I questioned my own decision as to why I had hastily chosen to flee from the situation. Was it because I was afraid of being perceived as a coward? Perhaps. But then again, the circumstances surrounding him were far from ordinary, and I found myself compelled to prioritize self-preservation over potential embarrassment. All I desired in that moment was to create as much distance as possible between us. There was something about him that sparked unfamiliar emotions and stirred desires within me—ones that I had never encountered before.

Despite having experienced him invading my personal space in the past, this particular proximity felt more intense than ever before, causing my knees to weaken, and I didn't even find it necessary to lock the door. Overwhelmed, I couldn't help myself from collapsing onto the bed, with the soft pillow cushioning the impact on my face. Time seemed to slip away as I remained in that position, unsure of how long had passed. Eventually, as my heart ceased its frantic racing and gradually settled, I cautiously rose from the bed, feeling a sense of relief and calmness washing over me. Glancing at the clock, I realized that it was only mid-noon. What a great day to socialize! Not only did I make someone else miserable, but I also made a fool of myself. Three cheers to the mature woman that I thought I was. Since I lacked the responsibility to bolt my door, it gave access to two frantic vampires to barg into my room, making me groan out loud in resignation.

"What are you doing here, Sid and Marg?"

I mustered up the strength to speak, although my voice came out weak and feeble. At that moment, I lacked the energy to delve into the complete narrative. Nonetheless, as I observed the expressions on their faces, it became evident that they were determined to extract every detail from me. It was Marg who took the initiative and opened the conversation.

"What are we doing here? What were you doing when you planned to leave this place and that, too, because of my stupid brother? I thought you were bold enough to handle him."

I chose to maintain my silence and allow them to express their emotions until they reached a state of patience. Next was Sid.

"Do you even know that you can't leave this place even if you want to? Don't ask me why, because I am not supposed to say that."

I sighed, exasperated. I wish it remained a secret, and it would have if it wasn't for my stupid stubbornness.

"I know I am his mate."

In a rather casual manner, I made the statement, causing both of them to immediately fall silent. However, that moment of silence was swiftly followed by an onslaught of questions directed towards me.

"You know?"

"How did you?"

"Who told you?"

"Was it Nathan?"

"How are..."

"GUYS!"

I exclaimed loudly, reaching my breaking point. It dawned on me that their surprise and astonishment were inevitable upon learning the truth, but I simply lacked the strength to match their current level of enthusiasm. I felt drained and depleted, unable to summon the energy required to meet their excitement.

"Just allow me to speak, please? Thank you. Yes, I know I am his mate. And no, it's not Nathan who told me; it was a girl named Helena."

As I observed their faces, I noticed an immediate shift in their expression upon hearing that particular name. Marg, filled with anxiety, glanced uneasily at Sid, whose devastation was clearly visible. Did I say something wrong?

"Helena?"

Sid spoke softly, barely audible. The realization hit me like a lightning bolt—I had completely forgotten about her, the witch who had once cursed him. It all suddenly made sense, as he had mentioned her name countless times before. The familiarity that had eluded me now flooded my thoughts. Sid's body sank to the ground with a heavy thud, and we gathered around him, sharing in his worry. Right then, my own troubles faded into the background, overwhelmed by the guilt of overlooking such a significant detail.

"She was here."

He was staring at oblivion and muttered the words to himself. Seeing the usual cheerful Sid like that made my heart feel a pang of sorrow for him. It was not fear that I discerned in his eyes, but rather a profound expression of longing. In spite of everything, he still harbored a deep affection for Helena.

"I swear, I didn't know it was her. Otherwise... otherwise"

Otherwise what? What could I have done? Nothing. So I kept silent. Marg 'psst' at me, and I glanced at her.

"What's his emotion now?"

She whispered behind his back, loud enough for me to hear.

"Strained and stressed."

I replied sadly.

"I wish I could help him."

Marg was genuinely worried about him, especially since she couldn't see how he felt.

"Me too."

The whole place was silent for at least ten minutes until Sid sighed heavily.

"I haven't seen her after that incident, you know. It's been ages."

We both turned to look at the now-talking Sid.

"Will she still be mad at me?"

Marg and I found ourselves in an awkward silence, the air thick with unspoken tension. My gaze was fixed on him, and I desperately wanted to speak up to break the silence that hung heavy in the room. I opened my mouth, ready to let the words spill forth, but to my dismay, my voice failed me. It was as if the weight of the question had rendered me speechless.

Behind his mute stare, there was a glimmer of hope. I didn't want to be the one to extinguish that flame of expectation. So, I held my tongue, willing the right words to form, but they remained elusive.

