Chapter 3 Dos

Dos

Mr. Anderson crossed his muscled arms and waited patiently for her to continue.

"I'll return the money you paid here at the mansion," she added, not really knowing where she will get the money she needed.

Mr. Anderson shook his head, and her heart fell in dismay.

"I bought the property because I heard from my sister that it was far from town and in a place that was too crowded. I don't think I will agree with what you are proposing. We've been looking for a perfect place to settle down for a very long time now, and this is the perfect place," he explained, his tone deep and patient.

Vixen frowned at what he said. Why would it want to live in a place far away from civilization and not even want a neighbor?

"I can assure you that we would never bother you, or anyone, in your property," she tried to convince him again.

"We?" he asked.

Vixen nodded. "Yes. I'm not alone at home, the four of us are-"

He raised his hand to stop her. "I apologize. But your deal is off the moment you told me that there are even more people living inside the mansion. I suggest you tell them to pack all your things and leave now."

Vixen looked at him in shock. "You can't. I can't give up this mansion. I told you I will give your money back," she protested.

At the same time, Armando and his wife, Dina, arrived. And based on the 'appearance of them their conversation was heard. Vixen turned to the man and obviously meant to let the newcomers hear what he said. "Why do we have to leave the mansion, miss?" Armando asked looking at their visitor. Dina's look was also worried as she quietly listened to them.

Vixen looked at him in desperation. "No, Armando. We just have a misunderstanding with Mr. Andrrson," she tried to explain but Mr. Anderson faced the two.

And to her horror, he told them the truth. "What you heard is right, you need to leave this place. I already bought the property."

Vixen was stunned after the man told the truth to Armando and Lina. So she did nothing but nod at them in confirmation. Armando and Lina said goodbye immediately, they were obviously confused as they hurried inside the mansion to haul the belongings and as if to tell Manang Mina who was inside. Vixen didn't know what to do in so much embarrassment at the stupidity he had done. What is she going to say to the three companions? Where is he going?

She threw the man a look of hate before she turned her back and went inside. Then she will think about how to solve the problem. She just needs to explain to Manang Mina what happened and send them home first. Then she would face the man again.

She will not give up this mansion, she swore to herself.

After she explained to the three they were very sad about her situation. Now they are immediately packing their belongings.

"How are you, hija? Don't you want to come with us first? You're always welcome there," Manang Rina said to the girl. Vixen sighed as well.

"I'll take care of it, Manang Rina. I need to get the house back. At least it's just this. I'm not looking for other land. I've overcome the problem of debts left by Daddy. I can also overcome this."

"But where will you get the big money to get the house back?" its question. Vixen also didn't know the answer, but she still emphatically promised herself that she could do it that way.

"I'll find a way," she said softly. Mr. just silently watched Andersons to them.

From time to time it appears holding the cellphone. While Manang Rina was packing, there were five tall and strong men like Mr. Anderson came to the mansion. Astonished Vixen watched them while talking weakly to Mr. Anderson. In the way the men act their characters can see them. Their movements were strange, even how the man acted as if he controlled them. And to Vixen's amazement, they even bowed to Mr. Anderson as if he is a high official or something. They ignored them. Just walked around the mansion and left right away.

After Manang Rina packed up, she accompanied them in her car. This is probably the last time she will be able to use the car that her mother Rowena gave her when she debuted. Because if she needed a lot of money, she would also sell it, along with her jewelry that ahe also took care of.

She wanted to continue to be so upset. Vixen will first take the three to Manang Rina's house in her car. While pulling out of the garage, she saw from the corner of her eyes that Mr. Anderson is watching them. She never looked at it again.

Out of the gates, she saw another tall and perfectly built man arriving on foot. Astonished she looked at it. Where did it come from? Did it just walk?

That also reminded her of the five men who arrived earlier. She hadn't seen another car outside of the gate.

The man stopped for a second to glance at them before he resumed towards the open gate. It was impossible for them to just walk to the mansion. It was a long walk to get to the mansion, so they used a horse. Even their staff used to lend their service when coming in and going home. Or rent a car from town to get there, as Manang Rina does when shopping.

"Will you just let her go, Knight?" the newcomer asked Mr. Anderson still watching the car pull away.

Knight looked at his most trusted friend and second in command. He is tall and has a well-built mascular body like him.

