Sweet Blood

—:— “I need you, Lalatina. I need you!” In front of the gathered proprietors and co-owners, the handsome sole heir to the Remus Incorporations kneeled in front of the equally beautiful but unfortunate De Argento daughter, his very own secretary. Everyone was taken aback except for Lalatina. She stood her ground, unfazed. Whispers were heard once more from seat to seat. Opinions exchanged, but all eyes fixed on the two main characters of the drama. “Duke!” Mr. Gazini roared, both surprised by his son’s actions and the disgrace it is causing to his name. “Please, Lalatina.” Unheeding, he tugged on her skirt, like a child begging his mother. “Please. Please?” She pulled herself away from him. “I can make you queen, Lalatina! I can give you everything you ask, grant your wishes, your wants, your needs. You don’t have to work anymore.” “No, Duke,” she said, with an air of profound decisiveness. “Let’s stop this nonsense.” “I— I can give you superhuman power!” Disgust in her face, she closed her eyes and tried to cover her ears. “That’s it! Stop, Duke! What I hate the most just came out of your mouth! You— Your secrets! I can no longer stand you and your blo— your family!” And, as if to make her point, she glared at their then rather pleased audience but now gasping men and women in corporate attire, and the fuming parents of her lover and boss. “Philippe, make them stop!” Mrs. Gazini was the first to break the silence that ensued. “Enough!” The CEO’s voice followed, thundering over the meeting hall. “Guards!” Lalatina faced Mr. Gazini, eyes burning with passion. “What! You’re going to send me to your ‘meat factory’ too like what you did to my past officemates, you animal!” Instantaneously, the CEO arose from his seat, growling—eyes fiery red, teeth and claws protruding, fur grown—fully transformed as a large wolf. “Father!” Duke’s first word, warning, as he himself turned into a half-human, half-wolf form. The handsomeness was gone, there was just monstrosity left. But, before anything can happen, Vittoria interfered, grabbing his husband’s arm. “No fighting in front of me or my guests!” Mr. Gazini calmed down and assumed back his human form. The guards who halted started to advance toward Lalatina again but Duke waved a finger to them. “Not a step further,” he warned, menacing. “Lay a hand on her and your soul is mine.” To his father, he said: “I’m taking her with me.” “No—” But before she could resist, his arms were already around her body, his fangs already landed on her neck. She fell to his arms, submitting—unconscious. He carried her out of the hall the bridal way. Later in the morning, waking in his bed, Duke found out he was all alone. Lalatina was gone. —:—