Blood-sucking monsters.
The book didn't mince words. That was precisely how it described them: creatures that fed on human blood and used humanity as livestock.
The thought was truly terrifying.
'Thankfully, it's just a story,' Lawin told himself, even as a cold shudder traced a path down his spine. He calmly closed the worn cover of the book, the leather smelling faintly of dust and old paper.
The way the author described these "vampires" Their predatory grace, their casual cruelty. It genuinely unnerved him. How could such vile beings even be imagined?
"Doesn't matter now. It's getting late," Lawin murmured, his thoughts drifting. He stared out the window, his sharp blue eyes reflecting the last, fiery light of the sun as it sank behind the heavy clouds.
A sudden, sickening realization slammed into him.
"Oh, shit! I was meant to meet Caiden today for the hunt!" Lawin jolted upright, the adrenaline instantly clearing his lingering unease.
He vaulted off the bed, leaving the room in a reckless haste. The old wooden stairs groaned and protested under his rapid descent.
He reached the front door, his hand already gripping the cool brass of the doorknob, when a soft voice drifted from behind him.
"Hey! Slow down, where are you rushing off to?"
Lawin instantly checked his stride. Hearing his mother's voice, he ran a hand through his hair, forcing a slightly exasperated smile.
"Oh, Mom," Lawin glanced toward the middle-aged woman who walked out from the kitchen, the sweet aroma of baking clinging to her clothes. "I promised Caiden I'd go with him for the hunt today. It's late already—he'll think I stood him up again!"
"I know you want to see him, but this is not the right time." Her voice cut through the air, sharp and unwavering as she fixed her gaze on him. "Go back to your room."
Lawin froze, staring deep into his mother's brown eyes. His hands balled into tight, white-knuckled fists. He didn't want to back down, but...
"Mom, this is too much!" The words burst out, fueled by years of frustration. "You barely let me make any friends as a kid, and now I can't even see Caiden? I've practically been a shut-in for seventeen years! You keep saying it's for the best, but I don't see what's 'best' about it anymore."
Nelly flinched, surprised that her young Omega son had actually raised his voice. She looked at Lawin, her expression softening as she met the fire in his blue eyes. She took a slow, deep breath.
"Lawin, you just turned seventeen. You're an Omega and you've reached the age for your first heat. And Caiden... Caiden is an Alpha. Your pheromones could—"
"So what if he's an Alpha? We're best friends. I've known him for years! He has no romantic feelings for me, and he wouldn't dare harm me!" Lawin barked, cutting her off before she could finish. "Besides, if you want me locked up, what do you want me to do? Reread the same books over and over again?"
Nelly's mouth opened to reply, but no words came out. He wasn't wrong. She had always been far too overprotective, especially knowing he was an Omega approaching maturity. She was terrified of him facing the fate so many others did. And the approaching heat only compounded her anxiety.
'How do I explain to him without making him feel more cornered?' Nelly thought, her brows knitted with worry.
She let out a sigh of exasperation, finding herself at a loss. "You—"
The word caught in her throat as the front door slowly creaked open. Both mother and son instantly froze, staring at the figure standing on the threshold.
His tall, towering frame easily overshadowed Lawin's small one. Curly black hair framed a face set with sharp brown eyes, which scanned the tense scene.
"..."
"Caiden!" Before the newcomer could speak, Lawin launched himself forward, wrapping his arms around his friend in a tight, relieved hug.
"Hey, calm down!" Caiden replied, his initial chuckle dying in his throat as he caught Nelly's piercing, warning glare.
"Cough! Cough!" Caiden hacked out a breath.
Lawin quickly released him, dropping his hands to his sides.
"What brings you here?" Lawin asked, trying to sound casual.
"Actually, I came to know if you had no plans of coming today for the hunt." Caiden said, stepping fully inside. "I didn't see you yesterday, like you promised, so I was really bothered. Came to check up on you." He offered a warm, slightly concerned smile as he looked down at Lawin.
Lawin threw his mom a sharp, meaningful glance 'See? I told you' before shifting his gaze back to Caiden with a bright, false smile.
"Yeah, I was just about to leave! Mom and I were just talking about it now."
Caiden, sensing the thick tension hanging between the two, could only offer a wry smile as Nelly fixed him with a piercing, assessing gaze.
After a long, agonizing minute, she finally let out a sigh of defeat. "Caiden, take care of Lawin. And make sure nothing. I mean nothing happens to him." Her eyes narrowed as she issued the warning, making the young Alpha gulp nervously.
Without another word, Nelly turned, her back rigid, and headed deeper into the house.
Lawin watched his mother's rigid silhouette disappear, then slowly let out the breath he'd been holding. He quickly threw open the door and stepped out, the evening air feeling cool and heavy.
"Hey! Wait up!" Caiden called, quickly following and gently pulling the door shut behind him. He matched Lawin's stride. "Did you have a fight with your mom?"
"Yeah," Lawin replied bluntly, a cold edge of annoyance hardening his features.
"Was it about the Omega stuff again?" Caiden asked with a wry, understanding smile.
"Yeah, she's always so worried. It's not like you are not here with me. No one will touch me with you around," Lawin said, the reassurance of Caiden's presence genuine.
A warm, deep satisfaction spread across Caiden's face as he registered the compliment. His chest puffed out slightly with pride. "Of course, no one will harm you with me around," he affirmed, a powerful wave of bright lemon and pine scent filling the air as a low, rumbling purr vibrated deep in his chest.
"She's just unnecessarily worried," Lawin mused, his gaze softening as he felt the comforting scent cloud around him. "I mean, what's the worst that could happen?"