I apologize for such a late review. Lately I've been busy with my studies. To Little Miss Jules, I am really sorry for 'breaking' your heart by putting Adele as Julian's soul mate but don't worry, things always change in my hands. To black burning heart66, you can find your answers in this chapter. I hope it answers your questions. And to Ruler of the dead, sorry last chapter confused you, I hope this chapter helps clear your confusion a bit. So here is another chapter, hope you all like it!

Chapter 14: Bitten and Broken

I looked at him, my body tensed. Soul mate?

"Yes, little princess. I don't know 'bout that werewolf but I know that when you look at someone and you can't see anything else but that one person, than that person is definitely your soul mate. Julian must've thought he had found his soul mate."

Dominic gave me a fangy smile when I looked at him questioningly.

"You!"

I stared at Dominic.

Shocked?

Yes, I am. I mean, how would you react if a vampire just told you that your soul mate turns out to be a werewolf? Gee, I am guessing your reaction would be far worst than mine.

But I was even more shocked when Dominic suddenly bit down hard on my neck.

Without further notice!

I screamed as I felt his fangs tore my skin and my blood soaking the pink nightgown. Honestly? It wasn't that painful, the pain only lasted for awhile. After the pain faded off, a weird calming sensation washed through me. My eyes suddenly felt heavier than before and my mind went cloudy. All I could think of is how sleepy I am.

That was before someone or something pulled Dominic off of me.

I heard mass shouts and screams but I couldn't hear them clearly, it was too much of a jumble for a sleepyhead like me to sort it out. All I could think was how annoying those people-oops!-vampires are. All those shouting and screaming and throwing each other across the room is so childish.

I mean, why throw a punch at each other when your practically made of steel? It's like steel punching steel! Punch punch and out come the stars! Hah! How funny I sounded! This shows how unclear my mind is right now.

I lie hopelessly on the carpet floor as my vision blurred. I could see blurry figures throwing themselves at one lone figure, probably trying to tackle him to the floor but stupidly being flung off by the same person they were trying to attack. Why is everyone trying to attack that one person? Did he do something wrong?

Oh, yeah, I think I remember something about someone biting me...

Wait, is his name Dominic? Oh, right, yeah Dominic. And he told me about Julian being my, what again? My mind is so blurry, what's wrong with me? Something with a soul…ah, yes, soul mate! Julian…where is he again? Dominic said something about the basement and punishments…wait! Julian! He was punished because of me!

My soul mate being tortured because of me…

It's my fault…

My fault…

Julian…

Julian…

"Julian!!"

"Ok, that's enough; I'm tired of listening to her screaming Julian's name for God knows how many times! I'm leaving, oh, who cares what your dad is going to do to me!" Grace the werewolf threw her hands in the air before standing up from her stool to leave.

I glared at her from my bed. "That's really sweet, you know. The first thing that I have to hear was you being noisy. How 'bout you start asking me how I feel?"

Grace glared back and I fight the urge to squirm back into the covers. She had her long waist-length hair tied in a high ponytail and she looked extremely intimidating by just standing at her full height. She narrowed her eyes at me, "Really, Christopher, I don't understand why you want to be bothered with such a nutcase."

Christopher, now that I noticed, was sitting not too far away from my bed and smiling at me. My heart did a tap dance when I remembered what I was wearing and how gorgeous he looked. I pulled the covers closer to my body and smiled meekly at him.

"Really, Grace," Christopher who looked no older than 20, mimicked Grace, "Stop being jealous so easily and be nice. Father did order you to take care of her and don't say you don't care about what father will do to you. I care and I don't want you to get hurt, so be good." Christopher added while giving me a smile that caused me a heart-attack. "She's not that bad, anyway."

"Yeah, Grace, I'm not that bad anyway, so be nice." I smiled innocently at Grace who returned me with a growl. Christopher rolled his eyes, "Grace."

Grace glared at me and back at Christopher, finally she hissed, "Fine! I'll be nice. But if she makes me mad, I swear I'll not hesitate to tear her apart myself!"

