Elena
Groaning, I stretched out my hand whilst searching for my phone, which was on the nightstand. I shielded my eyes as I saw the name on the screen.
“How long had I slept for?” I questioned myself, gazing at the clock on the chipped wall, which reads 10: 45 PM.
So early to be awake.
I wouldn't have much time to sleep anymore, and I hoped that the reason Renee had disturbed my precious nap was for a good reason.
I sat up on the small bed, which barely contained the space I had stationed it in. It was close to a small wooden wardrobe next to the nightstand, and my reading table was in the other corner. I did a semi-stretch and swiped up the screen of my phone to answer the call.
“Hey,” I murmured, rubbing my eyes.
“I'm sorry babes, I keep disturbing you whenever you are sleeping.” She pleaded, making me wonder if she was ever sorry.
She said this word all the time, and I was pretty used to it now.
“How did the interview go?”
“I don't even want to talk or think about it,” I murmured, running my hand through my hair.
“Judging by the sound of your voice, I believe it wasn't rosy. Give me brief details, please. I want to know!” She screeched.
I wondered again if she didn't hear my previous statement about not wanting to talk about it.
“Did you get the chance to meet him?”
I rolled my eyes at the excitement in her voice. I could picture her eyes twinkling whilst waiting for my reply.
After waking up late today, she had urged me to have a bath, coerced me into the clothes I wore and even gave me her shoes when I had complained I couldn't find mine, which was a lie.
I had a wardrobe full of every shoe you could ever think of, however; I was reluctant to go to the interview, as I didn't want to encounter what I had been running from.
I had the hunch this morning that I may encounter him after seeing his pictures everywhere, but I hadn't connected his name to the company.
Heck, I didn't know I would get to even meet him. Still, my intuition about this town had been right all along because I had been having weird dreams of encountering him. Although I had not seen him up close until today, even in the dream, a strange aura was round about him, concealing his face.
My father, George Lockser, a respected man in society and known for his wine collections. However, he was a chronic gambler, an addicted one at that. He didn't care if he won or lost, he would go on playing till he spent all the money with him.
The significant loss landed me in the dilemma I was in. He had gone to play and lost an immense sum of money. Unknowingly, it was to Aiden, who was an adept gambler. The latter had refused instalment payment and had desired to be paid on that spot.
I didn't know what transpired thereafter, but I learnt that my unreasonable father had mentioned my name without even thinking.
He had mentioned my freaking name.
Luckily, I overheard the discussion between my two half-sisters, brother and stepmom the night before the morning Aiden was supposed to come and cart me away. As if I was some sort of commodity!
My stepmom and half-sisters had willingly agreed to it, much to my annoyance. Then I knew no one ever loved me. Aside from my half-brother, who wasn't too thrilled and had helped me escape.
I had fled, and when it seemed I had nowhere else left to run to; I came here. Then I met Renee, who was my course mate back at the university. She had accommodated me in her flat and I had agreed to make part of the payment.
Though I wasn't used to this kind of budgeted living, it was better than nothing. Also, I enjoyed the utmost peace until I met him today.
“Hello. Lena, don't you dare space out on me.”
Renee's voice severed the connection I have with my mind, making me recollect what she had asked.
“Oh, sorry. I met him, but I lost the job.” I stated, shrugging.
“Y-you what?” She sputtered.
“You lost your chance for a job at Aiden inc. Your dream company!”
“It was until I met the CEO.” I retorted, shrugging again, although she couldn't see me.
“Who?” she implored, and another image of her hands on her waist whilst tapping her feet flashed in my mind.
“Aiden himself…”
I plucked the phone away from my ears as she shrieked. Sometimes, I wonder how I was friends with her; I mused whilst waiting for her to calm down.
“Omfffhunh,” She mumbled incoherently, then continued. “You met him and still lost it. You should have used your charms!”
Renee believed, with your charms, you could go places.
I didn't believe that since I have never worked and had no reason to until now.
“It's him. The reason I left home.” I cut her off before she continued ranting about how godly he was.
“You mean him, him?”
“Yes,” I affirmed. “See, can we talk about this when you get home?”
“Sure. My shift is about to start too. I can't wait for the juicy details.” She said.
“Oh, my goodness. My friend is engaged to a billionaire!”
She hung up before I could correct her.
She perhaps meant sold to a billionaire rather than engaged.
Rolling my eyes, I stretched back on my bed as drowsiness took over me one more time.
