Riel.

Riel.

A scream left my throat before I could stop it as the animal slammed into the door again and that seemed to make Carlos move. The car swerved and panic surged through me until I felt Carlos' arms wrap around my waist, grounding me.

The car suddenly slammed to a stop, but before my head could hit the chair, Carlos's hand stopped it. I gasped in shock as I looked out the window to see that the animal was now standing by my side of the window.

This couldn't be a dog. It was too big, too furry and a little too majestic to exist. 

“W-what is that?” I asked in horror as I tried to catch my breath but it kept staring at me. “Where exactly are we? What is this place? Why did you bring me here?” All the questions rushed out at once but he simply shifted in his seat like he wasn't bothered.

“That's a wolf.” He said simply and my eyes nearly bulged out. “Keep going.” He ordered the driver and the car sped down the road again.

“A-a wolf? That's impossible, I heard they were extinct. You can't be serious…” I muttered in disbelief as I tried to glance back at the creature that had already disappeared.

He didn't respond but that only made me weirdly nervous as I looked around at the majestic buildings that sped past us.

“Where are we?” I asked once again as the car finally slowed to a stop and he got out, leaving me inside the car. 

I had no choice but to step out as well, but the moment I took in the building in front of me, my breath caught. This was a castle. A gasp escaped my lips as I looked around at this building that looked like it was in a different part of the world.

“We're at my palace.” Carlos replied blankly and I frowned, holding him back when he tried to move.

“Palace? What are you, some kind of king?”

“I'm a Duke. Does that answer your question?” He asked coldly, his eyes fixed on my hand that held him back. 

I immediately pulled back, looking around in confusion. Who was this man?

I suddenly heard a loud sound like someone was ringing a bell and it made me wince as I covered my ears.

“The Lycan is back! The Lycan is back!” 

I frowned, wondering who or what a Lycan was. Nothing was making sense anymore but he was already walking inside so I had no choice but to follow him. Statues of what looked like wolves decorated the building and I couldn't help but wonder why they worshipped wolves so much.

After seeing one earlier, I didn't blame them. That thing was scary but majestic. 

“Keep up, little one.” Carlos' voice drew me out of my thoughts and I hurried to catch up with him, noticing how the maids and guards that I walked past gave me odd stares.

Those stares weren't pretty at all. They looked at me like I was so out of place. 

We finally walked up to what looked like the sitting room and a soft gasp escaped my lips. The curtains were down and light barely entered the house but anyone could see how majestic the place looked. 

Chandeliers with silver lights hung above the ceiling and cast a moon-like glow over the place. There was a huge painting by the side and I could see Carlos, wearing a crown and standing in front of people who looked like his parents.

Right beside that painting was another picture of three wolves in one picture. My brows furrowed as I walked up to it before I could stop myself.

Since when were animals so obedient to stay still and take such a magnificent picture? One of them looked way bigger than the rest and if I wasn't wrong, if it stood, it'd look like a bear.

“Staring around won't do you any good, little one. Get over here.” Carlos said but I couldn't help but point to the picture as I made my way to him.

“Do you normally keep wolves as pets?” I asked curiously and his gaze moved to the picture then dropped to me.

“Pets? That is me and my parents.” He said simply and it felt like my head just rang harshly in my head.

“Did you see what I pointed at? Not the painting, the picture—”

“Do you seriously not know what I am? What you are?” He asked with raised brows, and I gulped, shaking my head immediately.

“I mean, I'm a man, you're a man—”

“The council is ready for you, Lycan Carlos.” Someone interrupted my words as he stood on the stairs with a polite bow.

Lycan Carlos. He was the Lycan? What is that?

“Follow me.”

“But I don't understand. What is a Lycan? What do you mean by knowing what I am? Those wolves, what do you mean—”

My words stuck in my throat and my eyes widened when Carlos suddenly pinned me to the wall, his hand over my mouth. 

“Before I lose my fucking mind, that's enough. I'll tape your mouth shut if you ask me one more question. Do you understand?” He muttered coldly, and I shuddered in fear under his gaze as I nodded.

I hated to notice how close he was but he was too close. It made me uncomfortable.

He finally took his hand off my mouth and I let out a sigh of relief.

“Can you at least tell me where this is?” I asked, unable to control myself and he hissed in annoyance. “I'm sorry, I just can't help it.”

“You're at Blackwood Manor. Welcome to the pack of werewolves.” I heard a voice from behind me and I flinched, turning to see an older man walk up the stairs.

“W-werewolves? What are you talking about?” I asked in disbelief, unable to believe my ears and the man looked at me in surprise, then at Carlos who rubbed his forehead.

“Elder Rowan, greetings.” Carlos said and I felt even more confused when the man stopped in front of me. “He doesn't know anything yet. Or so he claims.”

“Know what? What are you talking about?” I asked in despair, my curiosity getting the best of me.

“You are the prophesied omega destined to heal our pack and free us from the curse that has befallen all werewolves.” The elder said and the way he looked so serious finally had me bursting into laughter.

“Oh, you can't be serious.” I muttered in disbelief, holding my stomach with laughter. “Prophesied? Curse? Werewolf? Omega? What is this, a movie set? Did I mysteriously appear in some kind of fantasy world?”

“You think this is some kind of joke?”

“Yes. You're messing with me because you want me to suffer for owing you. How am I supposed to believe you without proof? Do you take me for a fool?” I asked, straightening up as I scoffed.

“You want proof? Fine.” Carlos said and I watched in confusion as he climbed onto the window by the side, making my eyes widen in shock.

“I'm not asking you to die!” I shouted in horror but it was too late as he jumped out.