Chapter 1 PROLOGUE

ALARIS' POV

The school was already quiet as it should be at seven o'clock in the evening. The guards had already finished their job at going around the campus, checking for the unlocked rooms, and checking if there are any students lingering around.

The faculty room doesn't get checked. The guards knew I always stay late alone and then go home. But for tonight, I'm not alone.

"You've been avoiding me the whole day, Mr. de Marcel. After what I told you yesterday I was expecting a more appreciative response." The science teacher battered her lashes at me. I've seen women like her and I know what they want. Yesterday, she cornered me in the men's bathroom and flashed her breasts as though I asked for it.

"I have more important matters to deal with, Ms. Mont other than entertaining you. Excuse me," I said and was about to step around her when she stepped in my way.

She grinned as her eyes traveled my eyes to my lips. Then her hands straightened the lapel of my coat. I did not get surprised when I felt her hands flat on my chest.

"You know what makes you more interesting, Mr. de Marcel?" she purred. "You're so hard to get." Her hands wrapped around my neck and pulled me close enough for our lips to touch. I did not respond to the kiss and when she felt it, she stepped back. I narrowed my eyes on the lipstick now messy on her lips.

I took the handkerchief from my pocket and wiped my mouth. I could see her getting offended at that but I didn't care.

I placed my handkerchief back into my pocket and looked at her.

"I know what you want and I am going to give it to you," I said. She looked confused at first but then she grinned like a cat. She walked closer to me and I held my hand to stop her.

I pushed her down until she was on her knees. One of my hands was on her head and my other hand fumbled on the zipper of my pants. She looked at me and grinned before she took my length into her hands. 

I let her have me and she let me have her. But I was thinking of something else as I dove into human pleasures. This will be the last time I will be seen in this school. Morgiana Davis will turn 18 in a few hours and my mission here will be done. 

My head whipped to the wall clock inside the office and I muttered a mental curse. I'm late.

I looked at Ms. Mont. She was still trembling and I was already fixing myself. She slumped into the floor and rested her back on the wall. She looked at me and gave me a satisfied smile before she said, "That was the best I've ever had." Her eyes were almost closed and her dress was still hiked up to her waist.

I tossed the handkerchief in her direction before I said, "Clean yourself."

I didn't wait for her to respond and immediately went out of the office.

"Damn it," I hissed as I walked down the quiet hall. I should have stopped her earlier. I wasn't like this. Even if that woman got naked in front of me I wouldn't have given her what she wanted. But deep down I know what the reason was. I've been holding it all day. Ever since I saw that girl changing in the dressing room, I couldn't get her off my mind. And when Ms. Mont showed up to me, offering me something I normally would have refused, I took it. It's been a few days. A few days of holding back. For some reason, I can't get her off my mind. Morgiana Davis is an abomination and it must be because of that that I couldn't stop thinking about her. About the soft skin beneath her skirt that hikes up every time she sat on the chair in front of my table, about the way her lips curve into a small smile--those lips begging to be kissed. Everything about her is enchanting. And I blame her for it. 

"Fuck."

I got out of the school building and went straight to where I should be tonight: Morgiana Davis's house.

*** 

Chapter 2 ONE

MORGIANA'S POV

I think I tasted blood inside my mouth. I winced in pain as I touched my cheek. It was still quite painful after that slap my aunt gave me earlier before I went out. Today, she found another reason to be mad at me. And that was because I did not make breakfast.

I would have made breakfast but there was nothing for me to make. I think that was just her excuse to slap me. Making sure she never missed a day.

In a few days, I will turn eighteen. In a few days, I will leave this place. I will never be back here again. I will go to another city, start a new life there, and forget everything in this sad little town. I'll just have to endure a few days. It shouldn't be so bad.

The walk to school is even more tormenting. Not because it was quite far but because I had to endure the constant insults thrown at me by other students who passes by. I know it's pathetic to let them have their fill of throwing insults but what can I do? Some of them are either the mayor's son. Or the governor's daughter. Or the son and daughter of the owner of the school. It's quite funny how these powerful people raise their kids. And the last thing I would want is to have these powerful people all over me if I tried and punch their kids.

I heard the sound of the car and I didn't need to look to see who it was. 

For today's episode of make Morgiana's life miserable: Arleigh, the school's queen bee together with her cronies threw sandwiches in my direction. The wet sound of melted cheese and lettuce rang in my ear as I let the patty slide down from my face down to the ground. In the distance, I could hear them giggling at what they did. They don't seem to run out of things to throw and of course, I always came prepared. I took a tissue from my bag and started to wipe the mess.

"Nice outfit, Davis," yelled another boy in the car. I groaned inwardly. My day is never complete without them.

When I was finished cleaning my clothes, I continued to walk. 

I went straight to where my classroom is. I am fully aware of how I smell because of the weird look the students have given me. I sighed and changed my route. I went straight to the dressing room and decided to change into our P.E. uniform. Some might make fun of me for wearing a P.E. uniform but it's better than being made fun of for smelling like lettuce.

The changing room was empty, thankfully. I've had enough judgmental eyes and I wanted to be alone even for just a moment. The moment I sat on the bench, I let the silence wrap around me. And just when I thought I was alone I heard a group of girls getting inside. 

When I turned to look, that's when I saw Arleigh and her cronies. Great. As if having them throwing burgers at me on the street was not enough. Arleigh was the one who saw me first and her cronies stopped giggling to look at me. The last thing you would want to happen is to be in the same room as this circle. 

"Look what we have here," crooned Arleigh. She's popular in school and a lot of students swarm around her for some reason. 

