The sunlight poured through the tall arched windows like liquid gold, soft and warm against Iris’s skin. For a moment, she stood still on the grand staircase of the mansion, basking in the light that felt too beautiful—too unreal—to be real.

Downstairs, laughter rang out. The whole mansion buzzed with joy and movement. Strangers in elegant clothing passed by, smiling warmly and offering congratulations. Iris blinked in confusion, unsure what she was being congratulated for.

Her eyes landed on her parents—alive, beaming with joy—chatting with Mr. Smith and Kyle, who looked younger, more carefree. The sight warmed her heart.

Drawn like a magnet, she turned toward a tall, ornate mirror at the bottom of the stairs.

She gasped.

She was dressed in an exquisite white gown, delicate lace trailing down her arms and pooling at her feet. A soft white veil cascaded behind her shoulders. A wedding dress.

Before she could react, a hand gently slipped into hers. She turned, and there was Dylan, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored black suit.

He smiled down at her with quiet affection and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“Are you ready, Elizabeth?” he whispered.

The name sent a strange chill down her spine, but she nodded. Somehow, everything felt right.

They walked hand in hand down the aisle. Rows of smiling faces turned to watch them—friends, family, people she didn’t recognize but somehow knew. The music swelled. Flower petals rained gently from above as they reached the altar.

The preacher opened the book and smiled.

“Now, the rings.”

Just as Dylan reached into his coat, a sharp voice cut through the joy like a dagger.

“Not so easy.”

A gasp rippled through the crowd. Heads turned. At the end of the aisle stood Alaric ,eyes burning with fury, flanked by his werewolf pack, their presence dark and violent.

Everything erupted at once.

Howls. Screams. Chaos.

Claws slashed. Fangs bared. Blood splattered the white petals on the aisle.

Iris screamed as she saw her parents collapse beside Mr. Smith and Kyle, all three gravely wounded. She dropped to her knees, sobbing, clutching her mother’s hand.

“Mom! Dad!” she cried, her dress soaked in red.

“Stay with me! Please, don’t go!”

Then—Evelyn appeared. Her eyes filled with tears, her hand trembling as she raised a silver dagger.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “I don’t have a choice. You must die for us to live.”

“Evelyn?”

Before Iris could move, the dagger plunged into her chest.

She gasped, the pain white-hot. She collapsed to the ground, blood staining her gown.

Evelyn dropped to her knees beside her, sobbing.

“Forgive me. I’m so sorry. I had no choice.”

Iris’s lips trembled into a smile. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Promise me… you won’t hurt her. Don’t hurt your sister…”

Dylan screamed her name, running toward her.

“Elizabeth!”

He fell beside her, holding her fragile body in his arms.

“Don’t leave me. Please.”

She blinked at him, dazed.

“Why… do you keep calling me Elizabeth?” she asked weakly.

“My name is… Iris…”

And with a final breath, her eyes fluttered shut.

Her body grew still.

The werewolves howled in grief, a sound that seemed to echo through the heavens.

Present Time-----

“Iris…”

The voice was distant. Gentle. Real.

She gasped and opened her eyes.

Light streamed through the curtains. The familiar ceiling of the mansion came into view.

“She’s awake!” Kyle shouted from somewhere nearby.

Iris blinked. Dylan was there—his arms wrapped tightly around her, relief flooding his face. Mr. Smith stood at the foot of the bed, hands clasped behind his back.

“You’ve been unconscious for a week,” Dylan whispered into her hair, his grip tightening.

“A week?” Iris’s voice was hoarse.

She sat up slowly, trying to piece the dream from reality.

Mr. Smith gave her a small nod.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Erickson.”

Kyle grinned.

“You scared the hell out of all of us.”

Iris blinked, overwhelmed—and then her stomach growled so loudly it startled everyone.

“Grrr—”

A beat of silence.

She flushed bright red and buried her face in Dylan’s chest.

“Oh my God.”

Dylan chuckled.

“Still dramatic, I see.”

Kyle smirked.

“She’s back, alright.”

They helped her down the stairs, and Iris gasped when she saw the dining table already prepared. Pancakes, fruit, eggs, even hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.

Mr. Smith placed a plate before her.

“Eat, My Lady. You need your strength.”

She didn’t argue. She devoured everything like she hadn’t eaten in days—which, technically, she hadn’t.

Kyle elbowed Dylan.

