Beware your love, her blood the key,

To make you thrall or set you free.

I read the prophecy out loud once again and put the worn piece of paper back in its place at the mirror frame. It had been almost three years since Sara gave it to me at Dad's funeral. Being father's best friend she meant well. But it felt cruel anyway.

I called the "White Lily" flower shop.

"Mister Adrian, nice to hear you again. What will it be this time? A romantic bouquet or a basket with red roses with a parting note?", Roberto's cheerful voice chimed.

"The latter. The note should be thanking for a wonderful weekend at the sea," I clarified, leaving the details to him.

It was time to get ready for the evening. My usual dating attire consisted of a black, leather jacket, black t-shirt, and matching jeans. Together with a five o'clock shadow and tousled, dark hair, it made for a bad-boy look, that worked on the ladies like a charm. I used my favorite cologne, giving off the scent of an incoming rain, and called a taxi. Riding a motorcycle would be much fancier, but I was planning to have a drink, so driving was not an option.

On my way out I threw away a dead mouse from the porch and poured fresh water in Diesel's bowl. The cat would appreciate it after another fruitful hunt.

My phone bipped. The message from the blond I had spent the last weekend with made me smile, "Thank you for the lovely flowers. Best of luck, and hope to meet you again sometime".

At the bar, a petite brunette caught my attention. She was sitting alone at the counter, sipping a blue and yellow drink from a narrow glass. The colors of her outfit matched her drink. Sunny, frilly blouse and skinny jeans flattered her svelte figure.

I came up to her with a smile, which I knew worked best on the lonely ladies. I hadn't managed to get beyond basic greetings, when the girl shot up from her seat and fled, hiding behind a huge guy, sitting a few chairs away. He sprang to his feet, toppling the stool as he turned to me. I'm not small, but he dwarfed me, a head taller and twice as broad.

The moment he attacked, a dainty, blond girl walked between us, her gaze burning me like fire. Her emerald green eyes flickered when she got struck from behind. Instead of falling, she clutched my arms, digging her fingers deep into my muscles. We got air-born. Struggling in panic, she turned us around. She hit the wall hard with her back. Carried with our motion I pinned her in place.

The impact sent waves through my body. I expected her to be dead. She looked up at me, her gaze unfocused with shock. She reached out her hand to touch my face. Her fragile, smooth palm was burning hot on my cheek. She turned red, gasping for air. My stomach clenched at the thought that I was the cause of her hurt.

A massive hand pulled my arm, tearing me away from the girl. The giant's yellow eyes told me he was a werewolf. My mouth went dry, my heart raced like a frightened horse. I shifted position, placing the lady behind me.

"She needs help. You can deal with me later," I blurted at the enraged beast. He snarled making me flinch.

The blond came on wobbly legs to stand in front of me. This was madness. She was trembling, but her fists were clenched and her lips formed a tight, straight, line when she faced the wolf. He furrowed his bushy eyebrows, scrutinizing her. His gaze latched onto her shapely breasts, making her blush. Before I could utter a word, he whirled and vanished into the crowd.

A redhead with curly hair ran up to us and took the blond to the bathroom. Her two friends dragged me to their table. Their cheerful mood was contagious and before Lena joined us we were laughing and joking together. Her pale face reminded me of what had happened. Against my better judgment, the women convinced me Lena hadn't been hurt. She had to be incredibly lucky.

For the rest of the evening, I felt her gaze on me, but she wouldn't meet my eyes. When our legs met by accident under the table she jolted. She was listening without joining the conversation and I couldn't help watching her.

She was the perfect opposite of the women I used to date. She wore no makeup, her clothes were plain and modest. She did nothing to make herself attractive. And yet she was more captivating than any lady I'd seen. I caught myself thinking how nice it would feel to play with her golden hair.

I almost lost her when the party ended. I caught up with her as she was disappearing down the alley. She didn't mind me walking her home, but the conversation was stiff.

We were turning the corner when an enormous dog charged at me from a dark alley. I froze. Lena intercepted the beast's course, stopping it in its tracks.

An elderly woman approached Lena with an apologetic smile. Petrified, I couldn't decipher their words. I relaxed only when the hag took the monster away. Who walks their dog in the middle of the night anyway?

Before Lena could delve into my shameful fear I suggested a date. She blushed and stuttered most adorably. Her pupils dilated and she licked her lips when I gave her my business card. I hoped goodbye kiss, but she ran away, waving to me from afar.

* * *

It'd been almost a week since I met Lena. She still hadn't called me. Ladies never ignored me like that.

I'd just ridden the motorcycle inside the garage and cut off the engine when my phone rang, almost making me drop my helmet. I didn't know the caller's number. My heart jumped at the thought that the mysterious blond wanted to set up a date on a Saturday night. I answered with my usual cheerful "Hello".

It was a distress signal. The only thing better than a straight-out invitation to a date. Lena's car broke on a woodland road, not far from my place. I hopped back on my bike, a set of tools always in my saddlebag.

