?, ? - ?

When I woke up in the morning, I searched for Bela in the castle and I couldn't find her. I called her name, looking in every corridor and entering in every room. She wasn't anywhere. Then I noticed how dangerously cold it was. So cold there was no way she could even be alive.

I fell on my knees, sobbing and trying to figure out what happened. The heating system had been turned off and the windows were broken. I wondered who could've done that to the woman I loved.

I heard footsteps. Someone was coming for me next. The way her voice was calling my name sounded almost like a spell, trying to lure me into join her and become another one of her puppets. It could only be Mother Miranda.

I needed to get home. Maybe Adrian had something in the weapon storage that could protect me against her. However, I could never find the path back to the village. As Miranda continued to chase me, I saw myself in the woods.

I stopped, resting my back against a tree as I tried to catch my breath. In front of me, a familiar scene started to unfold. My mother's death was being replayed. I watched as she threw herself between Auryk and the Lycan. I wanted to do something. I had to do something.

"Aleena, no!" I heard Adrian screaming nearby. Still, I couldn't see him.

I felt an intense pain on my forearm, when I looked down I was bleeding. Not from wounds caused by a razor blade. It was something else. A Lycan bite.

Eastern Europe, Aleena's Bedroom - Present Days

When I opened my eyes, I was in my bedroom. It took minutes before I was actually able to move, or even think. My chest was heavy like if hundreds of pounds were lying on top of my body, crushing me, making it hard and painful to breathe. It was cold, very cold, as in the nightmare I had woke up from.

But I was in my bedroom, at home, not in the castle.

My head ached as I tried to remember why I was there and not at Lady Dimitrescu's castle, like in the previous days. I finally remembered the past night. I remembered having Bela in my arms after we made love.

"I love you," she whispered before we fell asleep.

"I love you too," those words had been inside me for a few days. I wanted to tell her earlier, but I feared I would sound too inexperienced and immature. Now I was sure the feeling was mutual, I decided to let them out.

Bela! She was supposed to be here by my side. Where was she? It was so cold. She wouldn't survive for too long. I started to panic. I immediately got up and started looking for my clothes. I was still dizzy, everything around me was spinning. Before I could finish getting dressed, somebody opened the door. I jumped back in fear.

"Good morning, love," I had never been so relieved to see Bela in front of me before. Not even after she was attacked. That morning the sensation I had lost her was stronger than ever. "I was going to wake you up."

She was bringing a tray of food with pancakes, coffee and some flowers to decorate it. She was smiling. She was safe.

"I've been bothering the kitchen staff to teach me how to make your american pancakes. I hope I've done it right. Oh and I stole some flowers from one of your neighbors too."

I couldn't say anything yet. I was paralyzed. I waited until she placed the tray on my bed, then I launched myself forward, embracing her as tight as I could.

"What's wrong?" Bela asked. She touched my face and grabbed my hands. "Oh my god, you're so cold and you're shaking. Sit down. What's going on?"

She helped me to return to my bed. I could barely breathe. She wrapped her arms around me and tried to calm me down in the same manner I did to her when the castle was attacked, but knowing Bela, I could tell she was starting to panic herself.

"I-I'm okay," I spoke. I could feel the tears were starting to roll from my eyes. "I... I had a nightmare."

I told her everything about my dream. When I finished, Bela was holding me against her, trying to keep me warm and calm.

"You're stressed. We've been spending a lot of time reading these diaries and talking about Mother Miranda. Your brain is projecting this in form of nightmares."

"But it felt so real and... you were dead! This is the part I'm worried about."

"Is it because of that drawing you found? I've checked your father's storage again, I couldn't find any weapons like that in there. I guess it was a project that he never managed to develop."

"What if Auryk took it or if it's being kept somewhere else?"

"Love, I've been alive for almost one hundred years now. People tried to kill me in so many ways you can't even imagine. I'm not going to leave you, unless you want me to."

She was right. I was overreacting. There was no proof that weapon existed and besides, Bela was protected inside the castle. Alcina would never let anything happen to her daughters, especially after the attack. I took a deep breath and rested my forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry .You're right, I'm stressed," I sighed. "Now let's see if these these pancakes are so delicious as they look."

Bela watched expectantly as I took the first bite. I made some suspense before announcing my verdict.

"Hmmm... oh my god..."

"Is that supposed to be a good or a bad thing?"

"It's perfect," I finally said, feeding Bela some of her own creation. She was extremely talented in the kitchen and she loved being reminded of her skills. "Maybe there's some american blood in your DNA after all."

She let out a small laugh before turning serious again.

