I held his hand as I said, “Okay...”
His smile widened. In a flash, we left the imperial gate and went towards the woods.
“I'm afraid I can't run freely if I shift in the palace,” he said and chuckled.
“It's okay.” I gave him a reassuring smile.
“Okay, uhm, would you turn around for a second?” he awkwardly scratched his cheeks. I am still able to see him since my eye sense as a wolf has heightened due to the dark.
“Why?”
“I would need to remove my clothes.”
“Yeah, sure,” I smiled softly, seeing his facial expression. I didn't know that he's quite conservative and shy.
He flashed an awkward smile. I turned around and waited for him to get his clothes off and shift. When I felt a low howl, I took it as a cue to look at him.
And what I saw next made my jaw drop to the floor.
An impressive beautiful golden wolf stood on all fours in front of me. He was a huge wolf. He shook his wolf head before he looked at me. Our eyes met.
Under the moonlight and thousands of stars above, his eyes are the only one I could find glowing beautiful.
He caught my breath away.
He took a step forward to me and nudge his nose on my arm. I gasped, startled. Looking at him, I found him purring softly.
“P-Prince Alastair...?” I uttered and hesitantly raised my hand to hold his head. He nudged me again. I giggled and caressed his head. “Is this really you? You're... beautiful...”
He licked my face.
I boomed into another fit of giggles.
“Haha! You need to stop, prince! I'm getting soaked with your saliva! Haha!”
He wiggled his tales.
I smiled widely and patted his head. “Good boy. I like you.” I planted a kiss on his forehead. “I'm pretty sure my wolf would like you, too, once you two meet.”
He suddenly retreated. He ran somewhere in the woods. My brows furrowed and called him, but he didn't.
“Prince?”
I followed his footsteps on the ground and the dried leaves he stepped on. I looked around, trying to find where he possibly went. He wouldn't possibly leave me here, right?
“P-Prince?” I was starting to get worried because I can't seem to find him anywhere. Worry was creeping into my bones.
I was about to shout and ask for help when I suddenly saw him.
He was scratching something on the clearing. I tilted my head and held on to the trunk to support my body.
After a while, he looked over his shoulder and howled at me. I blinked and slowly approached him. “What are you doing?”
He stomped his feet on the ground.
I gaze down on the ground and found letters.
R-I-D-E.
M-Y
B-A-C-K
My frown deepened as I try to understand the letters. I kind of know how to read. My dad often taught me about letters back when I was a kid. Though, I don't remember much.
“R... i... de,” I read. “M.. m... m...m-my?” I looked up at him questioningly. He nodded and flashed a wolfy grin. I smiled. “I don't know much about letters, but I'll try.”
I took a deep breath and tried to connect the letters by their sounds. It was difficult for me and I almost gave up, but he kept on nudging me as if encouraging me to continue. I signed and tried to guess the last word.
“Back?” I tiredly said.
He nodded.
My eyes widened. “You mean to say, ride my back?!” I exclaimed. He licked my face. “Wow! Yay! I've guessed it!”
He licked my face again. “Oh, right... Do you want me to... ride on your back?”
Again, he nodded. He lowered himself on the ground and looked at me expectantly. I blinked and gazed down on my beautiful dress.
“Is it okay?” I murmured to myself. I don't want to ruin the dress. I shrugged and gently sit on his back. I held on to his thick fur as he slowly stood up on all fours. I gasped.
He began walking with me on his back. His wolf is too impressive. I bet even the shotguns from hunters could not penetrate his thick fur.
“Where are we going?” I asked, more likely to myself. We can't communicate through mindlink because we are not in the same pack or linked to each other.
Prince Alastair just kept on trotting, and I began to enjoy every second of it. I could hear the sounds of wild animals in the woods, the sound of leaves cracking under his feet, and the chirps of the birds around. I hummed silently. The hem of my dress was flowing down. The cold wind was slapping me on the face but it wasn't enough to make me feel uncomfortable. Werewolves have their own heats, therefore, I could always release warmth if I feel cold.
After few minutes of walking, he finally stopped. He lowered me on the ground and I thanked him before going down. Since he brought his clothes through biting it, he went towards the back of the trunk and got changed.
”Why are we here, prince?” I asked him as he slowly approached me.
He smiled. “Can I hold your hands, my lady?”
“Why?” I asked but still extended my hands. He took my hand and kissed the back of it.
“Would you please close your eyes for a second?” Again, he smiled.
I wanted to ask him why but decided to let him do just what he planned. I trust him not to do something that might harm me in any way.
