CHAPTER SIX

Lana's POV

I glanced at Dorothy again, who was now chewing quietly but looking over at me between bites.

"Can you tell me more about Dorathy? I would like to know why she's very quiet. I thought children were very outgoing at this age. She should be playing dress up, and having tea parties with dolls..." I started eating the bacon on my plate.

"Mr Ronan didn't tell you? I knew he wouldn't." She raised her eyebrows. She came closer and stood beside me, pretending to wipe the table with a dirty cloth.

Then she looked to her left and right before she finally whispered to me, "She's the daughter of the Alpha of Syria pack, and part of the survivors from her pack."

She must've noticed the confusion on my face, so she continued, "A pack is like a community of werewolves. The Rogue Alpha attacked that pack, and killed her parents. Fortunately, King Lancaster got there on time and saved her and a few others that he could save. This happened about two weeks ago. She didn’t talk for a week, and she kept asking for her nana. Unfortunately, her previous nanny died while protecting her."

A tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it off gently. I glanced at the little girl again, and blinked away the tears that threatened to fall again.

I promise to take good care of her.

“So you’re telling me that this pack is full of werewolves, there are no humans?” I whispered slowly.

She nodded with a tight smile, “Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to you.”

She went back to cleaning the kitchen island.

Now it made sense, Mr Ronan’s cold stare, his barely restrained strength, he’s not entirely human. The realization hit me like ice water down my spine.

I dropped my fork on my plate, I lost my appetite, maybe because of Dorathy’s sad story or because I had just found out that I was surrounded by beings who could rip my head off my body without breaking a sweat.

What the hell did I get myself into?

My heart was pounding in my chest. A heaviness that didn't lift, even after I tucked Dorathy into bed and watched as her eyes closed with a soft smile. I glanced at her, and adjusted the blanket on her body.

I sat at the edge of the bed without moving an inch. She sketched a wolf with grey eyes earlier, and insisted that the wolf in her drawing was a princess. The princess was coming to save the werewolves from an ancient curse. I couldn't shake the weird feeling I had when I stared at the wolf's grey eyes, and anytime I looked at the rough sketch, I felt like I had a connection with the picture.

My thoughts were a tangled mess, louder than the silence that engulfed me.

There were two options available.

The first was to stay and possibly die at the hands of these creatures. The other was to run, and definitely risk dying.

I inhaled shakily, biting my lip.

But… What if I eventually make it out?

Another voice whispered, "What if you don’t?"

Still, I couldn’t just sit here, and do nothing.

I stood up, slowly, and slipped out of the room, into the quiet hallway.

Suddenly I collided into something.

I stumbled back, blinking up at a tall figure.

“I'm so sorry. Are you okay?” the man asked, his voice smooth. He was wearing a blue buttoned-up shirt and black pants, with a white doctor's coat, and a stethoscope round his neck.

I blinked again. He had kind eyes and a half-smile that seemed completely out of place in this house of monsters.

“Sorry. I wasn’t looking.” I apologized.

“Clearly, but it's okay,” he chuckled, as he held my shoulders to steady me.

I felt different, like an attraction towards him. I stared at his eyes, a very beautiful shade of green.

“You must be the girl Ronan brought in as Dorathy's nanny. I’m Finn, his brother, and the pack doctor. I'm not scared, I promise,” he smiled.

I didn’t smile, but I didn’t move either.

“You look like you need to breathe. Come on, let’s get you some air.” He turned, gesturing to me to follow him. Something about him made me feel safe.

He led me to the balcony, it looked over the trees, and some residential houses. There was a couch, and he gestured for me to sit. Finn sat beside me, not too close, but not too far either. The air was fresh, and blew softly.

“You’re overwhelmed,” he said simply.

“Yeah. I signed myself away this morning.” I rubbed my eyes with my hand gently.

He shrugged. “Yeah. That’s kinda how it works.”

I pushed his arm, “That’s not reassuring.”

He laughed softly. “Sorry. I’m not so good at pep talk. Let's be friends, I promise I'll protect you.” He winked.

"Okay Finn. My name is Lana, and you're my bodyguard friend." I smiled.

"Okay." He laughed. He had a one-sided dimple on his left side, and sparking white teeth which made him look more attractive.

A silence settled, but it wasn’t awkward. It was full of glances. His gaze met mine, a little longer each time. He leaned in slowly, and held my hand, squeezing it softly.

His touch was warm.

We stared at each other for some more seconds, as if we were in a trance. Then he leaned in further, our breath mingled.

I parted my lips open, as it was about to touch his.

Suddenly, the door flung open.

“What the f*ck is going on here?” Ronan’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

I flinched away from Finn instantly. Finn straightened, but didn’t look bothered. He kept a straight face as he looked at his brother.

Ronan stood at the door, with his fists clenched.