Chapter 100 Sweet Miranda
Kira’s POV
Nightmare.
The day I died.
It never plays out the same. My brain kept remixing it, making it worse every time, like it’s punishing me for surviving…or for not seeing it coming.
First version…the one that felt almost real.
I’m standing on the roof of the Summers Group skyscraper, wind tugging at my dress as the skyline lights up below. Downstairs, the board just voted me in as the youngest CEO ever. Mom’s legacy…everything she built was now within my reach. I’m up here celebrating with what’s left of my family… Dad, Miranda, and Evelyn, Miranda’s mom, my mom's secretary who helped raise me after Mom passed.
Champagne fizzles in our glasses. Dad pulls me into a hug, whispering how proud Mom would be.
Miranda squeals and clinks her glass against mine, eyes shining. Evelyn smiles that warm, tight-lipped smile and says, “To Kira…the future of this family.”
We laugh. The city sparkles below us like it’s celebrating too.
Then hands shove between my shoulder blades.
Hard.
I stumble forward, champagne spilling, glass shattering on the concrete. Shock locks my body…pure disbelief. I twist around, grabbing for the railing, and see their faces.
Dad’s eyes glow blood-red first. His mouth stretches impossibly wide, teeth sharpening into fangs…some wolf, some vampire, a twisted hybrid my mind can’t settle on. Miranda’s skin ripples, gray fur sprouting along her cheeks as her nails lengthen into black claws. Evelyn’s face elongates into a snarling muzzle, drool dripping from jagged teeth.
“No—” I try to scream, but nothing comes out. It never does.
They laughed…deep, guttural, overlapping growls and hisses. “It was never yours,” Miranda snarls, voice echoing like a pack howling. “You don't deserve it.”
Evelyn lunges first, fangs sinking into my throat. Pain explodes…burning, tearing. Blood pours hot down my chest. Dad grabs my arms, claws ripping through sleeves and flesh, shredding muscle to bone. Miranda tears into my stomach, claws hooking intestines and yanking them out in wet ropes, flinging them over the edge like garbage.
They feed. Frenzied. Sucking blood in greedy gulps, teeth gnawing bone. Miranda rips off a chunk of my thigh and chews slowly, eyes locked on mine. Dad drinks from the gash in my neck, swallowing loud. Evelyn laps at the mess spilling from my gut, purring like it’s dessert.
They finished. But I’m barely a body anymore…shredded meat, exposed bone, blood pooling thick under me.
Dad lifts what’s left like it weighs nothing. “Time to tie up loose ends,” he growls.
They throw me over…down the building.
Wind screamed past as their monstrous faces peered down, fading as the ground rushed up to meet what was left.
The second version was crueller.
Same roof. Same toast. But they don’t wait.
Third version…the absolute worst.
I woke up screaming, gasping, sheets tangled, heart exploding in my chest.
Strong arms wrapped around me instantly…huge, warm, safe.
Adrian pulled me into his chest, one hand stroking my hair, the other rubbing slow circles on my back.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered, voice rough with sleep but steady. “You’re safe. It’s over. I’m here, love. Breathe with me. I’ve got you forever.”
Sweat was rolling down my cheek as I thought about the nightmare. Was it because of the new supernatural world that my mind conjured them as wolves and vampires?
Way to go, Kira.
My whole body throbbed…like they actually did all those monstrous things to me.
It wasn’t real. I know that.
But the betrayal feels the same.
Every time.
Adrian kept murmuring sweet nothings…soft promises, my name like a prayer, rocking me quietly until the panic ebbed.
Just this once, I thought, burrowing closer, nuzzling into his neck despite myself. His touch calmed the storm, the heat from his body wrapping around me like a blanket. I let it. Just this once.
Sleep took me again, dreamless this time.
Morning light filtered through the massive windows when I woke next. Victoria was beside the bed, tapping my shoulder gently.
“Princess? It’s morning. Shouldn’t we start getting ready for the funeral? His Majesty left early…said he had business matters to handle.”
I blinked, groggy, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. Two hours until it started, might as well have a head start.
I sat up slowly… The resolve to get my revenge settling over me in cold waves. They will pay. In every way possible. I'll make sure of it.
“Get me ready,” I told her, voice flat and determined. “It’s time.”
Minutes later, I was done preparing.
