BOUND BY MIDNIGHT

Katherine's POV

I had never imagined that my life would change so drastically overnight. Yesterday, I was a simple girl selling flowers, trying to survive in the darkest corners of Elliot King's kingdom. Today, I was being forced into servitude under the very man I feared the most.

The moment I woke up, I knew something was wrong. The air smelled different, sterile and unfamiliar. My body ached, but the wounds from the whipping had been tended to. I wasn't in my home. I was somewhere else—somewhere controlled by him.

Before I could gather my thoughts, the heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing a tall, older vampire woman with sharp eyes and an air of authority.

"I see you're awake," she said, stepping into the dimly lit room. "You will be working as His Majesty's personal maid from now on."

My stomach clenched. I opened my mouth to protest, but she continued, unfazed by my resistance.

"I am Gloria, the head maid. You will address me as such." She placed a neatly folded uniform on the bed. "Put this on."

I hesitated, staring at the uniform—a simple black dress with a white apron. It was a symbol of servitude, a mark that I belonged to him now. But I had no choice, did I? I had survived this long by obeying.

So I took the dress with trembling fingers and changed into it, swallowing my pride with every piece of clothing I put on.

"Good," Gloria said once I was done. "Now, His Majesty has requested your presence."

Elliot's POV

I leaned back in my leather chair, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. My mind was elsewhere, stuck on the stubborn little human who had dared defy me.

I should have been focused on my work—on the endless reports, on the latest clan disputes—but she consumed my thoughts.

Even now, Clara draped herself across my lap, purring into my ear, She was merely a distraction.

"My King," she whispered, trailing a finger down my chest. "You seem… distracted."

I clenched my jaw. I hated when people assumed they could read me.

Before I could shove her off, the doors opened, and she walked in.

Katherine.

She looked smaller than I remembered in the maid's uniform, her golden-brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes, however, still burned with defiance. Still so stubborn.

Her scent wrapped around me instantly, intoxicating and irresistible. I gripped the armrest of my chair, forcing myself to stay composed.

"I asked for tea," I said smoothly.

She didn't reply, only lowered her gaze as she set the silver tray on my desk. The cup rattled slightly, betraying the nervousness in her hands.

"Since you're already serving, pour one for my guest as well," I ordered, the Clara smirked at her.

Katherine stilled.

I watched as she debated internally, her fingers twitching at her sides.

Then, without a word, she turned to leave.

The audacity.

My anger flared. I caught her wrist, yanking her back so forcefully she stumbled against me.

"I gave you an order," I said darkly, my grip tightening.

She swallowed but refused to look at me. "I only serve you, Your Majesty. Not her."

I should have punished her for her disobedience. But instead, I found myself amused.

She was infuriating. And yet, I liked it.

"Defiant little thing, aren't you?" I murmured, my fingers sliding up to grasp her delicate throat. She shivered beneath my touch but didn't cower.

"I won't do it," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

The room was silent, the tension thick.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips.

Without warning, I moved—so fast that the Clara yelped as I shoved her aside. Before Katherine could react, I had her in my arms, lifting her effortlessly and vanishing from the room.

The world blurred around us, and when I stopped, we were in my chambers.

I set her down roughly, watching as she staggered back.

She looked around, eyes wide with realization. "Why—why did you bring me here?"

I took a step forward. "Because you belong to me now."

She stiffened. "I do not belong to you."

I chuckled darkly. "You're wrong, little flower. You belong to me in every way that matters. I spared your life. I kept you from dying on that floor. And now, you will serve me."

Her eyes burned with hatred. "I'd rather die."

I tilted my head, studying her. "That can be arranged."

But we both knew I wouldn't kill her.

She was mine now. And she had no escape.

Katherine's POV

The moment Elliot moved, I knew I was in trouble.

His grip tightened around my wrist, his strength utterly inescapable. Before I could even think to resist, he shoved me backward, slamming me into the cold stone wall of his chambers. The impact sent a jolt of pain through my body, knocking the air from my lungs.

I gasped but refused to cry out. I refused to look weak.

Elliot loomed over me, his towering frame casting a dark shadow over my trembling body. His golden eyes, sharp and predatory, bore into mine as if searching for something—fear, submission, anything that would prove I was breaking.

But I wouldn't.

Even now, in my weakest state, I lifted my chin and met his gaze with unwavering defiance.

"Is this what you do?" My voice was hoarse, but steady. "Throw people around when they won't bow to you?"

A flicker of amusement passed over his face, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by something far more dangerous.

"You make it sound like you're people," he said darkly. "You are mine, Katherine."

His words sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I wanted to scream at him, to tell him I belonged to no one, but my body was betraying me. Every part of me was trembling, not just from exhaustion, but from something else—something terrifying and unknown.

Still, I clenched my fists and forced myself to glare at him.

"You can break my body," I whispered, "but you will never own me."

His expression darkened. I had struck a nerve.

Without warning, he moved—so fast I barely had time to react.

One second, I was standing against the wall. The next, he was on me.

His hand gripped my jaw, tilting my head roughly to the side. My pulse pounded beneath his fingertips, my breath catching as I realized what was about to happen.

"No," I gasped, struggling against his hold, but it was useless.

His lips parted.

Then—pain.

Blinding, searing pain as his sharp fangs sank into my neck.

I screamed.

I clawed at his arms, at his chest, trying to push him away, but he was immovable. His grip tightened, pressing me further against the wall as he drank deeply.

Tears stung my eyes. My body burned.

I hated him.

I hated the way he made me feel so helpless.

And yet—

Something changed.

The pain dulled, replaced by something strange. A warmth spread through my body, a pulse of heat that made my knees weaken beneath me.

I gasped as his lips moved against my skin, his fangs retracting slightly.

Then I felt it.

His tongue.

Elliot licked the fresh wound.

A shudder ran through me, my breath catching in my throat.

I hated myself for the way my body reacted.

A new kind of warmth—one I didn't recognize—spread through my limbs, making my head feel light, my skin overly sensitive. My heart pounded in horror at the realization.

No. No.

This wasn't supposed to feel like this.

I was supposed to despise him. I was supposed to recoil from his touch.

Yet, I stood there, paralyzed.

And from the way Elliot suddenly froze, his breath uneven against my skin, I knew he felt it too.

His grip on me loosened.

For the first time, he looked… shaken.

He pulled back sharply, his golden eyes darker than before, his lips stained with my blood.

I watched as his jaw clenched, his breathing uneven.

Then, before I could say anything—before I could even process what had just happened—he turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

He left.

Just like that.

Leaving me trembling, confused, and completely alone.