Chapter 7
"I wish admiration were like love...
If you admired a flower, you plucked it, and if you loved it, you watered it daily!"
7:00 AM
I woke up to the noise below after a night filled with nightmares. My head returned to its ache, causing a sharp dizziness, yet I descended downstairs, encouraging myself that I was fine.
"Good morning!"
I paused on the stairs, turning to Evian with a smile. He didn't seem as lively as when we met yesterday, but I excused it as fatigue.
"How are you? You seem tired!"
I asked calmly, seeing him descend before me, making sure our bodies didn't touch—strange!
"I'm fine. How about you? Did you sleep well?"
He asked quietly, and I nodded, continuing my descent. Scarlett's body stood below, and she stared at me with her peculiar gaze before I decided to greet her.
"Good morning!"
"No good with you around!"
Wow, that escalated quickly! I thought she would play the perfect girl a little.
"Scarlett, you're punished. Get out of my sight quickly!"
A stern tone was directed towards her by the one leaning against the wall nonchalantly. He cast a cold glance at her before gesturing for me to approach. I won't, I'm not crazy!
I passed Scarlett, who deliberately collided with my body, her face carrying the same cold expressions...
Well, I've acquired an enemy.
"Oh, Alicia, good morning! Hungry?"
Mila greeted me with her sweet smile, indicating a table where I found breakfast waiting for me. I looked at her in surprise before deciding to ask her about the reason for having only one plate!
"Aren't you all eating?"
She nervously put her hand behind her neck, scratching it before Alex intervened.
"Oh, about that! We don't prefer having breakfast in the morning."
I nodded in understanding before attacking my plate.
I'm hungry as if I haven't eaten in a year!
Well, what I don't understand is why my plate is always so full... It's okay since it's proper food, right?!
"Get ready, everyone. Scarlett and Evian, finish your punishment, and meet us!"
His cold voice echoed again, and somehow, I found myself staring at him... Oh God, he's staring at me!
Suddenly, I lowered my head, trying to finish my plate calmly. He seemed ready to kill me and end my life within seconds.
"Well, dear, finish your food quietly, and we'll try to come back quickly. Just don't wander into the forest! There are wolves thirsting for a plump prey, and you'd make a delicious meal!"
Alex interrupted my thoughts, alerting me. Wolves?!
Oh God, I no longer want to go on that trip!
"Is the forest so scary?"
I asked, terrified, and she chuckled a bit before answering me.
"Maybe it's scary for cowards, but for us, it's a forest full of adventures!"
She hurriedly went after everyone outside, while I returned to finish my plate.
I feel hungry as if I haven't eaten in a year!
Well, what I don't understand is why my plate is always so full... It's okay since it's proper food, right?!
My ringing phone from the top of the room made me straighten up, cursing my luck and the caller. I was about to enjoy that delicious cake!
"Unknown number?!"
I added, holding the phone in surprise before answering the call. Strange! No one has my number except Greg, Lisa, and Lucas!
Maybe Greg got a new number?!
"Hello?"
I said after answering the phone before hearing a strange voice followed by that tone that made me shiver!
"Did you forget me so quickly?"
A mocking voice replied, making me guess the owner, but...
That's impossible!
I mean, do monsters even have phones in the first place?!
Although I feel surprised, I remained sure... It's undoubtedly him!
"What do you want?! How do you have my number, and where have you been in the last two days?"
I bombarded him with questions before hearing suppressed chuckles... Wonderful, he'll think the worst of me now!
What if he thinks I'm crazy or something like that?!
"Why would I think you're crazy?! On the contrary, I believe I've affected you a lot just by depriving you of sleep... Oh, I remember! You look stunning in black."
My eyes widened in shock as I looked around. Oh God, he read my thoughts! And where is he hiding to be able to see what I'm wearing?!
"Look at this cutie searching for me despite disobeying orders so much!"
His voice interrupted my search this time, and I was certain it came from around me, not the phone. He's toying with me, and it's driving me insane!
"Just show yourself and stop these silly childish games!"
She added confidently, shaky in her confidence, before echoes of strong laughter reached me, followed by a powerful smashing sound that made me fall to the ground, covering my ears in fear. Oh God, what is happening?!
"How can a frightened kitten like you dare to make me show her in this state?!"
Oh God, he's standing behind me to the point that I can hear his breathing! I didn't have the courage to turn this time, as a strange fear overwhelmed me, even though I'm the same girl who sat in his arms just days ago. I feel like that calm monster will disappear completely!
"What do you want from me?! Why do you keep appearing and disappearing?!"
I gathered my courage to ask him while trying to regulate my heartbeats that exceeded the norm. I'm scared without a clear reason!
"Well, maybe seeing you scared is enjoyable? Oh dear, let me enjoy manipulating you as I please. Soon our destinies will be tied together forever, and you won't get tired of seeing me then!"
He ended his words, and I felt him descending to my level, making me stand, staring at him. This time, he settled for wearing a mask that only covered his eyes, allowing me to glimpse his lips!
He puckered his lips, having a mole below his lower lip, and his nose was cute like a rabbit's. His eyes usually glowed with that reddish color, making me take two steps back... He suddenly smiled mockingly, approaching me with incredible speed, and I found my back colliding with the wall forcefully!
