Vampire Lair, Manila.
~Jessica's POV~
Dressed in my tight, vibrant red mini gown and black stilettos, with my makeup on and red lipstick perfectly applied, I walked confidently into my father's lair, holding two glass cups filled with human blood. The sound of my high heels echoed through the room as I entered, a beautiful smile on my face—though it's a shame I don't have a heart to match it.
I saw my father sitting like a king on his shining golden throne, his expression serious, showing no hint of a smile.
"Popman, I present your favorite wine."
My father rose from his throne and walked towards me to take one of the glass cups. He drank deeply, exhaled, and looked at me, finally smiling.
"This blood is rich in protein, so sweet. The owner must have been wealthy. Thank you, Jessica, you know exactly what I like."
His words filled me with happiness.
"You know I'll always give you the best, Father," I replied, smiling.
"How's the company?" he asked as he returned to his throne.
"Everything's going as planned," I said, folding my right arm across my chest and raising the glass of blood in my left hand to chest level as I looked at him.
"You know what, Jessica? I've been thinking about something that could help us find all the werewolves, especially the chosen one." My father sipped his blood.
"What is it, Popman? You know I'll do anything to support you and make this world ours alone!"
My father smiled without showing his teeth and then told me to announce a board meeting at the company, ensuring that all the investors are present.
As soon as he said this, I thought to myself, What could he be planning without telling me first? But whatever it is, I won't stop trying to please him because I believe in the world he wants to build for all vampires.
"Spill it out, my precious daughter. Don't forget your father is the most powerful vampire and can read everyone's mind." He sipped his blood again.
I waved my right hand in front of my face and said, "Fine, you caught me."
"Why don't you tell me first what your plans are, Popman?" I took a sip of the blood.
My father stepped down from his throne and walked over to me. He gently touched my hair and then said he was thinking of producing new cell phones—but not to sell. We'd give them away for free.
"What! Giving cell phones away? Come on, Popman, what kind of plan is that? Don't you think you're being too nice?" I stepped back slightly, my eyebrows raised in surprise.
He scoffed, "Calm down, my daughter. Your father is not that generous. You should know there's a greater plan behind this. Once we start giving away the phones for free, we'll wipe out other brands from the market and make ours the only available phone in the Philippines."
"So, what happens after that?" I asked.
"Everyone will have to come to our company to get their phone and register with all their details. The company's true identity is hidden from the world—that it's owned by a vampire. I'm sure all the hiding werewolves will come out to get the cell phone, and that's how we'll find and kill them all, including the chosen one!"
"But what if your plan doesn't work? What if the werewolves aren't interested in our product?" I asked, raising my upper lip in doubt.
"Come on, once we eliminate the competitors, they'll have no choice, darling." My father's smile curved wickedly.
"We don't have enough staff to carry out your plans, Popman."
"Then hire more workers!" he exclaimed, his eyebrows pulling together and his lips tightening.
He insisted that the plan must be carried out as soon as possible, but I couldn't help feeling uneasy about it.
I walked out of my father's lair, needing to carry out the orders he had given me. Immediately I stepped out of the mansion, I pulled out my cell phone and called the company. I told my secretary to arrange a board meeting as soon as possible.
Immediately I ended the call, my phone started ringing again. I glanced at the screen and saw that the number wasn't from the Philippines. Don't worry, I knew exactly who it was. Instead of answering, I slid my phone back into my purse, got into my car, and drove away from the mansion.
Driving on the highway was a mix of pleasure and annoyance. Because the sound of people's heartbeats was so loud, and I hate hearing it. That's one of the reasons I love drinking human blood—their heartbeats are so clear and annoying. It also makes it hard to concentrate on driving.
I turned on the music in my car, pulled out a pair of black sunglasses from my purse, and put them on. Not only that, but I drove fast, overtaking other cars on the highway with ease.
"Hahaha!" I couldn't help but laugh—I really enjoy driving this fast.
~ Kaelos POV ~
I could tell Gabriel was mad at me. He sat quietly under a tree, lost in thought. So, I decided to sneak up behind him without him knowing. I was almost there when he spoke.
"You better walk faster, I can hear your heartbeat, future Alpha," Gabriel said without even turning around.
"Hey! No one can catch you unaware, you always know," I replied, walking normally now, moving closer to him while covering my nakedness with a water lily leaf.
"Remember, your heart always beats faster. But wait, Kaelos, are there no clothes left? Looks like you'll be using leaves for a long time because you've torn out all the clothes I secured," Gabriel said, raising his head to look at me.
"You can't blame me for tearing clothes. I feel better every time I turn into a werewolf," I said, plopping down beside him.
"It shows on your face that you're tired. Tell me, did you wander around the forest like before?" Gabriel asked in a calm voice.
I sat up. "Can I ask you something, Gabriel?"
"What is it?"
"Why are you different? I've never seen you turn into a werewolf like me. Is your power different from other werewolves?" I glanced at him, curious.
"Uh? No! I'm a werewolf like you, but different because I'm also a seer." Gabriel stood up and dusted himself off. Something didn't feel right—his expression gave it away, like he was hiding something.
"Then turn into a werewolf now, let's see." I stood up too.
Stuttering, "Uh—n, don't make me do that now, please."
"Why are you afraid of turning into a werewolf, Gabriel? Okay, as your future Alpha, I—" Gabriel cut me off before I could finish.
"Wait! Turning into a werewolf isn't the issue. Remember, we're going into the city, so both of us can't be naked."
"City? When? But I never agreed to that."
"You have to, please. We can't keep living in this forest. Who knows, your powers might finally come out when we get to Manila."
I sighed heavily. I didn't even know what the city looked like—I'd only heard its name. I was used to the forest. What could I do to stop Gabriel from bringing up the city again?
"Gabriel, we won't be going to the city soon, right?" I asked, eager to hear his response.
"We are going right now!"
I sighed again and asked why we had to leave so soon. Besides, we didn't even know where we'd stay in the city. But it seemed this man was determined to take me out of this forest.
"Vark Slade is still out there, breathing and living his best life while your parents and other werewolves that got killed haven't gotten the justice they deserve," Gabriel said.
"I know," I replied.
"No, you don't! Vark Slade is still killing more werewolves and also looking for you. Remember how you see him in your dreams sometimes," Gabriel said, raising his voice.
"But I don't have my powers yet, even if I encounter him. Stop making me feel like I don't care about those who died. I do care because my parents are involved."
"I know you don't have your powers yet, but sitting around here in the forest won't bring them out. If it would, then you should be powerful already. We've spent fourteen years in this forest, remember."
At this point, I knew Gabriel was angry because his eyelids squinted, so I agreed that we should go to the city.
"Fine, we'll go, but where will we live in the city?" I asked calmly.
"I have a friend in the city who is willing to help, especially you because he knows how important you are," Gabriel responded gently.
I told him we should go then, but he asked me to turn into a werewolf. Seriously, why should I do that?
"For us to get to the city faster."
"So you're going to ride on my back to the city?" I raised my eyebrows, flipping my lips up as I looked at him. "I don't even know where the city is," I said, spreading my hands apart.
"Don't worry, I'll direct you," Gabriel said, smiling widely.
I glanced at him with a calm face. He said we had no choice, and I knew he was right. Besides, I loved turning into a werewolf.
So, this is how I'll leave behind this dark forest, with its crispy grass underfoot and tall, towering trees. I'll miss the morning stars that shine like silver snowflakes, the shady glades, and the fresh, organic smell of the forest.
But I have to do this because many werewolves' lives need to be saved from Vark Slade.