It took me half an hour to find the location of the pin she had sent me. A tiny, metallic-grey hatchback stood by the side of a narrow, gravel road, tucked in between massive pine trees. Smoke was floating in thin strands from under the hood.

Lena was pacing around the vehicle, hugging herself in the cold, autumn wind. As I drove up to her, she shot me a nervous glance. Only when I took off the helmet her face relaxed in relief.

I listened to her explanations as I opened the hood, making sure to avoid the explosion of hot smoke. She had been on her way to a forest cabin when the engine had died on her with a loud thump. She was following me with her gaze, but wouldn't meet my eyes when I looked up from the vehicle. There wasn't much I could do for the car right away. A slick of oil glistening under the hood told me this was going to be a bigger job than my trusty toolbag could handle.

"I'll need to bring your car to my workshop. Let's go get the tow truck," I said, pointing at my motorcycle.

She gasped, panic lighting in her emerald eyes.

"It'll be all right. I have a spare helmet and I'll drive slowly," I reassured her, careful to sound calm and confident.

"I need to get to the cabin. You can tow the car tomorrow, in daylight," she answered. I agreed with a smile.

She pulled a small backpack and a purse from the car. She had to let her long hair loose, as the high ponytail wouldn't fit into the helmet. I mounted the bike first, keeping it steady for Lena. She climbed up behind me, her little weight not even making the motorcycle shake.

"Grab onto me," I told her, starting the motor. The engine's roar drowned out her protest.

She wrapped her arms around me, careful not to get too close, her handbag tucked between us. Her grip tightened as I drove on the rough road. The heat of her body reached me through all the layers of clothes. Or maybe I imagined it.

Little raindrops dotted the visor of my helmet, blurring my vision. Mist rose, turning the leafless bushes into monstrous hands trying to seize us.

By the time we reached the cabin, the drizzle had become a downpour. We ran into the wooden hut, drenched in ice-cold water. Only our hair stayed dry under the helmets. A piercing sound startled me when I was looking for the light switch. Lena fumbled with her bag, fighting to dig out her phone.

I turned the light on.

"Sorry. It's just the alarm," she apologized with a sheepish smile. I checked my watch. It was 10 p.m.

Lena had put her wet bag on a small cabinet. Beside it, a pair of handcuffs, lined with a red fluff, caught my eye. I hid my surprise, not letting the girl know I noticed the toy. Was her distress call a game?

"You're soaking wet," she said, scrutinizing me, worry sounding in her melodious voice. "We need to get you out of those clothes fast," she stated with a strange glint in her emerald eyes. I sucked in a breath. "You'll catch a cold," she added after a pause. "I don't have anything that would fit you, but I'll get you some blankets and towels. And I'll light the fireplace, so the clothes will dry in no time," her words tumbled out in a rush.

"I'll start the fire. You go change into something dry," I interrupted.

She stopped as if only now realizing her state. She checked her watch and bit her lip.

"Ok," she agreed, grabbed her bags, and stormed out of the living room, disappearing in a narrow corridor at the back of the house, leaving me speechless.

She was back when I was kindling the fire. I'd never seen a lady get changed in such a short time. She wore blue jeans, an oversized, grey T-shirt with a green pine tree on the front, and adorable bunny slippers. She tied her golden hair back into a tight ponytail.

"Go get changed, I'll finish with the fire," she said, thrusting a heap of towels and blankets into my arms. She was careful not to look me in the eyes.

"The bathroom is on the right," she added, pushing me towards the corridor she had used earlier.

I obeyed. The bathroom was stark clean, smelling of pine. The shower, sink and toilet were crammed into a tight space, not leaving much room for movement. I shed the wet garments, happy that my underwear stayed dry. The quick, hot shower felt wonderful on my cold skin. I dried myself with the soft, fluffy towels and wrapped myself in an enormous, brown blanket. A glance at the mirror assured me I was presentable.

The fire was crackling and the scent of freshly brewed tea made me smile. Lena shot me a quick look and blushed. I hung my wet clothes on a chair and put it near the fire. Averting her eyes Lena handed me a mug full of aromatic, hot beverage, smelling of ginger and honey.

"This will do you good," she whispered. "You can sleep on the couch. I brought you some pillows," she murmured, pointing to a mountain of cushions and blankets on the sofa.

"Thank you. But I don't feel like sleeping yet," I taunted.

Her eyes flicked to me, her breath caught in her throat.

"Of course. There's a TV remote somewhere here," she looked around finding nothing.

"We could just talk by the fire. The night is still young." I teased, following her with my gaze.

"No, it isn't!" she blurted. "I mean, it's . . . it's late for me. I need to get my . . . beauty sleep . . ." she mumbled. "I'll be in my bedroom until morning. Goodnight," she muttered.

She rushed past me. In her haste she pulled away my make-shift shower robe, leaving me in my boxers. Startled, she spun around and gasped. Her gaze lingered on my torso, the emerald of her eyes deepening to the stormy green of a pine forest.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, blush blooming across her face and neck. Then she fled.