LEONA’S POV
My first day of work went well. I successfully avoided my fiancé because Darren was on a business trip for weeks. Luck is still on my side. I will deal with him later when he gets back. One thing that stresses me out is my future in-laws. It seems like Madam Sonia is so fun of me and wants to create close family ties.
“Leona, you have to go. At least your fiancé’s parents are nice and approve of you.”
Sophie was referring to the dinner invitation Madam Sonia prepared. She wanted me to treat them as family. And since I am her husband’s best friend’s daughter, she wanted me to treat her as my mother.
“You mean we are going,” Sophie drops her jaw, “I told her I’m with my best friend, and she invited you as well.”
“What are we going to wear?” she gasps softly.
“Clothes,” I sneered.
“Are you for real? Leona, they are not just your future in-laws; they are the owner of the leading fashion company in our country. It will be an honor to meet them!”
“Point taken. But seriously, be simple. They are not the typical rich people you've read about in those magazines. They are very kind, down-to-earth, and simple. You will never feel any awkwardness towards them.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Madam Sonia, she’s very kind and warm. You can tell how good her heart is. And Don Rafael may look strict, but he ensures his son is treating other people with respect. Otherwise, he will cut him off his will,” I laugh at the thought of Darren being cut off his inheritance.
“Wow, at least you know you're in-laws are good people. Nowadays, married life becomes miserable if you don’t get along well with your in-laws.”
“Yeah. That is why I’m wondering why Darren’s behavior is way too different from theirs. They seemed to be good parents and raised him well.”
“Oh well, it happened. Not all fruits are the same.”
“Exactly.”
“Ah!” Sophie almost bumps her head into the front glass of my car, “What’s wrong with you?”
I accidentally stepped on the break. The billboard shows Darren’s face. Brilliant and so handsome. He looks so sleek in his tuxedo. It was an advertisement for one of Flame’s perfume brands for men, and he was featured as the brain and ambassador of the company. It suits him very well.
Although I don’t like his rudeness, I realize how attracted I am to him. And despite his ill-mannered, my heart longs for him to acknowledge me as his fiancé. Being rejected was crucifying. Especially I know for sure that he is my mate. My instinct tells me he is.
“Leona? Hey! Wake up! They were honking at us!” Sophie snaps her finger on my face.
“Sorry, I was distracted,” I started the engine and drove away.
“With the billboard or with your world again that you created in your conscious mind? Leona, you got to stop daydreaming.”
“Who said it’s a dream?”
I told Sophie some part of my life in the world of the beast. She doesn’t take it seriously and thinks I only hallucinate being homeless back then.
****
I chose a simple black dress while Sophie wore a nude color. I was skeptical about attending the dinner invitation, but Sophie convinced me. She is more excited than I am. Meeting the famous family in town, I can’t blame her.
As expected, Madam Sonia and Don Rafael wore simple clothes that I think they wear daily. Gladly we didn’t overdress.
“Leona dear, It is nice to see you again!” Madam Sonia gave me a big hug and pecked my cheeks. Don Rafael did the same.
I introduced Sophie to them, and they welcomed her with open arms. My heart was pounding as we entered their mansion. My eyes are roaming around, hoping for a sneak peek of my fiancé’s though I know he is out of the country right now.
“I hope you like pasta. I cooked my son’s favorite, the meaty pasta, and steak. He’s a meat person,” Madam Sonia led us to the dining area where I thought the table could be seated by ten people.
It was huge and looked heavy. In my mind, it was probably made of oak trees. And the two sparkling chandeliers made it more expensive in my eyes. I bet its price can buy me a small house in the urban area.
“Maybe one day you can teach me how to cook your pasta and steak.”
“I would love to, dear. So tell me, did you find a job in the city? Amanda told me you have already settled here. I can make a recommendation if you like,” she signaled their personal butler, and shortly they were parading the food to our table.
My stomach hurt for a second with Madam Sonia’s question. I glared at Sophie to warn her not to say anything about our job. I want to keep it a secret as much as possible.
“Ah, I~I’m still searching.”
“How about you, Sophie?”
Sophie almost choked on the water she drank. She pinches my leg under the table while lying to my future in-laws.
“Tell me if you need my help, and I will make some calls.”
“Thank you, Madam Sonia. That’s very kind of you,” Sophie force a fake smile and hide her nervousness while drinking her wine.
