The Sleeping Heir I Should Have Chosen

The fire in my back screamed for blood. My fingers twitched, my body aching to retaliate with the combat moves I knew from my past life.

But I couldn't. Not now.

Tonight was my birthday. The night of the Blood Bond announcement. Every important member of the Clare family was here. I couldn't make a scene.

I clenched my jaw, swallowing my anger, and pushed myself off the wall. "I'm fine," I said, brushing the dust from my dress. My voice was steady.

Chloe continued her performance in Julian's arms, tears still streaming. "Julian, I'm really okay... My sister was probably just nervous," she whispered. "Tonight is so important, after all."

Julian's followers chimed in, eager to twist the knife.

"A mere human, and she can't even stomach her own sister."

"How can she lead a family with a heart full of jealousy?"

"Lord Julian, you should reconsider your choice."

A smug look crossed Julian's face as he listened. He released Chloe and stalked toward me, his presence suffocating.

"Maggie," he said, looking down his nose at me. "Apologize to Chloe."

"Apologize?" I laughed. "For what?"

"For pushing her!" His voice was a command. "If you want me to choose you, you need to learn to control that venomous tongue of yours!"

He took another step, his face inches from mine. "Know your place. After the bond, we will live separate lives. As long as you accept that, I will choose you."

Separate lives.

He could be with Chloe openly, and I would have to suffer in silence. That was exactly how they drove me mad in my past life.

"Julian," I said, looking at the face I was once so obsessed with. "Do you really think I have no other choice?"

"Don't you?" he smirked, his eyes full of contempt. "Who else would have you but—"

A calm voice cut through the tension. "My apologies for the interruption."

Marcus, the Lord's right-hand man, stood at the entrance to the hall.

"The banquet is about to begin. Lord Alistair will be arriving shortly." Marcus gave me a respectful nod, then scanned the room. "Please prepare yourselves."

Just then, the lights in the hall dimmed.

A living storm of black bats poured from the vaulted ceiling, their wings making an eerie, flapping sound. When the vortex of shadows subsided, a tall figure stood in its place.

Evan.

The firstborn of the Clare family. An ancient vampire who had slumbered for a hundred years.

He wore an exquisite black suit, his long silver hair a cascade down his back.

His pale face was inhumanly beautiful, and cold.

But the most shocking thing was the aura of raw power that radiated from him.

It was an ancient, predatory presence, stronger than any legend dared to claim, and it made everyone instinctively take a step back.

Hushed gasps filled the hall.

"Gods... it's Lord Evan..."

"Why has he awakened?"

"That power... it's overwhelming."

"I thought he was still gravely injured."

Everyone stared, too stunned to speak. But Marcus showed no surprise at all, as if he'd been expecting this. He even gave a slight bow. "Lord Evan."

Julian's face turned ugly. "I can't believe that fossil is still breathing," he muttered.

Evan's crimson eyes swept the room, finally landing on me.

He walked straight toward me.

The floor seemed to tremble with each step, and the crowd parted for him like the sea.

No one dared get in his way.

He stopped in front of me and saw my hand pressed against my back.

His brow furrowed. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

Seeing his face, I was hit with a sudden flash of my death. A bloody night.

Everyone had abandoned me, betrayed me. Only Evan had avenged me.

After I was gone, he had slaughtered every last person involved in that dark ritual, including Julian and Chloe.

All those who had hurt me had turned to ash in his rage.

The memory made my eyes burn. "I'm fine," I whispered.

Julian saw this and stormed over, his eyes blazing with possessiveness. "Evan, she doesn't need your concern," he sneered. "Maggie will be my bonded partner soon enough. You're just an outsider."

Marcus's eyes widened in shock at Julian's claim, and he opened his mouth to speak.

But Evan raised a hand, silencing him.

"The Lord decreed that Miss Maggie's coming-of-age is a family affair," Evan said, his voice cool and proud. "I am merely observing basic courtesy."

With that, he strode toward the back of the hall, his back straight, radiating an untouchable authority.

Julian watched him go, then laughed.

He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close.

"You see?" he whispered in my ear. "Even if you threw yourself at him, a washed-up fossil like that wouldn't give you a second look."

His voice dripped with scorn. "So, play by my rules... or else."