Chapter 2

For the first time that night, fear gripped her soul. Every story she'd heard as a little girl rushed back.

"The Red Lycans and their kings draped in blood. Warriors blessed and fearedby the Moon."

Her heart pounded.

"You...." She whispered, shakily. "You're...."

He didn't answer. Instead, he watched her carefully, almost as though waiting for her to run.

His expression didn't harden and he didn't even move toward her. He simply lowered his gaze for a brief moment.

"If you're afraid...." His voice was calm. "....I'll get someone to take you back."

There was no threat and no command. Only quiet certainty. And because of that, Briella blinked, confused.

She had expected arrogance and sexual madness. Instead, he was giving her a choice.

No one.... had ever given her a choice. 

A long silence settled between them and she searched his face again. Those impossible eyes no longer frightened her. Beneath their unnatural color was something she recognized.

Loneliness. A loneliness that looked frighteningly similar to her own.

"You won't stop me?" she asked softly, subdued also by his inhuman beauty.

"No." He replied without hesitation. "I never wanted to."

The words settled deep inside her. For reasons she couldn't explain, the fear slowly loosened its grip.

The man before her was still a stranger, still dangerous and wrapped in mysteries she couldn't begin to understand. Yet, he had shown her more respect in a single night than she had received in years.

A faint smile, hesitant and fragile, touched her lips.

"I think...." She took one careful step toward him. "....I want to stay."

She reached up slowly, resting trembling fingers against his cheek.

"Your eyes are so beautiful."

For the first time in centuries.... he forgot how to breathe. For a long moment, he only watched her face carry so many emotions including marvel. 

When he leaned in, she didn't flinch.

Their foreheads touched first and his eyes flared in shock.

He could feel her!

And immediately, his lips found hers in a slow, searching kiss. There was no urgency. Only two lonely souls finding a moment of peace in each other's presence.

When Briella closed her eyes and returned the kiss, this cold alpha felt something impossible stir within the emptiness that had haunted him for centuries.

The kiss slowly deepened and then it progressed. He pulled her close and kissed her neck. Briella gasped at the shockwaves of sensations that shot up to her scalp, jolting her and arching her breasts. 

She had never been touched like this.

His skillful kisses traveled lower and lower and suddenly his hands lifted her dress. He exposed her breasts and when he temptingly leaned down, he sucked her nipples so hard Briella arched her back and moaned loudly. 

The sensation was electric and sent signals to her virgin vagina. 

This stranger licked her skin and gave a strangled groan when he tasted her salt and sweetness.

He moved down kiss after kiss and parted her legs till he saw her wetness. The scent hit him like a blow and his tongue pressed against the swollen tip of her pussy that begged for his attention. 

"Oh my god!" Briella cried, sharply. 

Then he pulled away and took off his thick jeans with a sharp yank.

And in one fluid move, he entered her with his cock. He was slow and careful as if by instinct he'd known she was innocent. Briella cried out as he broke her virginity. It was a sharp pain followed by a deep heat and his gentleness. 

He paused and waited for her to adjust for what felt like hours, watching her face.

He knew she was thinking of her husband and trying to grip onto common sense. He could smell it off her. She was married. 

He knew she was afraid someone might be looking for her at home. 

Then with that thrown behind him, he began to move. He fucked her gently and so sweetly, sliding in and out in a enjoyable friction that shot deep into the depths of her belly. Into sweet spots she couldn't describe. 

Briella clung to his shoulders. And oh.... she felt full she couldn't speak without choking. 

And at the same time, she suddenly felt seen and loved. 

And gradually, the friction built up into something blinding and this beautiful man followed with his pace. 

He began to fuck her hard and this time Briella let it all go, succumbing to a strange trust that he was all about pleasure and would never hurt her. 

He slammed his hips against hers. The bed creaked and Briella didn't realize when she screamed with pleasure, her pussy juices smearing everything between them till the man fucking her moaned in his own pleasure, the softness of her folds gripping him and catapulting tremors of sensations through his cock. 

Every thrust hit her deep. Her newly disvirgined pussy gripped his cock hungrily as she felt insistent waves of ecstasy crash over her. 

She sobbed and moaned and pulled till she came violently, crying and trying to understand the sweetness that felt like she was falling into a death zone that was mostly sensations. 

The sex went on and on and when Briella became spent and dizzied from the immense pleasured madness, the alpha groaned and filled her with his warm cum.

When Briella finally sagged against him, utterly spent and her body tingling with pleasure, he gently eased her away. 

She looked at him, her green eyes wide and dazed, a faint blush on her cheeks. She felt… satisfied and utterly exhausted. 

