As the sun rose above the mountains, I awoke to the sound of the morning birds tweeting and the forest critters running around. I transformed back to my human form and dressed quickly. I'm glad I was able to get new clothes made before I left. Nadia told me long ago that I would know in my heart when it was time to leave the pack. Now that I am a hundred and forty-four years old or so, we aren't completely sure since the last time anyone saw or heard of my vampire side was around three thousand or so years ago. I now look as though I'm in my early twenties. It just seems to be the right time to leave and start my journey.

I was thankful that I woke so early. By the time I made it to the village near the woods it should be getting dark again. It was thanks to some of the pack that went to the village for work, that I even have the money to spend if I needed. I was thankful to them for sharing some of their funds with me. Just as the sun had started to set I stepped into the village. 

While this village has quite a few inn's, it did take some time to find one with an open room. I sat in the dining area and someone came to tell me what was being offered for today's meal. It all sounded so good, but since I didn't know what most of it was I told them to bring me something they recommend. I apologized and explained that I came from a tiny village and didn't know what most of the foods they had named were. They came back some time later with some milk and what they said was roasted lamb. I do have to say that it tasted quite good.

While I ate I listened in on what those around me were talking about. It seems that there is to be a competition being held in the capital, apparently the prince is looking for a bride. I was curious about it so I asked some of the people near me about it. They told me that the vampire prince was looking for a bride and decided to hold a competition to find the perfect one for him. They told me that all types of women were welcome to join. I asked if there was anything that needed to be done to join, and was told that all I needed to do was show up.

While I may not want to be this guy's bride, I believe that he is who I should possibly be looking for. I hope I can trust him, but I'm also thinking that none of them should even know who I am. One thing I did know is that I should get more information about this prince before I actually go and meet him. I would definitely need to know more about him, if I am to trust him enough to let him know who I am. So in order to get to know him better I figured I could go and ask around about him. I mean this is at least something that I can do until I get to the capital.

But, this would not start today, no today would be for resting and getting some sleep. I didn't need to start asking questions. After eating I headed back up to the room they gave me for the night. I haven't decided if I will be here for one or two days, but I didn't want to stay here for too long. I cleaned myself up quickly and then went to sleep.

The Inn was filled with people once again this morning. Today would definitely be the perfect chance to find out more about this prince. Luckily there was a table near me that was talking about the prince and this competition he was holding, and I found many things. He is the oldest Vampire Prince, his name is Cadias, surprisingly he apparently likes to read and he enjoys archery and is one of the best. From what I've heard from everyone it seems that he's practically a male version of me. I also heard that all of the competition was going to be things that have to do with archery. This I think would be an easy win for me, but I don't plan on marrying anyone who isn't my fated, if I could even find him again. The one thing I did notice, no one seems to know what this prince even looks like.

I think I have learned enough, and can start heading to the capital again. But that would have to wait until tomorrow, while I could probably leave today, I would rather get a start first thing in the morning. Best thing to do now is to have one more night inside, before I would have to worry about protecting myself at night again.

By the time the morning sun started to rise over the mountains, I was already miles away from the town I had been in. The way to the capital was pretty straight forward, I mainly just needed to follow this road for a few hundred miles and then turn right and follow that road for another few hundred miles and then one final left turn. I wondered for a while if I should maybe travel in my wolf form, but I then remembered that there aren't any forest areas along most of the way there. I would definitely need to travel by woods if I chose my wolf form. 

I must have lost myself in thought while walking because the next thing I knew it was starting to get dark. I walked a few miles more after it got dark because I needed to find a good clearing. When I did Find a good spot it seemed there was already someone there. "Hello there fellow traveler." The sound of a man's voice called out to me, his voice was deep but soft and sensual. I felt something stir in me that I hadn't felt in a long time.

"Hello." I called back to him. "Do you mind me stopping here for the night?" I got closer and could see him better, his hair was long, black and covered most of his face. But his eyes were like the color of a ruby. But there seemed to be something off with that.

"I don't mind at all. Are you hungry? I have some extra food here." He said. His eyes seemed to follow my every movement, but it didn't alarm me as it had when others followed my movements. So why did this stranger not set off any alarms with me? Could I have met him before?

"Sure, thanks." I set my things down and moved closer to his fire and took the food he offered.  This was the first time I met him. When I woke the next day he was already gone, but he had left some food for me. I can't lie, I was grateful for that, I didn't feel like cooking this morning. Once done I cleaned the area and headed off once again.