"Well, thanks to your little prank earlier, here I am," I answered and was about to open my locker door when she slammed her hand on it. The sound of Arleigh's fist on the metal door echoed inside the dressing room. I looked her in the eye. I've received beatings from my aunt every day. Somehow, that alone has toughened me up. 

Arleigh grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked it up. I heard the other girls laughing at that. 

"Leave this dressing room, dirt," Arleigh said. But there's no way in hell that I would go out of this room smelling like a burger. And perhaps it was the fact that I didn't have breakfast, or the fact that I had considered eating that burger they threw at me while I was walking down the road, or the confidence that I had that I would be turning eighteen in a few days and that I will be leaving this hell pit, that I got the courage to yank Arleigh's hair back. 

I heard her yelp at that and the surprised look on her face was enough to keep me going. 

"Let go of me!" she yelled but I only gripped tighter. 

"Only if you let go first," I said, But she didn't let go and I have all the time in the world to be pulling someone's hair as I don't feel like going to class now anyway. "I could do this all day, Arleigh." 

I pulled her hair harder this time and she yelled in pain. I looked at the other girls behind her and they looked like they were hesitating whether to help or to leave Arleigh in her own fight. But then Arleigh screamed at them and then all at once, they all came toward me. Two girls grabbed both my arms and pulled me away from Arleigh. Another two helped Arleigh fix herself. As soon as we were separated, Arleigh took the chance to slap me hard on the face. That's where my aunt slapped me this morning. I winced in pain. 

"How about fighting me one on one, Arleigh? Seems pathetic of you to be asking for your cronies' help." I grinned as I saw her face flush. 

"You don't get to tell me what to do, bitch. I will do whatever I want," she said. 

"Of course." 

She slapped me hard on the other cheek. The other girls giggled. I didn't taste blood. At least my aunt's slap was stronger. Arleigh walked closer to me and yanked my hair again, forcing me to look at her. Arleigh is pretty. Perhaps that's why people flock around her. 

Without hesitation, I slammed my head to her face which made her stumble backward. Good thing the other two girls were there to catch her. They all looked at me, surprised. Without wasting any time, I pushed the girl on my left to the locker where she hit her head and immediately cried. I did the same to the girl on my right and she fell down on her butt. 

Arleigh and the other two girls were still looking at me as though it was the first time they have seen me. I have always been strong and I guess that was because I was beaten up every day. This is just the first time that I fought Arleigh. 

The doors of the dressing room flew open and a teacher came in. 

See, I have been planning my escape from this town for so many years. That when I turned eighteen I will leave this place behind. But there are some things that made me reconsider. One is the bookstore just a few blocks from the school. There aren't a lot of people in town who like books as much as me so whenever I go there, I get the book all for myself. Two is the handsome young teacher, Mr. Alaris de Marcel. 

Mr. de Marcel stood by the door and eyed six of us. I stood near my locker and suddenly got conscious of how I looked. His eyes darted toward Arleigh with a bleeding nose and then to the two girls on the ground. Then his eyes went to me. 

"You did this?" he asked. Arleigh was wise enough to start sobbing. 

I didn't respond. I looked into his eyes. Something about him draws me. He had just come to school a few months ago. 

"Ms. Davis?" he called and I blinked. I didn't realize I was staring at him. 

"I...I did," I answered. He looked at me for a brief moment before he looked at Arleigh who was already batting her lashes while crying. I should have broken her nose. 

"Get her to the infirmary," said Mr. de Marcel and the girls were quick to help Arleigh stand. The moment they were near the professor, Arleigh reached to touch his arm and muttered her thanks. For someone who just got bashed in the face, she sure is flirty. 

The moment the other girls are done, I realized I was alone with Mr. de Marcel. I felt his gaze on me and I looked down. I'm a mess and he could probably smell the lettuce from me. 

"Meet me in my office, Ms. Davis," he said. His voice was cold and I dared to meet his stare. 

"Can I at least change?" I said. His eyes raked over me once again before he gave me a nod and went outside. I thought he was going away but then I saw him standing by the slightly open door. I bit my lip to suppress the smile that threatened my lips. I immediately removed my clothes and changed into something more comfortable. The moment I was done, I stuck my dirty clothes in the locker and immediately went out to see Mr. de Marcel.

He gave me a brief glance before he started walking. I followed him to his office. 

*** 

Mr. de Marcel's office looked minimal. Not surprising, though. He just got here and I don't think he's the sort of person who likes to hoard things. Save for his table, a few chairs, and a shelf, there was no other furniture inside.

"Why was Ms. Hawthorne's nose bleeding?" he asked the moment he sat on the chair behind his desk. He crossed his arm and that's when I saw how his shirt failed to hide his magnificent body. I shook away my thought. I am about to get reprimanded and I have the luxury to ogle at my teacher's muscles. Snap out of it, Morgiana. 

"I think I broke her nose," I said as I stood stupidly in front of his table. His brow arched at that. 

"Why?" 

"I headbutted her," I answered. There's no sense in lying. I don't think Mr. de Marcel would even buy it. I'm a bad liar. 

Silence covered the whole room and he was just looking at me. There was something in his stare. A look of understanding. As if he had solved a complicated puzzle. 

"You're strong," he said which got me taken aback. I did not respond. He sounded like he still has something to say but then he stood and removed his tie. He then unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt and looked at me. He was sweating. 

"Are you alright, sir?" I asked. He averted his gaze and let out a sigh. 

"Get out," he said. His voice was even colder this time. Isn't he going to reprimand me or punish me for headbutting Arleigh's face? 

