His Sensual Bite

Chapter 4

Desire is something that should be suppressed if it leads to the forbidden. That’s what Cassandra believed. Yet, Azi was different. He didn’t hide what he truly desired, and that was what shook her to her core. Was it wrong for her to suppress her emotions? To care about what others might think? Or was it so wrong to want a normal life with her newfound family?

These thoughts had been plaguing her ever since that moment in the living room. The way he touched her. The way he looked at her. The way he whispered words that shouldn’t have affected her, but did.

It was getting harder to ignore. The tension between them was suffocating.

Unable to bear the heavy air between her and Azi, Cassandra decided to escape to a nearby café. The small, cozy place was a haven of peace, with warm lighting and a soft hum of conversation in the background. She ordered an iced Americano, hoping the bitterness would wake her up from whatever spell Azi had put her under.

She stared at the dark liquid swirling in her cup, her mind refusing to settle. Even the serene surroundings of the secluded village—where exclusivity meant privacy and safety—weren't enough to quiet her thoughts.

She wanted to smash her head against the table for even considering that she wanted more of him. It was impossible. Even though her mother didn’t marry Azi’s father, they were still family. Uncle Alex had taken her in when he didn’t have to. How could she betray his kindness by entertaining such feelings?

Taking a deep breath, she tore her gaze away from the coffee and forced herself to focus on something else. The view outside the café window was beautiful—sunlight filtering through trees, casting golden patches on the cobbled streets. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to Azi.

The warmth of his touch. The weight of his words.

She groaned softly and ran a hand through her hair, frustrated with herself.

That was when a hushed conversation at the next table caught her attention.

“Did you hear? Another victim was taken to the hospital,” a woman whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “They said it was attacked by some kind of animal… with red eyes.”

“An animal? I heard it was a person,” her companion replied, lowering her voice.

“I don’t know what to believe, but all the victims had bite marks,” the first woman added, shuddering. “And there was so much blood…”

Cassandra felt a chill creep down her spine.

Bite marks? Red eyes?

Her grip on her cup tightened as unease settled in her gut. As she finished her drink and stepped out of the café, she couldn’t help but replay their conversation in her mind. The rumors of attacks and the mysterious bite marks tugged at something buried deep within her memory.

Was it that monster?

The thought sent a jolt of panic through her. Suddenly, the peaceful streets seemed eerily quiet, the sunlight no longer comforting but glaring. Her breathing turned shallow.

A memory threatened to surface—dark, suffocating. She gasped, stumbling as her vision blurred for a moment.

No. She didn’t want to remember.

She forced herself to take slow, deep breaths. The moment passed, and she swallowed hard, shaking her head. She had buried those memories for a reason.

She just had to go home.

The moment she stepped inside, she spotted a note pinned to the small board near the entryway. It was from Azi.

*Won’t be home tonight. Business.*

Relief washed over her. At least she wouldn’t have to face him and the turmoil he caused inside her.

Deciding to distract herself, Cassandra planned a relaxing evening. She made herself some finger foods, grabbed a couple of drinks, and changed into her favorite bunny pajamas before settling onto the couch.

To keep her mind occupied, she chose a horror movie. Maybe a dose of fictional terror would make her real fears seem small. The eerie soundtrack filled the living room, and for a while, she managed to lose herself in the suspenseful scenes.

Then, the telephone rang.

The shrill sound sliced through the tense silence, making her jump. Heart pounding, she picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Is Dr. Alexander in?” A rasping male voice on the other end sent a shiver down her spine.

“Hi, unfortunately, he’s not,” she answered hesitantly. “May I know who’s calling?”

“I’m a friend of his. What about his son?” the man asked, but something about his tone felt… off.

Cassandra frowned. A friend of Uncle Alex? Then why did he sound so formal? Shouldn’t someone close to him already have his direct number?

“Azi hasn’t come home yet—” she started, but the man let out a low chuckle.

Her blood ran cold.

“So, you’re alone?” he whispered, his voice suddenly dripping with menace.

Panic surged through her. Without thinking, she slammed the phone down, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

She rushed to check the locks on the doors and windows, hands trembling as she double-checked every entry point. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she grabbed a knife from the kitchen.

Then—footsteps.

Heavy. Measured. Inside the house.

Her heart nearly stopped.

There was more than one person.

Tears burned her eyes as she darted up the stairs, barely making it into her room before she heard the creak of the floorboards outside her door.

They knew she was here.

She forced herself to move, slipping into her closet and pressing herself into the corner. The knife felt heavy in her hand. She tried to control her breathing, to keep herself silent.

The door to her room opened.

A slow, deliberate pause.

Then—footsteps.

Cassandra held her breath as the closet door was yanked open. Without thinking, she swung the knife with all her strength, aiming for the intruder’s chest.

But before the blade could strike, familiar blue eyes locked onto hers.

Azi.

Cassandra’s vision swam as the knife clattered to the floor. The relief was overwhelming, but her body couldn’t handle the stress. Her knees gave out.

Azi caught her before she hit the ground, his strong arms pulling her against him. “Cassy,” he whispered, his voice laced with worry.

She couldn’t stop shaking.

He held her tighter, pressing her face into his shoulder. “I’m sorry. You’re safe now,” he murmured. His warmth seeped into her, grounding her.

Those words were the last thing she heard before the darkness swallowed her whole.