Chapter 23. Different.

**23. Different**

***Astrid's POV:***


I was terrified the entire time. Even though the guy he left me with was a kind one who did not appear to be capable of harming me. I was frightened of meeting him, but I was also looking forward to the time when everything would end, whether good or bad, but nothing came up.

He blindfolds me every time as if he has a fetish for it or something.

Soon after, he ordered this guy with me, whose name I learned to be Bryan to unfold the blind. He took off my blindfold, and I immediately began looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

Maybe this guy (Bryan) is going to take me to wherever they had intended to transport me.

"Would you like to go home and get something?" Bryan asked.

"Home" is a word that has no significance for me because I don't have one. After this day, I will not even have a family.

From what I've heard from everyone that Vampire King desperately wants an heir, I believe he's taking me only for that purpose; otherwise, why would he want me when everyone around me despises me? He should have a secret motive behind everything he does. I nodded in response to Bryan's question.

He started guiding me out. When we were at my previous residence, I walked the place down the stairs and took possession of a box containing items that were significant in my life and also included memories of me. I was preparing to pack some clothes when Bryan reminded me that I shouldn't bring any clothes with me. "Yes, that's it," I said, nodding.

When Bryan and I were returning we came face to face with Skylar. I didn't want to see his face right now, I couldn't bear him any longer. "Wow, look who's here," I said sarcastically to Skylar.

"Astrid," he pursed his lips and gave me a sorry expression, but I'm not falling for them again.

"Do you have something to say, Skylar Jones? If so, say it now because..." As I said the words, my voice became thick. "Because you won't be seeing me after today, and even if I die, I don't want you all to come and see me," I screamed at his face. He was taken aback by my demeanor.

"Don't say that Astrid, you know I've always wanted your good." Skylar tried to take my hands in his, but I backed away.

"OK, I understand," I said, not wanting to argue about a pointless topic. In all honesty, his remarks meant nothing to me other than outright lies.

"Astrid, please forgive me," he began again, but this time I turned to face Bryan, who was still holding the previous blindfold.

"I am finished; you may proceed with your orders," I told to Bryan. I could tell he was sorry for me, yet he kept blindfolding me.

I turned to Skylar before Bryan could whisk me away. "Remember what you've done to me Skylar; it will all come back to you someday, and you'll regret how you treated me that day, and I'll spend the rest of my life cursing you all. If I ever get the chance to return, I will make sure to give you a taste of your own meds." I repeated the words and began going outside, even though I couldn't see anything due to the blindfold.

As I was made to sit in the car, I could sense his presence beside me, and I very well knew who that was. We didn't talk the entire trip, and my thoughts kept returning to today's incident, which was just too distressing for me. I'll never forgive my family for what they did to me. Even if people eventually recognize my worth, I won't be there to accept it.

I trembled as I imagined my future and what he would do to me next. What will I do if he  rape me? Can I even defend myself? But why does my heart feel safe in his presence? I should have been worried about my life at this point, but here I am, sitting right by him, feeling safe.

No, this is not how I should feel. My heart is dumb, and it constantly leads me astray. Because I opted to follow my emotions, I was always in difficulty. This generosity and strength I exhibit have led me nowhere, so it's best if I don't be stupid and don't follow my heart again. I made the mistake twice of believing that my mate would complete me, but that is no longer the case.

Deep within, I accepted the notion that I was unlovable, destined for a life devoid of genuine love, and if they did, it would only be because they wanted something in return from me. maybe that way he won't hurt me, and then, if he's in a good mood, he'll leave me alone.

Upon reaching his destination, we entered what seemed to be his room. As the door closed behind me, my heart raced.

I was wondering if he was going to open my blind, but before I knew it, I could feel his presence behind my back.

I could feel his fingers brushing my hair, and the blinds quickly came down. I shuddered and quickly acclimated to the brightness.

The room was barely lit, and my thoughts were preventing me from focusing on its interior. I turned around to see my Mate's face, and if it hadn't been for my terror dominating all other feelings, I would have gasped.