******************************************
“I command thee by the power bequeathed to me, vanish from my presence!” I shrieked. Flames spewed out of my stretched hand to the creature of the night.
The beast was flung backwards, and it growled. However, it didn't back down.
Perspiration leaked out of my sweat pores, my heart jammed painfully in my chest and my head throbs as I thought of another trick I knew or by chance that would slip into my head. Yet, none came.
It growled whilst it ambled menacingly towards me, its eyes flashed red, and it bared its teeth, which were startling white.
I stumbled on my own feet as I prepared to run.
The animal was close to me and would in no time tear me apart with its sharp teeth. I clasped my eyes and waited for the worst as it leapt into the air. I counted whilst gasping for breath as I awaited the pain from the injury it would inflict on me.
My eyes peeled open as nothing came. Another beast, an enormous one with gleaming dark fur which was illuminated by the moonlight, stood at my side.
I shrieked as its cold snout poke my skin whilst glancing at me.
My heart threatens to leap out of my ribcage as I thought of what would be of me next. My gaze travelled around the foreboding forest and the other animal lay sprawled on the dried-up grass with blood oozing from its stomach.
It had ripped the other wolf apart, and I was sure I would be its next prey. However, it flew away after glaring at me with its violet eyes reflected by the full moon. Perhaps I thought it was a glare.
A wolf howled in the distance, and I heard my name being yelled.
Trembling, I jolted awake. My eyes darted around the room frantically as I thought of what had interrupted me.
This wasn't the first time I was having a dream like this. It had been occurring since I clocked sixteen, and the first time I had told my dad about it, my stepmother had been present, and her eyes were full of contempt.
Whereas, dad said nothing. Rather, he studied me and told me it was normal for teenage girls to have a nightmare like that.
What about now that I wasn't a teenager any more? I was a freaking twenty-one-year-old and had a dream of wielding powers. Heck, I usually never recognize myself in the dream as I look different and spoke in a different tongue, which was weird.
Also, it sounded more like Latin, which I loathed.
A soft rap sounded on my door, snapping me out of my reverie.
“Lena?”
“It's opened,” I murmured.
Renee trudged into the room as if being controlled by a remote. Her head hangs down as she steps closer to my bed.
“I heard you scream.” She muttered.
“Sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep. It was only a nightmare.” I sighed, running my hand through my hair.
Her eyes snapped to mine as she pulled me into a hug.
“What are you doing?” I giggled whilst she patted my back.
“My mom always does this whenever I come awake because of nightmares.” She muttered, gazing at me. Her asparagus green eyes become round and glassy.
Now, I felt bad for making her worried and remembering her mom. Though it was a normal thing, still it was painful for a loved one to die. She seemed better than before because I could remember when her mother passed on.
For months, she was a walking zombie. She neither eats nor drinks. She didn't talk much either, only monotonously. Yet, she pulled through, which I was proud of her.
“I'm fine, Reene. Go back to bed.”
“Are you sure you don't want me to sleep here?”
“Of course, I'm fine.” I grinned, yet she didn't look convinced.
Even if I agreed, she spent the night in my room. It wasn't as if there was enough space on the bed. Save, she brings her mattress to lie on.
“I'm fine,” I said, shooing her off.
Glancing back at the clock to see what time it was, I groaned. I had been asleep for only an hour.
This was going to be a long night.
ELENA "I still can't believe Aiden Crook is your betrothed," Renee muttered in between swallowing the cereals in her mouth. That mistake again. "Sold to," I said, correcting her slip. She shrugged, dropping the white plastic spoon with her in the cereal bowl. "What matters is you'll get married to him." I winced at the blunt reminder. I didn't know the reason he wished to get married to me, whereas he could get any woman he desired. Heck, if I began working now, I don't know when I would accumulate that amount of money. Still, I believe there was no harm in trying. The most aggravating thing was that he had fixed a wedding date, and I was sure my family weren't aware of it. That jerk and he wasn't even bluffing! "Over my dead body. I'd rather die than see myself married to the pompous idiot." "What do you intend to do about the debt? It's a hundred thousand dollars, baby." She drawled. Her green eyes stayed on mine as she cocked a brow. "Heck, he wouldn't mind if you ma
AIDEN “So, big bro, will you tell me what that was about earlier today?” Ellen lifted her brows as she stared at me. “What?” I questioned back. Though I knew what she was talking about, I wasn't ready to tell her anything. Not in front of my three other siblings and parents, who now gazed at me with piqued interest. Nosy bunch of people! “That girl, she left your office in anger and almost murdered Claire with the look in her eyes.” Ellen shook her head, chuckling. Perhaps pleased with the scene. I chuckled as I imagined her and Claire going one on one. Claire would no doubt shred her into pieces, yet I wouldn't watch that happen. Anyone that touched her had me to answer to because she was my responsibility, even though she hadn't realized it yet. “Don't give me that look. All the other participants came out and didn't look as if they were about to murder anyone except her. Are you hiding anything from me? Your darling sister?” Ellen blinked her eyes continually, then pouted.