"Mr. de Marcel--" 

"I said get out," he snapped which made me jump on my feet. I immediately scuttled away and went to the door. I heaved a deep breath before I looked back and saw him bracing his arms on the table, his back on me. Then I went back to the dressing room, got my bag, and skipped school. 

Chapter 3 TWO

MORGIANA'S POV

Just when I thought I was free of the punishment, I was wrong. After I went to Mr. de Marcel's office he called me again the next day to give me my punishment.

"I'm sure you've seen the bathroom walls," he said and I already knew what he was going to say next.

"Majority of it were drawings of male genitalia. Hard not to notice," I said before I could even stop myself. I saw how Mr. Alaris' brow rose.

"Good. Your first punishment is to scrub those drawings off the wall. You're dismissed."

That was the first task. The second day, he called for me again. This time, I have to clean the gym too. The school utility told me it was fine but I had a feeling that Mr. Alaris would know somehow that I did not do what he told me to do. So I cleaned the gym too. By the third day, it was the bathroom again. I heaved a deep sigh as I looked at a new set of drawings by the wall.

"Must be nice to draw on a plain white canvas." I shook my head before I started cleaning. It was a good thing that I didn't have to cross paths with Arleigh or any of her cronies. I don't want to extend my punishment. I don't exactly know when is Mr. Alaris going to stop my punishment but somehow, I made it as an excuse not to go to science class. I hated Ms. Mont. And I hated her even more when I saw her getting out of Mr. Alaris' office with a feline smile on her face. I knew she liked Mr. Alaris.

On the fourth day, I woke up earlier than usual and went to school. Aunt Helen was still asleep the moment I left so I didn't get my daily dose of slap on the face. And today is my birthday. I don't want anyone to ruin it for me. Today, my life will change. I will run away from home and will never ever wish to come back.

I will ask Mr. Alaris too to give me a break today. Despite his coldness, I am certain he will allow me to at least have a normal day for my birthday.

But I was definitely wrong.

The moment I got inside his office, he didn't let me talk.

"Dressing room," he said.

"But sir--"

He whirled to look at me and his deep blue eyes pinned me on the spot. I'll remind myself next time not to cross him.

"What?" he asked.

I swallowed hard. Somehow, telling him that I wanted a break because it was my birthday sounded absurd. So I shook my head and went straight to the dressing room. I waited for the girls there to finish before I got inside.

I scanned the whole room. Today is sports day and I wasn't surprised when I saw the bags scattered on the ground. The shirts, underwear, shorts, and shoes, were all lying on the ground. The dressing room is quite big and I have at least an hour before the girls start coming back. I gripped the mop handle tightly.

"Happy birthday to me," I said and then I started to clean the room.

* * *

The moment I was almost done, the door burst open. I was expecting all of the girls to have returned but I was wrong. I whirled to see Arleigh and her cronies. The same people who got me in trouble.

I saw Arleigh's wicked smile as she crossed her arms and looked at me and the mop I was holding. If it won't get me in trouble, I would have slapped their faces with the stick. But the last thing I would want to happen is to have another set of punishments. Besides, I already swore to myself that I will stay out of trouble for today.

I picked up the bucket and went straight for the door when one of Arleigh's girls stopped me.

Oh, come on.

"What do you want?" I asked. They all snickered. I heard Arleigh's footsteps behind me and the next thing I knew, she took the mop from my hands and threw it on the floor. One of the girls took the bucket full of dirty water and they all laughed as they circled me.

"Arleigh, stop this. I don't want any trouble."

"We're not even doing anything to you," Arleigh said.

"Then let me pass so you and your girls could use this dressing room."

"Why don't we play a bit?"

I muttered a silent curse.

"I still have to do the other tasks Mr. de Marcel told me to--"

I wasn't able to finish my sentence when I felt the coldness of the water on my skin. The stench of dirt seeped through my nose and the rug that I had been using earlier fell on my shoulder. Arleigh had just thrown the water from the bucket into me. And now I am drenched.

They were laughing but all I could hear was the ringing in my ears. All the other sounds were muffled and when I felt a hand touching my shoulder, I didn't hesitate to grab that hand and twisted it. I think I heard a scream but the ringing was too loud that everything else was muffled. I let go of the hand and faced Arleigh who was looking at me with wide eyes. I walked closer to her and she staggered back. Fear was visible on her face and for a second, I delighted in it. I was delighted to see the look on her face as she saw me walking toward her. One hand tried to grab me again but I did the same. I held the girl's wrist and twisted it. Another snap.

It felt good. The sound of snapping bones sounded good. I wanted to hear more of it and Arleigh in front of me would make such nice sounds.

I walked closed and was about to grab her when the world suddenly tilted. I felt myself losing consciousness and before I even dropped to the ground, I felt two strong hands catching me.

I could have sworn I heard Mr. Alaris' voice before darkness took over.

Chapter 4 THREE

MORGIANA'S POV

The cold bite of air on my skin was the first thing I noticed the moment I woke up. The next is the single table and the shelf. And the next is Mr. Alaris who was sitting on the chair in front of his table. That's when I realized I was lying on the floor.

I immediately got up and realized that my clothes were still wet. I smelled myself and I almost gagged. I looked at Mr. Alaris. He was looking at me and judging from the grimace on his face, I could tell he could smell me too.

"Remove your clothes and burn the damned thing," he said. I was about to say something when he jerked his head towards the other chair where I saw a pile of clothes.

"Change into that." He then stood and walked towards the window. His back was turned against me and I immediately went to take the clothes.

Then I realized he wanted me to change inside his office.

"Mr. de Marcel--" Before I could even ask the question, he already answered it.

"Change here," he said, still looking at the window.

