Chapter Four: Trust

Mallory’s POV 

(Present Time)

Fear ingrains in my whole being as I’m faced with a wolf that I shouldn’t meet no matter the cost.

He was infamous around our area—people gossip every now and then about Russell DeLucci and his mischief whenever he shows up. Although I hadn’t seen him before trespassing the wolf territory, there are images of his face circulating around our little town. 

“What? Cat got your tongue?” He releases my chin as his piercing green eyes study me like a hawk. “You aren’t that pretty for a human, huh?”

I frown, having gotten used to being insulted all of my life so it doesn’t faze me at all. Instead, after realizing he robbed away my chance of escapism, anger replaces my fear and confusion.

In an instant, fueled with desperation, I spring to my feet and make a quick dash back to the edge of the rooftop. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” 

However, Russell’s natural canine instincts get the best of me from my failed attempt of escape as his arm yanks me back to him. 

“Let go of me!” I scream as I struggle to let go from his strong grip. “My life is already hell-ish enough without you interfering!” 

His attention is now towards Lilian as he takes her from me. “Is this kid your daughter or something?”

“Let go of her!” I scream as I try to reach for Lilian, only for this damn wolf to swiftly turn to the other side as he lifts her up. Her eyes flutter open and when she sees the man before her, she starts crying. 

“She’s feverish, huh? I think this kid needs a doc—”

I kick his shin, catching him off-guard as I take Lilian away from him. Lilian clutches my sleeve tight as she wails. “Don’t you dare touch her! Never EVER touch her!”

“Ouch, that was a strong kick,” he says while laughing like a maniac. I back away as he steps forward. “Your life is already like hell for you, huh? So, tell me, what did the kid do wrong that you have to drag her with you?”

“I…” Tongue-tied, reality finally hits me the moment he says those magic words. Now that I’ve murdered someone, how could I be so foolish to bring Lilian with me to our deaths?! 

I wrap my arms around Lilian who continues to cry and buries her face on my chest. I soothe her back as I’m on the brink of shedding tears. 

No, not in front of this asshole.

“Now, do you understand? You’re just about to waste your lives over a measly wolf chase.”

It’s not a fucking measly chase! He doesn’t know anything yet he dares to judge me this way?! I couldn’t speak these words and decided to keep mum. 

“What do you want from us?” My voice croaks as I ask. 

“Haven’t you heard what I’ve said? You—” his finger pointing at me as he says, “—are my fated mate.”

“Fated…mate?”

“LORD DELUCCI!” Another wolf barges from the exit door, cutting our brief conversation. His eyes fixate on the other wolf as he rushes to our direction. “Your father wants you ba—” When he sees me, his expression swiftly changes to hostility.

“You! You’re from the other side of the border! How dare you enter our premises!” His teeth and hands slowly morph into his wolf form. 

“Easy there, Saul. She is obviously harmless.”

“Young master, we have to kill her off right now or else other humans will start to get ideas entering here!” 

I glare back at him while I continue soothing Lilian’s back. 

Russell heaves a sigh as he ruffles his tousled hair before patting his shoulder to ease his fury. 

“Will you stop spouting nonsense and take this kid to the doctor?”

“What?” Startled, he turns his attention to Lilian and the fangs and his claws disappear. “Young master, are you seriously asking me to bring a human child to the hospital?”

“You are there to keep an eye if the doctors kill her off.”

“But—” After receiving a glare from the taller man, the other wolf concedes as he lowers his head. “As you w-wish.”

“All right, then!” He grins as he forcibly pulls Lilian off me.

“Hey! You shouldn’t do that to her!” I yell and after seeing her in a coughing fit, my worry continues to grow.

“He’ll be taking her to the hospital. Don’t worry,” he says after handing my sister to another man as if she is some sort of a grocery bag. But her struggling makes it difficult for Saul to carry her.

“What about the other human, young lord?” He asks while he dodges from the little fistball punches from Lilian. “She will be executed, right?”

“Hell nah.” He waves his hand in disapproval. “This human is my fated mate.”

“F-Fated mate…what?!” 

“In fact, I should tell the old man about it!” He clasps his hand. “You take care of her kid, I’ll drag my fiancee to meet the old man.”

F-Fiancee? I am beyond stunned with the things he said that I am too tired to retort.

“Master DeLucci, you can’t—wait!” 

Too late, I’ve been forcibly dragged by this crazy lunatic out of the way as I am in my confused state. “W-Wait, I can’t leave Lilian!” Yet, he keeps dragging my feet until we enter the elevator. 

“I NEED TO BE WITH HER!”

Otherwise, they would find out she’s a hybrid and…dangerous thoughts circulate in my mind. 

“She will be safe with Saul, don’t worry. He is a softie when it comes to brats.”

“How could I trust you wolves if you’re going to deceive us! For all I know you’re going to separate us!”

I tried to reach out the elevator buttons but I was pulled and slammed against the steeled wall, making me flinch from the pain.

As soon as my hand reaches for the elevator button, my body is forcefully propelled against the steeled wall. His arms position to place between my head as I can feel the weight of his presence closing in.

This time, there is this looming cold atmosphere as we’re greeted with silence between us as Russell DeLucci’s face no longer shows his peculiar cheerfulness but rather a cold, distant look.

“I’m trying to be nice and save you and have you ever considered showing gratitude?” 

I just glare at him. Before I have the gall to  retort, he continues.

"I know she's a hybrid."

"W-What? B-But how?"

He scoffs as he sneers at me. "My nose won't be deceived with such a scent, human."

"Then why?" I gulp before lowering my head to avoid his gaze. After all, he has been in a close proximity all this time. "W-What do you gain from helping me?"

"Your cooperation," he simply replies. "If you cooperate with me and trust me a bit, your kid will be just fine, if not…”

“...you’ll never see her again.”