For Sophie, falling asleep during the following nights had become a complete challenge, for every time she closed her eyes she had horrible nightmares. Since she was little, she had felt fear of everything paranormal, and working in a city like Charleston only increased her insecurities, especially being stayed in the room facing the large mansion; every night this situation caused her panic attacks.

"Maria, could you consider the possibility of changing my room? I don't feel comfortable in the one I'm in."

"I'm afraid not for now, Sophie. Tell me, did something happen in the room you're in?" Maria asked anxiously.

"No, it's just that I don't feel comfortable. It seems to be very cold, but if the possibility doesn't exist, I think I'll have to change inns."

"Give me a few days, honey. I'll try to arrange something better for you," Maria smiled warmly at Sophie, who resignedly went back toward the room.

It was already almost eight at night and at that hour the city's cold froze one's bones. She leaned out of her window to close the curtain completely when, suddenly, she felt as if someone were watching her from the large mansion. A horrible chill ran through her being. She closed it quickly, ran to her bed, bundled up very well and, trembling with fear, covered herself with all her blankets up to her head.

"What are you looking at, my dear brother?" Lea, Valentin's older sister, took him by the shoulder while he held a glass of wine and had his gaze fixed on the window.

"Nothing important, I was just looking at the city. I'm sorry we have to leave here soon," Valentin was lying. He had fixed his eyes more precisely on Sophie's room; his great abilities allowed him to observe her every night.

From the first day she arrived, his gaze was encapsulated in her dwelling and every night he observed her. He could smell her fear, her panic, but also the natural scent of her skin, and that really excited him.

"I also regret that we have to leave, but our time here has passed. People, after a number of years, begin to suspect why we don't age. And although it's no secret to anyone here that we are vampires, you know the agreement we have: to maintain peace in the city, we must leave."

"I wonder who will look after them now. You know that as soon as a clan of vampires leaves, the lycanthropes are ready to attack. They will always want to take over Charleston."

Lea approached and took him by the shoulder while she stroked his cheek.

"That is no longer our problem, dear. We have only one year left here. Besides, possibly some clan from Bavaria will come to look after them. They have always been eager to conquer the gold mine that is in this place. It's the only thing that has motivated lycanthropes and vampires for years."

"I know, Lea. I hope this last year is fruitful for our family. It's time to rest through the world for a good while," Valentin smiled at her and concentrated his gaze back on the window.

The Von Strudel clan was made up of Valentin's adoptive parents and his sister Lea. They were only children when they were rescued by Aby and Morgan: a pair of children without care or love, full of diseases and at the gates of death. The Von Strudels cared for them and, when they were mature enough to decide, they turned them into vampires. But it was a special clan, one that belonged to a legion of vampires that only consumed animal meat and blood; they had managed to control their instinct to consume human blood.

Although for Valentin and Lea it was even more difficult; they preferred not to get too close to humans. They still lacked a bit more to suppress that instinct.

"Valentin, I don't think you're looking at the view of the city. These past days I've noticed you've stayed looking at a window in particular, a humble girl in particular. Is she your next victim?" Lea asked him with suspicion.

"Victim? Of course not, she's not my type. I like more voluminous women, you know, with more sculptural and striking bodies. She's a young woman who works at the factory, nothing important. Just that my damn sense of smell doesn't stop perceiving her fear," Valentin took a last sip of his wine glass.

"I know you, little brother, but be careful. That girl doesn't give me a good feeling. She isn't just attractive to you; I've had visions," his sister whispered in his ear.

Lea had developed special faculties, such as having premonitions about the future, and she had already had images of Sophie.

"You don't have to worry, I know how to take care of myself perfectly," Lea gave him a smile and left the place.

But Valentin was completely captivated by Sophie. He also had certain faculties, so in less than thirty seconds he was in her room. She was already half-asleep, but like every night she was feeling his presence and trembling. The more fear she felt, the more obsessed Valentin became.

He approached her and began to smell her neck; his nose brushed against her soft skin and he shuddered. He passed his large hand over her back and stroked it. He was dying to catch onto her and, without giving her warning, turn her into his princess.

But his designs came first, so he simply delighted in her for a few more minutes and left her room. Sophie thought it was just a horrible nightmare. No matter how much he was the most divine man her eyes had seen, she refused to accept it was a reality, for the one she fantasized about was her great boss.

The next day she overslept more than usual. She had become late and the turn for the bathroom at the inn was longer than usual, so that morning, for the first time since she had been at the factory, she would arrive late.

