TERESAI felt my tears were so dry and hot at the same time, leaving dreadful traces into my soul. Struggling to breathe felt like a heavy war, with thousands of people fighting and killing each other. That was a strange comparison. I could still feel the cold water invading all of me, taking away the heat from my heart just as fast as the wind did when I desperately rose to the surface for a gasp of life. Water has been my nemesis for as long as I could remember. My fears had been weighing on me heavily, like a downpour of rain, and as a result, I hadn't been able to move past this situation. I don't know if I ever would. I got saved. I just knew I was. A mysterious someone risked their life to preserve mine. I felt the warmth of a powerful body, so probably, no, surely, it was a man. But who was he? And where the hell did he take me? It felt cozy and familiar. All I remembered was how I took pictures of the saddest face I have ever encountered in my entire career. And suddenly it
TERESAWhat would you do when reality strikes and you are in no position to strike back? When you know what would happen but you don’t have the power to stop it from happening? Well, just embrace it!I did not know for how long I had stayed in this gorgeous man’s house, but one thing I was sure of, that I had stayed more than necessary. So by the time I realized I was staring with no shame at his perfect chiseled muscles, panic settled in like an inevitable fire camp. Tension grew in my chest and my limbs and suddenly I felt like I was lacking air. But this time the fear differed from the other day. The other day??“What time is it??” I asked in a too-loud voice.Sebastian, or whatever his name was, pointed a finger at the wall where I turned my gaze like in slow motion. I was just an actor in a really awful movie. “9:30??? You mean thirty minutes past nine?” And so my breathing became more rapid and more shallow. I was facing a hurricane of emotions and I didn’t like any of them. My
SEBASTIANI didn’t even know how this happened, but after Teresa slammed the car door, I felt a desperate need to get out of there as soon as possible. I didn’t even understand why I was so attracted to her. Okay, it was obvious why, but a human? How could a human being be the perfect half of my heart? I knew from the beginning that Isabella was not my Luna, but for crying out loud, I was still in mourning. I couldn’t afford to let my heart go crazy about this. It has to be just a phase from which I will wake up soon.Although the wolf in me screamed as loud as he could, only one person had the answer, Vicky. I got home quickly and heard Mother in the kitchen preparing breakfast. I miss such meals the most. They were part of our family. But they all feel so distant now. It was the happy memories that sustain us, but we lost them so many years ago. I went straight into my room searching in my troubled mind for the one person who would understand me, advise me like she always did thro
SEBASTIANMy sister’s advice took me out of the abyss into which I had sunk, and at the same time, I realized she was right. But I was a werewolf, a demon from the dark world, and she was a fragile woman, one who would not accept this too easily. She could end up scared or traumatized if she saw me transform. So such an approach is out of the question. For now, I would act with caution. I would gain her trust so that I could finally be close to her without her fearing me.My sister was also going through changes that did not make her happy, and that I insisted so much on getting in touch with her made me feel selfish. But Vicky was just Vicky. I got convinced that her life was not very different from mine. None of us have been with our soul mates and now they both have appeared and we don’t know how to handle it.A week passed, and I never saw Teresa again. Maybe it was for the better, though her scent still lingered throughout my house. There was no corner in here that didn’t smell
LUANAThe first time I came to Bellingham, I knew I would expand my research here. I was determined to succeed, and this conference provided the perfect platform for me to showcase my skills. Especially since there were big names in science in the room, including Dr. Sebastian Gallagher, the CEO of GenetiX, and nationally recognized. It really honored me that he could take part in my presentation. I wasn’t sure he would accept the invitation, but even so, I had reserved all the seats in front of the stage because I didn’t know how many representatives would show up.The entire audience was watching me. I had to admit that although I was ready to answer all the questions; I was a little nervous. The whole elite of science was waiting for me to reveal my significant discovery regarding the study of blood, and not that I wanted to brag, but I really had what to tell and what to prove.I had set up a small laboratory on the table of the stage, and the projector reproduced exactly what I w
SEBASTIANDr. Antonov's presentation left a powerful impression on me. So much that I even offered her a job. I needed all the help that I could get. And she was in the same stage, only that her claim to use the blood of an original vampire made me think. Honestly, I didn’t give it a thought, but I could ask Erik to give me a sample of his blood. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try. The reason I kept Erik’s identity a secret in my meetings with Dr. Antonov was entirely mine. The man went through a lot and I really didn’t want to add another problem to his list.Two days had passed since the presentation. Luana did an excellent job, I had advanced a little with my research because I used the blood of a Luna. Amelia, Liam’s partner, helped us. The result was more than amazing. Even Luana called me to the lab to show me.“Dr. Gallagher, look, our Luna’s cells are so strong that they neutralize silver three times faster than the blood of a werewolf from the pack. The samples show m
