Chapter 2 Another broken heart

Sophia was tired of the pain, the despair, the loneliness that seemed to have no end. Ever since she had been abandoned by her boyfriend Rafael, in a humiliating way, without the chance to even fully absorb those words, which left her feeling like a crap, like nothing, Sophia couldn't be herself anymore, even though she knew things need a change, as soon as possible, before she went crazy for good. She was just a young human girl in an insane world full of dangerous creatures capable of destroying her, not just with her teeth as she eventually discovered, but it was time to move on. Sophia had just graduated from high school, was 18 years old, and had dated a vampire for two long years. Or rather, had been a toy for two long years, which only ended because he had had enough. It was time to seek other amusements, he had said as he said goodbye, leaving her a souvenir bite. Sophia almost wished she hadn't gone to visit him as he had asked - something he never did - but whether it was that day or not, at some point that goodbye would come. Sometimes she wondered why they had to reveal themselves to the world just when it was her turn to be an adult, but she couldn't find an answer, and maybe there wasn't one. The fact was that she had been naive enough to fall into the clutches of one of them. Lucky for her, or not, she decided to go to the neighboring town, the one place where there was nothing to remind her of those who had hurt her and allowed her her moments of tranquility, with the sea in front of her. She walked for a while along the beach, before sitting down on the sand and staying there, breathing and feeling calmer with each second, accompanied only by the sound of the sea. - Hey, you're not supposed to be here. - said a male voice, bringing her out of her own mind. Sophia turned around in surprise, seeing one of the native men of the place. He looked huge even from a distance, with beautiful muscles and tanned skin. - And why is that? - she asked, standing up as he approached her, looking even bigger next to her 1.59 height. - Because people like you are not welcome here. - Because I'm from the town next door? he laughed, debauched. - Because you hang out with the night creatures. Your followers are not welcome in our land. - Ah! Sophia stared at him in shock, remembering her conversation with her old friend Lucas from months ago. - And you know exactly who I am talking about. - he continued, not wiping the debauched smile from his face, not even for the brief moment that he let his sadness show. Sophia shook her head, pushing away bad thoughts that would only serve to sink her again. It was time for a change, and she would start with the handsome boy in front of her. - I am Sophia Flores. - she said, holding out her hand and smiling at the surprise in the gray eyes of the huge wolf man in front of her. I didn't know I was capable of surprising any of them, even if they weren't vampires. All the supernatural beings he had met had given him the impression of being tough, indestructible, including the mesmerizing fairies. - Um... Vicente Ramos. - he said, looking suddenly suspicious, but accepting her hand. Sophia felt the comfort of squeezing Vicente's warm hand, but after all she had been through it was best to ignore any reaction from her body to find a handsome, tall, and sexy man as effortless as the one standing in front of her at that very moment. - It's a pleasure to meet you, Vicente. Now, how would you like to show me around? It's been a while since I've been here, since I usually just hang out at the beach. - You have got to be kidding me! - Well, I lost the few friends I had, so I thought I might find some new ones. That's not a bad thing, is it? Sophia didn't realize it, but what she said seemed to awaken something in Vincent, who sighed, giving up, and, taking advantage of the fact that he hadn't let go of her hand, pulled her back the way he had come. He could make an exception, especially for such a young woman who was already showing as much pain as he was. Human, he emphasized in his mind, trying to remember to be careful, for her sake and for his own. - Okay, but we need to establish some rules Flores. - Like what? - Like don't talk to anyone you don't know around here. Not everyone is as amazing as me. Sophia surprised herself by laughing, while Vincent stared at her, surprised that she looked so beautiful at that moment. She should laugh more, he had no doubt. She was small, next to him of course, with long straight black hair and green eyes that fascinated him at that moment. He felt as if he could get lost there, for as long as Sophia would let him. - If I see any of my friends along the way, we pretend we don't know each other or like each other. Understood? - she continued, trying to ignore those unfamiliar feelings that were not to be welcomed. He had already been hurt enough for one lifetime, he didn't need to risk it all again, for one more human. - I understood, and I say the same. - I thought you didn't know anyone here," he said, trying to look suspicious, although he was struggling to take his eyes off the perfect ass in those tight jeans, which she showed him as she turned around, seeming to look for something, although Vincent suspected she was just thinking. - Just some of my father's friends and the Bissoli's. - Ahh, of course. I should have known you were close to the cub. - Puppy? Lucas too... Sophia stopped before she could say too much. She doubted Vincent would be so friendly if she told him she knew what he was, from a sufficiently reliable source. After all, unlike vampires and werewolves, shapeshifters didn't usually go around showing off. He had only failed to drag her back to her city when he saw her on the beach. Sophia wondered if even they, the vampires and werewolves, were aware of the existence of these beings, who were stronger than they looked -she watched him one more time, trying not to draw attention , seeing the muscles up close, and everything that was tight in those jeans. She didn't know she liked defined bodies until she met Vicente. When Vicente stopped, Sophia imitated him and waited, patient, trying to appear calm. - What do you know about this? - he asked, staring at Sophia with those gray eyes. For a second she had thought they were blue, but they were so light that they really looked gray. - Enough, but I won't tell anyone. It's not like anyone is going to believe it anyway. Crazy Flores, who after getting involved with a real vampire, is seeing more than she should about shapeshifters too. You are discreet so that your existence is practically ignored and I don't intend to change that, it's none of my business. She then smiled gracelessly, while Vincent could not find it amusing at all. - I think I can make an exception. - Vincent said, more to himself than to the small woman in front of him. - What are you talking about? - Come on Flores, we have a lot to talk about. He pulled her to walk beside him and, to the human's surprise, they did talk.