Chapter 2. Invisibly Visible

Somewhere in the human world, there lived a group of Lycans who were fully integrated amongst human beings. No one could differentiate between Lycans and human beings anymore unless they showed their true forms.

“You have to make sure that girl is safe from the hands of the vampires,” the Lycan king announced to the newly shifted, Lucas Kade. At only nineteen years old, he was the youngest member of the pack. 

“Yes, I promise to keep her safe, come what may,” Lucas said.

The Lycan king further spoke, “Phil Insworthe shall never get the vampire potion because if he gets that, he will destroy the Lycans, not only the vampires.”

“I understand,” mumbled Lucas.

“This is the first task provided to you as a newly shifted Lycan. Don’t disappoint me, Lucas. Make me and the pack proud. This is a huge mission and if you fail, the consequences will mean death for everyone you love.”

“Why are you giving me such a big responsibility?” he questioned the king, who chuckled.

“You have my blood flowing through your veins, and I know you can complete the task.”

Lucas nodded, taking pride in the king’s words. “I shall not disappoint you, father.” With that, he rushed out of the throne room, already planning how he should accomplish the task he was assigned by the king.

He was the youngest son of the king, and Lucas wanted to prove himself worthy as his other siblings had. He was given the first task after he shifted a few months ago, and he decided to not commit any mistake which might result in him being a total disappointment for the entire pack.

***

Becca was preparing to move her things to the dorm tomorrow. Even though classes would start after two days, moving in the dorm before classes started was mandatory. She had a hard time convincing her dad to let her live in the dorm. However, she did get a laundry list of rules from Shier Hertford which she had to follow.

Shier repeated the conditions before going to bed, “Remember, you have to come here each time you get a vacation. No exception. You must get permission from me before going on a trip. If I find out you went without informing me, I will disown you and you will have no family anymore. Also, don’t call and disturb me when I am busy researching. Call me only when it is important. I don’t have free time to spend chatting about mundane things.”

Lowering her gaze, Becca said, “Okay, Dad. I understand the rules.”

“Good,” Shier said curtly and took his leave.

Becca decided to stroll in the front yard for a while before heading to bed. She knew she would get scolded and beaten by her father if he found out that she was alone in the front yard at night, but she needed some fresh air, it felt like the tension in the house was threatening to suffocate her.

Walking in the front yard, Becca glanced at the full moon. She wondered why her father abused her every day when she obeyed him all the time. Becca never stood up for herself because Shier was the only family she had left. She would rather get beaten than be under foster care. But now she was eighteen, and she was free to make her own decisions.

Meanwhile, Alexander didn’t want to move to the dorm. Being surrounded by food and not being able to eat it was the last thing someone like him would tolerate.

Alexander traveled to the human world but scurried back to the vampire world before he could hunt down another human being. However, he had to fulfill Phil’s request, and thus, Alexander opened the portal to travel to the human world once again. The portal was in the Bellmor jungle, the most restricted and dangerous jungle in Rome. People were deathly afraid of that jungle, and they should be, most of the vampires in the world could be found there.

Usually, Alexander used Atrickvic Street as an arrival point when he was in the human world. It was because Atrickvic Street was the quietest street in Rome. He liked quiet places and since the street was empty, it was a bonus point for him. He didn’t have to focus on human blood attracting him anymore and he could easily complete the task he was assigned.

But it was not as easy as Alexander thought. As soon as he stepped into the Bellmor jungle once again, near Atrickvic Street, an unfamiliar yet nice scent hit his nostrils. He inhaled the delicious scent, trying to locate the source.

Weird, thought Alexander. He used the portal most of the time but never felt that way. The strange feeling he was getting from inhaling the delicious scent intrigued him. He had to find the person.

So, he took off running, following the scent like a Bloodhound. Soon, he ended up standing in front of Hertford Manor. Alexander peeked at the front yard, seeing a petite girl, her dark brown hair reaching to her waist. She was looking at the bright full moon, so he was unable to see her face. Her pale fists were curved into a ball; as if she was mired in deep thought.

Is it her blood? wondered Alexander. Her blood must taste very delicious like the scent I am getting. I think I should partake of a sip.

Without a second thought, Alexander ran toward the girl at his fast pace. As soon as he stood next to the girl, he stopped for a while. The girl was in so deep of thought that she couldn’t feel someone standing behind her. How would she be when Alexander was not even a mortal being?

Alexander’s green eyes turned red in thirst for her blood. His red eyes were glowing, and he let his fangs out. He was about to remove the few strands of the girl’s hair, covering her neck where he was seeking a nice meal.

As he was about to do that, the girl took a deep breath. Suddenly, the weather started changing – a strong wind started blowing, creating a stressful environment. However, due to the wind, the girl’s dark brown hair fell on Alexander’s face, who was standing just behind her. He inhaled her addictive smell one more time, his fangs disappearing all of a sudden. The scent seemed delicious, but something stopped him from biting her. And he had no idea what it was.

Alexander could sense that she would turn around now. Instantly, he closed his eyes and chanted something, which made him go invisible. Only the vampires at least 200 years of age could make themselves invisible. Alexander had reached that particular milestone a few months ago.

The girl turned around, facing Alexander, he was shocked seeing the pale-skinned simple looking girl. When his green orbs met her gray ones, he recognized the girl instantly. It was Becca Hertford, for whom he was sent to the human world.

Why didn’t Pristine give me Becca’s address? How the fuck would I know where she lived? Alexander pondered as he took stock of the girl in front of him.

Becca arched an eyebrow in his direction and spoke the next words, which left Alexander dumbfounded.

“What are you doing here?”