Chapter 4 Invaders

From where Aurora stood in the heart of the forest, she could clearly see the moon, which seemed to have blood due to its intense red color. The moon that night was unusual, but for some inexplicable reason, she was captivated by the force it emitted towards her. She felt like she was burning with intense heat in her body. She heard a rustling sound from a distance, so she stepped closer to where the noise was coming from, caused by dry leaves being trampled. She was slightly surprised to find that there was someone else in the area besides her. "Who are you?" Silence... "Whoever you are, come out of your hiding place!" she warned, her voice firm. She was about to step closer to a large tree when a figure emerged from behind it. The person wore a black duffel coat. Her heart beat faster, not out of fear, but due to confirmation. This was what her dreams had always been about since she was a child, but this time was different because the "person" making the noise in the quiet night had finally revealed himself. The figure stood still, looking at her with two pairs of golden eyes! She couldn't be mistaken – the eyes were golden, shining under the light of the red moon! As the figure slowly removed the hood, she felt fear for the first time. She trembled with fear as the creature's face was revealed! He had sharp fangs, long pointed ears, thick gray fur, and a pointed snout. She didn't believe in werewolves, but... she was certain that the creature in front of her was a wolf! She was about to run when the creature spoke. "You don't have to be afraid, Aurora. I've been on your side, a friend – and a guide since you were a baby. You just have to trust me. I'm not here to hurt you, so I hope you'll trust me." Aurora jolted awake from her bed. This strange dream again, but this time she had seen the face of the shadowy figure. The words from the male voice still echoed in her mind. She was sweating due to her racing heart. It was just a dream, but it felt real because she could still feel her heart pounding from fear! Aurora was restless all night, so she didn't sleep again after waking up from the strange dream. She knew that wolves weren't real, but the events in her dream felt so real! She couldn't help but shudder when she pictured the shadowy figure's form. The words from the person in her dream still echoed in her mind: "You're one of us! You're one of us!" When she went downstairs the next day, she saw a woman in the living room with the four men. It was a miracle that all four of them were present! She looked at Fiel, who seemed to have just noticed her. I'm not jealous! She frowned when she saw the doctor's sweet smile. "Good morning, beautiful, but you're even more beautiful in the morning," Gray said with a smile, his usual greeting whenever they met. "Oh, hi! If I'm not mistaken, you're Aurora, right?" the woman asked with a smile. Aurora first noticed the woman's eyes, which were similar to Thor's. Why do these people have such beautiful eyes? she wondered to herself. She didn't know why she felt a surge of energy that morning. Maybe it was due to lack of sleep, she thought to herself. "Come, join us! Hmm, didn't you sleep well?" Fiel asked her. Now you've noticed me? Aurora thought, but she just smiled. "I slept okay, I just missed my dad," she lied, not wanting to burden them with her problems. After Meg ensured that Aurora was out of earshot, she asked the four men, "There's something different about her. Interesting! Didn't she tell you anything?" Meg was a feral vampire like Leron and Thor. She visited them because of this "beautiful guest." She was curious about the woman, but she had something on her mind and didn't want to reveal it to the four yet. "Leron, answer the phone," Fiel said. It was Aurora's father calling. Aurora's eyes lit up when she saw Fiel nod at her. "Hello, Daddy? I miss you, how are you?" she asked immediately. "I miss you too, my princess. I've missed my daughter so much. How are you?" "I'm okay, Dad, but I miss you so much," Aurora replied, hearing the sadness in her father's voice. "My birthday is coming up, but you haven't visited me yet. Have you forgotten about me?" Aurora's voice was tinged with sadness. "That's not true, baby. In fact, I have a surprise for you on your birthday. Don't be upset with me," her father reassured her. Aurora couldn't help but cry when she heard the sadness in her father's voice. Since her mother passed away, she and her father had been each other's rock in times of trouble. She wanted to hug him at that moment. "I love you, Dad, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I just missed you so much," Aurora said, trying to sound cheerful for her father's sake. "Sssh... don't cry, baby. It makes Daddy sad when you cry," her father comforted her. Aurora tried to compose herself for her father's sake. "I love you very much, hija. No matter what you find out, please don't forget that your mom and I love you, and you're our one and only princess," her father said. "D-daddy, you're making me cry even more," Aurora replied, trying to sound happy. "I've missed you, hija. We have something to take care of with your uncle. Take care of yourself, okay? I love you so much," her father said before hanging up. Unbeknownst to Aurora, Fiel was secretly listening to her conversation. If only