I gulped; something tells me she is a werewolf of her words. Christopher chuckled, "Sure, sure, but I doubt she will cause you any trouble big enough for you to tear her to bits. You will be good, don't you, Adele?"

I nodded almost instantly and Christopher stood up, glided towards me oh-so-gracefully and patted me softly on my head, "There's a good girl, now be good and I'm sure the big bad wolf over there will not hurt you, ok?"

Grace growled when Christopher jerked a thumb at her direction and smiled even more when I agreed. "Now, are you hungry? You haven't eaten for three days." That's when my tummy decided to give a loud rumble and I blushed. Christopher laughed, "You're really interesting for a human, you know? How does steak and spaghetti sounds to you?"

"How does your head on a plate sounds to you?" Grace snarled. Christopher rolled his eyes at Grace, "What did I tell you about being nice?" Grace just shrugged. I smiled at that, silently adding a brownie point for Christopher.

"What is the time now? Where am I anyway?" I asked as I looked around. This room definitely does not look like mine.

Christopher stood up, "It's nearly night now. This is my room. Your room was in bad shape so it had to be fixed. But don't worry; your room is already fixed so you can return back there as soon as you feel better."

Oh my freaking macaroni! I am sleeping in Christopher's bed! I blush a deep red and received a threatening growl from Grace. What's wrong with her anyway?

Grace turned to Christopher, "You go get her dinner while I help her get dressed? Don't worry, I won't hurt her. Not yet, anyway." Christopher eyed her suspiciously. Inside my head I was practically screaming for him not to leave but unfortunately, he agreed and left the both us in the room. Once the door was closed, I jumped out of the bed at the same time Grace pounced at me.

She grabbed me by my arm and I squeaked in surprise. Grace pinned me to the bed post and hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "I know what goes in that little head of yours. And how you will react to such kindness showered on you, especially from such a handsome gentlemen. But I'd prefer you not to fall in love with him. Because by then, I won't hesitate to get rid of you."

"Why?" I snapped as I tried to push her away but she was too strong. "What is he to you? And let me go!"

"Because," Grace tightens her grip on me and my back that was pressed to the bed post hurts even more. I hissed painfully but she snarled, revealing her long line of pearly whites. "He is my soul mate."

I stopped struggling and stared at her.

"What? How is that possible? Is that even possible? I mean, you're a werewolf and he's a vampire! Does he know you're his soul mate or is that just all your thinking?" Before I knew it I was bombarding her with questions. Thanks to all my near death experience with Dominic, I'm starting to understand this soul mate thing a little.

Grace was fuming. "Jeez, I don't know! And stop asking so many questions in one time! It's confusing."

I snickered at her, "Not very smart, are you?" Grace rolled her eyes at me, "Oh, shut up." She had released me and I fell to the bed. I didn't bother standing up; I just laid there with her sitting at the corner.

"Wow, and I thought I had even bigger problems. Looks like your case are worst. Does Christopher or anybody else know?"

Grace tugged on the end of her long sleeve, "Nobody else knows except for Christopher and well, you. Even Julian does not know about this. We dare not tell anybody about it because we never know what they would do to us. Especially for that Horatio," she spat that name with disgust, "he would do anything to stop this. I know him; I know how far he would go to get me off his son's loving list. You've seen for yourself, what he did to you; forcing you into this. I admit I don't like you much, but hey, at least I won't do something like forcing you into something you didn't sign up for."

I suddenly felt bad for her, she was right; I don't like her much either but I won't go as far as to split two people who were meant for each other. And for Horatio that vampire, I can understand why these werewolves hated him. His personality changes like the wind; you never know when he wanted to kill you or when he wanted you just for the fun of killing you later.

"Do you even age?" I asked her, she looked nearly my age.

"Yes, we do age. But very very slowly. So in another ten years when you're starting to look all wrinkly and old, I still look sixteen." Grace smiled at me and I scowled back at her.

