The vampire

Chapter 10 : (Adrian's POV )

Amber Rose thinks she's in control.

She thinks ignoring me will work. That avoiding my gaze, pretending not to hear me, and fighting this pull between us will make it disappear.

She's wrong.

She has no idea what kind of man she's dealing with.

Because when I want something—I take it

And right now?

I want her.

—

She barely lasted through class.

Every sharp inhale. Every tiny twitch of her fingers. Every single time she fought the urge to look at me.

She was crumbling under the weight of her own stubbornness.

I didn't push.

I didn't have to.

Amber was already fighting herself.

The moment the bell rang, she grabbed her bag like it was a lifeline and bolted toward the door.

I smirked. Coward.

With slow, measured movements, I stood and followed her.

She wasn't fast enough.

She never would be.

—

I caught up to her in the hallway.

The second she sensed me , she sped up.

I let her think she had a head start.

And then?

I cut her off, stepping in front of her just as she turned the corner.

She gasped, stumbling back. "Adrian—"

"Going somewhere, sweetheart?" I murmured, tilting my head.

Her grip on her bag tightened. "Move."

I exhaled, tapping my fingers against my arm. "No."

Her jaw clenched. "Seriously?"

"Deadly."

She scowled. "Why are you following me?"

I smirked. "Who says I was?"

She crossed her arms. "So this is a coincidence?"

"Fate, maybe." I stepped closer, watching as her breath hitched . "Or maybe… you wanted me to follow you."

She scoffed. "Wow. Your ego is actually unbelievable."

I leaned in slightly, voice dropping. "And yet, you still haven't walked away."

Silence.

Her lips parted slightly.

She hated that I was right.

She hated that she wanted to argue—but couldn't.

Because she wasn't running.

Not really.

I studied her carefully, dragging my gaze over her face, the stubborn furrow of her brows, the slight tremble of her fingers—like she wanted to push me away but couldn't quite make herself do it.

"Why are you so damn annoying?" she muttered.

I hummed. "I could ask you the same thing."

She groaned. "I was literally trying to ignore you."

"And failing spectacularly," I noted.

Her hands clenched into fists. "You are the most—"

I reached out before she could finish.

Not touching. Just close.

Hovering my hand near her jaw, my fingers grazing the space just beneath her chin.

She froze .

Her breath caught.

And for a split second?

She leaned in.

I smiled. Got you.

Then, just to drive the point home, I whispered, "You should stop lying to yourself, Amber."

Her throat bobbed. "I—I'm not—"

I smirked, dragging my gaze to her lips. Just for a second.

Her heartbeat slammed against her ribs.

I leaned in slightly, just enough for her to feel my breath ghost against her skin. "Tell me you don't like this," I murmured.

Silence.

She couldn't.

I tilted my head. "Say the words, Amber."

Her fingers twitched.

Her entire body tensed.

And then?

She shoved me back.

Not hard. Not enough to actually move me.

But enough.

I chuckled, stepping back with an amused look.

She glared at me, breathless. Flustered. "You're impossible."

"And you're still here," I murmured.

Her lips parted, like she wanted to argue.

Then, before I could stop myself , something dark and uninvited flashed through my mind.

Memories.

A girl.

Soft laughter. Warm touched. A promise whispered beneath the moonlight.

And then?

Blood.

A broken voice calling my name.

Pain.

Loss.

The world going black .

—

I sucked in a slow breath, blinking the images away.

Not now. not her

Amber Rose was not the same .

She wouldn't be.

I wouldn't let her.

She stared at me, confused. "Adrian?"

I shook my head slightly, forcing the past down. Forcing myself back into the present

Back into the game.

I smirked. "Careful, sweetheart." I let my voice drop, slow and smooth. "You might start liking me."

She scowled, gripping her bag like it would save her. "Not in a million years."

I chuckled, stepping aside. "We'll see."

She let out an annoyed huff before stroming past me.

I waited.

Watched.

Listened as her heartbeat only settled when she was far enough away.

Then, slowly, I exhaled.

I should let her go.

Should leave her alone.

But the problem?

I had already decided SHE WAS MINE.

And nothing—not fate, not fear, not the past creeping up behind me like a curse—was going to change that.

—