For reasons known to him, Daniel was enthusiastic throughout the ride, not to mention, he and Rex had become best buddies.

"So what about Alvin and the chipmunks? " Rex asked, leaving his own side of the seat to occupy his sister's lap and wrapping his hand around the headrest of Daniel's seat from behind.

Eyes still on the road, Daniel tipped his head to the side as if in deep contemplation. "Nah, I don't think so, but I definitely watched Teletubbies "

"What is Teletubbies?" Rex curiously asked, lifting himself up and itching more closer towards Daniel's seat.

"Rex, Daniel is driving, don't distract him. We don't want an accident, do we?" Lia cautioned her brother, dragging his butt back on her laps.

Daniel laughed, there was no way on earth he would be distracted enough to get involved with an accident. He was a werewolf and could even drive with his peripheral vision - as far as his mate wasn't the one doing the distraction.

Rex was one curious child, so Daniel had no choice but to answer him,

"Teletubbies is a children's television series featuring multi-colored creatures known as "Teletubbies", having fun in their idyllic Teletubbyland "

Daniel looked back when he heard his mate's laughter," What's funny? "

"I think I watched those or my mom made me watch those " She replied captivating his attention.

" Really?

"Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po, and Tinky Winky? yeah, I did "

Daniel laughed, " We have a lot in common than" he slapped the steering wheel from excitement.

"I think cartoons and kids shows helped in shaping us into who we are today," Lia remarked, feeling nostalgic.

"What cartoon did you watch Daniel? " Rex asked as usual.

"Pokemon"

"No way! " Lia exclaimed in surprise.

"Tom and Jerry "

Her brows furrowed together from thinking, Lia then asked "At what age did you stop watching those? "

There was a slight hesitation which she didn't fail to capture but he answered anyway, " I stopped at age ten after my parent's death. I had numerous responsibilities to shoulder, I could not dilly dally anymore "

So that was the reason for the reluctance, Lia noted.

"Don't worry Daniel, you can come over to our place anytime and we would catch up on a lot of cartoons " Rex beat his chest, " I, Rex, master of animation and games, promise you that "

Lia gave him a disapproving look, "Rex, Daniel is a busy person. Besides, what's he going to do with cartoons, he's way past it "

"Cartoons have no age limitation, " Rex argued with her.

"Don't worry Rex, I'll make out time to watch cartoons and play video games with you - though you might have to teach me the video game part " Daniel butt in before the argument could escalate.

"Sure! " Rex agreed and made the "promise " sign while Lia rolled her eyes towards heaven.

It was obvious Daniel purposely gave in to his younger brother, seems her brother is now trying to squeeze a little out of her time with her mate - well she doesn't actually mind, her family accepting Daniel would make things easier when she finally confesses everything.

Soon enough they reached home, but what Lia didn't expect was that her mom threw a small surprise party for her and even invited her friends - her mom had friends? How surprising.

Though the party was organized for her and Trevor, in celebration of their speedy recovery but all attention was focused on her and Daniel instead.

"Happy recovery " Someone wished her, Lia accepted her goodwill with smiles though she had no idea who the person was.

At first, when they moved in, Lia was sullen they had no neighbors but now she was grateful for it; the bungalow beside theirs has been empty for months.

Perhaps because of the nature of his job, her father had purposely got this house, away from prying eyes.

After the empty bungalow beside theirs, everything else was tall thick bushes and it would take a few kilometers to sight other buildings - which was why no one had complained of any weird occurrence.

Lia was making conversation with the unfamiliar guests when she felt the hair on her body stood on edge. The only person that could elicit such a response from her was….

"Raphael, what are you doing here?"

Lia asked with a tone that showed she wasn't pleased with his coming.

He smiled, " Am here to wish you a speedy recovery, aren't I welcomed?"

Lia took a step forward and warned him threateningly beneath her breath," I don't know what game you're playing but don't you push my button. If anything dares happens to my family - "

"Raphael! " Her mom's excited voice came from behind making her take a step back as she composed herself.

