*LAUREN*I was resting on the couch, and my body is aching all over.Just this morning, my 60-year-old grandma and I just finished cleaning the rest of the three-story Ponte Madison Mansion, which took one month to bring everything back to a respectable level of cleanliness.I roamed my eyes around the living room, and my gaze landed on the magnificent sight of the thousand-year-old chandelier hanging on the ceiling.For the life of me, I can't understand why such a thousand-year-old family heirloom still functions and brightens the living room to this day.As far as I can remember, it never malfunctioned even once!Just like this mysterious house that never aged. Dust and time may have covered the surface of the antique furniture, but they failed to dampen its shine for real. Once my grandmother and I start cleaning the surface, everything is back to its original shine.And the one thing that bothered me deeply is: why would the powerful Alpha of the Ethereal Growlers Pack and his fa
*ALEX*I'm loving the addicting lavender scent of my unconscious mate that assaulted my nostrils, making me heady with desire.I've been pacing back and forth on the floor of my room, getting excited to be able to finally transform into my human form after a long time of being confined in my werewolf form.I'm 30 years old now, and I was only 10 years old when I was struck with a curse that will keep me stuck in my wolf form forever if I can't find my mate.I waited for so long...Now my mate is finally here to help me free myself from the curse!'What are you waiting for? Claim our mate!' My impatient wolf, Stan, growls loudly."Wait a second! What is the problem with our mate? Why is her face filled with ugly scars?" I said, frowning while inspecting my mate's face closely.'It looks like she was also cursed, just like us. She is indeed our soulmate! Claim her now!' Stan ordered excitedly.I shook my head. "No, we can't do that. I couldn't claim her while she was sleeping. It would
*ALEX*I climbed the staircase in haste, excited to see the sunlight again after being confined for a long time in the basement. I grabbed the door handle and exited my dark world, entering the kitchen and leaving the darkness behind me.'Stan, we're finally free, and we owe it to our human mate!' I gushed in elation.'Let's Party Party!' Stan replied in glee.My wolf's response made me chuckle. I proceeded to get out of the kitchen and make my way to the living room, and Granny Ursula was already there waiting for me. "Where is Lauren's room, Granny?""Follow me." Granny Ursula rose to her feet and led the way.I saw happiness in Granny's face; she was glad that Lauren's face was cured. The ugly scars on her face vanished like the wind, just like my curse, which makes Lauren and I soulmates. We were born for each other.I silently followed the frail, old-looking woman who has been my nanny and caretaker of our old mansion for a long time. "Granny, why does it take you so long to brin
*ALEX*As we walked in the hallway, my mother looked at me."Son, did you say that you transformed into your human form and then the ugly scars on Lauren's face disappeared after you marked her as your woman, or did all these things happen before you marked her?" My mother asked me in confusion."I shifted into my human form after I marked her. Her blood tastes so sweet, like honey. And the ugly scars slowly disappeared from her face. In short, my transformation and the disappearance of Lauren's scars both took place after I marked her." I elaborated further to clear up her confusion.My mother halted in her tracks and stared at my face for a few seconds, then she asked me, "Y-you mean to say that Lauren's blood holds the key to your transformation and the mark you gave her made all her ugly scars disappear completely? Did I say it right?""Yup, that's right, Mom." I nodded my head in confirmation."Oh, I see." My mother said, closing her eyes for a few seconds and then continuing to
*LAUREN*"Child, the beast you see in the basement is just part of your imagination. Forget everything you see in the basement." Granny Ursula told me, disregarding what I saw with my own eyes, that it was not real.My eyes widened in disbelief, and I shook my head while I was staring at Granny and listening to her explanation. I cut her short: "Gran, you lied to me. You told me that those entities there in the basement are harmless and won't hurt me if I just light the candle, stay quiet, and leave right away. But that scary beast ran after me! It's going to eat me!" I insisted.Granny sighed and looked at me with irritation shimmering in her eyes. "Fine! Believe what you see. But the beast is harmless. It didn't want to eat you because if it did, Alex wouldn't be able to save you and get you out of the basement."I took a deep breath, getting confused as the minutes passed by. The fear of being eaten alive by the beast in the basement still gripped my heart, giving me nightmares and
*ALEX*After a long explanation, a long debate ensued."I will stay here with you! We will go home together this weekend!" My mother insisted."Mom, please, just go home!" I begged my mother to agree to my request. "I just want to have alone moments with my fated mate without your presence hovering around us like a beautiful piranha." I jokingly said to lighten the mood after noticing that my beloved mother was starting to get annoyed with my persuasion.My mother rolled her eyes. I grinned cheekily."Pretty please!" I said it with my puppy dog's eyes. I used to do this in my younger years every time I wanted something very badly, like toys or food. That was before the curse made me a prisoner in the basement."Just give me one month with my fated mate, then I'll go home ready to become the next Alpha King so that you and Dad can finally go on a three-month cruise together and explore the world outside." I assured her.My mother took a deep breath and looked at me for a long time. "Wh