TERESAMy fingers’ knots had whitened from how tightly I held the phone in my hand. This man just made me lose absolutely everything, even control over my life. My job was all I had left in this world. I had been walking alone since forever. I never knew my parents. My past was a mystery to me, and I had little knowledge of it. All I remembered was that I had a terrible water phobia.And for this very reason, I could not say that I was not grateful to this man for saving me from certain death. Sebastian Gallagher, that was the name of the one who left me without a job, in the middle of a society where demand was greater than supply. Not having a stable income, it could leave me without the small apartment I lived in. All I had left was probably my best friend Caroline, who still extended a helping hand to me many times. She even helped me find where this man who seemed to know them all worked. Right now, she was standing right in front of me in my little apartment and gesturing to
TERESAJust like a statue standing tall against the winds and rain. One that did not move, not by an inch. Just like a tree with deep roots that did not bend and remained motionless. This was how I felt in front of this man who, by the mere presence, disturbed me. I wanted to disappear, but where and why? I came here with a purpose. The thought of losing to this man fueled me to push harder. So I didn’t let him see how I felt around him. I was creating different images in my mind just so I would not let myself be intimidated by him. Trying to imagine my wonderful moments just to ease my tension and my breathing. I prayed to God in succeeding to master my emotions faster than his eyes, mesmerizing me. He became the central attraction of my sinful fantasies, and sometimes I had moments when I was too ashamed to admit my thoughts, even to myself. I was the only way I could dream of him. But I still wonder what he was doing in my dreams? Who let him in there?His dancing sky-blue eyes w
LETTICE “Where am I?” I asked, confused, as if after a fall into the void. But no one answered. I didn’t even know how to describe this place. Lots of fog and a feeling of peace. Could this be heaven? Certainly not. Not after what I did to Sebastian, Teresa, and his family. Or rather, my family. Everything was so quiet here. Nothing hurt anymore. I looked at myself and noticed I had no more wounds. Had Teresa’s magic hurt me, or was it just a dream? Has my great-great-grandson serum worked? Of course it worked! I was once again that beautiful, slender woman with flowing hair like the burning sun and full of life. Only I wasn’t alive anymore. I took a few steps forward. To my amazement, though I knew my physical life on earth was over, I was not afraid to step into the unknown. The further I walked, the more the fog lifted. At one point, everything became so clear that I rolled my eyes in amazement. A realm as if out of my mother’s books when she read me those immortal stories. Th
SEBASTIANAFTER A YEAR…The air was cool and fresh as the rain fell slightly from the sky. Now there was another place where I found tranquility, my mother’s grave. I was looking at her resting place as an end to her story here with us and a beginning of a new one in the afterlife.A cold gravestone could never mark her glorious life. She was my support throughout everything. “Your mother is very proud of you, Bash,” Teresa said in a warm voice, placing fresh peonies on her grave. “Right, Dorothea? Grandma is very proud of us all,” and she took the little girl in her arms. She giggled, caressing Teresa’s cheek. My little girl!“Let’s go! I want to visit another grave…”I braced myself for the avalanche of mixed feelings. We didn’t place her in the family’s tomb, but she deserved a proper burial. I walked lightly through the graves to the end of the line.Teresa and our baby girl were quietly following me. And then I saw he was there too. He had no choice but still he was suffering.“
SEBASTIAN“Gallagher, if you are brave enough, come embrace your death! Granny is here. Come, give her a hug.”Lettice’s voice sounded threatening throughout the land. Her anger might be justified, but so was our response to fighting back. All of my men were outside, so I entered their minds. Gather quickly and keep her out of the mansion as much as possible! And then I turned to Mother and Teresa. “Hide down in the lab…” I shouted, but that was all I said. Teresa’s gaze hardened and her staring became full of reproaches.“Did I hear it well? Do you want me to run away? Oh, no, this is my fight, too. So stop protecting me. I don’t need it!” She roared, fireballs already appearing in her palms. “Teresa is right, my dear. We are strong, maybe stronger than many of the werewolves in the Kielder Pack. You need us to defeat Lettice!” Mother intervened, and I had to admit that although I feared for their lives, they were right. “Ok, so be it!” “Come on Gallagher, you are keeping grandma
