As the clock struck 5pm, the last words of the professor faded into the background, leaving a sense of relief in its wake. Mia gathered her books and shoved them into her back quickly, feeling the weight of the day lift as she stepped out of the lecture hall.
The sun hung low in the sky,casting a warm golden hue over the school building. The chatter of her fellow students filled the air, eager to embrace the evening.
Mia took a deep breath savoring scent of freshly cut grass and the faint smell of coffee from her favorite cafe near the school.
"Mia!" She heard someone call and she turned to see Mattie, one of her course mates approached her whiles adjusting his classes.
"Mattie, how are you doing?" He asked when he got to her.
"I'm good. How are you?" He asked her.
"Oh just hanging around," Mia smiled. She looked at Mattie who looked like he had something to say but was struggling to spit out the words.
"Anything wrong?" She asked.
"I…I wanted to know what you were doing tonight." He asked, flashing a shy smile.
"No. Not really. But why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if you would go to a family gathering with me," he blurted out, the words coming out in a rush.
"Family gathering?" Mia asked him and he nodded.
"Yes. My dad's business is doing well recently and he is organizing a small get together. Lots of family members are going to be there and a few business partners as well."
Mia's mouth formed an "O" and she nodded.
"Sure I'll go with you," she smiled.
With a shared laughter, exchange of texts and a promise to text later, they both went their separate ways.
Mia had always found Jamie interesting so it wouldn't hurt to go out with him and get to know him better. And beside, it was better than sitting home alone, thinking about the stranger who had seemed to take over her brain.
Going out with Jamie would be like a refreshing change from the whirlwind of emotions she had been grappling with since that fateful kiss with the mysterious stranger a week ago.
The memory of that moment still lingered in her mind, a tantalizing mix of excitement and confusion. The stranger had told her he was going to return but the days had dragged in without a word, leaving her more lost than ever.
Did he lie to her about not hating her? Why didn't he come back again? Is he alright?
Sitting at the bus stop waiting for the bus, Mia was consumed by the thoughts of what it could have been.
As if she was pricked by a needle, she shook her head and told herself she wasn't going to think about the stranger anymore. She was going to welcome the prospect of getting to know Mattie with opened arms. It was an opportunity to explore something new and to connect with someone who was genuinely interested in her.
The idea of sharing a drink and laughter with Mattie felt like the first step to moving on.
A chance to create new memories, rather than dwelling on the thoughts of a stranger.
**********
Lysander walked in the dense forest, where the moonlight barely pierced through the dense canopy, a tension hung thick in the air. This was Dimitri's territory, a realm he had claimed long ago, where shadows danced and whispers of the night echoed his presence. He moved silently among the trees, his senses heightened, aware that something was amiss.
His thoughts were consumed by his little human. He had left her with the promise of returning yet, here he was. He recalled the warmth of her lips on his, the way her innocent eyes sparkled with curiosity and life, igniting a fire within him that he had long extinguished.
The tranquility of the night shattered when a low growl reverberated through the underbrush. With his sharp sense of smell, he was able to detect that a rogue werewolf had dared to trespass, disrupting the delicate balance of the forest.
Lysander's crimson eyes glinted with a mix of fury and determination as he tracked the source of the sound. He could feel the primal energy radiating from the beast, a force that was both dangerous.
Suddenly, the werewolf burst into view, its massive frame illuminated by the silvery light of the moon. Muscles rippled beneath its fur, and its yellow eyes locked onto Dimitri with a predatory intensity.
"Oh, a vampire ," the werewolf snarled, baring its teeth.
Lysander smirked, unfazed. "You've made a grave mistake, beast. This forest belongs to me, and rogues aren't welcomed here."
With a swift movement, he lunged forward, his speed a blur against the backdrop of the trees. The two collided in a flurry of claws and fangs, the air crackling with the force of their clash.