"She'll be back on her own, Liam. And when that happens, I won't ever let her leave my side again," he told him, his eyes dark as the presence of his wolf emerged.

His wolf was not really happy with the idea of letting their 'beloved' leave the area, and neither was he. But he let it go to also get rid of the other humans, against his will. His primary impulse was to run after her and make sure she stays within his sight.

"How did you learn that she's your beloved?" Liam asked. "She's human, she's not half a wolf like us. How did it happen that you're destined to be an ordinary person?" it added.

"When our eyes met, I felt my wolf became connected to her. Our bond immediately intertwined together. But I am not sure why she was chosen to become my beloved," he explained.

He too is wondering. It was truly unusual that an ordinary human is destined to be a werewolf's beloved. It is very much unheard of. And he didn't know if anything like this had happened before.

Knight hadn't been exactly waiting for a beloved. He was too busy taking care of his subjects. But it doesn't mean that he didn't want one. That is why he was stranded in this place he was looking for a vast land for his companions. Here they will live. But they needed a place that is far from the humans' prying eyes. How can they transform when there are so many people around them? That is why he let his beautiful beloved to leave in order to get rid of the other humans with her.

He faced his second in command. "Inform Carlo to prepare the construction. They should start with their houses right away," he ordered him.

Liam nodded, "But what about the girl?" It asked.

"Vixen will be here in just a few hours. I'm sure of that," he answered, already feeling the longing for his beloved.

"Just stay here, hija. It's going to get dark," Rina begged Vixen. There was a look of protest on her face that she had returned to the mansion. They have arrived at Manang Rina's house.

"I can't do that, Rina." she refused while helping the woman with her bags.

"Can't you just go back there tomorrow, miss?" Lina also asked, carrying two more bags taken from the car.

"No, I can't. And I told you to stop addressing me already," she calmly told the woman. "If I would back tomorrow, I might not have to go back to the mansion. I need to make sure that everything is still in place and untouched. I won't let that man move anything out of my home," she added.

"Isn't it dangerous for you to do this? What if something bad happens to you? What if you can't come back?" Manang Rina is worried, and Vixen understands this.

But they do not understand how important the mansion is to her. It holds every happy memories of her childhood. Even though his parents did this to her, she still loved them.

"I'm going to be fine. They won't move me there especially and they know you know I'm there. One more, the Andersons seems to be a very decent family, especially that guy; he has a very high profile. And you've met Gian. She is very nice, except that cold and inconsiderate brother of hers," she said.

She dropped Manang Rina's bag in the living room. She no longer packed her own belongings because she really had no intention of leaving there until she could allow them to just return the money. It is sad that Manang Rina accompanied her to the car.

"Please, Manang. Stop looking at me as if I won't ever see you again," she pleaded to the woman that has been her second mother.

"Be careful, hija. Call here immediately to find out what the news is and if they have anything to do with you," she instructed.

"Yes," she agreed just so the woman would calm down. "I have to go now."

It was almost night because the sky was getting dark as he made his way to the mansion. She just wished the Andersons hadn't moved into her house yet. At least they should be considered.

She felt very uneasy. The road towards her home is no more welcoming. She felt that there were people watching her from the dark woods on either side of the road. She had never been afraid to drive on this road since she was young. And why should she be afraid when she grew up here?

Gradually darkness enveloped as the sun set. She could also hear the loud songs of the beetles around. If before she didn't pay attention to it, now it adds fear to her as she walks away from Manang Rina's house.

Her hands tightened around the wheel of her car as she stared ahead, not wanting to even glance on her sides. After an hour's drive she had already entered the land towards the mansion and the rancho. She was finally able to calm her fast beating heart when suddenly, a huge fast-moving silhouette appeared behind the trees on her left side. She refused to look at it. It must be just an animal. Maybe some animal just got lost. But she did not fool himself. What kind of animal is next to every turn of her car?

Vixen was determined to avoid looking at whatever it is and continued to drive until darkness completely closed in around her.

A loud howl disturbed the unnerving silence of the place, surprising her so much that she had unintentionally stepped on the brake, forcing the car to stop abruptly. The seatbelt burned her front when it held her body from slamming head first on the windshield. Breathing heavily, she looked around outside of her car.

Nothing.

Just plain silence. The only lights illuminating the road were coming from the headlights of her car, and they didn't help her to see what had released that howl.