“She’s gonna out-eat you at this rate.”

Dylan shrugged.

“I’m just glad she’s eating.”

After the meal, Iris excused herself and stepped onto the balcony with her phone. She called her parents to assure them she was fine and left a series of texts to Zoey, who was apparently spiraling with worry.

Then, feeling drawn to it, she went to her room and pulled out the old diary she’d found in the mansion’s library. The name embossed on the front: “Beth.”

The pages were yellowed with time—nearly a hundred years old. Yet the handwriting was graceful, feminine, and oddly familiar.

Later, she stood on the balcony, gazing at the garden below. The flowers were beautiful, but their solemn stillness gave them an air of mourning.

Dylan joined her, sliding his fingers through hers.

“You okay?”

She nodded slowly.

“I had a dream. A weird one. I was… getting married. Everyone was there. Then… they died. Evelyn stabbed me.”

Dylan froze slightly.

“It was just a dream,” he said gently, brushing hair from her face.

“You’re safe now.”

---

A knock sounded. A tall man entered—the doctor. His features were sharp, his skin pale.

Iris instantly knew. He was a vampire.

He examined her calmly.

“She’s stable for now,” he said.

“But the symptoms may return.”

Once the doctor left, Iris turned to Dylan, her eyes sharp.

“Enough.”

He looked at her, surprised.

“Exactly what’s happening to me? Why did I faint? Why is my appetite crazy? Why do I feel… different?”

He sighed and sat down beside her.

“Because… I marked you.”

She blinked.

“Marked? Isn’t that something werewolves do?”

He nodded.

“Yes. But vampires can do it too—through blood magic. It was the only way to protect you from the werewolves. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but... it was the only choice.”

“So I belong to you now?” Her voice cracked. “Like some magical bond?”

“It’s not permanent,” Dylan said quickly. “Once I find a cure, I’ll release you. I promise. But until then… yes. You have to stay married to me.”

She stared at him in disbelief.

“What if I keep changing? What if I’m not human anymore?”

He looked into her eyes.

“Then you’ll have to give me an heir before you change.”

Her jaw dropped.

“WHAT?”

He grinned.

“I’m kidding—mostly. Vampires don’t usually breed, but… with a little effort and some very illegal magic…”

“I’m still in high school!” she shrieked, smacking his shoulder and running off to her room.

Dylan leaned back, watching her disappear with a smirk.

“And still very much alive,” he murmured to himself.

It's time to bring her home, now", a deep voice echoed in the dark . A tall, fair and muscular man smirked while sipping from his glass. His grey eyes turned red as he swallowed the drink. Another guy nodded and walked outside the room. "Happy Birthday ! Come home soon. I have a surprise for you". He sent an email to Iris sending good wishes for her 18th birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. Rowland's sat down on the couch in disbelief. Mrs. Rowland looked unhappy and nervous while Mr.

Rowland tried to calm her down. "Honey, don't worry! Our daughter is brave and she's gonna be fine, Mr. Rowland spoke, trying to comfort Mrs. Rowland. "Iris just turned 18. She's young , how can you be so selfish? She's our daughter and we have to protect her at all costs. How can you be so calm and positive when our daughter is going to... ", Mrs. Rowland cried.

"Ssh! Iris might hear you ", Mr Rowland suggested as he looked upstairs and back to Mrs. Rowland. "Let her hear us, after all she will know what is going to happen to her this evening. Why did it have to be this quick? Of all, why did it have to be my little girl? ", Mrs Rowland burst out in tears covering her mouth to suppress her cries. " Nothing can be done, we have to give away our daughter. We cannot break the promise ", Mr. Rowland sighed and softly patted Mrs. Rowland's shoulder.

"No", Mrs. Rowland stands up. "I will not give my daughter to that monster. I will protect her. ", Mrs. Rowland looked upstairs all determined. " Are You crazy? We can't do that. We can't fight them", Mr Rowland stammered.

Iris walks down the stairs.

