MasukALYSSAAnd here I was in front of my apartment building getting into a black SUV, although scared, but with high hopes.I had always been an obedient girl and had never gone away with strangers. That was the education my mother had given me, and now I had to give it up to save her life. The interior of the car was just as dark. Everything was covered in black leather. It was just me and the driver. Damien was probably waiting for me at his house, ready to celebrate his victory.In less than half an hour, we turned onto a narrow road, then onto a gravel lane that led straight to a huge wrought-iron gate.And there it was. The Blackwood Fortress. A huge castle like you only see in horror movies. How in the world was I going to leave here? And the poor girl I was tutoring? This was like a prison not a house.Huge stone columns supported all the balconies of the mansion, which were not a few. The windows were equally large in all the rooms on the first floor. The only splash of color was
ALYSSA“What the hell is this?” I asked Celine, holding a business card I found in my pocket, as we were having our tea at my house. It was Saturday, and we decided this was the day I would make a decision. I slept well on it and I had to decide what would be my next step regarding my mother. Time was not on my side. Doctor Cole already called me, and I begged him for a few hours more. Until noon. He agreed. But no later than that.“Looks like a business card?” Celine answered, looking curious. “But why would I have…shit!” I cursed suddenly. “It belongs to that man” “What man?” Celine asked, confused. “Damien Blackwood, the art dealer,” I said, and then I realized how I was going to explain his card in my pocket to Celine. “And what are you doing with his business card? I mean, how did you get it?” she asked, even more curious.There was no point in lying. She was my friend and deserved to know my decisions. She was also the only one who could help me, and she was actually doing
DAMIENShe’ll come crawling to me, begging me for the job. It is just a matter of time.I used to walk in the woods. Just like tonight. I enjoyed knowing that my home and the pack were safe. Then I picked up her scent. I smelled her. Fear. What was she doing out here alone at this hour?“What are you doing here alone in the woods? Don’t you know it’s dangerous?” I asked her after finding her under an almost perfect moonlight. It was almost a full moon, and I could barely keep the beast inside me at bay. I had to avert my eyes for a second as they were turning red.“I’m not in the mood for your nonsense…” she told me, and I could swear I saw a tear rolling down her cheek. So I let the guard down. Something I never do. Just a bit. I approached and sat down next to her. To my surprise, she didn’t reject me, shy away, or move away.Now I felt her pain even more intensely. And it wasn’t physical. Something was tearing her heart apart on the inside.“I feel like something’s weighing you dow
ALYSSA“Doctor, please, you have to tell me what’s wrong with my mother. I’m very worried, especially after she fainted today,” I begged Dr. Cole, my mother’s physician, from what I had learned.My mother had been to see him before, but she never told me, and now I was more than certain she was hiding something from me.“Miss, doctor-patient confidentiality prevents me from telling you...”“Damn it, doctor! I’m her daughter, not some stranger. Whatever agreement my mother signed is meaningless considering what just happened.”Suddenly, the doctor fell silent, as if he had broken some agreement he had made with my mother. “Please, doctor. I need to know what is happening to her. So I can do something. She is all I've got, and if this is serious, I will be the only one paying for her treatment and hospitalization,” I explained but regretted right away as I knew I didn’t have the money. It was just a way of making him talk. “Okay, follow me to my office and I’ll explain everything,” sai
DAMIENMy name is Damien Blackwood. I am 400 years old, and I am the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. My father died in a battle with the Moonlight Pack, our rivals, and all the responsibility of the pack went into my hands, as I was the eldest.The way my father died, that is another story of betrayal. But I will take care of the person who did this to him. Or my name is not Damien Blackwood.My two brothers, Lucien and Ronan, were still too young by the time I took the lead. The first, too serious, the second is way too childish. They still are to this day.The balance and the chaos in my life.What ties me to Alyssa? Well, everything. Her past, her present and for sure her future.***“Do you have a daughter or something?” Alyssa asked me as if she was scared to even know the answer. It was like she was hoping I didn’t.I crossed my arms and gazed at her because it gave me immense pleasure to prologue her ordeal.“No!” I finally said bluntly.“Then, who is she?” she asked, seeing that I
ALYSSAI’m his property? What did he mean by that? It wasn’t as if we were still living in the age of slavery. Or was I?Before sunrise, the mysterious man took me home in his luxury car. I tried to sleep for a few hours after changing into clean, dry clothes, but my mind was playing tricks on me. That man was everywhere in my head. My body ached from how much unfulfilled desire I felt being so close to him. And his…“Breakfast is ready!” my mom shouted from downstairs followed by a long cough.“Are you alright, Mom?” I asked her, digging my fingers into her pancakes. They were delicious. “Don’t you wanna stay and eat properly?” She answered with another question, and it felt like she was avoiding my interrogation on purpose. It wasn’t the first time I had heard that nasty cough of hers.But I refused to answer her. Instead, I placed myself in front of her, crossing my arms over my chest. “I am fine, honey! Don’t worry about me. It is just an innocent cough. I think I will catch a co