Just a wild dog maybe. She scolded herself for being so paranoid. She was too scared of himself. She first calmed the rumbling in her chest and resumed driving. This time, she completely ignored her surroundings even though she saw another huge silhouette running after her car.

At last, she reached the tall white gates of the mansion. It surprised her that it's still left widely open. And what she saw is the complete opposite of what she had imagined. The return she imagined was already packed with all her belongings and piled up in front of the gate. But she did not find a single piece of luggage there to allow her to breathe easily. She drove through the open gates and towards the front of the mansion. Even the door is left open. She got out of the car ready to face the man again. And this time, she is ready to give him a piece of her mind.

Suddenly more than ten people were seen inside the living room. They are sitting on the couches and waiting silently while two of them were talking to Mr. Anderson. The latter is sitting on one of the white couches, holding a folder and reading its contents. Vixen noticed that the center table in front of him is full of papers and stacks of other documents.

She couldn't help but look at the man again. She could not deny that the sight of him still took her breath away. How much more good looking can he be? With the eyeglasses sitting on top of his straight nose and the undone button of his shirt showing a view of his chest just made him even more attractive. The other men inside the living room were tall and muscular as well, but that didn't bring any emotion like the effect of Mr. Roberts to him. She suddenly felt intimidated at the number of men inside her home, and to think that a very young woman like her is with them.

Her heartbeat began to increase, feeling both fragile and frightened. The men glanced at him for a moment before they quickly regained their gaze as if they had been consumed by what they had seen.

She got confused when they suddenly scrambled all at once out of the living room, leaving her and Mr. Anderson alone, as if afraid something would happen. She was slightly relaxed. At least they didn't jump on her just like what she had imagined them to do. Maybe she was really just being paranoid. But who is a sensible woman who is not afraid when she is surrounded by big men?

She looked back at Mr. Anderson and saw her already staring at her. His green eyes turning dark, before she blinked multiple times and saw that they were just the same shade. How could she think of something like that? It's impossible that his eyes were changing color.

"I'm surprised. I thought you're not going to come back," he commented, sounding amused and even relieved.

With what? She didn't know.

Vixen held a shiver on the way he stared at her. "I came here to resume our talk, Mr. Anderson," she said, wanting to ease the tension building between them.

"Please call me Knight. We could skip the formalities," he said and put the paper he was holding on top of the pile. "And please sit down." He motioned at the couch beside him.

"I'm sorry, but I'm more comfortable with this," Vixen replied irritably.

She was not used to being invited to sit right in his house. She sat down in front of it, avoiding his tempting offer to sit beside him. That would be very dangerous to do.

"Why don't you tell me what your exact plan is?" he asked her, calmly.

Seeing him this calm made her so furious with herself, as well as seeing that she was the only one who is acting-or feeling-these strange things. Why did this man have such an effect on her?

"I don't plan on leaving the house," she said straightforwardly.

The side of his lips tilted up a little, as if amused by his own joke. She frowned at him.

"Then, I'm not going to tell you to leave the house," he agreed.

Vixen was surprised by what he said. He did not think that their conversation would be easy. Is this why everything in the house are still in place?

"I'll give you the money as soon as I can," she said, relief clouding her heart.

"I don't want your money."

"What?" Vixen asked as he frowned at the man. Will it return the mansion to him for free?

He then, answered her question. "It's you that I want," he said, and Vixen would have sworn that she saw his green eyes turning black.

Vixen stood abruptly in surprise, not at what he had said, but because his eyes had turned completely black. She blinked and stared at him again, both confused and frightened. But when he looked into her eyes again it didn't change as he thought. His eyes still looked normal; they were still the perfect forest-green against his stony expression. He shook his head. It must be the light playing tricks with her eyes.

She recovered fast and stared daggers at him. He didn't expect it to say such a thing. Although she also couldn't ignore the fact that something abnormal from inside her began to palpitate with an unexpected excitement.

"Are you insulting me?" she asked through gritted teeth, each of her nerves filling with anger. "What do you guys think of me? Just a simple girl? Who's willing to give everything when offered for free?"

He felt very angry especially when he suddenly remembered the exploitation of Mr. Lim in his situation. He did not expect that Mr. would say the same. This Anderson. The men are really the same.

Knight's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, who also seemed taken aback.

"If you think I'll accept your offer, you're wrong. I'll return your money in full even if I'm also in debt," she said, unable to stop his voice from rising. "You thought maybe you could take me with your good looks and your free offer. Well, you're wrong! Mr. Lim told me the same thing ..." and she told him the old man's disgusting offer.