"Well, as we are talking about dreams and my possible origins," Bela spoke, while serving herself some breakfast too. "Since we've met, I feel more connected to my human side. And I started having these dreams that appear to be memories from my past."

"Really? And what have you remembered so far?"

"Not much. Only some memories of my parents and that I worked as a servant in the castle. I was my mother's chambermaid."

I knew exactly what that implied. And Bela knew too, but she'd never admit the truth, not even to herself. Being sure Lady Dimitrescu probably killed her and turned her into a vampire should inspire some complicated and painful feelings she wasn't ready to confront yet.

"I've been writing them all in a diary," she added. "I'll show you when we go back to the castle."

"How do you feel about this?" I asked, being careful to not hit the feelings we were trying to avoid.

"I don't know. At the same time it makes me sad, I'm also glad to remember I once had a normal life."

"If you ever need to talk about this, I'm here to listen."

I took Bela's hand and she squeezed mine back, the corners of her mouth curling up a little bit.

"Thank you, but right now we need to focus on Mother Miranda," she sighed deeply. "We must return to the castle and I'll try to figure out what the meeting was about."

"What about Heisenberg? Do you think it's safe to trust him?"

"No, it's not. There's one thing you need to know about the Lords, Aleena. They don't trust each other and neither should we. They all have different views and personal issues with Mother Miranda. One wrong step and we may start a war."

"Okay..." I was trying to not freak out about that whole situation, but it was becoming impossible. I admired Bela for keeping herself composed and calm upon all of that. Before anything, I trusted her. She knew how to act. All her actions were carefully planned.

"But for now, he's our best shot if we want to defeat her."

Castle Dimitrescu, Main Hall - Present Days

While I locked the front door, I felt my chest tightening again. I remembered what Bela told me in the previous night, about how she wished the temperatures had dropped and we'd stay stuck in there until it was safe for her to leave again.

While we were enjoying our last moments together in my house, I couldn't help imagining how it'd be like to share a life with her.

"Ready?" She asked, noticing I was taking longer than I should.

"Not really," I said. "I'm still wishing the temperatures had dropped."

"Don't say that, love. Or I'll be tempted to beg you to stay and we both know it's not fair."

Please, do it. I screamed inside. Beg me to stay and I'll say yes, without any hesitation.

"You know I'd say yes."

"I know. And this is why I'd never do it."

"Bela, we don't have to end this," I told her as we kept walking to where we left our horses. "We can make it work. There's a phone in the castle, I can call you everyday and in Summer, I'll come home."

"San Francisco will become your new home, Aleena. Your life will be there, as well as your family."

Though I was always in touch with my grandparents, we weren't that close. The last time I saw them was at Adrian's funeral, two years earlier. And Auryk... well, things had changed. We had grown apart. My brother had a secret life I wasn't part of.

Bela had absolutely no idea she had become my home, the only place I wanted to be and where I felt truly safe.

We were quiet during the rest of the way back to the castle. Knowing we wouldn't be returning until the next day, we decided to take one of the diaries. Bela told me she'd keep it hidden on her own bedroom.

As soon as we opened the front door, Bela's two younger sisters were in the main hall, looking like they were ready to leave.

"Oh, there they are," Daniela said to Cassandra. "I told you they were fine. Now pay me what you owe me!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Cassandra came in our direction, directing her question at Bela. "You vanished completely for almost 24 hours. I've never seen mother so pissed off about something you, the perfect daughter, did."

"Give me a break, Cassandra," Bela argued, holding my hand and ready to drag me away before a conflict could start. "I can take care of myself. Besides, I don't owe you any explanations of my life."

"This is all your fault, isn't it?" The brunette sister now was aiming her attacks at me. "Someone will finally meet the dungeons and receive the special treatment we offer our guests."

"Touch her and you'll die."

I tried to imagine how bad a sibling spat could go when both of the parts were vampires that could turn into a swarm of flies. Auryk and I usually yelled the most pathetic insults at each other until we were both laughing at how childish we were being. That didn't appear to be the case between the Dimitrescu sisters.

"No one needs to die here," I touched Bela's chest, gently pushing her away from her middle sister. "I'm sorry we took longer than expected. We're here now, aren't we?"

"Yes," Daniela agreed. "Cassandra, stop being a pain in the ass! It was a romantic getaway, wasn't it? Details, sis. Tell us everything!"

"Later," Bela told her. "Now I'll take Aleena to her room and you both are going to leave her alone. I have some stuff to take care of and..."

I had never heard something so scary in my whole life. Not even when we had Lycans hanging around our backyard, or when my alcoholic father discovered we stole one of his hidden bottles of vodka.