She carried a hot coffee in her hand while she ran in a hurry to catch the only elevator. The doors were about to close when a large, white hand reached between them. The CEO of the company entered.

"Good morning, miss. Arriving late, right?"

Sophie stood motionless. Valentin was wearing a delicious perfume that flooded Sophie's nostrils. That morning he wore a dark suit as usual, his hairstyle was perfect and his huge gray eyes observed her without stopping. He sketched a smile at her with the corner of his lips.

Sophie, incredulous because of the awkward moment and what was happening there, in a movement of the elevator dropped the coffee, completely soiling her clothes and those of her boss.

"I am sorry, sir, I dropped the coffee by accident. Please forgive me," her cheeks were flushed. She pulled a makeshift handkerchief from her bag and, with a sovereign shyness, began to clean her boss's leg. He took her by the hand and raised her to his height.

Magically, the elevator stopped at that moment, giving them a little more time.

"You have nothing to apologize for. These things can happen," suddenly the two of them were closer than expected. Sophie began to tremble in terror as she felt Valentin's energy; it was the same energy she felt every night in her bed. She gently broke free from his grip and turned her gaze away.

"I must get to work, sir. How do I make this device continue on its way?"

Valentin smiled at her again and bit his lower lip. This made Sophie blush again. She was nervous and confused, having not the slightest idea of what was happening at that moment. She was far from imagining the sinful thoughts passing through her boss's head.

"You have already reached your floor, Miss Robinson."

"You know me?" she asked in surprise.

"More than you can imagine," his gaze intimidated her completely. She left the elevator with her head bowed and sat straight at her desk.

"Sophie, why have you arrived so late? That can be a reason for dismissal in the company. If there is one thing the boss hates, it is lack of punctuality," Glorie snapped at her as soon as she sat down. Their offices were close, and communication was very easy.

"Well, if anyone knows I arrived late, it is precisely him."

"I'm not understanding anything, Sophie. What do you mean?"

"That I ran into him precisely in the elevator. To be honest, that man gives me the chills, I don't know."

"He gives them to anyone, friend. He is far too attractive and striking. His mouth is a delicacy for the gods. He is handsome, but he only likes women with many curves, you know, those who come from the big cities to do business: they come, spend a night with him, and leave. Nothing more formal has ever been known of him."

"Don't tell me those things, they are of no interest to me. I don't mean that kind of chills. That man scares me, real dread, and I even have nightmares about him."

"That can't be true! You haven't had the chance to know him. Very little contact can be had with him, but he is far too kind, intelligent, caring, generous. You're crazy! No one could be afraid of a man like him."

Sophie turned toward her laptop. She was completely confused. Her friend was right: he was a spectacular man, but what she didn't understand was why he appeared in her nightmares, intimidated her, and made her feel the worst of feelings. For many times, when she felt his breath, something in her body shuddered, her nipples stood up immediately, and that made her feel ashamed.

That afternoon it was difficult to concentrate. The idea of having had such a close encounter with her boss disconcerted her, but she had to maintain her sanity. She had been entrusted with the factory's large monthly report, and she only had a few hours left to deliver it.

Thinking about her sexual nightmare was not among her plans.

The following day at the Von Strudel mansion was not a normal morning. The family had received an unexpected visit: it was Elian Blackwood, the powerful lycanthrope warrior, leader of his pack. In his human version, he is a muscular man, with an imposing presence and an intense gaze.

He has a well-trimmed beard and black hair that he usually wears short and messy. His facial features are strong and angular, with thick eyebrows and a straight, prominent nose. He has dark, deep eyes that seem to scrutinize people's souls.

"What is Elian doing here, father?" Valentin filled with rage when he saw the lycanthrope sitting in one of their large armchairs.

"Quiet, Valentin. I come in peace. Even though your family has always been at war with mine, today I come to tell you that something very bad is approaching."

"How can I believe you, Elian? You are a complete traitor. Thanks to you, I lost my fiancée."

"Well, those are things of the past. I can only tell you that an enemy pack is coming straight to Charleston, regardless of who is protecting it. It is a large pack; they don't care if there are humans or not, they are simply coming to claim their territory and they are quite rough."

"Where did you get that from?" Valentin looked at him with suspicion.

"Well, you know: women know everything. If not, ask Lea, who has already seen it in her visions."

"Is that true, Lea?" Valentin asked her angrily.

"Valentin, it's just that I haven't been sure of what I've seen. Forgive me, brother, but Elian is very likely right."

