C8 8

The roads of lake City were busy as it could be with vehicles of different sizes and color swarming it's roads, a man, having short brown hair had just parked his motorcycle alongside the lonely parking lot of the central hospital. He was there to visit a patient.

After making sure his cycle was securely parked, he pulled off his helmet and was about hanging it against the hilt of the bike when he felt strong presence behind him.

Turning around, he got slightly taken aback at the sight of three men, one with slightly long grey hair which flowed down his shoulders, while the other two having short black hair.

Disregarding them, he turned around and placed his helmet on his bike but when he heard approaching footsteps, he turned around but before he could discern a thing, he felt a tight punch land across his face, the pain of it earned a groan from him, he hadn't realized those men were here to hurt him so he didn't prepare but it didn't seem to matter as another punch landed against his abdominal area, then another on his face again.

He felt a tight sting and a metallic taste in his mouth as blood dropped down his nose.

They didn't look like they were people he could reason with, so he just tried defending himself instead by fighting back but they seemed too strong and he was outnumbered as the two men with black hair restrain him with punches while the one with grey just stood afar, leaning by a red sports car as he watched without a change in his expression.

Josh could feel his internal organs twist painfully as blow after blow kept being thrown at him, he was currently laying on the ground, his clothes dirty and stained with his own blood.

He hadn't done anything to get himself entangled with gangsters or even sort their trouble, what did they want from him? From the looks of them, they didn't seem like they wished to rob him, although he would prefer that.

They seemed intent to cause damage to him.

A loud groan left his lips echoing in the quiet lot as one landed another blow at him.

Alright, that's enough, just kill him, The Beta mind linked the two shifters who immediately stopped hitting the poor man who couldn't rejoice even for in a split second, he pulled out a gun from his waistband, pointing it at the bloody man.

A tight groan left the lips of both men who immediately held their heads in anguish at the sudden pain which rang through their heads.

STOP!! Arthur's order thundered in their heads, Noah wasn't spared as well as he too felt the pain.

Through the quiet parking lot, a black wolf emerged, its eyes intently fixed towards the sight where the two men stood, specifically where the bleeding man laid.

It ran on all four limbs towards the man who looked at the brink of death.

Take him into the hospital now! He ordered but instead of an immediate response, confusion contoured their faces.

But ALPHA.... Noah began but one look from the black wolf was enough to make him swallow the rest of his words.

Quickly, he signaled for both men to take the young man who was currently in excruciating pain into the building, thankfully, they were already at the hospital so they just took him in.

××××××××××××××××××

Earlier, Arthur had not wanted to listen to the rest of the conversation his mate had last night as he didn't think he would be able to bear the hurt of hearing another man saying endearing words to his mate, but then again, he wanted to know how close of a relationship his mate was with this man.

And so, he listened to the rest of their conversation and when he realized this man wasn't his mate's lover, but rather, her family, he realized he had f**ked up.

Sh*t!

He hissed as he dashed out of his office, quickly, he tracked his Beta, although it would've been faster if he had just called the man but at that time, he wasn't thinking straight to know he could just make a phone call, he just wanted to save that man from his reckless order, he didn't want to imagine the hurt his mate would feel if she found out a close family of hers got hurt, or died.

He remembered how troubled she was that day he had claimed her from the hospital because of her mother's state, and to think the woman wasn't even dead yet so what then if one was dead, she would be devastated. No, he wouldn't allow it, he had to save that man.

××××××××××××××××××

Two days had passed without Amelia making any form of progress on escaping from this place.

That man, Arthur was his name wasn't it, would come often times but she would act hateful to him, she didn't want to see him, to be near him, to talk to him, she just wanted to go back home.

Today was quite a breezy day as the wind would whistle against the glass windows at times. Her black hair flowed smoothly with the rhythm of the wind as she stood by the window, looking at the vast Manor. It stretched out wide and far, she couldn't even see it's north clearly.

Her eyes keened slightly as she noticed a garden by the east of the manor, its ends were fenced so she guessed it was inside this yard, it looked beautiful and colorful too, she was tempted to know how the flowers would smell like.

The door creaking open drew her attention to the door. She wondered if it was Arthur as he hadn't come to her today, not like she was eager to see him.

Her assumptions were proven wrong when she saw a small boy rather, about half the height of the door walk in, his eyes scanning the room as though looking for something until they fell on her and he paused.

He looked neutral at first but then confused and then tainted with a look of surprise directed at her.

"Who are you?" His little voice sounded tiny but bold as well, Amelia who wasn't expecting him to speak was taken slightly aback but then asked instead

"Who are you?" She reciprocated his question.

"My name is Richard, what is your name?"

Amelia was yet again, taken aback at the boy’s quick response, he sounded oddly confident than his age.