"BELA!" It was the first time since I arrived Lady Dimitrescu would yell her eldest daughter's name, instead of Cassandra's. When I noticed, she was already coming down the stairs, her face twisted in rage. "You!"

I swallowed hard. The woman was coming in my direction. I remembered what Bela said about the dragon inside her. Was it really a myth? Because it really seemed she was about to turn into one.

"I am SO done with you!" The claws. They were out and ready to rip off my guts. "I knew you had questionable morals you inherited from that filthy excuse of a man, but for a second, I thought you could be decent."

Bela placed herself in front of me, shielding me from her mother's wrath.

"I thought I was very specific when I told you to not corrupt my daughters' heads with your pathetic lowlife habits!"

I couldn't move or even say anything in my defense. I wondered what would happen if she actually use the claws, knowing Bela's body was immune to any weapons. If she automatically dissipated into flies, I'd have to count on my amulet to prevent me from dying. What didn't mean I wouldn't feel any pain first.

"Mother! You promised me!" Bela shouted. "Besides, it was MY fault. I asked Aleena to show me the village she lives and we spent the night there."

"The village?! Your irresponsible little... Do you have any idea of the risks you exposed yourself to? You could have attracted the enraged villagers to the castle."

"I was careful. No one even noticed our presence."

Lady Dimitrescu's eyes were still focused on me, as if she was pondering about her next move. Then, the claws retreated.

"If I hadn't promised to keep you alive..." she spoke to herself, before talking to me again. "Go to your bedroom. I don't wanna see your face again. Do you understand?"

I nodded. Still unable to speak.

"Bela, you come with me. To my office, now!"

Castle Dimitrescu, Office - Present Days

"I never expected this behavior from you, daughter! This girl she's manipulating you, turning you into someone you are not!"

Lady Dimitrescu stomped around the office while she scolded Bela. She had never seen her mother so angry about something so silly before. It wasn't the first time she spent the night out. On several occasions, she and her sisters would lose track of time during their hunting sessions and they wouldn't come home until the morning. Also, they've done worse things before.

"Bela!" Alcina shouted. "Are you even listening? I'm so disappointed at you!"

Bela's mind was far, far away. She could only think of the night she had with Aleena. At first she was so insecure, so scared she would trigger one of the girl's traumatic issues, but then, everything happened naturally. Not only the sex, but the words the slipped out from her mouth right after.

She had never loved someone before, but with Aleena, she was already sure. It wasn't because of the butterflies in her stomach or how her heart would beat faster in her presence. It was because of how she made her feel. Aleena could see her past the monster. She never looked at her in fear. She trusted her. She made her feel happy and complete. She made her feel special.

"I thought you wouldn't mind, mother," she started to explain herself. One thing Bela knew, she wouldn't apologize. She had done nothing wrong. "I've spent the night out before and you never complained. We had that talk yesterday and I assumed you were okay with my relationship with Aleena."

"Oh Bela, honestly, it's just one of your games. Once she's gone, you'll lose interest after a few days and you won't ever remember she existed."

In the beginning, Bela even considered that option. She wondered what made Aleena so interesting, so different from all the women she met before. Maybe she was too bored and seeking for some new kind of fun, but as the days passed it was becoming more clear her feelings were real.

"You're wrong, mother. It's different this time, I love her."

"Love?" Alcina let out a small laugh and shook her head in denial. "You don't even know what love is, you're a child!"

"I'm not, I'm a grown adult and I can make my own decisions. If Aleena asked me to go to America with her, I would."

"Don't you even dare! I forbid you, Bela! Actually, you won't leave the castle again for the rest of the Summer. You're my eldest daughter, it's time you start helping me with some tasks."

"I thought I was your daughter, not your prisoner," and there was something else scratching the back of her mind, something she had to say aloud. "Or your chambermaid?"

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Lady Dimitrescu tried to hide the shock, the impact that single word caused. But Bela could see it in her eyes. It wasn't a dream after all, she was gaining back some memories now she was more connected to her human side. Alcina cleared her throat and changed her attitude. The anger suddenly vanished from her face, giving place to something else - shock? Panic, maybe?

"Nevermind," Bela stood up and started to walk away. After that argument, she needed to spend some time alone in her bedroom to process her feelings. "I think we should talk again later, when we're not so angry."

"Bela, come back here. I'm still not done with you... Bela!"

She entered her bedroom and locked the door. She still needed to hide Aleena's diary somewhere safe, away from her family's reach. Before she could follow to her personal study, she noticed the presence of her sisters.

"Well well, let's celebrate," Cassandra was spread on her couch, raising a bottle of wine. "Bela has unmaidened another maiden."

"Deets deets deets," Daniela was lying on her bed. "I want to know everything about your romantic getaway."