It's uncomfortable removing my clothes in a room with someone else but I don't have a choice. The hallway was already packed with students and if I go out there now, they would find another way to insult me. I've had enough insults for today.

With quick hands, I removed my clothes. But when I was left with my underwear, Mr. Alaris suddenly faced me

"Oh my god!" My hands were quick to cover my exposed body but Mr. Alaris didn't care. He walked closer to me and I could feel my heart ratcheting into a thunderous beat.

"Mr. de Marcel, I am changing--"

"I know," he said. His voice was low and the way he looked at me made me feel like I was already stripped naked. I was breathing hard as he walked closer and I couldn't help but sigh the moment I smelled him. God, I want to swim in his scent.

"Do you know what you did to those girls?" he asked. His eyes never left mine.

I tried to recall what happened before I woke up in his office. I could remember the feel of the water on my skin. The smell of it. The face of Arleigh as I walked closer to her, the sound of broken bones, and muffled screams.

Wait.

Broken bones and muffled screams?

My eyes widened as I looked at Mr. Alaris. He was looking at me as though he knew I figured it out too.

"That's right," he said. "Two girls have broken wrists. How did you do it?"

"I am actually asking the same question now. I don't know how I did it. Was it me who did it?" For a moment, I forgot that I am naked in front of him but I was more concerned about the fact that I might have broken the bones of Arleigh's cronies earlier. I want to feel good about it but I just can't. Who breaks people's bones? And to think that I didn't have breakfast today to give enough strength to lift a trash bin--how would it be possible for me to break bones?

I saw how Mr. Alaris' eyes narrowed in my direction. "You don't know how you did it?"

"If I had known I could break bones, I would have broken theirs a long time ago. I don't know what happened," I said but then the look of understanding crossed his face. Then his eyes went down to my chin, to my barely covered chest, to my stomach, and then to my bare legs. My arms did little to cover what needed to be covered.

When his eyes went back to mine, I could have sworn his eyes glinted into something...feral. As though he's hungry for something. Whatever it is, I don't know but a deep part of me wanted to find out.

I stepped closer to him and his eyes narrowed a bit. As if waiting for my next move. I met his stare barely as I almost buckled to my knees. What on earth is this man doing to me?

I dared to reach for his arm and he did not stop me. My eyes went to my fingers as they touched his skin. When I looked up, he was still looking at me but his eyes looked like he was having an internal battle with himself.

Before I could even touch him fully, he took his hand away and stepped back.

"Get changed and get out," he said and left the room, leaving me dumbfounded.

What an idiot you are, Morgiana.

***

ALARIS' POV

Morgiana Davis has made things difficult for me. Ever since I saw her in the dressing room that day, I couldn't get her off my mind. And earlier today, before I fucked Ms. Mont, Morgiana's face was the only one I could think of.

I shook my head and stayed silent.

This part of the outskirts is dense with trees so it was easy for me to hide. I stood next to a tree as I watched the house in the distance. The house that I have been watching for a few months. The house where Morgiana Davis lives.

I have watched her routine and memorized them in an instant. She doesn't eat dinner with her aunt and uncle. I had the impression that they were not too fond of her. So after they eat, Morgiana eats alone and then goes to bed. But not without reading something before sleeping. At school, she was the subject of bullying too.

It's because she doesn't belong in this world. Or any world for that matter. She's an abomination.

I watched as the kitchen light disappeared. Then my eyes darted towards the attic where her room is. From the window of her room and with my enhanced eyesight, I could see her removing her clothes and changing into something. I felt the same sensation again and I cursed myself before I turned away.

When I think she was done, I started observing her again.

Today is her birthday and today is also the day that everything will change. I have waited for so many years to let the vampires pay. And that payment starts tonight.

I was about to walk closer to her house when I saw a small light emerging from her room. I stopped walking and realized that she was lighting a candle. And that's when I realized she was celebrating her birthday alone in the dark.

***

MORGIANA'S POV

I wasn't surprised when no one bothered to greet me happy birthday at home. It was better since I don't want to hear anything from my aunt. Mercifully, she did not say anything to me. That was the closest to a birthday gift she could give me.

I sat on the floor and opened the small box I had bought earlier. I lit the small candle and the light illuminated the strawberries on the cake. I closed my eyes and made a wish before I blew the candle. But as soon as I did it, my eyes caught a shadow in the corner of my room.

I was quick on my feet but I forgot the bed was behind me and I stumbled upon it. When I looked back, I saw the shadow was already over me and before I could shout, a hand covered my mouth.

I thrashed but the man was bigger and stronger. I tried to claw out his arms but it was no use. It was when I slowly stopped thrashing that the man removed his hand from my mouth. And that's when the scent came in. A very familiar one.

I fought and tried not to close my eyes but whatever it is he did to me was too strong. I was already losing consciousness when I remembered the scent.

It was Mr. de Marcel's.

Chapter 5 FOUR

MORGIANA'S POV

I felt the taste of blood in my mouth. For a moment, I tried to recall if my aunt had slapped me before I went to sleep. But then I jolt awake when I remembered I didn't fall asleep.

I looked around and felt that I wasn't in my bed. Worse, my head feels like it's about to explode. I touched my mouth and realized there was a small cut on the side. I winced.

The surrounding was dark and my eyes still hasn't adjusted to my surroundings. It was then that I started to see glimpses of what happened.

It was my birthday, yes. I remember buying a cake and then secretly lighting the candles in my room. When I blew the candles, there was a figure on the corner-

I gasped at the memory. The bits and pieces of it felt started to flood my brain until there was just fear and nothing else.

