9

Chapter 9

Ella

My heart pulsed as I walked beside Kael through the compound that almost looked like a whole world on its own… Different buildings spread across the compound, enclosed in the unending fence surrounding the compound.

I wonder how many acres of land they must've used in building this enclosed city.

The buildings exuded something dark… every corner felt like they were watching me.

People stopped and stared, their eyes full of shock and hostility, burning into my skin, their whispers burned my ears.

They didn't look like ordinary human. Nah, nothing distinct, but their aura… it felt… weird and eerily dark.

My legs shook beneath me, almost giving in, but Kael was quick to hold my hand.

My step steadied.

He didn't say ‘sorry’ not even ‘careful’.

Just as we continued walking, someone blocked my path. A beautiful young slim blonde haired lady.

Her amber eyes burned into mine, full of rage and hatred.

My breath caught, cold chills running down my spine.

Who is she?

She didn't say a word, but her eyes did a million times. She was obviously not happy that I was here.

Kael suddenly stepped in between us, a snarl that had my feet melting, tore through his throat… It didn't sound human.

That didn't come from Kael. I told myself even though it was obvious.

The lady backed down, stepping away, not before shooting me a glare. One that screamed ‘danger is lurking around you’.

I swallowed hard.

We continued walking. My eyes didn't stop checking out each houses that we passed.

We reached the tallest one amongst the houses… a castle. The most beautiful of them all. It was situated right in the center of the compound, as if the other buildings were meant to guard this particular one.

Goosebumps washed over me the moment we walked inside. The inside was darker. From the major to the tiniest decorations were dark.

Portraits of wolves and demons hung on the walls.

My knees buckled, heart in my throat, and fingers tightened so hard, my knuckles turned white.

Kael finally faced me, his eyes flashing with something dangerous.

My breath hitched.

Our eyes locked, and slowly, the fear I felt melted away. It wasn't supposed to, but it did.

He spoke for the first time, his voice soft like never before, “I need to show you something…”

“It will change everything,” he said… no other explanation. He didn't even bother to tell me how I ended up here.

I stared blankly for a moment, then nodded, my chest pounding, not with fear, but curiosity.

“Wh…” my voice faded into a sharp gasp as Kael’s eyes suddenly changed to golden colour. It didn't flash this time… it just… changed.

His groans echoed in the house as he convulsed, his muscles pulsed so big that they tore through his clothes.

My legs weakened, and I staggered back, but managed to hold my balance.

My eyes stayed glued to Kael. His bone cracked audibly, furs rippled across his skin in waves… his face elongated, hands growing into paws, nails stretched into claws.

In half a second, a giant black wolf the size of a small car stood before me. Golden eyes, fixed on me.

My legs gave in, and I crashed against the floor, as terror rippled through me.

Then my voice tore into a loud ear-splitting scream.

The wolf… or should I just say Kael? Oh fuck it!

It stared at me intensely, its mouth opened, revealing its long fangs.

My body trembled… I knew it… I always had, but even as the truth stood before me, glaring obviously, a part of me still didn't accept it. A part of me was still in denial. Hell no! It couldn't be Kael.

The wolf growled almost silently, but it echoed loudly in my ears.

Then a voice screamed in my head, RUN!

I didn't wait to process it. I jerked to my feet, and the next second, I was rushing towards the door as fast as my legs could carry me, but just before I reached it, it slammed shut and locked in my face.

I turned back sharply, my breath catching in my throat as I was welcomed by the wolf.

It towered over me… standing so close that I felt its breath on my face.

I stiffened…