Chapter 9 Lore

**Valerie**

My only encounter with a vampire before the auction was a very short one. It could hardly be described as an “encounter” because it happened so fast that I hadn’t even been able to see his face. But I can still recall the harsh squawks he made after being shot down.

It was on a private after party of a wedding where mom and dad brought us to attend. The bride was my mother’s childhood bestie and she was very fond of Mathilda and me. She invited us to visit her newly decorated yard where the roses she planted was blossoming glamorously. We were stunned by the beauty of nature.

She looked contented with our reactions and she asked us if we’d like to see her cute little puppy Betty. She told us that her loving husband had just build a new wooden kennel for Betty, which was placed in the backyard and definitely worth a visit.

Of course we were delighted to. Mathilda and I both desired to raise a dog in our own family but mom never agreed. She told us that our location of residences would be changed frequently due to their works, it would be unfair for the puppy to move around with us. Puppies were fragile.

So we’re very excited for the chance to play with a lovely puppy. On our way to the backyard, we couldn’t wait to fondling it. Mathilda and I even had a small debate on the topic of how to pat a dog.

But when we reached there, we saw the most horrible scene in our lives. The poor puppy was lying in blood with its belly ripped apart. And a man was leaning over its body, burying his head in its stomach.

We all freaked out. I froze in fear while Mathilda and the bride started to scream. Mom and dad quickly rushed to us and muffled our eyes with their warm palms. Then I heard the shot of gun and the man shrieked sharply.

“Damn vampires!” Men were cursing.

“Betty! Oh my poor little one!” Women were crying.

The brutal incident brought the party to a halt. As guests all left, Mathilda and I walked to the parking lot with sluggish faces.

“Hey honey it’s OK” Mom was trying to comfort us, “no one can hurt you.”

“It’s horrible…” Mathilda sobbed while extending her arms and asking for a hug.

Mom gave her a big hug patting her shoulder softly, “yes, it is. But it’s OK now dear. Mom and dad will always be here to protect you.” Then mom reaching out the other hand to touch my face.

“Mom…” I forced a faint smile and asked, “Is that a vampire? I heard they call him like that.”

Mom seemed to be stunned by my question, and after a few second, she replied shortly, “Yes, honey.”

“W…why did he kill the puppy? Why do they have to shoot—”

“Val!” Mom cut me off and raised her voice. She shook her head with a severe face, stopping me from putting forward my questions.

And my puzzles had only been resolved after the war broke out. Before then, the truth of vampires remained in the shadow. According to the peace treaty between werewolves and humans, vampires had to be expelled out of the cities. They were not allowed to step into areas where humans resided, and would be executed if they hurt human beings. Most of vampires then lived in extreme poverty and starvation because of that, except the royals, who had the fortune to build their private palaces and raise blood bags.

Perhaps that’s why when vampires joined the war, they were in such a hunger for humans’ bloods, either out of resentment or animalistic instinct, that numerous people perished from being drained.

“Once they had a taste of human bloods, they wouldn’t never return to be a vegetarian, and they were out of control, you couldn’t never hoped to be left alive.” That’s what Ava told me when we’re in the cell. Despite the fact that they were blood suckers, Ava still longed to be bought by a royal vampire as she optimistically believed that she would be their mistress in stead of a blood bag.

Vampires a same bad reputation on their strong needs in sexual intercourse as it was in blood.

So when Mr. Lang pressed me against the wall and parted my legs to force me sit on his lap, I wasn’t sure which he was in need of.

*Sex or bloods. Both would be devastating.*

The moment he had nudged my neck with his fangs, I had a delusion of my own death, like one of those bloodless corpses. But he quickly took them away and after a few deep breath, his eyes returned to the original color, even lighter.

“You’re trembling, little bird, are you fear or excited?” He whispered to my ear in a flirty tone, “I hope you did it from pleasure.”

I didn’t know how to reply. Part of what he said was shamefully true. As I was still just wearing the man shirt, my clits was pressed tightly against his warm thigh with no obstacles, which sent a tingling up to my spine. But also, I trembled because it was hard to keep balance on such position. The more I tried to stay still, his flesh would dig deeper into my private parts.

This was definitely wrong.

“I’m feared, Master Lang …” I tried to steady my voice from shivering.

“Oh?” Mr. Lang didn’t stop, his fingers trailing down my neck and palm swiping across my collarbone before resting on the top button of my shirt.

“For what, little bird?” He asked while slowly unfastening the placket.

“I’m fear that…” I was not sure if he’d be irritated but that’s my only chance, “Master Xavier would be angry.”

He paused for a second before I heard he chuckled, “you think I’m afraid him, little bird?”

This question was definitely out of my anticipation. And I suddenly realized that I could have made a huge mistake. He was obviously not a normal vampire as he hadn’t been intimated by confronting with the Alpha at all.

My stupidity had put my life on a string again.

“Don’t be afraid, little bird,” he smirked as if being amused my horrified countenance, “I won’t bite you.” He paused, as he continued to reveal my bare skin.

“It’s not out of cowardice.” He said as he finished the last button and parted the shirtfront, “It’s because I like you little bird, and I don’t want you to die so quickly.”

He pressed his lips on my shoulder to give a gentle kiss as if he was trying to assure me his promise.

I shivered with a gasp as his lips trailed down my chest and parted. The feel of his tongue licking on my nipple was too strong to resist.

“No…n…please…” My voice slurred from dizziness.

He laughed breathlessly before his lips pulling away slightly from my breasts.

“Do you want to know what Xavier is doing now, little bird?” He glanced at me with a smug grin.

I stayed silent, not understanding what he meant.

“He’s going to meet the princess from North.”

Our eyes locked together and I was dazed.

“Are you jealous?” He teased while placing his palm again on my chest

I shook my head.

“Your heartbeat is strong.” He paused before lowering his voice to a whisper, “How about giving up Xavier and being mine, little bird?”

His palm moved down to my belly, “I can do much better in pleasing girls.”

I swallowed nervously.

“I…I’m just a maid, Master Lang.”

“A maid? Do you know—” He suddenly stopped and took a step back, glancing down to my lower belly.

He looked shocked.

But only after a few seconds, the indifferent smirk was back on his face.

“That’s going to be even more interesting.” The corner of his lip curled into a wicked smile.