"I'm not going to the green house." Anna said resolutely, but at that moment she understood something unusual, and in front of the woman's surprised gaze she amended. "Adam loves me. He won't take me to a place where I'll be unhappy."
"Are you crazy, miss?" The woman said and laughed. "Now I understand why Adam is keeping you out of his house. You're fun!" The woman said and approached Anna menacingly. "He can't love human trash like you, my dear. I'm the perfect bride for him."
"I don't know who you are, but I know he won't marry you."
The woman raised her hand and put it to Anna's throat, who stood there waiting, defiant.
When she saw Anna's look of defiance, her anger increased and so did the pressure of her hand on Anna's throat, which was bravely enduring the pain. She decided that she would kill Anna right then and there, but let go of her when she heard Genevieve's melodious voice behind her.
"The boss won't like that."
"Maybe he will." The woman said without looking away from Anna. "I can put an end to this problem that divides our people now."
"Oh, no. Did you intend to kill her? Go on. I was talking about her clothes. The boss doesn't like people sitting at the table in rags." Genevieve said and looked at the woman. "But on reflection, I don't think he'll like me bringing a body with a broken neck to the dinner table, but... Do what you have to do." She said and concentrated on her nails.
Anna found it funny how nonchalantly Genevieve always protected her. It wasn't the first time, and although she didn't like her very much, she was still the best person in the family who didn't abuse her authority. The others were vultures.
Anna turned to the woman.
"Make it quick. The boss is waiting." She said defiantly.
The woman glared at her furiously and then turned to Genevieve.
"You're not one of us yet, dear. I could still break your neck."
Genevieve stared at her in surprise, forgetting her nails.
"Oh, 'darling', you wouldn't be happy for long, would you? The boss would see it as rebellion, and we both know he's not very patient with rebellion."
"When I marry him..."
"Oh! Benneditte! If you marry him? Don't you know he's already married to that girl in front of you?" She said, pointing at Anna with her chin.
The woman turned angrily to Anna and she took a step back. The woman's eyes were unmistakably yellow!
"I'll tear you apart and throw your remains to the crocodiles!" She said with her claws growing, her huge canine teeth becoming evident on her face, and turning a shade of brown in the hairs growing on her face, she advanced so fast against Anna, and it all happened in a few seconds, that the girl couldn't remember screaming. Mute with surprise and fear.
She felt the sharp claw slash her face, and blood drip onto the floor. When it came with the other claw, Anna woke up and held her. The werewolf was much stronger, but Anna was determined and kicked, bit and scratched her, which made the werewolf even angrier, and when she ducked ready to deliver the final blow to Anna, when she rose into the air with her claws like sharp knives, ready to drive them into her rival's chest, Anna closed her eyes. That demon would kill her. All she could see was Adam's gown, staring at her with his cold blue eyes, and she felt sorry for what hadn't happened between them. But she heard the thud of something falling next to her, and opened her eyes. She turned to the side, and the creature's head lay, glassy-eyed, in its former almond color, and Anna, afraid of what she would see next, forced herself to look forward. Genevieve was wiping her bloody hand on the monster's inert body, and as soon as she realized she was being watched, she smiled and stood up.
"I'm going to wash my hands... Poor she-wolf... They forgot to tell her that I was turned last full moon." She said as if that explained everything. "You should change out of those clothes." She said and looked at the floor. "Take your clothes and change in any other room. It'll take a while for this mess to be cleaned up." She said and left without further explanation.
Genevieve met one of the werewolves in the hall and he stared at her in fright.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"The Alpha felt a life fade away."
"Ah!" Genevieve bit her lip thoughtfully. "I think I'm going to have to do some explaining..."
"You don't have to. He can see through your eyes."
"So you already knew what had happened."
"Yes. The secret is no longer a secret."
Genevieve smiled.
"It's not important. I am important." Genevieve said with a mysterious smile and left.
Anna felt her whole body shiver. Suddenly, the cold seemed to freeze her bones. She couldn't move. She saw the men in black suits enter the room, take off their heads and bodies, laughing and making crude jokes, as if they were dusting themselves off. They acted as if it were an ordinary job. They came back afterwards and cleaned up the bloodstained floor, and at no time did they make any movement in the room to show that they had noticed her, cowering in the corner. As soon as they had left the room completely clean, Anna felt safe enough to hug her knees. What was going on? What were those creatures?
Anna heard the door open again and the... Alpha! Pack! Now those words made sense. They were monsters. They were werewolves. Supernatural and legendary creatures that she had never believed really existed. She couldn't raise her eyes to him. She watched the Italian shoes stop in front of her and knew that he had his hands in his trouser pockets, without having to look at him.
"Now you know." He said.