Charlotte almost forgot about the doctor's trip in a week, even threw his card in trash bin. Her manager called Professor Asher that they had arranged a panel of top psychologists for her, there isn't any need to consult a local doctor.

Out of blue, Ava sent an email stating,


'Call me!"

As a precaution, Charlotte was used to change her contact information every year except that email address. In the first year of her escape, Ava's family was investigated too. So Charlotte almost disconnected from her. Now, this email worried her but there was another problem demanding her attention.

It was about her friend Angie, who was becoming habitual of asking for money. Like today,


'Star, can I get a hundred thousand dollars please. I swear I will return them soon."

Charlotte knows that this 'soon" will never come as her total debt was around ten hundred thousand dollars now. It wasn't a big amount for her but why did an orphan like Angie needed so much money? This was beyond her logic.


Thinking about confronting her tonight, she called Ava. Ringing bell was accelerating her heartbeat, her eyes watered at the familiar voice of her bosom friend.

'Charlotte, how are you?"

She gulped hard, rubbing her eyes,

'I am fine. Is everything alright?"

'Guess what!"

Ava's voice was laced with unadulterated joy,

'I have found my soulmate."

'Really!"

Charlotte screamed just like Ava, jumping in her dorm room.

'I am so happy for you, Ava! So you called me for Ceremony?"

'Not now, after six months."

Ava was saddened while informing her.

'Why? It's against the traditions. According to Goddess's rules, vampire soulmates should mark and mate with in a month"

'He is a warrior. He was here for vacations when we met. But the Vampire Academy is not allowing him to get married, we can only wait till the end of his training."

Charlotte sat down on her bed, clutching a pillow to her chest.

'This is preposterous, Ava! Anything can wait but this can't. We are not facing a war where these kind of rules are necessary."

Charlotte was annoyed but Ava's reply alarmed her,

'You know Alpha Eric. He is still on his plan of world domination. People say that he has grown merciless after his failed marriage."

'You know our agreement, Ava. Don't talk about him."

After her escape, Charlotte refused to listen about Alpha Eric anymore. He was a forbidden fruit for her. What's the use of talking about the Moon when you can only afford to glance on it.

'I know Charlotte but this is important. The tussle between the Vampire king and Alpha is increasing lately. King is still childless and his all brothers are dead. There are rumors that Alpha King has instructed Alpha Eric to eradicate Vampire Royals. Ten male members are already dead."

Charlotte sighed at this dirty politics, indeed greed and lust are endless!

'Anyhow, convey my congratulations to Uncle and Aunt. Send me the invite too. I will come to attend your wedding."

Ava, who mainly called to convince Charlotte to come, instantly livened at her assurance.

'You are such a sweetheart, Charlotte. I thought that you will directly come to attend the mating ball at the end of the year. But you are coming for me, I can't tell you how happy I am."

'How can I miss the biggest event of your life? You are my family, Ava!"

Charlotte opened her laptop, gleefully searching for the formal gowns.

'Of course, you are my soul sister that Alpha stole from us. Well karma is a bitch. His own beloved cheated him and ran away with her boyfriend. He finally tasted his own medicine."

Charlotte's scrolling fingers froze, it was hard to believe that Sophia left him after striving her best to marry in the Silver Moon Pack. Weirdo!

Sensing her shock, Ava called her,

'Charlotte, are you there?"

'Yes, yes. I was just busy in searching gowns as I have to look best from others."

Mention of her marriage changed the direction of conversation from Alpha to the arrangements for Ava's big day.

…

It was almost 9:00 pm when Charlotte decided to call it night as Mrs. Nora was still spying her. She was setting her quilt when her cellphone vibrated, flashing Angie's name. Charlotte picked up her call only to listen her panicked voice,

'Star! Please help me! I am stuck at Royal Casino. Please come, my life is in danger."

Connection severed right after that. Charlotte was confused at this short voice call but she was certain about money related issue.

'Stupid humans!"

Charlotte muttered under her breath and changed into a red short dress, quickly tying her hair in a high tail. Angie must have called her as a guarantee, so she should look presentable to make an impression.

She hailed a cab to the Casino and didn't inform police as they also don't interfere in Casino owner's matters. In thirty minutes ride, Angie sent three more voice notes, urging her to hurry up.

Charlotte reached at the lively building of Casino in a posh area. Security let her in as a member named Harry was waiting for her.

'Welcome, Star! So you are that golden bird Angie was talking about."

Harry O'Brian was a partner in Casino ownership, famous for his vile methods for in-debtors. Charlotte didn't bother to return his courtesy and asked in her stern business woman's tone,

'Name the price!"

'Smart woman!"

Harry was taken back by professional aura of a teenager but came straight to the point.

'One million dollars."

As it was a time wastage to ask him why or when, Charlotte gave him her black card for payment.

'Where is Angie? I want to see her."

Harry, whose smile was reaching to his ears displaying his yellow teeth, stretched his hand,

'Come, beauty! Have a drink with us."

Charlotte gave a stinky eye to his beer belly and sneered,

'I only drink with my age fellows."

He laughed vigorously, shaking his head,

'Then you should go to the executive room. Your friend Angie is playing with your age fellows."

His wingman returned her card and guided her to that 'privileged room." Watching the sight there made her gasp. Angie was cuffed to the wall and their college's most prominent boy 'Rick" was hitting her with whip. Blood was dripping from red stripes of whips, diverting Charlotte's attention but she managed to scream at him.

'Stop!"

Her yelling caught the attention of the group of unknown boys. Their tattooed upper bodies were bare as they were only dressed in tight black leather pants.

'Everything's here is consensual, Star. Don't spoil our fun."

Rick glared at him. His other friend came forward to say,

'You are a beauty, darling. Come, join us."

Others raised their glasses as an invitation.

'How much money she owe you?"

Situation was more grave than she anticipated. Now, Charlotte was regretting not informing her front man. Two muscular guards would be enough to scare those lanky teenagers.

'She owe us two nights, beautiful. Can you pay of her?"

They laughed altogether. Charlotte curled her lips as they would regret if she agreed to spend an hour with them. But this time was not for any reckless move.

'What about escorts for you?"

She was insisting on negotiations but the elder one, probably the head of the gang, tried to get physical with her. As a reflex, Charlotte punched him on his face, causing a nose bleed. He placed a hanky over his bleeding nose,

'You, bitch!

Vicky, grab her!"

That Vicky came with a murderer's pace, Charlotte prepared herself for attack but suddenly two hitmen came for her rescue.

'Fuck off, boys! Don't ruin the peaceful atmosphere of Casino."

Those guards protected them and accompanied them to the front door of the building.

Charlotte was tipping them for their timely services when a familiar voice sounded behind her,

'Heavy tips for bodyguards, cool! What's for me who actually sent them for rescue?"

She turned to see the one she thought she will never see again...