C H A P T E R 3

SELENA,

A creature that dwells in darkness and gains strength by drinking a human's or mortal's blood.

They possess an extraordinary power unmatched by ordinary people, with the ability to heal any wound through their kisses.

A mysterious being that I wasn't sure was real, but now that I've seen one, I don't know what to think anymore.

I read about them in old books whenever I visited the library in the manor.

I always thought it was just a story to scare children like me back then, a fairy tale and a bedtime story where they were the monsters wanting to harm the princess.

But in their current situation, the story seems to be the reverse. I can't help but think that they are pitiful creatures imprisoned in this tiny cell.

There is no food, nowhere to sleep, or even allowed to leave the confinement. Why is he here? Is it because he is considered a monster by others?

Who imprisoned him here, and why does Alpin Estate hide such a secret?

"How old are you?" I asked him, and he tilted his head again in response as if he didn't even remember the last time he saw a calendar.

"Alright, if you don't know, then when do you think you were imprisoned in this place?" I asked, and he innocently answered.

"When I was ten," he replied, which surprised me. Ten years old? Was he still a child when he was locked up in this cage?

I covered my mouth in shock as if I couldn't bear what they did to this young man. But before anything else, I wanted to help him and feed him, even though I was dying to ask him about his identity.

"Come on, let's get out of this place," I ordered him, which puzzled him. He shook his head and retreated to the corner of the cell as if he was terrified of any punishment he might receive if his feet were to step outside.

"I can't leave. They will hurt me," he replied, which pained me deeply. I felt sorry for his situation, but I couldn't just leave him here in prison.

Even though I didn't know what else he was capable of doing.

"No one will hurt you. I'll take care of it, so don't be afraid," I reassured him, and he seemed hesitant to respond to my invitation.

I sat in front of him and tilted my head to expose my neck, immediately alerting him as if he had seen food in front of him, but he didn't make any move.

"If you still want to taste my blood, follow my instructions," I said to him, surprising him, but he didn't resist because I knew he desired to drink my blood.

I stood up first and extended my hand toward him. He stared at it for a moment, seemingly afraid to touch it.

"Is it true that I can finally leave this room after all these years of imprisonment?" he asked again while looking at my hands, and I nodded, reaching out my hand for him to hold.

As I held his cold hand, I felt its size completely engulfing my small palm, and I almost felt small when he stood up from his seat.

He looked about the same age as my brother, Rowan, but even younger. His body wasn't particularly large or muscular, but I must admit, it was captivating.

I couldn't fully examine his entire body because he was only wearing a thin white garment, which now clung to his body.

I sighed and tried to focus my eyes on the hallway leading to my room. I was certain that everyone in the mansion was asleep, so I knew I could sneak him out unnoticed.

When we reached the end of the hallway leading to my room, I slowly lifted the painting and peeked around.

There was no one around, and I could safely let him out from there. I quickly entered my room, and when I looked at him, he seemed amazed by what he saw.

It was as if he had never seen such a place before, where fresh air and brightness entered freely.

I invited him inside and prepared a warm bath for him. I also searched for any clothing he could temporarily wear until I could find something that would fit him.

"Go take a bath, and I'll prepare some food for you," I ordered, but it seemed like he didn't know where to start, so I raised an eyebrow in question.

"Do you know how to bathe?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"Well, why aren't you moving then? I'm getting the hot water ready for you," I said, and he seemed hesitant to take a step, so I dropped the bathrobe I had picked up for him to wear temporarily and pulled him towards the bathroom.

"Don't be scared. I won't harm you. I just want to help you and find out why you're locked up there. But before anything else, you need to clean up and have a proper meal," I instructed him as I pulled off his clothes.

He looked at me with confusion and nodded, and our gazes met.

"But I've already eaten," he replied, furrowing my brow. In my rush, I hadn't realized that he was already undressed in front of me.

"You've eaten? Well, I didn't bring you any food in that cell," I responded, and he shook his head, approaching me. Then, I realized I was standing in front of his broad and firm chest.

Feeling embarrassed, I looked away as the reality hit me that there was a man in front of me.

"I've tasted your sweet blood," he replied, stepping closer to me, causing me to avert my gaze and stop him from approaching.

What am I doing? Why am I not aware of the decisions I'm making?

"Alright, alright. You've eaten, but you should still take a bath because I know you're not comfortable with your body right now," I made an excuse, pointing to the bathtub filled with warm water and various herbs and flower petals that help alleviate various ailments.

He nodded and submerged himself in it, looking like a child happily gazing at me. "It's been a while since I've been in the water," he said, making me chuckle.

Perhaps he was just being doused with cold water to wash off the dirt from his body when he was in the cell. I noticed there was a faucet inside the prison and a wooden bucket.

While he soaked and silently enjoyed his bath, I noticed that his hair was long and tangled.

It was deep black and shimmered whenever it caught the moonlight. I immediately searched for scissors in the drawer and approached him, catching his attention. I showed him the scissors.

"Don't be afraid. I'll just trim your hair a bit so you can see properly," I said, and he nodded. I kneeled by his head while he leaned against the bathtub, and I carefully cut his hair, sensing his nervousness.

