His eyes lit up in realization as his cheeks slightly tinted with embarrassment, "Luna.." he gasped, as he gulped, "Please, come, you're welcome. The Alpha will be waiting for you." He said.
I nodded at him as i turned back to the car with a triumphant smile on my face.
~
Their territory was huge and beautiful.
We kept following the grey wolf until he led us to a humongous mansion, ten times the size of our pack's mansion.
I gaped at the view.
Large fer-forge gates opened up as our car went in and around a big grey fountain with a large dark wolf standing tall, looking as daunting as ever.
Michael parked the car in the driveway, and we both got out.
As we turned around we were met with many stairs that led up to the mansion.
Two wolf sculptures were standing tall on each side of the stairs.
We walked up as the patrol guard from earlier approached us, now fully clothed.
He bowed to me respectfully, while we followed him up the stairs.
The mansion looked tall and handsome, but haunted, in a way.
Not haunted like creepy haunted.
More like haunted with loneliness.
We approached the tall and dark coloured double doors and he rang the bell.
The patrol guard bowed his head once more, "Luna," he said, before he parted, leaving us swiftly.
Before i had the chance to object to his parting, the door creaked open and we were received by Beta Jake.
"Hello," i greeted him awkwardly.
He bowed his head with respect and stepped aside so we could walk through.
"Alpha Aries is waiting for you in his office in the room to the right," he stated, before leaving and shutting the door behind him, the sound echoing and bouncing off the walls.
There was a large chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, and many antique decorations like dark sculptures filled the place.
There were large central stairs in the opposite side of the door, leading upstairs. A dark red rug covered it to the top where the stairs split into two separate sides.
The dark wooden floors were mostly covered with dark red Persian & Egyptian expensive rugs. The walls were all light beige painted and mostly covered with portraits, wood carved framed art and paintings.
I walked towards the room on the right, where Beta Jake said the Alpha would be.
Michael was trailing behind me, also looking around the large Victorian looking mansion.
As much as i hated to admit it, the mansion was magnificent.
It was indeed dark, but it was beautiful in every way. There was no hiding that i very much liked Alpha Aries' taste and appreciated his fondness of art.
I neared the office's door and knocked lightly before entering.
The room was large and rectangular shaped with two sides of the walls lined with books from the highest point in the ceiling to the floor.
There was a fire place and a dark brown rectangular shaped table placed in front of it, in the middle- back part of the room. A brown leather bergère couch followed right behind it, with two identical bergère chairs placed on each of the couch's sides, facing each other.
On the left side of the room was a big office table and chair, with one serious looking Alpha that sat as he watched me like a hawk.
"Alpha Aries," i said, as i bowed my head in respect.
Michael mimicked my actions perfectly, as he stood close by me.
Alpha Aries clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes at Michael, "Leave us," he ordered, his voice so deep, demanding, and gruff.
Michael glared at Alpha Aries, "I have been ordered to stay by Ariel's side at all times." He countered.
"I said, leave." He growled through gritted teeth.
I turned to Michael and placed a hand on the side of his face, "It's okay, i'll call you if i need you."
I was afraid Alpha Aries would hurt Michael, no, not hurt, may be kill him, even.
I mean he almost killed him when we were in our own territory, who knew what he would do to him here.
Michael nodded stiffly, and left the room.
I turned back to Alpha Aries, who was watching me intensely, his eyes going darker by the minute.
"Why are you here?" He growled, making me flinch at the harshness of his voice.
I narrowed my eyes at him and guilt flashed across his eyes.
"You missed the council meeting." I stated as i slowly made my way to his desk.
Alpha Aries eyed me from top to bottom, "I don't see what the problem is."
"The problem, is that you're part of the Lycanthrope council, and you just ditched! Making my father look bad. Instead of being responsible, here you are sitting, like you're the king of the wor-"
"I am responsible!" He growled, as he slammed his hand down on the table, cutting me off of my rant, "Last i remember, you are the one who wanted me out!" He spat.
I lowered my gaze to the ground as i felt heat rush to my cheeks, "Yes, well, I'm sorry if i was rude, b-but you were rude too!" I retaliated, as i pointed an accusing finger at him.
Alpha Aries sighed and ran his hands through his hair, "Send your pup of a Beta back, and let him excuse my absence. I will not be returning to your territory so soon." He said, as he stalked towards me.
"Why would i send Michael? I'm leaving with him." I said, unsure of my words.
Alpha Aries' eyes grew dark and his lips curled into a smirk as he wrapped his arms around me. He leaned down closely, his lips merely inches away from my own, as he grazed it lightly trailing down to my neck, "No you're not." He whispered, before i felt something sharp pierce my skin, making my eyes widen in shock as i let out a screeching scream before my world fell into complete darkness.
~
Chapter 8- The Girl Who Cried Wolf
Ariel
My eyes felt heavy, and i couldn't help but wince at the throbbing pain i constantly felt.
My whole body felt different. All tingly but foreign. I tried to wake up but my body refused to let me see the light.
I couldn't recall my last memory and every time i tried to think i'd get nothing.
I remembered going to BloodProwler territories, but then nothing. Blank.
