Socializing time

A whole week has come and gone since my arrival at this mysterious place, yet the answers I seek elude me like the ethereal mist that hovers just outside my grasp. Each time I dare to inquire about something, the inhabitants here swiftly divert my attention elsewhere. It perplexes me to no end, for it seems as though they are purposely keeping me in the dark—each and every one of them, even Sid. And as for Elizabeth, the woman who captured my heart at that memorable gathering, she too seems to avoid me deliberately, leaving me alone to wonder.

Ryan has gone for a meeting ever since that night and hasn't come back yet. With each knock on my door, my heart leaps with anticipation, only to be crushed by the presence of Marg or Sid. Yet, I cannot deny the consolation they have provided; their company is a welcome distraction from the puzzle that surrounds me. Alice and Rose, with their exotic charm and undeniable charisma, have graced me with their presence twice this week, bridging the gap between our apparent genetic differences. Rather than prodding them with my endless queries, I have chosen to relish in their delightful companionship, embracing the joy it brings.

But Ryan's whereabouts remain unknown. They only revealed that Edmund, Jeril, Adrian, and Neha had departed alongside him to an undisclosed meeting of utmost importance. As a captive of my own curiosity, I have been reduced to mere idleness, confined within these walls, awaiting the arrival of visitors to break the monotony of solitude. Boredom has sunk its formidable claws into my existence, and I can tolerate it no longer. I think it's time to socialize.

Once the sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, I woke up with a feeling of sheer excitement. Waking up early has never been my forte, but today seemed like a miraculous exception. My mind was already buzzing with anticipation for the day ahead as I hastily dressed, eager to embark on this new experience. Knowing I couldn't afford to dawdle, I followed Marg's directions meticulously, grateful for the little map she had thoughtfully drawn for me. Without her guidance, I might have been doomed to wander aimlessly through this labyrinthine maze.

As I stepped into the kitchen, my jaw practically hit the ground. It was a culinary paradise on an extravagant scale, effortlessly dwarfing even the most luxurious five-star hotel kitchens. Everything gleamed with pristine cleanliness, the kind that would make a germaphobe weep tears of joy. The counter, in particular, was so immaculate that it could double as a bed, if only the freezing chill of the marble didn't deter me from such a whimsical idea. Exactly how rich were these people?

The early hour had granted me the solitude of the haven. The refrigerator stood like a mammoth beast, its inside overflowing with an impressive array of cooking delights. It was as if the world's cuisines had converged within its metallic walls, creating a dizzying profusion of options that left me momentarily bewildered. The pantry mirrored the fridge, brimming with exotic ingredients from far-flung corners of the globe, leaving me perplexed by items whose names I couldn't even pronounce, let alone recognize.

As my eyes darted across the foreign packaging, absorbing every detail, I decided to play it safe. Opting for a simple yet exquisite sandwich, I gingerly plucked the finest ingredients from the infinite inventory before me. The notion of accidentally using human meat instead of beef made me extra careful, not that I found any.

Cooking turned out to be an unexpected source of pleasure for me. While I stood in the kitchen, I couldn't help but hum along to a random song playing in my head. The simple task of toasting the bread and assembling the ingredients filled the room with an enticing aroma that made my stomach grumble in delight. It seemed like no matter how much I fed it, my insatiable hunger never went away. But that didn't stop me from enjoying every single bite.

I climbed onto the counter, my legs swaying in satisfaction while I was lost in my own world of crispy deliciousness. Unfortunately, my moment of bliss was abruptly interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I turned around to find a man in chef's clothing, his serious expression contrasting with the lightheartedness of the moment. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be in his late twenties, but I knew better than to rely on first impressions when it comes to age. His face was different from the other vampires and looked damn serious. His muscular frame and the tightness of his sleeves hinted at his physical strength, a trait that blessed my eyes. Hmm, yummy! With a genuine smile on my face, I gestured towards my plate, clearly enjoying my sandwich, and offered him the extra one. He definitely worked here and must not have had breakfast yet.

However, instead of accepting the gesture with gratitude, he looked at me as if I had done something completely absurd. His squinted eyes and puzzled expression hinted at his confusion. Perhaps he was taken aback by my carefree attitude or my unorthodox approach to introduction.

"Are you new here?"

I was anticipating a response like 'thank you' or 'I will pass', but not this.

"Do you know everybody here?"

It seemed like even he didn't prepare for my questioning.

"I asked you first."

He said it flatly, crossing his arms tightly, and for a moment, I almost believed the poor material would give in and rip.

"Well, isn't it like 'ladies first'?"

I countered, not willing to back down. He let out a sigh, realizing that his intimidating glare had no effect on me.

"I know everyone here who doesn't speak to me."

That's strange. Are females invisible to him? If he lived in the human world, the fashion industry would have kidnapped him by now.

"Why?"

"Because I am a werewolf."

First, there were vampires, then witches, and now werewolves? Seriously, what else is there in this world? But that doesn't justify why he's so unsociable.

"So? What's the big deal?"

His expression hardened, and he scoffed at my confusion.

"What's the big deal? The big deal is that I am the only werewolf here. Everyone else is a vampire."

I stared at him blankly. Sure, I was the only human living in this mansion, but I had no trouble connecting with others. I assume if he were at least a little inviting, no one would avoid him.