"But... "

"Iris is here"

" Mom? Dad? What's up? ", Iris looked confused. "Our precious little is up ", Mr. Rowland screamed in joy. Mrs. Rowland wiped her tears away being unnoticed. Iris walked up to her parents and hugged them. "Happy birthday , princess", Mr. Rowland kissed Iris's forehead. She smiled back at Mr. Rowland. Mrs. Rowland hugged Iris and started crying. "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?, she panicked. " They are all tears of joy because you have grown up so well, my dear", Mr. Rowland said. Iris smiled at Mrs. Rowland and touched her cheeks. "What about my present? ", Iris frowned and sat down on the couch folding her arms. " We have a surprise for you but before that dad wants to tell you something ", Mr Rowland sat next to Iris. He paused for a moment and looked at Mrs. Rowlands. As he was about to speak Mrs. Rowland's burst in, " No! Iris, we have to flee from here. We don't have time. Let's go ", Mrs. Rowland grabs Iris's hand and starts to drag her. "Mom, what's happening? Dad? ", Iris utters. Mr. Rowland tried to stop both from leaving.

"I will explain everything later. For how let's just leave". Mrs. Rowland opens the front door and looks horrified to find a well known figure standing in front of her. The figure greets both Mr. and Mrs.Rowland. He then looks at Iris, "Happy Birthday Iris". Iris is surprised. " Who are you? How do you know my name? My birthday? Mom- dad is he someone we know? ", many questions arose in her head as she looked at Mr. Rowland.

"I am Kyle. I am here to take you home"

" Home? "

"Please don't take my daughter. She's young and has many things she wants to do. Have mercy on us! ", Mrs. Rowland kneeled down and begged Kyle.

"What are you doing, honey? ",Mr. Rowland grabbed Mrs. Rowland by her shoulders. "It's late. We should head to the Mansion now or my lord will be furious", Kyle approached Iris . Iris stepped back. " Iris, my daughter! You have to go somewhere with him", Mr. Rowland spoke as he stared on the ground.

" Dad, who is he? What is this all about? Why should I leave? ",Iris stammered as she spoke. " Please don't ask any questions, just go with him. Dad and mom will meet you at the Mansion this evening ", Mr. Rowland stood up as he held Mrs. Rowland in his arms. He walked inside the house with Mrs Rowland who was still struggling and crying. The doors shut from inside and Iris stood watching her parents disappear behind the doors.

"Iris? Iris? Iris? "

"Hey Iris?"

"Yes"

"We should take our leave now"

"Okay", Iris forced a smile .

They got inside the car and drove away.

"Kyle , why am I being taken there? ", Iris questioned. Kyle looked at Iris's reflection in the front mirror and smiled and said, " It's all for the wedding." "What wedding? Who's wedding and why am I supposed to attend it? ", Iris angrily uttered. " Your wedding with my lord ", Kyle smiled. " What? My wedding? You're joking, right? How is that even possible? Dad and mom told me nothing about it? Look Kyle , you must have been mistaken. I am not the right person you're looking for. No, it can't be me",Iris panicked. "Please calm down, and it's true. Today is your wedding with my lord. Your parents are well aware of this fact", Kyle replied. "You guys are all mocking me, right? Is it some kind of birthday surprise? ", Iris giggled. "Umm, you're getting married to my lord..", He smiled. "My parents knew about all these? Why didn't they tell me anything ?", Iris looked at Kyle . She starts missing her school, her friends and her parents. She feels lost and betrayed. She feels like throwing a tantrum but holds back.

FLASHBACK

" Iris , what is wrong? Are you sick? You don't look well? Let's go to the infirmary first. I will report to the teacher later ", Zoey looked worried.

"But.. ". " Don't worry, I will keep the notes for you. Just take a good rest, get healthy ", Zoey patted Iris's head. "Thanks Zoey ", Iris smiles as she gets up from her desk.

"Just buy me snacks", Zoey winked and they both laughed.

FLASHBACK ENDS---------

Iris sheds a tear and looks outside the window to avoid Kyle who looked concerned about her. He plays the music to lighten up her mood but she is immersed in her thoughts, thinking about the old good memories.

FLASHBACK

"wow! It's great today. Let's skip school ", Zoey suggested . She was always excited and ready to skip classes. "What are you talking about? ", Iris raised her eyebrows. "Today we have a function in the school. Neither you nor am I participating. Let's just skip, come one nobody will know about it", Zoey shakes Iris's hand. She surrenders to Zoey.

FLASHBACK ENDS-------

Iris wipes off her tears.

FLASHBACK

"You think you'll skip school because we had a function and nobody would know about it? I'm so disappointed in you both. Zoey, you're the class monitor. Go and report to the Principal . You both deserve it", Teacher scolds and leaves. Both Iris and Zoey look at each other and laugh.

