Chapter 8
Jemimah
SINCE the night I dreamed about Roam transforming into a dangerous beast who preyed on me even when I begged him to stop, I kept my distance from him. I avoided him in any way possible. I dodged his worried stares, and shut my mouth whenever he was trying to approach me. It's all because of that fear I felt because of that dream, yet everytime he's letting out a frustrated sigh, my chest would feel heavy.
How long had it been? A few days? A week rather since I stopped speaking to him? I couldn't remember. I already lost count anyway, but there's one thing I was sure of.
My heart was not happy with what I was doing to him...
I hugged my knees tighter when I heard his footsteps approaching the room. He stopped but didn't knock as soon as he reached the door, as if he was hesitating to do so becausee he knew I would not bother answer.
My eyes watched the small gap under the door. He was standing outside for almost a minute before I heard something getting put down on the doorstep. He then walked away without knocking nor saying anything, and my chest felt like it was being punched again because of it.
I swallowed hard, trying to ease away the heaviness I was feeling. This wasn't right. I knew I wasn't supposed to feel this way. My mind said I must fear him but my heart would often disagree.
Stupid muscle! My Biology teacher said the heart was the strongest muscle in the body. Then why did mine felt so weak towards Roam?
I clutched onto my hair. "I swear, Mrs. Lewis. If you were lying, I'm gonna ask for an A plus." I blew out my cheeks and jumped out of the bed. I was starving but since I wanted to avoid Roam, I decided not to leave the room.
Carefully, I pulled the door open. There went my stupid heart again, banging inside my chest like a wild animal asking to be released. And where would it even ran into if I'd free it?
I swore I heard Roam's name inside my head. Jesus, was I still normal?
With a heavy breath, I peeked outside to see if Roam was there. When he wasn't, I picked up the tray of food and went in, closing the door behind me. I placed it on the center table as I settled on the couch, but the moment I rested my back on it, I realized it was the same spot where Roam was seated when I first woke up here.
This wasn't good. I need to find a way to get rid of this heaviness or I would suffer from stockholm syndrome. The last thing I would want right now would be to suffer from a mental illness.
I shrugged and picked up the fork. Roam made me scrambled eggs matched with some bacon, two slices of bread, and a glass of... milk? What did he think I was? Seven?
Rolling my eyes and feeling defeated by my love for coffee, I stood up and stormed out of the room to make myself a cup. Damn it. Roam should not find out that the easiest way to make me get out of the room was was a caffeinated drink or else that would be the end of me.
When I reached the kitchen, my eyes popped open and I immediately hid behind the wall when I saw Roam pouring a freshly brewed coffee on a cup. The aroma filled the room and I almost shut my eyes. Good God. How would I resist this temptation when coffee would smell this satisfying?
Two points for coffee. My eyes shut as I savored the smell of it. I suddenly forgot about my fear towards Roam when the smell became stronger as if it was getting closer and closer.
I didn't even realize I was already moaning as it lingered in my nose, but when I felt something hitting my thighs, my eyelids slowly opened and shock hit me like an overspeeding car when I saw Roam's face, less than a feet away from mine. There was an inward smile plastered on his lips and his brow arched while his arm was resting against the wall, right above my head.
He cleared his throat and then sipped on his coffee while staring at me. My mouth watered, not sure if it was because of the coffee he was drinking or because he was so sexy while doing so.
Of course it's because of the coffee, right? I wasn't attracted to this man? Not even when he was... oh my god and his seven holy archangels, how could a monster look so luscious while licking his lower lip?
"So why exactly are you avoiding me, hmm?" he asked in a low, sexy tone. Fine, it was a normal tone that sounded sexy to my ears. Seriously, what was wrong with me? Did I got rabies when he attacked me in my dream?
Okay, that's irrational but... I groaned mentally. This wasn't good.
I looked away before he could read my mind. With my hands behind my back, I answered him. "M--Me? Avoiding you? N--No."
His warm, minty breath with a mix of coffee scent fanned my cheek as he lowered his head, the tip of his pointy nose almost brushed against my skin. God, I almost shuddered. Oh, wait. I freaking did.
"You don't?" he asked, our proximity was starting to suffocate me. My heartbeat was acting like a festival drum; wild and so freaking loud.
I swallowed hard and met his eyes. I gasped when our lips almost touched as I stared at his expressive rims that reminded me of a gloomy forest that hid all the beauty of the unknown. Oh, I wished heaven would forgive me for getting mesmerized by a devil, for I didn't think I could still look away as we locked eyes. My heartbeat was already louder than my thoughts, and the longer I stared back at him, I get drowned into the depths of something I knew was dangerous.