I notice Don Rafael’s silence. Not a single word comes out of his mouth. His eyes are fixed on his food, but he barely touch it. I was supposed to open a conversation with him when he suddenly acted strange.
“We need to go back to that mountain,” he grab Madam Sonia’s arm. He looks stunned and scared.
“Ah, excuse us for a minute.”
Madam Sonia calls the name Ruben and a guy dressed in all white that looks like a nurse approach Don Rafael and slowly pulls him out of the table while the latter keeps repeating his words. He want to go back to the mountain. What mountain is he referring to? Why does he need to go back?
“Sorry, my husband is not feeling well lately. But anyway, where were we?”
“Ah, the job? Is Don Rafael okay? What happened to him?” I can’t help myself from asking. He wasn’t like that when we first met. He looks tough and intelligent, but now he is different. Agitated.
“Dad. Call him that way, and he’s fine, dear. He’s been sick but on his way to recovery.”
“O~Okay.”
We ended our dinner earlier. Don Rafael was screaming in his bedroom about the mountain. He wanted to go back. He will fix everything. What does he need to fix?
Madam Sonia apologized and excused herself. She told the butler to take care of us and hurried upstairs. I heard Madam Sonia asking for the syringe when we were in my car. She probably wants to give Don Rafael medicine to calm him. What the heck is happening to him? Is he going nuts?
“Leona, what happened to Don Rafael? Does he always like that?”
“No. He’s not. I don’t know.”
“Sorry, but he looks crazy to me.”
I didn’t comment on Sophie’s observation. But deep inside, I know he is. Only it’s hard to say anything yet not knowing the whole story.
LEONA’S POV“No, please. I didn’t do it! Help me! No!” I woke up in tears and sweat. I dreamed of my life with the beast, my horrible life.****Dress in white, Ellen curled my hair and did my make-up. It’s Moonbeams. Our mates are waiting now. We have to look beautiful and wait until some wolf guy approach us.“Whoa, you are gorgeous, Leona!”“So are you,” I check myself in the mirror. Wow, Ellen did well and made a major transformation to my ugly face.“Is that me?”“Do you have doubts?” Ellen pinch me.“Aw!”“So it’s you,” she laugh.“Do you think our mates will like us?”“You are worrying again. They will like us and will probably want to make the bond and mark us.”“Hey, naughty girl,” I laugh.Bond and mark means we will surrender ourselves to our mate. Marking will happen if we have sex with them. The bond is when we become one—a spouse. I don’t know what comes first, but I’m pretty confident that is what they mean.“All single she-wolves are now outside. I think it’s time to m
LEONA’S POVDarren is back. He was impressed with the project proposal my manager submitted to him and asked for the list of newly hired marketing staff, preferably the brain of the project. And my name was at the top of the list. He called our supervisor by the intercom and asked about my file. I am so busted.“Leona,” Sophie held my hand in nervousness. We both didn’t expect him to come back soon. Not until the next two weeks.“I have to face him eventually. I guess it’s for the best?” I plastered a fake and invigorating smile.“Okay, ah, call me. If he molested you, we’d immediately storm out of this company!”“Molested?”“Sorry, I don’t know what I’m talking about now, I’m terrified for you!”“Don’t be. He wouldn’t dare to get near me here, or our cover will blow off.”“Any plans?”“Just continue working and avoid him at all cost. I will do what he asks me. Anyway, I don’t have any plans to stay in this company. Once Amanda declared my rights, I won’t be working here anymore.”“Ok
LEONA’S POVMorning has come. I heard the main door open and hoped its food or water. But it was the guard. They pulled me out and tied my hands to the pole. Victoria came in with evil eyes. She whips me. After getting tired, she would order the guards to beat me.“Cage her,” she said, content with what she did.After two days of beating and starving, I plead to the guard to end my life. To end my agony.“I’m sorry,” the guard turned away.I thought I was stronger now, but my wounds didn’t heal, and my skin burned. Hunger, thirst, and the beating go on for days. Every whip made my skin shiver; I peed on myself countlessly. Even fell to my knees, but nothing could stop Victoria.My pain is her happiness.I haven’t seen my Mama and Papa. I’m sure they forbid them to see me so is Ellen. Before, I prayed for my mate to rescue me, to claim me; now, I prayed for my death.Metal clicks. I know it’s the key to the main door. Could be Victoria again. If she beats me again tonight, I hope she’l