I closed my eyes. I felt him move. He touched his shoulders and turned me around.
“Just walk forward, I'll guide you. You will only open your eyes when I say so, okay?”
“Hmm...”
We started walking silently. Excitement gushed through my system. I didn't feel any fear within me, just anticipation and kinda nervousness. What is he about to show me?
We halted.
“Are we here yet?”
“Yes, open your eyes slowly, lady Sidrich...” he spoke behind my eyes, which made me slightly shiver.
I slowly opened my eyes and what I saw next stunned me...
Hundreds of beautiful fireflies greeted my sight. They were glowing as they flew. They consist of different colours, but gold dominates. My lips parted in awe. I slowly raised my hand to try and feel them, but they flew away.
“They're beautiful, aren't they?” he asked in a soft tone.
“They are...” I said breathlessly. I've never been in a place like this. All these things that has happened recently have been new to me, I felt like I was only dreaming. It's too good to be true.
“Come, I'm gonna show you something more beautiful.” He took my hand again and pulled me somewhere. “Here we are...”
Again, I was stunned.
In front of us was a glowing lake. Water lilies scattered around, and wild flowers boomed everywhere. Some trees are surrounded by fireflies.
I gasped. “T-This... this is so... wonderful!” I exclaimed. Tears were threatening to fall from my eyes.
“I'm glad you like this place, my lady.”
“I definitely love it, prince Alastair. Thank you so much!” I said gratefully. I flashed a wide yet sweet smile to him before I turned around and walked towards the wild flowers from the side of the lake. I touched them and felt them even glowing when I held on to their leaf.
I next went to the lake. I knelt down carelessly and submerged my hands on the water. I gasped when it glowed!
“This forest has been blessed by deities, they said.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it explains why this place is magical. Though, only few people know this place. Only the royal family and some trusted aid could enter this place. We have been keeping this preserve and clean as possible as we believe that the deities will go back on this planet through this place she blessed herself.” He sat on a rock and stared at me.
“Then why did you bring me here, then?”
He shrugged. “Because I trust you.”
“Y-You trust me?” I uttered, bewildered.
“Yes, I do.”
“B-But why... didn't we just met?”
“Trusting someone isn't a matter of how long you know the person. Even best friends since the fetus could betray their friends. It doesn't really matter.”
My brows furrowed as I poured my attention to him. “Then... Why do you trust me, then? You said to yourself that even friends could betray each other. So, why trust me?’
He smirked. “'Cause we're not friends.”
We were now going back to the palace an hour after we strolled around the forest. I am kind of a little sad knowing that he doesn't see me as his friend, but it is fine and I quite understood him. I just... kinda feel sad.I've never had any friends before and I really wonder how it feels to have one. If prince Alastair would give me the opportunity to be friends with him, I would gladly accept it without any fuss.Prince Alastair and I decided to take our time walking back. I set aside my sadness and animatedly talked with him. He listens to every story I tell him and so I am with him. So far, having his company feels nice. He's comfortable to be with.“Can you really fly?” I asked.He chuckled. “No. I don't have that ability, but my flexibility is quite impressive. I could jump from higher places without injuring myself or making any sounds when I landed. It is a skill I got for being a vampire.”I nodded my head. “So... Do you drink blood, too?”“Hmm, sometimes. I rarely crave bloo
My eyes widened in utter surprise.I stepped back, bewildered, and watched as the wolf fell on the ground lifelessly.My lips trembled. Looking down at my hands, I saw it was soaked with blood.Blood from the rogue I killed barehands...My knees wobbled and I stumbled backwards.“My lady!” Alastair exclaimed and knelt down in front of me. He pulled my body to him and brought my face on his chest. “Hush... forget it.”“A-Alastair...” I said.Just... What happened to me?“We're now safe. Let's go back to the palace.” He stood up and carried me.I closed my eyes when it began to get blurry. Smokes has stopped emitting from my skin. Within my chest I could feel the turmoil and power trying to erupt. My insides are burning.Power...I can feel it within me...Before everything would draw upon me, my eyes closed its own. It didn't take long for me to lose my consciousness. My body has become too weak. My whole body was in pain, burning, begging. As if my soul wants to leave my body already.
