The Mysterious Stranger

Icelyn's POV

I screamed and grabbed hold of my father as the door fell in a deafening bang of dust. Dad was shaking badly.

“Run, run,” he whispered to me and pushed me as the dust was beginning to settle. I didn't know where to run to. There was no place to hide on this side of the mansion. The only safe place my father told me about was already infiltrated. Where could I run to?

“Go!” he hissed at me. I sprinted away towards my hallway. I met Ellen coming back out.

“What was that sound? My heart almost jumped out through my mouth!” She complained as she held her chest.

“They're here. Whoever Dad is running from has found us!” I told her and grabbed her arm. We ran into her room and bolted the door. Our breathing was so loud and fast. Fear coated the air we took in.

“Where can we run to?” Ellen asked. There were no windows in our wing and the only door out was that iron door that only Dad could open. And Ellen went out when Dad was around only. For your information, Dad was rarely around.

“We can't leave Dad. What if they're here to kill him?” I asked back.

“We can't help. We can't do anything.”

That moment, I heard my dad scream and then heard something crash against ceramic and shatter.

“Dad!” I ran out of the room without even thinking. Ellen screamed my name behind me but I ran off. My only parent was being beaten up. I couldn't just stand and hear my Dad scream. Besides, there was not a single place to hide. They'll definitely catch us.

“Dad!” I screamed as I saw a man with very long fingernails about to stab my father's stomach. What was he? Why were his eyes glowing? His teeth... He had fangs like a damned vampire. What was happening?!

“Icelyn, no. Go... Please...” my dad pleaded. He was bleeding from his mouth and his forehead had a bloody gash.

“Dad. Dad...” I cried and foolishly ran to him where he knelt in front of the man. I hugged him even with all that blood.

“Dad,” I cried. He broke down and began to cry too.

“Icelyn, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, my love,” he cried too and hugged me so tenderly. Around us there was silence. As if everything had come to an end. But I could still feel it. Feel that dangerous aura behind me that made my heart thump too loud.

“Dad?” I heard a voice that sounded like a lion mixed with a man. It was a growl and obviously belonged to a sinister person.

“Governor McWrine, you have a daughter?” The voice questioned. I took deep breaths and held onto my father.

“Please, Alpha Chester. Don't hurt her. She's just... She's just a kid,” my Dad pleaded.

“Why are you hiding her? Here I was thinking you would be the only one cleared off. Not knowing you have a family to be cleared off alongside you.”

Cleared off? Did that mean they were going to kill us? Oh my God!

My Dad finally let go of me. He bowed his head to the ground.

“Please, spare my daughter. She doesn't even know anything. She has no idea about the world. Please, don't kill her. Kill me instead. Take all my properties. But please, spare Icelyn.”

I was shaking so hard by the time I turned around to face the assailants. I didn't dare to look up. So I decided to bow like my father was bowing.

“Please, spare us both. It's my birthday today. Please don't take my father away from me,” I pleaded.

I felt that man's gaze fall on me. I felt he was looking at me now. My back could draw the heat from his eyes.

I saw his feet take a few steps and stand in front of me. Then he squatted. I was shivering. I was afraid. I was dying.

I felt cold fingers on my neck and flinched. But the hand went to my shoulder and began to pull me up. I obeyed and lifted my upper body, but did not dare to lift my face. The blood from my Dad had stained my beautiful dress.

“Look at me,” the man ordered. I was surprised that his voice had changed from that of a predator to a calm one. It was soothing and willed me to lift my face to his.

Immediately our eyes met, he drew in his breath. His eyes glowed amber and his jaws clenched.

“Beautiful,” he drawled and rubbed his thumb against my chin.

“Please, Alpha. Let her go. I'm begging you,” my father cried and grabbed hold of the man's leg.

“Quiet, McWrine. Don't add fuel to my already raging fire,” the man scolded but still in a calm voice, and his eyes never left mine. I also couldn't peel my eyes away from him. Something about him was alluring, beautiful, scary, dominating. My heart was thumping loudly towards him. It felt like he controlled it. I felt like he owned it.

“What's your name?” he asked me.

“Icelyn,” I found my shaky voice and answered him.

“Icelyn,” he repeated and tilted his face sideways to look at me. His amber eyes stopped glowing and I saw he had beautiful black eyes. His hair was raven-black and was slicked back from his face. He looked me over slowly, then used his fingers to trace the contour of my face.

“You're so beautiful. So perfect,” he drawled and I got a sick feeling in my gut like I was the perfect pig in front of a customer who loved pork chops.

“What do you want from us?” I asked between gritted teeth. He smirked and lifted my chin with his index finger.

“A few minutes ago, all I wanted from here was to leave your father dead. But now...” he trailed off as he gently rubbed his thumb against my lower lip.

“But now, Icelyn... All I want is you...my mate.”