"we got caught "

"I told you it was a bad idea"

FLASHBACK ENDS-----

Iris missed her Best friend Zoey then suddenly her memories with her parents flashed back.

"Iris, wake up now! You will be late for school. I made your favourite dumplings for breakfast. "

"Iris, hurry up princess!! I will drop you to school."

"Princess? Princess? Princess? "

FLASHBACK ENDS -----

Iris was heart broken . She looked at Kyle and then looked in the front. They were passing through a forest. She takes out her phone from the bag and sends a message to Zoey that she wouldn't be able to attend classes today. Zoey calls her and she picks up the call .

ON CALL -

"Happy Birthday Iris !"

"Thanks, Zoey "

"What's wrong with you? Are you sick? I will come visit you after school".

"No "

"Why? "

"Actually, I am going to meet my relatives today with my parents. So, nobody is going to be home. Umm, yeah! Thats-thats the case"

"Okay! So there's nothing to get worried about? "

"Yes"

"Are you sure? "

"Absolutely! "

"Okay! Call me if anything troubles you and send me tons of pictures of your going to some great place eating good food and meeting handsome guys "

"Sure"

Iris hangs up the call.

She starts reading all the messages from her friends and relatives. She smiles. She opens her email and gets a heart whelming birthday message from a friend whom she's never met. But this person never fails to remember her on her birthdays. He's been sending her messages since she was 5. He would send letters to her post box but later he started mailing her when she was big enough to handle the device. She tried to find him but never succeeded.

They pass by a store and Iris asks him to stop. She tells him she needs to go to the restroom. She goes inside the store and asks the owner about the restroom. She heads towards the restroom while Kyle buys a bottle of water. Iris looks at herself in the mirror, in the restroom and thinks of calling the police or escaping from Kyle. But, she knew everything would go in vain because her parents were on his side. She washes her face and goes outside. Kyle is waiting for her leaning on the car and showing his muscular charms. Kyle senses something strange in the air. He asks Iris to hurry.

Someone grabs Iris's hand from behind. Iris turns back and finds a little girl. She smiles at her . Kyle rushes to Iris and pulls Iris towards him. He glares at the little kid. He looks furious. Iris is shocked. The owner rushes to the kid and hugs her. He begs Kyle not to hurt her and they won't tell anyone about him or Iris. Kyle drags Iris before she could react and drives away.

After sometime she asks him what was that all about. Why did he behave differently? And why the shopkeeper wasn't furious but begged him not to hurt his kid. He didn't reply to her and kept driving. After a long awkward silence he finally replied saying the kid is not normal, she could have hurt you. The owner knew about it so he wasn't offended about his behaviour. Iris asked him how he knew the kid would have hurt her. " I'm your guardian. I am smart ", he replies and giggles.

The strange smell keeps following them. Kyle is nervous but determined to take Iris home safely. A car suddenly bumps them. Two men walk out of the car. Kyle asks Iris to stay inside. They start fighting and Iris shelters herself between the seats. She hears howling which frightens her and when she gets up to look, she finds no-one around. Kyle is gone too. She walks out of the car . A hand touches her shoulders and she screams. But it was Kyle. " Iris, you never listen. I told you to stay inside the car. It's dangerous outside". She doesn't ask any questions about those men and what they wanted with them. They get inside the car and drive.

After an awkward silence, Kyle tells Iris that they had come for her. She was not an ordinary high school girl but a special person and precious to all. Iris doesn't understand what he meant by the special one and why all the strange things were happening to her. She bites her lips and folds her arms. It was cold suddenly. Kyle notices it. He asks her to open the box beside her. She does that and finds a black coat. It was a gift from her husband-to-be. She hesitates but wears it as it was getting colder.

"The coat kept her warm. His silence sealed her fate"

They drove for hours before finally reaching a massive, palace-like house—grand yet oddly familiar, like a place Iris had known in a distant dream. It felt both homely and heartbreakingly lonely. A man dressed in a maid’s uniform stood at the front of the ornately carved door.

Kyle stopped the car and turned to Iris, whose heart was pounding in her chest.

“Don’t be scared—we won’t bite,” he said with a soft laugh as he stepped out and gently opened the car door for her.

She stepped out cautiously, immediately greeted by the man.

“Good evening, Miss Rowland. I am Mr. Smith. I hope you had a comfortable ride.”

