1 Princess or Beast

"Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess in the most magnificent red castle. Her eyes red like the amber flames that lit up the skies at bonfires, her hair long and silky that made everyone want to run their hands through it."

SSSKRRRT (Sound of record player screeching to a halt)

"I'm telling a story here! What's the meaning of this!?" Astoria threw the book in her hand down onto the bed she sat on with a loud thump. A male rubbed the nape of his head sheepishly as he knew he had accidentally stirred the dragon within his beloved.

"Oooh...Daddy is in trouble~~." cooed two children, chuckling at their clumsy father. Blue eyes met amber red ones and he knew immediately he was definitely in trouble. Quickly, the man adjusted the record player and placed the pin onto the disc, restarting the music from where it had left off.

Letting out a sigh of relief, he turned towards the trio,"Don't look at me like that. It was just an accident. I fixed it though!"

The elder female took a deep breath, trying to control her anger before holding her hand out to signify she'll continue reading.

"Stella. Luna. Make sure your Dad doesn't do anything to interrupt again. Or else."

Both younger girls nodded their head nervously before narrowing their eyes at their father as if saying that it was going to be his fault if their mother gets upset at them.

"Honey...Here I'll read." he smiled, taking a seat next to his wife and reaching for the book she had casted aside earlier. Turning to his two young princesses, he cleared his throat before starting from the beginning.

"Once Upon a time, there lived a beautiful young princess…."

Astoria Bellmorte's POV

This is Where My Story Begins…

In this odd Fairy Tale Kingdom, each female character receives a royal decree from their clan's King on whom they are betrothed to. However, it is common for people to date before receiving their decree, it is also very uncommon for clans to mate with other clans. To make this simple, there are five clans: Witches/Wizards, Vampyre, Fairies, Werewolves, and finally Succubus. The rare mixed bloods would often be outcasted unless the blood was mixed with a Fairy since the clan is the most ancient and purest bloodline in the Kingdom.

As for me, I'm the 0.1% of half bloods and unfortunately not a half Fairy. Rather I'm the most hated, born from a Succubus mother and a Vampyre Father. Although my chances of finding a mate is higher because he can come from either a Succubus clan or a Vampyre clan, I have a higher risk of being rejected. In order for a half blood to carry on the male family's bloodline, we have to go through an excruciating process of cleansing our "dirty" blood with the Priestess and injecting it with the male's blood before mating. Everyday my parents would fight because of their different ideologies and what my future lies ahead. However, I would rather die than mate with someone I don't love; if anything I don't have to mate. I can carry my own weight and take care of myself. When mating season comes, all I have to do is just lock myself in my room and secure the area.

Today is my eighteenth birthday and oddly enough I'm anxious to know who the lucky or would I say unlucky man is.

Grabbing my schoolbag, I dashed out of the house as quick as I could so I wouldn't be dragged into what my parents disputes were for the day. The moment I stepped through the school doors, eyes locked onto mine before whispering could be heard. Hydra School was a school for us non princesses or princes, for what the outside world would call Evil Doers.

"Hey Ria." a voice called out from afar the moment I walked through those snake headed gates. A young female smiled as she walked up to me, holding out a bouquet of black and red roses. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you Stel." a genuine smile etched onto my lips as I took the beautiful bouquet, carrying it as if it was a baby down the long corridors.

"So...who��s the lucky man?" Stella Olivedrop questioned. Stella was my best friend, someone who even though is a pureblood, still decided to stay by my side knowing I was a filthy succubi/vampyre half blood.

Shaking my head, "I don't know yet. No bling bling lovey googly eyed feelings yet." Glancing around, I tried to look into the eyes of everyone to find out who my mate is despite people looking back at me like I was crazy.

"Hey tainted blood." a voice called out from in front. Hearing the voice of the male made my blood go cold in a matter of seconds. I shut my eyes, not wanting to look at him as a low growling could be heard.

"Hey I'm talking to you skank."

"Watch your tongue Lucas." Stella stalked up so fast, I didn't even have time to stop her. Slowly walking my way to the male, I dipped my head low before curtsying.

THIRD POV

"My Lord. It is an Honor." Astoria held her head low, allowing the next King of the Vampyre's to inch his way closer to her.

"Look at me when I talk to you." Lucas demanded, a smirk forming on his lips as he awaited for the female in front of him to look into his eyes. Astoria straightened her back before looking into the eyes of the other, immediately noting how intensely he was staring back at her.

"It has come to my understanding that it is your 18th birthday." he started. With a snap of his fingers a male in black butler robes held out a red velvet box. A crowd formed soon after, seeing how the highest ranking Vampyre was talking to a lowly Succubi half blood. Astoria wanted to dig her head into the marble flooring and never come out from it. Opening the box, the butler revealed the Royal Vampyress choker.

"By Royal Decree of Count Dracula. Astoria Bellmorte, daughter of the denounced Marquis Vlyaer Bellmorte and Succubus Liliana Bellmorte, will be betrothed to Lucas Dracula. However, if Count Dracula deems Astoria unworthy, he may proceed with the unbinding curse. As such Astoria Bellmorte will perish by Lucas's hands at the stake."

Stella's eyes widened in horror and disbelief, knowing very well that Lucas and Count Dracula had already deemed Astoria unworthy and were trying to rid her. Astoria at this point had already collapsed onto the floor. When she said she would rather die than mate with someone she didn't like, she didn't exactly mean it literally.

"So. Let me introduce myself again, filth. My name is Lucas and I'm your mate. Although there's no Kardia yet. Who knows." Lucas smiled before imprinting her with the betrothal bind. It was probably the most distasteful, fakest and frightening smile Astoria had ever seen in her life. Kardia is the known term of when a betrothed couple develop feelings for each other, similar to when a female would go in heat.