~Mel~
In a spiral of what felt like a second, everything changed.
Carmine stared at my father with so much ice in his gaze that I shivered. “Count yourself lucky as the only man to ever experience mercy by my hand.” Then, without another glance in my direction, he walked away.
My hands were yanked the moment he exited the door, and I was dragged away. There was no time for anything—no goodbyes, not that I had anything genuinely to say to Nathaniel. No time to take any of my personal belongings.
Time seemed to blur after that. The numbness took over as the car sped through the city. My heart pounded as we drove through iron gates, revealing a mansion that looked like something out of a gothic fairytale. Tall, imposing, with dark, ivy-covered walls—it was less a house and more a fortress.
My eyes widened in awe, but there was hardly any time to process just how magnificent the place was. The man who had threatened me yanked me out of the car, dragging me up the stone steps and through the grand entrance.
The interior was just as imposing as he led me past straight to a room, then pushed me inside. I stumbled landing on my ass then turned back to tell him he was an asshole but the intensity of his hard glare made me clamp my mouth shut.
“Death would have been a better mercy than what he will do to you.”
The weight of his words settled over me, suffocating and inescapable as the door slammed shut behind him. I was trapped, and there was no way out.
If only I knew the beginning of my nightmare was just its peak.
Exhaustion crept over me eventually, numbing my senses. I curled up on the cold floor, the events of the day replaying in my mind. Slowly, I drifted off to sleep.
And then it began.
I was back in the old apartment, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. Hannah lay on the floor, her body twisted at an unnatural angle, covered in crimson. I tried to move towards her, but my legs felt like lead.
The echo of her voice filled the room, "It's your fault, Mel. You did this."
“No, no, it wasn’t my fault,” I whispered, trying to tune out the echo, but it grew louder, more insistent.
"It's your fault, Mel. You did this."
I screamed, jolting awake, my heart racing. My breath came in ragged gasps as I tried to orient myself. The room was dark, silent. But then I saw her. Hannah, covered in blood standing right in front of me, her eyes boring into mine.
“You never listen, Mel. You just fucking never listen.”
I scrambled backward, my heart pounding in my chest. “You’re not really here. I’m dreaming.”
I closed my eyes tightly, willing her away, but her annoyed voice cut through the silence, “Open your eyes. I am right here.”
I hesitated, then slowly opened my eyes. She stepped forward, blood trailing after her, “You should have let him kill you. Now you have brought me back to the place I fought so hard to run from.”
“What are you talking about?” I muttered, shaking my head violently. “This isn’t real.”
“Listen to me, Mel!” she screamed, her voice piercing through the fog of my disbelief. I snapped my head in her direction, and she suddenly felt so tangible.
So real.
My voice was a broken whisper, filled with fear, “Hannah, how… how are you here?”
She ignored my question, glancing around the room with a look of distaste curling her lips. “You need to get out of here. If he finds out what you are, he will turn you into his weapon just like they wanted to do to me. They will all come for you.”
“What are you talking about?” I stammered, trying to make sense of her words. Then I snapped back to reality, shaking my head vigorously again. “I am going crazy. I am talking to ghosts. You are not here.”
“I am real, Melody,” she snapped, her voice sharp and urgent. “As real as I have been in your head. But just like in the past, you refused to listen. You are going to listen now. Get up and find a way out of here. He must never know.”
“Know what?” I demanded, my voice rising in panic.
“Get up and run. Run, Melody.”
My body trembled with fear and confusion. This had to be a dream, a hallucination brought on by stress. But her presence felt so real, her voice so tangible. My mind raced, struggling to piece together the fragments of her warning.
She screamed louder this time, “Run.”
“Run.”
The word pounded in my head, reverberating through my skull with a force that made me want to tear my hair out. It was suddenly too much. My brain hurt, the intensity of the moment overpowered my senses, and then it all shattered into a single memory—the moment I had stood up to Carmine Moreno.
Tears slid down my face, hot and unchecked. I clutched my head, desperate to silence the noise. “Please, stop it. Stop it.”
But her voice, her presence, only seemed to engulf me further, wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket. “They will come for you. Come for me. Come for us.”
The pressure built inside my skull, a relentless pounding that drove me to the edge. “Go away!” I screamed, my voice breaking with desperation.
Suddenly, the words burst from my mouth with a force that seemed to morph into a tangible blast of energy. Hannah was thrown back, her body slamming into the wall with a sickening thud.
I gasped, my eyes widening in shock. She looked back at me, but there was no surprise in her eyes, only a grim resignation. “It has already begun.”
And then she was gone.
I collapsed on the floor, my body shaking uncontrollably. What the hell had just happened? This couldn’t be real. Hannah was dead—then why was there a puddle of blood trailing up to the point where she had stood and splattered on the wall?
