Esperanza

-4-

Heavy fog shrouded Manila.

The gray tendrils drifted through the streets like an endless parade of ghosts. In the course of their passage, they absorbed what little light was provided by the oil lamps that were mounted at intervals on iron stands.

The new gas lights that illuminated had not yet been installed in this section of the city.

Espe gazes intently at the abandoned mansion through a small gap in the curtains that covered the window. Their carriage was parked on the side street, obscured by the old balete tree.

Now, his men assembled outside the main door of the old mansion.

She has a feeling that she made a grave mistake agreeing to the demands of the vampire.

She glanced at the man sat beside her in the darkened vehicle. Garbed in a black, hooded cloak, he looked mysterious and ethereal as the fog. “I want to help too.”

Instead of answering, he stood up and started to discard his clothes making the woman's eyes grew larger.

Esperanza cover her face with her hands and wanted to shriek but she couldn't. “Heavenly Mother! What the heck are doing?!”

Sebastian threw his cloak over her head. “I'm going to shape-shift and I didn't want to ruin my clothes unless you want me to see naked before you.”

“You're a werewolf too!” Espe pulled the cloak that covering her, what she saw before her was a big and fluffy auburn-haired wolf with purple eyes instead of the Englishman.

“Stay here and don't become a hindrance.” He swung his head toward her, who stared at him wide-eyed.

Espe's in shock. He's a mixed-blood.

“You're a werewolf,” she said. She had suddenly an urge to pet him, like what she did when she saw Alicia in her wolf form.

“Yes, I am.” Sebastian swung his bushy tail and narrowed his eyes. “Stay here. Once I'm back, I'll tell you what my payment is.” as he said that, he get off the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Espe waits patiently. If the man didn't show up after three hours, she would go after them. But she didn't need to wait that long after she saw Sebastian's friend Santo with her friend Alicia, Sebastian in his wolf form followed suit.

Espe threw him his cloak and clothes. “Hurry and get change.” After she said these, she threw herself in the embrace of Alicia who's trembling with fear.

***

The carriage stopped at the mansion of Sebastian.

Sebastian ordered his majordomo to send Alicia to her home and call the governador cillo. He will lodge a complaint against the Friar Damascus for breaking the peace treaty of humans and supernatural beings and for abducting his mate's friend.

“Wait— what?! When did I become your mate?” Espe was dumbfounded.

Sebastian looked at her and grinned evilly. “You said a while ago that you'll give me anything I asked as my payment for saving your friend. And what I want is you.”

“No!” she vehemently disagrees. “What I meant is thing! Money! Not me.”

He shook his head. “You're my mate, no one could alter that not even me.”

Espe smirk. “You sound like determined. When and how did you find out?”

Sebastian ordered the people in the room to get out, leaving the two of them inside.

With his long legs, he strode to her. “During the party. I felt the presence of my Luna but when I saw you leave the ballroom, I felt her presence disappeared.”

She swallowed hard. Never in her wildest dreams that she would be his destined other-half.

Looking into her surprised gaze, he continued, “Perhaps, you might found it absurd, but after the first time that I saw you, I've been planning our future together. Will you believe in me and entrust me with your life?”

Espe looked at him. Her mind had gone blank.

She was truly stunned.

“If you're not willing, I won't force you. But I wouldn't let you marry anyone else. I'll keep pursuing you until you agree.”

“This is coercion.” Espe spat.

Sebastian chuckled. He took her hand and grasped it, refusing to let go. “I'll take care of you forever, never let you suffer, not even slightly. I'll make you the happiest woman in the world.”

Espe was silent for a short time. In her mind, it wasn't a question of willing or not. But, when she looked at him, she felt a stirring in her heart that she had never felt before.

“Can you promise me something?”

“I'll agree to anything you want.”

“Then, treat me as your equal in the future. I want loyalty and trust.” She whispered.

Sebastian kissed the back of her palm. “I'll support you no matter what. Do whatever you want. You have the final word on everything.”

Looking at the man before her, she felt a bit dazed. Espe hugged him. She kissed his forehead and whispered, “Yes, I agree.”