THE FORBIDDEN LOVE

They say that all of us are truly afraid of something. You can't really stop being afraid of something by pretending everything that scares you isn't there. This is my world. A world where you live in constant fear, at least in my eyes, it was. Today was finally the day that I was going to face my fears. Although, there's no doubt that if I had a choice. I would have chosen to avoid them. Today was the day I come face to face with the vampires. Truth be told, humans had discovered about the existence of vampires years ago and was able to get along with them normally, as they say it, but in my eyes, it was nowhere close to being normal. The fact that we breathe and live in the same world as them wasn't right. The fact that we, weak humans had to obey their every command wasn't right. The fact that we humans look up to the same people who kill and abuse our kind for their own pleasure wasn't right. And the fact that they had the right to choose an innocent human girl every year to be their soulmate, or shall I say, their personal blood-bag was sickening and wrong beyond words.

None of this felt right. Yet my people praise and follow their every command. Why? You could say that half of them wanted power. After all, if a human was able to drink the blood of a vampire with pure blood who were the descendants of the very first vampires, they'd be able to become vampires themselves.

Not only will be they able to gain the powers that a vampire possessed but they'll also be to become part of the Ardelean vampire family. They were the descendants of the first vampires ever known to mankind and the strongest of their kind.

And out of all the pure blood vampires. Draven Cruz was considered the most powerful and strongest one. The reason alone is why everyone's so desperate to make sure that their daughters were chosen by Draven Cruz. All because they can become part of the Ardelean Family. While most of my people craved for power, the other half craved for freedom.

To escape from the constant fear that runs through their mind. I was one of those very few people. I wanted to stay away from the vampires and be able to have some sort of self-security throughout my life. But with the mix of humans and vampires in the same town? Peace was nowhere to be found in our dictionary.

"Stop, that's enough mom." I murmured, on which my mother responded with a scoff. Her dark eyes pierced into my brown orbs and I returned the glare.

"It's just some powder." She brushed some more before I turned my face away.

"God, why do you have to be so persistent Adriana!" She snapped, slamming the powder on the dressing table before tucking some strands of her wavy, black hair behind her ears.

"I told you that I do not want to dress up in a way that would catch anyone's attention." I shot back, tears already welling in my eyes as I turned to face my mother.

"Do you realize just how important this ceremony is? Draven Cruz is finally willing to take a partner that fits to his taste, and you could be one of them." She huffed, packing back and forth, an old habit she used to do when she was either stressed or nervous.

"How many times do you want to me to repeat myself mother? I do not want to be chosen! If I had a choice, I wouldn't even attend this dumb excuse of a ceremony!" I snapped, standing up from my position and adjusting my sleeveless red gown that effortlessly reached all the way down to the floor.

"Yes, but make sure to wear the bracelet and necklace your father bought you." Her ignorant words saddened me and I bit my bottom lip, fighting back my tears. She was supposed to be my mother, yet she wasn't able to understand how hard this was for me.

"I don't want to be chosen mother." I choked out helplessly, turning to face her, hoping that for once in her life, she'll put my feelings before hers.

"Nonsense, you're being dramatic. Girls your age are delighted by the news that none other than Draven Cruz was willing to choose a partner this year." My mother retorted with a hint of annoyance in her tone.

"Why can't you be just as happy?" She questioned, brushing a hand through her hair in a frustrated manner and I sat back on the chair, knowing very well that there was no way that someone who praised vampires could ever understand the position I was in right now.

"He's choosing not one, but five girls mother." I muttered, grabbing the brush from the dressing table before running it through my hair.

"All the more reason why you have a better chance, sweetheart. Only one can pass from those five girls and I'm sure you'll be the one to win his heart." Her voice returned back to her old cheerful one and I went silent. I hardly doubt I'll be able to win the heart of a heartless demon.

"Aren't you going to miss me?"' I asked, slipping on my bracelet and necklace before turning to face her again.

"Of course I'm going to miss you darling! But I'm sure that you'll be much happier there." She reassured, walking towards me and bending down to give me a hug. "Oh, I know you're going to make me so proud tonight." She smiled a little, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck and I blinked away my tears before resting my head on her chest.

"I-I hope so." I lied, breathing in her scent before pulling away.

"Now hurry, your father is waiting for you outside." She smiled and I nodded before slipping on my black heels that matched my jewelry. If only the dress was able to conceal the shape of my body. I want to make sure that no attention was drawn towards me tonight. As I stepped inside the front seat of the car, my father cleared his throat and I hung my head before fiddling with my fingers in silence.