Someone had taken me. Someone had covered my mouth hard enough to make it bleed. And worse, I remember who that someone was.

I jumped from where I was sitting when I heard a noise. I still couldn't figure out where I am but judging from the hard surface of the floor, I guessed I am in some kind of room. There are so many questions in my head but at the moment, all I care about is how to get out of there.

My feet were wobbly as I tried to stand. Then I walked forward only to feel metal bars. I grabbed it and felt it before I realized they are there to keep from getting away.

And then light flooded in and I closed my eyes at the sudden attack of brightness. Slowly, I opened my eyes. It was then that I also heard some murmurs and snickers. They don't sound like Arleigh and her cronies. She couldn't believe how she wished it was Arleigh and her cronies in front of her the moment she saw them. They all looked unfamiliar and all of them looked at me as though I had done something to offend them that would last a century.

I was in a cage. The cage was big enough to accommodate my height so I won't bump my head. I wanted to thank them for their thoughtfulness but one of the people in front of me slammed a piece of wood on the metal bar causing me to jolt and scuttle back. Then the man snickered in my direction. The rest of them shouted in delight when they saw me jump.

Ridicule has always been something that goes with me wherever I go. I have long accepted that fact. But something tells me that this time, it's going to be different. That this is nothing like my aunt's mistreatment or Arleigh's daily torment. I had a feeling that this is going to be a different kind of hell.

But why am I here?

Tomatoes and other rotten vegetables started to fly towards my cage and all I can do is cover myself for defense. I am scared shitless. I am in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by unknown people who don't seem to mind wasting food to torment me. Have I done something I am not aware of that offended Mr. de Marcel?

Questions clouded my mind and somehow, they made me occupied from a vegetable attack. Although one potato made through the metal bars and hit me on the head. I picked it up, threw it back, and it hit one of the men, much to my delight.

They all went quiet as they saw what I did. The man that I hit was looking at me as though he can't wait to end my life. I staggered backward as I saw him walking toward me.

"Abomination," he said and then he picked up a stick. I knew what was going to happen before it happened. I used my arms for cover as I waited for the piece of wood to pierce my skin. But instead, a voice thundered across the area. The piece of wood did not come and everyone went dead silent.

Slowly, I removed my arms and saw the man looking at me and then putting down the wooden stick.

"Enough, Lucas," said the voice. It didn't take me a long time to figure out who it belonged. As I looked up to see who it was, Alaris de Marcel looked glorious as ever as he stood on a huge rock not too far from where I was publicly shamed.

The man named Lucas looked at me as though promising an eternity of misery before he turned his back and faced Alaris. I did the same. I looked at Alaris with enough contempt. I was so tempted to thrash and scream profanities at him but something tell me not to do it. So I waited for him as he came down from the rock in a graceful motion and walked towards the cage where I am. The crowd parted, giving way for him and I couldn't help but wonder who he really is.

When he was in front of me, I saw his face clearly. It was void of any emotion. If he appeared cold at school, right now, I could freeze on the spot with his penetrating eyes. But I couldn't forget about the fact that he kidnapped and brought me here.

"If you want to make some money by doing this, trust me, my aunt and uncle are going to thank you instead," I said.

He furrowed his brows and for a while, he did not say anything. He just looked at me as though I am a puzzle he couldn't solve. If it were a different situation where I was not in a cage and he was in his professor uniform, my insides would have done a backflip. But right now, the only thing I feel is to flip him my middle finger.

"Stop fighting and we will make it easier for you," said Alaris.

"What exactly are you going to make easier for me?"

"I've been waiting for this to happen. Tonight marks the night that you will die."

My brow rose. "Excuse me?"

Despite the fear that crept into my being, I couldn't help but wonder how everything went down to this.

"Okay, is this about me breaking Arleigh's hand? Are you her secret bodyguard or something? Are you her father's secret goons?"

But there was no answer from Alaris. He just turned his back on me and faced the people in front of us.

"Tonight's the full moon. Prepare what we need," Alaris said and before I could even ask more questions, Alaris walked away and left me there at the mercy of the people who are looking at me with the most hateful look they could manage.

I wanted to scream at him, curse his name, but my throat went dry. I still couldn't comprehend how I got into this situation. And the hateful looks that the others have given were enough to let me know that I wasn't welcome. That they are going to do unspeakable things to me and they won't regret it. It was terrifying.

I don't have any idea what they're doing. It was indeed the full moon but I don't know what's something about it that made them move as though they were anticipating something. I've seen a lot of terrifying things-experienced some of it first hand even, but looking at them makes her skin crawl. I'm not sure if it's a trick of the light but I could have sworn their eyes turned luminous. As in they look like they're glowing in the dark. Or maybe she was still hungover from whatever Alaris de Marcel did to me to knock me unconscious.

The sound of crickets and the rush of leaves against the gentle breeze was what I could hear. The surrounding went eerily quiet and the people who were snickering at me earlier stood in silence. My skin crawled. What the hell is happening? I never thought I would be thankful I was in a cage but at that moment, I felt thankful. It felt like the cages would at least protect from whatever is happening outside.

My eyes found Alaris de Marcel who was standing on some kind of hill. He stood taller than everyone and I couldn't help but think he's the leader of these people. But who are these people? What's their purpose? Why do they want me? But I think the most important question I should be asking is: What are they going to do to me?

"Excuse me-"

I wasn't able to continue my sentence when one of the people's heads snapped in my direction. I stifled a yelp when I saw that his eyes really glowed!

"What the hell," I muttered to myself. I pushed myself further away from the cell containing me inside the cage. The man's eyes glowed. Why the hell were his eyes glowing red? What the hell is happening?