"I could smell your lies, Ahuvi." His gaze drifted down to my slightly open mouth, making me bite my lower lip unintentionally.
I saw how his jaw moved in a dangerous manner. His adam's apple bobbed up and down as his eyes reflected nothing but raw desire to kiss me... and no matter how embarrassing it would sound, I knew it was the same thing that he would see in my pools once he looked at it again.
I breathed in a shallow breath, trying to regain the control over my now heated body. With a now raspy voice, I spoke. "I'm... I'm not lying."
Our gaze met again for a couple seconds before I looked away. Feeling defeated, I bowed down while my face was turned to the side. "Fine. W--What do you expect? You... You scare me..."
My chest tightened when I felt him froze with my words. He didn't move for a moment, and when he took a step back, my knees almost gave up if only I wasn't leaning against the wall.
I kept my eyes from looking at him again, scared I would do something stupid once I see his expression because honestly right now, I didn't know anymore if I was scared of him more than my own heart.
Roam let out a heavy sigh before he took another step backwards. "I know," he uttered under his breath before he rubbed his nape. He looked up and shut his eyes as if I hurt him more than I expected. When he walked into the kitchen again, I almost fell on my knees. My muscles weaken and all I could do was purse my lips as I felt the searing pain in my chest.
Wherever this pain came from, I could not tell anymore. All I knew was it's too much, as if it wasn't just entirely mine.
I realized I no longer wanted what I went down here for. When I regained my senses, I tried to take my first steps towards the stairs but Roam called me. "Come here, Jem. I won't hurt you."
Hesitating, I looked over my shoulders with my lips pressing hardly with each other. His eyes turned gloomy when he heaved a sigh as if his chest felt heavy, too. "I promise."
A lump formed in my throat and the pain clawing my heart gone worse. I knew it would not ease away unless I would follow my heart. Stupid heart. Someday, I would probably die because of it.
But maybe, just maybe... not today.
Gathering all the strength left in my body, I face Roam again and walked slowly towards him. His expression brighten as he watched me as if he was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after a never-ending journey in the dark.
"W--What do you want?" I tried to ask with a fake cold facade.
Roam walked towards the fridge and took out a round mocha cake. My eyes blinked as I watched him shut the fridge with his elbow and then returned to me. When I saw what's written on top of the cake, warmth wrapped around my heart like wildfire.
Happy 18th Birthday, Ahuvi.
I wasn't a cry-baby but his unexpected gesture brought tears to my eyes. When I looked at him, his eyes were twinkling as it stared into mine like I was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on, and I would lie if I'd say it didn't melt my heart.
His lips curved into a sweet, tiny smile. "Happy birthday, Jemimah."
Chapter 9IT FELT WEIRD. Sitting on the couch with a saucer of cake while Roam was next to me just gave me goosebumps for reasons I could not decipher. My fear subsided earlier at the sight of his sweet smile, as if my memory of him being a monster I should be scared of suddenly went blurry.I swallowed the piece of cake in my mouth before I threw him another glance. He was busy eating like me when I noticed the icing left on the corner of his lips. When he licked it off before he chewed, I felt my throat went dry as I watched his jaw moved.Dear God, I know my points in heaven have been decreasing eversince I got here, but for once, I'd like to blame you for sculpting such well-defined jaw...I looked away instantly when he gazed at me. My heart did the crazy drum roll-like beat again as I pretend to be admiring the cake I was slicing with my fork. This organ better behave before I volunteer for a transplant once I was out of
Chapter 10I COULDN'T help it. I just wanted to greet the morning sun when I went to the porch but after seeing Roam effortlessly cut the giant trunks of woods with his axe like he was Thor, I found myself staring at his sexy back like it was a once in a lifetime phenomena to have a sight of his majestic bod.His back muscles would flex with his every movement, yet with all the force I assumed was needed to cut such large pieces of woods, I wondered why he was not sweating as much as I was expecting?Not that I found it sexy when a man was doing manly stuff and their skin were sparkling because of their sweat. I was just... oh, right. I figured it out. Was it because he wasn't normal?"You nasty, nasty mind. Since when did you built allegiance with my stupid heart, hmm? He ain't someone to fangirl over," I murmured to myself. Great. Now I was sure I was losing my mind.I sighed and looked at Roam again but what he did next