The fight was fierce, each combatant pushing the other to their limits. Lysander's agility allowed him to evade the werewolf's powerful swipes, countering with precision strikes that aimed for vulnerable spots. He felt the rush of adrenaline as he danced around the beast, using the environment to his advantage, leaping from tree to tree, his movements as fluid as the shadows that cloaked him.
Lysander was enjoying the fight even though he had hoped for something more challenging after centuries of being frozen.
The werewolf was relentless, its feral instincts guiding each attack. It howled in frustration, the sound echoing through the forest, a call that resonated with the primal forces of nature. Lysander knew he had to end this quickly. With a surge of power, he summoned the darkness around him, weaving it into a shield that absorbed the werewolf's next strike.
In that moment of distraction, Lysander seized his chance. He darted forward, sinking his fangs into the werewolf's neck with a ferocity that left no room for mercy. The beast let out a pained growl, thrashing wildly, but Dimitri held firm, drawing on the strength of the night itself.
As the rogue werewolf collapsed to the forest floor, Lysander stepped back, passing his hands over his outfit to straighten it before walking away as if nothing happened.
***********
Mia arrived in a taxi in front of the grand hotel. There were lots of expensive cars parked outside and she immediately knew this place wasn't for her. Hesitantly, she pushed open the car door and stepped out then paid the driver.
"Mia," she heard a cheerful voice call her and she turned to see Mattie waving her over.
This wasn't the usual Mattie this was used to seeing. The glasses were gone and the suit he was wearing fit him perfectly. He had his hair jelled and combed back neatly.
As he strode over to her, Mia couldn't help but feel nervous and underdressed. She had gone to the store earlier and bought a dress, before heading to the salon to get her hair done, but judging from the location and the cars there, Mia knew she wouldn't fit in.
"You look stunning," Mattie complemented her.
"And you look great," she smiled.
He offered his hand to her and they walked inside the building.
"We're to the third floor, that's where it's being held," he told her as they got into the elevator.
The elevator ride was in a comfortable silence which Mia was thankful for.
As the elevator doors opened, Mia couldn't help but feel nervous. She had agreed to go to Mattie's family gathering, not knowing what to fully expect. The lavish hall was bustling with laughter coming from elegantly dressed guests and clinking of glasses.
A waiter walked by carrying a tray of filled glasses and Mattie grabbed one for her.
"Alcohol free," he smiled as he handed it over to her.
Mattie, with his easy smile and confident demeanor led her towards some of his family to introduce her. They greeted her warmly and asked her to enjoy the party.
All this while, Mia couldn't help but admire the opulence around her - the grand chandeliers that hang from the ceiling, the beautifully arranged floral centerpieces and the soft music that filled the air.
Mattie introduced her to some of his friends and cousins who happily chatted with her.
As Mia mingled with Mattie's family, she suddenly felt a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, as if someone was watching her intently. It was a strange feeling, one that made her heart race and skin tingle.
She glanced around the room, her eyes scanning the crowd, but everything appeared normal - laughter, conversations and clinking glasses around her. Yet, the sensation remained,growing stronger with each passing moment.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of a figure standing apart from the rest, a tall man with dark her , his eyes piercing into hers.
There was an intensity in his gaze that sent a shiver down her spine. A smirk formed on his lips as tilted his head to the left creating an eerie gaze.
Mia quickly turned her attention back to Mattie, trying to shake off the feeling, but the awareness of being watched lingered, attention an unexpected layer of tension to her nervousness.
Just then Mattie's father appeared in front of them, his presence commanding but warm.
With a broad smile, he gestured to the man standing beside him. Mia felt her heart skip multiples beats as she looked at him. It was the man from earlier. His eyes were still locked with hers.
"Mattie meet Lucian Nox. CEO owner of Night Fragrance," Mattie's father said and Mattie immediately extended an arm to shake the man in front of them.
"And who's the pretty lady with you?" The man asked, his eyes moving to Mia again.
"That's Mia, we go to the same school," Mattie responded.
"Mia…." The man said, her name hanging in the air.
Feeling suffocated, she quickly excused herself and walked away.