Bela felt her cheeks burning in embarrassment and rage. What were those idiots doing in her bedroom? How they were even there? She probably forgotten to lock the door before going to her mother's office and she hated herself for that.

Cassandra was already following her, buzzing in her ear.

"Romantic getaway? This is soooo gay! You've outdone yourself this time, sister."

"Good for me, I guess?" Bela responded sarcastically.

"Come on, Cassandra," Daniela whined. "Stop mocking her. I want to know everything they did!"

Younger sisters. They wouldn't stop. They wouldn't quit. She should just give them a bit of what they wanted, so they'd go away.

"No big deal, only a date. We went to her house, we read, we played video games, watched movies..." she obviously wouldn't tell the rest.

"But this is so boring and nerd," Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Bela. Is this your concept of having a date?"

"Well, she couldn't take me to the pub she works or anywhere else. For reasons we already know."

"Stupid villagers," Daniela said. "It's not like we only show up there to kill them and drink their blood. We went there for other reasons before."

"When?!"

"Okay, maybe we didn't. But Bela, please... just tell us one thing," her youngest sister lowered her voice in a whisper, "how was the sex?"

"Amazing. This is all you're getting," Bela smirked. But soon, the smile disappeared from her face. She remembered they only had a couple more days until Aleena was gone. "But she's leaving by the end of the weekend."

"Then why don't we help you to give her a night she won't forget?"

"What is it going to cost me later?" Favors from her younger sisters always came with a price, from doing tasks like cleaning the dungeons to take the blame for something they did.

"We'll figure out later."

Castle Dimitrescu, Guest Room - Present Days

After the argument with Lady Dimitrescu, I didn't see Bela for the next few hours. I was beginning to feel worried. Spending the night at the village wasn't a good idea, many things could've gone wrong. Alcina was right, I shouldn't have agreed with Bela's wishes. Now I feared what would come next. What if Lady Dimitrescu decided we could no longer see each other? What if Bela broke up with me after the wonderful night we had? I wouldn't be able to take it.

I asked my lunch to be served in my room just in case. I imagined being in the same room as Bela's mother, who threatened to kill me that morning, while her sisters made funny comments about our night together.

"Ms. Novak, here's your lunch," Mrs. Volkov was the one to bring me food as usual.

"Thank you, Mrs. Volkov," I sat down at the small table near the windows. "This is quite a lot. I'm not even hungry."

"You look sad, Ms. Novak. Anything I can help you with?"

"Not really," I lied. It wasn't like she couldn't hear all the yelling in the main hall, hours ago. She knew very well what was going on.

"It's about Ms. Bela, isn't it? You two have been spending a lot of time together and... Ms. Daniela was gossiping about your relationship with her."

I felt my cheeks were burning on fire. Great, all the castle, servants included, knew Bela and I were dating. And that I'd probably get dumped too.

"Mrs. Volkov, I know what you've told me before. I know it won't last. I know I'm probably fooling myself and that after this fight with her mom, Bela will break up with me and send me away. But... I don't regret it. At least for a few days I was happier than I ever was before. We were in love. For real."

"Well, Ms. Novak, it happens that I was wrong. Since you arrived here, Ms. Bela has started to change. She spends more time out of her bedroom, she's more social, more happy. Did you know she was in the kitchen, helping us to prepare lunch?"

"Was she?" While Bela liked to cook, I could never picture her among the servants.

"Yes and she seemed so genuinely relaxed, chatting and smiling," she told me. "I believe she's truly in love with you."

"Yeah but... things went downhill this morning. We spent the night in the village and Lady Dimitrescu freaked out. I fear Bela will break up with me."

"Ms. Novak, that girl has a mind on her own and when she makes a decision, no one will get in her way. Not even her mom. If she wanted to break up with you, then why she asked to see you in the garden after lunch?"

"Did she?" I was kinda surprised, but excited. I hadn't seen the castle's garden yet. Bela promised to show me but we had been busy going to the village. The woman nodded in confirmation, what made me grin ear to ear. Bela wasn't mad at me after all. "Thank you, Mrs. Volkov."

After eating, I followed to the garden as fast as I could. Bela was already there, waiting for me. I ran straight to her arms. My heart ached to even think about the possibility of losing her.

"Hey," I wrapped my arms around her, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to create that situation with your mom. She was so pissed off. But I promise I'll try to fix it! I will..."

"Slow down, love," she silenced me by placing her index finger on my lips. "This is okay. I had a fight with my mother but none of this is your fault."

"So you're not mad at me?"

"Why would I?"

Bela opened a small smile and kissed my forehead. In that moment I knew we were okay. She drove me to one of the benches, where I could finally appreciate the beauty around me.

