Trash!

The car drove off instantly, Carmen's heart beat faster than normal. The car arrived to it's destination safely escaping from the masked guys.

As they got down from the car, Carmen sighted the most feared man in New York, she almost fell thinking about what he came to do here.

This is the first time she's seeing him in person, but she has seen a lot of his photos.

She was dragged to his father by two guards and they forced her to get on her kneel.

Sylvester sat beside her father. She needed no prophet to tell her why both of them sat like comrades. Her father was trying to sell her to him.

She dragged herself trying to escape as she wept heavily, but the guards already pinned her down.

Lincoln walked to her place, raise her head up, he checked her well and went ahead to whisper in Sylvester's ear.

"How much will I pay for her?" Sylvester asked as he turned to face Carmen's father.

Her father couldn't say a word, he thought of which price to say. When Sylvester noticed that, he laughed aloud and stood up.

"Recce, pay him any amount he wants. Lincoln bring the girl over" He ordered, he took a last glance at Carmen and moved out laughing out maniacally.

Carmen was dragged to the car booth and was locked up. They arrived at Sylvester's mansion in no minute.

"What should we do about about the girl?" Lincoln asked following Sylvester to his room.

"Bring her and the second girl now" Sylvester ordered as he took his clothes of

A Bump

As Carmen emerged from her room, she found herself in the presence of Sean. Dressed in a pair of wine-colored trousers and a matching blue shirt, he looked every inch the dapper gentleman.

In his hands, he carried a tray of tea and biscuits, setting it down on the kitchen table.

"Have you had some sleep?" He asked as he poured the tea into a delicate china cup.

Carmen nodded, still a bit dazed from her encounter with the mysterious woman. "I did." She said, taking a seat at the table.

Sean took a seat across from her, his expression serious. "I need to talk to you about something." He said, his voice low.

Carmen's heart skipped a beat.

"What is it?" She asked, a note of worry in her voice.

Sean paused, gathering his thoughts. "I know you've been having strange dreams." He said. "And I know you're confused and scared. But I want you to know that you're not alone" He spoke with a smile across his face, Carmen stared into his dark blue eyeballs as she thought of how to elope from this kind Samaritan back to her mate.

"There is something that's been happening, and I've been trying to protect you from it." He continued, his gaze fixed on her. "But now, I think it's time you knew the truth."

Carmen's eyes widened, her hands trembling. "What is it?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Sean reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "It's about your father." He said, his voice gentle. "There's something you need to know."

"Your father was not just a simple man." Sean said, his words slow and measured. "He was a powerful sorcerer, with gifts beyond your imagining. But those gifts came with a cost." This was all Carmen knew because she had read her father's diary.

Carmen's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?" She asked, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't get to read the full details of the story back then, because part of it were burnt with flame. She only read the visible ones which had escaped from the flame.

Sean's eyes were filled with sadness. "Your father made a deal with a demon, trading his soul for the power he so desired." He said, his voice heavy with regret. "And when he died, that demon came to collect something special, I think it was the one interfering with your wolf." Each words brought fear to Carmen's heart.

"But that is not the end of the story." Sean said, his voice taking on a new urgency. "The demon's power is growing, and it is now threatening the very existence of your pack."

Carmen's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?" She asked, her voice barely audible.

"I mean that the demon is using its power to bring death and destruction to your pack." He said, his words chilling. "Your packmates are dying soon, and there is nothing you can do to stop it except you sacrifice your blood." Sean lowered his voice as well as his countenance as he said this.

Sean took a deep breath, his gaze focused on Carmen. "I'm sorry for bringing up such dark news." He said, his voice contrite. "But there is something you can do to help."

Carmen's eyes were filled with questions, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"You have a power of your own, a power that can be used to fight the demon. The old woman which is your mum has bestowed a great power to you." He said, his voice growing more intense. "It is a power that you must learn to control, and use for the good of your pack when the demon arrives." He advised which was more like an order.

"But to do this, you must first learn to control your emotions." He said, his tone firm but kind. "You must learn to master your anger, your fear, and your sadness which could end this world if you're not careful." Carmen couldn't believe the kind of power that was bestowed on her.

"How can I do that?" Carmen asked, a note of desperation in her voice. "How can I learn to control something that feels so uncontrollable?" She asked not wanting any of the side effect to come to pass.

"It will not be easy." Sean said, his gaze unwavering. "But it is not impossible. With time and practice, you can learn to channel your emotions in a way that will help, not harm." Carmen was relieved. But she knew the path to achieve such great success would be full of thorn.

"Perhaps we should take a break from such serious topics." Sean suggested, his eyes softening. "Shall we talk about something less...weighty?" He asked with a wide smirk across his face which was funny and meant to change Carmen's mood.

Carmen let out a small laugh, a welcome relief from the intensity of the conversation. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea." She said, a smile spreading across her face. "How about we talk about...food?"

Sean returned her smile, his eyes lighting up. "I think that is an excellent idea." He said, his voice warm. "What is your favorite kind of food?" He asked ready to tag along, since he's less busy for the day.