I looked at the others and I could also see their eyes glowing. It wasn't a trick of the light. What I was seeing is real! Do people's eyes normally glow?

They were all looking at the moon, watching it with admiration in their eyes. When my eyes went to look at Alaris, he was not standing there anymore. My eyes searched the area but he wasn't there.

"It's wise for you to shut up and not move a muscle."

I almost jumped from inside her cage when I heard him standing next to the cage.

"How did you-"

I don't know what is happening but I think I am going crazy. He was standing a few meters away earlier and now he's standing next to me! And his eyes were glowing too! Although it was different from the others because his eyes glowed gold.

"What is going on?" I asked and I couldn't hide the trembling of my voice as I said it. I hated how it made me feel so weak.

But Alaris just gave me a stare, enough to shut me up. I blinked and he was gone. When I looked up at the hill, he was already there, looking down at me, eyes glowing gold.

It wasn't just a hallucination. It was real, whatever it was that was happening. Or maybe I ate too much of my birthday cake last night that I am feeling high right now. Or maybe my aunt slapped me too hard I was knocked unconscious and this is just a terrible dream. This has to be a dream. No humans could move quickly like that!

And then as if it wasn't scary enough, I heard them groaning. When I looked closer, I saw how their physicals changed. Not only were their eyes glowing but their whole body was changing.

I gasped and I scuttled farther back in my cage as I watched. I hear the snapping and the grunts of pain.

My hand went to cover my mouth, stifling my scream as I saw how their bones were breaking-snapping into odd angles. Hairs grew on their arms and legs-to every part of their body and their clothes tore as their bodies became larger.

I was trembling. I never trembled so much in my whole existence. What I was witnessing was something I have only seen in the movies.

When I looked at where Alaris was standing, I saw clearly how his body has changed. How his ears became pointy and how he was standing on four legs. His eyes snapped to where I am and I let out a whimper as those golden eyes glowed brighter.

My hand was tight on my mouth, trying so hard to stop the scream that was threatening to come out.

Then they looked up at the moon and howled as if to get its attention.

The people around me, even Mr. Alaris were not humans.

They had just turned to wolves.

Chapter 6 FIVE

MORGIANA'S POV

I am not someone who believes in superstitious beliefs. I have heard of stories-supernatural ones and I am not really the one who believes in them. Especially when I haven't seen them firsthand. People consider those stories not normal, that's why it's interesting for them. Not for me. I was more of a to see is to believe kind of person. And what I am seeing now was something I never thought I would see.

I've heard stories about people turning to animals. I've heard of stories of creatures who drain people of their blood. I was frozen in my cage as I was looking-listening at them howling at the moon.

Their ruff glinted under the moonlight. As though the moon had blessed them. My hand was still on my mouth while I try my best not to scream.

And then they started running to the woods until there was only one wolf left. It was Alaris. The golden glow of his eyes tells me so. He was just looking at me and I don't know what he wants.

Suddenly, the surge of panic hit me like a tornado. I started grabbing the metal bars and tried my best to break them even though I know it was futile. But then in a second, Alaris was in front of me, growling ferociously that made me stumble back.

Am I going to die? Is he going to kill me? What did I do? Did I somehow offend him and made him this angry? Why is this happening to me?

"Please," I rasped and that's when I realized I was already crying. "Please let me go. What have I done-I … I am sorry if I did something-"

The wolf growled and I closed my mouth but my sob went on. Alaris walked closer to the cage and I scuttled as far away as possible. If I am going to die here, I am not going to make it easy for him. There is no way in hell that I would let it be that easy for him.

My hands searched for something behind me-anything that could help me have a fighting chance. I am not good at fighting and the only time I ever fought was just recently when I broke Arleigh's nose. Heck, thinking about it feels like it happened a long time. I'd give everything just to go back to that situation when I still didn't know that Alaris could transform into a wolf.

I couldn't find anything that could help me against him but I have long nails. Maybe I'd just poke his eyes or something, I don't know! I am panicking.

"Don't kill me, please," I mumbled but he kept walking closer. And when he was already close enough, I swallowed hard as I saw how huge he is. A wolf-it's not something that could be seen on the streets and people would ignore it. No. If people see him they would run as fast as they could. They would start praying for their lives, just like what I am doing now.

He leaned his head and sniffed and a low growl came out of his mouth. I was about to say another thing when I saw him raise his paw. I covered my head using my arms even though I know it won't do much help to protect myself.

The next thing I heard was the sound of metal and the cage shaking, knocking me to the cage's ground. I opened my eyes and gasped when I saw the cage was not broken. He had used his teeth to break it open. He threw the metals away and stared at me with those golden eyes.

He opened the cage. Is he going to eat me? But instead, I saw him step back. His dominant presence made me doubt the gesture. Why is he stepping back after opening the cage? Does he want me to go out?

A low growl came out of him and I slowly let myself stand. I took a step forward and he did not react. I got braver and took another step until I was near the opening of the cage. I swallowed hard before I felt the cold ground on my feet.

But the moment I inhaled, he was instantly in front of me. His warm breath touched my face and I had to step back against the metal bars so I could get away from him.

He did not say anything but I could tell he wants to tell me something.

I have something to say to him too.

With all the strength I got, I grabbed the rock on the ground and hit the side of his furry head using the sharp side of it. He was huge but despite his size, he still staggered back and growled. He shook his head and I could see blood glinting on his ruff.

I used that chance to run.

I didn't care if I was barefooted or if I was almost naked with my torn clothes. I ran as fast as I could.