I later learn from Grace that the werewolves used to be daylight protectors for the vampires but something went wrong and they have came to hate each other. So much that they could kill each other just at mere sight. But having to work for the person you hate sucks.

"How did you end up working for that jerk anyway?" I asked her. We have come to an agreement of calling Horatio 'that jerk'. Grace was pretty cool to hang out with after you've gotten pass the stage where she tries to strangle you each time she sees you as a threat.

"It was a treaty this clan has with our pack. The deal is that our pack does not attack this vampire clan and vice versa. But the vampires do not trust the werewolves, so they request that two werewolves from the pack be sent as slaves to the vampires. The werewolves of course, didn't agree at first. No one wants to be slave to the vampires, but Julian being the second in command--"

I stopped her, "Wait, what? Julian was that powerful?"

Grace looked annoyed, "Yes, he is that powerful. He was going to be the next leader if the Alpha steps down but his sense of responsibility were so strong that he willingly took the job. The pack, of course, didn't agree; they didn't want to lose their future leader. In the end, Julian still went with me following along."

"And you met Christopher here." I muttered, feeling a little sleepy. Grace smiled at me, her eyes glowed with happiness.

"Yes," Grace whispered, "I never regretted coming here anymore. It was like magic, when you found your soul mate. Looking at that person, your soul felt complete."

"Too bad the both of you are different races or you guys would've looked great together." I smiled back at her. "But good luck with it, anyway. Your secret is safe with me."

Grace nodded. I yawned, "I am going to sleep for awhile. So if Christopher comes back, please tell him to just leave the food at the table and the two of you should go hang out or something instead of staying here so long. I don't want you hearing me saying Julian's name all over again and again."

Grace laughed; she looked so much friendlier when she was laughing. "Sure, I'll tell Christopher that. And about Julian, he is still in the basement if you want to see him."

I had crawled into the covers and looked at Grace sleepily, "I thought no one could visit him?"

"Oh, you'll find a way." Grace winked at me and I smiled at her slightly, not really understanding what she was saying. Before I knew it, darkness had engulfed me and I fell into a deep slumber.

...

I was wide awake after so many hours of sleeping. It was a sunny morning and I pulled away the curtains to let some sunshine into the room. Grace was no where to be seen when I woke earlier this morning and I was too lazy to find her. Last night's food was no longer here but replaced with a tray of fresh orange juice and a slice of blueberry pie. I'm guessing that Mindy, the housekeeper must've replaced them when I was too busy sleeping.

I didn't touch my breakfast; I don't trust Mindy not to poison me.

So instead of sitting around in Christopher's room doing nothing, I decided to sneak back to my room where all my clothes were and a nice own bathroom to use. It was pretty easy, sneaking back to my room. No one was about since it was so early in the morning. I snickered, not even the vampires like bright sunny mornings like this.

I found my room, which wasn't easy since all the rooms have the same doors but I still successfully found the right one. I don't want to walk into the wrong room of one of the Donahue brothers in a kinky nightgown like this.

As soon as I got into my room, I flunk opened the closet to get my clothes. Mindy had helped me unpack my luggage with Grace. I was grateful Grace was there to help; I don't trust Mindy to not tear a hole in my clothes but I trust Grace to not do it. I got out my favorite apple green T-shirt and blue jean-shorts, in the mean time grabbing my lingerie before rushing to the bathroom.

I took a quick five minutes bath like I usually do back at home before brushing my teeth and throwing the kinky nightgown into a basket for used clothes placed below the sink. I never took bath longer than ten minutes, my skin will get all wrinkly and I never fancy that. So I was out of the bathroom in ten minutes with my hair still not dry; I prefer to let it dry naturally.

A plan had formed in my head when I was bathing. I could visit Julian if I want to, I can always slip to the basement during the mornings. I can't do it at night because the vampires are more active during the night and I don't think they'll go easy on me if they find out I was down there.

