CHAPTER TEN

HAZEL

I flipped my eyes open and the light in the bright lit room attacked my eyes, a hiss escaped my lips, shielding my eyes away from the bright rays of light I slowly blinked, adjusting my sight to the brightness of the room.

"Oh my God!" I almost flew off the bed as I met the his fiery eyes in a startled frenzy.

I rubbed my chest, now fully awake and aware of my surroundings, I had been so scared to be in his presence the night before, yet I had slept off, I didn't even last long. So much for vowing not to lose my guards.

"You are awake?" His baritone vibrated in my ears, it wasn't a question, he was only affirming it.

He was sitting on the same bed with his hands folded across his chest, staring at me in a predatory manner.

"Prepare your self, we are heading out for a journey" He glanced away from me, like he couldn't be bothered by my presence.

With that, my heart somersaulted into my stomach, did he just say 'we'?"

"It's just both of us" He stood up, adjusting his frame to his full height. Did I describe him as huge? Very huge and tall? Yes he was.

He walked towards the bathing room. "I'll run your bath"

And with this, I was a goner, I swear that I was so scared out of my witts. Not only did he appear out of the blue, he was acting really nice and just then, he said 'We' were going on a journey. It could be a journey to feed on me, tear my limbs off and down such a sumptuous breakfast with my blood.

I heard Vamps drink human blood but I don't know if Werewolves do to and I really do not want to find out.

I stood from the bed, praying to every god I ever heard of, Zeus, Athena, Vashti, even Cupid that my soul be spared from such doom.

He swiftly returned to the bedroom and motioned to me, "You bathe is ready, I'll be right back" He swiftly exited.the room. I had put two and two to figure that the handmaid's had brought the water some time while I was sleeping and I was really glad that he had left the room entirely. It would have been weird to have a male in the same room with me as I proceeded to clean up, it would have been really weird.

My handmaids came in a few minutes later and they helped me clean up and quickly exited afterwards.

I had donned on a simple dress, one which mother sew for me one time last year when summer was fast approaching, she had done it by herself, the few things she ever did for me because of her status as queen.

I slipped a little knife into the side of my undergarment. I was prepared to die, but I was afraid to die, it doesn't make sense but it does.

A knock had come from the door. "You are dressed?". It was Dante; I really had to get used to his method of questioning.

"Mhh" I answered at first but realized that not only was my voice barely audible, the door was far from where I stood, he could not possibly hear me. "Yes I—"

He was already in the room before I could complete my statement.

As Dante's figure stood before me, his presence seemed to fill the room with an inexplicable aura of power and authority. The previous night's conversation echoed through my mind, the weight of his words casting a shadow of uncertainty over the otherwise promising morning.

Despite my skepticism, a sense of gratitude coursed through me, mingling with the allure of the unknown journey that lay ahead. I hoped that this venture would shed light on the mysteries that enveloped the pack and its enigmatic world, while also offering me a chance to understand my role in this new and uncharted territory. My survival depended on Dante, I had long realized.

His eyes lingered on my dress and I feared he might not like the dress, so, " You do not like this dress? I can change it" I searched his face.

"No, it's good" Was all he said and he turned, "the handmaids have you things packed already, so we will proceed now" He turned and took big strides out.

He seemed pissed—

I looked at my dress and back at the empty spot he had stood a moment ago.

What did I do now?

I hurriedly followed behind him and I noticed again the Werewolves started their productive day later that humans, it was the early hours of the morning where the sun was still lazily sitting in the sky.

A surge of determination fueled my steps. I would not let fear overpower my resolve, nor would I allow the doubts that lingered within to cloud my judgment. Instead, I would seize the opportunity to gain insight, to unravel the enigmas that surrounded me, and to confront the challenges with unwavering fortitude.

We walked to the courtyard and one of  the handmaids had handed me a  bag I was guessing was packed with few of my clothes, making me wonder how long our so called journey would last.

"I will be right back" he said and disappeared behind a huge tree in the courtyard.

I looked round the empty courtyard with only guards who were on the watch, everywhere seemed dry and quiet. I took in the environment, because it was actually my first time since my arrival that I had been down at the courtyard.

A gust of wind blew against my back and I rubbed my arm, I turned instinctively, only to involuntarily release a muffled scream. A Very very big animal was prancing towards me, it was jet black like shadows and it's body was ... Big.

My heart jumped into my legs, and I shut my eyes in resignation.

Way to go, Hazel.

Oh gods, I pray my soul to keep. I chanted in my head like a mantra and swallowed like it was my last as I waited for my painful demise.

1- 2- 3- 4- 5…

Nothing.

I slowly squinted my eyes open to peep, I could literarily hear my heart beat so fast, my limps were weak and my lips were quivering, hot tears were trembling to pour out of my eyes.

I peeped and I saw the black monster standing in front of me in a stoic stance,

"It's me" A familiar voice proceeded from the monster's mouth.

Dante.

His voice was hard, harder than before.

I heaved a sigh of relief, and melted into the ground in that instant, my heart climbed it's way back to my chest and my breathing calmed.

I opened my mouth to make a sound, but nothing came. I would have said, "You scared me".

Puzzled, I asked, "How are we going to journey?"

"I am your ride" I could detect the deadpan in his voice.

"Oh" I flustered. On his back? What the heavenly fu*ck!

"Get on" He deadpanned. It was funny how serious his face was, regardless of how I could easily Imagine his human expression on his 'wolf' face.

Tentatively, I took a step further and he bent his upper body, making it easy fore to get on his back.

Furry. His back was furry and it felt really weird and uncomfortable on an animal-human's back.

"Hold on tight" He growled,scaring the hell out of my already scared self. I held on to his ebony fur and he set off in a semi fast pace, dashing out of the park house and into the woods, I didn't need a memo to make me hug his furry body as the wind assaulted my face.

With each passing moment, as the terrace of the woods changed, the burden of the unknown weighed upon me. I could feel the pulse of anticipation thrumming beneath my skin, intermingled with the echoes of fear and curiosity that wove through my thoughts.

As Dante led the way, I followed, my senses heightened in the face of the exploratory journey that lay ahead. The verdant paths, shrouded in a cloak of secrecy, beckoned me forth, stirring a longing within me to comprehend the depths of this new world and the intricate web of possibilities that awaited.

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of nature, the journey unfolded, each step guiding us further into the heart of the wilderness and away from the woods. The surrounding landscape seemed to pulse with concealed secrets, an enigmatic language that resonated with subtle whispers, an unraveling tapestry of untold stories and unforeseen destinies.

As we traversed the verdant terrain, Dante's weird presence became a steady beacon, offering a sense of reassurance amid the uncharted journey. Though the uncertainty of the path ahead loomed large, I found solace in the belief that this expedition would not only bring revelations, but also a chance to forge a pathway towards understanding the enigmatic world that encompassed the pack .... The point is I am ready to grab on to anything that hints at my survival.

I braced myself for the nuances of the journey, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead, to confront the revelations that awaited, and to unravel the enigmatic labyrinth of this new world that called to me, beckoning me to forge a destiny intertwined with the supernatural forces that governed our existence.

I was scared.