LEONA’S POV “Are you alright, Leona? Sophie followed me to my desk.“Shame on that guy!” I let out my tears of disappointment. I told Sophie what happened in his office and his accusing words.“Shall we file a resignation now? Just say a word, and I’m ready to print it. You know I drafted already just in case.”I smile a little. Sophie really knows my soft spot.“Later. Don’t worry; I can still handle him.”“That’s the spirit, Leona. Prove to him that he’s wrong, or I’ll kick his ass.”“Hahaha yeah, right.”Ignoring Darren’s mockery is my own way of inducing peace to my mental health. He can think whatever he wants; I don’t care. As long as I do my part in this company, I can leave here with dignity before Amanda announces the new heir of the Eldrich’s asset.Following the Muse Fragrance, Darren wanted me to present an advertisement plan to him that would be presented to the investors. To prove myself, I focus on it and prioritize this project. But it seems like he is determined to m
DARREN’S POVYou got to be kidding me! What is she doing here? Is she following me? That’s impossible since she’s new in the city. But I know her friend is familiar with this place. I didn’t expect to see her here.“This girl is pissing me off,” I gritted.“What’s that, Darren?”“Nothing, Brent,” I quickly texted Leona to see me back door and whispered to Brent that I needed to go to the toilet.“Don’t leave us hanging, okay?”“I’ll be back.”I made sure no one followed me and slid into the back door. When I smelled Leona’s scent, I quickly pulled her as she opened the door and pinned her to the wall.“Listen, you flirt, I don’t know what you are doing here, but do not make a scene. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, is that understood?” I hold my breath. I really hate her smell.“First, you don’t own this place. Second, I didn’t know you were here. Third, who says I want to be publicly associated with you? And fourth, you are conceited. I am not following you,” Leona pushed me
DARREN’S POV:I found my way home and saw my mom waiting at my secret door. Before, I woke up somewhere, covered in blood. Beside me was a carcass. My greatest fear is waking up with a human corpse next to me. But over time, I manage to control the beast in me. I am fully aware now of what’s happening around me.“Mom,” I sobbed every time. I still can’t accept my curse.“Hush now, son. I am so sorry we can’t do anything for you,” mom wraps her arms around me.This is the scenario of every full moon, and I hate it. I hate myself; I hate my curse. Oftentimes, I tried to end it, stabbing myself, but I healed fast. I wanted to put a stake in my heart, but I couldn’t do it. It will leave my mom devastated. Now I only live for her and my dad, who has advanced Alzheimer’s.When I was three, Dad told me a werewolf accidentally bit me. At first, they thought it was just a normal bite and had me immunized with an anti-rabies shot.Not until the eve of my eighteenth birthday. It was the worst da
LEONA'S POVOne thing I am certain about the agreement Mommy Rose put me into will be my nightmare. As much as I wanted to fulfill her last wish, I also wanted to live a happy life. Marrying Darren will be the biggest mistake I would make, and I realize that now working in his company. He is the most self-centered, arrogant, and selfish man I've ever known. I regret the day I met him. Surely Mommy Rose will understand wherever she is right now.Amanda unexpectedly visits Croshire City after hearing from me. I meant what I said. This agreement with the Flinch isn't going to work, and I want out. I don't want to jeopardize my happiness with a man who doesn't even know how to show kindness or even a little sympathy to his future wife, knowing he will not suffer alone with the circumstances.Amanda easily finds my table in the café across the street where the company is at. I decided to meet her there since she demanded a quick meeting upon arriving in the city."Have you lost your mind?
Leona pattered into the woods, following the scent. The deeper she got, the more pungent the smell was. The howl confirmed her thoughts. If it was indeed a werewolf, she needed to investigate what pack he came from. But she was hopeful it wasn’t from the Silver Dawn, or else it was time to leave.Darren heard some footsteps and quickly climbed onto a tree. It was a full moon. He transformed immediately as he stepped out under the moonlight. It was inevitable. Sniffing the air, he remembered the scent getting close to his direction. It’s Leona.What is she doing here? He watched her roam around, searching for something. She must have heard the howl and got curious. Most people who heard him always came to their property to examine. Nosy woman. Is she going to search there all night? I don’t want to transform back on this tree. Dark clouds are forming. I’m sure it will rain soon. This woman is such a headache. Lightning lit the sky, followed by rumbling thunder. Darren felt a light r