Chapter 07

 News spread like wildfire upon the sheriff's disappearance neither did another brutal murder stop from happening. The Town of Covington had soon descended to a temporary lockdown with curfew imposed on it's citizens. Fear and uncertainties had started to seep into hearts of the Innocents; for the nights brought deaths and terror. The joy and liveliness that once breathed in this small town now brewed into tension and quietness.

Arthur heaved an heavy sigh thinking about the recent changes. To a human, the lockdown was simply imposed to curb deaths and find Sheriff Cosgrove. But to the Supernatural world, this was clearly a declaration of war. A war between the prestigious Hunter Families of Covington and Supernatural creatures. Precisely the Werewolves and Vampires. Most times Witches were spared but the same fate can't be said for the rest. 

There existed a time, when the Supernatural creatures were in unison with humans of Covington. A past where they all lived in harmony until Nicodemus. The greatest nightmare, tore the peace apart. 

Arthur swallowed his saliva down his throat reminiscing on that unfortunate day. Perhaps Vincent was right, they needed to leave before the situation explodes beyond control. At the same time, his mind toured towards Bella. As much as he loathed the hidden fact, something about her picked his interest. He wondered how she must be faring amidst all these.

"Will you stop being moody!" Alisha muttered, her words jolting him from his burdening thoughts. There she was, flaunting her spotless skin in his large pool. His eyes nakedly toured her red bikini, mentally undressing her.

"Won't you join me?" She eyed him seductively.

Arthur immediately chose to stare in his sunglasses at the sun. "I'm not in the mood, love." He voiced, relaxing his body wholly on his seat inches away from the pool.

"What's wrong?" She swarm towards him. Her wet fingers tracing the outline of his leg. 

"Everything. Covington's persistent murders, the Sheriff's disappearance, shutting down Belgrave temporarily. How can I be happy?" He gazed at her pretty face glowing under the sun.

"Like I care!" She hissed. "You should be happy

No more history write up, burdening assignments, school stress, and besides, we've not been spending time with each other lately."

Arthur wriggled his head slowly in disappointment; it wasn't her fault to be honest. After all, he had chosen to be the boyfriend of a dumb, popular wannabe cheerleader. How could he expect her to understand?; this deaths were Supernatural. Something beyond her comprehension.

"Arthur?" Her words tousled his thoughts yet again.

"Your silence is beginning to annoy me!" 

He gave a skeptical look.

"You should be worried. At least if not for anything but that Cosgrove girl." 

"Seriously?" She arched an eyebrow. "Bella isn't my friend so why should I be worried about her? She's just a loner who loves books and her useless best friend." Alisha paused her lips. "Speaking of which, I hear her best friend is even missing too. Poor girl." She sighed but Arthur could tell her sympathies were merely shallow. 

   Her best friend was missing thanks to him and her mother suddenly abducted anonymously. Depression was an understatement to what she's would be going through. 

"Why the sudden mention of her?. Don't tell me you're falling for her already." Alisha chirped with a frown popping on her face. Arthur grinned, bending his back to reach for her face. 

"Why would I fall for a nerd?" He mentioned while his fingers caressed her cheek. "Just caring for my fellow mate that's all. You're the only one I love."  She stepped gingerly out of the pool, relaxing on his thighs and her wet hair drooling chill water over his bare chest.  

"You're cold." she commented while her fingers danced on his abs.

"Yeah.... And you're hot." Arthur winked. She looked up at him, pressing his lip with her index finger.

"Do you know my family is having their annual party tonight," she whispered, her eyes scaling his body like a seductress.

"A party?" Arthur shot a skeptical look. She rolled her eyes. 

"Yeah," she rolled her eyes yet again. "It's a Lockwood tradition. A party meant for the rich and affluents of Covington. The likes of The Geraldtons, Cosgrove and few others."

  His head rang bells neither could he hide his surprise that Alisha is a daughter of a prestigious Hunter family?, How he hadn't known sooner sent shock ripples across his spine.

"You're a member of the Lockwood family?" He stated surprisingly as he held her gaze.

"Yeah.....I'm a Lockwood. How come you didn't know?" She toured her fingers down his chest. 

A Lockwood?. Arthur's mind danced in confusion, the Lockwood's are cursed people with Werewolf blood in their veins.  His mind travelled to the 1800s. Where The Lockwood like every other Werewolf would have their first transformation when they turned 18. Until a member, Maxwell Lockwood, ran violent, using his powers for evil. Killing Witches of different covens sporadically, even becoming a thing of fear to Vampires. A curse was placed on his generation, that they shall only transform into their Wolves when they've taken a life. Eversince, the Lockwood's are known to the Supernatural world as the dormant Werewolves and a prodigy as Werewolves hunters.

With certainty, he knew Alisha was no Werewolf. Noting how naive and oblivious she was. Including the aura that reeked off her.

His bright countenance once again resigned into a burdensome one. Thinking about the bigger troubles he had put himself in. Knowing her Father for who he his, there was bound to be disagreements. On the other hand, he considered this as the only chance of meeting old friends.

"A party huh? Oh well, there's no harm in visiting I guess." He let his left hand comb her hair trying to shove all his worries.

"Trust me, it will be fun!" She blushed. Arthur grinned nervously at her before his eyes ranged to the pool. There was going to be no fun tonight. That, he knew.