"Jenny " He hugged her as soon as she walked into his open arms, then lowered his head and placed two pecks on both cheeks.

Lia clenched her fists at her side. Where was the toilet? She needs to throw up

Jenny smiled up at him," You made it "

"Of course why wouldn't I? Anything for your daughter "

Lia felt goosebumps climb her arms when she heard his statement. Their gaze met and she gave him a hateful look.

"I even brought flowers for her, " Raphael told Jenny and brought out a bouquet of red lilies Lia had failed to notice earlier.

Jenny complimented him with delighted eyes."God, how thoughtful of you. Lia, don't you think so too? "

Lia was taken aback by her mother's question and quickly put on a fake smile.

"Of course, he is very thoughtful," Lia concurred, secretly laying more emphasis on "very thoughtful " but Raphael for sure sensed the scorn in her voice.

Sadly, Raphael wasn't bothered by her indifference towards him, instead he stepped towards her and began.

"The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,

The humble sheet a threat'ning horn:

While the Lily white shall in love delight,

Nor a thorn nor a thread stain her beauty bright. " Raphael intoned, causing Lia to scrunch up her features. What is this creepy vampire up-to-now?

"William Blake did a good thing by writing that poem because it really reveres your sweet and innocent beauty. Happy recovery Lia " he held out the flowers towards her.

Unlike her mom who was swooning over his romantic lines, her daughter eyed the bouquet of flowers cautiously.

Did he put something harmful in there?

"Thank you Raphael " She pasted a sweet smile on her face and accepted the flowers but her guard was still on.

Raphael was powerful and full of tricks, being in the same place with him was putting her on edge. She wondered how Asher got to swim in the same gene pool with him - well, half of the gene pool.

But what irritated her the most was him hanging around her mom - her mother was definitely not complaining.

Lia wasn't stupid, Raphael intentionally approached her mom and there was no way on earth he had real romantic feelings for her - perhaps lust.

Raphael was using her mother to get to her and her poor mom, who was stupidly behaving like a woman in love for the first time wasn't even aware of it.

Like a dog, Lia knew Raphael held her with a leash, thanks to her family.

Taking advantage of her love for her family, he sure has a real hold on her.

"Raphael " Daniel breathed, his eyes taking in the scene. He could see his mate's eyes expressing distress and the ever-present smug smile on the villain's mouth.

"You know him too? " Jenny's eyes widened in surprise. She turned to face Raphael, " You must be widely known "

"Yeah, he's widely known for a lot of things" Daniel sassed, in his head.

" We kind of know each other " he gave a suitable answer to Jenny.

"Alright, you two lovebirds have fun. I have things to discuss with your buddy here " Jenny referred to Raphael, patting him on the chest and dragging him away.

Daniel's lips twitched due to Jenny's misunderstanding, when did he and Raphael become pals.

"Hey, calm down " He squeezed Lia's hand, her lips and brows were quivering angrily. The flowers in her other grip were in a sorry state.

"I can't stand him, I want to kill him! " She said in one breath, showing her white teeth fiercely which worried him.

Newly changed werewolves were vicious and unpredictable due to their inability to control their temper. They're easily susceptible to anger and lose all manner of reasoning once in that state and everyone knew it was bad luck to incite a werewolf to anger - Raphael was doing this on purpose.

"Lia, listen to me… "

But she walked past him and stomped away, probably in search of her mom and Raphael.

He had no choice but to follow suit.

Lia searched for her mom but couldn't find them until she stepped into the kitchen and got the shock of her life.

Raphael backed her mom into the wall and they were making out passionately; her mom even moaned.

Lia's blood boiled, the rage blinded her causing a low feral growl to be drawn from her throat. Her razor-sharp teeth slowly descended, her iris glowed yellow while her talons flicked out.

Just as she was about to lunge towards them, someone abruptly pulled her from behind and out of the kitchen, backing her forcefully against the wall of the passage.

Lia bared her teeth at Daniel.

"You have to calm down, " Daniel said to her.

"I can't! " She shouted.

"What's going on here? "

Shit, Trevor.