George
"You what!?" I exclaim as I stare at the eldest werewolf in the room.
"Yeah," Saber answers as he nods. He puts his cup of tea and lifts his gaze to me. "We captured her," he finishes firmly.
"But, she's my Mom! She didn't do anything wrong!?" I shout as I brush my fingers on my wavy brown hair.
"We don't care, Georgina. Whoever she is, she has to be investigated," Saber says. He looks around before speaking again. "The house is clean. I didn't expect this."
"Oh, if you only knew what I've been through," Cayden says as he sigh.
"Investigate her for what!?" I ask furiously.
"Treason," Saber says.
"Treason!?" I exclaim. "That's nonsense. Where is she? I need to see her," I hurriedly say as I tie my hair in a high ponytail.
"Can you please argue outside?" Clarkson says as he yawns and groans. "I can't sleep. I don't sleep well these past few days," Clarkson groans as he pulls the blanket on his head.
"I thought of going here to have a celebration," Saber sighs, shaking his head. The palm of his hand rests on his forehead, massaging his temple.
"Where is she?" I ask through my gritted teeth.
"Up. In the witch's grand hall," Saber seriously says. "I'm afraid you're not allowed to go insideâ"
"I got permission from my mother," I interrupt him and walk outside the house.
"Georgina!" I heard him call my name but I didn't look back.
"You're so fuckin' stubborn," Saber growls as he follows me. "Nevigera," he curses.
I continue to walk towards the cliff village. There's always a problem. The problem is always hunting me. Why didn't I have a normal day?
"You'll be late for your class," Saber warns.
"I don't care," I grunt as I walk to the grand staircase acting like an overpass that connects to the cliff.
"Saufe!"
Everyone greets each other. But no one greets me. I gaze to see werewolves walking aside as if I am someone with a viral disease as if I'm a stranger. Well, I am. I still am. I've been here only a few weeks ago. Young werewolves quickly shuffle their legs as they rush to the open field where our classes are held. One of the students bumps on me. I slow down my pace and look at the group of students but they only walk past me as if I don't exist.
"George!" Saber growls.
I raise my eyebrows, realising he's still following me. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him walking past those students. They greet him while he gives them a quick nod. Quickly, I shuffle my feet upstairs.
"Georgina," Elis says as soon as I step on the cliff.
"Elis," I mutter as stare back to his chilling dark gaze.
"The open field is that way, Miss," he warns in a threatening voice. "Where are you heading?" he seriously asks.
"Iâ" I startle when someone grabs both of my wrists and puts them on my back.
"Gotcha," Saber says as he exhales. "Good morning, Sir. May I excuse your student for she is under investigation together with her motherâ"
"Who committed treason," Elis fakes a lonely sigh as he steps aside. "I hope you found justice and congratulations in advance for your promotion."
"Let's go," Saber says while pushing me lightly.
"Why is he always mad at me?" I frown as I look at Elis who's walking downstairs.
Saber only walks quietly beside me. His hand is resting on my left shoulder.
I glance up at him and ask, "So, everyone knows?"
"Yeah, obviously," Saber seriously says as he clears his throat. "You already saw how unfriendly their gazes are on you."
"Why do I always have to be caught in problems like this?" I mutter and bite the inside of my cheeks. "All I want is a normal and peaceful life."
"I'm sorry," Saber mutters. "But we have to follow the rules and laws. Here, it is organized and peaceful. Everything is in place because of the discipline of citizens and leaders."
"But my mother didn't do anything wrong," I say.
"Well," he pauses before stepping into the forest. "We still have to figure out what is going on. She has a vampire ally. It's Joaquin."
I remain silent as we walk passed by the lake where I met Joaquin last night.
"By the deafening silence, I presume you knew," he says seriously. "Now, I have a huge reason to take you to the Grand Hall."
"Wait, what? I only found out about it last night," I nervously say. "I'm guessing, she only did that so to save me."
"How?" Saber asks as he raises both of his eyebrows. "She doesn't have to track you because she already knows where you are. She should have told us about your location. But she hides her identity. What's with hiding identities? Is it a thing now?" he says as he exhales.
We continue to walk to the mystic forest. I scan the surroundings. Weird-looking flowers in different shades of blue, red, and violet dominate the garden. The colorful garden contradicts what I expected a Witches' hideout would be, dark and spooky.
My gaze shifts from the garden to the enormous castle. The castle has semicircular arches for few but huge windows. The huge main door made of bronze has intricate details of flowers and butterflies.