"Wow, this place is so stunning!" I said, resting my head on Bela's shoulder.

"My mom likes to spend some time here, tendering for the flowers," she told. "I like to help but it's not too often I can come here."

By the manner she spoke about her mom, I could tell the argument in the office had hurt Bela somehow.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay now, love. I'm sorry, I just needed to be alone for a while. But now, I just want to enjoy my time with you. I even planned some activities."

"What kind of activities?" I raised one eyebrow suspiciously at her.

"You'll have to wait and see," she cupped my face in her hands and pulled me for a kiss. I remembered our night together, wondering if Bela was willing to teach more of that. This one thought made me shiver head to toe.

We spend some time walking around the garden, as Bela showed me some of the flowers her mother cultivated and told me facts about them. She chose one and cut out from the bushes, then she placed it on my hair.

"Gorgeous," she smiled admiring the result.

Next, she drove me to the Opera House and I wondered what else she could be planning.

"So, what is this about?" I wanted to know. "Want to hear me singing again?"

"I'd love to," Bela said, going to a corner of the room where she placed a vinyl disc on a record player. "But today I'd like to explore other talents of yours. Miss Aleena Novak, may I have this dance?"

"Uhhh... we should go back to singing."

I was a complete disaster when it came to dancing and I never had someone to help me to change that situation. At school, I was always the girl standing in the corner. Nobody would ask me for a dance and I was completely comfortable with that. Breaking another girl's toes was the last of my plans.

"Come on," Bela grabbed both of my hands, placing them on the right places. "I'll teach you, love."

"Is that really..." she let out a pained moan as we started to move and I accidentally stepped on her foot, "necessary?"

Before I could even freak out and apologize, Bela broke into a silly laugh.

"I thought you said you were a quick leaner."

"There are other things I'd rather to be learning right now."

It was her turn to lose focus and step on my foot. I could tell she even blushed a little. She twirled me, then pulled me closer to her body again.

"If you promise to be a good, good girl," she whispered seductively in my ear, "I'll give you a reward later."

"I'll be looking forward to that," I winked and smiled as we moved together around the room, following the music's rhythm.

Once were done - Bela probably realized I was a lost cause - we went to the library, where I spent the rest of the afternoon in her arms while we read a book together. I noticed sometimes she'd stop reading and look at me for a few seconds, like if her eyes were registering every detail of that moment so she wouldn't forget it when I was gone.

My heart ached. I wanted to find a way to make it last. But how?

Castle Dimitrescu, Bela's Room - Present Days

It was no secret Bela was a perfectionist. She liked to do things on her own. She didn't trust her sisters completely. She felt like she couldn't count on them, as they acted immature and irresponsible most of the time. For this reason, she was very surprised when she entered her room and analyzed what Cassandra and Daniela had prepared. A candle light dinner with Aleena's favorite dish and dessert. They also helped her to choose the most beautiful dress for the occasion and to select the best discs they had on the castle.

"I can't take you on a real date yet," Bela spoke as they danced together, near the window. Aleena had learned the steps she tried to teach her after all, "but someday I will."

"Bela, it's okay," Aleena said. "This is more than enough. Nobody had done such a thing for me before."

"Today I realized something new. I realized that I don't care about being a perfect daughter to my mother anymore, as long as I'm perfect for you."

"You don't have to be perfect, I just want you to be... you."

"Truth is, love," Bela softly placed a kiss on Aleena's lips, "after I was turned, I didn't know exactly who I was. Until I met you."

"I feel the same," Aleena confessed. "It took finding you to discover who I truly am, what I really want."

Aleena's lips came crashing against hers. Bela adored how much passion she had on her kisses. Each kiss had a new flavor, a new surprise, as Aleena didn't spend so much energy planning every move and acting carefully as she did. That was extremely hot.

"And what do you want?"

"Right now, I want you to make me yours again."

"You already are," Bela grabbed the back of her neck possessively as her mouth descended to Aleena's jawline and collar bone. "But your wish is my command."

She took Aleena to her bed, carefully lying on top of her. She continued to kiss her and explore her body with her hands. Bela wanted her to be sure of what they were doing. Aleena was a tough girl with a fragile heart. Doing anything that made her feel uncomfortable would be terrible.

"Can I..." Bela asked, going for the waistband of Aleena's jeans.

"Actually no," she bit her lower lip mischievously. "You'll wait right here while I do this myself."

Bela raised her eyebrows both confused and surprised while Aleena stood up and started to take off her clothes, slowly and seductively.

"You're not the only one who prepared a surprise here."

Once she was done, Bela noticed she was wearing a brand new red underwear.

