CHAPTER 1: LINARA

Miserable, one word that I can use to describe my daily life. I've been living with my adoptive parents since I was 5 years old. Now that I am 22 years old, I'm still working my ass out to pay for my cost of living since we can't earn from my power. I am a charmer, and I give luck.

Who needs a charmer? I sighed. Of all the powers I can get, I become a charmer. Maybe that is why my real parents left me when I was still a baby. I am destined to live a miserable life. I am not fit to be happy and find a suitable husband that can love me. 

"Hey you, bitch!" I immediately looked at Sahara's direction when she called me. She calls me everyday with different endearments, that is what she calls it. Linara, loser, and bitch. 

"Why?" I asked.

"Deliver these pastries to this address. I will be going out with my beta boyfriend, Leon. Don't you mess up this order, you bitch. I will surely beat the shit out of you." She threatened me and looked at me with disgust. I sighed. Sahara will never change. She acts like a princess, but she looks way more worse than an ogre.

"Bitch, bitch, bitch. You cuss like a fucking cunt," I whispered, losing my patience.

I wiped my sweat and immediately went out of the baking room. I went to my room, the basement. My adoptive parents never treated me well. I am still thankful that they took care of me, but when I started realising things I've figured that they are the worst. I wished that I chose to stay at the orphanage than live with them. 

I changed my clothes. I don't even have the time to take a proper bath. Damn this life! I am a charmer but I've never been lucky my entire life!

I walked back to the baking room and grabbed the basket with pastries that Sahara asked me to deliver. The address is written on the paper she left. I immediately went outside and saw Mama Rosa at our diner.

"Where are you going?" Mama Rosa asked.

"I need to deliver these pastries, Mama Rosa. I will be back immediately. Is there any available horse that I can ride?" I asked politely. Convincing this evil witch to show me even a tiny bit of mercy. 

"What are you? A VIP? Go walk and use your damn legs, Linara! My daughter took our horse. She is outside buying groceries. You should act like Sahara. A grown up beautiful young lady who suits to be a rich wife someday. Unlike you, poor and dirty!" she shouted in front of me, looking with her disgusted eyes.

I sighed and bowed my head to her. If I say something against her, she will beat the shit out of me too. I don't want to receive any scratch from them knowing how hard I live with their ruthless family. Mama Rosa, Papa Bran, and my step-sister, Sahara. We are all normal werewolves. 

I walked outside and started smilling at my fellow werewolves. I have friends despite of having cruel parents. I am a friendly loner-looking girl. 

"Linara, my best friend! Do you want to go out with me tomorrow? I will be going to the Royal Palace. I will deliver fruits to the king alpha and queen luna of our kingdom. I am so excited! You should come with me and visit the palace!" Venice, my best friend told me about her exciting work tomorrow. Or maybe I should call it her paid man-hunting time. 

"I will try, you know my parents and Sahara. I have tons of pastries to bake tomorrow before sunrise," I explained. Venice pouted her rosy lips. "Fine, but let me help you. I have our carriage and it is available. Do you want to go with me and deliver those pastries you have?" she asked smilling ear to ear.

I laughed and nodded at her. She shouted happily. I am thankful I have Venice who loves me like I am her real sister. Still, someone is sharing care towards me even though I am a commoner.

Entering their lawn, their carriage is not available. The naughty Venice herself took their old car and asked me to sit inside. Who am I to ignore her offer? I am sick of walking to deliver the pastries everyday.

I gave her the address and we started travelling. It only took 15 minutes before we arrived at the address. I went out of the car and Venice stayed inside. I knocked at the door.

"Hello? Mrs. Francisco's Bakery delivery! Anybody home?"

I knocked three times but there is no one inside. I asked a random person about the address but he is not sure about it. He asked me to walk straight ahead and turn left at the end of the street. There, I can see more houses.

I walked while looking at this place. This part of the community looks old. The houses are few and most of them are discarded. I scratched my arm when a mosquito bit me. Damn this place. If Sahara is pranking me again, I will take all of her luck out of her ugly body.

I am wearing an old slacks I got from Venice's father. My white old longsleeves was her mom's. They are giving me their clothes because my family isn't buying me any. My family, they are giving me gold as my salary a month, feed me 2-3 times a day for working.

Even though I rarely dress up, Venice still calls me beautiful. I have long red hair, emerald green eyes, small heart-shaped lips, almond-shaped eyes, thick eyebrows, and a small oval-shaped face. I am simple, but they always tell me I stand out in a crowd. Although almost all of them label me as a tomboy. 

"Run! Run for your life!"

I heard someone shout and I felt goosebumps. I ran as fast as I could back to Venice but a strong force pulled me back. Not just because of that warning I heard. But because of the grawling noises that became louder and louder.

Due to shock and the sudden happenings I didn't have time to protect myself. My body slammed to the ground and I coughed blood. My eyes widened when I looked up and saw a monster-looking creature.

"Ahh! Shit! Get away from me!" I shouted with all my might.

His tail can grow so long that it reached me even though I was far from his spot. He lifted me up and faced me to him. He is an ugly demon with black veins all over his body. He has horns too. He has a man-like physique.

He roared and that's when I tried to slap him but I injured my hand instead. I even lost the pastries when he dragged me. I am a charmer but I myself don't have any charm. What can I even do aside from being so unlucky?

"You monster—"

I was about to kick this demon monster thing when his back started to burn. I immediately got away from him and crawled to the nearest tree. I can't stand up anymore. I feel so weak. When I looked at the side of my stomach, I saw that I was bleeding. How the hell? I didn't feel this at all earlier!

When I looked back to the demon, it has turned into ashes. What brought more chills to my spine was his red flaming eyes. A fire barrier was circulating him. But even though his appearance looks like a demon, he still looked like a creature similar to me. 

He started walking near me that's why I tried slowly crawling backwards. I stopped when I felt the blood gush out of my side. Shit, I am doomed! This is a double murder!

The demon in front of me kept walking. I began to tremble and whisper all my sentiments. If I die now, please make Sahara's life miserable.

He knelt in front of me. Looks like he distanced himself so he won't hurt me. I am dumbfounded. My jaw dropped when he spoke.

"Who are you and why are you here?" he asked.

When I smelled him. He also smelled like a werewolf and a demon combined! Who is this guy? He is also way more handsome this close. 

"I a-am delivering p-pastries sir," I whispered.

"Be careful. You are wounded." I felt that my jaw rolled to the ground. Who is this handsome demon that's talking to me with that soft and calm voice? Take me, sir! Let me be with you!

He stood up and walked away. I was about to call him when my side hurt again. I feel more weak now. My vision started to become more blurry.

I saw him kill the demon monsters that hurted me earlier. This is the first time I saw creatures like those. I didn't know dark creatures like those exist. I thought that was only a myth and they are long gone.

"Ahh!" 

My senses came back when the handsome drop-dead gorgeous man shouted in pain. He looks like he is injured. His clothes are torn. I only focused on his face earlier, but now that I see his full physique I've figured he's been fighting so much even before I came here.

"A little help won't hurt his ego I guess," I murmured.

I flickered my hands and there I created a small light. This is my charm. My useless charm but I hope it will help him now.

"My charm, my power. Help the man in front of me," I whispered and blow the light on my hand.

It travelled and landed on his body. It made his body glow and the fire barrier circulating him became more alive.

My strength is now disappearing. I slowly lay down to the ground smilling. At least before I die, someone was able to benefit from my power. I've finally became useful. He is also the first one who treated me sweetly even though he didn't know me. 

Best of luck to you, handsome demon.