I woke up at my usual time, just as I was used to doing every day. As I opened my eyes, I felt a warm body snuggle up next to mine. The sensation of his presence caused a rush of memories and emotions to flood my mind, causing my cheeks to flush with warmth.
Wrapped around us was a thick fur blanket that was as warm as a campfire on a chilly night. The softness of the fur against my skin made me feel cozy and safe. The weight of the blanket on top of us added an extra layer of comfort that made it hard to want to leave the bed.
Despite the warmth and comfort of the moment, I knew I had to get home. With a deep sigh, I slowly pulled myself away from the comfort of the blanket and the warmth of the body next to mine. I tiptoed out of bed, not wanting to wake Wang. I opened the bathroom door and closed it quietly.
When I returned to the bedroom, I saw something that filled me with fear. There, lying on the bed, was a huge black wolf with glowing yellow eyes. I screamed in terror and stumbled back, my heart pounding in my chest. The wolf blinked and slowly raised its head, looking at me, confused and surprised.
As the wolf got down from the bed, I let out another terrifying scream. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I watched the animal slowly approach me. Just then, the room door burst open, and Liu rushed in.
"Wang!" Liu said, and I didn't wait as I picked up my clothes and shoes from the floor and ran out of the room. I could hear the wolf howling behind me as I sprinted down the hallway. I didn't stop until I was outside the gate.
I had no idea how long I had been running through the gravel for dear life, but I was panting heavily outside the gate when I finally put on my clothes. I was relieved to be out of the mansion, but I was still shaking with fear at the thought of what could have happened to me if Liu hadn't come to my rescue.
As I looked around, the street was eerily quiet, and there was no one in sight. All the other mansions were also far away from their gate. I shivered and started to walk quickly, trying to put as much distance between me and the mansion as possible.
As I walked down the street. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice a car pulling up beside me. Suddenly, an elderly woman rolled down her window and asked me, "Are you okay?"
Her accent was funny, and at first, I wasn't sure if I had heard her correctly.
I paused for a moment before responding, taking a deep breath, and composing myself. "I'm late for work," I finally replied, with a nod of my head.
"Let me give you a ride," she said after looking at my work uniform. I quickly entered the car, relieved that she wasn't a wolf in disguise. As she drove, we made small talk, and I soon realized that she was a kindhearted soul who cared about my safety. I thanked her for the ride and kindness as I got out of the car in front of Ecstasy.
I quickly rushed into the building and headed towards the staff quarters. When I got there, I looked around but couldn't find Cheng. I figured he must have already gone home.
I was about to head home when I saw the manager in the lounge. Scolding a few other employees.
Zhan, our manager called my name and gestured for the other employees to leave. It was clear that he had something to tell me. As I waited for him to speak.
Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke. Your uncle called me, and I told him we had a busy night.
Fear gripped me, and I swallowed. "Thank you, sir," I mumbled.
"No, I saw you talking to a VIP client last night," he said firmly. "You have to bribe me for breaking the rules."
"I understand, sir. I will bring all my tips for you when I come to work later tonight," I said.
"No, I don't need your money," he said, smiling mischievously. "What I want from you is something entirely different.
What do you want? I ask as fear engulfs me.
I want you to do the same thing for me, whatever it is you did for the VIP client that made him transfer 20 thousand dollars on your first day. He said rolling his eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't," I said firmly.
"Okay then," he said with a menacing look in his eyes. "I'll tell your uncle what you do as a side job and who you went home with last night." I felt my heart sink. My boss had just threatened he was not planning to let me off easily.
Maybe my uncle was right: I am cursed and only attract stupid men to me. My only hope of getting out of this mess seemed to have been eaten by a wolf, leaving me completely helpless.
He smirked and added, "You have until tomorrow morning. Otherwise, I will call your uncle and tell him all about your 'side jobs' and the people you're associated with." He turned around and started to walk away, but stopped and said, "Don't forget, I'm watching you." I felt my body go limp as I realized my fate had been sealed.
Liu suddenly appeared out of nowhere, or maybe I was lost in thought and didn't hear him enter. It was startling, but I quickly regained my composure. Liu had a serious look on his face.
He slowly walked up to the manager and looked him in the eyes; his own were red as blood. His serious expression hadn't faded.
"You will not tell anyone about him," Liu hissed. "Zhan only works at the bar, and he is a pleasant boy. Nothing else. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand," he said, and he slowly walked away.
Liu then turned to me, and his eyes had returned to brown color. Still, in shock over his abrupt behavior change, I took a step back.
"It's okay," he said with a gentle smile.
I didn't do anything to your brother, I swear. I said, scared he would arrest or kill me.
He laughed heartily and shook his head. "I know you didn't do anything to him," he said.
"But what could have happened?" I said, tears welling up in my eyes as I sat in a chair. "The wolf must have eaten him but where did he come from," I muttered through gritted teeth, my voice gruff with emotion. Tears streamed down my cheeks as the reality of the situation set in.
My brother said, "He told you he was a hybrid." Liu said, smiling.
"What?!" I exclaimed, "Yes, he did, but I thought it was one of his dark sense of humor!"
He looked at me sadly and said, "You told him you wanted to see his wolf, and he thought you were serious." When he showed you, you were scared and ran away. He couldn't help but feel hurt."
"Oh, my goodness, was that Wang?" I said in disbelief. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry I hurt him like that." Tears filled my eyes as I realized how my fear had caused me to hurt someone I cared about. I looked at Liu sadly and said, "I'll apologize to him and make it up to him. I promise."
"How did you know I was here?" I raise an eyebrow to look at him.
I followed your scent. You reek of my brother. He said, teasingly.
I sniffed myself. I didn't smell anything. I murmured.
He chuckled and said, "It's a wolf thing." We have a heightened sense of smell that allows us to recognize scents that humans can't detect. My brother scented you." I blinked in surprise, still feeling groggy.
"But how is it possible?" I asked incredulously. "Are you also like him? Do you have the same powers?"
He nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yes." I was in shock, unable to believe what I heard. It was like something out of a movie—the idea of a hybrid family seemed so surreal. I had so many questions, but I couldn't wrap my head around them. It felt like a dream.
He sniffed, smelling the room. As he turned around, his eyes changed color slightly. Just as he was about to take a step, his phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He quickly pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen, trying to identify the caller.
Hello, Uncle, he said, his voice shaky. "What? Okay, I will be there. Don't tell Wang." He ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket. He took a deep breath before turning around to face me.
He muttered something under his breath before talking back to me. "I need to leave now. But there's a demon following me or you. They smell like sulfur or rotten eggs if he or she comes back. I will talk to Wang about it to keep an eye on you. Be careful," he said before leaving.
Okay, now I have a demon stalking me. I hissed in frustration as I stood up to go home.