*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
*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
*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
*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