An angry growl echoed inside the room, causing Vixen to gasp in shock and looked wildly around her, looking for the source, her anger dissipating a little. Two men suddenly entered the living room. Both of them looked apprehensive and alert as they fixed their gaze on Mr. Anderson. Vixen was even more surprised when they suddenly appeared and backed away. She bumped into Knigjt who automatically wrapped his arm around her waist. The contact causes her abnormal heart to pound wildly against her chest. She felt her chest explode with extreme nervousness. But what was that strange feeling as if there were butterflies flying in his stomach?

"Find this man immediately, human or not," ordered Knight at the two, his dark voice harsh and angry.

Human or not?

"What's his name again?" he asked and glanced at Vixen for a second, calling her attention once again.

"What? Just wait!" Vixen said in shock. "What are you trying to do?" She asked full of apprehension and tried to get out of its sturdy arm.

"Ah, yes, find an old man whose last name is Lim, who is also the current owner of the Salvatore Enterprises," he said. He did not even budge a little when Vixen was frantically trying to escape from his binding arm.

It doesn't even seem to feel like she's getting lost. And how did this man find out the name of the company they previously owned? Did it investigate her?

The two immediately said yes and bowed their heads slightly, before leaving the house. Afraid Vixen watched them leave quickly. What will they do?

Vixen desperately tried to get away from Knight's arms again. "Let me go!" she screamed at him.

Knight seemed to finally realize her struggle and gently let her go.

Vixen hurried away from the man even though her body didn't seem to want to be away from him. He grabbed her by the chest. She felt her ribs crack at the sheer speed of her heartbeat.

"What did you do? What did you tell them?" she demanded, her face still flushed both in anger and embarrassment. She still hadn't moved on by their inappropriate embrace in front of other people, if that's what it's called.

"I just ordered my men to do something," he answered, watching her face with as serious expression.

Knight frowned at her. "What will you do?" he asked her suspiciously.

"I'm going to warn him, of course!" she snapped at him.

Even though Mr. Lim was rude to her and insulted her, she would not want anything bad to happen to him because of her. She was about to dial his number when in a blink of an eye, the phone was snatched away from her hands. She looked up to see Knigjt already standing in front of her and holding her phone, her eyes wide. She didn't even see him move, because she was very sure that she would.

The distance between him here, so how could he have it in front of him in an instant? Knight was giving her a dark intense gaze; his darkened eyes were filled with anger and disapproval.

"Give me that!" she exclaimed and tried to reach for her phone.

A short crashing sound of metal, plastic and glass echoed inside the living room. Vixen's eyes widened as she stared at Knight's hand holding her literally crushed cellphone. With just one hand, her cellphone was smashed to pieces, and he was not even injured.

Vixen gazed up at him slowly, taking a few steps back upon seeing his eyes. Now, she was sure she wasn't imagining. She could feel the color draining from her face as she stared at him with wide fearful eyes. Knigjt was glaring lividly at her, his eyes dark as night-monstrous, cruel. His breathing was fast and both his hands were clenched on his sides as if he was trying to control himself.

He backed away again several times. Ready to run for the door as she watched the man struggle with himself. The man closed his eyes tightly, causing Vixen to use that opportunity to run. She bumped into someone. Vixen cried out slightly in shock and looked back at who she had hit. She saw Wanda immediately stand in front of her, wheezing and sweating as if it had run too far. It does not take the brother's gaze away.

"You should go outside to calm yourself, Brother." she advised her brother.

Knight didn't answer but immediately went out of the house in a run. Wanda didn't move out of Vixen's way until the woman was sure that her brother was a good distance away from the mansion. Then it looked at him with intense concern. Vixen didn't realize that she was shaking until Wanda told her to calm down.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Wanda asked obviously not sure what to ask her.

Vixen shook her head, not bothering to lie. She wasn't okay and Knight didn't hurt her either, but she was really scared of it. She did not know how the color of its eyes had changed. Then why was he so angry with her?

"W-What is that all about?" she asked shakily.

Wanda guided her towards the couches and told her to sit down.

But Vixen wasn't stupid. "Are you out of your mind?" she yelled in frustration. "Why would you send your men after someone like that?"

"I just did what I was supposed to do."

            
            

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