My body was comfortably relaxed on a plush bed. It was the coziest bed i've ever slept on and the scent it carried drove me crazy.
It smelled like spearmint with a mix of...lavender.
As realisation hit me, my body shot up straight in bed, as i forced my eyes open. I gasped loudly as i felt my chest constrict.
My eyes searched the room, frantically, for any danger, and any signs of him.
I felt like i couldn't take my breath, as my breathing started to shallow.
The door suddenly bursted open and in he strode, with his provoking confident aura. His eyes dark and his face stone hard, as usual.
He showed no emotion. Just stared at me.
A man came in right after him.
He looked older, but not actually physically old. All Werewolves looked younger than their real age. But i could tell his age just by looking into his pale blue icy eyes.
The man wore a white doctor's coat* and had a blood pressure device in his grasp.
"She's awake. That's a good sign." He said as he neared me, walking around the bed.
He tried to get closer but i cowered away from him, trying to escape.
He grabbed my arm forcefully as he looked at me with disappointment.
I whimpered due to his rough icy touch and suddenly the man was pinned away from me by his throat.
Aries had lifted him off the ground by his neck. He latched his grasp tightly around the doctor's neck, making it hard for him to breath.
I backed away to the other edge of the bed, the farthest away from them that i could get as i constantly let out low whimpers.
I watched the man go from pale white to blue as he struggled in Aries' grasp.
"Don't touch her like that!" Aries growled lowly, a
nd threateningly.
The man was choking and his eyes were bugled out.
He tried to nod his head the most Aries' grip allowed him. But he couldn't get the message across.
"S-stop." I croaked softly.
Aries looked back at me with pitch black eyes, and i could tell that his wolf was at bay.
"Y-you're killing him," i pressed further, my voice coming out in a whisper.
"I don't care!" He gritted out harshly.
A shiver ran up my spine, and for the first time, i felt frightened by him.
The man's eyes slowly started drooping, as his body began to go limp.
I felt panic rise within me, "P-please." I pleaded once again.
Alpha Aries let the man's body drop to the floor with a loud thud.
Then Beta Jake quickly came into the room with another younger looking doctor.
Another wolf was trailing behind them, as he went straight towards the unconscious doctor and carried him out of the room.
Alpha Aries nodded at his Beta, and that was his cue to leave.
The younger looking doctor looked slightly nervous.
"Darren, make sure she's healthy." Ordered Alpha Aries.
'Darren' nodded as he slowly approached me. Unlike the other doctor, he wasn't grouchy and annoyed.
He had kind hazel eyes and light brown hair.
His eyes softened when they landed on my panicked state.
"Luna," he spoke softly, as he sat at the opposite edge of the bed.
I visibly relaxed, when i no longer felt intimidated by him, and i slowly sat closer.
He reached out for me, and gestured for me to take his hand.
I hesitantly took a glance at Alpha Aries, who just watched our exchange.
I took Doctor Darren's hand, and he helped me lay down, properly on bed.
He fixed up the pillow behind my head, before letting me rest on it, gently.
My eyes calmly fluttered shut as i sort of relaxed, and he wrapped a special type of cuff around my upper arm. I heard a device beep before the cuff started to get tighter. I realised that Darren was taking my blood pressure. Another beep and the cuff loosened around my arm.
He took off the cuff, "Her blood pressure is fine." He assured Alpha Aries, "But-" he continued with a pause.
I lifted my eyelids to watch their exchange.
Alpha Aries looked slightly concerned and Darren looked hesitant to continue.
"But?" Drawled out Alpha Aries in a questioning manner.
"Marking her before her wolf was ready or was even mature enough to identify you as her mate, risked her to a high fever and nausea," he said.
Marking me? Marking me how? Who marked me? What was he talking about?
"Is that all?" Alpha Aries inquired.
The doctor sighed and shook his head, "This could delay her wolf's maturity. Meaning, she may take longer to identify you as her mate, when the time comes. Speaking in normal terminology-" he said with a pause, before scratching the back of his head, "-you basically caused her wolf a sort of trauma. Which could delay her wolf's response to yours."
They were both speaking as if i weren't even here.
Alpha Aries clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth as his eyes darkened, "What can i do to fix this?" He asked.
Doctor Darren took a brief glimpse at me before looking back at Alpha Aries.
Both their eyes suddenly glazed over and i assumed Doctor Darren and Alpha Aries were discussing whatever 'this' was, privately.
I took this chance to let my eyes wander around the room. It was marvellous and ten times bigger than my own father's room. When i turned my head to the left to look at the view of this room, a shooting pain throbbed through my neck.
I yelped as i winced in pain, putting my hand over the aching source.
I trailed my fingers over two deep puncture wounds which hurt even more under my touch. I whimpered and withdrew my fingers from my wound.
But how did i even get that?
I tried to remember what happened yesterday, as hard as i could, but i came up with nothing.
"She needs rest and i advise you to personally look after her, Alpha. As i already mentioned to you, whatever you do, reflects on the severity of her wolf's psychological state. She might not be able to shift for a while as well. It's all quite normal, but you should be patient with her." Said Darren.