Fear, like I had never known, gripped me. My breath came in shallow gasps, and I couldn’t seem to get enough air. My mind spun with confusion and terror.
This was beyond anything I could comprehend.
Then, as if the universe wasn’t done with its cruel joke, the door swung open.
Carmine stood at the threshold, his eyes sweeping from the blood on the floor to my tear-streaked face.
His expression darkened, a storm brewing in his gaze, “What the hell happened here?”
~Mel~I could still feel the remnants of fear gripping my throat, squeezing every breath out of me. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, and I was struggling to catch my breath when his voice sliced through the air again, cold and unforgiving.“When I ask a question, I expect an answer.” Carmine’s words hit me like a slap, sharp and icy, forcing me to meet his eyes as they moved from the blood on the floor to my face. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My mind was still trapped in the horror of what I had just witnessed, and my body was frozen in place.“Melody,” he growled, his voice dark and low, pulling me back to the present with brutal force. “If I have to ask one more time, you will regret it.”I scrambled to my feet, wiping the tears I hadn’t even realized were streaming down my face. My entire body trembled as I tried to form the words, my voice weak and shaky. “My… my dead best friend appeared to me. She was real, and… and the blood, it kept dripping off her…”Car
~Carmine~“Is she alive?”The question sliced through the room, pulling me from the documents in front of me. I knew who it was without looking up. Santos, my most trusted man. Still, I ignored him, keeping my eyes on the papers. I knew his game. He wanted to get under my skin, to push me and fortunately for him, being the closest man I trusted, he was the only one allowed to try to get a rise out of me without consequences.And then he spoke again. “I think the better question would be, how long does she have to stay alive?”That got my attention. I lifted my head slowly, eyes narrowing as they locked onto him. “Do you have anything actually important to say?”Santos didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer until he was right next to the chair opposite me. His gaze was steady, probing, before he finally asked, “Why are you keeping the girl?”His persistent questioning started to irritate me. I snapped. “Why are all your questions centered around her? Don’t you have anyth
~Mel~Carmine never came. I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved or just dread the anticipation of the inevitable. If he had taken my virginity tonight, at least it wouldn’t be this looming threat hanging over my head, a constant reminder of what was to come.I sucked in a deep breath, pushing myself off the bed and walking over to the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, a stranger with eyes that were too wide, too haunted. I’d never been one for makeup, but I’d always heard that layers of it could cover up anything—physical pain, emotional scars, whatever you needed to hide from the world.I could use that right now.The bruises on my neck were no longer visible, thanks to the two women who had come in earlier. One had cleaned the blood off me, scrubbing at my skin like she could erase the memories of his hands around my throat. The blood on the floor and wall were gone too when I stepped out of the bathroom.Then the other had layered on makeup, painting over the evidence unti
~Mel~The plan was simple enough. Sneak out of the mansion, go to the party, try to have fun—or at least pretend to—sneak back in before Carmine returned, and act like none of it ever happened.After convincing me to go, Ellie dragged me to her room. The moment I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by its vibrancy. Her space was a kaleidoscope of colors, a stark contrast to the dark, oppressive mansion. It was impossible not to feel at least a tiny bit of happiness here. The room practically radiated with Ellie’s infectious energy, the kind that made you feel like anything was possible, even if just for a little while.As I stood there, momentarily lost in the joyful atmosphere, Ellie was already rummaging through her closet, pulling out clothes and tossing them at me with an enthusiasm that was hard to resist. She seemed to have endless outfits, and though part of me was tempted to resist this little game of dress-up, I found myself giving in. Maybe it was because I’d forgotten what it
~Camine~“Do you want to talk about it?”Santos already knew the answer, so I didn’t know why he bothered asking. He should have sensed it—my wolf was practically clawing at the surface, demanding blood. Things hadn’t gone according to plan, and someone was going to pay for it.I stepped out of the car, ignoring Santos as my aura darkened further. The reflection of it mirrored back at me in the hallway windows as I made my way through the mansion. People scattered the second they caught sight of me. At least they knew better than to get in my way tonight.My feet moved with purpose toward her room. I didn’t even hesitate, shoving the door open. My wolf let out a low growl as soon as I stepped inside. She wasn’t here. Her scent was faint meaning she’d been gone for a while. My pulse pounded in my ears, the anger simmering just below the surface.Without wasting a second, I stormed out of her room, heading straight for the man I’d personally assigned to keep an eye on her. He was alrea
~Mel~My entire body was trembling with fear, and I had cried so much that I couldn’t even muster more tears. I had been walking for what felt like forever, but it had only been about fifteen minutes. Three cars had already stopped, offering me a ride. I was tempted—so tempted to just get in one of those cars and let them take me away. Deep down, I knew Carmine wouldn’t know if I accepted, but at the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his eyes were still on me. His words echoed in my mind like a curse. The sting on my butt from where he’d hit me throbbed with every step, a cruel reminder of what had just happened.I was scared—so scared—but I just kept walking. That’s when I heard her. I didn’t need to turn around to know it was her. The sound of her voice had become a part of my nightmares. “I know you heard me, Mel.” Her voice was soft but cold, cutting through the silent night. I turned around, and there she was—Hannah. Covered in blood, just like the first time she’
