Chapter Seven- Being Follwed

Rachel – POV:

"I’ve had enough. Just look at you! I can’t take this anymore. I forbid you from fighting again. There are other ways to earn money—we’ll come up with a new plan," Mom said, glaring at me with fierce determination.

When Jane Cole makes up her mind, there’s no changing it. Everyone in the family knows that.

"I can’t handle seeing my baby girl hurt like this," she added, tears welling in her eyes.

The guilt hits me hard. I never meant to make her cry—I just wanted to keep us afloat financially.

"I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ll find another way to help with the money," I said gently.

Just then, my dad entered the room.

"What’s going on in here?" His eyes widened as he looked at me. "Rachel, are you okay? What happened—were you mugged?"

He rushed to my side, but before I could speak, Mom answered.

"No, she wasn’t mugged. She’s been fighting."

"In kickboxing tournaments?" he asked, clearly confused.

"No, Dad. I’ve been fighting in the underground club," I admitted.

A series of emotions flashed across his face before he sat down heavily on the edge of my bed, holding his face in his hands.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked quietly.

I leaned over to hug him. "Dad, I only did this to help pay the bills. I never took fights I couldn’t handle."

He looked up and pulled me into a bear hug—tight enough to make my sore ribs ache.

"When Ryan got hurt, I focused so much on supporting him that I didn’t realize how much I was leaving to you and your mom. I’m sorry, baby girl."

Mom smiled faintly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We girls are stronger than you think, Bryan."

I carefully got up and hugged her too. "I’m sorry for the stress, Mom. I swear I won’t fight again. And with the money I earned last night, we’ll be okay for a while."

She hugged me back, then wiped her eyes. "I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, sweetheart. But I can’t stand seeing you hurt. We’ll get through this as a family."

Dad stood and joined the hug. "I’ll help too. I’m going to focus on getting the gym back on its feet. You rest now, and we’ll talk about our next steps later."

It had been an emotional start to the day, but despite the bills, I finally felt like things might turn around.

With fighting behind me, I could help Ryan recover and return to my culinary studies—pursue the career I really wanted.

Later, I headed downstairs. My parents were watching TV in the living room when Ryan called out as I passed his door.

"Hey, sis. Can you come here a sec?"

I walked in and was shocked to see tears in his eyes.

"What’s wrong? Are you hurt?" Panic surged, and I moved to call Dad.

"I’m hurt, but not physically," he said, stopping me.

I turned back and walked over. He motioned for me to sit, and I took the chair beside his bed. His eyes flashed with anger.

"Look at you!" he snapped. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

His voice was raised, and it stunned me—I hadn’t seen Ryan angry in a long time.

"I just wanted to help, okay?" I snapped back. "You got hit by a drunk driver. The bills piled up. Everyone was stressed. When the opportunity came up, I took it."

My body trembled, and my voice cracked.

"How much did it cost you?" he asked, voice breaking. "I’m your big brother—I’m supposed to protect you, not the other way around."

He covered his face with shaking hands. "I love you so much, Rach. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. Especially while I’m… like this."

I stood and hugged him tight. "You’re not worthless, Ryan. You’re my big brother. And I promised Mom and Dad I won’t fight anymore—I’m making the same promise to you."

It was late afternoon. The streets were quiet except for a few kids playing and neighbors watering their gardens. I walked a few blocks to a nearby park with a lake. We’d always been a close-knit family, so Ryan’s accident had affected us deeply.

Seeing my family so hurt made me realize I’d do anything to protect them.

I’m 24 now—my birthday’s in two months. I’m not the baby anymore.

At the park, I passed a couple sitting on a bench, feeding each other and laughing. Cute, but not really my thing. Between me and my best friends, Ash is the romantic. Even after his breakup, he still believes in love. I should call him when I get home.

I walked around the lake and headed toward the gazebo. Sitting down, I let the breeze wash over me and lost myself in thought—until I felt eyes on me.

Two large men were staring at me from across the lake.

Shit.

I stood slowly, pretending to take a call. My whole body ached from yesterday’s fight. No way I could handle anything physical right now.

As I turned to leave, I noticed the men had circled around and were now approaching—fast.

How are they so quick?!

"Fuck this," I muttered, and started running. I pulled out my phone and called Dad.

"Hello?"

"Dad, help! I’m at the park—two men are chasing me!"

My lungs were burning, my legs on fire. I had no idea how much longer I could run.

"I’m on my way!" Dad shouted, then hung up. "Jane! Call the police—Rachel’s in trouble at the park!" I heard him yell.

Mom immediately dialed.

"10111, what is your emergency?"

"My daughter’s being chased in Hyde Park. Please send someone quickly!"

"We’re dispatching a car now, ma’am."

Suddenly, two new men appeared in front of me. Not the same ones chasing me. Their presence felt… different.

But they didn’t come for me—they ran straight past and tackled the other two men. I stopped, stunned.

What the hell just happened?

At the park exit, I spotted Dad running toward me.

"Rachel! Are you okay?"

I rushed into his arms, crying. "I don’t know… They were chasing me."

Minutes later, the police arrived. I explained everything and pointed out the attackers. The officers took off toward the scene.

Guard POV:

Alec and Jake had been personally assigned by the vampire prince to protect the carrier. As members of the elite knight guard—vampires sired by the prince—they could walk in daylight for extended periods without harm.

They had been tailing Rachel at a distance, keeping watch. When she entered the park, they noticed two werewolves closing in.

Alec, taller and more muscular, stood at 1.85m, with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. Jake was leaner, 1.8m tall, with blond hair and green eyes.

As the wolves made their move, the guards sprang into action.

Alec tackled the first one, pinning him and smashing his nose with a brutal punch. Blood poured down the wolf’s face. Another blow broke his jaw, and Alec ended the fight by snapping his neck.

Jake had more of a struggle. His opponent managed to flip him, throwing wild punches. Jake ducked and kneed him hard in the gut before landing a blow to his face. Just as the wolf reeled, Alec stepped in and snapped his neck from behind.

"I could’ve handled that myself," Jake grumbled.

Alec smirked, helping him to his feet. "I don’t like people touching my boyfriend."

Jake rolled his eyes and shoved him. "Who the hell are you calling your boyfriend?"

Alec laughed. "Come on—we need to check on the carrier and call the prince."

Jake glanced at the bodies. "What do we do with them?"

Alec’s lip curled in disgust. "Dump them in the lake before the cops get here."

Unknown POV:

The trap almost worked. I just need to confirm whether or not she’s a true carrier before informing the alpha king, Nash.

I slip away as the vampires throw the werewolf corpses into the lake.

I can’t afford to get caught—they’re far stronger than I am.