"I was saving this for a special occasion," Aleena told. "And I was informed red is your favorite color. So..."

The eldest Dimitrescu daughter opened a sly grin and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her back to the bed and rewarding her with a kiss.

"I love it," Bela caressed her body, feeling the fabric of that new underwear. She loved staring and admiring that girl's body. Every inch of her was perfect. So perfect that kissing every inch of it was an obligation, not an option. She hated whoever made Aleena feel so insecure about her beauty. "Am I supposed to take this off now?"

"Not yet," she blushed a little bit while she gained courage to express what she desired to do next. "Let me undress you too?"

"Of course, love," nobody had ever asked Bela's permission to take off her clothes before. She thought it was cute somehow. "But I'm sure I won't look so great as you do."

Aleena let out a small laugh as she reached for the zipper of Bela's dress. She was still nervous, her hands were shaking a little bit. Bela lay on top of her, kissing her with an insatiable hunger. Their tongues fiercely moving together. She needed to make Aleena feel secure. She needed to show her how much she desired her. How much she needed her.

Bela started placing a trail of kisses all the way down to Aleena's newly exposed skin.

"Bela..." the way Aleena called her name between moans, when Bela was dedicating a special attention to her breasts, drove her wild. In that moment she was sure the girl was enjoying it. That she felt nothing but pleasure. Bela continued to kiss, suck and tease her sensitive skin with her tongue.

She trusted her girlfriend's body signals to know if it was okay to proceed. Her heartbeats had increased in anticipation as her mouth descended to her stomach. Aleena arched her back and shivered as she softly dragged her nails over her abdomen. Bela lowered herself even further, kissing Aleena's tights.

"Is it okay if I leave a mark right here?" She stopped at her hip bone. "To remind you of this night for a few days?"

"As if I could ever forget. But yes, please."

The blonde took her girlfriend's skin between her teeth, biting it only enough to leave a small bruise.

"Delicious!" She smiled.

"I was just wondering when you'd bite me."

"You only have to ask, love."

Her mouth finally met Aleena's center. She started pleasing her with slow, careful movements to get her used to the experience.

"Bela, oh my..." Aleena grabbed the bed sheets, trying to regain control over her body that was arching and trembling in pleasure.

Bela held back a little bit, giving her time to breathe and recompose herself. She didn't want it to be over that soon. However, when she resumed her movements, she decided to increase the rhythm, heat things up a little bit. This time, Aleena couldn't keep herself quiet and she absolutely love it. Hearing her lover's moans caused Bela a sensation she could not explain. It was almost like she was being pleased too.

It didn't take long for her girlfriend to collapse into bliss. Bela held her close to her body, making sure she was okay.

"No," Aleena answered with a smirk. "Not yet. I want more!"

"Oh..."

Bela certainly didn't expect for that. The brunette straddled her, grinding down her hips to meet hers. She threw her head back, enjoying the friction between them.

"Am I doing this right?" She asked, looking at Bela again.

"It's... perfect," the Dimitrescu woman said between pants. Aleena had her tricks after all. She grabbed her waist, pulling her even closer and increasing the pressure between them. "Don't stop."

They reached their climax almost at the same time. Aleena lay on top of Bela's body exhausted. They were in silence for a minute, only enjoying each other's company. Bela closed her eyes, trying to cherish every second of that moment, knowing it could be one of their last.

"I love you," she spoke, while placing small and soft kisses on Aleena's shoulder. "I love you. Just tell me you'll come back to me and I'll wait for you. I'll always wait for you."

"Bela," Aleena gazed deeply into her eyes, her expression turning serious, "come to California with me."

"Are you... are you serious, love?"

"I've never been more serious before."

"Yes. Of course, yes," she couldn't stop smiling. Her ears wouldn't believe what she was hearing. "I mean, how? If the temperature drops..."

"We'll find a way," Aleena silenced her. "Anything. But you are coming with me, if that's what you want. We'll live together and I'll miss you everyday while I'm in school but when I return, I know I'll have you again. I'll have your kisses, your hugs and I'll wash your hair and sing for you before we fall asleep."

"This is everything I want."

"And we'll have it, I promise you."

Castle Dimitrescu, Office - Present Days

The castle was awfully dark and silent. On her way to her mother's office, Bela couldn't detect the presence of her sisters or any of their servants. They should've gone sleep already, it was very late in the night. It was impressive how she even lost track of time when she was with Aleena.

Going to California with her would be a dream come true. Living in another country, she would be finally able to reinvent herself. No one would recognize her as one of the terrifying Dimitrescu daughters or panic when she was around. She'd be able to go out more and have unforgettable moments by Aleena's side. Maybe she could even live a normal life and find herself a job, study and have friends.