Alpha Aries looked a bit worried in my opinion, since he usually doesn't even show any emotion.
He nodded at Darren and then his eyes made their way to mine, and everything seemed to freeze.
"Leave us," he ordered Darren.
Those words. I've heard them before.
Leave us. Sounded like something only Alpha Aries would say so rudely but i couldn't help but feel a sense of Déjà vu.
Darren bowed his head in respect, and led himself out.
Alpha Aries stared at me intensely from the front edge of the bed.
He was edgy and overstrung. I assumed with the way he was watching me, that he wanted to say something, but he just awkwardly stood there, on guard, watching me.
I looked back at him then raised an eyebrow.
His blue eyes widened as he cleared his throat, "Are you hungry?" He asked.
With the thought of it my stomach growled in response.
That was all he needed to confirm his question.
His eyes, once again, glazed over, before returning back to normal.
"W-what am i doing here?" I finally asked.
His eyes widened before he shut them tightly and clenched his jaw.
I began to think that this wasn't an appropriate time to be asking.
I felt really weird, like a part of me was unresponsive.
This got me worried as i tried to connect to my wolf or anyone in my pack.
But i got nothing.
No link. I couldn't even feel her anymore. I couldn't feel my wolf. I needed my wolf! I felt lost without her. I felt like nothing. She couldn't be gone. She just couldn't!
Alpha Aries opened his eyes again but didn't answer.
"Why can't i feel my wolf?" I asked with a shaky voice, panic starting to settle in.
My stomach started knotting as my eyes widened in fear.
Alpha Aries' eyes softened but he didn't move from his spot and he didn't try to answer my questions.
"Why can't i mind-link?" I inquired further, my breathing starting to grow louder.
Alpha Aries opened his mouth to speak but he shut it once more.
Tears stung my eyes and slowly fell to my cheeks, "Alpha Aries?" I called him softly, my voice coming out as a whisper as light sniffles escaped me.
Alpha Aries was by my side in an instant. The bed dipped lightly as he took a seat on my left.
He placed his hand on my cheek and gently wiped my tears with his thumb. I could help but flinch as pleasurable sparks trailed wherever he touched me. His body heat and closeness gave me a sense of warmth.
A frown had taken up residence on his face and his eyebrows were furrowed in concern.
"What's happening to me? Where's my wolf! I can't feel her." I asked him softly as i sniffled once more.
"I-i can't explain." He finally spoke, with a gruff, deep voice.
I nodded slowly, as i tried to stop my tears from falling, "Can you take me home?" I asked him lowly.
Alpha Aries' eyes turned to the darker shade of electric blue, "No." He snapped, harshly.
"W-hat? Why?" I asked, with disbelief coating my words, "M-my father, he's probably worried about me. I have to go back." I urged on as i started to shuffle in place, trying to get out of bed.
Suddenly his hands grabbed both of my shoulders roughly, "I said no!" He growled, keeping me in place, as he shook me slightly.
I flinched and looked to the right side, away from him, as i slightly shook in fear, more tears falling to my cheeks.
When i looked back at him his eyes were pitch black and his frown seemed to eternally occupy his lips.
"Please
!" I pleaded, pressing on further.
He got up out of place and paced, running a hand through his hair.
He looked back at me and shook his head as he made his way to the door. He turned around, a scowl on his face, "You. Are. Mine." He growled, before ripping the door open and slamming it on his way out.
My tears kept on falling freely, as i constantly shook my head in denial.
This was a dream.
It had to be.
More like a nightmare. The voice in the back of my mind reminded me.
I couldn't escape. This land was foreign to me. These people were all loyal to Alpha Aries. No one would help me escape.
I lost my wolf. I lost my pack. I lost my family. I lost my friends. I lost everything.
~
After four consecutive hours of tears and despair, my stomach, once more, reminded me, that i needed food.
No one had come up to accommodate me with food, so i needed to get it myself. Although, i was thinking, that this must have been his plan all along.
I tardily got out of bed, and dragged myself towards what i thought was a bathroom.
It was at the left corner of the big room, right next to the flat screen tv and couch.
I opened the door to be met with a spacious walk-in closet.
It was much bigger than mine. It was actually the size of my room.
On the left side, men's clothing were hung and folded neatly. But on the right, i was quite surprised to find women's clothing, neatly stacked and hung. I walked and flipped through the clothes. All types of dresses -Sundresses, formal dresses and party ones- as well as pants and jeans, shorts, shirts, shoes, heels, purses, bags, and in the drawers, bras, panties, and lingerie.
"They're for you." His deep voice sounded, making me jump in place, as i turned around swiftly, shutting the drawer.
Heat rose to my cheeks, as i realised that he was watching me intently.
I pulled myself together and cleared my throat, "I won't need them, because i'm leaving."
"You will do no such thing!" He growled, his wolf starting to take control as his canines appeared and eyes darkened, "You are my mate. You will stay here with me." He stated, leaving no room for argument.
"This is kidnapping. I'm not your mate! Goddamn it. Why won't you get it through your thick head?!" I spat at him spitefully.
Aries (Gods & Monsters Series Book 1) Page 7