Chapter Three: The Strange Sounds

THE strange sounds hitting the walls and crashing on the floor bothered her. She thought there was something strange inside the castle, which reinforced her decision to flee.

Adhara kept staring out the window, her mind racing. The strange sounds she heard every day and witnessing Jarckon transform into an animal in nature filled her with fear.

She slightly opened the window and listened to the rustling leaves and the blowing wind touching her hair. She breathed in the morning air, trying to calm down and think clearly.

She was distracted when the door opened. Unsurprised, she knew it was Felicity bringing her breakfast. She glanced at Felicity, then turned back to the window, looking out at the castle grounds.

“My lady, breakfast is ready.”

Adhara turned and smiled at Felicity.

Felicity noticed she was acting strangely this morning, attributing it to the previous night's events. Felicity moved closer, trying to comfort her.

“My lady, are you okay?”

Adhara sighed and went to the table to take the breakfast Felicity prepared. Felicity hurried over and poured orange juice into a glass, serving her the usual sausage and ham.

She took a sip of orange juice and sliced the ham, but when she swallowed, she felt nauseous, her stomach churning.

Adhara ran to the bathroom and vomited.

Felicity rushed to her side, looking worried. “My lady, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I just don’t like the taste of ham.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, my lady. I’ll prepare something else for you.”

"No. It's fine… I'm okay…."

Before she could finish, Felicity hurried out to the kitchen to prepare something else.

Startled, Adhara stood up when she heard the strange sound again, louder now. She suspected it was coming from somewhere else in the room.

She closed her eyes and listened carefully, trying to pinpoint the sound's origin. She slowly went out of her room to find the source of the mysterious noise.

She walked through the castle, following the sounds that made her heart race. She needed to find out where they came from. She walked along the hallway until she reached the third floor. As she got closer, the sounds grew louder: the crashing of iron, growls, and panting. Her heartbeat quickened with nervousness.

She approached each room, listening to see if the sound was coming from within. She knew she was close. Finally, she reached the end of the castle and heard the distinct noise of crashing iron.

Slowly, she approached the room and reached for the doorknob, but before she could open the door, someone grabbed her hand. Startled, she immediately let go, as if shocked by electricity.

She turned around and bumped into someone. Adhara felt muscular arms and a wide chest against her back. She looked up and saw Jarckon, jolting in surprise.

Adhara backed away, feeling petrified by Jarckon's green eyes staring at her. She froze, stepping back to keep her distance, folding her arms.

“What are you doing here?” Jarckon asked, suspicion in his eyes.

Adhara remained silent, jolting when she heard Felicity's voice.

“My lady.” Felicity moved closer and took her away from Jarckon.

“I’m sorry, my lord,” Felicity said, bowing her head in apology.

“Bring her back to her room.”

“Yes, my lord.” Felicity kept her head bowed, listening to Jarckon.

“Keep your eyes on her. Is that understood?”

Jarckon's voice was commanding and scary.

Adhara stepped back and ran away, crying and sobbing. She couldn’t understand why she was imprisoned in Jarckon’s castle and needed to escape.

She went back to her room and locked the door. Felicity followed, knocking repeatedly, but Adhara didn’t respond.

Her only thought was escape. She walked back and forth, looking out the window, trying to figure out how to leave unnoticed.

When she heard the door about to open, she hid under her bed, hoping to make them believe she had run away through the window, which she left open. Adhara felt scared when she heard Jarckon’s voice getting closer.

Jarckon could smell her—her skin, her flesh. He could sense her, his mate. No matter where she hid, he could find her.

She felt relieved when he finally left, followed by Felicity and his men.

When she was sure they were gone, she went to the door and listened.

She leaned her ear against the door and heard Jarckon and Felicity talking, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying until their voices faded away.