𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

30

After our morning rendezvous, Akira and I decided to go out for lunch. She led me to a cozy Japanese restaurant that specialized in unique fusion dishes—Japanese pasta, unlimited bread, and some of her favorite comfort foods. Every smile she gave me felt like it could light up my world, capturing me in ways I couldn’t quite put into words.

But despite my focus on her, I couldn’t ignore the constant attention from other women around us. They seemed to gravitate toward our table, casting lingering glances, smiling just a bit too invitingly, and passing by with a deliberate sway in their steps. I felt Akira’s gaze sharpen every time another woman walked by, each flirtatious look testing her patience a little more.

Finally, she’d had enough. She shifted from across the table to sit beside me, her body language unmistakable. I chuckled, pulling her close and pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. “Are you getting tired of the admirers?”

She huffed softly, her brow arching in a way that was both charming and a little fierce. “Do you have some secret power that just draws women in?” Her voice had a teasing edge, but I could see the hint of jealousy there, and it only made me love her more.

I leaned in, my lips close to her ear as I whispered, “I have. You’re not wrong; I can make any woman fall for me without lifting a finger. It’s like they just… can’t help themselves.”

She rolled her eyes, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust. “That’s actually kind of gross.”

I laughed, and as I did, I wrapped my arm around her, letting my thumb brush gently along her shoulder. “I know. But believe me, since the moment I marked you, Akira, no one else even crosses my mind. All I think about is you… my fierce, beautiful, defiant mate.”

She softened slightly, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked down. I could see her cheeks tint with the faintest blush, and it felt like a quiet victory, one that only she and I shared.

For the rest of lunch, her hand stayed tucked comfortably in mine, as if to stake her claim. She even leaned her head on my shoulder, letting anyone who looked our way know I was hers. And honestly? I’d never felt more proud to be hers. Every flirtatious glance, every longing stare from across the room faded in comparison to her warmth beside me.

After we finished eating, she looked up at me, still holding my hand. “Promise me one thing, Ezekiel,” she said softly.

“Anything,” I replied, my voice equally tender.

She met my gaze, her eyes filled with a mix of affection and vulnerability. “Just… stay like this. Don’t change. Don’t let anything take this feeling away.”

I lifted her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “I promise, Akira. It’s only you. It’ll always be only you, now and forever.”

🤍

As we were about to leave the restaurant, Akira suddenly froze, her hand in mine growing cold. I followed her gaze and saw a man approaching us, about five feet seven, with a smug expression that instantly put me on edge. Akira’s grip tightened on my hand, and I could feel the distaste radiating from her.

“Akira-san, ohisashiburidesu (Akira-san,long time no see),"
he greeted her in a mocking tone, his eyes flitting between us.

I didn’t like the way he looked at her. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arm protectively around her shoulders. “Excuse me, but my girlfriend isn’t in the mood to talk to you,” I said coldly, meeting his gaze with a warning.

He looked at me with disdain and sneered, “Wow, congratulations, Akira. Is he loaded?”

Akira’s jaw clenched, fury blazing in her eyes. “Fck off, you son of a btch!” she spat.

I echoed her sentiment, my voice laced with contempt. “Yeah, you heard her. Now f*ck off.”

As we turned to leave, he called after us with a mocking laugh. “Hey, man, she’s good for nothing, you know? That’s why I left her and chose someone better. Don’t be fooled when she starts crying, begging you not to leave her.”

I stopped, fury surging through me. “Eze,” Akira’s voice was soft, her concern evident as she tugged on my arm.

“Wait here,” I told her, turning back to confront him.

Standing over him, I glared down, watching the smugness drain from his face as he realized the storm he’d provoked. My vampire instincts were kicking in, and I knew my eyes had taken on that telltale red glint—something that happened only in moments of intense fury or desire.

He stammered, stumbling back. “W-What are you…?”

I leaned in, my voice deadly calm. “Don’t ever insult the woman I love. I could ruin your life with a snap of my fingers.”

I snapped my fingers, and instantly, men in black suits emerged from different directions, surrounding him. I smirked as panic flashed across his face. “Take him,” I ordered, “and inject him with Uncle Ernest’s blood.”

My men nodded, quickly grabbing him, and I turned back to Akira, pulling her into my arms, letting her rest her head against my chest.

“I taught him a lesson for hurting you,” I whispered, running my hand soothingly along her back. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes; anyone who tries to hurt you will pay for it.”

Akira looked up at me, a mix of gratitude and worry in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, silencing her.

“Come on,” I murmured, guiding her away. “Let’s put this behind us. Today is about us, Akira. No one else matters.”

🤍

As soon as we were seated in the car, Akira turned to me with a curious expression. “Who are they?” she asked, referring to the men who had taken Kenjie away.

“Some secret personal guards,” I replied, smirking. “My brother, Eros, appointed them to keep an eye on me.”

“Are they always with you? I didn’t even notice them.”

I chuckled, leaning in to kiss her raised eyebrow. “That’s why they’re called secret guards.”

She narrowed her eyes at me but couldn’t hold back a smile. “And… what will they do to Kenjie?”

Hearing her mention his name made me growl low in my throat, not hiding my disdain. “He’ll be injected with Uncle Ernest’s blood. It has the power to erase memories.”

Her eyes widened with surprise before her lips turned up into a mischievous smile. “That’s… incredible. I want to have that kind of power.”

I laughed, amused by her excitement. “I thought you might. Better than my power, right?”

She nodded eagerly. “So, what about Xavier? Does it run in the family? He’s a vampire, too?”

I nodded, grateful for the privacy of the backseat where our driver couldn’t hear us. “Yes, the Morganthe family is entirely vampire. Xavier’s gift is wealth—wherever he goes, success, money, and prosperity follow him naturally.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I want that power. Jade is so lucky! So, does that mean I can ask Xavier for a few billion? Since he’s, you know, ‘super rich’?”

I raised an eyebrow at her teasing. “Hey, I have billions too. I’ll gladly share them with you… once you become Mrs. Ezekiel Morganthe.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “In your dreams, Morganthe.”

Grinning, I leaned in and captured her lips in a deep kiss, savoring the softness of her mouth and the way she sighed against me. I let my tongue trace her lips before pulling away, leaving her breathless and her cheeks flushed.

“Be careful what you say,” I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You might just make my dreams come true.”