Elena “Aiden…” I moaned out his name as his lips suckled on the soft flesh above my neck. His lips trailed soft kisses down and stopped on my chest. “You are so beautiful.” He mumbled as he observed me with hooded eyes. My nipples hardened under his scrutinizing gaze, and my hands itched to shred his clothing, so I would feel the skin beneath. However, I settled with calling his name. “Aiden please,” “Please what?” He implored, his eyes going dark. “I-I want you,” I sputtered, breathlessly, as he stroked my soaked pants. As if it was only the encouragement he needed. He slipped out of his clothes in a swift movement, drew me closer and tugged my pants off. He braced my thighs under his large hand, and he thrust into me briskly. I jerked awake and felt around for my phone. Except for the light of the moon that streamed in, which illuminated the room a bit, it would have been dark. My brain, fuzzy to where I was, and I blinked away the haziness clouding my eyes. I shivered
AIDENWalking further into the woods, howling echoed around me, but it wasn't as intense as before. Today was one of those full moons. I was out hunting, not because I wanted, instead because of Elena. If I had stayed longer in the room, I might have ripped the gown off her body and taken her till I became satisfied. However, I didn't want her to hate me more than she already did, which could make it difficult to make her mine. I glanced away as Ellen shifted back into her human form. “I noticed some strange things around here a few minutes ago.” She mumbled, kicking at a tangled branch as we walked into the wood. “I do too,” I said whilst sniffing at the air. I couldn't pinpoint what it was, but I knew it meant danger. “Also, a strange scent surrounds your house. Did you take in anyone?” Her gaze drilled into mine for some seconds before she let out a grimace. “Don't tell me you have a human girl at your house!” “Couldn't you at least be reasonable and take the slut elsewher
Elena I groaned whilst rolling on the bed. My body aches as though I had worked throughout the night, which I hadn't. Opening my eyes, I stared at the white ceiling illuminated by light from the sun for a few seconds before sitting up on the bed. Climbing down, I darted into the bedroom as I felt the powerful urge to urinate. I stood up from the toilet seat after doing my business, flushed, and walked over to the sink.A pout formed on my face as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My skin was paler than usual, and my eyes seemed lighter, too. My hand went to the back of my back and I felt how warm my temperature was. Perhaps, I am having a fever and the reason I fainted yesterday. Sighing, I bathed my face with cool water, then dabbed it with a brown towel I saw in the bath cabinet. My vision caught a mark on the back of my neck as I was about to leave. I narrowed my eyes whilst surveying it. It was a crescent-shaped mark, etched on the right side of my neck, and I couldn't
Aiden “What is our next line of action? J. J Is back. He is stronger and faster than ever before. I don't know if he got his power from somewhere, but it was too much force to reckon with.” Ellen stated, grimacing. I had gathered my pack to let them know of the presence of the enemy in town, which I didn't need to tell because it was obvious. The return of J. J yesterday had caused a lot of havoc in the whole of District One.He had confronted several Omegas yesterday, beating them up to a pulp. They all succeeded in escaping his bite, as it was fatal to us all. J. J wasn't just any werewolf. He was a true Alpha and had his clan in the East. He was on everyone's blacklist because of his bloodthirsty nature. “He's stronger because he's been on a killing spree.” Sparkles' gaze left the phone she was on momentarily as she observed everyone in the room. It was an enormous hall, located inside the castle, which my dad had inherited. The castle originally had been here for more than fo
Elena I moaned out Aiden's name as he kept sucking on my core. My body quivered under his touch and I yearned for more. I panted whilst watching him with eyes glazed over with desire. He stood up from the bed and yanked off his clothes. Hovering over me, he lifted my body to his and thrust in. Gasping, I jerked awake. However, I let out a moan as I felt a hand at my centre. I blinked the fogginess away from my eyes and gasped when I noticed Aiden stroking me.I bit my bottom lip to see if I was in a trance. However, this was reality and not a dream as my lips drew out blood.“W-what are you doing?” I moaned whilst trying to clamp my legs together. But my treacherous body lifted itself to give him more entrance. “Please stop.” I panted as he increased the pace of the amazement he was doing to my body. I wouldn't deny the amount of pleasure I was feeling because it was my first time. And Aiden doing it to me makes it thrilling. It felt so wrong, yet so right at the same time. He