Iris forced a smile and gave a small nod.

They entered the house, and Iris was instantly captivated by its beauty. The interior was stunning—elegant, regal—but the silence clinging to its corners made her uneasy. Mr. Smith showed her to her room and left her to rest. Kyle reassured her gently that she would be safe here, then excused himself, leaving Iris alone in the large, cold room that echoed with unfamiliar stillness.

She pulled out her phone and called home.

“Mom, I’ve reached,” she said softly.

“Princess,” came her father’s voice.

“Dad? Where’s Mom?”

“She’s... not doing well. She’s a bit upset about you leaving, so she can’t talk right now. Let’s give her some time to rest.”

“Please take care of her.”

“Of course.”

“Dad... why am I even here? What is this wedding all about? Are you selling me off because the company’s failing?”

“No, Iris. The company is fine. And we’re not selling you. Your mother and I will be joining you shortly. I promise I’ll explain everything. Just be patient, okay? I’m so sorry for everything.”

“Okay, Dad. I’ll wait for you both.”

She hung up and changed into something comfortable. As she began unpacking and arranging her clothes, memories of home came flooding in—her mother’s gentle voice, her father’s proud smile, and Zoey, her best friend who had always been by her side.

A knock startled her.

Mr. Smith entered, holding a white gown—vintage, elegant, and old-fashioned.

“Miss Rowland, this is your wedding gown for tonight. My Lord has waited a long time for you. We’re glad you’re finally here. If you need anything, please let me know. I’m at your service.”

“Thank you, Mr. Smith.”

“Your parents will arrive by 11 p.m. The ceremony begins at midnight,” he added, then turned and quietly exited the room.

Tears welled in Iris’s eyes. It was really happening. She was getting married—at eighteen.

“I can’t do this,” she whispered. “I need to run away. But I can’t risk my parents being hurt because of me.”

Taking a shaky breath, she stepped out of her room to explore the mansion. Every corridor felt strangely familiar, like pieces of a past she couldn’t recall. Her steps eventually brought her to a room she couldn’t ignore. The moment her fingers touched the doorknob, it creaked open as if welcoming her.

She entered slowly. A large bed dominated the room, and just above it hung a grand portrait. The man in it was striking—well-dressed, regal, and impossibly handsome. But it was his eyes that held her still. There was something in them—something achingly familiar.

Without realizing it, Iris found herself weeping. She didn’t know why. She didn’t know who he was. But something about that portrait broke her heart in a way she couldn’t explain.

"You shouldn't be here, Iris," a deep voice echoed behind her.

Iris turned around with a jolt—her breath caught in her throat. Standing before her was the man from the portrait.

Without thinking, she rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around him. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled as her body trembled against his.

He stood still for a moment, then gently placed a hand on her head, patting it with a strange familiarity.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft—almost too gentle for someone so cold-looking.

Realizing what she was doing, Iris quickly pulled away, her face burning with confusion.

"I... I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I just—" she looked away, ashamed—"it felt like I had to. I can't explain it. I'm sorry."

But the warmth in his voice vanished. He grabbed her hand—not cruelly, but firmly—and led her out of the room. His expression had turned icy.

"You’re not allowed to wander this mansion unless given permission," he said sharply. "I expect a certain level of decency. Just because I’m being forced to marry you under some ridiculous agreement doesn’t mean you can act however you want."

That snapped something inside Iris.

She yanked her hand away.

"Excuse me? You think I want to be here? I didn’t choose any of this! I was dragged away from my home, my life flipped overnight, and I don’t even know why!" Her voice cracked with frustration. "Do you have any idea we were attacked on our way here? I nearly died! And now I’m just supposed to walk down the aisle with a stranger who treats me like a nuisance?"

He didn't respond, his jaw tense.

"You don’t want to marry me? Great," she snapped. "Let me go, then. I never asked for this."

His eyes darkened.

"You think you can just leave?"

"Why not?" she challenged. "I'm not a prisoner."

There was a pause—a silence that hummed with something dangerous.

He stepped closer, his gaze unreadable now.

"You think this is about you? You don’t know anything, Iris. And if you did... you wouldn’t be so eager to run."

Her chest rose and fell as a quiet dread crept over her.

"What do you mean?"

He hesitated—just for a second.

Then, almost too quietly:

"Because if you leave now... you'll die before dawn."