"Well, I have to say, I'm rather fond of Italian food." Sean said, a grin spreading across his face. "I'm especially fond of lasagna, and a good glass of Chianti."

Carmen's stomach rumbled, the mere mention of food stirring up her appetite.

"That sounds delicious." She said, her mouth watering. "But for me, I think nothing can beat a good plate of chicken tikka masala, with garlic naan and a mango lassi." Sean looked impressed.

"That sounds amazing." He said, a note of wonder in his voice. "I've never had Indian food before. It sounds like quite an experience." He said with a look indicating he was shy and ashamed.

"It's something everyone should try at least once. Even though I was less privilege, I got to eat it by begging around." Carmen said, her eyes glowing with enthusiasm. "The spices, the heat, the flavors...it's unlike anything else." Sean pitied her but he didn't wanted to dive the discussion to another way while it's getting interesting.

"You make it sound so wonderful." Sean said, his eyes shining with curiosity. "Perhaps you could show me some of your favorite dishes?"

Carmen's eyes lit up at the idea. "I'd love to!" She said, a smile spreading across her face.

"But I have not had the opportunity to indulge in those delicious dishes." Carmen said, a wistful look in her eyes. "Growing up as an orphan, I often had little more than a bowl of rice to eat, with only the rare luxury of vegetables to flavor it." The sadness in her voice was palpable, and Sean found himself wanting to offer some comfort.

"That sounds like a very difficult life." He said, his voice full of compassion.

"It was difficult at times." Carmen said, a slight catch in her voice. "But I was fortunate to have some good friends, and we helped each other through the hard times. But growing up, they left me when they discovered I was wolfless." She chuckled as she explained her sad life to him.

"You sound like a very resilient person." Sean said, admiring her strength. "And I'm sure your friends were lucky to have you as well." Carmen stared at him, if only he knew how they later bullied and made jest of her.

Carmen smiled, a warmth spreading through her at his words. "Thank you for saying that." She said, feeling a bit embarrassed at the praise. "But I must say, you are a good listener. And that is a rare gift indeed." They both chuckled.

"I was raised to believe that listening is the foundation of understanding." Sean said, a thoughtful look on his face. "If we cannot understand one another, how can we truly connect?" Carmen throw a soft punch at chest.

"That's a very wise way to look at it." Carmen said, a new respect forming in her for the man before her. "I think the world could do with more people like you." She said staring at him. She wished she had someone like him as her friend while she was young.

Sean's cheeks flushed a bit at her words, but he retained his composure. "Thank you, that's very kind of you to say." He said, his voice a bit husky.

As if on cue, the door to the room swung open, revealing Nina standing in the doorway. Her eyes widened at the sight of Carmen and Sean together, and a knowing smile crossed her face.

"Sorry to interrupt." She said, the smirk on her face impossible to hide. "But I thought you might like some company."

Carmen felt a blush spread across her cheeks, but she couldn't help but laugh.

"That's okay." She said, grateful for the interruption. "We were just talking about...things." She managed to speak while she was still smiling.

Nina's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, were you now?"

"Yes, we were." Sean said, his voice smooth and easy. "But now that you're here, I think we should all sit down and enjoy a meal together." He suggested.

"Now that's a plan I can get behind." Nina said, moving into the room and taking a seat. "What do we have to eat?"

Carmen was suddenly aware of her stomach growling, and she blushed again.

"I'm afraid we don't have much." She said, her voice apologetic. "But we do have some bread and cheese."

Nina waved a hand dismissively. Carmen took out the bread and cheese out of the cupboard, she met it there without knowing how it got there.

"That's all we need." Nina said, her eyes lighting up. "A good meal doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to be shared with good company." Sean nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, a meal is so much more than the food." He said, his gaze moving between Carmen and Nina. "It's the conversation and the connection that truly matter." A wide chuckle spread among their faces.

"I couldn't agree more." Nina said, reaching for a piece of bread. While trying to get it, she mistakenly his a glass cup and it shattered on the floor helplessly.

After a moment of silence, Carmen broke the tension with a laugh. "Maybe we should get back to the food." She said, motioning to the table. "We've got to keep our strength up, right?" She asked rhetorically.

Nina gave a grateful laugh. "That's the spirit!" She said, picking up a piece of cheese. "Come on, let's make a feast out of these humble offerings." Sean stared at them as she shake her head numerously.

Carmen laughed again, the mood in the room lightening as they began to eat. And as they shared their bread and cheese, they also shared stories, laughter, and companionship.

As they ate, Nina paused for a moment, her eyes full of concern. "Carmen, I have to ask." She said, her voice gentle. "Are you going to go back to your mate? Or do you plan to stay here?"

Carmen's fork froze mid-air, her heart thudding in her chest. She had been avoiding thinking about her mate, trying to focus on the present. But now, the question hung in the air, demanding an answer.

Carmen took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she considered her response. "I don't know." She said finally, her voice quiet. "I'm not sure what I want, or what's best for me." She couldn't get herself to decide.

"That's understandable." Nina said, her tone understanding. "It's a big decision, and one that only you can make."

"But I'm scared." Carmen said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm scared of what might happen if I stay here.