BLOODBOUND DESIRE

AREN'T WE ALL MONSTERS TO YOU HUMAN'S

A short while later, in a secluded estate hidden in the wooded suburbs of New York City.

Surrounded by weeds was a brooding two story manor. It's dark stone exterior rises solemnly behind a veil of towering trees and creeping ivy.

A long gravel drive curled past ancient oaks. Leading to the house like a path into another century.

Though time had shifted the world around it the estate remained untouched. Preserved in a silence that bordered on sacredness.

Gwynn Sutton stood straight with his hand clasped at his back. By the window overlooking the widespread landscape.

He had been in healing sleep for over a century.

This was not the New York he was used to. It was messier, more populated, and more diverse.

He turned away from the window at the sound of a gentle knock. He turned to the door and said, "Come in".

His Shadow Ariella stepped in with an elderly human doctor in a pristine white lab coat followed behind her.

"Dr Jenkins is here, Your Majesty," She said.

Gwynn's gaze shifted to the doctor briefly. Before moving to the petite blonde lying on the bed.

"Do a good job," he said, turned around, and returned to the floor-to-ceiling window. He watched the doctor treat Lira through the window.

The doctor did not waste any time. He cleaned Lira up and tended to her injuries. He was done in less than an hour and stepped away from the bed.

"Your majesty_"

"I know," he turned around to face them, jaw clenched, "And her injuries?"

The doctor swallowed, "That...," he cleared his throat and continued, "She has a concussion, a bruised rib, a bruise and cut on her forehead, and a twisted ankle.

"She will need some pain medication. I left a bottle on the bedside table. Please let me know if there is anything please".

Gwynn grunted, caught his second's eyes, and nodded before turning around to face the window. Ariella escorted the man to the elevator and returned once he was gone.

"Did you make sure he would keep quiet about this visit?" Gwynn said as she stopped beside him.

She nodded, "I wiped his memory. Not like it would stop the news of your return from spreading".

He looked at her with the side of his eyes, "You are not pleased with how things turned out".

"who would be given the current tension between humans and creatures".

He let out a breath, "She woke me up, Ellie. I was not meant to wake up this soon but her cries broke my spell".

Auriel frowned and glanced at the woman lying on the bed, "Are you sure she is human?"

"She is, I checked".

"How can a human break your spell?"

"I don't know," he turned around and moved closer to the bed, "She called me to her, strange as it is".

"She called you?"

"Yes, one minute I was on the island and the next I was at that... Disgusting little place," his nose wrinkled as he said the last 3 syllables.

Her brow twitched, "she cannot possibly be human, if she could do that. Except she is working with someone," she glanced at the unconscious woman, eyes narrowed, "this could be a trap".

He nodded, "It could, but until she wakes up, we will never know but for now, look into her family and find out if they have any relationship with the members of my court".

'I will put Tristan on that".

"Good"

***

Meanwhile on the other side of the town. At Vreni residence, Manhattan, New York.

A six-foot-tall, ash blonde woman in a red sheer micro mini sleep gown and matching jacket sat by the floor-to-ceiling window.

She was calmly drinking a hot cup of chocolate. While listening half-heartedly to her secretary read out the minutes of the New York clans meeting that was held the day before.

Sylvie paused, brows furrowed as her Second, Andraste ran into the room, she pursed her lips and arched a slim blonde brow,

"You are not the dramatic sort, what is it, Andras?"

Andraste pressed his lips together and glanced at the Secretary.

Her lips twitched, "That bad". Her lips tugged up as she met her second's worried face.

She placed her half-drank cup on the table, "we are done here, just leave the report" she said without looking at the secretary.

The secretary nodded and quickly left the room. She cast a silent spell as soon as the door was shut, "Speak".

"Our spies at his majesty's estate just reported that His Majesty has taken residence at the estate".

She sat forward, eyes opened slightly, "What! Gwynn is awake?"

"Yes, my lady".

She blinked, "How is he awake so soon". She frowned and tapped her fingers on the table, "Is Lena and Leo aware?"

"Not yet, should I inform her?"

"No, that would be far too easy," her lips spread into a wide grin as she continued, "Let her find out like everyone else. That will be more fun".

***

A few hours later, at the Sutton Plantation, in the suburbs of New York.

Lira woke up with a splitting headache. That made the chipping bird songs feel like nails on a chalkboard.

She opened her eyes but quickly shut her eyes and turned as light rushed into her eyes.

She jerked up from the bed and scrambled to get out of bed as the painful memories of last night rushed forward.

The rush of memory brought forth a rush of pain on her good leg and the left part of her body.

She groaned and held the edge of the bed, "s**t".

She shut her eyes and counted to ten before slowly opening. She bit her lips and clenched her fist tight while slowly leaning back on the bed.

Her entire body was on fire. She glanced around the unfamiliar room. Silently taking in the wide windows and glass balcony doors.

This as much was visible to her at her least painful position.

A sudden rainbow sparkle on the ceiling and a small corner of the wall above her bed made her pause.

She blinked and tilted her head slightly to the side, "That... Seems strangely familiar".

She swept her hand through the direction of the dispersion and silently traced the source of the dispersion.

*What the_ this was in my bag, how is this here!" She grabbed the silver necklace hanging on her neck and held it up.

The necklace had been in her bag all through yesterday. A bag that she clearly remembered throwing at the creature as she tried to get to safety.

She raised her hand to her neck to take off the necklace. When the room door was pushed open. The handsome blonde stranger from last night stepped in.

She immediately let go of the necklace. Bit her lip to numb the pain from her injuries, and slowly shifted backward until her back hit the bed frame.

Her eyes widened as she met the man's strange changing eyes. An image of a deranged red-eyed monster from last night quickly flashed in her mind.

She took a sharp breath and with her gaze locked on the man. She felt around for anything that could be used as a weapon but found nothing.

Left with no other choice, she grabbed the pillow next to her and held it up,

"You_ Who are you? where... why am I here?"

He slowly arched his brow and in a strangely calm voice said, "Would you prefer that I left you in that nasty little warehouse?"

A flush crept across her cheeks. She pressed her lips together tightly. She scrambled to get out of bed but lost her balance and promptly fell forward

Gwynn rolled his eyes and walked briskly to her side. He quickly grabbed her hand before she fell on her face.

She hissed as his hand touched her and quickly pulled out of his hold, "Don't touch m_ ahh!" she winced as she hit her head on the side of the bed.

"Shut it! I did not save you from that disgusting little insect for you to attempt to kill yourself in front of me," he muttered eyes narrowed. He picked her up and returned her to the bed.

Lira's eyes widened, "What_ let me go!"

He smirked, "gladly," and dropped her carelessly.

She winced at the sharp jab at her ribs. She held her rips and shot him a sharp glare, "You..."

"Monster" he sneered, bent forward until his face was mere inches away from hers, "I believe that is the word you are looking for, little one. Aren't we all monsters to you humans".