C59 Almost caught

Freya's Pov

He was frozen by my side under the bed as we laid still and peeked from the little ajar made between the bed and the tile.

Large feet stumped inside, shaking the entire building like they were giants. Feet which were concealed in black soldier boots, as each foot connected with the ground we could feel the shudder as well as the fear resonating within us.

They wouldn't check the bed, would they?

“Search everywhere!!” Artemis commanded like a god. He was furious and if the large strides he threw and rummaged through the purple curtains didn't say much then definitely his voice carried it.

I imagined his nose flared as with every muscle in his body, his veins on full parade as he led the people.

This was wrong, everything about it was wrong, from the decision down to hiding under the bed with my stalker, everything was wrong with this.

I felt guilty. I had betrayed him, his trust.

Familiar voices rang in my ear as I registered whom they belonged to; the girls.

My hand covered my mouth in shock as the realization of the girls being here entailed. Did that mean they ran into Artemis down the hall? And did they out me? I wanted to very well press a knock on my head for being so stupid. How could I?

We heard the sound of an opening and jamming of doors. I supposed they were checking the toilet. They were not taking it very likely with their research as they scattered and raked through the nook and cranny of the room. The closet, toilet, wardrobe and behind the curtains. But they didn't check in one place, under the bed.

My heart suddenly picked pace as we saw boots approaching the bed. Deliberately and tentatively. Artemis was quiet for some time which churned my heart. I didn't like the silence, it crept with unknown thoughts and elements.

Could he have seen me under the bed and decided to keep quiet, leaving me to my boisterous mind while he shared deep disappointment in me? Was that the case?

“You are going to drag them to our spot at the rate your heart is beating!” the stalker whispered into my ear, “calm the fuck down!”

“Easy for you to say, you are not the one who's reputation would be thrown under the bus should you get caught!” I bit back.

“Hah! But I would be the one dead, I don't know which is scarier,” he said mockingly.

“If you didn't know, I'm Luna, and I have a duty to not just my people but my mate. So yes it's scari——”

He placed his hand on my mouth, he gave me a long stare as I listened to the halting of steps right above us.

Boom boom boom, my heart beat as terror washed over me and all the blood drained from my face. The duvet was lifted and we lay still like corpses, our breathing was short as we stared wildly, pausing for the last beat.

“Nothing’s here, maybe this room was just locked by servants,” Merona said and I made a mental note that I was going to kiss her should we get out of here.

“That's right, and even if he was here, I'm sure he wouldn't be able to make it out,” Racheal's voice said from far away. It sounded like it was coming from the window, she confirmed my assumption when she followed up with, “the guards must've seen him.”

“And Freya?” Loretta asked into the whole room.

“She's likely to be in one of these halls going after her stalker,” Rachael predicted, “let’s just get a hold of her first. I don't like the fact that both she and her stalker are on the loose,” said Rachel in a worried tone. My heart warmed up after her words.

“And you would ask why I worry,” Artemis said in sarcasm as his feet connected with the ground, gaining more land momentarily.

Silence prevailed the room longest bit as sounds of heaving and sighing followed along with retreating footsteps.

We stayed immobile for a while, breathing the only sound made from either of us, and we studied our environment with meekness.

When we were sure that no one was in the vicinity we used both our hands and lifted up the bed, I stepped out first.

Just as he was about to step out, I held up my hand, “you wait let me check the halls.”

His nose scrunched in disagreement as he furrowed his brow in complete disapproval as he went on to step out from the bed.

“Looks like one of us has trust issues,” I said and tilted my head back.

“Trust, woman I just saw you become a whirlwind of retrospection about your mate being disappointed in you and you expect me to sit back, no, lay back and wait for you? I don't think so.”

Though I saw the light he was coming from, I muttered, “do whatever the hell you want,” and I walked out to the door.

Reaching there, I spied the grand golden halls in check for any guard or movement. When I confirmed none, I poked my head out and the rest of my body followed.

I inspected the used-to-be door and the walls, studying the damage it had gone through to be brought down. My fingers traced the surface of the wall that once held the do—-

“Where the hell have you been!” a familiar voice called out making me jump. I gulped in a breath and turned swiftly.

“Loretta,” I breathed, placing my hand on my chest to stable my frantic heart.

“Where have you been,” she repeated her question.

“What happened here?” I asked, changing the topic. I didn't want her to prod further with questions as to my whereabouts.

“Well, since you decided to play a little hide and seek game, your mate went all wolfy and Artemis on us all, pulling down the door to search for you,” she said,

“Wait what?!” I feigned ignorance, “why?”

“Did you not hear a single thing I said, your—-”

“I heard you,” I cut in, “I mean why didn't you guys stop him.”

She chuckled and rolled her eyes, it was dark, but I imagined that was what she did, “have you seen your mate—- you know what? Forget it. Everyone! I've found her,” she yelled out her voice ringing all through the hall.

“Oh don't give me that look, you've deprived me of my sleep enough, did you see your stalker?” she asked, legs came clattering with the floor following the noise from Loretta.

“No,” I lied, “did you see him?” I asked right back.

“Not a chance—-“

“Freya!” I heard my name before I was pulled into a sudden hug from my mate. I saw him, my stalker, he was hiding behind the curtains now. Serves him right, he should have just stayed back when I asked him to.

“I was so worried, where have you been? Why didn’t you let Merona accompany you? You shouldn’t do that next time,” he said to me.

I suddenly felt guilty. I felt bad for lying to him.

“I’m so sorry,” I rasped out.

He pulled away just slightly for me to see the others faces, “please never put me in charge of her again,” Merona implored.

Rachael sent me a look, an uncanny gaze. “We’ve all had a long day, it’s time to return to your chambers, because some of us are sleep deprived,” Loretta cut in cutely.

We smiled and mouthed, “alright alright,” we cooed.

“You’re staying in my room,” Artemis said in a finalized tone not giving way for arguments.

“Yes sire!” I said and giggled, he kissed me on my forehead, “you go ahead, let me settle somethings with the guys,” he said to me.

I smiled, “off course.”

“Let’s go!!!” Loretta groaned and we all chuckled and pulled her along.

Immediately the girls returned to their rooms I immediately sneaked out and went right to the room and directed him to my room.

Just as I was stepping into the room, we met a glaring Racheal.

“You!”