I'm quite confused. It's been days since that night has happened. It always visits me in my dreams, and I have no means to even stop it. Two people. I've killed two people single handedly. In these two incidents, I find it strange to find similar things happen from different kinds of death.The first one I took life with, the woman flew across the room, which was the cause of her death. The second one was me taking the rogue's heart.All happens with dark smokes emitting from me.What was that?I stayed in the chamber for nearly a week now. I was unable to recover quickly. I feel so weak and the confusion didn't help.Prince Alastair often visits me in my room. However, there are times he needs to fulfil his princely duties and he can't visit me. It was okay and I understood him. But... for the next few days I started feeling too lonely. The maids don't want to talk to me and I feel so embarrassed to initiate the conversation, scared that they might reject me.I sat on the huge window
Prince Alastair, again, escorted me to the dining hall. I was nervous but Alastair always reassures me it's gonna be okay. I nodded my head and took a deep breath.When we got in the dining room, the empress was the first one who greeted me. I curtsey to the imperial couple and apologised for my actions from our last meeting. The empress said she understood and it was completely fine, much to my relief. I could not believe someone this powerful could be so kind and sweet. I used to see people superior to my pack acting rudely towards people inferior to them. So being smiled at by the empress and the emperor, I was surprised and touched.The dinner ended peacefully.Prince Alastair and I decided to take a few rounds around the palace. He toured me and explained everything to me. I was overwhelmed at how wealthy they are and how power they hold.“Hmm, what are you thinking, my lady?” he asked.“Hmm?”“You seem lost in your thoughts. Care sharing?”I shook my head. “No... uhm, I just won
“So you meant to say, you're tempted to get the wine?”“I-It's a wine?”“Yes, it is. My mother rarely drinks blood,” he said and smiled stiffly.I sighed. “I thought it was blood. For a moment, I felt like I was thirsting for it.”“Why would you?”“I don't know...” I quietly said.We fell into deafening silence until he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Come, let's go to the garden.”I accepted his hand and nodded. We went to an imperial garden which looked magical. It was very beautiful.The wind brushed against my cheek.“My brother and I used to come here when we were younger,” he started.“It must be nice having a sibling.”“It is.”“He's older than you...?”“Hmm...”“M-May I know why he isn't the crown prince even though he's the eldest? In Shadow pack, the person who will become the next alpha is the eldest child of the current alpha. Be it woman or man, there is no criticism when it comes to gender. But of course, it changed when the new alpha ruled our pack.”We sat on the wooden
He sent me to my room after our tour in the garden. I was quite emotional. Up until now, I could not believe everything. It's too good to be true, indeed.A sigh escaped from my mouth as I looked at the view outside the palace. I was sitting in my chamber's huge window, leaning my back against the frame. My dark brown hair was braided so it didn't fly when the wind brushed through my face.I looked up to the moon. It was big, bright, and beautiful. I smiled at its beauty. Moon represents our goddess. She watches, protects, and blesses us. She gives life, miracles, and powers to those who worship her. I believe in her. If it weren't because of her, I bet I would've been dead by now. I was struggling to live my life from the past 15 years, but yet, I am still alive until now. I've survived, I was freed, I was given a second chance—a second chance of life.I was given hope.My gratefulness towards her knows no bound.I closed my eyes and uttered a silent prayer to the goddess I worship.
I lost my consciousness right after she embraced me. Again, I felt myself weakening. My soul was burning and my insides were in indescribable pain.I don't know where I am. I've fallen into an abyss of darkness and I don't have any idea how to get out of this place. I am locked. I am held by my own body. I can't move except my eyes. My body was dumb but my heart was in fire. The burning sensation in my chest got me panting, and yet, I was unable to take control of my body.Where am I?Why am I locked?Why am I held in darkness?“Her body was refusing her soul, making it hard for her to heal fast. It happened last time. But fortunately, she was able to get through it. All we can do now is to wait until she wakes up.”“Is she gonna be fine?”“Yes,” a woman's voice spoke. “This struggle is not enough to kill her. She's stronger than you think she is. She can surpass this.”“When will I be expecting her to wake up? It's been 3 days and still no progress. My wolf and I are becoming restles
I often wonder what I did to deserve this life? What did I do to deserve this kindness?All my life, I was enslaved and taken advantage with. I was weak. I am worthless. No one wants me.I lost my hope the second those cruel people took over the precious pack my father treasured a lot. His memories with my mom were there, and yet, people dared to destroy his own pack due to envy.I marked that day. I was very young yet memories are still vividly clear in my mind. I don't want to forget that night. The night where my supposedly pack was getting shattered along with my father's life. Since that night, I have become powerless. I lost the alpha blood within me. I almost lost my wolf. I lost my people. I lost everything. I lost everyone.But then, 15 years later, a stranger saved me from my death. I met with a nice lady. She took care of me. Feed me, bath me, dress me. It was too good to be true. It looks unreal. But guess, it was just the start of my new life.I was given hope.I was give