MIA'S POV
"Help!"
My throat burned as I coughed violently, my voice already starting to give out. The room was small. Dimly lit. And I wasn't alone.
Two younger girls sat across from me, their eyes wide open—but empty.
Unmoving.
They weren't chained. Why weren't they trying to leave?
I tried nudging one of them with my foot, but the chains around my wrists and ankles held me in place. I twisted, pulled, kicked—
Nothing.
The chains didn't budge.
Then—
Click.
My head snapped toward the sound of the door unlocking. A tall figure moved past the doorway in a blur and descended into the cellar.
"Girls," a deep voice echoed, calm and controlled, "stand up."
I froze. The girls rose instantly. Not like normal people, like puppets. Like something was controlling them. They stood still—completely still. My heart slammed against my chest. The man approached them slowly. I still couldn't see his face clearly, but his long black coat brushed against the floor, the collar flared high around his neck.
He reached for one of the girls, taking her hand gently. Then he leaned down… his nose trailing along her arm.
My breath caught. Is he a werewolf, too? Where is Xavier? Suddenly, he threw his head back. Fangs shot out, sharp and gleaming under the dim light. What is she doing?! Why isn't she reacting?!
"No! Don't hurt her—please!" I screamed. He paused. His fangs hovered just above her skin. I glanced at the girl's face. Nothing. No fear. No movement. Nothing. Slowly… he dropped her arm. Then he stepped forward—into the light. My breath hitched. His skin was pale. Too pale. His lips—deep red. And his eyes… golden brown. He was beautiful...terrifyingly beautiful. His lips curved into a crooked smile as he approached me.
He crouched low.
"Well…" he murmured, his voice smooth, almost old-fashioned. "She didn't mention you were this beautiful."
My heart skipped as his cold fingers wrapped around my jaw.
Ice.
His touch felt like ice.
"Now I'm afraid…" he added softly, "I can't let you go."
A quiet chuckle escaped him as he straightened and turned back toward the girls.
"Who… who are you talking about?" I asked, my voice trembling despite myself.
"I don't think she'd want you to know that."
He stopped. Then, he turned back, his gaze locked onto mine.
"Sit quietly," he said, his tone suddenly sharp. "And do not speak unless I permit it."
I frowned.
"What are you?"
He stilled. Then slowly turned. The way he looked at me—Like I was something rare.
Something impossible.He stepped closer again, crouching in front of me. Confusion flickered across his face.
"How… is this possible?"
His fingers brushed my cheek again.
Cold.
"Sleep," he commanded softly.
I stared at him. Unmoving. Unafraid. A smile spread slowly across his lips.
"Well…" he murmured, standing upright, "This is interesting."
He slid a hand into his pocket.
"You can't be compelled."
"What are you talking about?" I snapped, unease creeping into my voice. He didn't respond. Instead, he turned and walked back to the girls. Before I could process what was happening-
He moved.
Fast.
His hand shot out, gripping one girl's head and tilting it to the side.
Then—
He sank his fangs into her neck. A scream tore out of me. Blood spilled down her skin, dark and thick, dripping onto the floor. She didn't move.
Didn't react.
Nothing.
He kept feeding....like she was nothing more than… food.
"He's a monster…" I whispered hoarsely.
My screams grew weaker, my throat burning until no sound came out. Tears blurred my vision. Finally, he pulled away. The girl's body went limp, collapsing onto the ground.
"You killed her!" I rasped.
He chuckled. Rolling his eyes, he wiped the blood from his mouth with a cloth.
"Relax," he said lazily. "She's not dead."
He tossed the cloth aside and stretched, tilting his head back with a satisfied sigh.
"You humans…" he murmured, his lips curling slightly. "You're irresistible."
My heart pounded violently as he began walking toward me.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"Now… you," he said, crouching in front of me.
"Mia…"
The way he said my name made my stomach twist.
"You're interesting."
His fingers played with the ends of my hair, almost gently.
"I think I'll keep you alive."
My chest rose and fell rapidly.
"Tell me…" he continued, his voice dropping, "what are you?"
I spat in his face.
Silence.
His nose wrinkled slightly as he wiped his cheek with his sleeve. Then he stood. Looking down at me. Something darker flickered in his eyes.
"No wonder she sold you off."
My heart skipped.
"Let. Me. Go," I said through clenched teeth.
He let out a quiet laugh.
"Are you insane?" he asked. "Do you even understand where you are?"
He leaned in slightly.
"If I let you walk out of this room… you'd be dead within minutes."
"What difference does it make?" I shot back.
His expression stilled. For a moment… he just stared at me.
Then—
Amusement.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
"I like you," he said, pointing at me lightly before turning away. I struggled against the chains again, my wrists burning.
"Xavier will rip your head off when he finds out about this," I spat.
He paused. Then chuckled.
"Who?" he asked over his shoulder. "That dog?"
He turned slightly, his eyes glinting.
"You really think he can hurt me? I've killed more werewolves than you've drawn breath."
His eyes darkened.
"If Xavier comes… it'll be the highlight of my night."