I've heard many times how attractive this man is, but the descriptions of others do not do justice to what I'm witnessing right now.

His eyes were unreal, looking directly into mine, and those brown orbs offered so much comfort, as did his strong brows, flawless jaw, and light brown stubble covering his face, matching the color of his light brown hair. He is without a doubt the most attractive man I have ever seen. I blinked quickly and forced myself to look away from his gaze, which had held me, hostage, for so long.

I backed away from him and began stripping naked. I thought that if he gets his way quickly he will let me go quickly.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I didn't respond and kept stripping.

He asked me again, and I blurted out everything that came to me. I needed to get rid of it otherwise I'm sure I'd go insane after what happened today.

Maybe once he's through using my body, I won't be afraid to lose anything. It's better than worrying about my dignity being taken from me. It's better if it's done all at once, and then I won't have anything to lose.

"Astrid, stop it," he said again, this time more sternly.

"Why? If this isn't what you wanted, why are you stopping me from doing it?" I yelled everything that came to mind and ended up lashing out.

Even though the words I uttered were hurtful, he didn't turn to look at me, which bothered me. He should have jumped on me by now, but he's not even looking at me.

"Look at me... Look at the fear you've instilled in me," I murmured, and this time he did, and he met my gaze.

He began to approach me. I wanted to back off but I realized there was a wall behind me stopping my actions. I closed my eyes as my mind began to play the worst-case scenarios that may happen to me.

He was directly in front of me, I could feel him. I trembled when I felt the shadows of hands around me, even with my eyes closed. I braced myself for the worst, but then I felt a cloth draped around me, covering my nakedness. I opened my eyes to see him looking at me with concern. He turned his back on me and began walking away before I could ask him a question.

"Rest up, I won't be back until tomorrow," he remarked as he walked away, closing the door behind him.

Why was he acting so strangely? He could easily have overpowered me and no one would have questioned him. No... No... I shouldn't believe this man. Perhaps he wants to earn my trust first before doing anything.

Looking at the door, I decided to give it one more try and attempted to open it, but who was I kidding? It was locked. I returned to the spot where I had previously stood, but this time I sat beside the stand that held some antiques. I gathered myself and dropped my head between my knees, sobbing uncontrollably. I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep; perhaps the exhaustion of the day had gotten to me.

 I awoke when a knock came on the door. When I woke up, my eyelids were tingling and scratchy, indicating that I had only slept for a short period of time. That happens to me when I don't get enough sleep. I massaged my sleepy eyes and walked to the door.

"Who's there?" I asked.

"May I come in?" a female voice asked.

"I'm sorry, but the door is locked from the outside, and I can't open it," I explained.

I didn't get a response from her, but she did open the door and walk in this time.

There entered a gorgeous girl who appeared to be the same age as me when compared to humans. She was simple, and I had no idea who she was. I'm not sure if she was a maid, a cook, his assistant, or his girlfriend. Perhaps she is his girlfriend; she is too gorgeous and courteous in her acts while remaining simple.

"Hey, I don't think you need to be here because he'll come back and punish you," I warned her.

I don't think she's his girlfriend because if she was, she'd be annoyed with me by now. I believe these Vampires, too, have a status, and she may be of high rank.

"He who?" she asked.

I remained silent, afraid that if I said his name, she would complain him.

"Rafael?" she asked on my behalf. I think she knows him well, because who else would dare to address him by his first name?

I nodded in response to her question.

"Don't worry, even if he comes back, I know how to put him in his place," she chuckled as she sat down on the couch in the corner.

I gave her a surprised look. "Oops, where have my manners gone? You're probably wondering who I am, right?" She approached me.

I nodded once again, thinking about the ramifications of this discussion going wrong. I don't want her to be punished simply for speaking to me. She appeared to be rather nice, and I didn't want her to be in trouble because of me.

I still remember him saying he'd make my life a living hell if he didn't know mine was already worse.

"Hello, my name is Eva, and you're Astrid, right?" she said as she extended her hand to me.

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**Eva is a new character, who do you think she is?**

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