I want to go home

Leticia's eyes flew wide, and she quickly looked away, pink rising up her cheeks. 'He did not just say that!' She thought, not daring to look up at him. Devon's smirk broadened as he grazed his thumb over his own bottom lip. He did feel like kissing her... maybe more than that, in fact.

The blue scarf around her neck blew gently, and her neck came into view. Devon stared... then looked away. There was another moment of silence and he looked at the space behind her, "Leticia... " He called gently, "You should go in. It's midnight."

Leticia nodded, "Right." She stood up and Devon took few steps backwards. Then, they made their way to her room. Honestly, she was scared to go in and sleep. The dream was abnormal and frightenly familiar. She'd entered a room and met a tall man wearing a mask. She couldn't see his face nor hear his voice, but he felt familiar. He held a sword and beheaded another man. Then she screamed, caused deadly wind, and made the grounds shake... So very abnormal.

Yet, she felt as though it's happened before. It's scary. "Good night. Sweet dreams" Devon said to Leticia as they reached her door. She nodded, her heart racing at his smile. "Night" She smiled and entered her room, waving before closing the door.

She ran to her wide bed and fell on it with a scream, her long hair falling everywhere around her. 'Did he seriously mean it? He wanted to kiss me right? He didn't say it though, but it's the same, right? ' Her head was filled with these thoughts as she laid properly on the soft bed. Then she frowned, a blush rising up her cheeks, "Why am I excited? It's not like I want him to." She murmured to herself.

Embarrassment filled her for a moment. She didn't like Devon one bit, not even platonically, but then, it was like he had this invisible magnet slowing pulling her to himself.

She shook her head," You're just delusional, Leticia." and with that, she closed her eyes. She'd totally forgotten about the nightmare and she slept in a matter of minutes.

***

"I talked to Uncle Ethan... He's so reluctant ." Alisha said, her voice laced with frustration.

Devon scoffed, "His daughter is dying. She's had three near-death experiences at my place, yet he's reluctant?" Devon was calmly speaking, but anyone would notice he's boiling with annoyance. They were in his luxurious living room, he and Alisha.

"I'll have to persuade him again. He's just scared it'll be too much for her to handle and he won't be around to control her." Alisha said, hoping Devon would understand.

"I am here" Devon said coolly, his red eyes gleaming in the light. Alisha said nothing, knowing better than to argue with him but then, what did he mean by that?

"Tell him to be at my house in three days, else I'll make him come the hard way." Alisha nodded, her long, honey blonde hair bobbing up and down. Even Although she is, she dares not disobey Devon. In fact, her father doesn't dare disobey him.

"I want to see Leticia." Alisha said, her voice softening. She's been here twice, hoping Devon would invite Leticia so she can see her but he never did.

"Come with Declan." Devon said nonchalantly, his gaze never leaving Alisha's face.

"Really? Okay! "Alisha beamed excitedly, gratitude in her eyes. Devon raised a brow and she smiled. He smirked at her.

***

Leticia felt bored sitting alone in her room, the four walls seeming to close in on her. Cecil and Luis were out, and it was only Quynn and Devon around. She decided to go to Devon, hoping to find some excitement.

She saw him in the living room with Seraphim, who looked all perky and sweet, and Devon sat with his usual uncaring and devious expression,his eyes fixed on the phone in his hand.

Seraphim was clinging to his arm, her face close to his as she whined on. Leticia felt irritated all of a sudden, wondering why Seraphim was shamelessly throwing herself at Devon.

She turned to leave, only to hear her name, "Leticia! Come here." It was Devon. How did he notice her?!

She froze before turning back, "I shouldn't disturb..." she said, noting the glare Sera sent her.

"Come here" He repeated, his voice commanding. She knows that means 'it's a command, not a request.' She sighed and walked to them, her long, golden blonde hair swaying gently as she moved.

Despite the hateful glare Seraphim threw her, Leticia smiled, "Hi."

"Hi." Seraphim smiled back, her hateful red eyes contradicting the sweet smile. She turned to Devon almost immediately, "Brother Devon, you said you'll take me to the kennel next time I come here. Come on, let's go."

Leticia didn't know when she asked Devon, "You have dogs!?" A tint of excitement crossed her opal eyes.

Seraphim scoffed, but Devon grinned creepily up at her, "Do you want to see?"

Leticia beamed, "Absolutely!"

Devon stood up, his tall, lean frame towering over her. Seraphim did the same, a deep frown on her beautiful face.

Mischievousness crossed Devon's dark red eyes as he walked away, his black medium length hair shinning. Seraphim was annoyed Leticia had to follow them, making her hit Leticia as she ran to catch up with Devon, but Leticia just frowned and kept going.

The three made their way to the kennel or Den, as Devon likes to call it. It was sectioned from the main mansion, like a mini-quarters, with its own separate entrance and guards. Three guys guarded the place, their faces stern and unyielding.

Leticia was quite excited, expecting to see cute, fluffy big dogs barking excitedly. But the sight before her shocked her. Of course, they barked. But they weren't dogs! Startled, she took a step back. Seriously, is Devon crazy?!

Seraphim noticed and smirked, "I'd you are really scared, you should go back." wishing Leticia would just vanish!

Before Leticia could even react to Seraphim, she felt something wrap around her hand: Devon's hand. It was smooth and strangely cold, thick yet soft. Immediately she was held, she felt better but still...

Her heart picked up its abnormal race as she looked up at Devon, who stared down at her with a sly smile, "I'm here, kitten. Don't be scared." He said.

Leticia couldn't help but smile, a blush staining her cheeks as he smiled back at her. He'd just called her kitten! Must have been a mistake yet it made her heart skip.