"Are you Uncle Arthur's mate?" A slight glint of excitement was found in his eyes as he asked but then it dimed down as fast as it came and he asked.

"Or just another woman?" He muttered lowly this time.

Another woman? Amelia was confused but focused more on the boys first statement.

Mate.

She remembered that man of previously said the same thing. Arthur's mate, what did that mean?

She had watched M.G documentaries of how animals were classed and most of them were referred as the others mate, mostly a male and female, she didn't think that was what the boy meant, those were terms used for animals, not humans, she didn't want to think further into it.

"What is your name?" The boy repeated his question, his blonde hair falling across his forehead as he shot the door behind him.

"Amelia," she answered

"Amelia?" He sounded surprised but then sadness tainted his eyes as silence followed for a moment.

"My sister's name was also Amelia,"

"Was?" She asked confused.

"Yes, she died"

"Oh, I’m sorry," she felt bad for him.

"Don't be, I didn't know her that well, or at all, I was only told I had a baby sis named Amelia who died before I was born," he didn't sound sad any more.

"Oh," it escaped her lips unknowingly.

"Aren't you scared?" He asked all of a sudden going to sit on the large bed which was currently covered with a white thick and soft duvet.

His question fascinated her at his boldness and how he spoke but then again, she thought to herself.

Scared? Cause she was stuck here? Well yes of course, who wouldn't be, even though her mother was fine, she was scared, scared of what would happen or what that man might do to her as he was yet to tell her what he wanted from her.

When she didn't give a reply, the young boy went on to speak

"If you're uncle Arthur's mate then that means you're going to die, so you should be scared right?" He asked tilting his small head to the side.

What? Die?

The door creaked open and both of their attentions were pulled to George who walked in, his ginger-colored hair was slightly disheveled.

"Uncle!!" The boy raved as he dashed towards Arthur who entered after George.

"Hey, how about me?" George asked feigning sad as the boy chose Arthur over him.

"Buy me a chocolate bar and then I'll give you a hug as well." The boy said peeping his head which only managed to reach Arthur's waist.

"Chocolate bar?" George asked with a frown as he stared at the boy who now looked like he was thinking before he spoke.

"You know what, buy shoes instead, cause I know you'll eat off the chocolate before stepping out of the store, so just buy shoes"

The audacity of this kid, George thought. This boy always tried acting too smart for his age.

"Richard," Arthur's calm voice spoke as he crouched down to the boy's level making his eyes same level as him.

"Does your father know you're here?" He asked, he wouldn't have expected to see the boy here today as he usually found the boy in his room sometimes cause he had grown attached to him than any other shifter in his manor.

Well mostly because he bought him stuff would be a contributing reason but he was surprised to see him here, he didn't think his father would allow it, considering what he had done to him two days ago, almost killing the man.

"Father doesn't know I'm here" The boy looked sullen.

"So, you sneaked?" Arthur asked with a brow lift, but the boy silent, he already got his answer.

"George, take him to a store and get whatever he wants, then take him home," Arthur ordered standing up.

"But uncle, I want you to take me" Richard persisted.

"Maybe another day little one." He smiled and saw the boy grumple slightly before walking out and George followed him.

Slowly, his attention moved to the woman who had just turned to the window where she stood. Her long hair cascading down her back while the cool breeze flew some strands around.

Slowly, he walked towards her, his steps quiet and slow. He stood beside her, but instead of watching outside the window, he just stared at her, at the little strands which fell across her face and her long lashes which followed her eye lids whenever she blinked.

Her gaze averted from the window and he found himself staring into those beautiful eyes of hers. She looked absolutely beautiful in his sight, she was the most enchanting thing that had ever happened to him.

He couldn't ask for more.

His hand tingled and he rose it up to her cheek only for it to be swatted away, he already expected that, she had been doing that for the past two days, not wanting him to touch her and even slept on the couch in the room thinking he would get the chance to join her if she slept on the bed.

It was heart wrenching to watch his mate behave so but then again, her presence alone was more than enough, he couldn't help being greedy to want her attention as well but fine, he would be patient, he'd try to be patient until she warmed up to him, but what if she didn't, that was his fear.

"Have you eaten my love?" He asked, his hand itching desperately wanting to touch her face but he managed to keep them beside himself.

"Do you want anything?" He asked softly

"I want to go home," she replied and his gaze hardened slightly.

"Anything but that my love," he said caressing her cheek as his hand couldn't stay to himself.

Thankfully, she didn't swat it off again and he took liberty to caress his thumb against her soft cheek. He watched her take in a deep breath as though wanting to hold back but then she asked.