I didn't mind the big roots. I didn't mind how my feet were screaming in pain. I ran for my life.

The woods were dark but I continued running even as my dress was torn from the branches. I probably have a lot of cuts and scratches.

And as though my luck had run out, I stepped on something and slipped making me roll on the ground several times until I hit a full stop when my stomach hit the tree.

It felt like the world was spinning around me. My vision darkened and I felt like I was losing consciousness. My whole body was screaming in pain, especially my stomach. But I've got no time to dwell on it. I need to run.

So I forced myself to stand and started walking. My breasts were cold and I realized my clothes had given up. But that is the last thing I could care about. I need to get out of this place.

Grabbing on branches, I made my way forward but I was immediately stopped when something massive was standing in front of me. His golden eyes glinted and even as he wasn't making a sound, I could tell he was furious. I looked at his temple where I hit him with a stone earlier and saw that the blood has dried and there was no wound there anymore.

I whimpered as I took a step back. All the running I did was futile.

"Please," I said. "Please don't kill me."

But he did not respond. He walked ever so slowly in front of me as though assessing the situation of his prey. His eyes raked her body and stopped at my exposed breasts. I didn't bother covering it when my life is literally at risk.

"I…I will do anything. Just don't kill me, please," I begged. A low growl came out of his mouth and I took another step back. I was about to beg one more time when we heard a wolf howl in the distance. His ears perked up and his eyes became alert. I don't know what was going on but in an instant, he was already running back from where I came from.

Something had happened for sure but I couldn't be more thankful that it happened. I used the opportunity to run once again, not minding the pain in my body. The adrenaline was winning, anyway.

I was almost out of breath when I almost arrived at the foot of the mountain. Relief surged through me as I saw cars parked at the foot of the mountain. People. There are people. They can help me.

I forced myself to take another step forward, holding tree trunks for support.

Then I heard voices coming from a different direction. I looked to see where it was coming from and I saw two people walking toward where the trucks are parked.

"Help!" I screamed and I ran in their direction. But then I was stopped in my tracks when I saw they have rifles and flashlights pointed at me. I raised my hand to show that I was harmless.

They dropped the rifles and the men looked at me in confusion.

"Why are you here?" asked one of them.

"I was…I saw… wolves. They were howling and they were people-" I wasn't able to finish my sentence when I saw what was behind them.

It was a wolf. A dead one.

When I looked at them, I realized who they were and why Alaris had to run back to where they came from.

These men in front of her are hunters and they are hunting the wolves in this forest. Do they know that these wolves are humans?

One of the men walked closer to me with a grin on his mouth. His eyes were set on my exposed chest and my hands instantly went to cover it.

"Why don't you come with us and we'll take care of you?" he said and placed a hand around my shoulder. Shivers ran cold in my skin as I watched the dead wolf behind them and how he slightly squeezed my shoulder, indicating something.

They were the wolves who threatened to kill me earlier. They caged me. And these men are killing them.

I let the man usher me towards the truck.

"Watch this for me?" he said and placed his rifle on the side of the truck. He went back to help his friend haul the wolf as it was huge and couldn't be carried by only one person.

A wolf. A person. It was a person and they were hunting it. Something inside me couldn't take it. I couldn't take how they were dragging the lifeless body of the wolf as though it was merely a sack of rice.

I didn't realize I was already holding the rifle and pointing it at them until one of the men saw me and pointed his rifle at me too. I couldn't care less, strangely. I didn't understand why I was pointing it to them.

"Fucking bitch," cursed the man who owned the rifle.

"Let that wolf go and drop your rifle."

"Fuck you. Who are you to tell me-"

I pulled the trigger and it hit the other guy's leg. He screamed and kneeled on the ground. "Drop your weapon and leave the wolf or the next bullet would be on his other leg."

"Fucking do it, man! You're going to let her shoot me?"

The other man looked conflicted but dropped the rifle and kicked it away.

But the other ma had other plans. Something I never expected. Despite his injury, he managed to get the rifle and shot me. It grazed my arm but it still hurt like hell.

I did not give him another chance to shoot me again. I aimed and pulled the trigger. The sound rang and it hit the man straight in his head.

I killed a man.

The shock run through me and I couldn't move a muscle as I watched how he fell face first to the ground.

I didn't notice the other man aiming at me. I was too occupied and it would be too late for me to move.

But before he could pull the trigger, I saw his head flying away from his body and his body dangling from a wolf's mouth.

When I looked up, two golden orbs met my gaze. His mouth was bloody as he dropped the decapitated body to the ground. I was frozen. The pain in my arm was suddenly numb and I couldn't remember what happened next as I felt every bone in my body breaking.

***

Chapter 7 SI

MORGIANA'S POV

The pain seemed like it tore every fiber of my being, rearranging it into something new and unfamiliar. I could feel every bone in my body breaking. I could feel my flesh tearing apart and I could hear my throaty scream.

Something inside of me was changing. Something's happening and I am not certain what it was. I felt the coldness of the ground and I opened my eyes. Everything in my surrounding seemed blurry. It looked like some kind of hazy curtain is blocking my vision. I could hear the sound of my bones snapping and I couldn't do anything else other than letting it happen.

I might have screamed for help at some point but who could help me? Just like always, I am alone.

The pain came in like rushing waves-strong and uncontrollable-and it devoured me whole. I was screaming and the pain was lancing in every part of my body.

Then suddenly, my blurred vision cleared. I could hear people, insects, and other things. I could hear the sound of their chest rising and falling. I could hear their heartbeats mingling together in a chaotic beat. I could hear the wind as it blew gently. And when I opened my eyes, I saw the mountain that I could have sworn was miles away.