*ALEX*That night, Granny Ursula cooked a delicious dinner for us. The three of us sat in the dining room, eating our delectable meals in silence.My human mate was trying her best not to look at me the whole time we were inside the dining room. As for Granny, she was unusually quiet, maybe because she feels sad that she's going to leave her granddaughter behind.And based on what I observed with Granny's behavior earlier, she wasn't going to inform her granddaughter that she was leaving soon without her knowledge.I can imagine Granny sneaking outside the house in the middle of the night, carrying a bundle of her meager belongings in her arms.Maybe I should send one of the servants, specifically the driver, to drop her off at her destination so that I can be assured that she is safe.Good idea!I will present my offer to her later, before I retire for the night.After dinner, I left the two women in the dining room and proceeded to my room on the second floor. I reached the room, li
*ALEX*Lauren's heartbreaking sobs filled the room as I continued to comfort her during the lowest moment of her life. I rubbed her back gently, channeling my strength toward her the only way I knew how."My grandma is dead! What am I going to do now?" She lamented, her voice breaking in utter despair."We will give your grandmother a proper burial," I replied calmly. "Don't worry, as long as you stay by my side, you will be safe. I will take care of you and protect you with my life." I gave her my assurance and pledge of protection.She raised her tear-stained eyes and looked at me. "We are complete strangers to each other. Why are you offering your protection to me?" She asked, surprised by my statement.I took a deep breath. "Because we are destined to be together in this lifetime." I declared in a serious tone.Her brows knitted together in confusion. "W-what do you mean? I don't understand..."I patted her head gently, itching to envelope her in my arms. But today is not the time
*3rd POV*Two days later, Alex and Lauren returned to the city from their short vacation.Alex proceeded to his house while Lauren returned to Magnus' residence.Lauren opened the door, climbed the staircase, and went to her bedroom. The house was still quiet, an indication that the owner hasn't returned yet. His prolonged absence got her worried.What could have happened to him? She hopes he is alright.Lauren put her bag on the floor and saw the envelope on her pillow. Her brows knit together; what is this? She picked up the envelope and found a letter inside. It was written and signed by Magnus.~Dear, Lauren...When you read this letter, I'm already back in my kingdom because there are still a lot of things that need my attention. Peace has been restored in my kingdom. My brother and I are on good terms again. He finally let go of his woman for the sake of peace between the two kingdoms.In line with my current state of mind, I would like to let you go as well. You can go now and
*GRANNY URSULA*A while ago...When I looked out the window, I saw Alex in the car, then Lauren re-entered the house and investigate. I could have shown myself to the couple right at that very moment, saying hello to the two children that I raised like my own.The temptation to show myself to them again is very strong.I wanted to talk to them, have a conversation with them and hug them one last time but I can no longer do it. I can't look into Alex's eyes and pretend that I'm still the same old Granny Ursula that he used to know. I killed his grandparents and if he knows, he will hate me to the bone.I'm guilty of using the couple for revenge but I need to do what I have promised to my beloved queen when she lies dying in my arms in the garden.I can still recall vividly the pain of seeing her on the verge of death."Nanny, I'm dying. Please take care of my younger brothers on my behalf..." Queen Hesperia has a hard time breathing."Who did this to you?" I asked, my eyes filled with
*ALEX*I went home that morning and went straight to bed to sleep after eating a light breakfast.When I wake up in the afternoon, it's already 4:00 p.m. I texted Lauren that I'm going to her place to bring her to a place far from the city so she needs to bring some clothes with her.I haven't told her yet about what happened to my grandparents dead bodies.I need to go to a place that is quiet and relaxing to de-stress.Half an hour later, I'm already out of my house. I get into my car and drive to Lauren's place.After a few minutes of driving, I arrived at my destination and parked the car outside the gate of the vampire's residence.I texted Lauren that I'm already outside, waiting for her to come out of the house. I looked out the window on the second floor of the house and saw a silhouette. Who was that?When I looked closely, the silhouette had already disappear. Or maybe it wasn't there in the first place. Maybe my eyes just caught something that looks like the silhouette of a
