The morning sun filtered through your curtains, casting a warm glow across your bed. You blinked awake to find your cat curled up against you, purring louder than usual, her soft little face nuzzling into your neck as she licked your cheek.

“What’s gotten into you, sweetheart?” you murmured, smiling as she nestled closer. You’d been suspecting she might be pregnant with how affectionate she’d been lately, and the thought warmed your heart.

But what you didn’t know was that the soul occupying her tiny frame was none other than Lawrence, the ruler of the underworld. After you unknowingly stole his cold, immortal heart with just a simple, fleeting smile, he’d found himself drawn to you in a way he hadn’t felt in centuries. When he sensed the dark presence of vampires tracking you, he decided that the only way to ensure your safety was to stay close—so close, he became part of your life in a way you’d never suspect.

While you went about your day, unaware of his true identity, Lawrence’s vigilant eyes tracked every movement around you. When you left your apartment, he would slip back into his true form—a powerful, shadowy figure with an aura that could send chills down anyone’s spine. He left subtle signs of protection around your home, using his dark magic to ward off the vampires who hungered for your rare blood.

You thought your cat’s strange affection was a sweet quirk. Little did you know, it was the fierce devotion of the most feared being in the underworld, doing everything in his power to keep you safe from the shadows lurking just outside your door.