16

He was shocked the wolf even existed. It was a beautiful specimen. "Everyone thinks you're dead, Sylvie. You should come with me tomorrow morning and let the authorities know that you're alive and well. You can tell them what happened at Bouvier's."

Sylvie didn't like the sound of that idea. She would much rather lay low until she located her mother. Caleb's unkind words about her mother replayed in her mind. She couldn't hold what he said against him. He was speaking from a place of kindness.

She knew he cared for her as a friend. Were his concerns valid? Before the fire, she would have said 'no'. She would have been quite adamant about it. But how the events played out as they had, with her mother leaving seconds before the fire without giving her any warning she wasn't so sure.

She wanted to give her mother the benefit of the doubt about not knowing her benefactor would burn down man and Bouvier. Caleb was finally Caleb was finally done putting ointment on her wounds.

"Thank you," she said.

"No need," he told her, as he put all of his instruments and vials back inside of his medical bag.

A loud crack of lightning along with ground-shaking thunder filled the air. The unexpected sound made Sylvie jump, which in turn disturbed the sleeping Wolf. Caleb gently rested his hand on her right shoulder and gave it a slight, comforting squeeze.

"I am fine. Really. I-I hate rain." She told him.

She noticed he was looking at her differently. His hand hadn't moved from her shoulder yet. Caleb spoke then, "Sweet Sylvie, I'm so glad you are alive. I couldn't imagine my life without you in it."

Startled by his revelation, she just looked at him. "W-What did you just say?"

He didn't repeat it.

Sylvie was stunned. "Th-that can't be true. You thought I was a nuisance since we were children."

He was smiling at her now. It was a warm, caring smile. Who was this Caleb? She wondered.

"We are no longer children, Sylvie. You need someone to care for you and look after you."

He sounded so grown up to her now.

"And you mean to do that? Your parents wouldn't approve of our union, Caleb."

" I don't give a damn about what my parents approve of. I am serious, Sylvie. I am in love with you. I want to marry you and-"

"What? take me away? Where to? The mainland is ravaged. You would live in exile with me, Caleb? Barely existing? Hear me and hear me well, my Caleb, my friend. We can never marry and this is the last time you will see me."

" No!"

"Yes! Yes, Caleb. It must be this way. I witnessed the murder of a senior Lycan. Who knows what trouble I am already in. I will not put you, my only friend at risk. So, promise me."

His lips were set in a thin line. He was angry with her. He didn't want to promise her anything. He was heartbroken by her refusal.

"If you love me, as you say, promise me."

"Fine, I promise!" He growled.

She didn't dare smile at his defeat. Instead, she continued to hold his hand until the sounds of the storm lulled her to sleep.

***************************************

It had been 72 hours since Madame Bouvier had arrived at her ex-paramours manor. She had been confined to this room for most of her duration. For Bouvier, confinement was not her strong suit. The small space made her anxious, and feel as if the walls were closing in on her. Other than her near-constant confinement, there was nothing bad to report.

She was fed three times a day. Any of her needs were essentially taken care of. Since her impromptu stay, she had no news from the Island, and from her first impression when driving here seeing the craters from the bombing along with the barbed wire, she had thought it would be more chaotic than it had been. It had been quiet for the most part. She had heard no war sounds since her arrival.

She was looking out of the window. She was caught up watching three soldiers trying to carry heavy ammunition inside. One kept losing his balance, while the others, with their hands full had to use their bodies to keep him upright. She was smiling at the scene going on outside when she heard the door open. Thinking it was the butler, she spoke, "Afternoon, Whitley, dear, just put the lunch tray anywhere. My appetite would probably be better if you let me out of this damned room."

She was smiling at he morose joke, when she turned around to face him. She was shocked to see it was Adolph. "You..." She whispered in shock.

She hadn't expected to see him.

He spoke, "I see my my Butler has been spoiling you." He quipped.

She quickly closed the curtains. Then turned around and looked in his direction. It was him. He was dressed as he had been the last time she had seen him. His face was still half covered with a white porcelain Mask.

Bouvier didn't know what to think of this impromptu visit. From their last discussion, she was under the impression that he no longer trusted her. This man who stood in front of her looked like the man she had loved, but it would appear that time had taken that love away and they were strangers once more. "You seemed frightened," He gathered, after watching her.

She appeared to be glued to her spot by the window.

"Should I not be frightened, my Liege?" She asked. There was no malice or ill intent in her voice.

He was assessing her. She could tell.

He walked over to the hunter green wingback chair and took a seat. "Sit down, Bouvier." He commanded her.

She obeyed and sat down on a small settee in front of the large chair only a few inches from the ground, making him seem larger than life. She had to look up at him. She felt like she was that young girl all over again. He had always had a way of making her feel small just by being in his very presence. She willed herself to continue to stare him in his big, sparkling eyes. She needed him to help her.

"How has your stay here been?" He asked, though his voice was devoid of any emotion. Did he even care? She wondered. Probably not, she decided. He just wanted information. "My men have returned."

"Have they?" she said, elated about that bit of news. She was hoping he would tell her more, but he didn't. He just stared at her. Cold, heartless eyes stared back at her.

He seemed heartless

"Well..." She pushed.

"Well, what?" He said to her.

"What did they say? Did they confirm my story?"

She realized then that he didn't want to tell her. she begged him then, "Pleas-"

"Quiet!" He roared at her.

She jumped and immediately stopped talking upon his command.

"You have lived too long as an independent woman who says and does whatever she pleases. When you crossed that threshold, you entered into my home, and yet, you think to question me. Why? because you are under the impression that I care. Let me assure you, I do not in this moment. I only care for my son!"

She felt each word cut her like a sharp dagger. It hurt. She thought she knew him. She knew from her past that she must apologize, so she did. "I apologize, my Liege. It's just that I am worried. The people on the island are in grave danger..." She trailed off when she heard him chuckle at her words.

"Now you care about the island people? What happened to every man and woman for themselves?"

He spat her life's motto back at her face.

He was a master at this game, she thought. Bouvier was stunned into silence and now slightly ashamed of trying to garner sympathy from him. His cold, hard demeanor was throwing her off of her game. She was beginning to feel like asking her ex Paramour for sanctuary was a bad idea. He stood up from the chair then, and walked directly over to the window, opening the curtains she had closed. He looked out watching the view, leaving her sitting on the stool.

"I don't trust you, Alexa." He stated, using her Real name. "You will do anything to save your own neck. That is why you came here, is it not? Betting on an old flame's affections have stayed unchanged? Look at me." Bouvier did as he asked and looked upon him. "Everything has changed."

Adolph took off the porcelain mask so she could bear witness to his grotesquely scarred face. To her surprise, it wasn't as bad as she had imagined. She did not wince as she was sure he thought that was the reaction he was hoping to illicit from her by showing her his face. She did not flinch. She wanted to show him that she was strong and would not fall apart.