"Incredible that you hide these things from me, Lea! If you know anything, keep me informed. I have to go, and you, Elian, I will be watching you."

Elian simply shook his head and, in a sigh, had already left the mansion. Valentin was completely angry, as well as worried. He didn't have enough information to stop that threat; however, he would set himself the task of finding out. He had to stop them at any cost, for the humans were his priority.

Upon arriving at the factory, his mood was dark. Everyone knew the boss's kindnesses, but also when he was angry; no one wanted to make a mistake that day.

Going up to the top floor of his building, he prepared to review the final reports of the factory, those Sophie had made the day before, but he had no idea it was she who had prepared them. Upon reading them, he noticed there were several spelling errors and was filled with indignation, as one of his qualities was perfection.

"Itzel, who the hell made this report? Tell them to come up to my office immediately," Valentin's voice was raw and precise.

"To your office, sir?" his secretary replied with a nervous tone of voice. When he summoned someone to his office, they usually ended up fired. He hung up the call without allowing her to tell him who the unfortunate soul was that morning; however, Itzel called her.

"Robinson, hi, this is Itzel, Mr. Valentin's secretary."

"Hello, how can I help you?" Sophie replied in surprise.

"The master wants you in his office. I advise you not to be late; he is far too angry. It's about the report you did yesterday."

"I understand, I'm on my way."

Sophie hung up the call, straightened her clothes and, with a cold that froze her very soul, took the elevator to her boss's office. That morning, coincidentally, she felt no fear of him, as he had not visited her in her dreams the night before; that had allowed her to have a pleasant night. It seemed the strangeness of the situation was ending.

Arriving at his office, she gave two knocks on the door. It was a somber place, quite elegant but very dark; there was not a single window and the color purple was dominant.

"Beautiful place, mysterious and far too... tempting," Sophie thought.

The door to Valentin's office suddenly opened and he was sitting with his chair facing away from the door. She entered slowly; his office was even more somber. In that instant, her skin crawled.

"Miss, have you not been told that the reports you must deliver to the factory must be perfect?"

"Sir, I am very sorry. I promise I will correct it and send it to you again."

When Valentin heard her voice, he realized immediately who it was. He hadn't been able to know before because, since she had no fear that morning, her scent was different.

Valentin turned toward her. She was dressed in quite simple clothing; her social class was obvious from miles away. He looked her up and down and murmured:

"But what do we have here? For you, arriving late is not enough, but you are also doing your work halfway."

Valentin was in such a bad mood that he did not measure his words with Sophie.

"I already told you, sir, that I offer an apology and that I will try to amend my error, if you allow me."

"That is giving you special treatment. You will be suspended for one week without pay and, upon returning, if you have two more memorandums, you will be fired. Have you understood? Now get out of my office," Valentin shouted at her curtly, causing her to break down instantly.

"But sir, please!" Sophie pleaded with him. A week of work without pay would be a very large deficit for her, as the expenses for her mother and her own were paid exactly with her salary.

"What was not clear, Miss Robinson?" Valentin rose from his seat and looked over his shoulder at Sophie.

"Well, if you do that to me, I won't eat for the rest of the month. Sir, I beg of you, allow me to amend my error."

Sophie began to cry inconsolably. Valentin could not believe what he was seeing; never had any of his employees asked for clemency. But she was daring to appeal to his kindness, and he had it, although that would be breaking the rules.

"Sophie, do not cry, please," the smell of her tears and her sadness were driving him crazy, and his vampire instinct was beginning to burn. He was dying to throw himself upon her and suck her neck, bite her, but not before making her his woman.

"I beg you again to let me make up for my mistake," Sophie's laments were deeper. Valentin slowly approached her; longingly he wanted to take her in his arms, but he restrained himself. It was neither the appropriate person nor the appropriate place.

"Leave, please," he told her while he moved away again quickly toward his chair.

"What does that mean, sir?"

"Just leave. I will tell you your punishment later."

Sophie left drying her tears. Her boss was a very strange man, but he had been kind to her, at least she believed so. She never imagined that he simply made her leave so as not to bite her neck.

Sophie sat at her desk completely confused. She couldn't stop thinking about what her strange boss had just done with her; she didn't understand if it was bad or good.

"Sophie, what happened? Why did you go to the big boss's office? Did he fire you?" Glorie asked her with all possible eagerness.

"Because I made a report wrong and he almost fired me. He also wanted to sanction me, but I begged him not to."

"You did what?" Glorie replied terrified.