~Mel~Darkness.It was the only thing I could feel. Heavy, suffocating, endless darkness, like I was sinking into it, with no end in sight. Was this death because it didn’t hurt anymore. But the voices… they were there. Muffled, distant, but familiar. Hannah’s scream echoed faintly, fading as if she was being pulled away from me. Suddenly, I was falling—not in the real world, but in my mind, spiraling through memories I couldn't control. A flash of laughter, a warm touch, and then pain, sharp and burning, tearing through me. “Wake up,” a voice whispered, low and gentle. It wasn’t Hannah this time. It was someone else—someone I knew but couldn’t place. Everything felt too slow, like I was trapped in a dream I couldn’t wake from, but something was pushing me to the surface, pulling me out of the void.“Wake up.”The voice was sharper this time, more recognizable, and I snapped my eyes open with a gasp. My chest heaved as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The first thing
~Carmine~Watching her squirm was intoxicating.Melody stood before me, trembling like a fragile little bird caught in the jaws of a predator, knowing full well there was no escape. It was amusing how she still had that flicker of defiance in her eyes, though. It wouldn’t last long—I’d break that soon enough.Humans were pathetic, really. Weak, brittle things that shattered under pressure. She was no different, despite her brief brush with our world. The wolf inside her had been her only shield, and now, without it, she was just human—just prey.I could hear her heart pounding, rapid and uneven, the sound sweet against the silence that surrounded us. She was trying so hard to keep herself together, to stand firm in front of me, but I saw right through her. The cracks were already showing. She was barely holding on.Good.The thrill of control coursed through me, settling deep in my chest. Her fear—her weakness—made it all the more satisfying. I hadn’t even touched her yet, and she wa
Chapter Twenty Nine~Carmine~I had to give her credit for the thought. It was bold, reckless, but stupid. I already knew how it was going to play out. She would slip it into whatever she hoped I would drink until the solution to its effect was too late.The moment she left the estate last night, I knew. I always knew. My men were everywhere, trailing her every move, watching every step she took. The fact that she thought she could slip something past me—poison of all things—was almost comedic. The Noctisbane? Really? Did she think I hadn’t taken care of that long ago? I had rid the entire country of it because of how potent it was. Too dangerous to be floating around, especially with the number of enemies I had.I leaned back in my chair, watching her with amusement as she sat across from me, still as a statue. She wasn’t moving, barely breathing, her eyes wide with the knowledge that her little scheme had been exposed. It was almost amusing. Almost.Santos and Luther were watching h
~Mel~I let out an irritated sigh as I exited what felt like the hundredth witch’s inn in the state. I’d never realized just how many of them lived among us. My mind briefly wandered, thinking about what other supernatural creatures might be lurking around that I didn’t know about, but I quickly pushed the thoughts away. This was not the time to be thinking about anything other than the fact that I needed to find that poison. That manifestation of evil in the form of a man—Carmine—had to die. I closed my eyes, trying to reach out to Hannah, but she refused to answer. I couldn't blame her; I had taken my frustration out on her after meeting yet another dead end two shops ago. So much for always being by my side.I was furious. Furious at Hannah for leading me on this wild goose chase all over the state, but even more furious at myself. How could I have been so stupid? Putting aside what Hannah had said about playing Carmine, manipulating him through sex, I had actually lost control in
~Carmine~No amount of scalding water could scrub the confusion from my mind. I had stood under the shower for what felt like hours, but it was doing nothing to clear my head. Whatever had happened back there, between us—it shouldn’t have. The moment it was over, I knew a line had been crossed, one that I needed to push her back behind. My wolf was growling in frustration, and I felt that familiar tug of losing control.I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist. The water hadn’t helped, and her scent hit me the moment I moved. The memory of how she felt beneath me flashed through my mind, making my body react instantly. The heat, the intensity—it all came rushing back, and it made my chest tighten in a way I wasn’t used to.Damn it. I clenched my jaw, trying to rein it in. What the hell was this? I was losing control, and I couldn't afford that. Not now. Not ever. There were threats circling me like vultures, waiting for me to slip. And this... whatever this was w
~Mel~The moment his lips crashed onto mine, everything stopped.I gasped, the sound swallowed by the kiss, and he used that moment to deepen it, his mouth moving against mine with an intensity I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t like the first time he kissed me, that possessive, cruel gesture meant to mark me as his. This… this was different. Electrifying.A spark ignited between us, and I could feel it everywhere—his lips, his hands, the heat that rolled off him. Before I even knew what I was doing, I was kissing him back. My body responded without permission, betraying my mind’s constant war with him.His hands started to roam, moving with a slow, deliberate purpose, brushing over my waist, then my back, sending shivers through me with every touch. I felt my breathing quicken, and he must have sensed it because suddenly, his hands were cupping my face, holding me still while he plundered my mouth.I grabbed hold of him, my fingers digging into his shoulders, desperately clinging to him.
