LAZURUS

"Fuck me you dirty filthy beast! That is it, right fucking there. YESS, you filthy monster. FUCK ME!!" The screams echoed through the hidden room, filled with monitors and surveillance equipment. 

The footage showed a woman being ravaged by a monstrous creature, her cries of pleasure mixed with fear. I watched in disgust as these rich, powerful men indulged in their sick fantasies at the expense of enslaved supernatural beings.

I had recruited these creatures years ago, offering them freedom in exchange for helping me take down their captors. With their ability to heal themselves, they were valuable assets and would provide leverage against these vile individuals.

I heard my trusted partner Brick's voice over the intercom. "How is everything going?" he asked.

"I'm going through the footage and studying the layouts," I replied as I continued to watch the disturbing scene.

"Is there anything you need before I come back there?" he offered.

"Do you know who this is?" I pointed to the screen, where a figure was now lying motionless on the bed where I left her earlier on in the night.

"Cynthia Brooks," Brick answered immediately. "She's the stepdaughter of Lainey, although that term is used loosely here."

"Why is that?" I inquired.

"I only know what I hear," Brick said grimly. "Legally, she may be their stepdaughter, but she's essentially their servant. She's treated like a dog and forced to do their bidding. I met her and her friend yesterday...they seemed nice, innocent even. They have no idea about the twisted world of the supernatural like these rich assholes do."

As much as I hated to admit it, my heart clenched at the thought of Cynthia being caught up in all of this. But then again, perhaps she was playing a different game altogether.

"Why are you asking about her?" Brick questioned me, catching me off guard.

"I had to save her tonight and I was wondering if it was a mistake or not," I revealed a half-truth.

"Based on what I've seen, I don't think she's a willing participant. She's just trying to survive like the rest of us," Brick said, his voice filled with sympathy.

"Or perhaps she's an undercover agent for her family," I spoke out loud, a thought that pained me in more ways than one.

"I have to get back before they notice me gone," Brick stated, bringing the conversation back to business.

"Of course. Keep your eyes open and be on guard," I reminded him sternly. Undercover operations were never safe, but we had to take risks if we wanted to bring down these powerful men.

Brick was more than just my partner in this dangerous game. He was my best friend since childhood, practically a second brother. My father had been the leader of the council that kept peace between humans and supernatural beings until he was betrayed by his own second-in-command, a human who had murdered him. Now it was up to me and my brother to seek revenge and free our people from their shackles.

But this whole "mate" situation was complicating matters. For now, our main focus was taking down these monsters...but I couldn't help but wonder how Cynthia fit into all of this, and if she would ultimately become another pawn in our battle for justice.

As I awaken from my deep slumber, I can feel the primal energy of my beast stirring within me. It longs to be let out for a brief time before tonight's dangerous reconnaissance mission.

"Come eat, Lazurus," Sebastian's voice echoes through my bedroom door, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Fine," I call back, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.

I quickly pull on a pair of worn black sweats and make my way to the kitchen. The delicious aroma of Sebastian's cooking fills the hallways. My stomach growls in anticipation as I enter the dining room and see a heaping plate waiting for me. Eggs, perfectly cooked steak, and crispy fried potatoes.

"Do you ever tire of potatoes, Seb?" I tease him as I sit down.

"Never, brother. And don't try to deny that you love them too," he retorts with a laugh.

I announce to Sebastian that I need to release my inner beast and run free for a while before our mission tonight.

"Please be careful, Lazurus," he says with genuine concern in his voice.

"Don't worry, little brother. I'll be fine. One day we won't have to hide or live in constant fear," I reassure him.

As I cut into the juicy steak, its rich aroma wafts up to me. The blood seeps out onto the plate, just the way my beast likes it.

"Just promise me you'll be careful," Sebastian pleads once again.

"Always, little brother," I reply with a reassuring smile before digging into my meal.

As I finish my meal, the anticipation to release my inner beast grows stronger. I walk through the beautifully manicured garden and into the dense woods that overlook our home.

 Looking back, I see the individuals we have rescued so far, now living safe and secure lives. One day, they too will know freedom and happiness as we once did. Closing my eyes, I let my beast take control and guide us forward.

With a sharp pain coursing through my body, my bones begin to break and twist as they reform into the shape of my beast. Though it is still uncomfortable, it is more manageable than the first time I shifted. 

My keen senses are now heightened as my black form stretches out each stiff muscle and takes off through the trees at an incredible speed. It feels exhilarating to run with such freedom and ease, though I cannot help but think of how things used to be before we had to adapt.

Halted by my beast's sudden stop, I realize we have run further than usual in his form. We are now near the Trema's estate, a beautiful mansion that hides vile secrets beneath its surface - The Glass Slipper. 

From the outside, no one would ever guess what lies within its brick walls and shining windows. My beast dares to inch closer, intrigued by what lies beneath.

I quickly intervene, not wanting to risk exposure or danger. But my beast refuses to listen and takes control, forcing me to watch his movements like a looking glass. He approaches a back window with caution, his senses on high alert to avoid being caught. 

Peering inside, I see a grand ballroom with marble flooring and white walls. And then I see her - Cynthia, the girl from yesterday.

Her pristine appearance stands in stark contrast to her surroundings - her white blonde hair neatly wrapped in a bun atop her head, wearing an old tattered blue sundress with an apron and yellow gloves that reach her elbows and knees as she scrubs the floors. Perhaps Brick was right, maybe she too is a prisoner in this cursed mansion.

Cynthia slowly looks around, even though no one else is present in the room. And then our eyes meet, her blue ones like an endless ocean. She looks curious, not scared or repulsed like others before her. Our beastly presence does not seem to faze her as she gives us a small smile. A strange feeling stirs inside me and my beast at her gentle expression.

Suddenly, she snaps her head behind her and back to us before mouthing a simple word - "Run." My beast obeys without hesitation, giving Cynthia one last look before disappearing into the safety of the forest. It seems my reconnaissance mission just became more complicated with the discovery of this mysterious girl who has caught my beast's attention.