Chapter 5: A Dangerous Encounter
Her eyes widened in surprise as he whispered for her not to speak. They watched as the wolves chased after a vampire who was drinking human blood. The vampire's eyes glowed with a menacing light. Though there were four wolves, they fought fiercely, chasing the vampire deeper into the woods.
"Why are you here?" Renon asked, noticing Bera shivering in the cold. He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. As she touched the necklace around his neck, she asked, "Is this yours?"
Renon nodded in response. She didn't ask how he got it, remembering that her necklace had fallen from her hand when she was young. Her mind raced with thoughts—was he the boy who saved her or the one who sold it?
"Alpha!" Jerry, Renon's personal assistant, called out, interrupting her thoughts.
"Is he a werewolf?" Bera murmured, barely audible.
"What did you say?" Renon asked, leaning closer.
"Alpha!" Jerry called again, urgency in his voice.
"Are you a werewolf?" Bera asked, her heart pounding. Renon hesitated, taken aback by the question.
"Yes, I am..." he began, but before he could finish, Bera pushed his jacket back to him and tried to leave. She didn't know he was unaware of her being a vampire; perhaps he would have been scared.
As she turned to leave, her foot caught on a stone, and she stumbled, falling onto him. They both landed on the wet ground, their lips brushing against each other for a brief moment.
Bera quickly stood up, her cheeks flushed, and fled the scene while Renon remained on the ground, stunned by what had just happened. Before he could look to his left, she was gone, as swift as the wind.
"Alpha," Jerry approached, helping him up.
"Alpha, why are you here?" Jerry asked, concern etched on his face.
"Nothing," Renon replied, still dazed.
"Luna Lyra is worried about you leaving suddenly," Jerry said, trying to gauge Renon's mood.
"Vampires are in the territory, and I want the wolf guards to be more vigilant," Renon commanded, his tone serious.
"Yes, Alpha, but we aren't as powerful as them," Jerry replied, glancing at Renon.
Renon looked at him, his expression hardening. "Okay, Alpha," Jerry said, but then he noticed something. "Alpha, your mark is gone."
"The mark?" Renon asked, confused.
"Yes, did you...?" Jerry began, realizing the implications. The only way to cure an alpha's mark was through a kiss from their soulmate.
"A lady stumbled on me?" Renon said, piecing it together.
"A lady? Isn't Luna Lyra your mate? How could this lady cure the mark?" Jerry wondered aloud.
"What pack does she belong to?" Jerry asked.
"Pack? She isn't a wolf. I felt something strange about her this afternoon after saving Chloe, but she isn't a wolf," Renon replied, deep in thought.
"You've seen her today; isn't that fate?" Jerry suggested.
"I can remember something. She also collapsed at the supermarket, and I helped her to the hospital. A staff member said her family wanted to see me, and I sensed a vampire was there," Renon said, his mind racing.
"Is she a vampire?" Jerry asked, his eyes wide with realization.
"I don't know either," Renon replied, his brow furrowed in thought.
"You have a Luna and a child, and this lady you just met is a vampire who cured your mark," Jerry pointed out, trying to make sense of the situation.
"We need to go to the seer tomorrow," Renon decided, his voice firm.
"And remember, what happened today should remain a secret," Renon added, his gaze serious.
"Yes, Alpha," Jerry nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Bera returned home, her mind still racing from the day's events. Lucian had been waiting for her in the rain, equally drenched. The old woman sat in her room, unable to sleep, her worry palpable.
"Bera," Lucian called out, but she didn't respond, heading straight to her room. Her clothes dripped with water, and Lucian stood outside, unable to enter. He remained there until the rain finally stopped.
The old woman ventured out to tell Lucian to come inside, but he refused, choosing to stay in the cold.
Bera, exhausted, fell asleep but woke up later to find Lucian still standing outside, shivering in the cold. Her heart melted with a mix of emotions, guilt washing over her. She felt responsible for his discomfort, but the words about her being the vampire queen and marrying Lucian echoed in her mind, creating a storm of confusion.
She stood up and went downstairs. "Lucian, why don't you come in?" she asked softly.
"I never wanted to. I know you might be shocked about the conversation. I swear I don't want to be the king," Lucian replied, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Accepting one's fate isn't a bad thing. Let's sign a contract; I will be your queen and support you until you find someone else. But I can't be your real wife. This bracelet was used to suppress my vampire form. My dad did everything he could to keep me from being tangled in this," Bera explained, her heart racing.
Lucian's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why did you accept? Are you pitying me?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"Facing the consequences of this bracelet and paying back your grandmother—why wouldn't I?" Bera replied, her voice steady.
Lucian burst into tears, overwhelmed by her words. He hugged Bera tightly, his wet clothes soaking her even more. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking.
As they stood there, the rain outside began to lighten, but the storm within them was just beginning.