############

Dressed in a V-Neck slit long Red gown, Alisha blushed walking alongside Arthur amidst the guests in the ballroom.  He specifically chose this backless dress and neither did he look bad in his tux. In fact, one could barely resist him!.

With extra effort on his Gelled hair and his ever enticing red lips plus his grey eyes performing it's duty charms, ladies thirsted for him.

The Orchestra changed their play, resigning to play the 90s;one of Arthur's favourite which he had grown nostalgic of. 

"Can I have this dance, milady?" He asked. They'd stopped at the center of the ballroom when he asked. Her cheeks turned pink at his request, adoring his lovable grey eyes and his gentleman tone.

She collected his hand while he grabbed her waist gently pulling her close to him. She couldn't stare at him while their body swayed in rhythm; because she would blush uncontrollably. So she rather chose to bask in his cologne.

He also heard her heart's continuous skipping.

"Am I that handsome that your heart races and your cheek refusing to shed it's pinkness." He whispered by her ear.

Tingles flowed from her ear down to her spine. Another blush forming across her face. The way he touched her,talked,danced made her head dazzle with excitement helplessly.

"Arthur......" She whispered softly.

He chuckled gently. "You look ravishing." He whispered again, about to press on with his complementary remarks when his eyes fell on Mr. Lockwood. Their eyes locked and the man's eyes bore furious holes.

"You'll have to excuse me. I need to use the restroom." He caressed Alisha's cheeks softly before walking off towards Lockwood.  

"Arthur Middleton," Mr. Lockwood derogatorily voiced without hiding the heavy dose of discontent painted on his face. "I should have known sooner. That these misfortunes befalling my beloved town is your doing."

Arthur smiled. 

"After old friends meet, this is what you welcome me with?"

Mr. Lockwood's grip tightened on his glass of Champagne. 

"You're no longer welcomed here and you know it!" He declared with gritted teeth. "Now where have you kept Sheriff Cosgrove and what in devil's sake are you doing with my daughter? Have you been feeding off her too?!" 

Arthur smirked, enjoying the wrinkled face of a furious old man.

"First of, I don't know nothing about Sheriff Cosgrove's disappearance. Secondly, I haven't bitten your daughter,"  he paused. "Well, except for the occasional sex and damn!..."

"Just shut it!" Mr. Lockwood ferociously said. "I don't want to see you ever lurking around my daughter again!. Now get out before I do things the harsh way."

Arthur was about to respond until his attention diverted to Bella. At the corner of the ballroom with a glass of champagne fixated between her fingers. His smile turned into a frown wondering why she was here. Lockwood's threat didn't matter to him anymore, his only focus was on the Red haired.

He walked briskly adjusting his tux before reaching for her. He yanked her by the arm. Jetting into a room, locking it behind his back before staring at her. His eyes admiring her evening dress secretly.

##########

 Before Bella had arrived at the Lockwood's annual party or even dared to handle a glass of champagne, she sank in the depths of sadness and anger. Her mother was missing and so is her best friend thanks to one man. Arthur Middleton. She had severally thought of the possibility that they both might be dead considering Arthur's dangerous nature. And if it were true, ending her life would be the next option to resort to. 

That was all raided her mind until she received The Lockwood's special invitation.

"You look like a bunny searching for easter eggs." He scorned after touring his eyes down her body. He lied, she knew. There was no way he didn't secretly admire her long flair purple gown, V-Neck and armless. Thanks to her neighbor who adorned her face with makeup. Which perfectly hid the sorrows that had made her face tiredly. 

"You know I was finally able to get some little peace until your ugly irritating face showed up!" She remarked without any iota of fear. He smirked and it hurt her. She wanted him to feel pain. The same pain he had brought into her life. 

"You asked me to stay away from you and I did. But what did you do? You abducted my mother and goodness knows what evil you've done to her. I hate you!" She pitched, tears lingering in her eyes as she inched closer to him. She felt like punching his steely chest but that would only get her wrist injured. 

"I didn't take your mother, dummy." He referenced casually. 

She frowned, "you didn't? I can recall you clearly stating my actions would cause deaths. So you decided to kill my mother!" 

He huffed, "I wouldn't dare to kill your mother, Cosgrove." 

"So what did you do to her? Where is she?! Why am I even here?!" She yelled, grabbing his suit jacket while warm tears tricked down her face. He pulled her tough grip off his jacket and let his cold breaths swarm around her cheeks. 

"I am just as lost as you are. I don't know who did it but I'm hoping to find the bastard." He muttered in the calmest tone she had ever heard him say to her. But she wriggled her head in denial. 

"I know you did it." She spat out as she strolled away from him.

"Now why would I do such?" He pinched the area between his eyebrow. 

"Because that's who you are." She paused her lips when he frowned. "A monster who derives joy torturing the helpless." He sauntered towards her with a face that defined evident pain. This was the first, she saw him react this way.

Then came a scream that pierced through the air and even halted the music. They both jetted out of the room till they arrived the Ballroom. Already filled with several people echoing indiscrete words as they froze in their stance.

It was a woman squeaking in tears.

"O-outside!" Her hand poised at the door while she stuttered

Bella's eyes twitched! And so did Arthur's. They both gazed confusingly at the woman before rushing outside as well as the others. 

She gasped from horrific awe as her eyes witnessed several bodies splattered in their blood pool.

Her eyes fell on Arthur who was equally shocked.

"Whoever did this, definitely took your mother." He muttered in a lowly tone that told how disturbed he was. "And something tells me, this is only the beginning."