"She will be? Won't she? That's why you guys are not comforting me."

His eyes held pain, pain of regret.

"Everything will be fine."

That was all I could say, and despite his smile, I could tell it didn't quite reach his eyes. Yet, amidst the discomfort, we found solace in each other's presence, basking in an unspoken understanding. Time seemed to move slowly as we sat there, appreciating the stillness that spoke volumes. And before I knew it, the weariness overpowered me, transporting me into a dreamless nap.

The room was dimly lit, and as I slowly regained consciousness, I realized something heavy had dragged me closer to its side. Panic surged through my veins as I desperately tried to get up, but a strong hand wrapped around my neck, immobilizing me. Frantically, I turned to my right, only to be met with the solid presence of a muscular body, trapping me between the weight of Marg's hand and leg on top of me and Sid, who seemed to be occupying a significant portion of the bed. Confusion clouded my mind as I wondered who had put me in this compromising position. And how on earth do vampires sleep like this? Weren't they supposed to be perpetually awake? As if mocking my thoughts, Sid let out a loud snore, breaking the serenity of the room. Then I heard someone chuckle. Startled, I looked around, and there, holding a phone, was Elizabeth. Was she actually capturing this bizarre and somewhat comical moment?

"Aren't they charming?"

I guess she didn't notice me waking up or my battle to breathe.

"You have taken enough photos, Beth."

It was Ebenezer. Great, everyone's here.

"But Ben, these are memories, and I don't want to lose a single moment."

She said this while taking another picture.

"Ryan is lucky to have a girl like her."

By mentioning his name, all my senses lit up.

"He sure is."

As Ebenezer's reply echoed through the room, my curiosity peaked, and I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation. For the next two minutes, their voices intertwined as they gushed about how lucky he was to have me by his side, how I would miraculously tame his anger issues, and even how we would eventually bless them with adorable grandchildren. The color flushed down my cheeks, transforming me into a blushing Barbie doll. I mean, seriously, I hadn't even made up my mind about staying here, yet they were already planning our entire future, from the wedding to the potential little ones. It didn't matter if you were a vampire or a human; in the realm of parenthood, all parents seemed to possess the same overactive and vivid imagination. However, just as I was getting lost in their wildly optimistic visions, Elizabeth's tone shifted, and a more serious air settled upon the room.

"What will happen if they come to know about her existence?"

They? Who they? My existence? Am I in danger?

"I don't know. Whenever I ask Ryan about it, he just stays silent. I have no idea what is going on in his mind."

Ebenezer sighed.

"But we can't lose her. Not again."

Again? Ryan also told me the same thing that day. Are they really talking about me? Maybe they mistook me for someone else.

"There will be some way. Right now, don't tell her anything. I don't want to spoil her happiness. She has never spent her youth like other teenagers, partying or anything like that. We'll give her some time to mentally get stable before disclosing everything."

Ebenezer's words were like a gentle embrace, wrapping around me with an unexpected tenderness. It was bewildering, leaving me puzzled as to why they cared about me so deeply. How could they possibly know the intimate details of my childhood, as if they had been a shadow following my every step? As my mind raced with unanswered questions, they quietly exited the room, their departure coinciding with Sid's stirring and another loud snore. I couldn't help but dwell on their cryptic words, my thoughts swirling like a tempest. Yet, as the weight of exhaustion settled upon my eyelids, I found consolation in the comforting solace of a fleeting sleep.

As I slowly stirred from my slumber, I was greeted by a peculiar sensation of gentle fingers caressing my hair. My heart pounded with confusion as I reluctantly opened my eyes, only to find an empty room devoid of any presence. Even Sid and Marg were nowhere to be seen, and a wave of bewilderment washed over me. When could they have possibly left? And more importantly, how long had I been asleep? My eyes darted towards the clock, which cruelly displayed seven in the morning. Oh, fantastic! I almost slept for an entire day! My stomach grumbled loudly, reminding me of my insatiable hunger.

Feeling refreshed after a thorough brushing and invigorating shower, I eagerly descended the stairs to find something for breakfast. In a twist of luck, the kitchen was no longer devoid of life as before; instead, it resonated with the contagious sound of laughter. Two vivacious young ladies, immersed in their duties, were moving around without noticing my presence. It felt illegal to interrupt them, but my stomach fiercely protested, reminding me of its empty state, leaving me with no alternative.

"Hello, will you give me some space as well?"

I broke into a sly grin, desperately hoping to maintain an air of nonchalance. Their heads turned in unison, and their expressions contorted in a mixture of shock and terror.

**********************************

Don't forget to vote and comment...