"I want to take a walk"

"Okay"

If it was a walk she wanted, that was fine, this manor was all hers to explore

"Alone," she added when he tried to follow her.

Without arguing, he nodded.

××××××××××××××××××

Standing at the empty path of the field, Amelia stared out the distance as she stopped, she would need a walk to help clear her head a bit, she needed a breath of fresh air as she hadn't come out of that room for two days, she didn't want to.

She felt cold air and the abrupt presence of someone beside her startled her half to death as she didn't hear any footsteps, or was she too lost in her own thoughts?

"W-who are you?" She asked yet to recover from her shock.

"I'm Oliver, sorry if I frightened you"

She composed herself as she stared at the man before her. The first thing that caught her attention was his white hair, so white as snow itself and it flowed smoothly down his shoulders and slight hazel eyes, he was quite a beautiful man if one were to say it right.

"I noticed you taking a walk alone, may I join you?"

"Uh.." She hesitated

"You can refuse if you feel uncomfortable.”

"Uh, no, it's fine," yes, she did feel a little uncomfortable but she wouldn't mind, although she stayed wary and alert, he was a man after all.

They walked for a while and Amelia couldn't help taking glances at him from time to time, he looked young, beautiful and just like any fantasy being especially with his brightly white hair but a thing about him was his aura, his aura didn't match his face, he emitted a kind of dangerous energy which seemed powerful, just like Arthur, only this man's own felt more powerful, or scary.

Her head turned to him when she heard him hum and she noticed a slight smile on his lips. Why was he smiling? She thought.

"Do you live here?" She asked starting up a conversation.

"Hmm," came a short reply from the man.

"Are you close to Arthur?" Amelia asked curiously, she had her own reasons and hopefully, she would get help.

"Close," he repeated as though asking himself.

"I think it would be fair to say that Arthur and I could be referred to as close allies, brothers even"

The way the word 'brother' rolled off his tongue didn't sound pleasant but the only thing Amelia sort was the fact that they were close, she had wondered if she could ask for his help to get out from here but if Arthur and him were that close, then would he help her?

"You don't want to be here?" His question surprised Amelia who was caught totally off guard, she was confused for a second and almost believed he had heard her, or did her voice thoughts out without knowing.

She heard him sigh, a tired sigh.

"Listen". He began as his eyes stared ahead.

"Have you ever wanted something,"

The manner to which he asked made Amelia certain his question was rhetorical so she didn't reply, just listened.

"Have you wanted something so bad it hurts, but you have no choice but to wait for that thing, not for a month, or a year, not even two but almost an eternity." His steps paused and Amelia followed suit as he turned to her.

"Now tell me Amelia,"

Her eyes widened, how did he know her name, she was certain she didn't say.

"When you finally get that thing, wouldn't you want to hold it tightly and make sure it doesn't leave your sight? Make sure it's yours forever even though you know you have little time to spend with it."

Amelia frowned, she didn't understand what he was trying to say, she'd never wanted something that bad before.

"I-I don't know, I..."

"Forget it," he disregarded, coming out of his haze, he drew in a sharp breath.

"The walk was pleasant, thanks for the company." He said with a charming smile, he looked like a well sculpted being

"Likewise," and so, she watched him walk to a different path until he was out of sight.

Her frown never left her face as she continued her walk to that garden she had seen earlier.

××××××××××××××××××

{Hello sweetheart,} a masculine voice spoke once the phone was answered after the third call.

No reply was heard as heavy silence echoed but then the masculine voice came again.

{Now tell me sweetheart, who exactly are you with that made it so difficult for you to pick up my call,} The man's voice sounded calm and carefree but something else laced in his voice, something dangerous.

{You know better than to keep silent when I ask you a question,}

{I'm not with anyone you monster,}

Hate was evident at the other end of a female voice, a ding sound resounded on the phone indicating she had just hung up.

A playful smile cornered over the lips of the man who stared at the screen of his phone, the light of it illuminating his bright white hair. Tapping his finger on the screen, he dialed the number once more.

{Do that again and you'll understand the true meaning of the word MONSTER!} His voice turned rigidly hard as he threatened immediately the call was picked.

{Now, tell me baby, how are you doing?}

{I’m sleepy,} The female voice sounded like she was crying, but hate was clearly conveyed in her tone.

{I need to go to work tomorrow and I want to sleep,}

{You know you don't need to do that fetish thing you call work when I can give you whatever you want,} a smile curved his lips when he heard her sniff, he loved to hear that.

Yes baby, cry only for me, no one else deserves those tears.

{Fine,} he finally spoke after moments of silence.

{Sleep tight my darling, I love you,} he kissed his phone screen before tapping it to end the call.

A smile on his lips as he rested his head against the head bound of his bed.

Oh Samantha.

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