Chapter 11ROAM made us dinner early. He tried to bring up something to talk about while we shared our meal but everytime it was my turn to tell him about my life back in my town, I would see him glancing at the clock as if it was a ticking bomb that would explode once the Sun was finally set."Sorry." He cleared his throat and drew his attention back to his pasta. "You were saying?"I heaved a silent sigh and reached for my glass of water. "I said many girls from my school dreams to be a werewolf's mate." I took a sip. "What exactly is that?"I saw the corner of his lips lifted for a sly smile. "It's uhm, like a soul connection. A unique one chosen by the Moon Goddess. Mates share a powerful bond. They get to feel each other's feelings, communicate thru their minds, and heal each other once the bond was established.""Huh. That's weird." I rested my chin on my fisted hand. "You mean to tell me that that's similar to lycan
Chapter 12IT ALL HAPPENED TOO FAST. The magic his touch was sending all throughout my body burned me instantly as we stared at each other with nothing but familiarity in the strands of our pools. It was as if our souls had waited forever just to be reunited, and even though I barely understood where this recognition was coming from, I gave in to something I knew I'd regret."Jemimah..." he called me hoarsely, struggling to get a hold of himself. He was looking more dangerous when he's like this, but it was the kind of danger I didn't think I should be fearing about.I knew I should never play with fire I could never kill, but the moment Roam stroke my jaw with his rough finger, my eyes glistened with the same raw desire I was seeing in his eyes. "You just saved me, Ahuvi... You saved me again..."Warmth clawed my heart as I gave him a small, genuine smile. "You scared me, but I'm happy you're okay now."His eyes sparkled with sheer h
Chapter 13THE MAN dragged me away from Roam until we're almost twenty yards away. When I managed to hit his chin with my head, his hold on me loosen. I took the chance and get off his grip. My hands held the rifle and aimed it at him, ready to shoot him 'til he would drop to the ground."Woah! Hold your horses, sugar! That's gonna burn!" he said, his hands in the air as if surrendering.My brows furrowed. "Yzmael?"He released a relieved sigh then rubbed his chest. "Yeah." Glancing at Roam and the wolf, he held the gun and made me point it on the ground. "Let Roam deal with him.""What?" My eyes drifted back to Roam. "But why? Aren't you gonna help? You're a vampire."Yzmael scratched his temple and flashed an awkward grin. "Uh, that's the thing." He entwined his fingers and placed his enclasped hands on his nape. "I am so I shouldn't meddle with their business.""But..." Fear rose from my chest as I watched
Chapter 14I COULDN'T take my eyes off Roam's chest. We were back in the house and we're at the living room to take care of his wounds. He had lots of cuts and scratches but what bothered me a lot was the ripped part of his chest.He insisted I to keep me close even when I was terrified. I did not understand what was going on, and when Roam looked into my worried pools, he let out a sigh and laid his back comfortably on the backrest of the couch. Well, he wasn't entirely comfortable. His forehead was creased and pain was visible in his eyes."Shouldn't you remove your necklace so we can take care of your wounds better--""No." His jaw locked and I saw his eyes darkened, telling me he didn't like my suggestion at all.My forehead creased even more. "Oh--kay? Fine. Don't remove it. No big deal. You don't have to be grumpy." I shook my head when I remembered how he behaved when we first met and during the time I first woke up
Chapter 15I KNEW Roam saw the hint of curiosity on my face when I went to the porch to see the smoke coming from a distance. My hands gripped on the handrail, and with my mouth halfway opened, I drifted my gaze towards Roam and Ymzael.My hand lifted in the air as I pointed at the smoke with my brows almost meeting. "W--What's going on there?"Roam threw Yzmael a meaningful glance before he looked at me again. "Don't leave the house. We'll see what it is."My grip on the handrail tightened. The sun was about to set and looked like some campers started a bonfire to keep them warm for the night. If that would be the case then I would need to go to them. They could be my ticket out of here but... was I ready to go?The thought of leaving Roam brought a tug in my chest but I immediately pushed the stupid feelings aside. This was the perfect time to leave, right? Before I fully lose my sanity and give in to whatever Ro
Chapter 16MY HEART banged hardly inside my chest as horror sketch on my face. Vampires, but unlike Yzmael, they looked--lifeless, and undeniably terrifying. Their complexion were too pale and bluish veins appear underneath their skin. Darkness was already conquering the bleeding sky, and as I looked into their scarlet eyes, I saw nothing but their hunger for something.My eyes widened when I realized what they were craving for. My blood. They were hungry for my blood...The painful truth about the real world suck into my mind. I was a mere human. One of the creatures who would always belong at the bottom of the food chain while people like them exist, hiding in plain sight, blending with their preys and ready to attack once the perfect moment would come.One of them held me by my hair and pulled me up. I groaned in pain, unable to get off the blonde's grip. It felt like my scalp was getting stripped off my skull but they didn't seem to care