Marcus didn't understand why he reacted like that but he had to. He doesn't want her but he also doesn't want her to be with anyone else, it's like a game of tug of war going on in his head.

" And, who are you to her?! " Collins asked nervously, as he stared at Alessia for an explanation.

" You wouldn't want to find out who I am, because if you try to, you will only end up digging your own grave. "

The deliberate solemn in his voice made Collins shiver all over in fear as his eyes were wide with terror. Who could this man be to Alessia?! Could this impulsive man be her boyfriend?! For him to threaten him and claim possession of her the way he did earlier, it all made sense to him that this man must either be Alessia's lover or boyfriend.

" I'm sorry, I didn't know she was already taken. " He faked a giggle as he stood up to take his leave, his hands trembling due to the intense gaze of Marcus, he tried not to look into his eyes as he quickly walked away. Alessia just sat still, watching the scenario take place before her with a bewildered expression. This unknown man had just scared her colleague away and even dared referring to her as "his"

" What are you doing here? Why would you refer to me as yours, like you own me?! Who exactly are you and why are you following me?! This is the fifth time, this week I keep seeing you wherever I am. " She tried not to yell so as not to draw attention from the others at the restaurant but by the time she was done talking, her shoulders were heaving up and down as she became breathless. She became pretty tired with all the questions she had thrown at him and the ones in her mind because she couldn't help but feel left in a mystery that she couldn't unfold, with this man, always showing up everywhere she is. She keeps asking herself, Could it be a coincidence?

But Marcus only looks amused by her outburst rather than shocked or upset, he walks towards her and sits on the chair opposite her, but that makes Alessia even more furious.

" I'm Marcus. " He simply said.

He was mysterious, but Alessia wouldn't deny the fact that she was glad that he said his name.

" You haven't answered my questions. Why are you following me?! "

"Because of course I have nothing better to do with my time than to follow you around like a lost puppy." He said, rolling his eyes and smirking. He couldn't believe he had just uttered funny remarks and even referred to himself as a puppy when he's a werewolf.

Alessia muffled in a chuckle, trying not to get distracted at his funny but sarcastic remark.

" Then, could you explain what you were doing in my place of work? And, also showing up in the same restaurant? Could all this be a coincidence or you're actually stalking me?! "

" You seem like the type of lady that likes getting her questions answered. "

" Yes. Because I can't help but feel unsafe. "

"Are you sure it's me that's causing you to feel unsafe or could it be something else, maybe even another feeling other than unsafe?"

She couldn't help but shift nervously on her chair, she hadn't expected him to say such a thing.

" I have to go. " She muttered under her breath, as she got up from her chair then remembered that Collins had left in a hurry without bothering to pay for what he had ordered. She frowned and the expression on her face told Marcus there was something wrong.

" You don't have to worry. I will take care of your payments. " He said, with a smirk.

" You don't have to. " She rolled her eyeballs.

" Why?! Do you think I'm gonna ask you to pay me back my money?! " His smirk grew even more wider as he observed her expression.

" I don't want to feel like I owe someone, especially you. "

" Then, have it your way. " The coldness in his tone caught her off guard.

She watched him take his leave and couldn't understand his sudden change of behaviour. First he was flirty and the next he was indifferent. She walked to the waiter who had served them earlier and paid for both hers and Collins's order, then she left, but not without thinking about all the events in the restaurant and the name of the strange man came into her head and she mouthed, " Marcus..."

***

In the dark street opposite the flashy restaurant, a dark figure stood lurking as he watched two people who were engaged in a conversation. His veins couldn't help but flare up as his red eyes became even redder as he watched the scenario unfold before him.

He had an expressionless look on his face as his hands turned to fists in the pocket of the hoodie he was wearing.

Seeing his long-term-so called best friend and enemy, talking to his beloved, he couldn't help but boil in anger as he watched them closer.

He gave one last longing glance at them before walking away. He walked into another street further down from the restaurant, where he met some other people, who looked almost like him, with sharp, long teeth, like that of a vampire.

A tall, bald-headed dark skinned man walked up to him. He also appeared huge but also had the same sharp teeth as the others.

" Were you able to get to talk to her?! " He asked, curiously. He and a few select others were the only ones trusted to know about Kane's beloved being a human because the others might not take it lightly. Not like the way these ones did, not everyone was able to control their bloodlust and some of them still feed on humans.

" I wasn't able to. That bastard beat me to it. " He scoffed, annoyed

" Remember the curse won't break if you don't get to mate with her and feed on her blood. She's your beloved and only your beloved can rebuke the curse. "

" You don't have to remind me about it, for I still remember. I would make sure I get a hold of her before Marcus does. "

" It's easier said than done. You wouldn't want to be locked in the coffin for another 10 years, would you?! "

To be continued...

Thursday morning.

Alessia walked into her office only to be informed that all her orders had arrived and her secretary had signed the paperwork as the receiver, but when she inspected the delivery, she came to know that some things were missing or rather not delivered and that made her really disappointed. She didn't have any other choice but to go back to the mall to sort out the mix up.

