Chapter 1

Aria's POV

I ran as fast as I could. I could barely breathe, my lungs burned and tears stung my eyes. But I couldn't stop. Not with those strange creatures following behind me. All my life, I have been seen as the crazy one, the weird girl who made false claims about things that didn't exist.

But these things— these creatures, they weren't just figments of my imagination. They were real and they were out to get rid of me. Sharp fangs, long claws that would kill me at once if dug into me, furry body, red eyes, inhumane strength and speed, I couldn't make this shit up.

I stumbled and fell, a scream leaving my lips as I tumbled down the hill. The moment my head made contact with a stone, I jolted awake, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.

Great. No matter where I ran to, they still managed to plague me in my dreams.

I let out a sigh, wiping the sweat off my face as I sat up. I've moved places ever since I can remember. I never stopped running. From the strange creatures that won't let me be, from the mocking gaze of people who thought I was crazy.

The alarm beside me rang loudly and I slammed my palm on it, turning it off. It was time to begin the day. I was safe here. At least for now. Surprisingly, this was the only place I've ever lasted for over three months.

Usually, whenever I moved to a new place— because those strange creatures always found where I stayed, no matter what— in less than a month or two, they would find me, and I would have no choice but to move again. To save my life.

But here, I've been safe for over three months. Except, they plagued me in my dreams. Even my therapist despised my visits whenever I explained my nightmares to her. If she had a chance, she would totally stop me from seeing her.

Splashing water on my face, I stared at the mirror in front of me that reflected what I looked like. Brown hair that desperately needed to be combed, hazel eyes, round face. I was nothing special. Why was I being chased like some kind of prize to be acquired?

I headed downstairs after getting myself together. Glancing at the huge clock that stood in the sitting room, I realized that I had spent too much time thinking and that my boss would be out of his room and on his way to work in the next ten minutes. That was the little amount of time I had to prepare breakfast for him.

“Morning Aria.”

I let out a yelp of shock when I saw him leaning by the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee in his hands. He was never down this early.

“Uhm- good morning Sir—”

“What did I say about calling me ‘Sir’? Do I look that old to you?” He interrupted my words, setting the cup on the counter and I cleared my throat.

He wasn't old. No. He looked like a Greek god who fell from heaven because the other gods were jealous of how handsome he was. His brown hair, a contrasting darker shade to mine, made his olive skin tone shine even more, and whenever he stared at me with those dark orbs of his, I literally melted.

But he was older than me. Way older. Not your typical 10 years kinda age gap. He was forty-five. He wasn't even twenty years older than me. It was more than that. Nothing could ever happen between us, I kept that in mind. Besides, he was still grieving for his wife who died about three years ago.

I have never seen a man so devoted to a dead partner the way he was.

“I'm sorry, Mr Elias—” He shot me a glare and I immediately let out a nervous chuckle. “Elias.”

“That's better.” He replied with a grin and I frowned slightly.

Was it just me or was he in a better mood today? He wasn't even mad that he came downstairs before me. Working as his maid was something I had to consider a blessing. I didn't have to worry about a new apartment to stay in; he paid me really well, and I was safe here. For now.

Hopefully, he wouldn't fire me anytime soon. That would mark the beginning of my end.

“I'm sorry I woke up late.” I started as I made my way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. “I'll be as fast as possible so I won't make you late for work,” I added, and he hummed in response before gulping down the entire contents of the cup.

“You don't need to hurry. I'll be working from home from now on anyway, so it's fine. Take your time.” He replied and walked away, leaving me with wide eyes as I stared at his retreating figure.

He would be at home, here, with me all the time from now on? No wonder he was in a good mood, work can be quite stressful. Especially for a billionaire like him.

I made breakfast as fast as I could, and when I was done, I made my way back upstairs to call him down. I raised my hand to knock when a shadow passed by a corner in front of me and my bones stiffened.

I swallowed hard and walked toward the corner where I had seen the shadow, my heart pounding harshly in my chest. That was when I saw him. Elias, without a shirt, with the tattoo of what looked like a wolf on his back, walking into the east wing.

The one place he had warned me to stay clear of when he first employed me. I have never seen him half-naked, nor have I been curious about the east wing. But seeing him walk in there like he was calling to me ignited something inside of me.

And I moved. Took multiple steps forward until I was standing at the east wing. Then without thinking, I pushed the door open.