My gaze flickered around the uninviting wood as I struggled desperately to hold on to my sanity. I was certain I didn't imagine what I had seen back there. The painful bruise that was now forming on the back of my hand as I had grazed it on the rough wall was a reminder I didn't imagine it. I panted as I rested my body on one of the tree trunks present. I hadn't even thought of running back to the house, which was just a few seconds away because I was so desperate to flee and had forgotten. My head pounded, as well as did my heart, as I thought of the baby I had left alone in the basement. Aiden was sure going to kill me for putting his daughter in danger, and perhaps I might lose the job again because of my inability to care for her. If only I had minded my business and left the whining sound alone.As this saying goes, ‘curiosity killed the cat’ I was curious, and who knows what would happen to me? Perhaps I would end up like the cat. I lurched, and my heart raced as I heard a
EpilogueElenaI smiled as I tucked a strand of white hair behind my ear.Glancing at my reflection in the enormous vanity mirror in front of me as Ellen redid my lipgloss that had smeared, I noticed the glow in my face. She had applied sparkling shadows to my eyelids. Initially, I objected as I didn't want to be too flashy or look like a clown, but I was glad I let her persuade me into using it.I swirled, and the pristine white gown I donned followed. Callista had let me borrow the vintage gown used on her wedding day, and Ellen and Sparkles had helped me to recreate it to make it look a little modern.“One more thing," Ellen mumbled. I grinned as she placed the two-tiered crystal veil onto my hair.Also, I noticed slight changes when it wasn't there.“You look like a real princess now." She smiled.“Thank you, Ellen."“Anything for my soon-to-be sister-in-law." She winked at me through the mirror, then went back to adding a bronze on her cheeks.“I like the sound of that." I gigg
ElenaI didn't know the force that propelled me towards the evil witch. Despite the yell to get back into the protective circle, I still move on. Maybe because I knew who I was, I could face her one-on-one without flinching. My hair whipped around my face as the wind continued. It was a wonder I was the only one unaffected by it. Perhaps, it was the ball of wind that encompassed me like a shield that made me immune to her power.Sienna's gaze locked on mine, and I did the same as I stepped towards her. I didn't glance away for once until Aiden shouted my name.Frowning, I stared at him. He didn't look as if he never knew me. Instead, I saw fear in his eyes.The only time he had shown fear was whenever I was in distress. Now that I wasn't, I wondered what was frightening him. Perhaps, he was appalled about the face-off I would have with Sienna.Moreover, if he had remembered me all this while, why had he pretended? Possibly, it was for my protection, I answered myself. Because I
AidenSighing, I glanced at the gold wristwatch on my left hand.Sienna was an hour late, and the most irking thing was she would not apologise.She had once said it was normal for a woman to be later than men. However, I never knew where she saw that rule since she used it quite often.I glanced around the lush garden she had picked out for today's event. Aside from the undead armies surrounding the vicinity, which were invisible, the minister she had compelled into joining us, and I was the only one present. I gazed at the minister, who was staring blankly at nothing. Sienna had compelled him, and he would be in that state until she snapped him out.I knew how it was to be controlled since I was the first person she had experimented with her powers ever since she came back from the dead. It wasn't a fun thing to be compelled because you lose all the freedom you have that instant and want to do as the person desires. I was glad I had snapped out of it immediately, but I didn't kn
ElenaTwo months laterI winced, rolling out of bed as soon as I heard Gemma's cry. I tried going back to sleep to see if anyone would attend to her, but I had no luck whatsoever as she screamed louder. Gemma had the complete gene of the Crooks in her since they didn't need a trumpet or any instruments for their voices to be heard. Gemma's voice, in particular, was ear-splitting, and I wondered if she was acting this way on purpose; to gain attention from me or her aunts and uncles.I shuffled out of the bedroom in a velvet robe reaching just below my knees. I bumped into Sparkles, who seemed a little cheery this morning. “Hey!” She mumbled, walking in the opposite direction. “Hi," I muttered back. Sparkles and I friendship seemed surreal, but I was happy that she was indeed a changed person. She took me like her younger sister even though I was a few months older than her. Also, she was even more protective of me than the rest of her siblings. “I wonder if that child knows wha