SEBASTIANThe tensions between me and Teresa were more intense every hour. I decided not to approach her, at least until she calmed down. Today, Liam and I got down to business and prepared the syringes and organized the recipients.At the time, only we knew about the antigen and I was going to tell Erik, too. When I entered the office, he was already there, looking out the tall window at Teresa and Caroline.“Hey, Erik,” I said softly enough not to disconnect him from his reverie.He also suffered for his daughter, who did not want to hear anything about him and who constantly denied him. Even more recently, Caroline seemed to be not so indifferent when it came to him. I was happy for them.“Hey, Bash. I’m sorry I took over your office ...!” He replied in a sad, defeated tone.“My friend, I know you are going through desperate moments, but try to see the good side of things. At least she didn’t drive you away!” I tried to be as delicate as I could.As I knew Teresa, it was very diffi
SEBASTIANTime stood still, and I could hardly find my balance. Surely that’s not what she meant, is it? Our love on hold? Although her words caused me immense pain, I knew that the source of these events was Lettice. If I stopped Lettice, it was over. Our love would have gained its sweetness again. So I left Teresa alone in the garden and told Liam to keep a close eye on her. She was wounded, but at the moment I could not heal her wounds, no matter how many kisses I gave her. Lettice had to disappear from our lives and urgently.I had to make a plan because it absolutely convinced me that Lettice would not stay and let the time pass. It was very possible that at this moment she would count the army she had remained with and those of the transformed people into demons. I had no doubt that her serum was ready.And while I was working in my office, from all the men in the world, Noah appeared at the door. He was the last person I wanted to see. But after his heroic rescue, I had no cho
LETTICEI had a hard time recovering from this blow, but from the moment I got to my feet, I realized who did this to me. His smell gave him away. Big mistake, Noah!I was sure now that my own son also helped these damn beasts to get out of here. Teresa was gone, and so was Sonia. Anger gripped me and crushed me inside, like the flames of hell where I came from.But I had her blood, which was ten times stronger than Sonia’s. Now I needed time and concentration to mix the right amount in the serum already made in GenetiX labs.I still found it hard to believe how naive Gallagher was when he hired me, but I had to admit he did a good job when he discovered me. This was my blood, my idea of immortality!But my revenge would be cruel, and all who have betrayed me would pay dearly. Agh, Noah, you just signed your sentence! For your own good, I hope you don’t show up here!Now I had other important things to do than to think about my traitor son. Leaving everything to chance was not an opti
TERESAI couldn’t believe what my ears were hearing. This discussion was about me and I wasn’t present. How can I believe such a thing? How can I believe that Erik Von Hagen had the soul to abandon me on a beach, saying that he was going to bring my mother?Time erased the faces of the two from my mind, but it had never erased the pain and loneliness I experienced in my soul. My adoptive parents, although they loved me enormously, could never fill that void left by a father who abandoned me and a mother who died before I could enjoy her.Everyone looked at me in amazement. Erik was the most marked. He could not move, although I could see that he wanted to take a few steps towards me.“Teresa, my dear, why did you get out of bed?” Thea cried, coming towards me.I could really see the worry on her face, especially since I was holding on to my hip so I could stay on my feet. She really was the only one worried. “Oh God, at least let me help you sit down. The wounds that haven’t healed ye
SEBASTIANTwo days had passed since Teresa’s release, days of delirium, high fever, and hallucinations. She didn’t seem to recover.I stayed with her all this time, taking care of her, changing her clothes when needed. Her perfect body was probably shaking because of the nightmares that she lived there.I was still blaming myself for how much suffering she had to go through. Sonia, the girl she had met there, was also here. She was a little better and had explained to us that in time she learned about pain and did not take it into account.“How is she feeling?” my mother asked in a whisper, entering the door so easily I could barely hear her.She must have felt a pang of tremendous guilt too for Teresa’s abduction.“She has not woken up yet. I hope she will be better soon. Where are Erik and Liam?” I asked curiously, not seeing them around here in the last few days.“Erik is taking care of this girl, Sonia, and Liam is guarding outside with everyone else. They didn’t want to bother yo
SEBASTIANAs soon as Noah left us and showed us the way to the dungeons, he went to the castle, where he said he would keep Lettice occupied. The images in the dungeons will not leave me so easily.The smell of death was everywhere, and we could see the terror in every corner. Most of the cells were empty and opened, a sign that the transformation of the beasts was over. I wondered where they were?Vicky was right, this place was a damn maze. I followed Teresa's scent, but soon enough demons showed up in my path.We had turned into werewolves again at the entrance of the dungeons and now we stood face to face with the demons of hell. The same enormous beasts, inflamed with the smell of sulfur.I didn’t know if they were from the recent ones or from the ones left alive from Vicky’s attack. It didn’t matter when the first beast launched at us with threatening claws and fangs.Directly to one of my men’s throats. He screamed in pain throughout the corridors of the castle. And although I