"How did you get in?" He inquired, brows furrowing. He looked at the elevator and back.
"You didn't walk in through that, did you?"
Luana's laughter filled the room before standing up to the long window, where the Werecats knife had been through. She ran her fingers across the damage before replying.
"I guess you weren't told that I'm not some random girl. I'm nothing like the ones you relate to within your world," her lips twitched as she said the last two words.
"Why did you choose here anyway?" She walked back to where Zeidan was seated.
"It's my way of relaxing. Living here is okay to me because for a few moments, I forget I'm a vampire King."
"Trying to neglect duties, isn't it?" He felt her breath behind him. Her hands were running over his chest. He checked the wall clock and realized it was 10:00 pm already.
He stood up and held Luana between his arms, allowing his lips to crush hers.
"You do know why I called you here, don't you?" Zeidan asked.
"To be your Queen." Luana smiled as she kissed him again. Their mouths caressed each other with intended ease that belied Zeidan's arousal and the hard length of him pressing against her.
His hands trailed over her breasts, her arched back and hips leisurely as if expecting a signal inside of him. What more could he ask for? He was aroused already.
But inside he felt like this isn't right. This isn't how he's supposed to feel. He broke their kiss, frowning.
"What is it?" Luana asked eyes widened.
He stared at her for a while before pulling her in for another kiss. Luana took this time to explore him as well as she ran her palms over the hardness of his shoulders and chest. She expected him to shiver at her every touch but at every peak, they were almost getting to, the fire would stop burning.
As the moment passed, every caress, every touch did little to stir up the fire he had clogged inside of him. He tried hard to get her related to him. His body warmed up, head pounding, he felt his gums aching and he wondered if this is it. Until it stopped.
He disentangled himself from her embrace, trying hard to comport himself.
"Let's just go to the restaurant. We can get to know more about ourselves there." He turned and picked up his suit jacket before moving towards the elevator, Luana tailing behind.
Getting into the black BMW car with the woman beside him, he wondered if this was going to work.
He started the engine after a glance at Luana whose face displayed plenty of unasked questions. He wished he could answer them all but then he was confused himself.
They drove past the hustling and bustling environment of the city.
Luana raked her hands through her hair before breaking the silence that has ensued between them since they left the office.
"Is there a reason we can't eat dinner at your place?"
Zeidan turned the car to the right as they moved into what looked like a small town with mountains surrounding it. Tall trees silhouetted against the golden moon and the noises from the busy road dying behind them.
"Because I wish to eat at a place that's not in my world," he replied, emphasizing his last words to refer back to Luana's statement earlier.
They drove past tall ancient buildings and soon it looked like they were going into a dark forest. And they drove for a long time, in silence.
They got to a clear path after a long drive, and from afar, they could see a fountain. A big building ornated with golden flowers, trimmed flowers surrounding the place, and dimmed lanterns lighting up everywhere.
"Where is this place?" Luana inquired as the car stopped and they both got down.
"This is my palace." Zeidan walked majestically to his palace. Moving closer, some figures looked like shadows standing around everywhere and until they moved closer, Luana wouldn't have thought they were his workers.
"Welcome, your Highness." A figure that looked more important than the others greeted them before leading them in.
"We've got more problems than you can ever think of," the tall lanky man whispered before glancing toward Luana.
"Your guest is the 'terror Queen'?"
"I think it's best we talk about the problems, Wikh." He patted the man's back before leading him to a room.
"The Onyx...the WereCats have found out where it is!"
This message sent shivers down his spine.
"But how?" He wondered.
"We don't know ourselves, but we suspect that we have a traitor amongst us," Wikh suggested, his expression thoughtful.
Luana walked in on the men as she had been listening to their conversation from where she stood. She felt it right to intervene.
"I could help."
"Seriously, not you," Wikh began to say but was paused by Zeidan who placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'd suggest we increase your army because the way I see it, the Werecats might outnumber us and defeat us—"
"Hold up, good gracious, your Highness, why is she using the word 'us'?" Wikh was beginning to be impatient with the woman's sophisticated character.
"Because very soon, I'm going to be your Queen and I'm going to make sure everything goes right," Luana spat before continuing.
"Zeidan, it's best you receive help from the ones who have the best Soldiers. They will help us defeat these Werecats I'm sure."
"Like your father?" Zeidan asked, brows drawn together.