She started to plan how she would deliver the news to her mother. Alcina wouldn't accept it too easily.

"Mother," Bela carefully opened the door, "Cassandra said you needed to see me."

"Yes, daughter," her expression was completely different from the morning. She looked calm and even happy. "Please, have a sit."

Lady Dimitrescu served them both some tea. Bela noticed a third cup, she wondered if her sisters would be joining them.

"I have something important to tell you, mother. It's about Aleena."

"I can imagine what it is. Don't worry, Bela, we'll discuss this in a minute."

The door opened again and when Bela saw the figure that entered the room, she felt her entire body freeze.

"Good night, Bela dearest," It was Mother Miranda. She wonder what that bitch was doing there so late. She and Aleena were so careful covering their tracks, there was no way she could've found out, unless Heisenberg was a traitor.

"Good night, Mother Miranda," Bela did her best to act confident. She couldn't show any signs of panic. "What brings you here?"

"It came to my knowledge you wished for a stronger body. One that isn't so weak to the cold."

Bela glanced at her mother, Alcina had a smile on her face. So she really told Miranda about the wish she had been making for years. But Bela knew that everything the priestess granted came with a price.

"Yes, I did. As long as it doesn't cause any major side effects or more scars."

"Don't worry, my child," Miranda caressed her face with her cold hand, making Bela shiver head to toes. "I promise you, no more side effects. Consider this gift as your reward, your prize."

"Reward?" Bela asked, confused. "For what?"

"For being such a good daughter and helping me to bring my Eva back to life. Thank you, Bela, for protecting my vessel so well."

"Vessel?!" The conversation with Heisenberg returned to Bela's mind. He was right, she planned to use someone to revive her daughter. But who... and then, she connected the dots. "No."

She stood up, fists closed in rage.

"Aleena," the office's door had been purposely locked. She tried to force it open with her enhanced strength. "Don't you even dare to touch her!"

"Daughter," Alcina was the one to hold her, to prevent her from trying to escape. "Why don't you calm down? Mother Miranda will explain everything."

"There's no explanation, mother! Can't you see? After she kills Aleena to bring her daughter back, she's going to kill us all! This has been her plan all along!"

"Bela, I understand you grew attached of this girl. But that's her purpose since she was born. Isn't it, Mother Miranda?"

Lady Dimitrescu placed her back on the chair and served her another cup of tea. Miranda's expression remained unchanged, stoic as she started to tell her story.

"The women in the Novak family are born with a special mutation. For generations, they have proven to resist the infection, once they were bitten by Lycans. Their bodies... they gained a special immunity."

"The attacks in her family..." Bela could finally see it, "it's not a coincidence or a curse. You caused them! How could you?!"

"I had to run some tests, Bela dear," the woman proceeded with her absurd explanation. "And until now, all of them had failed. There was a factor missing from the equation and it took me years to figure out. The right Novak woman had to be a twin."

"How do you even know if this is going to work? You're going to kill her, like you did to all the others."

"Oh, I developed a special tool to trigger Ms. Novak abilities. The necklace around her neck, which she believes that protects her from the village's creatures, was made by me to bring these abilities to surface. When she recovered from Heisenberg attack, it was her own body that healed her wounds."

"You've been playing us all like puppets. The goblet, Aleena being brought to the castle... you planned it all."

"I'm sorry you're feeling used, Bela. But I knew that here in the castle, my girl would be safe."

"She is NOT your girl, Miranda," Bela threw the tea cup in the woman's direction, but she quickly deflected. She didn't come prepared to that visit in her mother's office. She could've never imagined that outcome. All her weapons were in her bedroom. "If you're going to take her, you'll have to kill me first."

She was ready to dissipate into flies, at least in that form she could find a way out of that room but then, Alcina held her in place again. Bela's mother was much stronger than she was, considering her size.

"Mother, please... you promised me!" She begged. Lady Dimitrescu would never lie to her. She would never betray her own daughter. She couldn't.

"Do it, Mother," Alcina spoke to Mother Miranda. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Yes," Miranda approached her with a syringe in hands, "she'll only sleep for some hours, until I prepare the ritual."

"No!"

Bela squirmed, trying to break free from her mother's hold, but she held her stronger. She closed her eyes, feeling the needle sting on her arm. The liquid caused a burning sensation inside her veins, spreading to all her body.

"Aleena... I'll save you..."

Alcina let her go. She still tried to move, but her legs felt too weak. She never reached the door. The world faded to black as soon as she attempted to run.

It was too late.

