Sunny's POV.

I had to leave. I couldn't ruin his life. Obviously, a lot of things had happened in my young past years, and I couldn't remember any of them. It was as if I had lost my memory.

I had to let Juan live peacefully. I couldn't be the one who destroyed his life. He had lost a lot of years already in a coma, and his pup needed more care.

I knew that I was scared to be alone, chased and stalked by a lot of creatures. I knew that I had no control in such a situation. I was more like a victim inside that weird circle. But it wasn't about sacrifice anymore. It was like a curse, and I wanted to survive or die alone.

I pretended that I was okay with Juan's idea to leave together and come back after turning eighteen. But when I turn eighteen, it means that Juan would be thirty years old. Not young! What if he blamed me later for losing his pack and his son? What if I died and he couldn't save me? Why would I put him in danger?

I was too young and inexperienced to think a lot and depend on myself. But it was time to get out of the werewolves' kingdom and let everyone live peacefully. Obviously, vampires wanted me badly for some reason. And I was sure that the rogue alpha Marcus was lying about not wanting me too.

It was so clear to me that a lot of creatures wanted me, and only the goddess knew what more.

I convinced Juan to go back to his pack and say goodbye to everyone first before leaving, especially since his son needed to see him for sure.

And once we got there, I disappeared as if I had never existed. I didn't have much time to go to my father's pack and say my goodbyes or ask him for money. I decided to do it on my own.

At least that would prevent others from tracking my steps.

I had some gold coins and a diamond necklace and a diamond ring. I was lucky to wear those at the engagement party for Marcus. I walked my way out of the packs, being careful not to get followed by anyone. I hadn't turned eighteen yet, so no one could track my scent except my father and Juan because he was my mate.

Being eighteen and in heat would make my scent very strong, and anyone would be able to reach me or locate me. So I decided to run away. I walked a lot. I wasn't able to shift yet, or maybe I could but couldn't remember. Everyone mentioned that I was too powerful, but I had zero memory about anything abnormal.

I was exhausted from walking for miles, but finally, I got out of the forest and the werewolves' kingdom. Finally, I reached the highway. I looked around me to make sure that no one was following me. And yes, no one was behind me.

Or that was what I thought back then.

I stood by the highway, trying to catch my breath. The sun had already risen, with no cars yet in front of me. I walked a bit more until I spotted a car coming behind me slowly. My heart drummed in fear, but I stood still, checking who was in the car.

I was glad to see no one but a guy in his early twenties offering me his help. He was surely a human. I sighed in relief when he asked me, "I can help you."

I nodded, bowing slightly and thanking him. "Thank you. Please, if you don't mind."

He gestured for me to get into the passenger seat. I sat in, and he asked me weirdly, "Why are you here alone? Something happened to you?"

Then he checked my dress. "Are you running from your groom?"

I immediately nodded. "Yes, not my groom, but my fiancé. My parents forced me to marry him. So yes."

He rubbed his chin as if he wasn't fully convinced by my words, but he looked like a truly nice person. "Okay, so where to? I mean, where's your destination?"

I blinked, confused. I hadn't thought about it. I muttered slowly, "I need to go to a diamond shop first. I need to sell something. I don't have money. And I need a house to rent and-"

He interrupted, "Hold on. You're completely lost. Don't you think you should call your parents?"

I shook my head. "I can't. I need to stay away from home. Please help me, and I will pay you everything."

I offered generously. I had no idea why I trusted him so fast, but I guess my instinct was right about the guy.

He patted my head as if I was a baby, which reminded me of Juan. "Don't worry. I can help you. And I don't need anything from you. You look so young."

I crossed my arms, covering my chest. "What do you mean?"

He raised his eyebrow. "Girl, I would never do something to you. I am married and in love with my wife."

I sighed. "Really? Thank you. But I need to pay you."

He started up the engine and drove. "You need a job, clothes, and money. So why don't you work with my mother? She's living alone in her huge house. She needs-"

"A maid?" I furrowed my brows. I felt offended.

He gasped. "Of course not. I'm not blind. You look like a rich girl to me. You can help her in her gallery. She's an antique collector. She sells these things in auctions monthly. She's so kind."

"Yes, sure. Thank you," I said instantly, not thinking twice.

My heart crumbled at the thought of Juan. He was probably searching for me everywhere. But I had to leave for two or three years and see what would happen later.

And I didn't know that I had just dragged myself into the lion's den. Being naive was a curse because that guy was the king of vampires! The one I had run away from.

Once we reached the town, he parked the car at a huge house. He asked me politely to follow him. He stretched his hands out to me with a wide smile. "Come with me."

"Thank you," I said politely and sadly at the same time.

There was no one at all. Not even guards or servants. I didn't suspect anything until we reached inside. He shut the door behind us. It looked more like a deserted house. Dust everywhere, but fully furnished. Obviously, no one had lived there for too long.

"Excuse me. Where's your mother? Or your wife? I don't think that someone lives here," I said, checking around. Everything was black. Not a single window. No sun at all.

He took off his coat and walked to the open kitchen. He calmly opened the fridge and grabbed a red bottle. Then he took a sip slowly. Then he shrugged. "Sunny, I'm the vampire king. No wife, no mother. And you're mine."

I dragged my feet back to the door to open it, but in a flash, he was blocking my path. He leaned close to my face. "You will stay here until you turn eighteen. If the prophecy is true, then I will make you my queen. If not, then you're free to go."

I shook my head, already shivering. "No, I don't want to be your queen. I don't know you."

He pulled my hand and leaned close to my face with his devilish smirk. "Are you sure? Try to remember."

I stuttered, squeezing my brain already. "I-I don't remember you from anywhere."

He sighed as if I hurt his feelings. "Well, you're staying until you can remember then."

"No," I shouted, trying to push him away. But he gritted his teeth. "One more step and I will turn you into a vampire now, which means you will never be able to get pregnant and might die. So don't dare."

"Why me? And what prophecy?" I wondered.

And he was kind enough to tell me: "You're the only one who would be able to get pregnant even after turning into a vampire. The moon goddess created you like this. But you need to turn eighteen first."

"What! That's nonsense. I do have a mate."

He frowned. "Don't say Juan again. You don't have a mate. You're mateless. The prophecy said that the girl was born like a sun, and her name is Sunny. She could shift into anything and carry any creature in her womb. All the kings will fall in love with her and think it's a mating bond. But she was born mateless."

"I'm mateless?" I raised my eyebrows, trying to understand. But my mind couldn't take it anymore. I just lost consciousness.