Alessia checked everything else had been delivered and was right, before leaving the office, getting into her car and making her way to the mall where she had originally ordered the items from. The whole journey there she hoped that this problem would be able to be peacefully rectified, especially as the paperwork had already been signed to say that everything was present and accounted for. After a while Alessia pulled onto the mall's car park and parked her car.

Alessia walked into the mall, passing the security guards dressed in their uniforms. As usual a salesgirl walked to her, but it wasn't the one that had attended to her and Zelda the last time she came here so it wasn't easy explaining the situation to her. Alessia showed her the paperwork, but since everything had been signed for the salesgirl had no say in the situation because it was above her capability and her work so she directed her to their boss's office. Alessia asked what her boss's name was, so she could introduce herself, but the salesgirl didn't know who her boss was nor had she seen him, but she had heard rumours from the other staff that their boss looked like a pale, skinny man with red-blooded eyes. She directed Alessia to his office, which was located on the top floor of the building and it was a restricted area from the staff so she had nowhere to direct Alessia other than the owner of the mall.

Alessia was eager to sort out the mix-up and to get her missing orders, so that she could go back to the company and start working. She followed the directions of the salesgirl and walked into the next empty elevator and pressed the button to the top floor. Immediately, the elevator jerked up, but she could feel an unusual emotion running through her as she waited patiently till it dinged open to the floor where she was going, she blinked her eyelashes as to why the hallway appeared dark from inside the elevator. She hesitated slightly before stepping out into the cold, dark hallway, scared of what lurked in the shadows.

She stared down the dark hallway and wondered where she really was. Why was this place so mischievously dark? It was creeping the daylights out of her.

She stiffened as cold air blew at her back and she realised that there was a presence behind her. As she turned she was startled at what she saw, it was the same man she had seen in the mall when she came with Zelda.

His piercing red eyes stared at her, the gleam on his eyes made her uncomfortable and she couldn't help thinking that the colour of his eyes weren't real, that he was wearing contact lenses. She took some steps backwards as she tried getting away from his gaze that seemed to be staring at her very hard. She moved backwards nervously, hoping to get away from him but he took more steps towards her and her eyes were wide in horror as he kept on moving towards her while she moved backwards.

Her temperature began rising dramatically as his eyes were roaming all over her and creeping the hell out of her. She wanted to escape from his gaze, his eyes turning to a predator watching his shivering prey. She kept on taking little steps backwards, but as she felt her back hit the wall, she realised she was now trapped as she had nowhere left to run to. Especially from his enchanting red eyes that seem to be swirling, almost drawing her in.

" Why are you shivering?! " As he spoke, the cold air from the hallway blew on her face and she could see another glittering of his eyes from the dark.

His hands went to her waist, holding her steady, but his hands were so cold that they were sending shivers into her. He continue to stare though not as intense as before.

Alessia felt deeply terrified. Who was this man?! Why does it seem that all the handsome men are becoming strange around her?! Alessia thought to herself, but the strangeness didn't stop there because the man still held her waist tightly. She could feel something penetrating her skin and then she realised, he had used his long fingernails to cut through her, a drop of blood dropped on his index finger and he brought it closer to his lips, his eyes watching her deeply, like he was seeing her soul, then he licked his finger which had her blood on it.

Alessia's eyes widened at how long his fingernails were, but then they suddenly got shorter again. What the hell?! What a strange man! Who would want to lick a stranger's blood?! She watched him with widened eyes as he seemed to enjoy her blood and the intensity in his eyes grew.

" What...what do you think you're doing?! " She stuttered, unable to get her words.

"I should be asking you the same thing, what are you doing in this part of the building?!" He questioned, his eyes never leaving her figure.

" I...I was directed here to see the owner of the mall.." she answered his question like a robot, her eyes blinking furiously, trying to break away from his gaze. A smirk appeared on his lips and as he raised a hand to run it over his face, a big red ring caught Alessia's attention. It was glistening a deep dark red and almost looked like it was blood.

" Where did you get that ring from?! " She asked him curiously as she narrowed her eyes at him.

" Why are you asking?! Have you seen it somewhere?! " He asked with curiosity,

Alessia hesitated before replying, " No, I haven't. Just that it's so big and looks natural. "

" Why were you looking for the owner of the mall?! " He asked, changing the topic and taking some steps away from her as he felt some strange movement crawling down his body.

" There was a mix-up during the delivery and they forgot some of the things I ordered…" she explained.

"Well you're in the right place. My name is Kane and I'm the owner of this mall, so how can I help you?"

She had a surprised expression as she stared at him, unable to make up some words for a perfect sentence because she hadn't expected such a reply. He was a dim fit to be a CEO of a company, but what he had just done earlier made Alessia think the other way around about him.

What sensible man would lick the blood of a stranger?! She thought of him as a maniac…

And finally, she built up the courage and replied to him,

" I would like the mix-up to be sorted out, "

To be continued...