To Love a Were Ch. 03

Dominic had stayed overnight in the office. Despite the sudden turn of events the previous night, he was in a surprisingly good mood. He took out his handphone and called home.

"Hey Pearl..."

"You work too hard Dominic," she said with a yawn. "Why are you calling me at five am in the bloody morning?"

"I'm sorry sis. Could you pass me a fresh set of clothes? Just get one of the Delta or Epsilon wolves to pass it to me when they come in for work."

"Ya ya... shoo now or I'll come over and scratch you," she snapped as she disconnected the call.

Dominic was really in a good mood for he didn't even snap back at his sister; in fact he apologized for disturbing her so early in the morning. He made himself a cup of black coffee and stood by his full length window and looked down at the street. Morning street vendors had already come in to take their spot on the pavements. He saw the newspaper boy too, dropping off various newspapers and magazines to the offices along the street.

Dominic wasn't sure how long he had been staring out the window for when he turned, he saw his Alpha sitting on his desk. He hadn't even sensed him!

"Good morning, Dominic..." he said with an amused glint in his eyes. "I see you're working hard as ever?"

"Naturally... so what brings you here Eian?" he asked, trying to change the topic. He knew his Alpha could smell the scent of sex in the air.

"A very sleepy but annoyed pregnant lady came to my door this morning and told me you needed some clothes. She's a very sweet little thing, your sister. She's worried about you, you know..."

"Why that little... I specifically told her just to pass to one of the..." Dominic didn't finish his sentence for Eian had cut him off fiercely.

"They are not your servants Dominic." Eian was smiling but Dominic could sense the slight hint of annoyance in his voice. "Some choose to be at the bottom because they like to be followers. It doesn't mean they are useless nor have a lesser capability than you or even me."

"That's ridiculous! You're an Alpha!"

"Yes, an Alpha... whose status can be challenged. Am I right, Beta?" he said quietly with a glint in his eye. Dominic swallowed. Did his Alpha know about the urging of the other wolves for him to challenge Eian?

"I apologize, Alpha..." he said with his head bowed. Eian simply looked at him then gave a small laugh.

"I am very honoured by your loyalty to me Dominic." Eian got up from the desk and patted Dominic's shoulder. As he was at the door, he suddenly turned and said, "Dominic... try not to terrorize our new female director too much... She has a lovely scent, I admit, but work is work." Then he left.

For a fraction of a second, Dominic felt his anger rising. Did his Alpha say that Sydney had a lovely scent? How dare he?

However, at the sight of his clothes on the desk, his anger dissipated. Sydney was nobody to him; just a woman... just a woman whom he's going to enjoy playing with. That's all...

Meanwhile, Eian was sitting at the director's lobby watching Fiona trying to swallow a beef sandwich. It was a cruel thing to do, he admits- trying to force a Vampire to eat normal food. But after the previous day's incident, the thought that she'd drown herself unnecessarily out of guilt made him ache with sadness. He saw that she didn't complain nor made any attempt to throw away her food but continued pushing it into her mouth; evidently doing it for his sake. The only reason why he had brought her along this morning was because he was afraid she might wander off and attack another human or worst, a werewolf.

A minute later, she was vomiting into the pantry sink. Eian had to lift her up for she could barely reach the tap to clean herself off.

"I'm sorry my little one," he said with a sigh as he wiped away the water from her face. She looked so sad sitting there on the countertop.

"I broke a rule," she said, "I was so scared you'd be angry and punish me."

"I'm not going to punish you, Fiona... what you did to yourself yesterday made me very scared and worried," he said as he brushed her hair away from her face.

"Uh... I'm sorry, but may I know who are you and what you're doing here?" said someone from the pantry door. Eian didn't need to turn to know who it was. He could tell from her scent.

"Hello, Miss Sandilands... it is nice to finally meet you," he said as he gathered Fiona into his arms and turned to face her. The shock on her face was evident as she stared into his intense green eyes before turning her head to the white haired girl in his arms.

"I apologize if I scared you... My name is Keiran MacFarlane but most of the staff here call me Eian with an 'E'." He gave her a sweet smile as he walked pass her. "Have a good day, Miss Sandilands."