So as planned, I checked the corridors for vampires. When I was sure that no vampires would suddenly popped out and say 'hi', I went down the mahogany staircase as quiet as possible. To go to the basement without being seen wasn't easy; I have to avoid the wet kitchen where Mindy will mostly be and the dry kitchen where the vampire family will be stocking themselves with blood to keep them fit enough to walk under the sun. Blood makes them strong; the more they drink, the more powerful they gets. Sick, I know.

Thanks to Julian's tour of the house, I know where the location of the basement is and it didn't take me long to find it. As soon as I found the old oak door leading to the basement, I pulled it open. Grateful that it wasn't locked, I descend down the creaking stairs. The smell of rotten flesh hit me and I fight the urge to run back up.

"What do you want now? Go away!" growled a voice that nearly made me jumped out of my skin.

It was dark and cold. After my eyes got used to the darkness, I could see cells, cells that must have been used to hold prisoners back then. But each of them was empty. That was when I saw a figure hanging with both of his hands and legs chained to a wall at the far end of the basement.

"Adele?"

I recognize the voice immediately, "Julian!"

I rushed to Julian but was horrified at the sight of him. There were signs of his body being whipped, long painful lines cut across his muscular body with blood trailing from them. His hair was a mess and he was sweaty, his face had a long line cut across right beneath his right eye. Werewolves were supposed to heal quickly!

"Oh, hey, Adele. I'm glad to see you." Even though he was in such a bad shape, his smile remained the same; warm and kind. I wanted to cry at the sight of him, why did they do this?

I touched his wounds and his wound and he hissed in pain. "My god, does it hurt? I bet it hurt like shit. But weren't you supposed to heal quickly? I'm so sorry, Julian. I'm so sorry." I was babbling before I knew it, tears brimming.

"Don't cry, Adele. I'll be fine. It's just that they used silver and we're kind of allergic to them." In this kind of situation you can still joke? "But I'm really glad I got to see you. I missed you."

My heart did a tap dance and I hugged him. Since his hands were chained to the wall, he couldn't hug me back but I could feel his head nuzzling my hair. "Me too. But they won't let me see you."

Julian froze, "What do you mean…you sneaked here?" There was an edge of anger in Julian's voice and I shivered. "You have to go."

I looked at him, my eyes wide. "Why?"

"They will hurt you, you have to go. Don't risk yourself for me. I'm not worth it." Julian was angry now; I could feel anger rolling off him.

But I ignored it, "No, I won't go. I don't want to leave you, Julian. Please, just let me stay here." I looked into Julian's green emerald eyes, a mixture of confusing emotions swirled in me. I tiptoed so my face would be inches from Julian's. "I'm confused, Julian. Sometimes I feel like you meant a lot to me, sometimes I feel it's better if I just leave you alone. But for now, I think I--"

"I think it's better if you just leave him alone, Adele."

I whirled almost immediately, my blood frozen with panic. Julian was snarling now but I stood my ground as I glared at the intruder.

Dominic stood out from the shadows, looking annoyed. Why should he be annoyed anyway, I should be the one annoyed! "What are you doing here?" I hissed angrily.

"That should be me asking, isn't it?"

I glared at him, you left the basement door unlock because you know I'll be coming down here, am I right? I mentally said.

Dominic smiled at me, a cunning smile plastered on his face. "Ah, smart girl. I don't know how father will react if he finds out that his future daughter-in-law is kissing a werewolf. But I think you know, don't you?"

Shut up, you stupid vampire! Leave us alone! I mentally shouted at him, we haven't even kissed! Dominic smirked and I felt like kicking him where it hurts most.

"You should go, Adele."

I turned to look at Julian but he didn't look at me. My heart squeezed in pain, why?

"It's for your own good, and his. After all, I don't think I like my possible future wife sneaking off to meet some other guy." Dominic answered instead. He purposely remind Julian about the marriage thing just to piss him off but I ignored him and continue to stare at Julian. I'm not leaving until he looks at me in the eye and tell me he wants me to leave. I am that stubborn.