Perhaps he was afraid that I might do something to him because who would trust someone they had just met after being locked up for so long?

After finishing cutting his hair, I gently scooped some water from the bathtub and poured it over his head using my palms.

I also grabbed a soap that would help cleanse his scalp and hair, lathering it slowly and carefully.

I could feel his gradually letting go of his anxiety as if slowly placing his trust in my hands.

I smiled as he closed his eyes and looked up at me. In this position, I could clearly see the beauty of his face.

He resembled a prince pulled out from within the pages of a book for me to fantasize about. He was handsome, and every part of his face was perfect.

Unbeknownst to me, I found myself staring at him, and he was already looking at me.

Since I was kneeling to reach his head, my face was close to hers.

I didn't know what came over me or where this sudden courage in my body came from to do something I had never done in my entire life.

I slowly leaned in towards his face, closed my eyes, and pressed my lips against his, feeling its cool response.

As soon as I realized he didn't reciprocate the kiss, I quickly stepped back and let go of his hair.

He suddenly sat up from the bathtub, surprising both of us with my actions, but something different in his eyes indicated he liked what I did.

As his body became wet, he approached me, so I quickly grabbed the bathrobe and covered him. Despite feeling embarrassed about my actions, I still needed to cover his body before he got close to me.

"What did you do to me?" He asked innocently as if he didn't know what to call the act of kissing.

"Huh? You don't know?" I asked, slightly tilting my head in confusion.

I couldn't help but chuckle as there were still a few bubbles in his hair, so I immediately reached for a dry towel to wipe them away.

"That's called a kiss, don't you know?" I asked, tiptoeing my feet on the floor as I leaned forward to reach his hair.

He shook his head in response, and it was then that I remembered he was still young when he was imprisoned in that place.

"It's something you do to a person, an animal, or even an object that you like," I explained to him, and he blushed slightly with a smile.

"I like you too," he replied, which surprised me. I couldn't help but laugh because it seemed like he had a different understanding of the word "like."

"Hahaha, I admit I also liked your lips," I replied, no longer showing any embarrassment because he was the one in front of me.

"What's your name?" He asked me, and it was then that I realized I hadn't told him my name or even introduced myself.

"Selena Alpin, and you?" I asked, and he approached me further, causing me to lean against the drawer behind me.

I found myself gazing into his eyes, which were now a golden color compared to earlier when they were red. He brought his face closer to mine, sending a strange sensation through my body.

"Damian," he briefly introduced himself and suddenly kissed my lips. At first, I was taken aback, but when I felt his lack of experience in kissing, I couldn't help but giggle.

I wasn't experienced in kissing either; it was the first time someone had kissed my lips. But I wasn't innocent or ignorant enough to not know how it was done.

So, like what I had heard in conversations among friends, I moved my lips against his. I could feel his surprise and uncertainty, but he gradually responded as I bit the lower part of his lips.

I didn't know what this kind of kiss was called or if there was a proper way to do it, but I simply felt the pleasure of his kiss and the warmth between our lips.

His body and his lips were initially cold, but perhaps due to my warmth, they gradually came to life.

I felt his lips embrace mine more passionately, so I reciprocated and entered his mouth. We played together, and I lost track of what I was getting myself into.

What was this intense thing I was doing with a guy I had just met? And what would be the consequences of indulging in this game with him?

I gasped as I felt his hand move up to my waist. Didn't he claim to be unaware of these things? But if you think about it, perhaps everyone has some knowledge in this area. It's part of human nature, and anyone can feel this way.

I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, no longer realizing that he was actually carrying me. I released the kiss when I felt him sit me on top of the drawer in this room.

We gazed into each other's eyes, and once again, I found myself hypnotized by his eyes.

I swallowed, part of my mind telling me to stop what could still happen, but another part of my body urging me to continue.

This wasn't like me. I wasn't impulsive, and I knew my limits. It was also my first time doing something like this, but why was it like this?

It felt as if I were being engulfed in a magic spell that wouldn't let go until I gave in to his desires.

"Selena?" he called me, and that broke my internal questioning.

I avoided looking into his eyes because it felt like they were the reason my head was spinning.

I swallowed, wanting to refuse, but my body was already burning with desire, and I still wanted to feel him, still wanted to taste him.

"Selena?" he called my name again, and I glanced at his lips, now red and obviously marked by my bite.

I swallowed and slowly leaned in again, succumbing to the fiery kiss.

It didn't matter anymore. I was falling for the lips of the guy I had feared just moments ago. Was this a part of his nature, or was it a hypnotism to make me submit to him?

I no longer knew right or wrong; I just wanted to relieve the heat in my body and quiet my racing thoughts.

"Mmm," I moaned as I felt his hand slip inside my clothes. He broke our kiss and, gasping for breath, looked at me.

"I still want to taste you. What should I do? I can't control myself," he innocently asked, igniting my heat.

Regardless of whether I would become a sinful woman at this moment, I couldn't deny that it was challenging to resist such a creature before me.

"Don't hold back. Taste me if you want," I permitted him, and once again, I felt his hot kisses on my neck.