Marcella resumed her next shift earlier than usual and went in search of Big Ben to inform him of her findings and the confirmation that Esmeralda was indeed missing. She told him of her worries about the possibility that the previous girls who had stopped coming might have suffered the same fate, and she was worried for her friend. He had given her his full attention even as he was cleaning some glasses on the counter and was nodding with a sympathetic look on his face; however, his response caught her off guard.His expression tightened as he leaned in closer on the counter, his voice lowered to a near-whisper. "Look, Princess, I get that you're worried about your friend and the others, but you need to be careful. This is a dangerous path you're treading on."Her eyes widened slightly at his warning. It wasn't the response she had anticipated. She had hoped for his support and perhaps even his agreeing to form an alliance and try to find out what was going on. She couldn't help but
The hospital room felt hushed, suffused with an eerie stillness that mirrored the void that had settled within Marcella's heart. Her steps faltered as she re-entered the room she was in just a few minutes ago.She remained by the door as her eyes settled on the figure lying motionless on the bed and just stood there, her body frozen, unable to fully comprehend the reality of the situation. Her Nana hadn't called her because she was getting better; she had called her to come so she could say her final goodbyes and she didn't realise it until it was too late. She approached the bed with hesitant steps, her fingers trembling as she reached out to touch her hands. They still felt warm and it was almost easy to believe that she was just only asleep if not for the faint flatlining sound coming from the electronic monitor. She stared around the room that had become so familiar and yet so alien all of a sudden until her gaze drifted to the flowers she had come to drop earlier that morning b
Marcella watched through tear-stained eyes as Professor Lucas stood near the doorway, preparing to leave. A distant part of her acknowledged that under different circumstances, she would have been ecstatic at the prospect of being in such close proximity with him but in that moment, the emotions from her recent loss overshadowed any other feelings.As the words tumbled out of her mouth begging him to stay, she felt embarrassed at showing such vulnerability and had an apology ready at the tip of her tongue before he surprised her by returning to settle on the couch beside her. He pulled her in towards his chest and she snuggled closer, grateful for the comfort. She didn't know why she had such faith in him but she was sure he wouldn't take advantage of her in her vulnerable state. She still didn't understand how he knew to come to the apartment complex but she had felt as if she could finally breathe when she had seen him; almost as if her pain had been halved just by his mere presenc
Lucas left Marcella seated in the sitting room and went to the guest room to inform Anna of their new guest, which he figured she already knew about given the knowing smile she had on her face as soon as she saw him enter her room."How is she holding up?" She asked, concern etched in her voice.He gently closed the door behind him and leaned against it, looking tired all of a sudden. "Kind of okay for someone who just lost their only surviving family member. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her all alone at her place in her grief."Anna nodded understandingly, "The bond is helping her manage the grief well. You did the right thing, Lucas. Providing her with a safe space and support during this difficult time would help her move on faster."She got up from her bed before coming to grasp his forearm, offering a comforting touch. "I can see how much she means to you, even if she may not fully realise it yet."A flicker of vulnerability crossed Lucas's features briefly before his g
Marcella woke up the next morning in Lucas's bed feeling more well-rested than she had experienced in a long time. The covers smelled so strongly like him, and she found herself blushing as she sat up and brought them closer to keep on inhaling the addictive scent. There was something about it that kept sending wonderful tingles down her spine and when she noticed she was beginning to get a little too excited, she sprang up from the bed in embarrassment and went to freshen up.When she stepped out of the bedroom, she found Lucas and Anna already engaged in conversation in the living area. It was a chill Sunday and the two of them seemed at ease with each other, their interaction carrying an underlying sense of respect for each other even though it looked like Anna had been teasing him, judging by the spots of colour she saw on his cheeks. She briefly wondered what they might have been talking about. He noticed her presence and greeted her with a smile that made her insides feel all
It must not have lasted for more than a few seconds but it had shot a hot jolt of electricity running through her veins and from the sharp intake of breathing she had heard him take, she wondered if he had felt it too. Were all kisses supposed to feel that way? During that brief moment, her mind had been blissfully empty of her grief and loss, replaced only by the warmth and tenderness of Lucas's lips against hers. But as quickly as it began, she pulled away, her eyes wide with surprise at her audacity as she settled back on her feet.Lucas was staring back at her with his eyes blown wide, his expression one of complete astonishment as a heated silence enveloped them, charged with a newfound tension. She could hear her heart racing beneath her chest as she seemed to realise what she had just done. Had she crossed a line? Had she risked ruining the friendship and solace he had been providing her just because she'd been unable to quell her crush on him? As her mind crackled with unans
Lucas had stayed the night…again! Granted, she had shyly asked him if he would and when he had agreed she had been over the moon. There was something about his presence that she found addictive and whenever he was around her, she just couldn't explain the effect he had on her… she felt very safe. A part of her had been hoping for a few more kisses but he had been perfectly courteous towards her and she didn't know how to ask for it. It seemed her courage had been used up for the night but she didn't even mind. They'd had the cake he brought and she even discovered that he had a wicked sense of humour; she'd laughed so hard at his jokes that she found herself crying. It was arguably the most perfect night she'd had in a while.After finding out that she wouldn't be going to the bar for her shift that evening, he left her that morning saying he had a few things to attend to in college but would be back later in the evening to take her out but before he left, he had given a simple foreh
Lucas left Marcella's apartment early that morning with his body thrumming on a high he had not experienced in a very long time. Since losing Cassie, he had not been with anyone else as his wolf had always found the scent of other females irritating.He recalled the very first time he had seen her, a few months ago in that bar and knew he must have felt something for her because even though his main aim had been to track down an enemy rogue werewolf, he had been unable to resist helping her. He suspected that the reason he had come to her aid that night and saved her from the rude customer was because deep down, his wolf must have recognized her as his and subconsciously prompted him to act. So seeing her looking dejected the night before and realising she would have spent her birthday crying and alone had made him feel even more certain that he had made the right choice by coming over to her place, as he had contemplated just having the cake delivered to her. A part of him had felt