Chapter twenty (18+)

Eric

"Reece has a point you know. Stories about a monster attacking travelers have spread far and wide in Nodith."

I ignored Anthony's pestering. My brother wouldn't even take my side. I needed a plan B.

"We can fasten the coronation so I get the money before I get our divorce."

My eyes searched the trees that now held untold dangers to me, Even Wolfie had his tail between its leg.

"Not a bad idea, I suppose. The killings will increase if we don't take a step."

I never really thought about Maisy's heritage.  Her late sister had the gift but she couldn't have had it. I had been keeping her in the dark on a lot of things and she showed no signs of knowing what I intended to do.

But... When she arrived in Nodith, She had been mumbling about ghosts.

How could I be so stupid?

I could cross away any excuses, Maisy was indeed a whisperer and that meant she wasn't safe. I quickened my steps just imagining she was in danger. Memories of Tatia's last moment with me flashed so bright that the whole scenario seemed like it was happening again. The pain of watching her and just laying there numb and useless while she slipped away.

Endorphins sent my heart racing and my body ached.

"Are you okay?" Anthony quizzed.

"Yes." I sent back, my blood boiling for no reason.

Anthony stared at me wide-eyed,

"Eric...your eyes..."

Damn! I was shifting.

"I think you should head back to the castle without me." I managed to say before my wolf completely took over.

First, my fingers elongated, taking the form of golden brown claws. A howl escaped my throat, resulting from the pain that shot through my body.

My Howls drowned the nocturnal music. I shrunk then the pain stopped. I stared up at Anthony, puffed and ran off.

***

After my release, I stood naked in the middle of the woods. My hands dug into the moist dark earth searching for the chest buried within. It was one of the many buried in strategic positions to curb with the after-effects of torn clothes.

I found the chest and got it out. Opening it, I brought out the clothing inside out. A sleeved vest lacking the sack coat and a pair of black pants, ruffled so much that no one would recognize me if they didn't pay attention.

I wore the shirt and moved on to the pants but something slipped out from the pocket. I stopped for a moment and picked the ring up. A golden band that had the emblem of the Clarke made from emeralds. It had a beryl tint in the moonlight. It was a gift I I to government Tatia. I briefly wondered what it was doing in my pocket. I remembered instructing a servant to toss it far away.

I dropped on the earth, taking in the decayed brown leaves that reminded me of Autumn then I did the astonishing, I spoke to the ring.

"Tatia, Are you there?"

The wind played with my hair, it felt like hands caressed me. I took it as a sign and continued,

"You must be angry with me for bringing her here to die and I don't know... Maybe you were right It's difficult to break from your family's codes. I feel like I'm becoming every bit of my father... Manipulative, selfish and secretive. I haven't even told Maisy how I truly feel about her."

The wind threw some dust in my eyes. Somebody was jealous.

"I can't even act on those feelings. Maisy isn't safe with me. I couldn't protect you and I'm sure I can't protect her too. Truth is ever since you left me, I haven't found peace and I doubt I will, Not until I know you're happy."

Tears crept out of my lids and I succumbed to the grief I felt deep inside.

"I just want to know how you're doing where you are... Just give me a sign, Anything..." I lamented.

For a brief second or maybe shorter than seconds, I saw the jewelry shimmer.

***

Morning came quick and I was preoccupied with paperwork even before daybreak.

To think that I was up all night.

"How are you doing?" The devil's mistress inquired as she brought a tray of food inside.

I didn't lock the door.

"What do you want Sara?" I demanded immediately, straying from my work table.

"I brought you breakfast. You were too preoccupied with work to even come downstairs for food."

"I'm not hungry." I retorted.

"Really?" She batted an eyebrow, " What did you eat?"

That would have been an easy question if I knew why I was so full. I definitely went hunting in wolf form.

"Does it matter?" I said, changing the subject.

She was silent, just standing there staring at me with 'that' look in her eyes. It didn't take me time to guess why she was so helpful.

I took the tray containing the food from her hands and placed it on my desk. The rough manner at which I handled the tray made the orange juice spill into what I was doing.

"Good Lord!" I said under my breath as I rushed to save the papyrus. It wasn't too late. I managed to get to it before the ink began to run. I dropped it where sunlight could rectify it and turned back to Sara.

"Is there anything else?"

It would only make that much sense since she was still standing there. I didn't feel comfortable with her presence at all. It was harassment and I should be the one in that position.

She gave me a sly look and walked towards me. My mind could vividly picture how this was going to go wrong.

I backtracked,

"Sara, You have to stop. This obsession of yours is becoming a cause for concern."

She didn't relent. In fact, I'd say her steps quickened and now I was in the most awkward position. The edge of the bed was no place to be when a sex-obsessed girl comes for you like this.

I watched her fondle with the back of her dress and her clothes floated to the ground.

She was wearing nothing underneath.

She came prepared.

Her petite body was enough to be worshipped in my plans. A tickle in my groin informed me of more trouble.

I couldn't let Sara have her way. I was going through enough emotional turbulence in my life.

"You don't have you found this Sara... You're beautiful and any man would want you."

She stopped approaching and stroked her chin,

"If that's so. I want the man who took me that night. The man who dominated me."

"Sara, stop this madness! Whatever happened that night was a mistake and I just want to forget about it."

Sara ignored my pleas and pressed close forcefully locking our lips.

Before I could react, The door swung open. So quick that I was too stunned to move. It was Maisy.

Her emotions were not hidden on her innocent face. Her pain was evident in the crease of her brow and the down-curve of her plush pink lips and her eyes, her eyes showed her soul. They were a deep pool of restless ginger, a black hole of hopeless grief.

I pushed Sara off me and approached Maisy as quick as my leg could carry me.

"Wait Maisy, I can explain."

She didn't give me a chance, she didn't hear me out, The door just slammed shut, right in my face.

That was it! No more Mr Nice guy.

I confronted Sara who stood there satisfied with her work.

"You wanted to be dominated, Didn't you?" I roared.

"Yes." She got to her knees, a submissive by choice.

I didn't know if this was actually me or my wolf but one thing I knew was I wanted to torture Sara.

My pants fell to the floor

"Do you want my cock, Sara?"

"Yes."

"Beg for it!"

"Please."

"Louder," I yelled.

"Please!"

Now she would know pain!