able to guess where you are from."

He had lied.

She was quite aware of who that son of a bitch was.

But given that we knew nothing about her, how could it be possible? How could he be aware that people have bloodlines? Should that be her true nature? I couldn't get over the feeling that this wasn't some kind of grandiose, although certainly complicated, plot. It all made no sense.

She gave Hayden a close examination. Her thoughts were practically visible to me. She had a feeling he wasn't being completely honest. She was observant, huh? However, she seemed to shed her skepticism a second later. "New York."

My vision was obstructed by the throng moving. Talia was brought out onto the dance floor by me as I took her hand. She surprised me by looking up, but as soon as she saw my look of rage, she glanced away and silently agreed. I pivoted our physiques and once again met her gaze.

And they were trained right on me again.

This was untrue. I was going to obtain answers....directly from the source. Hayden didn't matter to me at all. Her risk was too great to overlook. I whirled Talia into a man's arms without his knowledge. She smiled mischievously at him. The startled customer gave her a startled look in return as if he had just discovered that it was both his birthday and Christmas combined into one svelte, alluring package. I gave a snort and moved toward the mysterious beauty, pushing my way through the crowd of people.

She blushed hot as I drew nearer. Her heart pounded faster, making my clenched teeth hurt. I understood the feminine physique better than anybody, even though I had no clue who she was. She really wanted to be nearer to me.

I would give it right back to her.

I bent down and realized, just before I spoke, that I shouldn't have used English. I did not want to instill in her the same fear that Hayden felt. With ease, I said in Romanian, "(May I have the honor of a dance?)"

She fluttered. She had gorgeous pink cheeks. Her lips attempted to make a reply, but nothing came out. With a sly smile, I considered just throwing her over my shoulder and leaving with her. I was overcome with a strong desire to touch her smooth skin and be alone with her. The only thing I wanted was to take a bath in her delicious smell. However, I had a feeling she wouldn't like my prehistoric act. So I stood by.

Her self-imposed trance was broken when Hayden put a touch on her arm. He had a clipped tone. "I don't think that's your...safest idea." Softly. A growl crept up my throat, which I was forced to suppress. It would hurt, but he had to take his dirty paw off her before I did it for him.

She looked back at him, her blue eyes wide with uncertainty. And there's more: rage. She was fierce, then. It was obvious that she disliked being told what to do.

Excellent.

I was sure she would accept my clear challenge, so I murmured, "I am sure she is capable of reasoning and deciding for herself," and my lips twisted up into a nasty grin.

She smiled politely, just like she was supposed to, and took his arm. "I'll be fine, but thank you for the concern."

Perfect manners.

I adored that.

Hayden frowned, but her eyes had moved away from him. She was concentrating on me. As I led her onto the dance floor, my grin grew. I could finally touch her.

I was preoccupied with the lovely sensation of her body in my hands as I held her. Her perfume was strong and drew me in. I wanted to suffocate in it.

I was craving more from her.

I wanted all of her, hell.

I grabbed her close to my chest and swung her around in my arms so she was facing away from me. She let out a gasp, and my dick instantly responded to the sound. She lifted her arms over her head, and embraced me with her whole body, giving herself up to my touch.