Alpha Queen: To Whoreship You (Book 1)

Trouble

DRAGOȘ

I was in the kitchen, having just finished cooking dinner, as it was my turn to do so that weekend when I heard my parents’ voices escalate. It was nothing new; they were always arguing about something, usually related to money, my dad’s work, or something else. He was an architect, and my mom was an English professor at a private institution in Bucovina.

“La naiba! (Damn it!) You lied to me again, Iacob Florescu!” my mother accused my father.

It wasn’t the first time she had said this to my dad, who was scowling at the moment. His angular jaw, which I inherited from him, was tightly set. His blue-grey eyes were fiery, just like my mother’s greenish-blue ones. I had the same eye colour as her, and I gazed at my father as I pinched my nose and sniffled, a mannerism I subconsciously developed over the years whenever I got anxious, worried, or agitated.

I had already finished preparing the table, and yes, they were both here. However, it seemed that they hadn’t noticed me, even though I was standing right there by the round table after setting it up for dinner. The four medium-sized round lights were shining brightly on the white ceiling, illuminating the dining room area. There was also a small chandelier in the middle of these four lights.

“You said you were working hard on a big project, which is why you don’t come home often at night, but you weren’t even in your office when I called! And just look at you! Where did you get those bruises and wounds on your face and arm?” My mom gestured her hand in the air, almost violently.

I swallowed, and my gaze darted back and forth between my parents.

“Sorihna, I told you—” My father started but was cut off.

“What? That you just had an accident while checking the job site?” She huffed.

I wondered the same every time I saw him with bruises and wounds. What did his colleagues at work think if they noticed them? I was certain he must have appeared like a battered husband, if the incidents he described to us weren’t true.

But I knew better. My mom would never do such a thing to him, even though they argued fiercely and loudly. The same went for my dad. He never raised a hand to harm my mother, no matter how much she nagged or how angry he became. He simply wasn’t that type of man.

“I have had enough, Iacob.” My mother shook her head, voice cracking.

I was left dumbfounded when I heard that. What did she mean by it? My heart suddenly jolted, and its pace quickened, beating fast.

“I promise, Sorihna. I don’t engage in illegal activities, if that’s what you’re thinking! I would never, ever!” My dad’s voice was gruff, his tone filled with utmost seriousness.

My mother’s eyes began to well up with tears. “But I don’t understand you anymore, Iacob. It’s as if you’ve become a different person. This change started when our Dragoș turned eight, after... after your only sibling passed away.” She sniffled, fighting back a sob. “I’m sorry for what happened to her. Mirabela meant a lot to me as well! But you can’t... just continue like this, disregarding your family! I’ve been begging you to stop this for years, Iacob! You don’t even tell me the truth or what’s going on with you!”

“Sorihna, I-I’m sorry. I c-can’t tell you,” he stammered. He looked guilty and helpless, his wide shoulders hunched.

“So, are you just going to keep lying to me, then?” She shook her head slowly, her pink lips trembling as she cried. I could see tears glistening on my mom’s pale cheeks. “And what about that Thracian Knight tattoo on your back, huh? You never explained why you even have it!”

My father kept quiet.

“I’m giving you one last chance to explain, Iacob. It’s now or never,” my mother’s ultimatum.

My father’s eyes fluttered as he gazed at my weeping mother. He swallowed slowly, letting out a shaky breath.

“Even if I were to tell you, Sorihna, I don’t think you would believe me,” he said, sounding defeated.

“Try me, Iacob!” she challenged, her pretty face filled with determination. Her nose and eyes reddened from crying.

“I... I-I’m a vampire hunter, that’s why I always have bruises and wounds most of the time,” he finally confessed.

Both my mother and I were left speechless, our jaws dropping in astonishment. We stared at my father with expressions of utter disbelief on our faces.

“You’re what?” Mom was the first to regain her composure. “Are you seriously telling me something as ludicrous as that? Vampires aren’t real, for God’s sake!”

Dad opened his arms and said, “You see? You don’t believe me.”

“Dragoș and I will leave in the morning. Expect the divorce papers to be sent to you soon,” my mom decided, avoiding eye contact with my father.

“What?” My father and I exclaimed simultaneously.

My mom glanced at me, as if she had just realised I was there. Her eyes pleaded with mine. Then, she turned to my father once again.

“Iacob, if you need help, I’ll stay. I can ask a friend who knows someone you can talk to. I know it’s been hard for you since Mirabela...” My mom’s voice trailed off.

“I’m not crazy, and I don’t need that kind of help, Sorihna!” my father bellowed.

My mom pursed her lips. “If it’s true, then I don’t think our son and I should be in your way. More importantly, I don’t want Dragoș to be involved in such a dangerous thing! I don’t want him to be near you if those creatures decide to come after you or our family. Do you understand?”

My father was left speechless, his jaw hanging open.

We ate in silence that evening, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air. It was our last meal together as a complete family.

And that was a year ago. Their divorce went through, as my mom fought hard for it. At the age of thirteen, I couldn’t believe that after their sixteen-year marriage, it would come to such an abrupt end. We left my father in our home and moved into a two-bedroom apartment, starting a new chapter with just the two of us, me and my mom.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my dad, left all alone. What if he truly needed us and had nowhere else to turn? He had relatives, but his own immediate family was a different matter. My mom assured me she had spoken to him and that he was fine. Part of me suspected she might be lying, just to ease my worries about my dad. Nevertheless, I had to trust her.

I did attempt to talk to my father on the phone, but he insisted my mother was right and told me not to contact him anymore. He even changed his cell phone number to protect me. However, I could still reach him at work, although he refused to engage in conversation. It was frustrating. I still found it difficult to believe that he was a vampire hunter. Did such creatures even exist? It seemed like nothing more than a myth, as all rational people would believe.

Mom and I were currently on our way to our weekend getaway near the Carpathian Mountains. It was a Friday night, and I was filled with anticipation.

This was my first visit to this particular area, but my mom mentioned that she and her family used to have vacations here. There was a cabin located close to several remarkable tourist spots, such as the Suceava Fortress, a mediaeval landmark constructed in the fourteenth century. Additionally, there were the painted churches, dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which were recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

I was excited to explore the region, immerse myself in its rich cultural heritage, and encounter local artisans. Bucovina was known for its vibrant artistic traditions, and I couldn’t wait to witness them firsthand. I was especially looking forward to trying some home-cooked meals at a guest house, which was our first planned stop for dinner. Mom must have wanted me to experience it, considering my dream of owning a restaurant someday.

As we continued our journey, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of adventure and curiosity, eager to discover the beauty and flavours that awaited us in this enchanting region.

My head snapped in my mom’s direction as I heard her utter an exclamation of surprise when the car abruptly came to a halt.

“Ce se întâmplă, Mamă?” I asked her what was going on, with a slight frown on my face.

In the pitch-black darkness, illuminated only by the glow of my phone screen, I frantically attempted to send a message to my friend about our book report. However, the bad reception prevented the message from being sent.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I peered outside, my eyes squinting to make out the surroundings. The sight that met my gaze was a desolate stretch of road, flanked by towering trees on both sides. It felt as though we had entered a dense forest, and an eerie sense of foreboding filled the air.

A shiver ran down my spine, as if my instincts were warning me that something was amiss. Before I could process this feeling, a jolt rocked the car, and we were suddenly lifted into the air by an immense force. My mother and I screamed in terror as the world turned upside down. With my eyes tightly shut, I braced myself for the impending impact.