Chapter 3

The vampire was attempting to locate my neck as I wrestled with him. His black hair cascaded across his shoulders, revealing his red fierceful eyes. 

Before he could savagely bite my neck with his razor-sharp, bloody fangs, I saw someone quickly move in and shove him from behind. 

I sat up, fear etched on my face as I witnessed two vampires engage in vicious combat.

"Ahh!" As I pulled a stick from the thorns on my skin, I winced and let out a painful cry. 

"Leave me, Desmond, let me fest on her like I do to other humans." I overheard my assailant, angrily speaking to my rescuer, who seemed to be another vampire with similar features.

I was confused and wondering why a vampire was really saving my life.

"Don't you touch her Damon. You already had enough,"

"Fine, I know we're enemies to wolves and humans but, just spare this one and let's get back to our clan." Desmond, my savior, begged the other vampire who kept his calculating gaze at me from a distance.

They shared many features, and their resemblance in appearance led me to believe they might be brothers.

"Do you think I'm a vampire with a human heart, just like you? It doesn't apply to me that you decided not to drink human blood. I will continue to suck their blood because it is all I need to get strong, and I challenge you to try to stop me."

Hearing that, I stood on my feet, running deeper into the woods in fear. 

My hands found their way, pushing the tall broad leaves behind for a clearer vision. I felt a hand drag me from behind and my heart race increased as soon as I realized it was Damon, my first attacker.

"Please! Let me go!" I begged as he dragged me closer to himself, sniffing me like I was a bunch of flowers.

"Hmmm.. she smells of Lavender. A beauty like her will be perfect for a treat." He said, bringing his nose closer to my neck.

"Please!" I begged once again.

"Please!"

"Damon, stop!" Desmond shouted, panting as he watched his brother. My gaze met with Desmond, my savior, and I couldn't help but be drawn to him. Even though he was a vampire, I felt some connections to him.

"Oh Desmond!. Dad should have thought about it before handing you the position of the clan's leader," 

Damon cut in, breaking the silence that had ensued.

"Hand me the position and I will let her go." Damon suggested, making Desmond hesitate in his thoughts.

Seeing it might be a tough choice for my savior, I grew increasingly afraid.

My hands and my body shivered with my heart beating more than normal. Damon reached for my neck, caressing it and giving it a deep sniff. 

"Please!"

"I will hand you my position as the clan's leader, Now let her go!" In an attempt to get nearer to us, Desmond eventually consented.

"What makes her so special to you that you felt compelled to resign from your role?" Damon asked before releasing me from his grasp and pushing me towards Desmond.

My breath came in quick short gasps, and I felt relieved to be in Desmond's arms.

"Wait…." 

Damon said, staring at me as he studied my features. 

"According to Leo's prophecy, you must find your mate in order for you to fully become human,"

"He described your mate's features; having a few strands of white hair on her black hair, emerald eyes and ……"

Damon came over to me and took a fistful of my hair, exposing the scars on my nape.

"Now I see why you're so keen on saving her." He admitted after sighting those three scars.

"I've given you what you want, now go and just leave her alone." Desmond yelled at him, maintaining a fierceful gaze with him and shielding me from his monstrous brother. 

"Never! I won't let you have a human as a mate," 

"Not when I'm alive!" 

With his fingers developing into fangs and his eyes going red, Damon spoke. His teeth jutted out in sharp curves, ready to devour me.

Before he could get close to us, Desmond grabbed hold of me and quickly vanished, while I fell unconscious.

****

As I sat up on my bed, the morning sun's beams caused me to squint. I was screaming as I held my body in the memories of what had transpired the night before. Kate barged in immediately, trying to calm me down.

"What? What happened? How did I get here? Where are the vampires?" Looking around the room with a look of horror on my face, I questioned.

"Vampires? What do you mean Vampires?"

"Hhuh! Do you mean you saw vampires last night? Or wait, are you having a bad dream again?" Kate asked, teasing me with a smile.

"No Kate! I did see them. And h- how did I end up here? Who brought me home?" I asked her, my face etched with worry and concern as I removed the white blanket on me. 

"Urmm! A cute guy with long spiky brown hair. He says his name is Desmond."

"Tell me!" 

Kate said as she stood up and held my shoulders.

"How long have you guys been dating? You seem to have forgotten Carlos real quick."

"Dating?" I snickered, removing her hands from my shoulders as I got up.

"We aren't dating. There's nothing between us and I don't even know him. I would have died last night if not for him." Kate's eyes widened in horror at what I had disclosed. 

"Died?"

"Yes. Tell me, did he bring me to your room? How did he even know that I lived with you?" Gazing into Kate's eyes, I inquired, anticipating a prompt response.

"You were probably unconscious. He held you in his arms and led you to the entrance of the pack. Fortunately, I saw you there as I was walking by, and I hurried to take you out of his hands." 

"Wow! And did he say any word before leaving?" I asked, my face etched with concern.

"No! Well uhh! Yeah. he claimed that you, uh, overindulged in alcohol and passed out. That is all,"

"Tell me Camelia, is there more to it?"