Sydney was too shocked to say anything but she managed to turn to see him enter the lift. She had never seen a man so handsome in her life before. He had the most amazing eyes she had ever seen and there was a strange calmness about him. And that child! Was she his? She couldn't help but to stare at him as he walked towards the lift.

***

"Eian?" murmured Fiona as she pressed her face on his shoulder. He was still carrying her, like she was a baby as they walked to the car.

"Yes?"

"Why do you have two names?"

Eian gave a hearty laugh as he patted her back. "Well, I guess it's kinda like a nickname 'cause many people keep mistaking me for a girl with the name Keiran."

"But you're not a girl!" she protested, suddenly full of energy.

"Well, that's right little princess. But it's the perfect name for someone like me... do you know why?"

Fiona was staring at him now, her eyes full of wonder as she shook her head vigorously.

"Well... you see, Keiran means black, just like my hair. I was the only one in my family with black hair. My parents and sister all had blonde hair. I guess, I'm kinda like special," he said with a laugh but Fiona had caught the slight hint of sadness in his voice.

"You're very special... like me," she said with a smile. "Did you lose your family too?"

Her sudden question surprised him. Had she actually remembered about her family too?

"Yes my dear... do... do you remember anything about your family?" he asked carefully.

"I... I don't really remember... but I know I am not your family," she said with a sad voice. Because... because I am not a wolf! I... I am a bad Vampire!" she sobbed the last word and buried her face at his shoulder again.

"Shh... you're not a bad girl my precious... you just need to learn how to control your urges. I'm going to take you somewhere special today okay? What do you think?" His words seemed to cheer her up a little so she nodded.

***

It was almost lunch time so when Dominic entered the cafeteria, he was not surprised to see some staff had already booked seats. Since he was in a pleasant mood, he did not take offense that they had skived off work ten minutes before lunchtime. As he approached a group of female staff, his ears suddenly pricked at the mention of Sydney's name.

"Oh, didn't you know? I heard she bumped into him this morning!" said one.

"Ooohh! You mean him? Oh isn't he the most dreamiest?"sighed another.

"Yes and sexy to the bone..." agreed another. The women continued laughing and talking, unaware of Dominic standing nearby. A smile crept up his face. So Sydney was already showing off about their secret rendezvous eh? He was about to move towards the food line when he heard something that chilled his blood.

"Uhuh... I heard she was so smitten by his green eyes. Oh, who wouldn't!" said one of them.

"Yes and all that delicious black hair..." piped another.

"Oh but that's not all... she was asking around about the little girl he was with. I told her that he was not married yet and she had this weird look on her face! I tell you she's so into him!"

Dominic was clearly peeved by the time he'd absorbed their conversation for his face had turned black when he approached the table.

"Have more respect will ya? I'll have you all fired by this afternoon if you don't stop your pesky gossiping is that clear?" he said harshly as he glared at them. The women immediately nodded and scrambled away from the table.

Dominic had lost his appetite. He stormed up all the way to his own office and sat down brooding. That woman! Was she really toying with him? Did she really think she could fuck him then chase after other men? Dominic was boiling with anger; his wolf straining to be released to chase and subdue that woman. And that Eian? What the hell was he thinking, flirting with Sydney? Dominic narrowed his eyes. No... Eian would never flirt; it must have been she who started it. But then again... even if Eian did flirt back, was it his fault? Dominic didn't tell his Alpha that he was laying claim on Sydney did he?

"Argh! I hate you, you annoying little pesky little vixen! I don't care what you do anymore!" he roared to nobody in particular.

A little moment later, he heard another Beta director next door invading into his mind.

Dominic, what's wrong?

Nothing! Just get on with your work! He mentally pushed the wolf out of his mind and tried to concentrate on his work; almost ripping out the pages of the report he was reading with the force he used to turn each page.

***

Eian had never felt more happy than he was right now. He was holding Fiona's tiny hands as they walked down the Fashion Boulevard. It was just a name he gave to the whole city housing various departmental stores and boutiques. Fiona had insisted that he stopped carrying her so she could skip around as they walked. Eian smiled. The only reason he brought her here to shop was because this was the only place where the colour of her hair would not be seen as an anomaly. Fashion had its eccentricities, he admits.

