Kikelomo_Odusola_7017

After tragically losing her parents in a car accident, Helena is taken in by her Aunt Agatha. But instead of finding comfort and support in her new home, Helena is met with cruelty and neglect. Her only source of solace is her kind Uncle James, but when he unexpectedly passes away, Helena is left alone to endure her aunt's abuse and her cousin Elizabeth's taunts.
  Meanwhile, a new student named Xavier joins Helena's class at school. Unbeknownst to Helena, Xavier is a vampire, and his elder brother, a powerful vampire leader, discovers that Helena's blood possesses unique properties that could benefit their kind.
  Xavier, drawn to Helena's quiet strength and the pain hidden behind her eyes, becomes determined to help her find a way out of her difficult situation and discover the true meaning of family and love. As they grow closer, Xavier realizes he must protect Helena from his brother's dark intentions.
Despite the dangers posed by Xavier's vampire identity and his brother's obsession with Helena's blood, the two find themselves falling for each other, embarking on a forbidden romance that could have deadly consequences.
  Together, Helena and Xavier navigate the challenges of adolescence, grapple with their troubled pasts, and learn to rely on each other as they search for a brighter future."With danger and darkness closing in around them, one question remains: will their love for each other be enough to overcome the obstacles they face, or will their forbidden romance ultimately be their downfall?"

BLOODBOUND HEART

The assembly hall was buzzing with chatter, students shifting restlessly in their seats. The moment Xavier took the stage, Helena felt a chill crawl up her spine.

"Some students here think they belong," Xavier announced, his smirk sharp. "But do they?"

Helena stiffened as his gaze locked onto hers.

"This girl—Helena—she doesn't live in a fancy mansion like the rest of you. She doesn't even live in an apartment." His voice dripped with mockery. "No, our scholarship princess sleeps in a tent."

The hall fell silent for a heartbeat—then erupted into whispers, gasps, and muffled laughter.

Helena felt her pulse pound in her ears. Her hands clenched at her sides, but she refused to lower her head. If she did, he'd win.

She forced herself to smile. "Well, at least I have something you don't, Xavier—integrity."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Some students turned to each other, re-evaluating the situation.

Xavier's smirk faltered, but he recovered quickly, his green eyes narrowing.

Helena had been avoiding him all day, but as she walked past the deserted courtyard, hushed voices caught her attention.

"Stay out of this," Xavier growled.

"Or what?" the other student taunted.

Then, it happened. Xavier shoved him—not with normal force, but with something else. Unnatural strength. The other student flew back, skidding against the pavement as though he weighed nothing.

Helena gasped, stepping back instinctively.

Then she saw them. Xavier's eyes—glowing red, burning like embers in the dark.

For a single, horrifying moment, she felt like prey.

Xavier turned sharply, and in the blink of an eye, his eyes dimmed back to green. He forced a laugh, stepping toward her. "Didn't your parents teach you it's rude to eavesdrop?"

Because suddenly, she realized… Xavier wasn't just a bully. He was something else entirely

Depths of Despair