But not for my burial.
Not yet.
First, I wanted to stretch my legs and tour this ridiculous hotel. Adrian’s hotel. If I was stuck here playing princess for a bit, I might as well enjoy the five-star treatment before I turned my own funeral into a circus.
Victoria had nailed the look…comfy but expensive, the kind of outfit that said I woke up like this without trying. Soft gray knit sweater, oversized but hugging in all the right places, tucked into high-waisted wide-leg cream trousers that swished when I walked. Flat suede slippers that felt like clouds, a delicate gold bracelet, and my hair in loose, shiny waves down my back. No makeup overload…just tinted moisturizer, a swipe of gloss, and mascara.
Victoria beamed at me in the mirror. “Princess, you look amazing. Perfect for… well, for the day.”
She thought we were heading to some royal friend’s service later. Sweet girl. No clue I was the “deceased” on the program.
“Thanks,” I said. “Come on. Show me around before we have to leave. I need to see what Adrian’s money buys.”
She laughed, very cheerful today. What happened last night that got her so excited? Did she hook up with someone?
“Everything, apparently,” I heard her say. “This place is insane and filled with beautiful people."
Yup. Something did happen. The little wolf met someone.
We wandered the halls…plush carpets swallowing our footsteps, massive windows overlooking the city, art on the walls that probably cost millions. Quiet opulence. I could get used to it.
I leaned against the mirrored wall. The elevator was pure luxury…soft lights, gold trim, even the air smelled faintly of jasmine.
The elevator hummed down.
Then stopped on the third floor as the doors opened.
And in walked sweet Miranda.
My sister. The thief. The backstabbing bitch who’d helped throw me off a roof. Dressed like a knockoff version of my old self: ill-fitting black dress, too much perfume, hair scraped back in a bun that screamed stress. She was clutching a tablet and muttering about “casket flowers” and “media timing.”
She stepped in without looking up and the doors closed.
Victoria smiled politely at her…total stranger vibe. No recognition. Why would there be? She’d never met Miranda, and to her, this was just some random guest.
I, on the other hand, felt my pulse kick up in excitement.
Oh, the heavens really were on my side today.
Miranda finally glanced up, distracted. Her eyes skimmed over Victoria, then me.
No flicker.
Nothing.
She didn’t recognize me. Of course she didn’t. New body, new face, new everything. To her, I was just some pretty rich girl in cashmere.
Perfect.
I smiled…warm, friendly, a little curious. “Rough morning?” I asked lightly, tilting my head.
Miranda blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… yeah. Family stuff. Funeral planning.”
Victoria nodded sympathetically. “We’re heading to one too. So sorry for your loss.”
Miranda forced a tight smile. “Thanks. It’s… my sister's funeral. Tragic accident.”
Her sister?
I almost laughed out loud. The irony was delicious.
“Awful,” I said, voice dripping fake sympathy. “Losing family like that. Betrayal’s the worst part, isn’t it? When the people closest to you… shove you right over the edge.”
Miranda stiffened. Just a fraction. Her eyes darted to me again, sharper this time.
Victoria frowned slightly, probably thinking I was being weirdly intense for a stranger chat.
I kept going, casual as anything. “I mean, imagine trusting someone your whole life, and then…bam…they’re the ones holding the knife. Or pushing you off a rooftop. Makes you wonder who you can really count on.”
Miranda’s face paled a touch. She clutched her tablet tighter. “Yeah… well. Accidents happen.”
“Accidents,” I echoed, smiling wider. “Right.”
The elevator dinged…lobby approaching.
Victoria shifted, giving me a subtle side-eye like, what’s with you?
Miranda stared at me now, something uneasy flickering in her expression. Not recognition…yet. But suspicion. Like my words had poked a bruise she didn’t know was there.
The doors slid open to the grand lobby…marble, chandeliers, people milling about.
Miranda bolted first, practically speed-walking away, heels clicking frantic. I didn't say anything else. Just watched her run off like a scaredy little mouse.
Victoria watched her go. “Okay, that was weird, Princess. You know her or something?”
“Nope. Just felt like messing with a stranger. Bad habit.”
She snorted. “You’re terrifying when you want to be.”
You have no idea.
My grand entrance wasn’t scheduled for another hour.
But damn, the warm-up felt good.
They had no clue what was coming.