The pain slowly receded and I got up on my two feet-not two feet. Four.

Fur lined my legs and I could see the sharp claws protruding from my hands.

I didn't understand what was going on. Or rather, I refused to acknowledge what happened to me.

What happened to me?

Cool and calculated steps came forward and I looked at who it was. It was Alaris. His golden gaze was unreadable as he looked at me.

I have transformed into a wolf. My consciousness is still there but my body is not human anymore. I wanted to ask him what he did to me but nothing came out of my mouth. And it was hard to see if he was surprised to see me become a wolf or not.

"So this is what you look like," a voice inside my head said and I jolted to my feet. I recognized the voice to be Alaris' but how could he talk to me inside my head?

"What have you done to me?" I asked inside my head and I was sure he heard me. I have no idea how it was possible for us to talk inside our heads but that is not my major concern.

"I did not do anything to you. At least not yet. This is just who you are, Morgiana. This is what you are."

"What are you talking about-"

My head snapped in the other direction when I heard a sound. The stench of human perfume filled my nose and I knew instantly they were humans. Hunters who have been killing wolves in these woods.

"If you want to live, run back to the camp. Your instincts will lead your way."

A growl came out of my mouth, surprising me. Alaris seem to know what my growl was for.

"You think these people will save you?"

"I'll get killed if I returned to camp. What makes you think I'd go back?"

A resounding growl came from him that certainly caught the attention of the humans around.

"You run away and I will make sure that's the biggest mistake you'll ever make."

I heard the human's footsteps getting more hurried and their smell getting closer. I know these humans are going to hunt me the second they spot me but going back to the camp won't do me any good, either.

I did not wait for Alaris to say anything else. I ran back to the woods as fast as I could and I was surprised to feel the rush of the cold wind on my ruff.

Transforming into a wolf was something I never expected to happen and I know I should be worried about it but it doesn't concern me at all. I was more concerned about living. Besides, being a wolf offers more advantages for me. I am faster, have heightened senses, and am stronger. If some wolf would come for me, I have a better chance of survival. I'll just be surprised about it later.

The woods were dark but my sight adapted to it. I ran at the speed of light that the surrounding around me became a blur. My instincts did tell me which way to go back to the camp but there is no way in hell that I am going back there. Not like this. Not when I know what they plan to do to me.

I remember what they called me. An abomination. And Alaris told me this is what I am. Was I born like this? Why did it only occur to me now? It would have been nice if I transformed while my aunt and uncle were beating me. The fear would have given them heart attacks and killed them.

Suddenly, I came to a halt when I heard something. They were not clear at first but as I listened more closely, I realized they're wolves. And they're running after me.

"Fuck."

I did not linger further and started running past the trees. All the pain I felt in my body earlier didn't feel as painful now. Even the wound I got from the gunshot didn't feel painful at all. Maybe because all of her bones breaking was a hundred times more painful that it dulled the others.

My breathing started to get labored and my legs were getting weaker. I can't afford to get weak now. Not when I know some wolves are after me. I may be a wolf now but that doesn't mean I could take on other wolves.

Sharp pain in my neck made me whimper. The next thing I knew, I was rolling on the ground with someone-a wolf behind me, biting my neck. His fangs dug into the vulnerable spot behind my neck and I was thankful we both hit the trunk that made him let go of me.

I was instantly on my feet and ignored the pain of the bite on my neck. There are three of them and they may be not as big as Alaris but I know they could easily kill me now even if I'm in wolf form. The way their eyes glowed in the dark tells me that they're going to fulfill their promise of killing me.

"Get away from me," I said and they all growled. I waited for their response but I couldn't hear them. What's going on? They could hear me but they're not talking back.

"Alaris ordered me back to the camp. Let me pass."

But they continued growling as though my statement violated their morals. Their growls became louder and I know they were going to attack me without hesitation-kill me without hesitation. I need to buy time. I need to live. I have to live. I can't let myself die in a place like this. I still have to punch Arleigh again in her face.

The wolves prowled closer and I don't have anywhere else to go but back. But I could feel the sturdy trunk behind me which means that I am absolutely cornered and I have no escape. It would only be a matter of time before they advance and bite my limbs off.

"Alaris is going to kill you if you continue this-"

One of the wolves growled harder and jumped in my direction.

I don't know how to be a wolf. I don't know how should I move and what my capabilities are. So I cowered and whimpered as I closed my eyes, waiting for those sharp fangs to bury in my skin.

But instead, I heard another whimper-one that didn't come from me. Next I heard was the growl. The sound was so deep and raw and full of authority. It could only come from one person.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't wrong. A wolf stood in front of me, growling at the three others who tried to attack me earlier. Alaris' back was on me but I knew it was him the moment I saw the brownish ruff and the golden glow of his eyes.

He was growling at the three wolves and the latter whimpered and dropped their heads as though acknowledging who's the boss.

Alaris is their leader. I could feel he is. The wolves follow him and they obey him.

The three wolves whimpered and ran back towards the woods. When we were alone, he turned to look at me and for the second time since I saw him, I was frightened at how big of a wolf he is.

At that moment, I thought he was going to finish me off. The pain in my neck was throbbing. Apparently, a bite from another wolf is just as bad as me getting shot as a human.

I wobbled on my feet and then I felt the ground on my body. My legs are getting weaker and my senses have dulled. When I looked at the golden orbs in front of me, I couldn't help but wonder what does Alaris need from me when he took me here? I don't know if it was just my imagination but I saw that his eyes turned even more golden as he looked at me.

I wanted to know why was that but before I could even ask the question, I lost consciousness.