The Taste of Seduction

He missed her. So much it hurts.

The words couldn't be more fucking true as his

mind was now playing their moments together.

How she used to wait for him to return back home from work, how they used to dance around the kitchen and act goofy together.

His eyes fell on the picture he had framed hanging on his wall. It was his favorite picture of her. She had a big smile on her face while wearing his shirt with her hair messy from their love making.

He was reminded of how much he fucking miss her touch, shy kisses and warmth.

It's just been a day without her touches or smile and it felt like years to him. .

He missed that beautiful genuine smile on her lips as her eyes shimmered with happiness.

He sat there, puffing away at a cigarette. He was so broken and mad to the point that he felt numb. He couldn't even cry. The tears were pooling in his

eyes, but they just wouldn't fall.

The wind from his opened windows blew through his skin, but it was nothing compared to the coldness he felt inside his heart.

It was frozen, and the pain was like being stabbed by a thousand needles.

He brought the scotch bottle in his hand to his lips and took a large gulp.

'Angelwhere are you? Don't you know I miss you? I miss you so much. Miss your warmth and love for me. I feel so useless- so useless that I can't find you. I have all the power and resources in the world but I can't even find you.

Couldn't protect you. I should have done better-protect you better. I'm sorry-sorry that you have such a useless person like me as your boyfriend.

Please be safe, wherever you're, I hope you're safe. Just keep fighting, a little longer. I will find you-I promise.

Atlas thought as he brought his shaking hands to take a puff of his cigarette.

Now that she wasn't around, he realizes how much he wanted this, forever, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Build a future and grow old with her. He wanted to marry her.

His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket but he ignored it. He was not in the mood to talk to a fucking human being right now.

He wanted to be alone. Alone with his thoughts and memories of his Angel but the person was very persistent.

The phone kept ringing for a good ten minutes. Annoyed Atlas removed it from his pocket. He was about to throw it onto the wall but stopped when he saw the familiar but not so familiar number.

The first seven digits were similar to the weird number his uncle used to call him with but the last three digits were different.

Atlas thought it was his uncle who was finally calling him since he hadn't heard from him for over a year. He racked his fingers through his hair and answered the call. No, it was a video call.

Weird because his uncle never called him on video call.

He picked up the call and stiffened when he was the familiar face.

He blinked and opened his mouth but nothing came out.

"A-atlas" Meredith croaked out.

"Angelis that you?"

Meredith smiled and with tears running down her cheeks she nodded.

"Yeahit's me."

"I'm not hallucinating?"

Meredith chuckled, "No you're not. This is really me."

Atlas racked his fingers through hair, "I-I don't know what to say or where to even begin I have so many questions."

Atlas mumbled. He couldn't really believe that he was really talking to his angel. Atlas suddenly stiffened when he realized something. Her eyes were puffy and red.

"Have you been crying?" He asked worriedly. Did the people who kidnapped her do something bad to her?

"Tell me Angel, who made you cry? I won't let them go." Atlas said with a dark promise.

"No one. I-I just miss you Atlas. I'm so scared and lonely. I don't know what to do." She said as a tear slid down her cheeks.

Atlas scrunched his face in confusion.

"Heytell me what's wrong? What happened? Where are you?" Atlas rasped, worrying skating all over his face.

Tears started streaming down her cheeks and he panicked seeing how broken she was.

"Angel?" he stuttered.

"I'm sorry. It's just-." Meredith paused and took a deep breath.

Atlas knew she didn't want to make him worried, but he already was.

Then, she told him everything. About the kidnapping, meeting his uncle, going to Arkaans and spending the night together. Then going to the palace where she met her betrothed.

"Betrothed?" Atlas hissed.

"Wait so you're betrothed to a freakin vampire prince and if you want an alliance with the vampires you have no choice but to accept? Also he promised you protection in an exchange?"

Atlas frowned, disbelief morphing on his face.

Meredith sniffled and nodded, "Y-yes."

Atlas sat down in silence processing her words. Now that he knew she was safe and with his uncle he felt better but betrothed? They wanted to steal his Angel.

He didn't fucking care of a powerful vampire lord wanted his Angel but no one was taking her from him. She was his. Always and forever.

Sighing he knew he had to make the right decision for both of them. She was vulnerable at the moment and in a foreign land with no friends.

"Angel listen to melisten carefully okay?"

Meredith stared into his eyes and she bit her lip. Her emotions were all over her face.

"Okay." Meredith replied

"Do you know the story about the hunter and the lion?"

Meredith shook her head, confusion evident on her face.

"Naturally the lion is stronger than the hunter but the hunter was able to kill the lion. Do you know why?"

Atlas's lips curled up, "Because the hunter was patient. He was so patient and hide that the lion relaxed because he thought the hunter was weak and afraid hiding from him. He was confident that he was stronger and the hunter couldn't possibly kill him.

But what he didn't know was that the hunter was monitoring him, learning his habits and weakness and when the moment finally arrived the hunter stroked him down, easily ."

Meredith frown deepened.

"I don't know how royal affairs works but from my knowledge this is what you're going to do."

Atlas started to list his ideas to her and Meredith's eyes widened with each word that he said.

Once he finished giving her adviceMeredith's eyes widened in shock and surprise.

"Are you sure?"

Atlas nodded, his eyes gleaming with an unknown emotion.

"But-"

Atlas shook his head, "Don't worry about me Angel, I will come soon. Come for you very soon, just follow what I just told you ."

Meredith tucked her lips in her mouth as her brows knitted together.

"AlrightI'll wait for you." Meredith replied

Atlas nodded.

"Remember Angelme and you. Always and forever. We will figure this out."

They just stared at each other with their love overflowing in their eyes. They might not be together but their heart was tied together no matter the circumstances.

"You might be tired from all of this Angel.sleep tomorrow we can talk again. If you miss me just call me." He could see the tiredness in her eyes.

Atlas said. He didn't know the time zone of the city of Arkaans but he knew he would pick her call any time of the day no matter what he was doing.

"I love you." Meredith confessed.

"I love you.." Atlas whispered back with a soft smile on his face.