*ALEX*When I arrived at the funeral parlor and went to the second floor of the building to join my sister and parents, I was shocked to find an empty room—no coffins or whatever—just flowers and candles on the floor. Instead, what I saw were my family members looking at each other with a shocked expression on their faces.I rushed to their sides. "What's wrong, guys?" I inquired."Son, the coffins were gone! It happened so fast! It's like a blink of an eye. I felt like I was frozen in time and I don't know what happened during those moments. But the moment we were unfrozen, we were surprised to see the two caskets gone!" Mom said it in a rattled tone.My brows snapped together. "What is going on?" I asked in disbelief. "Who would steal a coffin with dead bodies in it?" I said it in bewilderment."Brother, believe us when we say that someone has frozen us and stolen the coffins!" Lyn explained in an agitated tone."We got to find the coffins!" Dad exclaimed anxiously."Alright, calm d
~MAGNUS~"So, is this your good news to me?" I asked the silhouette standing near the window, my eyes blazing with anger. "I'm in the middle of a negotiation with the opposing kingdom to obtain peace and you just whisked me away just to show me this good news?"I feel like my heart is about to explode due to jealousy. "I tell you now that seeing Lauren with Alex is making my blood boil. I don't like it! And the fact that you tolerated them and did nothing to prevent them from seeing each other makes me feel like the person I trusted the most has betrayed me!"I looked at her, feeling upset. "You disappointed me! I left you behind to watch over Lauren on my behalf! Not to tolerate the couple's reunion! You didn't even try to do anything to separate them!"I no longer hide my displeasure. I felt annoyed that my precious woman was now getting back together with her ex."Your highness, this is not the good news that I'm talking about," Granny Ursula responded. "I'm sorry if you didn't lik
*ALEX*I haven't slept yet and the time was already past 2:00 in the morning. Lauren was sleeping soundly beside me on the bed. I've been wide awake the whole night, and I want to make sure that this night will go well without any mysterious occurrences on Lauren's part based on my mother's instruction.I even put a CCTV camera inside our bedroom as evidence that Lauren was with me the whole night, just in case something went wrong.I think the party has already ended by now.When my phone rang at 2:40 in the morning, my heart beat so fast.Damn!They will never call me at this hour unless something happens!I quickly grabbed my phone and read the message. It was from my mother and the contents of her message broke my heart into pieces.'Son, when I wrote this message, I'm still in the hospital. Your sister is fine, but both grandpa and grandma didn't make it. They died in the party venue; the guards found them dead after all the guests had gone home safely. The reason for their death
*ALEX* On the day of the masquerade ball, I was with my family the whole afternoon, chatting with everyone. The atmosphere in the house is fantastic, filled with lively chatter. We are in good spirits, riding the wave of excitement for tonight's event. It will be the first time that our family is complete and we will be attending the masquerade ball together. In the previous ball, it's always been me who is missing and my grandparents, so today is very special because it will be a family affair and everyone will be present on the festive occasion. Everyone is excited. I can see the shimmering excitement on their faces. By 5:00 in the afternoon, I made my exit and informed everyone that I'm going home and that I would see them at the party later. I left our family home, and part of me felt sad that I couldn't attend the party. I got into my car, drove into the heavy traffic and dropped by at the vampire's place. Lauren exited the gate and waved at me. I opened the door and she qu
*LAUREN* One week had passed already. I was waiting for Magnus' return every day, yet there was still no sign of him. What could happen to him? I hope he is alright and his kingdom didn't go to war. I'm worried about his safety. I was pacing back and forth in the living room. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Alex would come anytime soon. I agreed to sleep in his house every night as part of my commitment to our relationship. I already wrote a letter for Magnus and put it in his bed just in case he would arrive at an empty house. I explained in my letter that I'm going to sleep at my friend's house. I'll be back tomorrow morning and all he needs to do is text me and I'll reply right away. My phone rang and Alex sent me a message informing me that his car was already parked outside the gate. I grabbed my shoulder bag and exited the house. After locking the gate, I quickly get into the passenger seat of Alex's car. "Hi, sweetheart." Alex greeted me cheerily. "I hope I didn't make
*ALEX* The following day, me and Lauren woke up late. After having a glorious night, we welcome the morning with fresh perspective and refreshed energy. I kissed Lauren's cheeks. Her eyelids stirred on the verge of waking up. "Good morning, sweetheart!" I greeted her jovially. "Morning!" She replied in a sweet tone, caressing my jaw. I patted her arms lovingly. "I'm going to work today. If you want, you can accompany me in my office," I offered. "No, thanks. I should go home." She refused my offer politely, getting off the bed and going to the bathroom. A few moments later, she emerged from the bathroom, returned to bed, and said, "Can you drop me off at the house on your way to your office?" "Sure! That's what I have planned in my mind already. I will send you home after we have breakfast," I answered. "Thank you," she murmured. "We can also teleport, right?" "Yes, we can do that as well. But I prefer that we use the car so that we can talk along the way," I said, gazing at