Unwanted

Aisha's head drooped as the wolfmen dragged her away from the woods. She held her elbows tightly against her side as she forced her feet to trudge along with them.

She has just freed herself from her first captivity. And now this. It seemed that the people here only know how to tyrannize others.

Her wide frightened copper eyes took a look around her wondering how she could escape her second confinement. Her skin shivered as she imagined the gruesome sight ahead of her.

Aisha was unaware that she had entered one of the most dangerous lands in Gaea, a forest where no Gaean dared enter. It was the Lycus Territory.

The Lycus Clan were a part of the wolves' species who can shapeshift into human forms. They were very possessive when it came to their properties.

And the only way you can be allied with them is to respect their ownership. Strangers were considered enemies.

"Hop on," The one with the tattooed arm transformed into its wolf form. Then he tilted his head as if he was reinforcing his instruction.

"One wrong move, and you're dead meat," Lyan, the one who almost strangled her, snarled at her, before transforming back to his wolf form.

The others did the same.

"Do I have a choice?" Aisha shrugged her shoulders as she climbed on the wolf with the tattooed arm.

When he was in his wolf form, his forearms were still covered in tattoos.

He howled, then he started to run, together with the others. She held onto its body that was covered in bristling fur, holding on for dear life's sake.

The woods were thick with trees. But the wolves seemed to think that it was a plain field as they traversed it with lightning speed.

Aisha didn't know if her heart was pounding because of the speed that they were traveling, or of what lies ahead of her. Or perhaps because it was her first time riding a wolf, a werewolf to be exact.

As they travelled, she noticed that there were times that he would almost vomit. And he was having a hard time swallowing.

"Hey, are you all right?" She asked him, though he didn't expect that he would answer since he was in his wolf form.

In no less time, they were already out in the clearing. And behold, a majestic, colossal Manor appeared in their sight.

It has robust ivy trailing along its brick walls. And it has a large, healthy lawn with prune trees.

Aisha went down the wolf with the tattooed arm as she beheld Lord Lycano's Manor.

"You will meet Lord Lycano shortly. Behave yourself if you want to live," The one with the tattooed arm warned her.

He was already back in his human form.

Aisha pulled the cloak over her face.

Even though it was just a piece of cloth, she treated it as if it was like a shell that could protect her from harm. She walked with them until they reached the inside of the Manor.

As she did so, she couldn't help but compare it with the King's Castle.

The King's Castle looked ghastly and cold on the outside. But inside, anyone would feel secured as one would feel its warmth.

If she wasn't a candidate for the Chosen One, she could have stayed there for a longer time.

This one appeared more similar to the mansions in her own world.

However, the place created an eerie feeling that would make anyone think that its beauty is just an illusion to deceive the eyes of the beholder.

It resembled a witch's apple with death's poison inside.

The servants inside led the wolf men to a separate room. They brought robes and silky clothes for them to wear, readying them to meet the Lord of the Clan.

Aisha didn't recognize that they were back to their stripped state.

"Hmm, it seemed to be common in this part of the earth," she muttered as she recalled her first time in Gaean land.

"The creatures seemed to be more interested in the fact that I was a human than a stark-naked being!" She thought out loud.

"My lady," One of the servants bowed down to her as she led her to another room. He's with a helper that also has a lot of items of clothing in his hand.

"Uhm, I think I'm fine with this. Thank you," She gave him a friendly smile as she dusted her tunic.

However, Lyan, the one who almost tore her apart a while ago, butted in.

"You're too ambitious to face the Great Lord looking like a peasant," he hissed at her.

"Why did you hate me so much?" Aisha couldn't help but react, with her hands shot up in the air.

"Because I can smell your filthy blood, human. You will bring chaos to this land."

As he said that, his amaranthine eyes went ablaze in rage. His claws thrust out from her hands, his beast side attempting to come out.

Fortunately, he was able to control himself as he inhaled a lungful of air and closed his eyes. His jagged rippers retracted back.

His fiery eyes just a while ago returned to normal. Then he turned his back and went with the others to the dressing room.

Aisha was left stunned. Is her existence really a threat to this place?

She followed the attendants in waiting to the dressing room. As soon as the servants left, she mindlessly undressed, picked one of the dresses, and tried it on.

Her mind couldn't grasp the splendor of the place anymore, as she thought about her mess.

She recalled Lord Emilio's forewarning to her about doing things extraordinarily, how the Gaeans perceive it as danger.

It was one of the reasons why she wanted to leave Gaea as soon as possible.

But now that another being has spoken to her again, even intending to harm her simply because she was there, she couldn't help but ponder about it.

"I'm already out of the world and still, nobody wants me," her petite mouth let out a long sigh.

She went out of the room, looking glum.

However, she was quickly awakened from her downcast state as one of the servants declared,

"Announcing the presence of the Great Lord Lycano."

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"A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that next time you feel alone." — Mandy Hale