“Leila Aragon, you look perfect!” I look at my reflection in the mirror, and I can't help but give myself a few compliments. I’m wearing a beautiful, billowing white and blue printed fit and flare dress that swishes as I walk. It comes with three-quarter sleeves and a v-neck since I want to look elegant and unique. But I want to be stunning, so I pair my outfit with a bloody shade of lipstick.

“I will prove through my actions that I am worthy of being a part of the pack... I will show that I am not just beautiful, but I have brains too!” She murmured, picking up my shoulder bag—one more glance in the mirror before I finally left my room.

“Morning, Leila, you look lovely today,” Eunice commented when we met in the hallway. She was still wearing her nightie.

“Morning, Eunice. It looks like you did not sleep well,” I commented, seeing the dark spot around her eyes.

“Bradley and I did not sleep last night,” Eunice responds and yawns.

I stood dumbstruck as Eunice made her way down the hall, her shoes clicking against the floor.

I don’t know how to react to this situation, but I’m sure of one thing ... I’m disgusted and want to strangle Bradley until he stops breathing!

Leila, better to reject that crazy bastard! I murmured while marching on the stairs.

“Leila, you look different today?” Zeke, who is now eating his cereal, commented.

“What do you mean by different? Do I look weird?” I asked, glaring at my little brother.

“You look ugly,” I jumped in shock when I heard Bradley whisper in my ear.

Seems I need to check my senses because it’s not working properly! How come I did not hear any footsteps or smell Bradley’s scent? I asked myself as I walked away from Bradley.

“Hey, you said we’re leaving early. Why are you still not ready?” I snorted, seeing shirtless Bradley.

“We’re leaving at nine,” Bradley replied, opening the fridge to get water.

“That’s not early! And can you please wear something if you go out of your room? Let me remind you, a woman lives here!” I exclaimed, sitting beside Zeke.

“Leila, I also wear boxers when I go out... Why are you not getting mad at me?” Zeke innocently asked.

“Brother, perhaps my little Leila looks at me differently...” Bradley meaningful remark as he winks at Kurt.

“Huh! The nerve of you! My mind is pure, so I will never look at you like a—”

I didn’t finish my remarks when Bradley walked toward me while his eyes were threatening.

“Wh-what are you doing? Don’t you dare!” I stutter, and I don’t know why.

“If you say you don’t see me as a man, you will be humiliated because I can prove here...now — that you are lying,” Bradley whispered as he stretched out to me.

“Morning guys!” Bradley’s attention was diverted to the speaker. It was Eunice, walking towards the kitchen.

Oh god, I’ve been saved! I scream in my mind while smiling at Eunice, who is now looking fresh with her floral top and a short-short.

“Morning Ms. Eunice,” Zeke greeted her back while Bradley return his gaze to me.

“Bradley, are you bullying Leila? Geez, it’s too early for that,” Eunice commented and gently full Bradley towards her.

“I’m not bullying anyone. I want to bet against my little Leila’s statement,” Bradley responds while glaring at me.

“Oh, what bet?” Eunice asked, but her eyes were on me.

I gave Eunice a forced smile and decided not to answer her question, since I also can’t say the ‘bet’ that Bradley is referring to. But Bradley has a plan on his own as he announces our topic.

“My little Leila says he will never look at me as a man, so I challenge her!”

“Ha Ha Ha, Bradley, you are a devil! Everyone knows that the woman who will look at you with unmixed lust has never been born!” Eunice asserted while smiling flirtatiously.

“Hear that? So prepare yourself for how you can escape me,” Bradley said. Before leaving, he left me with a grin.

“Crazy!” I gasped in disbelief and shifted my gaze, so I caught Eunice staring at me.

There was suspicion in her eyes, but it immediately disappeared and was replaced by a sweet smile.

I quickly finished my breakfast and decided to just wait for Bradley outside.

I felt the sudden change in the way Eunice looked at me, so it was better for me to avoid her.

-------

“What took you so long?” I greeted Bradley with a frown.

“Why are you moving so quickly? The meeting will not start without the presider,“ Bradley answered, unbothered. He approached me and took the car key.

“Hey! I’ll drive! You don’t have a license!” I blurted in skepticism.

“Get in or I’ll leave you,” Bradley said, and did not care about my protest.

I don’t have a choice because Bradley started the engine, so I get in the passenger seat while lengthening my snout.

“What are you waiting for?” I asked when the car did not move.

“Leila, don't forget to click your seatbelt - it's for your own safety. As I remember, we are powerful with a quick recovery, but we are not immortal.” Bradley utters while adjusting my seatbelt.

Oh god, my heart ... please stop the loud throbbing! If Bradley finds out that my heart is going crazy as we get closer, I’m sure he’ll do something that I can’t withhold.

I felt a wave of dizziness as Bradley intently stared into my eyes, warning me not to speak at the council without his permission.

Dear Lord, how can you be so inequitable? How could I not swoon for Bradley Silva when his midnight gray eyes stare at me as if he is revealing my soul?

“Leila Aragon, do you understand?” Bradley asked again after hearing nothing from me.

“Huh?” My response was barely audible, “Ye-yes, I understand,” my eyes shifting away from his in an attempt to hide my inner thoughts.

“Before I forget, one more thing ...” Bradley's voice was stern as he said, “Don't look at me like that, or I'm not sure I can hold back,” and he tenderly nipped my nose.

My eyes widened and covered my face in embarrassment while Bradley laughed out loud.

Meanwhile, in Eunice’s bedroom, her face was dark as she watched Bradley’s every reaction toward me.

“Your mine! I will allow no one to take you away from me!” Eunice exclaimed while clenching her fist.