Seraphim was turning red from anger, "Can we go in now?!" She asked, eyeing Leticia. "Hmm." Devon simply hummed before pulling Leticia in as the guards opened the glass doors after bowing deeply.

No doubt, Devon is crazy. He had to be because she saw definitely no reason why a normal and sane person would keep wolves in his house!

The room was wide and neat. Just two or three skulls decorated it, and a few bones laid around. Leticia gaped, trying to convince herself they were animal bones and not otherwise.

The wolves obviously noticed their entrance but probably chose not to react. They just stared.

Seraphim smiled and walked over to one like wanted to show Leticia she's not a stranger but the mistress of around here. "Aww. Gary. You look just as cute as ever..." But as she neared the animal, it growled angrily, its teeth baring at Seraphim.

She took a subconscious step back, then glared at it. Devon held Leticia close. So close they could inhale each other's scent. He loves how she smells. Like Lotus. It's so calming and fresh. Leticia ignored the warming up of her body, trying to block out his scent from her senses.

It's so unusual for she's never came across anyone who smells like spices. Yes. Like the mixture of all spices. It was spicy and sharp, yet it calmed her nerves. 'Weird.'

"That is Gary." Devon began, pointing at a brown wolf. The one that snapped at Seraphim. "Kelly" he pointed to the black-furred animal chewing lazily on a piece of bone. "Max" He gestured at the beige-colored one lying lazily beside Gary.

The last one was pure white. "And this is Sky." Devon smiled at the animal. Leticia let out a yelp, noticing Sky was already at their feet. She gripped Devon's hand hard. Devon then squatted, making Leticia come down with him.

She looked scared but felt safe.' Devon is here, he's here.'

Devon patted Sky's head, and it growled approvingly, "He's my bias." He whispered, smiling fondly.

"Why...why would you keep wolves in your house? These are wild animals." Leticia gulped, noticing the intent glare from Gary.

Devon said, "They are better and more effective than guards or dogs. They can't go wild. I had them since they were pups."

Leticia just stared at him. His eyes had a different tinge as he spoke about his wolves. "Want to pet?" Devon asked, but Leticia quickly shook her head, "No!"

"It's okay. They won't attack. They are well-trained and listen obediently. Right, guys?" Max howled lazily, and Gary growled irritatedly.

Seraphim must have pissed him off. Leticia shuddered, looking at Sky. Its eyes were blue, and as Leticia stared, it growled at her. She sprang up, turning pale, "Let's go back!" She doesn't like this place a bit.

Devon looked up with a smirk, "I had no idea you fear wolves" He gave the other three fond pats before walking back to Leticia. "Come on. Let's go. You're white." He said as they walked out.

They've both forgotten about Seraphim, who was trying to keep up with them. "Cute, aren't they?" Devon grinned. Leticia just shook her head.

Suddenly, a phone rang. It was Seraphim's. Looking at the screen, she immediately terminated it, then said, "Brother Devon. Excuse me. I have somewhere to be" Hoping he won't ask.

Devon, not caring, just nodded. Seraphim smiled at him and glared at Leticia before walking out. Devon said to Leticia, "You should really spend more time in the Den. Familiarizing yourself with them, especially Sky, is good."

"Familiarizing myself with wild animals?!" She exclaimed, convinced he's actually crazy.

Devon frowned, "Hey! Don't call them wild animals! Tch. I should have taken you to the Lion's den instead..." He spat, grabbing her hand as if to pull her there.

"NO! PLEASE! DON'T!" She begged quickly.

Devon chuckled cheekily, "Just kidding."

Leticia frowned hard and yanked her hand off his before storming away

****

Devon leaned against the windowsill in his room, gazing out. A sly smile spread across his face as he recalled he and Leticia's last encounter. He had enjoyed scaring her, watching her eyes widen with fear. It was almost... thrilling.

His eyes gleamed with mischief as he pushed away from the window and strode towards the door. He knew exactly where to find her.

Devon's smile grew wider as he made his way to the library, his footsteps silent on the marble floor. He to see her again, to toy with her a little more. After all, it was so entertaining.

The maids and servants bowed as he walked regally past them but he just ignored them. They were petty human servants after all. Although some of his maids were not.

As he entered the library, his eyes locked onto Leticia, her nose buried in a book. He could sense her sudden tension her awareness of his presence yet she didn't react.

"Leticia." He called, walking up to her buy ignored him entirely. The joke he'd made yesterday gave her a fright, and she had a nightmare. Lions were chasing after her and since then, she'd just wished she was home.

All her life, she's never had a nightmare but ever since she stepped her feet into this mansion, her life had turned into one. First it was torture and near death experiences, then Seraphim and her cruel behaviour and now Devon's crude and scary jokes. Nightmare after nightmare.

"Are you mad at me?" He smiled, sitting beside her.

She said, not looking away from her book,"Yes."

"Hmm. Fair enough. I gave you quite a fright, didn't I?" When Leticia didn't respond, he smirked, "Fine. How about I compensate you? Anything you want." Then the first thing that snapped into Leticia's head. OUT!!

"Really? Anything?" She asked, doubt and excitement filling her voice as she stared at him. He's not joking again, is he?

"Seriously, anything." He said.

Leticia wasn't sure if he's serious or not because he looks devious as usual. She sighed, knowing exactly what she wants. He will definitely say no. But she was willing to try.

"I... I want to go home." She was very sure that gold spark crossed his red eyes. Her heart jumped at that. Staying here much longer would definitely result into her having heart problems.

His expression darkened, "That is not..."

"You said anything!" She quickly said. 'It's futile. He won't allow me.' she thought and was about to tell him not to mind when she noticed his eyes got impossibly darker and his face turned cold.

He looked unfathomable at the moment. Leticia watched as Devon's frown changed to a scowl. Then his face became blank like he wasn't scowling a minute ago.

"Follow me"