Chapter 5
1433 Words
Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief. He was really going to take her away?
Let me go! Let me go! You can’t treat me like this! Every creature has the right to freedom! As Isabella struggled, her thoughts raced. For the first time, she truly understood the helplessness of animals captured by humans.
“I’m sorry, but the bat you’ve caught is actually my pet that escaped. Could I ask you to return it to me?” Just as Isabella was struggling frantically, another calm male voice joined the scene.
Wait, since when did she become someone’s pet?
Surprised, Isabella looked up, curious to see what her so-called "owner" looked like. After all, she had lived for decades and didn’t recall ever becoming anyone’s pet.
The first thing she saw were a pair of green eyes, filled with a hint of amusement and a teasing smile. His well-defined nose and handsome features made it clear that he was an incredibly good-looking man. His healthy tan skin exuded a sense of maturity, and a few golden locks of hair fell casually over his forehead. This guy was definitely not just any ordinary handsome man.
What is he trying to do? Isabella was sure she had never met this level of gorgeous man before.
“Sir, are you saying this bat is your pet?” the father asked, his tone full of skepticism.
The stranger smiled, though his eyes lacked any real warmth. It was clear he wasn’t interested in making small talk.
“Well... more accurately, this bat escaped from my lab. We’ve injected it with some viruses, and we’ve been studying its reactions. It managed to escape a couple of days ago when we weren’t paying attention.”
Hmph, what a liar! She couldn’t recall anyone ever injecting her with any viruses.
“Is that so?” The father narrowed his eyes, still clearly doubting the man’s story.
The stranger shrugged, then casually snatched the bat—Isabella—from the child’s hand.
“If you don’t want to become a toy for those kids, cooperate with me,” the man whispered in her ear.
Huh? He knows I understand human language?
Isabella was stunned. She hadn’t expected him to talk to her as if she were human. After all, didn’t she look like a bat right now?
“Isabella, you still remember me, don’t you?” the man continued, pretending to have a conversation with the bat.
Isabella glanced at the two children, then back at the handsome man. He wasn’t wrong. If those kids took her home, she’d definitely end up as their plaything. Compared to that…
“Isabella?” the man called her name again.
Fine, whatever! She would take a chance.
Without thinking twice, Isabella flew straight into the stranger’s arms, deciding it was better to leave with him for now.
Perhaps she had been too focused on her situation, because she completely overlooked the fact that the man had called her by name—Isabella.
The man looked down at the bat in his arms with satisfaction. “Any further questions?” he asked, turning to the children.
“Alright, we’ll give the bat back to you,” the father said slowly.
“Daddy…” the little girl protested.
Ha! Goodbye, kids. You’ll never have another chance to get your hands on me again! Isabella laughed triumphantly to herself.
With a smug smile, the little bat was carried away by the man, leaving the family and that nightmare of a forest behind.
---
She regretted it!
She really regretted it.
She regretted it completely, utterly, and absolutely!
She had just escaped from one danger only to fall into another.
It wasn’t until she was locked inside a small room that Isabella realized how much trouble she was in.
She had oversimplified the situation, thinking that all she needed to do was get away from those children. What she’d forgotten was that this man was also dangerous, and she still had no idea what his true intentions were.
A tiny bat stood nervously on the edge of the couch, keeping a close eye on the man’s every move.
“It’s a little late to be afraid of me now, isn’t it?” He flashed her a mocking smile as he sat comfortably beside her.
Isabella scowled at how close he was sitting. She wasn’t pleased with him being this near.
No way, she needed to put some distance between them. “Keep your distance to stay safe,” right? She instinctively shuffled two steps away.
Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted into the air.
“Don’t bother struggling, little bat. Or should I say... Isabella?” the man said, holding her firmly in his hand.
Isabella froze. What was he talking about?
“Don’t hesitate too long. I know who you are,” the man said, his eyes gleaming with a strange emotion—something like excitement or anticipation.
Heaven knew how long he had been waiting for this moment.
His words only deepened Isabella’s confusion. What exactly did he know? Did he realize that she wasn’t just an ordinary bat?
At this thought, Isabella began trembling slightly. She had never imagined that her identity might one day be exposed. If she had known that he had such motives for approaching her, she wouldn’t have come near him, even if it killed her.
But now, it was too late to do anything about it.
“I know you can understand me. Stop staying silent—I want you to speak,” he said, his deep voice resonating in her ears.
No… there was no way she could admit it. If he discovered her true identity, what would happen? Would he hand her over to scientists for experiments?
Biting down on her lip, Isabella decided to maintain her bat act to the end.
She would rather die than admit she was a vampire.
The man watched her closely, his eyes gleaming with an odd light.
“Still don’t want to admit it? Fine, I can force the truth out of you,” he said, a slight smile curving his lips.
A sense of dread crept over Isabella. What was he planning to do?
The answer soon became clear as the man reached out and touched her chest…
“You p*****t! What do you think you’re doing?” she shrieked in response, her reflexes kicking in immediately.
The man’s smile grew even wider.
Ah… she had spoken.
Isabella’s eyes widened in regret, and she almost bit her own tongue in frustration.
Damn it! She had let her guard down and spoken! Now she was in big trouble. A talking bat? She was definitely going to be taken away for experiments.
But the man didn’t seem shocked at all. Instead, he looked down at her with a soft smile.
“Not bad. You finally decided to speak,” he said, releasing his hold and placing the little bat back onto the couch.
Damn it! She wanted to slam her head against the wall.
Tears of frustration welled up in Isabella’s eyes as she lay helplessly on the couch. Slowly, her small bat form began to change. Her body grew larger, and the black fur covering her skin turned back to white. Before long, a young girl appeared on the couch.
Her cheeks puffed up in anger, Isabella glared at the man. “You p*****t! Are you happy now?” Her secret was out.
The man looked at her tear-filled eyes, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms. “Why are you crying?” he asked softly. She looked adorable when she was angry, but he had never intended to make her cry.
Without thinking, Isabella shoved him away. “Who said I was crying? I’m not crying!” she snapped, wiping her tears away with her sleeve. She had never let anyone see her cry before.
The man watched her stubbornly hold back her tears, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
He reached out and lifted her chin, making her meet his gaze, his emerald eyes staring directly into hers.
“Remember my name. It’s Clyce Morgan, the man who will control your life.”
As Isabella stared into those green eyes, a strange sense of familiarity washed over her. Suddenly, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, claiming her mouth in a deep, unrelenting kiss.
“You belong to me,” he whispered, his velvet voice echoing in her ears, lingering long after the words had left his lips.
- Writer