"No. Like the Wolf packs."
Tension grew in the room suddenly and Luana quickly regretted her suggestion.
Zeidan could remember what history has to say about their relationship. Years of hatred waxing strong between the two groups. The Vampires and the wolverines never see eye to eye and this has been going on for ages.
Before his father's demise, he could remember being told what calamity the werewolves have brought to the vampire city and why they now have extra security. On that fateful evening, his Father had gone out to hunt for blood when he met with a pack of Wolves on his territory.
"This place is out of bound for you Wolves. We have nothing in common so I don't see why we can ever have a smooth relationship." Hail, Zeidan's father called out to the big wolf that stood in front.
"You will not tell us what to do, Hail." Azrael snorted, fangs gritted. "You all waste your prey by sucking their blood and leaving them while we see the need to clear up the mess and finish them once and for all."
But the vampires won't succumb to their threats. So, under the full moon, the vampires and werewolves fought till there was no space left on the ground to fit a foot without being smeared by blood.
His father died the following morning from the wound.
Zeidan's eyes were lined with tears already and he swallowed trying hard to comport himself.
He looked at Luana whose wide eyes stare back at him in regret.
"Don't feel bad, Luana, you have said well." Zeidan's eyes bore on her as if she was some screen that can be read.
" Your suggestion sounds good." He nodded to the man beside him.
"I also wonder if the Alpha will release his armies to you without asking for something in return. We both know how selfish he can be." Luana flung her hair backward as she said thoughtfully.
"Something like what?" It was Wikh who asked this time.
"Something so special. Something the wolves have been fighting to possess for a long time." Her red lips slightly parted as those words dropped like bombs, shattering Zeidan's heart as he mumbled.
"The Onyx."
"But I'll say that you propose something else to him. I hear he has a daughter not too important to them. She's as good as dead in their eyes. You can ask to marry her just to join forces with his men. She'll be our pawn." She sounded so confident.
"You're right. Don't worry, I know what to do." He has had enough brainstorming for the night.
"Wikh, take Luana to the Royal Chamber at the end of this corridor and make sure she is being taken care of properly. By the full moon, I'll do well to introduce her to the whole Vampirinos. As for the Wolf pack, arrange a meeting with them by the South Jungle. I hear that's where they'll be by this season."
"Of course, Your Highness. Of course." Wikh smiled wryly before leading Luana to the Chamber. "This way."
He knew he had no choice but to go by what Luana had just said. If he wants to keep the Onyx safe, he has to drop his ego and ask for a little help. It wouldn't hurt, he thought. The only problem is, that the Alpha is a ruthless leader. He has to find a way to convince him.
The jar shattered against the rocky wall that holds the cave right where the Cat leader lives.
"Holy crap. That woman has crossed me for the last time."
Cat Shelbrooke furiously ran his fingers through his spooky hair as he glared at the three cats before him.
One was full of orange furs and looked fat like an overfed pet. Another had black fur with a few white colors sprinkled on some parts. The last one that stood before their King looked like an underfed cat with its bony cheeks where whiskers grew and green eyes that looked like they could get lost in its socket. It had a grey fur color that did little to cover its ribs.
Shelbrooke looked away from the cats he so much trusted. His own most reliable cats were beaten like mere commoners by a woman.
Luana.
He was going to make sure she pays for it. He rose from his throne, now transformed, pacing back and forth in the cave, his pitch-black fur concealing his limbs as they drop on his body like black waterfalls. His stony eyes looked like they can kill one at a spot with just a stare. Those eyes gave a full light under the moon.
How could his army be such cowards? He was pretty sure they wouldn't have run if it was someone else asides from Luana. At least, someone less terrific. If there was someone he's been wanting to come across again, it will be Luana. Her father was the reason why they lost a lot of soldiers.
He grunted in disdain, strode back to his throne, and sat down.
"I need more information about where the Onyx is. After the full moon, we will be declaring war!" He commanded, his roaring voice tearing the cave and across.
The three cats whimpered as they retreated, their limbs shivering.
"Gorge!" He called and the cat with orange furs walked towards him, fear evident in his eyes.
"You will watch every step of that Vampire King and make sure none of our plans fails. This time, I need more hard work!" After his last word, he pounced on Gorge, his forelimb pressed against his face.
"You hear me?!" Gorge whimpered while the others nodded and whispered a yes.