My eyes escaped his gaze quickly as he confidently stared at me. He could make me submit to him in seconds, just like he assured me when he made me feel safe near him before!
I found my eyes staring at the exposed part of his neck in shock, realizing that he deliberately made me notice it. He extended his hand, lifting my chin towards him, challenging me before mocking me again.
"Alicia Parker, what will you do about the tattoo on both our necks?! My dear, haven't you recognized me yet, or was our previous conversation not enough?!"
Oh God, what does he mean by his mocking words?! Did he intentionally place a tattoo identical to mine, or is he hiding more?!
I'll be extremely strong if I don't faint after all this!
Don't tell me!
So, by this, you haven't changed the past and haven't enjoyed the present."
I still stare at him, terrified, as if he's a monster ready to pounce on me. Oh, wait, he is a monster, and he wants to kill me!
Okay, I must be stupid when I get scared. His gaze intensifies, and he touches my neck in a way that sends shivers down my spine, making me completely disoriented. Oh God, I just want to comprehend what's happening to me!
"Am I frightening to this extent?"
He speaks calmly, burying his head between my necks, continuing his scenting. Is this a question in such a situation?!
I simply stare into space, allowing him to do whatever he wants while my mind keeps trying to find a desperate solution.
"I have a strong desire to possess you, yet I struggle to control that desire. Don't play with my nerves. Be an obedient and calm girl as you used to be so that I won't change my ways!"
He speaks mysteriously again, pulling my face towards him, focusing on my confused eyes. Regardless of being terrifying and wearing a mask, I strangely feel that he's a handsome monster!
"What do you mean by that?"
I say with a tone that shows my confusion, and maybe I never wanted to know what he means. I couldn't comprehend how, when, or why. But suddenly, he kisses me!
Why do I feel like this has happened before somewhere?
His lips took mine, making them dance to his tunes however he wanted. I didn't even think for a moment to stop him. I found myself interacting with him in a strange way.
I passionately responded, as if it were my first kiss, and when he felt my response to his touches, he didn't hesitate to pull my head closer, kissing me, while making me encircle his neck with my hands, surrendering to him.
I don't even know how he suddenly threw my body on the room's couch, still not satisfied with just kissing me. His eyes were completely drugged as he stared at my face close to his!
At that moment, one thought jumped into my mind, should I do it?!
My hand reached for his cheek, feeling it, and I felt his condition. His skin became as cold as if he were dead, then suddenly warmed up. My hand moved higher towards his mask before I refocused on him!
He didn't seem to object to revealing his face at all!
"Do it! Remove it because my patience is running out. I'll give you precisely fifteen days until the completion of the new year's moon. If you don't recognize me by then, I will do what I've planned without hesitation!"
He disappeared mysteriously again, and I stood up, heading towards that mask, examining it more closely.
It seems I have to discover its nature to figure out who he is!
I headed to my closet, took my coat, then towards the bookshelf, grabbing that book again. I'll go out for a while to explore the forest and make sure to take a stick to defend myself, even though it seems stupid!
A girl facing wolves herself!
Anyway, I hope I don't encounter any of them, even by chance.
I went out, flipping through the pages of that book before leaning against a nearby tree. I don't want to face difficulty escaping in case of danger, especially since I don't know the ways of this forest!
| Chapter Four |
How do you know you're facing a vampire?
As usual, I read the chapter title before delving into its content, which seemed highly intriguing to me.
It started unusually massive, insensitive to the weather, avoiding sunlight, and becoming more active at night. His eyes change to a crimson color when angry, and he rarely feels the need to sleep.
I stopped reading, focusing on the sentences that caught my attention. This is strange! Is he a vampire?! I mean, everything I've read fits frighteningly well. Then we have the eccentric strangers I met. I remember Eve taking only a few minutes to prepare that meat!
And Kevin, who doesn't wear a shirt despite the cold weather... Well, if I think about it, how can young men like them live in a forest full of wolves without being devoured?
It's madness, and I truly realize that, but the idea stuck in my head, and I can't get it out.
I stood, shaking off my clothes, heading towards the house as I suddenly felt cold. The forest became more and more frightening, so I hurried my steps, trying to ignore the howling sounds I heard!
Approaching the door, I put my hands on the handle before rushing inside. Oh God, I swear I saw a huge wolf staring at me!
"How can they live here if they are human?!"
I added, shivering, then headed to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water to wet my throat. My heart beats with terror as if I ran a marathon!
Suddenly, I stopped drinking, shocked by what I saw before the glass turned into shards on the floor after slipping from my hands due to the shock!
"Oh God, it's a wolf!"
I screamed in fear, stepping back a few steps. It was a black wolf with golden eyes, significantly larger than an ordinary wolf!
What kind of luck is this?!
"Yes, a wolf! What's the matter?!"
Wait, I became dumbfounded to the point of hearing a talking wolf?! It resumed walking closer to me, and I recoiled in horror until I bumped into the table, unable to escape. Suddenly, its form began to gradually shrink until I gasped loudly at what I saw!
"What are you?!"
I said trembling in fear as this strange creature, carrying an apple from behind me, started chewing it casually. What is this, for God's sake? How can a wolf suddenly transform into a human?!
"Hmm, let me think... Maybe a werewolf?"