there was something I could do, Fiel thought to himself. Fiel felt the sadness in Aurora's voice, and if he couldn't control himself, he would have wanted to approach her and hug her, but he couldn't do it. He was hesitant because of the fear – the fear that she might not accept him when she found out his secret. He didn't understand why, but he felt a pang in his chest whenever he saw her sad. He wished he could ease her pain. He wanted to enclose her in his arms and tell her that everything would be okay. He couldn't put a name to the strange feeling in his heart, but he knew he would do anything for her. They avoided interacting with mortals, but at that moment, he was willing to "take a chance" to take Aurora out. Yes, they walked alongside humans sometimes, but no one knew they weren't like them. Some of them were as old as time. They were stronger than the strongest humans. They had hidden their secret from humans for centuries because they knew they would be feared and, worse, might be destroyed because they would never be understood. Most people thought they were just myths. Only they, the "different" ones, and the god who created them knew their origin. He wanted to spend time with Aurora outside and help her forget her sadness, even if only for a moment. He would seize the enchanting moment, whatever it cost. "Do you want to go shopping?" he asked her when she approached them. "Sure." He saw hesitation in her eyes, which was quickly replaced by surprise. "Are you sure, Doc? Is that really you? Maybe an alien took over the real Doc Fiel. OMG!" She exaggeratedly covered her mouth. He really couldn't understand her sometimes, like now. Her mood changed in an instant. "Okay, Doc, I'll get dressed, or you'll leave me here again." "Just the two of us," he replied, which surprised her even more. He could see the sparkle in her eyes. "Are we going on a date, Doc? What about them?" "Gray and the others will be coming with me, we have something to take care of. By the way, I'm Megan – Fiel's cousin." Megan answered for Aurora, seeming to enjoy Aurora's company as well. "You're cousins?" Aurora laughed before extending her hand to his cousin. "Aurora." They all left together, but only Aurora and Fiel were in his car. "I might melt from your gaze." "I feel like we've met before." "Where?" "I don't remember." "But why do you think we've met?" "You look familiar, Doc. My heart knows you. Someone told me that sometimes what our minds forget, our hearts remember." "Who told you that?" "My mom." He was sure he had seen Aurora before, but he just couldn't place where. "I'm sure your mom is beautiful because you're beautiful," Fiel said after a while. Aurora's mom was beautiful, but she didn't look like her. "We don't look alike, Mom or Dad. You've met my dad, right?" Aurora mentioned that her classmates used to tease her, saying she was adopted. Sometimes, she even heard her neighbors say that she might be adopted, which is why they moved to a different place to avoid judgmental people. "It doesn't matter because what's important is that you're their real daughter. Don't be sad anymore. Everything will be back to normal," Fiel said with a smile. Aurora snorted at what she heard. "Back to normal? Including your grumpiness towards me?" "No, ah. We're here already. Smile now.” Fiel got out of the car first and walked over to open the door for Aurora. As they entered the mall, people started staring at them. Some recognized Aurora, while others took sneaky shots, and some couldn't resist asking for pictures with her. One guy wanted to take a picture with her, but Fiel didn't allow it. "Why?" Aurora teased Fiel, happy about his possessiveness. "Are you in love with me? Admit it! No lying!" she asked with a smile. "I just heard someone bragging to their friend that you're their girlfriend," Fiel replied, pointing to a restaurant. "Let's eat there, I'm starving." After eating, they went shopping for Aurora's things, including a cellphone. Aurora couldn't deny her fame, as many people approached her for pictures. They even saw a large tarpaulin with her image on it at a clothing store in the mall. Despite her fame, Aurora remained humble, which Fiel admired about her. He realized he liked her, and it was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. As they were shopping for clothes, Fiel suddenly felt something off. He had been sensing that they were being watched, but he didn't pay much attention to it, thinking it was just someone like him blending in with mortals. However, this time, the feeling was different. It would be better if he were alone, he thought, worrying about Aurora's safety. Concerned for her well-being, Fiel suggested they head home, especially since it was getting late. Aurora agreed without asking questions. On the way, she continued talking while Fiel remained silent, sensing their surroundings. He breathed a sigh of relief when he was sure the watcher was gone. When the car stopped, Aurora immediately opened the door and got out. The three others were smiling, and she waved at them. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind surrounded her, and she felt herself being lifted off the ground. She saw Fiel rushing out of the car as Thor shouted, "Fiel, protect Aurora!" She felt herself being lifted into the air, and then everything went black.