“Hello?” I yelled as I came awake in an unfamiliar place.And maybe if at least a lamp brightened it, I might have recognised the location. My voice resounded in the empty room, and I could hear the gush of a stream nearby. Standing up, I used my hands to feel my surroundings. I noticed how rough the wall and ground were. It took me a minute to realise I was in a sort of cave, but the question was, how did I get there?“Oh, gods!” I muttered as I remembered what had happened. “Aiden!” I shouted, but I received no response. I remembered being with him and Sienna until the latter began to chant something which flung Aiden and me off balance.“Hello, anybody here?” I grimaced, breathing in and out as my leg slammed into a pebble.Aiden and his family might be worried sick about me right now, I thought whilst I caressed my sore toe in the dark.Despite the aches in my legs, I pushed forward. I didn't relent until I got to an opening brightened by a blazing torch.I wondered who was wi
I groaned, rolling to my side as I came awake. My eyes travelled to the clock that sat on the nightstand, and it read 7:00 am. Moreover, the nonstop pounding on the door continued, and I wondered who was outside at this time of the day.I didn't think of anyone in Aiden's siblings or parents that could come visiting. Though they could visit whenever they wanted, they respected our privacy too.It was barely a month since I was rescued from Jensen. Still, Jensen was nowhere to be found, and it looked as if he had vanished from the face of the earth. Nonetheless, I was glad since he didn't trouble us or anyone anymore. Moreover, it had been arduous making Aiden come back to his senses.After my rescue, I visited him in the cave he had been locked in. I was almost ripped apart by the ravenous vampire in it with him, but I was glad he had been bound with magical chains to restrain him.Also, Aiden had restrained himself from coming at me or any of his siblings. Though his change was
ElenaA rescue team was here, and oh boy, could I be any happier. Ellen beamed when her gaze locked on mine. “Not so fast, princess.” Jensen breathed into my ear, “I hate to do this, but it's necessary.”He gripped my neck tightly as Maya was about to cast a spell on him and Kyle. I choked on my spittles as I struggled for air through my gaped mouth. “Elena!" Ellen shouted.“Stop what you are doing, or she dies,” Jensen grunted. “Ugh, Maya, stop it.” Ellen said, “He's going to kill her!" However, Maya was far into what she was doing to quit of her own will. If she was angered, she often went as far as this to accomplish what she wanted. “Maya!” Kellen growled as Jensen tightened his grip on my neck. “I'm sorry, Maya,” Ellen said whilst smacking her with the butt of her dagger. Maya moaned before smacking the ground. As soon as she was out, Jensen released his clutch on me. He let out a low chuckle and snapped. “The witch is out, now's your time.” He swirled and beckoned to t
ElenaIt had been three days since I was captured, and I lost hope of anyone coming to rescue me. Slowly, I tried to open my heavy-lidded eyes. I was still in the same white room they had kept in.My legs and hands were shackled to the bed, which made movement quite unbearable. I winced as I tried to turn to my side because I had been lying on my back for too long, and it ached.I heard footsteps down the hallway, and the door to the room I was in swung open. A man who I barely recognised in a white lab coat stepped in. He clutched a white clipboard with him. Perhaps, he was a doctor and the person fixing these narrow tubes in my veins to drain my blood.I hadn't seen him until now because I was always unconscious whenever he came in. I had learnt that my blood was a tool to make a powerful cure, as well as turn a hybrid into an immortal. It was one of the reasons I was still in this room alive.Jensen desired to be immortal, and it was as if being a hybrid wasn't enough. He wanted t
Aiden“Please," The aged woman begged. But, I did not heed her words as I gripped her neck. My nostrils flared as I took a deep breath; I stuck out my tongue to moisten my lower lips and whispered into her ears, “That is alright, ma'am, and we don't need you in this world either.”She whimpered, and I rolled my eyes as a tear rolled down her flabby cheek.“Don't worry; it'll be fast and painless.” And with that, I sank my teeth into her exposed neck. She let out a low moan and sighed. The blood kept gushing out, and I didn't stop drinking from her. She struggled against me, but I didn't let go of my grip. Some while later, I snapped her neck and flung her decapitated body across the room. I sat on the swivel chair in the room, licking the blood from my lips before it dripped down my chin.“Country home…” I hummed along to the song playing out of the old boombox, and I tapped my feet to match the rhythm. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I plucked it out. I grinned as Henry's name