"Well, I asked for mercy for myself. Now my economic situation is the worst; my salary is barely enough for me to survive. My mother's nursing home is very expensive and so are her medicines."

"No one has ever asked for the boss's mercy. He is a very demanding person; most come down from that floor to collect their things. You have been very lucky, Sophie."

"Do you believe that, Glorie?"

"I am more than sure."

Sophie felt strange at the words Glorie had just told her. The last thing she wanted was for a man like him to have pity on her, and much less for her coworkers to think she had some kind of privilege. So, determined, she rose from her desk again and went toward the elevator.

She was going to confront her obsessive boss.

Upon reaching the floor of his office, it was even darker than it had been when she went up. This time she felt true panic, and more so for having gone unannounced.

Not a hum could be heard. Valentin's secretary's office was one floor below his, so she was completely alone. She continued down the hallway prepared to knock, but the fear was greater than her intentions to speak with her boss and, terrified, she headed back toward the elevator.

Meanwhile, Valentin, like every vampire, had his life in nocturnal form. He slept for a few hours in his office, between six and seven hours, time enough in which no one interrupted him, for at night, along with his family, they lived the life of any legion of vampires: they fed and held meetings. Therefore, in the day Valentin was exhausted.

However, Sophie was exhaling a quite strong scent, one that was capable of pulling Valentin from his deep sleep. There was no need for a camera to realize that she was outside his office, and of course that she had run away.

In order not to make the story more terrifying, he approached the loudspeaker he had and spoke to her:

"What are you doing here, Miss Robinson?"

When she heard the voice coming from nowhere, she began to scream in terror. Sophie grabbed her head and began to jump while screaming; she had her eyes closed and squeezed tight. For Valentin, the scene was very funny. He left his office and stood in front of her.

"Sophie, do you not know about loudspeakers? Or security cameras?" Valentin said to her amused.

Sophie immediately opened her eyes and tried to steady her ragged breathing. After raising her head and looking at her boss, who was smiling amusedly, she immediately blushed.

"If you were watching me, why didn't you have me enter your office? What need was there to scare me this way?"

"I didn't mean to scare you. It is simply that you must first announce yourself. I only attend to staff from eight to ten in the morning; the rest of the day I am very busy. But it seems you are quite rebellious, right, Miss Robinson?"

"Sir, it's not about that. What happened is that I wanted to come speak with you," Sophie replied to him embarrassed.

"Speak about what?" Valentin was going crazy with fascination at the smell of fear she had. Controlling himself was costing him quite a bit, but she was completely forbidden to him.

"About my punishment. Well, if it's necessary, I accept the week of sanction; there is no problem," with her head bowed, she began to cross her fingers, hoping for clemency from her boss without the need for pleas.

"Sophie, do not worry, I am not going to sanction you. But if you continue doing this kind of impertinent things, I am very likely going to have to fire you."

"But sir..." she tried to refute what he was telling her, but the lights suddenly went out, leaving them in complete darkness.

Sophie began to scream again, but Valentin took her in his arms, trying to console her.

"Calm down, dear, nothing has happened; it's just the lights."

Upon brushing her skin, his instinct was playing a trick on him, but instead he took advantage of the situation and kissed her passionately in the darkness.

Sophie, incredulous at what was happening and without a single drop of light to see if it was true, let herself be carried away by the kiss and returned it. Their tongues were intertwined, their kisses were far too hot and passion was taking over the two of them. Valentin took her in his arms and lifted her; in an instant they were in his office. Although everything continued in the same darkness, she felt no fear. When this happened, Valentin's sanity made him come to his senses.

They kissed for a good amount of time: they were wet and passionate kisses. But as Sophie's fear began to fade, the scent that excited Valentin began to disappear.

He did not regret kissing her, but he knew that could bring him trouble. So, making use of his magical faculties, with a simple snap of his fingers he erased the weight of Sophie's memory and made the light return.

"What happened?" Sophie asked confused, looking at Valentin who was sitting at his desk as if nothing had happened.

"What happened with what, Miss Robinson? You came to speak with me and, well, here I am waiting for what you want to tell me."

Sophie remained looking at him as if she had lived through a waking nightmare. Again she began to tremble with fear and, without saying anything else, she fled.

"With your permission, Mr. Von Strudel. I have to go. I think there was a mistake here."

Valentin simply watched as she ran, sighed, and went back to his nap. He was enchanted by her; she was causing something in him that wouldn't even let him live in peace. But he had to control himself, and even more so because of what was about to come to the city. That was more important than making a human his own, much less if she was his employee.