The final bell had barely rung before I was free, sliding behind the wheel of my black Audi A4 like I was escaping a prison sentence. The drive to the grocery store was almost pleasant. Forks endless trees stretched out on either side, their tips painted gold and orange by the sinking sun. For a second, I could almost forget the town's vampire population and pretend I was just some normal girl running errands.
Almost.
My pepper spray sat snug in the cup holder, a little reminder that I wasn't about to rely on some brooding sparkle man boy? immortal man-child? to swoop in and rescue me. Nope. This wasn't Twilight: The Damsel Chronicles. If something jumped out at me, I'd be ready.
A pop song hummed through the speakers, upbeat enough to match my mood. I even sang along a little under my breath, tapping the steering wheel until the neon glow of the grocery store appeared like a beacon of civilization.
Parking in my usual smooth, city girl fashion, I killed the engine and glanced around. That's when I noticed it.
A car. Not just any car luxury. Shiny, sleek, and far too expensivelooking for Forks. I squinted, eyebrows raising but shrugged it off. Probably someone flexing. Besides snacks were waiting.
Inside the store smelled faintly of coffee and disinfectant. I grabbed the boring essentials first vegetables, fruit, chicken, bacon, eggs, juice, the whole survival kit. Tossed in some bathroom necessities too because apparently I was the designated household manager now.
Finally, I rewarded myself with the holy grail: the snack aisle. My mood lifted instantly as I grabbed a bag of chips, humming happily. It was all very wholesome until I took a step back and collided with something solid.
Or someone.
My back hit broad shoulders, and when I spun around, my brain short circuited.
Holy hell.
If Edward was a six on the "sparkly vampire scale," this guy was a solid eight and a half. Sharp jawline, blond hair styled perfectly, suit tailored like it belonged in a magazine spread. His presence screamed smooth operator, the kind of man who made entire rooms go silent when he walked in. Funnily enough, not even close to Rob level of gorgeousness but still dangerously impressive.
And he was looking at me. Not just looking his eyes lingered, sharp and hungry. Like he couldn't decide whether to eat me ,kill me or ask for my number.
My throat went dry. Then I cleared it, forcing a polite smile. "Sorry. I didn't see you there."
A faint smile touched his lips, smooth as polished glass. "The fault is mine, Miss…" His voice rolled like velvet, low and calm.
"Amara" I supplied quickly, straightening the chip bag like it was the most important thing in the world.
Internally Oh I know. I'm just pretending to be polite so you don't vaporize me with those cheekbones.
"Amara" he repeated slowly, tasting the syllables as though they were fine wine. "Charming name. I am Lucien."
His amber eyes glinted at that. Amber. The penny dropped. Cullen level amber eyes. Vegetarian vampires.
Fantastic.
Lucien Yeah of course his name would sound like something out of a 15th-century romance novel.
"You're Chief Swan's niece aren't you?" he asked politely, his smile lingering.
I blinked. "Word travels fast in Forks huh?"
"Word always travels" Lucien said smoothly, a glint in his eyes.
He reached for a basket of apples because apparently vampires grocery shopped now and I caught sight of his items: cereal, milk, some toothpaste. I nearly snorted. Yeah, like he needed those.
"Domestic life suits you," I muttered under my breath before I could stop myself.
Lucien's lips curved, just slightly. "One must maintain their daily life"
Lucien chatted easily, his voice smooth as silk, like he'd been trained at the Charm School for Potentially Murderous Gentlemen. I nodded and answered when appropriate, all while sneaking glances at him.
We both checked out Lucien still talking pleasantly about Forks like he was on a neighborhood committee instead of a blood restricted vampire. I paid quickly, balancing my bags, and nearly jumped when he stepped in to help.
"Allow me," he said, and before I could protest, he lifted my heavier bags with ease, setting them into the trunk of my car. Not forced just smooth.
I let him even though every instinct screamed stranger danger, because well saying no to a vampire gentleman in a fitted suit felt harder than it should've.
"Thank you," I said when the last bag was loaded.
"You're very kind," I said, forcing a smile.
He inclined his head. "Kindness is often mistaken for something else. I assure you, I mean no harm."
Oh great. Totally not suspicious at all.
He gave me a smile so polished it probably had a license. "Of course. You should let me take you out sometime."
My pulse tripped over itself. Out. With a vampire. Nope.
"I, uh… have to get home. Charlie will worry," I said quickly, forcing a polite grin.
Lucien nodded, smile never faltering. "Another time, perhaps."
"Yeah. Maybe." Translation not in this lifetime Blondie.
"Of course," Lucien said softly, stepping back, his smile polite but knowing. "The future is long. Perhaps we shall see."
Sliding into my car gave him a quick, awkward wave before I shut the door a little too fast and started the engine. Through the windshield, I saw him still standing there, watching smiling his expression unreadable until was that a smirk?
I slid into my Audi, fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. My pulse was still hammering, and when I sneaked a glance at the rearview mirror, Lucien was there standing like some old-world statue in the dying light, the faintest smile ghosting his lip.
Lucien was standing there until Amara car was out of sight he tsked softly, amused before heading back to his car..
The drive home should've been calming. The sky was painted in streaks of orange and violet, my playlist shuffling through soft 2004 tracks that normally soothed me. But no amount of music could shake the image of those amber eyes, the way his voice had wrapped around my name like silk.
By the time I parked at Charlie's house, my grocery bags were lighter than the weight in my chest. I carried everything inside, arranged the food neatly in the kitchen, and forced myself to act normal. Charlie wouldn't notice he never noticed much but still I kept my mask on.
When night finally settled, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Alice Cullen: Tomorrow is still on!
I groaned into my pillow. Of course she hadn't forgotten.
Rolling onto my side, I chewed my lip, Lucien's face replaying in my mind. That smile. That smooth voice. Too much charm for anyone's good. He'd unsettled me in a way that even Edward hadn't.
Could I just not go tomorrow? Pretend to be sick or Hide in my room until Alice lost interest?
A shiver ran through me at the thought of waking up to her perched on my windowsill like some immortal pixie. Nope. Not happening. I got up, walked to the window, and shoved it shut with a firm click. Curtains drawn. Locks double checked.
If Alice or any other vampire wanted me they have to knock like a normal person.
I crawled back into bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin. My thoughts tangled between the promise I couldn't escape and the golden eyed stranger who wouldn't leave my head.
Sleep came slowly uneasy and restless like I was already walking into something I wasn't prepared for.
Hey guys 👋
✨ If you enjoy my story and want to support me, you can leave a tip here 👉https://
Streamelements . Com / z1ref/tip
Your support means a lot and keeps me motivated 💖