"Saufe," Saber says. "The daughter," he says to the guards while tapping my left shoulder.
The warlocks give us a nod before letting us in. The piercing gazes dart on my body, judging me.
Young witches and warlocks and even kids riding large brooms fly over our heads as we walk the grand hallway. The giggles and waves of laughter echo together with the sounds of the soles of our shoes touching the floor.
"Oohhh look," a young warlock pauses in front of us. Soon, two more teenage witches follow our pace.
"Werewolves, I guess," another warlock pauses and looks at us like a specimen.
"Yeah," the two witches nod. "Are you heading to the grand hall?" they ask in chorus.
"Yep," Saber coolly answers.
"Is it true? That you are lie detectors?" the first warlock asks, playfully hanging on his broom with his legs. His curly violet hair dangles.
Saber didn't answer. So, I nod in response.
"Okay, okay," the warlock with violet hair asks and sits up straight. "Let's try," he enthusiastically says while looking at his peers.
"Do you find the lady attractive?" the other young warlock asks him.
"Hmmm," he looks at me and thinks hard. "She's not my type though," the warlock says while shaking his head.
"Pft," Saber stifles a laugh and looks at the window we passed by.
"Sorry," the warlock adds.
"How about him?" the two witches ask in chorus, pointing at Saber.
"Of course not!" the warlock exclaims.
A familiar shiver runs down my spine. A deep chuckle escapes Saber's mouth.
"I'm pretty sure that's a lie," Saber says.
The warlock gasps and quickly looks away. "Your lie detector is broken," he says before leaving.
His peers follow him and tease him.
After a few minutes of walking, we stop in front of the door resembling the main one.
"She's here," Saber says.
He gives me a light tap before walking inside. The door opens with no one pulling it for us.
"Wow," I say in awe, amazed by the door.
"I only did that to save my daughter," my mother's voice echoes.
"Highest leader, The Alpha, Sir, she could have told us where the next Alpha is instead of building an alliance with the Vampire Prince's assistant," a lady says. She's sitting beside our Alpha. She tucks some strands of her light orange hair I'm guessing she's also a witch because of her ethereal features.
"She's Hiera," Saber whispers. "The current High Priestess."
"I cannot do that. There are members of the village whom we cannot trust," my mother answers.
Saber lightly pulls me to the crowd.
"The werewolves here are just the three of us, as you can see," Saber whispers as
he crosses his arms on his chest.
"And who are those?" Dranula asks. He sits on a throne on a platform.
"Alpha, Sir. Pardon but I cannot share this information until they're complete," my mother says as she bravely looks up at Dranula.
"My apologies too. I cannot let you walk around freely as you are considered a spy in this village," Dranula replies.
"What?" I gasp and lift my gaze to Saber. My anger is brought back again.
"Who is the leader of the pack that caught this traitor?" Dranula asks.
Saber raises his hand before saying, "It's me, Sir."
"Fuck you," I curse and push him away.
"Your pack will be in charge of watching over her. Bring her to the dungeon. No one is allowed to visit her. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," Saber says and bows down. His hand holds my arm.
"I'll be doubling the number of your men as a reward. Your promotion ceremony will be held later tonight." Dranula says.
"Let go of me, you selfish wolf," I mutter.
"Ah," Dranulas voice echoes. "You brought her here with us. The half-blood that is said to be the next Alpha."
Every gaze lands on me. All of them give me a judging look.
"Did you only make it up? Huh? Esperanza?" Dranula asks. "Is this part of your schemes?"
My mother stretches her neck to look for me. When our eyes meet, she gives me a faint smile.
"Bring her, now," Dranula commands before standing up.
The guards rush towards my mother and pull her out of the hall.
"What are you doing!?" I ask Saber firmly. "Let go of me. You have to prepare for your ceremony."
He does not respond. Instead, he continues to drag me with him. His free hand holds a torch to illuminate the dark and cold path.
"Oh, what now?" I say and roll my eyes. "You decided to lock me up too?"
"Quiet," he calmly says. "You can have a conversation with your mother," Saber softly says. He looks around while dragging me to the dungeon. "But make it quick."
He pulls me again when I turn my back. "Act as if you never had a conversation with her the moment you leave this place."
I nod, "Thank you, Saber."
"Mom!" I exclaim and hug her once I enter the dark room. "What's going on? You didn't commit treason right!?" there's one small, dim chandelier in the room.
"They figured out that I knew," She says. "I want you to finish these. I'm already near to figuring out who those werewolves are."
"Just tell me what I have to do," I say and hold her shoulders.
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