The forest smelled strongly of pine trees and damp earth. It was dark, except for patches of moonlight. Alexandra and Blite knew they couldn't wait for night to fall; they had to leave right away. The wolves were busy fighting amongst themselves, giving them a chance to escape. Alexandra knew Blite's mom would be worried sick, so they had to go home.
They ran, their hearts pounding, through the trees and bushes. The ground was uneven and tricky to walk on, and every twig that snapped underfoot made them jump. They could almost smell the wolves behind them, even though they were getting farther away.
Finally, they reached a small, open area lit by the moon. Blite, out of breath but excited, leaned against a tree covered in moss.
"I still can't believe you're half-wolf, half-vampire!" she said, her eyes wide. "This is like a story for a book! You could write a best-selling novel about this!"
Alexandra, also tired and scared, leaned against another tree. She sighed, showing how worried she was.
"I won't believe it until I see Mom," she whispered. "I need to see her. I'm really worried."
Blite put her hand on Alexandra's arm to comfort her. "I know Mrs. Carmella has her reasons for keeping your identity a secret," she said softly, her voice laced with understanding. "But what about your father? Do you know anything about him? Any pictures?"
Alexandra's shoulders slumped, the weight of unspoken years pressing down on her. "Mom said Dad's working in Europe," she replied, her voice thick with unshed tears. "She said someday we'll be together. But she never told me much – about him, or herself. It's like a missing piece of my life, a puzzle with a gaping hole in the middle."
Their escape from the wolves' crude hut had been a blur of frantic movement, a desperate flight fueled by adrenaline and instinct. Blite, despite her impressive speed, had struggled to keep pace with Alexandra, whose seemingly boundless energy and uncanny ability to navigate the treacherous terrain had been nothing short of miraculous. Now, they stood at the edge of the highway, the black asphalt ribbon a stark contrast to the dark, brooding forest they had just left behind. The air here was different, cleaner, carrying the faint scent of exhaust fumes and distant city lights.
"Are you sure your parents are coming to get us?" Alexandra asked, a little doubtful.
"Yeah, I texted them," Blite said. "Luckily, there's cell service here, so I used my phone's GPS to tell them where we are. They should be here any minute." A fancy black car came driving toward them.
Alexandra's face lit up, but then Blite frowned. "That's not Mom's car," she whispered, feeling nervous.
A tall, imposing figure emerged from the vehicle, his features obscured by the shadows, his presence radiating an unsettling aura of confidence, bordering on arrogance. He approached them, his gaze sweeping over them with an unnerving intensity.
"Hello ladies. What are you doing here? It's dangerous." He seemed very confident, almost too confident.
"Someone's picking us up," Alexandra said.
"Not many cars come through here," the man said. "This is a very lonely place. Get in, I'll drive you."
"Best friend, is he a serial killer?" Blite whispered, looking at the man's pale skin.
Alexandra whispered back, "Shut up, Blite. What if he's a rapist?"
The man laughed. "I'm not a rapist."
Alexandra was shocked. "How did he hear us?"
Before she could ask, someone shouted, "Hurry! We have to find the Luna before the vampires get her!"
Panic clawed at Alexandra's throat. They were being followed. She turned to the man, desperation etched on her face. "Can you promise you won't hurt us?"
"Yes, Your Highness," he said, sounding proud.
Trusting her gut – and her desperation – Alexandra ordered Blite into the car. As they sped away, a strange mixture of fear and a strange, inexplicable pull towards this enigmatic stranger filled her.
"Can we stay at your place?" Alexandra asked, her voice raw, as the city lights blurred into view.
"Why, Your Highness?" His gaze never left the road.
"We need to disappear. No questions. I'll pay you," Alexandra said, her tone flat. The man's lips curved into a smile.
"You're breathtaking," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "That fierce attitude…" Blite, watching their exchange, saw the spark, the undeniable chemistry.
"What breathtaking are you talking about?" Alexandra snapped.
"You're pretty and brave," he replied, his eyes glinting.
"Just drive," Alexandra said.
"Can you take me home? My mom's worried," Blite said.
"Where's your house?" the guy asked.
"Beverly Hills," Blite said.
After a long hour, they arrived at Blite's village. She can't stay here because her traitorous friends know that Blite lives here. "Best friend, don't forget to text me or call me when you get to the guy's house, I promise I won't say anything." she raised her right hand as a sign of promise, Alexandra continued to smile as she thought of Blite as her only loyal and true friend.
"Yes, my dear best friend." She bites her lips to control her tears, Alexandra can't stop being emotional with her friend especially since she knows Blite not like her and she's afraid
for this.
Blite approached Alexandra, she bowed while whispering. "Seduce him, you look good together." she teased her which cause Alexandra bit her inner jaw, nothing changed for Blite she's still naughty that's why they became best friends because they have the same personality.
"Why are you holding back your tears? It's not bad to show your weakness, crying is not cowardice, but it will help you to lessen the burden," the guy remarked to Alexandra, her lips moving in the direction of the young man. She thought this man was merely attractive and sensual, but he also possessed a secret gentleness.
"Why are you being so nice?" Alexandra asked, surprised.
"I am nice. You're just judging me," he said.
They pulled up to a fancy apartment building.
Alexandra's eyes turned to the car window, she now realizes that they were entering the parking lot of a condominium building.
"You live here?" She amusedly said this is her first time to go to a 5-star condominium. This man is absolutely rich.
"Yes, I lived here." The man got out of the car first; she was going to open it, but a man opened it first and assisted her out. Alexandra's cheeks were flushed with happiness. Well, he is also a gentleman. You have a bonus point from me.
Even when they were inside the building, the man did not let go of Alexandra's hand. Alexandra couldn't figure out why she felt like electricity was coursing through her body every time her skin touched the man's skin. She couldn't stop picturing herself kissing him and both of them naked on top of the bed. Her imagination was only interrupted when the elevator rang, announcing that they had arrived at the man's condo floor.
She exhaled to calm herself and distract herself from her thoughts.
"Don't dream about sleeping with this guy; I'm sure he slept with a lot of girls," she told herself, her eyes widening in the centre of the man's thigh. "Shit! It's too long and too big."
"Hey! What are you thinking?" She had just come back to herself when the man flicked her forehead. She looked at him, and his forehead furrowed; he thought this girl with him was crazy; he heard her murmuring but he ignored her. "You've been whispering to yourself, are you crazy?"
She almost coughed at what he said to her: "What am I crazy?" "How dare he accused me of being crazy?"
"It appears that you are the real judgemental here, Mr.? Anyway, what is your name?" She immediately realized she didn't know the man's name, she just came here without even knowing his name.
"I'll answer your question later; we lingered too long outside my condo."
"Here we go again, he used to be in a good mood but now he's in a bad mood, does he have a mental illness? He probably needs a psychologist."
"Look, you're murmuring again," the man said, scratching his forehead.
"Yes, your Majesty, I'm in," she remarked sarcastically as she entered the condo.