Chapter 1: Vampire and Werewolf

I just woke up one day with a handsome vampire by my side, offering me a contract marriage.

I knew it was like being courted by the devil, yet like a foolish lamb who laid herself on the sacrificial table, I reached for his hand, not knowing that it would consume my reckless heart.

******

Carter left me. The man who promised to love me till the end left without a proper explanation. Coming here to Lynnwood to live with my mom was what I thought the best for me. I thought I could finally have the peaceful life I wanted. Turns out I just made my life messier than I had imagined. I fell in love with a vampire, got involved with his entire family, and even discovered that my childhood friend, Jaxon, is a werewolf.

I’m standing right now in front of Carter’s family house, wondering what sin I committed to be punished like this. Jaxon accompanied me out of worry.

"What is it?” I asked when he suddenly stood before me in a defensive stance like there was some sort of enemy approaching.

"Someone is coming," he said, his voice was cold and strained.

"Who?"

Before he could answer, I heard a loud noise at the back as if something fell from the trees. I turned as Jaxon did. My lips fell apart when I saw a woman with crimson eyes. Her long black hair flowed down her waist and she was wearing a black overcoat. She looked bold and strong, and the way she looked at me with eyes filled with wrath confused me.

I could not move from where I was standing while Jaxon stood one step ahead of me in a defensive stance as though he was ready to defend me with all he got.

"Give me the girl, hybrid," the woman demanded coldly.

The girl.

She was referring to me.

But why? I do not know her. She is not the least bit familiar, so why has she come for me? Is this related to Carter? But our relationship is already over, so what is happening? Why did someone of his kind just appear out of the blue and seemed like she was craving my death?

"Fucking bloodsucker. Have you not known whose territory you are into?" Jaxon asked firmly, I could see the muscles in his forearm flexing and I was afraid that he would just burst out and fight the vampire woman and then end up getting hurt because of me later on.

"I know very well. Your pack's territory, am I right?" the woman said, one corner of her lips tugged up sarcastically.

"Then you better leave while I can still hold myself or else you would not have the chance to see the moon later this night," Jaxon warned with so much intensity in his velvety voice.

"I’m not afraid of you nor anyone. I don’t even fear my own death. So you better step aside because I ought to deal with that mortal."

"This mortal is my person. I will not give you any right to touch her," Jaxon said.

"Why are you even protecting her? She is just a pathetic useless human. I bet she is not even your mate, so why bother? Just give her to me so I can leave without us having to fight," the woman negotiated in a wicked tone.

"Why? Are you afraid that I might end up pulling your head out of your body, bloodsucking monster?" Jaxon smirked with the same wicked look as the one the woman had given to him.

The woman laughed hysterically. "Me? Afraid of you? My apologies, but I think you are under such a pretty illusion, dear. You are not the one who has the upper hand here. If you are thinking that I came here alone, then think twice."

I gasped. Jaxon looked around at once as if he wanted to sense something. After a few seconds, his eyes were locked in front again.

"You can't deceive me. I only smell your scent here in the woods, so you must be alone," Jaxon said.

The woman's lips painted with blood red curved slowly into a dark smile.

"Did I say they are here? I did not, right?"

I was confused at first. I did not understand what the woman meant. But when I heard Jaxon's loud curses, realization dawned on me that made my eyes widen in horror.

"I wonder how your pack would face a battalion of matured vampires without their Alpha?"

No.

"Now, would you give her to me or not?" The woman asked again.

Though before I could blink, I heard a loud animalistic growl and the sound of ripping. I was pushed by a force and the next thing I knew, I was thrown to the tree yards away. I felt dizzy and my back slightly hurt. Deeply worried, I opened my eyes the moment I recovered and my lips fell open when I saw a huge brown werewolf in front of the vampire human. I did not have to think about who it was. There was no doubt that the werewolf in front was Jaxon. Even though he had already shifted, I am so sure it was him because of his eyes and the way he stands as if he is the best of them all. Now I understand why he has that Alpha blood in him.

The woman smirked and advanced, moving so fast that I could barely see how she moved in the air. The fact that vampires are incredibly fast made me nervous. I was not worried for myself but for Jaxon and his pack that were now suffering because of me.

Jaxon had grown to become my best friend and having him hurt while protecting me was the last thing I wanted to happen. I don't want anyone to be hurt because of me, even Jaxon's pack and friends.

"Be careful, Jax…" I said under my breath but when he glanced at me for the shortest fraction of a second, I knew he heard me.

I gripped my sweater as I followed their fast movements as if they were not fighting with themselves but with the air and speed. The woman was really fast, but thankfully, Jaxon was able to cope up. I relaxed a bit but the worry and fear were still there. I badly wanted to do something to help him, but what was I supposed to do with this weak human body? If I come any closer, I would just be more likely to become a burden to Jaxon, so I could do nothing but watch until it ends and hope that he will be alright.

It was cold but I went sweating like bullets when I saw how good the woman's fighting skills were. I could not track their every move but whenever I could, it was hard to notice how smooth and graceful her moves were as if she was only dancing rather than fighting.

Though, I could not say that Jaxon was at disadvantage. He was as fast and definitely stronger. It was evident on how the woman was thrown every time he hit her. But the woman recovered so fast from the attacks as if it never happened.

I never witnessed a real fight between supernatural beings before, this was the first and I admit it was nerve-racking. I wished Carter was the one there to protect me and explain what was happening, but I could not express how grateful I was to Jaxon for standing by my side at a critical moment when I could have died.

When Carter left, I would lie if I said that I had never thought of just dying. I know it was stupid, but I felt like I lost the most important part of myself when I lost Carter. But right that moment when Jaxon stood for me against my oppressor, it gave me a little wisdom. Why would I waste my life for someone who just dropped me like I was a waste meant to be eradicated? What would happen to the people supporting me if I let go of myself?

Right that moment when I saw how Jaxon struggled to keep me alive, I knew I had taken my life for granted. It was wrong to depend my happiness on someone. It was wrong to fall deeply. I was weak and the mortal heart I had wasn't strong enough to resist such a kind of attraction. It was my fault. I was the one who brought it all to myself.

I was about to stand to see clearly how the fight was going on when someone suddenly grabbed me from the back.

"Got you," said the baritone voice as I felt a strong arm around my shoulders, holding me captive.

I froze in fear. A man. A vampire. He must be with the long-haired woman!