Days had passed since Alexander had last been around. His absence hung in the mansion like a shadow, one that followed me everywhere I went. I'd gotten his number from Kael days ago, and I'd called him more times than I could count. Each time, it rang and went to voicemail. No reply, no explanation. Just silence.
It bothered me that he wasn't here because Kathy had been tied up in her bedroom for days, with Mia walking around the house.
It was finally time to go back to work. I had already sent an email a few days earlier, requesting a short leave of absence. I hadn't bothered explaining much there was no point. I was sure by now the news of what happened in my pack had reached the city. Everyone probably knew.
I pulled on a red long-sleeved shirt and tucked it neatly into my pair of black cargo pants simple but smart, perfect for work.
Standing in front of the mirror, I brushed my hair until it looked smooth enough to tie up. I gathered the long, dark-blonde strands into a bun and tightened it with a hairband. No makeup today only a thin coat of lip gloss to keep my lips from looking dry. I didn't want to appear too polished, too fake. I just wanted to look like someone who was holding it together.
The reflection in the mirror stared back at me with tired eyes. I could still feel the ache of that night… the fear, the chaos, the blood. But I wouldn't let anyone see that. I had to look strong.
On the bed were two bags, a red one and a black one. I hesitated for a moment, trying to decide. The red was bold, too bold. The black was simple, neutral, and safe. I reached for the black one and slung it over my shoulder.
When I stepped downstairs, the mansion felt too quiet. Usually, Kael would be up by now. He was always the first to wake. Kathy, on the other hand, was probably still asleep, it's not like she could come downstairs while Mia could be anywhere in the mansion.
Do I have to wait for him to come down before eating breakfast? I wondered.
I checked the clock. If I didn't eat soon, I'd be late. My office was far. Two hours by bus if traffic was kind. I sighed and headed for the dining hall.
"Good morning, ma," a small voice said behind me.
I turned and saw a boy, maybe fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a servant's uniform. He had soft features, dark hair, and pale skin, the kind of paleness that made him look fragile. It was the first time anyone had greeted me since I arrived at the Darkblood pack.
"Good morning," I replied, offering him a faint smile. "Wait…what's your name?"
"Ezekiel," he said quietly, eyes fixed on the polished marble floor.
He looked shy, like he wasn't used to talking to people. I found it oddly refreshing. "Have you seen Kael this morning?"
He nodded, still avoiding my gaze. "Kael isn't home. He left very early."
That made me pause. Kael never left the mansion. Not since the day I arrived. He was always around keeping me company, showing me around, making sure I didn't wander too far. Sometimes I felt like he'd been told to keep an eye on me.
Being in a house this large, surrounded by people who treated me like I didn't exist, was exhausting. No one talked to me. No one smiled. The only voices I heard belonged to Kael, Kathy, or Mia's growling sounds.
I turned back to the boy. "Could you do me a favor?"
He still didn't look up at me, he just nodded.
"In the next hour, could you please take breakfast to my sister, Kathy? She's upstairs and she can't come down right because of Alexander's pet." I smiled faintly. "I would, but I have to get to work."
Ezekiel gave a small bow. "It's my job to serve you, ma."
He paused then, hesitating like he had more to say. I frowned slightly.
"But…" His voice lowered. "I don't think Alex would like you leaving the pack."
That caught me off guard. "Excuse me?"
When he finally lifted his head, I froze. His eyes…they were red. Not bright, like most vampires' eyes I have seen. These were dull, faded, almost lifeless.
"You're a vampire," I whispered.
He didn't deny it. He just bowed again, expression calm. "I'll make sure your sister gets lunch, too," he said and turned away.
I stood there for a long moment, watching him walk off down the hall. A vampire servant. That was new. Until now, I'd thought all the servants in the mansion were human — I could tell from their scent. But Ezekiel was different.
Why were his eyes so dim?
And why did he sound so sure that Alexander wouldn't want me to leave?
"Alexander isn't here," I muttered under my breath as I grabbed my bag. "He won't even know."
Still, as I walked out of the mansion, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone or something was watching me from the shadows.
---
It was a twenty-minute walk to the nearest bus stop. I kept my head down as I walked, trying not to draw attention to myself. The streets were already bustling with people heading to work, horns blaring. It was a strange kind of comfort noise that made me feel normal again.
After two long hours, the bus finally stopped in front of the Star TV building, a tall, glass structure that gleamed under the sun.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The familiar scent of coffee and paper hit me immediately. The front desk was the same as always neat, polished, and manned by Stella, our ever-smiling receptionist.
"Good morning, Elena!" she greeted me brightly. "Long time no see."
"Good morning, Stella," I said, forcing a small smile. "It's good to be back."
I hurried toward the elevator, adjusting the strap of my bag. The metal doors closed behind me, and for a brief moment, I caught my reflection. My eyes looked tired, but determined.
When the doors opened on the first floor, the familiar chaos of the newsroom greeted me… ringing phones, typing fingers, and the steady murmur of reporters preparing their segments.
"Elena!" a familiar voice called.
I turned and saw Clara, my teammate and closest friend at work, rushing toward me with a wide grin. "You're finally back!"
She threw her arms around me before I could react.
"Wow," I laughed softly, patting her back. "Missed me that much?"
"Of course! You scared the hell out of us when we heard about your pack," Clara said, pulling back to look at me. "Are you okay now?"
I hesitated for a heartbeat before nodding. "Yeah. I'm fine now."
"Good. Because the director's been asking about you since morning. You better go see him before he explodes."
I groaned. "Great. First day back and I'm already in trouble."
Clara chuckled. "You know how he is."
I smiled faintly and started down the hall, my footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor. Every familiar sight…the glass partitions, the soft hum of computers felt strangely distant.
When I reached the director's office, I paused and smoothed down my shirt. My heart thudded a little too fast.
I raised my hand and knocked.
"Come in," came the familiar, deep voice.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. "Good morning, sir."
The director looked up from his desk, smiling. "Elena, good to have you back. I was just talking to someone about you."
I blinked, noticing a man standing near the window, his back to me. He was tall, dressed in black, his presence filling the room. There was something unmistakably familiar about him… the stillness in his stance, the confidence that seemed to radiate from him like quiet danger.
The man turned slowly.
My breath caught.
Alexander.
For a moment, everything inside me froze. His crimson eyes met mine, calm and unreadable the same eyes that had once looked down at me some days back, cold and amused.
"Hello, Elena," he said smoothly, that same haunting smile curving his lips.
My pulse roared in my ears. I couldn't move. Couldn't speak.
What was he doing here?
And how did he find me?