As the bus continued its journey, Eirika watched the landscape change again. The hills became more rugged and the forests grew denser. She listened to music and dozed off for a while, only to wake up as the bus stopped at another small town. This time, Eirika decided to explore a bit more. She walked around the town, admiring the historic buildings and charming storefronts. She stumbled upon a local coffee shop and ordered a latte. "Where are you headed?" the barista asked. "I'm heading to visit a friend at a university on the East Coast," Eirika replied. "Wow, that sounds like a fun trip! I hope you enjoy your visit." Eirika took out her phone and called her friend to let her know where to pick her up. "Hey, it's me!" Eirika said when Toby picked up. "I'm at a bus stop about two hours away from your university. Can you pick me up?" "Of course! I'll be there as soon as I can," he replied. Eirika smiled and thanked the barista before heading back to the bus. As the bus approac

Eirika flinched and opened her eyes. Her breathing was loud and she was soaked with sweat. But she was on her bed. And inhaling deeply, she couldn’t catch any smell of blood. She let out a sigh, realizing she had been dreaming. Running her fingers through her loose hair, she got off the bed, feeling unusually hot despite the cold room. She went into the adjoining bathroom to shower and came out of her room later, wearing grey joggers, deciding to survey the apartment nonetheless. She went to check the main lock and saw it was intact, she then went to the sliding door that led to the balcony, sliding it open, she went to stand by the concreted balustrade, drawing in a deep breath as she shut her eyes to revel at the peace and quiet. Then she thought she heard a low growl and lowered her eyes down to the courtyards. Her eyes darted in their sockets as she quietly surveyed the grounds. Another growl came from a narrow corner of a building a few kilometers away from Toby and Nina’

Arric reacted, using one hand to grab her by the nape of her neck and the other to frame one side of her neck. He leaned into her, leaving a hairbreadth between their faces, and snarled. "If I were a moment later than I was, you would have died! Along with our child, Eirika, do you understand that?! One minute! One goddamn minute! And I would have lost you both!" Arric was literally vibrating with restraints. Eirika could feel his fear, hurt, and anger. The intensity of his concern and fear got to her the most. "I didn't know…" she whispered, "I didn't know I was pregnant. There's no way I would have put myself at risk if I had known. I will never hurt our pup, Arric." Arric let out a shaky breath. His eyes grew stormy with arrays of emotions. He was going to be a father! Eirika was carrying his pup! He wanted to pull away when she gingerly cupped his jaw but he couldn't. The last few hours had been horrific for him. He had imagined all kinds of terror befalling her and sighting

After breakfast, they moved to the living room – a luxurious space designed with style and exuding an air of elegance, comfort, and opulence. The centerpiece of the room was a large, plush sofa, upholstered in black leather with matching armchairs, arranged around a glass-top coffee table atop a circular Persian rug. The seating area was positioned to create an inviting and intimate atmosphere, with ample space for socializing and relaxation. The walls were painted in a muted, neutral tone and the room had four large windows, allowing plenty of natural light to flood the room, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. Window blinds were added for privacy and to complement the room's aesthetic. Floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces were strategically placed to give the room superb lightning. A crystal prism chandelier hung at the center of the ceiling, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication to the space. Expensive art hung on the side walls between window panels. Sculptures and vase

Eirika woke up to a masked figure bearing down on her with a knife to her throat. Her heart picked up speed as the sides of the man's cold eyes wrinkled in a smile. His eyes were dull green. He was a werewolf. "Glad you could finally join us, princess," the man said in a gruff voice behind a leather mask. "Eirika, I am so sorry," Eirika heard Toby's voice and wanted to jerk her face in that direction, and only got her skin nicked with the sharp edge of the knife as a result. "Careful now, I don't want you dead yet," her assailant said. Eirika could feel her own blood trickling down the sides of her neck. "What did you do, Toby?!" Eirika growled through clenched teeth. "They were going to hurt my parents, I had to do as they said!" he said with a whimper. "It's okay, Toby, it's okay," Eirika said. She felt hurt that her friend could put her and her pup in danger like this but understood he wouldn't have without due pressure. The man holding the knife to her throat beamed.