“Get out.”Ellie didn’t need to be told twice. The glass slipped from her hand, shattering as it hit the floor, but she didn’t care. Her legs moved like she was under a spell, her body responding to the command faster than her brain. She mouthed an apology, eyes wide with fear before she scurried past me like a scared animal. Smart girl.Melody, though, remained frozen, staring at me with that same blank expression, drink still in her hand. She hadn’t registered the weight of the situation yet. When she finally snapped out of it, she dropped the glass, and without missing a beat, started taking off her clothes. What the hell?I frowned, watching her drunkenly fumble with her shirt. “What are you doing?”“Taking off my clothes,” she slurred, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.I blinked, thrown off for a second. That wasn’t the response I expected. Her movements were sloppy, uncoordinated, as she tugged at her clothes, tossing each piece aside like it meant nothing. She
~Mel~I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of Ellie’s voice. “Are you okay?” Her brow was furrowed as she leaned closer, concern etched across her features.Forcing a smile, I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied, waving it off like it was nothing. I hoped the smile would convince her, but Ellie wasn’t easily fooled.She eyed me skeptically for a moment before her signature smile returned. “Alright then, if you say so.” She launched back into whatever she had been talking about before, her words blending into the background as my mind wandered again.The mansion was still under construction after the explosion, and Santos had moved Ellie and me to another one of Carmine’s estates. It felt more like a prison than a safehouse, though. I was under constant surveillance—24/7, every move I made was watched. The worst part wasn’t the confinement, though. It was that Carmine had vanished. No one had seen him in days. The last time I had laid eyes on him, he didn’t just look angry. He looke
~Carmine~I snapped back to consciousness with a violent jolt, my wolf’s deep, guttural growl reverberating in my head, shaking me back into focus. My eyes flew open, and I was instantly on my feet, ignoring the sharp sting as shards of glass fell off my body, some still embedded in my skin. I pulled them out one by one, not caring about the blood or the pain. It was nothing compared to the rage simmering in my veins.Chaos surrounded me—screams, shouts, and the sound of people scrambling through the debris. I let out another low growl, my vision blurring with fury. Someone had dared to plant a bomb in my house. In my territory.Hell was about to break loose.“Carmine.” I heard Santos’s voice behind me, but I didn’t turn. My body was coiled tight, every muscle tense as I fought the urge to shift and tear something—or someone—apart. Finally, I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing as I took in the sight of him, unharmed.“We’re already checking the footage of everyone who’s been in an
~Mel~His eyes might have been warm, but I’d learned that monsters wore different masks. Luther could be just as dangerous as Carmine, regardless of how soft his gaze appeared. If he was even remotely associated with Carmine, it didn’t matter how much kindness he tried to project; he was a wildcard. And in my world, wildcards couldn’t be trusted.I didn’t respond to him. My body was rigid, every muscle tensed in silent defiance as I stared at him. His shoulders relaxed a little, as if he’d resigned himself to the fact that I wasn’t going to answer.His gaze flickered down, scanning me over, not in the leering way men often did, but like he was evaluating every inch of me, taking in the blood. “Are you hurt?”I stayed silent. I wasn’t about to let down my guard, not after what had just happened with Carmine. Whatever spark I might’ve felt when Luther and I first crossed paths had been extinguished, smothered by the revulsion now boiling inside me. I felt nothing but disdain for all of
~Mel~I stared at Hannah like she had grown a second head. “So, you’re telling me I have, like, superpowers now? Powers I got from you?”Hannah frowned, her eyes narrowing as she glared at me. “Stop with the tone.”“What tone?” I asked, feigning innocence.“The tone where you don’t believe me, but you’re trying to hide the sarcasm. Only, you want me to know you’re being sarcastic anyway.”It hit me right then. I don’t know why it took so long to sink in. Maybe it was the shock. Maybe I didn’t want to believe it, but it finally landed: this was really happening. It was really her. Without thinking, I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around her bloodied body. “I’m so, so sorry, Hans. I’m so sorry.”She tightened her grip on me, pulling me into a hug as if holding on would make everything right again. We stayed like that for a long moment, her blood seeping through my shirt, neither of us saying a word. When I finally pulled away, I stared at her. “It’s really you.”Hannah gave me a fain