PART TWO BEGINS
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PART TWO: THE CROWN-BLOOD PACK
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The sky…
The first thing Zaramanni noticed as she stepped into the other side was the red, gloomy sky.
Compared to Amarxona, Zenrada wore a different air.
Danger, disaster, sorrow…
Zaramanni could deduce that much as she tore her sight off the firmament and landed her gaze on the damaged buildings and paths that greeted the trio.
The buildings, just like in the Amarxona, bore similarities to those of Earth. Apart from the destroyed state of some of the high-rise structures and the unusual smoke that kept emitting from a distance, there was not much difference at the end of the day.
As they all resumed walking, Zara behind the Alpha and his Luna, each structure presented a huge wolf head on a section of their tallness or in some cases, a unique build-up.
There were perks to having a proper means of transportation and Zaramanni was more than thankful that she didn’t have to walk for many days before getting to her proposed destination.Well, it did take about four days for the entire entourage to reach the entrance of The Crown-Blood pack but unlike the rough journey in the forests of Amarxona, the travel was easier.And for Zaramanni, her trip ended in front of a huge mansion that looked more than abandoned thanks to the depressing heavens.But, there was no denying how rich the building and its environs looked. Surrounded by the vastness of nature, the stone-built, palatial building displayed architectural greatness right from the front view to the chilly insides of the mansion.Greeted by two men who ushered her past the huge, carpeted stairs in the middle of the welcoming room, Zara began to wonder what the worth of the entire building would be in Earth’s currency. Then, she wondered
Zara surprised herself by finding the courage to sleep soundly after the terrible thing that happened to her.Waking up after hours of sleep, Zaramanni sat up and scanned her blurry sight across the large room. When she recalled how close to death she was, Zara shuddered.Zara wasn’t one to dwell too much on the past, but she couldn’t help but wonder if her brief encounter with the cold hands of death was a continuation of her terrible relationship with Gavin.But that was highly impossible.She was so many universes away from Gavin. There was no way for that monster to find his way to that strange universe.“Oh well,” said Zara as she got off her bed.At least there would be one good thing about her sudden appearance in that universe- there would be no Gavin.Soon, she was walking towards the door that led to the bathroom.That room gladdened Zaramanni ever since she entered it.
Zaramanni craned her neck as she walked towards the entourage in front of the manor. Thanks to the journey the wolves of Zenrada were about to embark on, the Crown-Blood manor was less lonely. A lot of people stood outside the mansion, chatting away as they waited for instructions.After she joined the crowd, while hoping that no one would suddenly shift into a wolf, Zaramanni kept stretching her neck in search of a particular person. She had overheard some ladies talking about the King’s visit to the manor’s library and they didn’t fail to praise how good-looking he managed to be in the face of difficulties.It was then that Zara knew that his presence was an opportunity to confront him.She was going to push her need to get to Mount Hermos in his face till he gives in. But, she needed to reach him first.Walking past the crowd of people that gathered in front of the manor, she saw the were-mobiles Sham mentioned the other night and she saw why they were given such a name.While
‘There she is.’ That voice jolted her so much that the cup of soda in her hold became unstable and spilled its content all over the floor of the auditorium.She had been standing in that spot for a while with a troubled mind. Her plans to join the school’s drama club were already foiled without her getting to make a move.She could already hear the voices of the Drama club members. Their vile name-calling and judging eyes would surely accompany her should she try something as simple as picking the club's audition form.Zaramanni wished to encourage her frightened self by hoping that they wouldn’t be that cruel. But, even her inner self found her rare optimism ridiculous and she quickly urged herself to give up and go back to class.
Sinking his groin into the soothing bathwater, Darren soon realized that he needed a greater form of distraction.His hands curled as the hungry thing within him tried to take over.The Alpha King had been doing that a lot- fighting the beast within him.After days of denial that were filled with flashing images of a one-armed Alisha and after his visit to the Chief Librarian and Zaramanni’s close walk toward death, neglecting the truth had become a useless effort.He, King Darren, the once wolfless king was now one with a wolf. But it was no ordinary wolf.Most men in the kingdom who had evolved into their other selves used their wolves to feel free, enjoy the bliss of the night, protect their familie
Her legs swinging in the air as her back hit the softness of the bed, Zaramanni wished Sham would show up again.As it were, he was the only one in that strange land that was friendly to her. So, subtly, and not spilling the fact that she was highly suspected to be a half-fairy, Zara decided to ask him certain questions that may aid her pending decision.She could also use his help with plotting an alternative plan.That was if he doesn't act like King Darren was his soulmate he must not do anything to piss off.Zaramanni scoffed instantly as she realized how strongly offended she was.After her brief meeting with King Darren, it angered her more and more that he found it easy to confine her in his kingdom.&
With the use of a thick twine, Zaramanni and Alisha were brought out of the pit.Admonishing herself to have a firm stance became useless whenZara’s legs staggered as her heart jumped in reaction to the grinning sight that greeted her. Thankfully, the strong pair of hands that caged her arms prevented her from kissing the ground.Wearing a crease on her forehead, Zara's mind was instantly flung into a troubled state.In addition to the thin cracks on the bony cheeks of the person staring excitedly at her, the man’s hooded eyes spelled nothing but doom, darkness, and… absolute doom.Zaramanni’s eyes glanced at his hands, and she began to imagine how deadly his touch would feel
His huge palms spread over the table, his long fingers digging into the hardness of the furniture, King Darren wore pure anxiety in his eyes.He was waiting for Sham who was still searching for Zaramanni.A glance to his right revealed his specially carved bow and arrow which were instantly unused when Sham came running to the archery fields with the terrible news of the girl's disappearance.His feet dancing impatiently as his back arched over the long table, he wondered what Zaramanni was thinking.It was obvious that she had chosen to run away without letting him know. But that was a stupid, useless and careless decision.She was injured and new to the realm. She knew nothing about Zenrada- the good and