'THE ALPHA still hasn't changed.' Penelope eyed Beatrix with rapt attention. She tried to be discreet about it but she didn't succeed. It didn't matter though. A lot of people were all interested to see her. Even the women stopped to bow a shallow nod to acknowledge the alpha.

At the back of Beatrix stood three men, barrel-chested and tall. Penelope was about to look away when she noticed the fourth man hidden in the back.


It was a teen with a very pale complexion. His face had a bored expression. The old-fashioned black suit made a striking contrast to his skin. Penelope knew right away that the guy is a vampire.

'He's too young to be a part of this shamble.' Penelope sought Irlan among the waves of people but she couldn't. She has to warn the group about this kid.

Irlan is a great guy, but this one is surely not about sunshines and rainbows.


"HAVE I told you I hate scallions?" Irlan dusted his pants. He stared at Joaquin's plate before asking, "Is it not to your liking?"

"No. It's fine." Joaquin shrugged. "It's... my headache is acting up and I don't feel good."


"Ah. You've been in a bad condition since we moved here. I can give you an overall check up— lend me your wrist for a moment."

"No." Joaquin turned to hid his right hand. "I'm fine. It takes time to adjust. This is the first time I've been out of Calistre woods for a long period."

"Well... if you need my help, just tell me." Irlan grinned. "I don't know but I feel so... happy right now. Maybe this trip is not too bad after all. I'm going to get you a new drink. Wait for me here. I'll be back "

"No need." Joaquin stood and waved to the guy. "I'm going back to our room. It's getting worse. All this sounds made me even more restless."

"Ah..." Irlan sighed. "Then let me lead you back to our tent. We'll have fun next time."

Irlan noticed a presence of a mage earlier. It was far but the man's aura got him surprised. It was a familiar magic trail.

'Who was stupid enough to announce his presence to everyone?' It was like he's being confident.

Crystal Lake had a mage in their pack territory. Irlan had already guessed this but it was still unnerving to actually meet the guy.

He's still pretending as a beta wolf. Irlan was set to challenge the pack's mage. 'Will he be able to see through my disguise?'

As far as he could remember, no one can discern him.

PENELOPE WAS gone when Lance went back to their table. The bonfire had started and the people of the Crystal Lake enjoys a hearty meal with the visitors. Lance was careful enough to sniff every dish served to him before actually consuming it. He doesn't want to be poisoned silly.

"Are you looking for someone?" Samael nudged his back with a hand. "Your 'Lesley' is busy in the kitchen. Why don't you come drink with me?"

"Drink with who?" Lance shook his head. "You?"

Samael halted from his drinking spree. He eyed Lance. "Are you drunk?"

Lance did indeed feel a little dizzy. But he refused to acknowledge being drunk. He hasn't touched even a single drop of alcohol! "No! How can you call me that? I didn't even sniff one cup."

Samael hovered over him. Lance had to stop breathing for a moment. Samael's scent is no good for his health. "Yeah, you don't stink of booze."

Lance pushed him. "Right. And for the record, I don't ever stink. Mind my space, idiot."

"How would I know if you don't stink? We're not together the whole day. Remember, you kept running away from me."

'Well, duh?' Lance held his tongue and opt for rolling his eyes non-stop. "I don't need to be near you for us to talk. You keep inching closer to me—that bugs me big time, Samael."

Samael paused for a moment. He chuckled yet Lance couldn't hear the happiness in his next sentence. "How can I go away when I know for a fact that you're supposed to be mine?"

Lance felt a whole damn disco in his mind. He sighed heavily before turning his face away. He couldn't afford letting Samael see his reddened face. 'No. I don't like hearing those words. That's cringey! So unnecessary!'

"You're... ruining the paper cup in your hand, Lance." Samael grinned as he shifted on his seat. "Why won't you look at me?"

'Stupid.' Lance schooled his expression. He swallowed thickly before setting down the destroyed cup in his hands. "That's not how you must treat me if you do respect me as your mate."

"Now you finally admit that I'm your mate." Samael shook his head. His expression turning into a scowl. "Then why are you flirting with Lesley right in front of me?"

"Ah..." Lance played with his fingers. "I know that you are my fated mate. But am I willing to take the fate's design and accept you as mine? I'm not sure. I want to fall in love, Samael. I want to experience discovering someone without the burden of the Fate's matchmaking schemes."

"I know that for most wolves, this is a blessing but for someone like me, I can't help but be curious, okay? And I am entitled to choose who am I going to love."

'That should be enough to make you quit, right?' Lance couldn't tell him about his real plan and he's not sure if there would be a time someday that he would explain it to Samael. 'You're way out of my league. You deserve someone who knows you.'

Samael's cold expression cracked a little. Lance was nervous of his reply. He would like to think that if Samael actually quit, he would be relieved. But Lance knew that if he's going to he honest, he'd be disappointed with himself.

"Then... you won't mind me courting you, right?" Samael clasped both of his hands and nodded. "I don't understand why would you feel anything towards Lesley when I'm standing right beside you. And I'm not telling this just to spite you or sound like a jackass but I'm genuinely confused. Why would you be interested in someone else when you should only be able to feel curious to me and not to anyone?"

'Yes, my reasoning kinda sucked right there.' Lance bit his lower lip and squinted. "You're going to what? Come again?"

Lance went deaf there for a second.

"Let me court you," Samael said with his earnest tone. "You want to fall in love, then I'll try my best to make you fall for me."