Chapter 3

At the Von Strudel mansion, that morning was no ordinary morning. The family had received an unexpected visitor: Elian Blackwood, the mighty werewolf warrior and leader of their pack. In his human form, he was a muscular man, with an imposing presence and an intense gaze. His neatly trimmed beard and short, messy black hair gave him a fierce appearance. His facial features were strong and angular, with thick eyebrows and a straight, prominent nose. He had deep, dark eyes that seemed to peer into people's souls.

"What is Elian doing here, father?" asked Valentin, filled with anger at the sight of the werewolf sitting in one of the large armchairs.

"Don't worry, Valentine. I come in peace, even though your family has always been at war with mine. Today I'm here to tell you that something very bad is coming," Elian replied.

"How can I believe in you, Elian? You are a complete traitor. Thanks to you, I lost my fiancée," Valentin said.

"Well, that's a thing of the past. I can only tell you that an enemy pack is coming straight to Charleston. They don't care who's protecting the territory. They're pretty rough," Elian explained.

"Where did you get that information?" asked Valentin suspiciously.

"Well, you know women know everything. If not, ask Leah, who has already seen it in her visions," Elian replied.

"Is that true, Leah?" asked Valentin, angrily.

"Valentine, I haven't been sure what I've seen. Forgive me, brother, but most likely Elian is right," Lea apologized.

"It's unbelievable that these things are hidden from me, Leah! If you know anything, keep me posted. I have to go. And you, Elian, will be watching you," Valentin concluded before leaving the mansion. Elian simply shook his head and in a breath he had already left the mansion. Valentine was completely angry, as well as worried. He didn't have enough information to stop that threat, but he would set about finding out. He had to stop them at all costs, because humans were his priority.

When he arrived at the factory, his mood was dark. Everyone knew the goodness of the boss, but they also knew that when he was angry, no one wanted to make a mistake that day. Going up to the top floor of his building, he set out to review the final factory reports, the ones Sophie had done the day before, but he had no idea that she had made them. As he read them, he noticed several spelling errors and was filled with indignation, for one of his qualities was perfection.

"Itzel, who the did this report? Tell him to come up to my office immediately," Valentin ordered, his voice raw and accurate.

"To your office, sir?" his secretary replied nervously, knowing that when he summoned someone to his office, it usually ended in a firing. However, Valentin hung up the call before allowing him to tell her who the unlucky one was that morning. Nonetheless, Itzel called Sophie.

"Robinson, hello. You talk to Itzel, Mr. Valentin's secretary," Itzel said.

"Hello, how can I be of service to you?" replied Sophie surprised.

"The gentleman wants you in his office. I advise you not to delay; He's too angry. It's about the report you did yesterday."

"I understand, I'm going there" Sophie hung up the call, fixed her clothes, and, in the cold that froze her to the core, took the elevator to her boss's office. That morning she happened to be unafraid of him, for he had not visited her in her dreams the night before, which allowed her to have a pleasant night. It seemed that the strangeness of the situation was dissipating.

When he reached his office, he knocked twice on the door. It was a dingy but elegant place, with décor somewhat dated for the twenty-first century. The door to Valentin's office suddenly opened, and he was sitting with his chair facing away from the door. She walked in slowly, feeling a chill run down her skin.

"Miss, haven't they told you that the reports you have to deliver at the factory must be perfect?" reproached Valentín.

"Sir, I'm so sorry. I promise I'll correct the mistake and send it back to him," Sophie replied, unaware that he already knew who she was.

Valentin turned to her, noticing her simplicity of dress and social class. He looked her up and down and muttered, "What do we have here? Not only is he late, but he's only half-doing his job."

Sophie tried to apologize again, but Valentin abruptly interrupted her: "You will be suspended for a week without pay, and if you make two more mistakes when you return, you will be fired. Understood? Now get out of my office."

Sophie pleaded, but Valentine was adamant. She began to cry inconsolably, something Valentin did not expect. His vampire instinct burned, but he held back. I knew it wasn't appropriate.

"Please don't cry," Valentine pleaded. As she walked away crying, he struggled internally with his forbidden desires. He had never felt such conflict, but he knew he had to stand firm in his decisions. For your safety and hers.