sober up a bit. The fact that he knew her name was strang

ring as he continued to stare at her. The look in his eyes made he

nd his neck. Unlike her, the man was insistent on getting a genuine respo

his kisses, causing her ears to flush. She giggled, her eyes sparkling in the d

Emma. Was it some sort of popular phrase?

s fingers to explore her body, reveling in the pleasure that sho

mbrace her waist, pulling her close to his sturdy, muscular frame. Aurora bit her lip, suppressing a moan of pleasure, feeling as though

to feel disoriented as her legs weakened. She doubled over in agony, c

g strangers, his concern sounded genuine. Touched, Aurora tried to stand on her own, determined no

ng effortlessly strong despite carrying her full weight. As she fou

ed, leaning over his shoulder to notice a tric

l attention," he replied calmly,

arely kn

ough the club, past the dance floor, and out to the parking lot, where

ing Aurora to gather her senses. Looking out, panic surged through her as

r's respons

ere are

eeling any better?"

rest, feeling a bit disoriented. Everything was

s of Ryan and Emma. All she craved was to drink all night and seek solace in the arms of a hand

l a tingling sensation in her body at the thought of hi

ooming trees cast eerie shadows like nocturnal monsters. Dexter navigated

crunch of twigs beneath her feet revealed they were deep in the forest. Ahead stood a tall, black edifice flanked by t

ra remarked, "Is

support as they walked towards the entrance, mindful of Aurora's dis

nry. Despite the grandeur, the well-lit hallway dispelled any sense of forebodi

that differed from the hallway, featuring a minimalis

om," Aurora stuttered, swiftly

r heart racing. Alone at last. Despite her abdominal pain persisting, she leaned on the s

the same toward her. The way he had looked into her eyes an

tle. But Dexter didn't look at her. Instead, he sat across from her, his head facing dow

a purposely spoke in a sweet voi

augh in a way that made Aurora's

ng a crescent-shaped mark on the apple. If he noticed the wound, he gave no sign of recognition. He continued peeling the apple as though nothing had happened. Aurora gaze

bleeding," A

finished slicing it up into equal parts. The piece he han

Aurora smiled, put the apple in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. T

er have that

abdominal pain, the house deep in the forest, and the magical apple with blood on it-

t and finally asked,