CHAPTER ONE

(Third Person POV)

RAIN was pouring like daggers to the asphalt road creating thick mists which hastily added to the frostiness of the atmosphere. The appealing scent of petrichor lingered in the air triggering nostalgia in those who got exposed to its mysticism.

In the middle of the surly enchantment, an imposing man stood like a statue on the empty street near the infamous hotel in Moon Bay. Drenched in water, his white button-down shirt and black trousers hugged his scrawny structure.  His eyes were closed and with the aid of the street lamps, a smug smirk tugging the corner of his lips could not be missed as he was relishing the harsh water hitting his ghostly face.

A bizarre scene to watch but was shortly disrupted by three big quirks lurking in the shadows. Wearing black overall, their faces were hidden under the hoods of their coats. They moved forth in silence, nonetheless, their heavy footsteps gave away their ill motive. 

They seek to lay their hands on the fellow which was slightly unsettling to Venom Forcas who was at that moment inside of his car a few meters away from the panorama. 

"Hmm," the thirty years old brother of the Alpha of Blood Moon pack hummed and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. Contemplating if he should get involved or not. 

The long-haired lass showering under the rain is from the west. A royal prince to be precise. A week ago, his family was assassinated and he's the only survivor ergo; he was sent to the east continent to hide from the enemy who was thriving to steal the royal crown.

He must be protected from any sign of danger until the day of the ascension. Unfortunately, Venom got the chivalrous job against his will.

Leaning on his seat, his chest hoisted up as he roughly inhaled. 

That morning, he was entrusted to pick up the werewolf prince at the airport but got entangled in a petty fight. 

His first task flunked yet he did not give even a single crap. For him, being appointed as a bodyguard is a load of shit. He refused numerous times to be the prince's dog but to no avail, his father's; the former Alpha's decision was hard to crack leaving no other choice for Venom but to comply.

Another sigh left his mouth as he grunted, "Let's get this shit done and over with." Turning the engine of his car on, he reached for the gear shift and booted the accelerator. 

The loud screeching sound of the wheels against the pavements dominated the noise created by the rain, snatching the attention of the three hooded suspicious souls and the royal prince who deliberately opened his eyes and shifted his awareness to the raging vehicle.

Venom saw the three rascals jump to the ditch to avoid being run over by his car yet he did not waste time to stop until he was in front of the startled royal prince. He hit the brake pedal and forthwith moved out. He jogged to the other side, opened the door of the passenger seat, and faced his subject. 

"Get in," amidst the heavy pouring of the rain which soaked his white tee, black slim denim, and pair of sneakers, Venom charged in a deep monotonous voice, pinning his blank gaze to the prince who at the other side of the coin handily recovered from astonishment. 

Tilting his head to the side, some hair strands of the royal blood fell in front of his face that was instantly combed by his highness's sleek fingers to the back of his head. "Who are you?" he inquired in a deep velvety voice. His thick eyelashes fluttered and his emerald green orbs stared back to Venom. No hint of reluctance but mere curiosity. 

Venom chose not to respond instead, he reached for the prince's arm, and with subtle force, he pushed him inside the car. 

Something disturbed Venom for a couple of seconds but he had no time to analyze what it was for he could feel dark presences approaching. "Stay here," he told in his usual dull tone and effortlessly settled the prince in his seat with the safety belt. 

The prince gazed at him but did not comment nor show resistance to Venom's relief for he could not tolerate stubbornness. Having a dominant wolf, bullheadedness irks him. 

Royal blood or not.

Thereafter, Venom closed the door of the passenger seat to deal with the mutts who's after the fellow in his care when a hand suddenly jerked out of the window of the car and reached for his arm. 

Instinctively, he shrugged it off and with a deep frown on the forehead turned to the prince. "What?" 

The prince leaned back on his seat and bestowed him a small undecipherable smirk. "I could tell that your strength is impressive however, I am troubled with the idea of a single spirit handling three bloodthirsty killers all by himself."

Venom huffed. He was indirectly being underestimated and the thought of a lanky fellow questioning his capability incited his temper. "I will not have to deal with those worthless bastards if only someone learned how to protect his goddamn ass!" After spitting those words, he left the prince and confronted the three vicious scoundrels who were expecting him at the murky corner of the street.

___________

THE rain had already stopped and only the noises of the crickets and night birds could be heard. 

"Give the prince to us and you will be rewarded, young man." 

Venom huffed as he stood in front of the stinking rogues who were paid to annihilate the prince. "Tempting but..." he intentionally hung his next words. A taunting simper drew on his face before he went on and stated, "The prince is mine."

He was assigned as a bodyguard and even if he's against it, he's not someone who could be bribed. He'd rather be dead than hand his subject to them. 

Hence, upon hearing his answer, the assassins bellowed. 

Venom sniggered. He straightened his back and waited for their next moves. As he perceived, he did not wait long when the leader of the three assassins charged first and grumbled, "Kill him!"