Then without a word, she fumbled for her discarded clothes, her movements clumsy with spent passion. The moment was over and the escape had been granted.

Now, she needed to come back to reality. She turned, a whispered apology on her lips, and then the stranger walked over to her and gripped her chin.

Briella raised her face, expecting another eager kiss but instead, he looked in her eyes and infiltrated her mind. And then, he whispered the words that she would forget.

"Never remember me. Remember the feeling."

And with that, he watched her go, the phantom warmth of her skin still lingering on his and the echo of her moans and surrender vibrating in his very bones. He had felt something real and it intrigued him.

"Who are you...?" he breathed.

A long silence followed, Then, a terrifying realization, escaped his lips.

"Why could only you make me feel?"

****

****

The next morning, Ashcroft Manor felt unusual.

Employees hurried through the marble hallways carrying fresh flowers and expensive decorations. Gardeners rushed across the front lawn with wheelbarrows. Luxury SUVs rolled in and out through the front gates every few minutes. Security guards barked orders into their earpieces and the housekeepers polished every glass surface until it gleamed.

Madam Skye was busy shouting at every single person who crossed her path and was not of a greater ranking.

It was chaos.

Briella frowned as she carried a basket of fresh towels down the hallway.

"What happened?"

Nobody answered. She tried another maid.

"Is something important going on?"

The woman walked straight past her as if she hadn't spoken. Another servant bumped her shoulder without apologizing.

Briella stumbled but quickly regained her balance.

"Sorry, dear."

She apologized even though it wasn't her fault.

A quiet sigh escaped behind her.

"My Lady."

Briella turned and the young maid from yesterday hurried toward her with a nervous smile.

Her name was Lena. She couldn't have been older than twenty.

Unlike everyone else inside the manor,mLena still smiled at Briella. Even if only it happened when nobody was looking.

"You shouldn't ask them." She whispered. 

Briella blinked. "Why?"

"They don't like talking to..." Lena stopped herself. "....to you."

Briella's smile faltered.

"I know."

Lena looked guilty. "I'm sorry for reminding you."

"It's alright."

It wasn't but Briella had grown used to saying it and pretending.

She tucked a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear.

"So.... What happened?"

Lena glanced around to make sure nobody was listening. Then she lowered her voice.

"The Red Kingdom is coming."

Briella frowned.

"Uh.... the Red Kingdom?"

"You've never heard of them?"

She shook her head. "I've never really left this manor or used a phone for years."

Lena looked genuinely shocked.

"My Lady.... They're the strongest kingdom in the Wereworld."

Briella laughed softly, delighted by such legend.

"Oh my! I thought that was just a story."

Lena didn't laugh. "It's not."

Before Briella could ask another question, a stable hand sprinted across the courtyard.

"They crossed the eastern border!"

The entire household froze. Someone dropped a crystal vase and it shattered across the floor. Even the head of security looked uneasy.

Lena swallowed, dreadfully.

"They're here."

****

****

Within minutes, Bernard descended the grand staircase wearing an expensive charcoal suit that glowed under the chandelier. 

Briella felt tired again by just looking it and remembering how hard she'd pressed it straight earlier. 

Bernard's usual arrogance remained. But today, he looked tense.

Behind him walked his mother, Natasha Ashcroft. She was so elegant and perfectly composed. She wore black from head to toe, her golden jewelry catching the morning light.

The entire household immediately straightened. No one dared speak.

Natasha's sharp eyes swept across the entrance hall before settling briefly on Briella.

"Briella."

Briella immediately lowered her head. "Yes, Mother."

"Prepare the east guest wing."

Bernard frowned. "The east wing?"

Natasha didn't even look at him.

"Yes."

He scoffed. "Why? They'll only be here for a meeting."

Natasha finally turned toward her son.

"It is because if the Red King finds fault with our hospitality...." She paused. "....there won't be an Ashcroft Manor left to host another guest."

There was silence. Even Bernard had no reply.

Natasha walked away. Her heels echoed confidently across the marble floor.

****

****

Later, Briella carried a vase filled with fresh white lilies toward the east wing.

The hallway overlooked the massive front courtyard through floor-to-ceiling windows.

As she adjusted the flowers, a sound rolled across the estate.

PAMMMMM!

It was a deep horn. Not electronic but ancient and powerful. Briella gasped and ducked in terror. 

The glass windows trembled and every employee stopped working.

Security guards rushed outside and housekeepers abandoned their carts. Everyone moved toward the front entrance.

"What was that?" Briella whispered, unsure what to do.

Lena grabbed her wrist.

"My Lady.... You should come."