5

Reene still couldn't believe she'd seen an actual werewolf.

Like literally, a human who shifted into an animal possibly three times her size.

The thought of it always made a shiver run down her spine.

Sound of snapping bones, how the clothes split in multiple pieces, and then the next she knew, a huge animal was replacing the man who'd offered her a ride.

Weren't werewolves just fictional? How did this one become real? What the heck happened?

And then there was the creepy man who took her in for the night.

The man she was supposed to be staying at his place because she didn't want to be alone.

But the thought of him being in the next room made her more afraid.

Hundreds of thoughts ran through her mind all night.

Like, who was he? What could he do to her? What would he do to her?

Obviously one can assume that with all that thinking, sleep was far from being a friend.

And so the moment the time read six a.m., she was out of his place, running the entire journey to her house.

Now, by eight forty, she was packing all she needed for work.

Normally, any sensible person in her shoes won't go to work after what happened (especially considering the fact she closed so late).

But think of how worse staying home would be.

All alone in a house with a broken CCTV camera and breakable wooden door.

Certainly not any better.

At least at work, Adam was with her.

Not that he was capable of fighting off three wolves (he couldn't even war against a cockroach and come out victorious), but knowing she wasn't alone was certainly very much better than staying home.

Once everything was packed, she stared in front of the mirror, ignoring the dark circles under her eyes and how colored her cheeks were.

A result of crying and fear.

If it were other days, she'd have done little makeup to cover it, but you seriously don't expect her to care after all she'd faced.

Instead, she packed her hair up in a messy bun before leaving the house with her bag in hand.

After ensuring the place was locked, she began the twenty minute walk to work.

Thankfully, there were people around so she didn't need to worry about being followed.

With that, she let her thoughts wander to her need for a means of transport from home to work and vice versa.

After what happened, walking was certainly not the best option for her at the moment.

Especially considering when she usually closed.

She needed a car. Anything to transport her from home to work, vice versa, so she could avoid unnecessary meetings with wolves.

Problem was, where would she find the money?

Maybe if she removed ten percent of her monthly income, within a few months, she should have one.

That made sense.

The next problem was her inability to drive. She'd also need to learn a thing or two about that, then get her driver's license.

It wasn't so bad.

As long as she wasn't eaten up before then, it was very much possible.

Thinking about being eaten once again made her shiver.

How would she be able to cope with three animals tearing her skin apart, crunching on her bones and drinking her blood like it wasn't that of a human.

Oh goodness, how was she going to live the rest of her life knowing she'd encountered real werewolves.

She couldn't even tell anyone.

They'd all think she was crazy.

Jaxon had certainly thought like that, which meant she shouldn't expect anyone else with sense to think they existed.

Or not call her insane.

Still, could she just keep it all to herself? Seeing a real wolf. Live wolf.

Were there more? Were they still after her? Possibly following from behind?

Oh goodness, could things get any worse for her.

Two men clad in black with black glasses proved those words true the moment they started towards her, an earpiece placed on their ears as they muttered something to it.

Her brow furrowed at the sight.

They looked as suspicious as heck.

Passersby eyed them for a moment before continuing their journey.

But Reene's breathing disappeared (it seemed to have happened far more often within a day than it had in months).

Her feet involuntarily stopped, glueing to the ground as she watched men probably twice her size draw closer.

“Reene Clove?” It sounded more as a fact than a question, that one asked once they reached her.

Her body trembled internally.

Oh no, what if they were other sets of wolves coming back to eat her up.

“No?” How she formed word, she had no clue, but it came out.

That day was a day she'd deny her identity as Reene, because nope, these men smelled like danger.

"I-I'm Tina."

From their stare, no one needed to tell her they weren't buying it.

“You're coming with us.” He simply put in a stern tone.

Alarm shot up in her blood.

Oh heck no, it couldn't seriously be repeating itself, right?

Last night was supposed to be the end, why was it happening again?

“Wh-What are you saying? I'm not Reene, I'm Tina. You've got the wrong girl.” Her voice cracked, but one thing was for sure.

No way would she let two men that could possibly lift her with a finger, take her anywhere.

At least not without a fight.

“Our boss has ordered us to bring you,” the other explained, “and I advise you to cooperate by following us. Don't let this end up with you weak and tired, yet still follow us," then he added, "Reene."

The way he said it made her more afraid than ever.

Were they going to eat her? Was this her end? So soon?

Would she be joining her parents in the afterworld so soon?

No! Not without trying to be free at least.

“I'm not going with you.” Her voice came out far more confident than she felt. "Go look for your Reene somewhere else. I'm T-Tina as I said."

No change took over their expressions. Obviously they read through the lie.

She was about to turn and run off when he took her elbow, effortlessly halting her.

“Let me go!” Instincts led her leg to kick him where it hurts.

The color drained from his face.

Still, that didn't make him let go.

In fact, he looked like this wasn't the first time being hit in the groin and like he was aware how to control the pain when it occurred.

What?

She let her gaze sweep around, wondering why no one seemed to want to help.

They glanced, then quickly looked away. No one actually calling the police or shouting at the men to leave her.

“Let me go!” Why was this happening to her? Why did two men randomly want to kidnap her?

In broad daylight at that?

“Leave her.” A voice she certainly couldn't forget ordered.

Immediately, the men heeded, moving to stand at each side of her, hands behind their back and heads bowed.

She stared at the scene in confusion.

Her eyes widened when Jaxon came to view, strutting towards her.

And even in such a situation, she couldn't deny how much power he demanded.

It seemed like everyone held their breath, afraid of what would happen if they made the mistake to breathe.

Even passersby ran the other direction, clearing the area so it was just the four of them left.

It made her wonder what on earth was going on.

No, who was this man?

He stopped in front of her, gently taking her wrist in his as he stared down at her. “Reene, I want you and I get what I want.”

The way he said it… It was creepy.

Like that was a final statement. No room for arguments, no room for addition or subtraction.

Just final.

He started towards the car, effortlessly pulling her with him, but she couldn't object.

She actually feared what an objection could do to her.

That was how creepy he sounded.

They got to a black car which was opened by a man she hadn't seen before.

Just when they were about to get in, another familiar voice called.

“Let go of her.”

That made him stop.

She glanced his way for a second, noting how he raised a brow, obviously not used to having anyone object his decision.

They both turned to who the person that dared do that was, and her eyes shot up at the sight of none other than the werewolf.

Zayne had five men trailing behind him, all dressed in gray suits.

He stopped in front of her, grabbing her other wrist.

When she stared up at him, their gaze locked.

“Reene,” his voice was low enough to be heard by only those around, “you're my mate and I want you.”

Her heart stopped at the words.

No, at all that was happening.

Here she stood in between two men.

Two men that emitted power.

Both holding her.

Both wanting her.

What was happening?