He gave her hand a slight pull as they turned at a corner to enter his choice boutique.

"Ah! Mr. MacFarlane, we're so happy to see you again!" chimed the manager on duty.

"Good morning, Eduardo. I know I didn't have any appointments today."

"Oh please sir, our owner and most valuable customer does not need appointments. What can I do for you today?" he said in an almost sing-song manner.

"I would like to get some clothes for this little miss here. She needs a new wardrobe. Can I trust you to handle it for me?"

Eduardo's eyes gleamed as he thought about all the sales he was going to make from the request. He nodded excitedly before running off to get some clothes off the rack and some others from the store room. Although the boutique was slightly packed with other customers, Eduardo seemed to ignore them as he flit amongst them with ease.

Eian gave an amused smile as he saw Eduardo. Picking up Fiona, he whispered to her, "Precious, be careful not to hurt anyone okay... you promised me, no biting until I say you can remember?" Fiona nodded at him although her eyes were focused on the walking pile of clothes coming towards them.

"Please Sir, Miss, come with me," he chimed again as he led them to a separate changing area. Eian sat himself on the sofa outside the changing room as Eduardo passed one article of clothes after another to Fiona.

Two hours later, he carefully placed her new clothes into the boot of his car and buckled her up. She was looking so adorable with her new coat and boots. Eian couldn't bear to have her wear some of the other children's clothes when she was in her care.

"Do you like your new clothes?" he asked as they were driving up North.

"Yes, very much. Thank you Eian," she said with a bright smile. A second later, she had wound down the glass window and stuck her head out. "Wah! The air is so cold!"

"You better get your nose in young lady or else it'll freeze off and come off." Fiona frowned at him as though he had just said something ridiculous but twitched her nose just in case.

"Where are we going?" she asked instead.

"To feed you," he replied, ignoring the look on her face. Fiona didn't say anything for the rest of the journey but kept looking out through the window as the weather grew more cold and frosty.

When the car finally stopped, Fiona saw that they were outside a majestic stone castle. The bleak weather seemed to intensify the gloominess and gothic character of the building. She felt herself clutching Eian's coat, refusing to move until he had to pick her up and carry her.

They walked towards the castle's entrance and were stopped by two guards. Fiona's eyes widened when she scented them. They were not human nor wolves!

"State your business!" they demanded. Eian simply looked at them lazily before speaking.

"I wish to see the Lord of the castle. Is he here?"

"What business do you have with him?" asked the guard a little more fiercely.

"My business is my business with your Lord, if he chooses to accept it," he said simply, unthreatened by the guard. Fiona however was clutching on him for dear life. She was too afraid to say anything. The guards seemed to consider his word but didn't let him enter straight away.

A moment later, a tall and thin man came towards them. Eian felt the hairs at the back of his neck rise slightly. Whoever he was, he was powerful.

"Good day, visitor. I understand you wish to see Lord Culzean? I am afraid that that is impossible unless I know for sure what business you have with him."

"I am MacFarlane of Highlands," he replied flatly and the tall man's face immediately changed as his eyes widened with fear and awe.

"Your Excellency, please pardon this humble subject... It is most unnatural for a man of your great nobility to arrive in such accommodations; we have made a mistake," he mumbled as his eyes darted towards the sedan.

Eian sighed as he followed the man into the castle. He really didn't like to pull ranks; he preferred to be admitted on his own merits but sometimes tradition doesn't allow for such. As they entered the castle grounds, Eian was quite amazed at the solid architecture that had held the castle for centuries. It's Baroque, Palladian and Gothic architectural features, clearly reflected the age of its true owner... the man who was greeting them ceremoniously at his drawing room.

"Your Excellency... What brings you here to my humble abode?" said the man as he bowed gracefully. Eian smiled thinking how healthy and handsome the three thousand year old man looked; it was truly a credit to his Pureblood status.

"Lord Culzean, I apologize for my unannounced intrusion but this child here needs feeding." The man's face immediately contorted in what looked like fury and fear.

"Your Grace!" he stammered hesitantly before turning to scrutinize the girl who was still clutched against Eian. "A... a Vampire child?"

"I have taken her under my wing; no need to give me such a frightened look, Aramis..." said Eian with a firm tone.