Julian won't dare to do it, he won't dare to look me in the eye and say he doesn't want to see me again. He will not do it because he couldn't bring himself to do something that will hurt me as much as it hurts him. But I was wrong.

Julian turned to face me abruptly, his eyes stone cold and hard. His expression was unreadable as he said it, "I do not want to see you down here again. Now, leave."

I didn't know what to feel or what to say. I just turned around without saying anything and walked up the rusty old stairs. I didn't even turn behind to give him one last look; I just walk out the old oak door and to my room. I was like a floating ghost; I didn't even bother replying the overly happy Edwin when he said hi. Even Sebastian, who was walking by asked if I was alright. I merely nodded and floated to my room.

But I didn't stop when I reached my room and continued walking down the corridor, which I find weird. I wanted to bury my face in my own pillow and cry the hell out but my body had a plan of its own.

Before I knew it, I had stopped in front of Christopher's room.

I need someone to talk to, someone to find comfort in. And the only person I could think of is Christopher. Don't ask me why I choose him as someone to find comfort in; his name just pops up in my mind. Although I know deep down Grace will not like it if she finds out. But another part of me was saying that it will not hurt Grace if she doesn't know.

After all, what you don't know won't hurt you.

So I knocked the door. "Christopher?"

The door opened and there stood a very handsome creation of God in nothing but blue faded jeans. His hair was wet and hanging down to his eyes, giving his sapphire blue eyes a spark of mysterious feeling. A towel was hanging from his shoulder and little droplets of water runs down his washboard abs.

I had to resist myself from drooling all over him.

"Adele? What is it?" Christopher's liquid voice broke my trance. I smiled at him, "Do you have a minute?" Christopher nodded his head, unsure of what I wanted. And I cried.

Yes, I freaking cried.

I stood in front of Christopher's room with my tears pouring out like a fountain. Christopher of course, was surprised. He stood there for a minute and slowly shook his head. Then he opened his long arms and wrapped me in a hug. I clutched to Christopher as if he was my beloved teddy bear and cried my eyes out. We stood there in front of his room, hugging with me crying into his chest.

I don't care if the whole household could hear me cry, I don't care anymore. My heart hurts so much I don't even understand why. Why my heart hurts so much? Back there I felt something with Julian; like an invincible thread had woven itself tying us together but now, it felt like someone took a pair of large sharp scissors and cut through it, tearing the threads apart. It's like someone just tore a part of your soul out.

Is this how it feels when your soul mate dies? But Julian is not dead yet and it already hurts like hell. If this is how it feels, I hated it.

My loud wailing had softened to gentle sobs, but my hands never release its hold on Christopher. He didn't seem to mind me clenching to him this tightly and I didn't bother moving away.

That was when I saw Dominic at the corner of my eyes.

He was standing there behind a pillar with his eyes wide as if someone had smacked him with a frying pan. His expression later turned from shocked to somewhat angry, like he was jealous. And I couldn't help it.

I smiled.

Not those friendly happy smiles. But those smile that you shove it in someone's face when you manage to crush their hopes, dreams and everything. I used to hate this kind of smile; I never do things that will hurt people's feelings. But now, it doesn't matter anymore. I hated him; I want to hurt him so badly I don't care if I'll end up hurting other people in the progress.

A minute Dominic was there, another minute he was gone.

I smiled to myself, I know he can still hear me if he wants to.

Indeed, indeed, I cannot tell,
Though I ponder on it well,
Which were easier to state,
All my love or all my hate.
Surely, surely, thou wilt trust me
When I say thou dost disgust me.
O, I hate thee with a hate
That would fain annihilate;
Yet sometimes against my will,
My dear friend, I love thee still.
It were treason to our love,
And a sin to God above,
One iota to abate
Of a pure impartial hate.

-by H.David Thoreau

Hahaha...how do you like this chapter? I did it longer since I updated so late. Review and tell me how you think of this chapter! Any ideas? Shove them up please! Keep the reviews coming!!