CHAPTER 36: HELP ME, I WILL SURRENDER.

Alvaro closed his eyes, clenching his fists. He wanted to tear the man’s mouth apart. He was so angry. He had changed his name so easily.

"Can you call me Alvaro?" Alvaro asked with a lazy expression.

"Does that make you feel better?"

"Of course. That’s my name. I’m not Larue."

"You’re my Larue, but it’s fine if you want another name. Alvaro, that’s good enough."

Alvaro was annoyed. No matter what the man said, he took a deep breath. But the next moment, he was startled by Vlad’s movement.

Vlad slipped his strong hands under his armpits and lifted him up. In an instant, he was sitting on the man’s lap.

"You look better now," Vlad said, his eyes sparkling, in contrast to Alvaro’s irritated expression.

"Do you really enjoy using threats and force like this?" Alvaro snapped.

"Why? Don’t you like it? I’m doing this for you," Vlad replied.

"For me? Are you kidding me? You’re forcing me, threatening me, stripping me naked, now making me feel like an animal, and you say it’s for me?" Alvaro vented his disgust.

"Because you won’t remember me if I don’t do it. I’ll help you feel my love again, like in your previous life," Vlad said.

Alvaro nearly vomited at those words. Love? Goodness. He rolled his eyes.

Alvaro’s eyes widened as Vlad leaned in again.

"No. Not now. You promised to bring Sylas to the palace," he reminded Vlad.

"Of course. I will. After you serve me."

Alvaro shook his head. "No. I won’t believe you until you do it. I can’t go anywhere, so I won’t break my promise."

Vlad smirked. "Why are you so afraid?"

"I’m not afraid! It’s just that Sylas is in danger! Prince Virouse’s men are chasing him. They’ll kill him!" Alvaro said, sounding impatient and a bit panicked, but also anxious.

"Virouse?" Vlad chuckled. "What can that little mouse do?"

Alvaro glared. "You won’t believe his power. He rules the Duchy of Rhovan. His power and authority are immense."

And Vlad just called Virouse a little mouse?

Alvaro then fell silent. Why had he told Vlad? He didn’t know whose side the man was on. He cursed himself.

Vlad smirked. "I know more and have more experience than you think."

It seemed Alvaro didn’t realize Vlad’s age. The vampire knew the great-grandfather of the current king. What didn’t he know about Virouse? Or the people in the palace? Though he hadn’t spoken with them for almost twenty-five years, he still followed the latest news.

"I’ll bring your prince. Now kiss me," Vlad demanded.

Alvaro looked amused. "No. Not now." He needed to prepare himself mentally.

"Then your prince can wait too."

Alvaro glared. He sighed in frustration at his defeat. "FINE!"

Reluctantly, he kissed the man’s lips.

Cold.

Vlad smiled, pushing Alvaro’s head closer to him. And he cupped those warm, full lips with his own.

Alvaro gasped, startled, pushing Vlad’s body away, but Vlad’s strength was greater than his. And his kiss was fierce and demanding.

~A lot of kisses~

Alvaro gasped for breath. His lips were red and sore from Vlad’s fierce kiss. His tongue was numb. He panted when Vlad finally released his lips.

"Can’t you do it gently?" Alvaro muttered, rubbing his sore lips.

Vlad chuckled. "Do you want to do it again?"

"No!"

Vlad laughed even harder. "What a pity."

Alvaro glared at him angrily.

Vlad didn’t seem to care. "I’m leaving. Wait for me here," said Vlad.

Alvaro nodded immediately. Whatever it was, Vlad should leave quickly.

"Call me Master."

Alvaro frowned. "What? No way!"

"I’m not leaving then."

Alvaro glared. The man was so childish. "You promised!"

"Call me Master properly."

Alvaro sighed. "Alright, Master."

"Repeat it."

Alvaro clenched his fist. "Master..."

Vlad smiled triumphantly. He kissed Alvaro again, this time very gently, but covered almost his entire face.

Alvaro surrendered, holding back from cursing. He cursed when Vlad tied him to the bed. Both his hands were bound above his head and tied to a hook on the headboard.

Vlad ignored Alvaro’s protests. He made sure the man was secure there, unable to escape or cause trouble.

Alvaro growled, feeling the cold spread throughout his body. He shivered. But in his condition, he couldn’t even protect himself.

"You’re leaving me like this?!" Alvaro shouted.

"Until you’re willing to surrender yourself to me without orders, I’ll keep you tied up," Vlad replied with a chuckle.

But before Alvaro could respond, the man had already darted away. He could only growl in frustration.

***

Still deep in the forest, Sylas grabbed Kai’s hand and pulled him closer when he heard a wolf’s howl.

Kai was also scared; he still remembered the pain of their claws and fangs. But now he had to protect his master. He couldn’t be weak. This time, he had to be useful.

Sylas pulled Kai along to keep walking. Meanwhile, Kai picked up a large tree branch and carried it.

Suddenly, Sylas screamed in pain. Kai was startled, turned around, and panicked.

Sylas looked at his shoe. At the bottom of it, there was a blood stain, and a small piece of metal had pierced through the sole into his foot. He groaned in pain.

Kai immediately knelt down. Panicking, he pulled the metal out of Sylas’s foot, blood flowing freely. Hurriedly, he removed Sylas’s shoe. He tore his own clothes to cover the wound and stop the bleeding. He did it tremblingly.

"It’s okay, Kai. It will be fine," Sylas said as the slave looked at him anxiously and fearfully. He smiled while the slave bandaged his wound. His foot now looked like a mummy’s, and the slave made sure no fabric was left from his clothes.

Kai stood up with difficulty. He didn’t care about his body shivering from the cold. He was still staring at Sylas’s foot, which now looked like giant foot.

A sudden wind blew around them. Sylas looked around; he felt an unpleasant atmosphere.

Sure enough, the next moment they saw Vlad standing before them.

Sylas’s eyes widened. He was grateful the man had come, as he didn’t know if he was on the right path to the man’s house. But on the other hand, he was worried. What had the man done to Alvaro?

"Master..." Kai tensed up the moment he saw Vlad, immediately bowing deeply and his body reflexively lowering to kneel.

But Sylas quickly pulled him up to stand. Kai reluctantly obeyed and stood beside Sylas.

"Where is Alvaro?" Sylas asked, looking angry at Vlad, gazing sharply and warily.

Vlad smirked slightly. "He’s safe with me."