"My... my apologies, Your Grace... I am merely confused as to why this child is in your possession..." The fear in his eyes vanished and the man called Aramis straightened his back.

"That does not matter right now. Aramis, my dear old friend... will you help me feed this child?" asked Eian, this time with a hint of sadness and helplessness. Aramis Culzean looked at Eian and gave a small nod and retreated into the darkness.

Eian slowly pried Fiona away from him and tried to soothe her, stroking the top of her head gently, "My precious... you must do everything that Aramis tells you to do understand? I know you're frightened... but you need to be brave. Do it for me?"

Fiona meekly nodded as Eian stepped away from her. "I'll come back for you... I promise."

With that, he left the little girl alone in the drawing room; his heart breaking with every step he took but he refused to look back.

***

The clock showed that it was a minute to six. Office hour had officially ended at 5.30pm but Sydney was still inside her office. Dominic was growing impatient so he paced the floor outside her door till he sensed her coming out.

"Oh, it's you," she said, somewhat pleased but she tried to put on an annoyed look.

"Let me take you home today," he blurted out. Sydney raised an eyebrow at him and peered closely.

"And if I say no?"

"Then I'll cart you off anyway."

"Very romantic, Dominic, but I'm afraid I have other plans. Goodbye."

Dominic panicked and reflexively grabbed her arm.

"Wait! What can I do to change your mind?" he asked nervously. Boy was he desperate!

"I can't change my mind, Dominic... but if it soothes you, maybe you could drive me up north to the countryside; I guess it's a change for me not to have my car covered in mud for once."

Dominic pushed away his questions and agreed immediately. He just wanted ... no, needed some time alone with her.

"That's very nice of you," she said and smiled. Dominic felt warmth spread inside him as he felt the sincerity in her smile. When they reached the basement of the building, she went to her own car and got out a small travelling bag which she placed at the backseat of Dominic's SUV. Dominic didn't ask her anything and she didn't say anything about her 'plans'. He was just happy that he would get a chance to be with her.

Nevertheless, knew that the drive was going to be a long one but he persevered as night drew closer.

"How much further north?" he asked after they passed the border into the North-Eastern lands. "Wait... you're not telling me that I have to drive all the way up to the coast?" When she gave a smile, he frowned.

"Well... you did promise to drive me," she said with a pout.

"Okay, I'll just drive. Maybe you want to tell me where we're heading? In case I run out of petrol or get abandoned by a certain woman." She giggled at his words and slapped his shoulder playfully.

"Just drive. If you're a good boy maybe I'll let you have some dinner."

"What am I a dog?" he said before he caught himself; technically he is a dog.

"Well, then you're a very well trained one aren't you?" she said as she ruffled his hair with her hand. Somehow that little gesture was well-liked by his wolf for Dominic found himself giving a low growl of appreciation.

About an hour later, Dominic suggested that they stop for awhile so he could get food into his stomach. "Please? If I don't eat at least five times a day, I'll die!" he said dramatically.

"Oh, shut up! How about that nice little pub there then? It looks nice and quiet," she said, pointing to a small house nestled in between some other buildings. Dominic was too hungry to argue as he could smell the wafts of food coming out from the chimney but suddenly he stiffened when he scented something else...

His suspicions were confirmed as he stepped into the pub and at once most of the people inside stared at him.

Great! Vampires...

He could tell that there were some humans in the midst too and judging from their scent, they were still living, breathing humans which means that the pub was not as dangerous as he thought. Still, as they ordered food, he couldn't help but feel the Vampires' eyes boring into his back.

"You must be really hungry," laughed Sydney as she watched him eat ravenously. Dominic stopped and realized how sloppily he was eating- or rather, stuffing his face with the food.

"Err... yeah," he said. She didn't need to know that the place gave him goosebumps; that'd be so unmanly.

"So," she started as she dipped a chunk of bread into his soup, "Tell me about this elusive boss of ours."

Dominic almost choked on his food when he heard her question. "Why'd you wanna know?"

"Mmm... just curious," she said.

"He's not an object of curiosity, Sydney." She could hear the tone of resentment in his voice but she pushed on.

"An object of desire maybe?" she asked as she twirled her hair flirtily. She was really enjoying making him jealous.