Castle Dimitrescu, Guest Room - Present Days

I wasn't a religious person but I started praying. The conversation Bela was having with her mother would determine our fate. My girlfriend was excited about the possibility of going to California with me. That would mean a lot for her, not only because we would be together, but because she'd be able to go out more often and live a normal life.

It probably went against to everything Lady Dimitrescu had imposed for her so far - living in a secluded castle in the middle of nothing, adopting an antique lifestyle, no contact with the rest of the world. To convince her mother to let her go, Bela would tell her she'd like to study and in the future, take the family's wine business to United States. But considering the argument they had in the morning, I thought it was very unlikely the Countess would agree with her decision.

I went back to the bed, grabbing the diary we were reading. It was impossible that in all those pages I couldn't find a single evidence against Miranda. I advanced a few pages, the last section of the diary was fully written by my father, Adrian Novak.

"February 10, 2009

That Crazy Bitch has been creating more Lycans and sending them to the village. I've noticed how they always seem to surround my family's lands. I know what she's planning."

"Huh?!" Did my father know what Miranda was planning since I was a child? Why didn't he tell anyone? Heisenberg could've helped him.

"September 23, 2013

Today I returned from one of my trips, it's all arranged. We're leaving this hellhole of a place for good. Savannah and I decided it was the best for our children, especially for Aleena."

Especially for me? But... what's wrong with me?

"October 15, 2013

Lycans attacked the village again. If only my stupid son had listened to me and stayed inside that fucking basement! She's dead. My Savannah is dead! And I could do nothing to save her!

Aleena has found a similar fate as her mother. She tried to stab the Lycan who attacked her mother. I didn't arrive in time to stop her. She was bitten in her arm."

I swallowed dry. I didn't remember that. I remembered staying behind a tree, paralyzed in fear and shock as the Lycan tore my mother's body apart.

"October 16, 2013

I tried to make several cuts on Aleena's arm to get the infection out of her blood stream, but it was useless. She's locked in the basement, burning in fever.

It's a matter of days before she finds out. I'd rather my daughter to die than giving her to be one of Miranda's test subjects."

The scars in my arm. This was why I couldn't remember them. Or even the days after my mother's death. I was burning in fever, fighting the Lycan infection. But what fate could be worse than turning into one of those creatures?

The next pages were Adrian's study about the previous generations of our family. It started with my great-grandmother's sister, she was attacked by a Lycan and lived. She got taken by Mother Miranda for tests and never returned. Then, it was my grandfather's sister who was the next victim. My grandfather witnessed as Miranda tried to perform a ritual on her, only to watch his little sister to turn into a Moroaica, another kind of creature that surrounded the village.

And there was me. Miranda never discovered about me. Adrian made sure to hid it very well. Nobody knew I was attacked, not even our closest friends.

His last note, days before his death made my entire body freeze in absolute terror.

"March 30, 2019

We need to get out of here immediately. Aleena is the one. She's Miranda's vessel.

Auryk, if you ever read this, get your sister out of this country. Take her to United States, I have a few contacts there that will be able to help you both."

No. No. No.

I couldn't be Miranda's vessel. There was no way. Now everything made sense. Auryk always had a secret reason to want us to move out of the village. He knew. This was why he gifted me that amulet and why he was acting so shady. He should be with those contacts who would be able to help us.

I needed to find my brother immediately. As soon as Bela returned to the bedroom, I'd ask her to runaway with me.

Somebody knocked at the door, making my heart almost stop.

"Ms. Novak?" It was Mrs. Volkov voice. But what could she want so late at night? "I need to talk to you. It's important."

I unlocked the door but Mrs. Volkov wasn't alone. Cassandra was standing behind her, holding the sickle against her neck.

"I'm sorry..." the woman told, tears running from her eyes. "I had no choice."

"Shut up!" Cassandra yelled. "Did I say you were allowed to speak?"

"C-Cassandra..." I spoke. I had to remain calm and find a way to make it to Alcina's office, where Bela was. "Let her go. What's going on?"

She wasn't listening to me. She had that devious glow in her eyes, as the first time I saw her.

"Ms. Novak, run!" Mrs. Volkov told me.

"Okay, I've had enough of this bitch already," using her sickle, Cassandra tore the woman's jugular. "It was about damn time."

Poor Mrs. Volkov. I wanted to scream. I wanted to find a manner to help her. But there was no time, I had to do what she told me and run.

"Bela," I called. Wherever she was, she could be able to listen due to her advanced hearing. "Bela, help!"

But I wasn't fast enough. By the end of the corridor, Cassandra was already in front of me again.

"I'm sorry," she spoke, before stabbing my leg with her sickle and starting to drag me away. "Mother Miranda's orders."