"So what?"

I grabbed the sandwich I had offered him and took a big bite, all the while keeping my eyes on him. He threw his hands up in disbelief and proceeded to exclaim at himself.

"Are you serious?"

I didn't even flinch as I watched him overreact, patiently waiting for him to calm down. He bit his lips in frustration and closed his eyes for nearly a minute. But when he opened them again, I could see defeat in his gaze.

"So, no one bothers to talk to me."

He whispered the sentence, but I could sense the pain in his voice. I furrowed my brow and stepped off the counter.

"Why?"

I didn't expect him to respond to me, but he simply shrugged his shoulders.

"You're new around here, aren't you? That's why you're unaware of the feud between vampires and werewolves."

So all this time, Twilight was real? Maybe the author is from this realm or has some vampire connections.

"Why do they fight?"

I was captivated by the information and wanted to know more. These creatures had far more intriguing lives than humans. The hot chef pondered for a while. Is he recalling the tale?

"Because vampires murdered the werewolf princess."

"Vampires murdered the werewolf princess?"

I repeated his words, feeling a bit unfamiliar with myself. The more I delved into this world, the more it resembled a romantic comedy.

"Yeah, and ever since then, they've been fighting like crazy."

"Why did the vampires kill her?"

I demanded, contemplating various possibilities. Maybe she had really angered the vampire guys. Or perhaps there was a war, and she was leading her people.

"Because she loved the prince of vampires."

Oh, what a tragic soul! She died for her love.

"But why can't she love him? Vampires date witches, so why can't they be with werewolves? Especially when she's a princess too?"

"It would have been fine if he were a regular vampire, but he's a prince, and moreover, a future king, which means both of them have elite blood."

I nodded. However… He appears to grasp my inner turmoil.

"Listen, I probably shouldn't be telling you any of this, but I have to say you're different from the others. You actually reached out to talk to me, and that's not something that happens often around here. So, I feel obligated to offer some companionship in return."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. Finally, I wouldn't have to wait for an answer.

"Once upon a time, vampires and werewolves coexisted in the same realm. Surprisingly, they had a harmonious relationship and even formed interspecies marriages. The offspring of these unions were either vampires or werewolves, but never a mix of both. It was on Halloween night that everyone discovered the secret romance between the vampire prince and the werewolf princess. Despite the efforts of others to keep them apart, their love only grew stronger with time. And amidst all the opposition, there was one person who stood by their side. That person was Master Ryan."

Now, that was news.

"Ryan? I thought he was..."

"Yeah, everyone thinks poorly of him, but he's actually a truly wonderful person with concealed compassion. He was the one who provided me with shelter here. Consequently, Master Ryan devised a plan for their escape, and they fled to the human realm."

"Is this future king a friend of Prince Ryan? Won't he face any challenges for assisting them?"

The situation was even more perplexing than Sid's story. What occurs when members of the royal species marry? What abilities does Ryan possess?

"No, he is not a friend of the master, but rather his father's stepbrother. And as for the second question, the answer is no as well. The master possesses unique powers bestowed upon him by witches. Hence, no one dares to question him or obstruct his path."

And there I was back, answering him like hell.

"Continue, please...."

"Word has it that Master was trying to achieve something unheard of. What that something was remained a mystery to all. For three long years, the prince and princess, the heirs to the throne, were missing. Rumors spread like wildfire, but no one could confirm their whereabouts. Eventually, the truth was unveiled, but it brought nothing but sorrow. The princess had met a tragic fate at the hands of ruthless vampires, and the prince, consumed by grief, took his own life. Their deaths were a devastating blow to the kingdoms, leaving citizens mourning the loss of their respected rulers. Amidst the chaos, the vampires and werewolves carved out their respective territories. The once-united lands were now divided, tearing families apart and leaving children orphaned in unfamiliar territories. To maintain control, a new rule book was introduced, outlining strict laws. It was decreed that any wolf who dared to cross the vampire border would face certain death, and the same fate awaited any vampire who dared to step foot on werewolf territory.

During that time, I was caught between two worlds. My dad was a vampire official, and my mom was a werewolf, and both of them were brutally murdered during the partition. I was injured and was about to be killed as well, but the master intervened, sparing my life as an obligation to my father. However, the others harbored a deep-seated grudge against me; their resentment was evident. It had been an eternity since I had the chance to talk with someone."

The werewolf finished sharing his story with a grateful smile, his eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and vulnerability. I couldn't help but grin back at him, my curiosity piqued by the knowledge he had just shared, and I had so many questions swirling in my mind. However, I decided to let him speak first, respecting the moment in which he had just bared his soul.

"I think you talked too much."

Before I could respond or ask any of the burning inquiries I had, a new presence made itself known. A voice, smooth and velvety, broke the silence, causing both the werewolf and myself to tense up. The voice belonged to Ryan, who had been missing for a while and suddenly decided to show up. But something seemed different about him now, as his eyes turned a haunting shade of red.

The tension in the room escalated as Ryan's voice took on a malicious tone. It was clear that trouble was indeed brewing, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The werewolf and I exchanged a quick glance, our lips pressed into a thin line as we prepared ourselves for the unknown.

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