The Monster’s Muse:The Ruin of Us

Kneeling on one knee was Oliver Winthrop, a sparkling diamond ring in his hand. His eyes were bright, full of love and joy, promising a life that Alethea Mordrake neither wanted nor believed in. Standing in front of her, covered in thick, dark tattoos, was the only man she’d been waiting and rotting for. Their eyes locked. He looked nothing like the boy who had disappeared three years ago. The man standing before her now was a nightmare, reeking of whiskey, blood, and sweat. His eyes were cold, void of any emotion. Before she could breathe or utter a single word, he lunged forward. His fists connected with Oliver’s jaw, raining punches on his face. "Levi! Stop!" she screamed, forcefully pulling him away from Oliver. He shoved her, and she hit the ground hard. Scrambling to her feet, she begged, "Levi, please." Her hands gripped his shoulders, trying to pull him back one more time. She stepped between them, shielding the bleeding Oliver on the floor, who was now surrounded by his siblings. She raised her hands to cup Levi’s face and let out a small, broken smile. “My sweet psycho...” He stiffened under her touch. The name seemed to trigger something deep within him. Slowly, he grabbed her waist, his knuckles digging into her skin as he forced her to look straight into his eyes. “Your sweet psycho is dead,” he snarled, taking a step closer. “I am Leviathan Sol-Dragomir. Your monster.” Alethea didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled, tracing the black ink from his throat to his face, her fingertips brushing over his lips. “I know.” Yeah... she smiled. Even though he wasn't the boy she knew three years ago, at least he was back. BACK FOR HER.