CHAPTER 13

Of course, I wasn't safe..

The queen was now circling around me as she spoke..

"So, tell me Faerelore, don't you feel different from other people?"

"Different?? your Highness."I tried to play dumb yet confident. I didn't wanted to be some weakling at this point, considering I was all alone in this place with her. I was my only defense.

"I'm really curious, How did you do it?" She hissed, a terrifying smile appearing on her lips as she came to stand right in front of me, looking me straight in the eye.

"Did what? your Highness."She cackled on my face, startling me profoundly.

"Let's see, how you save yourself from me" She spoke from a distance as she sauntered out the door.

I released the breath I had been holding for who knows how long. That woman was pure evil. It radiated from everything she did. She scared me. I wanted to steer clear of her, but the way she spoke to me made it clear I was on her radar. She wanted something from me, something I didn't know I had. I needed to speak with El. I needed to get home and think through what to do next. I had so much to do. I picked up my bag, which I had long forgotten, and made my way out of the hall.

I followed the path that we had taken upon our arrival at the palace which led me exactly where I wanted to be. Once outside, I breathed in the fresh air and began walking away from the palace. Countless thoughts raced through my mind as I unconsciously walked past our car and continued on. I took the path that led to the forest. It was already night so I slowly took one step at a time. What was I going to do? He was a nice guy, the prince, but I had baggage of my own and he had his. Most of all we didn't know each other at all. Presumptuously, I felt I was being imposed on him. 

If she knows, you helped him escape, why not just put you in prison? I heard El speak out to me knowing that we were a safe distance from the palace. 

I agree, but there's more to this El, that meets the eye. The glow from my hair was now lighting a soft path for me to take on. Do you know what I saw when she was near us? She continued without letting me speak It was the same liquid that was in that teapot when we opened the compartment with Prince's blood. Do you mean her pendant? I noticed that too.. There was something special about her pendant... and the way it matched the King's.Exactly.... We could easily become spies, we are good at this She laughed tried to lightened the mood and a smile automatically graced my lips. What are we? El..

We'll know soon with your book. Yeah!!

Stop!! Did you hear that? I was so lost in my conversation with El, that I hadn't noticed anything. I heard a snap again from behind and I turned around hastily trying to look for the source. Don't speak El, not a word.. With the light gone, I could barely see anything.  I picked a wooden branch that had just touched my heels. I lifted it to have at least something for my self-defense.

I saw a silhouette in the distance as I called out..."Who are you?" I could only focus on the eyes of the person that shone in the darkness. The silhouette was a man's but right before my eyes, it started to shrink and what it changed into, it looked like a dog.

It took a few steps forward and I knew I was in trouble. It was a shapeshifter, a were-effing-wolf. Trying my best not to panic much, I took a step back to slowly increase the distance between us but it was not having it. It was dark but my eyes were now somehow adjusting to the darkness.

It lunged forward and that was my cue to run , so I ran as fast as I could in my heels. Why were werewolves here? This wasn't their territory. I had read about an alliance with them in my father's journal. Soon some more paws joined on in my chase as I ran around the forest. How many were out there? They would skin me alive if I were to get caught. In my haste, to get far away, I didn't notice something or more like someone in my way as I bumped hard and we both roller over and collided into the tree.

They were circling us, caging us in. I was laying on a hard chest of a man who had bumped into me. I slid to the side slowly making less movements as he sat up.

"I'll take it from here" He ordered in his loud commanding voice. The wolves howled taking in his order as they scurried away. This meant only one thing, he was the Alpha, their leader. I didn't know what scared me the most, the darkness or him. His voice was commanding,demanding attention.

He stood up and helped me along with him. I took a few steps back just in case. I was in my defense mode. I had to be .

"I am not going to harm you" he spoke once we were all alone in this dark place. His tone now a little calmer than before. Then he continued ..

"What are you doing here?all alone? At this hour of the night? This place is dangerous for you?"

" I.. I lost track... For me?" I stammered as I tried to put a face to the voice. It did sound familiar but I wasn't able to pinpoint.

" Can I come closer?" He asked which in reflex made me take a step back. "I'm not going to harm you, I promise." Can I trust him? He did save me, but isn't he the leader.. He might be the one who had given out that order.. I was reasoning with myself now. I had taken over the role of El..

"Yes..." What was I saying? Maybe, I wanted to test myself and him. He took a few steps forward and came to stand right infront of me. I stood still, making sure to not even move a muscle. He brought his face closer and slowly dragged his nose from my cheek to my ear and as soon as I was about to push him, he sniffed me.Is he a dog? Well, technically he is,

"I knew it, I felt it" he murmured as he took a step back.

"You don't know, do you?" He questioned again looking me in the eye. His eyes were strikingly beautiful as they stared at me wanting to know my deepest darkest secrets.

"Know what?" I asked out of curiosity... A lot of people knew a lot of things about me.. but I was the only one unaware about my own self.

He ignored me as he spoke and started walking towards the edge " come on, I'll drop you, it's not safe."

"You can't mid-leave the conversation, what is it, that I don't know?" I asked again as I followed him, wanting to get out of this place. I was exhausted and literally done for the night.

"I am not, but this is not the right place to talk. I'll see you in college tomorrow." He spoke as we neared his car.

"How do you know my-" I couldn't finish my sentence once I saw his face, that's why he sounded familiar and maybe there was a reason, he approached me this morning. It couldn't really be a coincidence that we met twice in one day.

It was Kane, but he looked different, sounded different. Who's the real one? The one I met in college or the one I'm walking beside right now. He opened the door for me as I sat inside and he helped with the dress, which was now smeared with mud. I was going to get a scolding for that .

"Once I had settled in, he walked to the other side and he drove the car as I gave him directions to my house.

"You living with the Sinclair's? He asked once he figured out the address.

" Yes, He's my ..."I took a pause remembering what he had done this evening and continued again" ... Step-uncle" Kane gave me a thoughtful look probably trying to read my expression.

"Be careful, Elaara .. he doesn't have a nice reputation around... " He sounded concerned? Is this for me? Nobody showed me such affection and I never let myself get close to anybody. Is this ok? Me having friends? But father said otherwise. It was best to stay guarded and see where this goes right?

"He is a business man." I agreed with him as I rolled down the windown slightly to feel the breeze. I wished I could be this carefree. If I was suppose to stay hidden then why was my uncle flaunting me everywhere, or maybe my father only wanted me hidden because he knew...

I was going to be at a cold war with the queen, the way she declared it so openly. I might need alliances, just like my father had, when he was in the face of the danger. I had to strategize and most of all,

I needed to know....

Everything.....