Chapter 10

Winston: "What are you doing with her?"

Gabriel: "She needs to be with Xael!"

I hear the voices of Winston and Gabriel, but still my world remains dark. Not being able to see or speak causes me to panic even more than before.

Winston: "I do not understand, why isn't she awake? Why are you moving her?"

Gabriel: "She is Xael's mate. I need get her to Xael to restore the bond.

Winston: "That's impossible. Humans can't be soul mates to werewolves."

Gabriel: "I do no understand it either, but I have to do something to save our king."

Winston: "What if you are wrong? His feral side might kill her. If she dies there will be dire consequences."

Gabriel: " I won't let that happen. I have faith."

Winston: "I will go get Annabelle. She needs to know what is happening."

Gabriel: "Don't. She will just get in the way and I can't have her being killed on my conscience. Xael is in his wolf form right now. Keep this information to yourself doctor. No one must know what is going on. If anyone asks Xael is sick."

My surroundings go silent as I try to scream for help, but no words come out. Suddenly loud growling echoes in my head.

Gabriel: Xael it's me. I'm going to lay her gently on the bed."

The growling continues, as I still feel trapped inside my body. Moments later a coldness is felt on my cheek before a constant wetness is on my face. The wolf whimpers in my ear, as my friend darkness consumes me.

"You have to go Winnie. All the other maids are going into town for the fall festival. Don't you want to be liked, meet boys and just have fun?"

" I don't know Lucy. If mother or master finds out I've left the grounds I will never be allowed to go outside again."

Lucy: "You are 16 for goodness sakes live a little."

"Okay I'll do it. I just need to distract master. Where should I meet you?"

Lucy: "Tomorrow at noon a group of maids are going into town. You need to wear your shawl that covers your hair and wear normal servant clothes. You do have normal clothes right?"

"Yes.... Well no, but I have simple cotton blue dress."

Lucy: "That will have to do. I need to get back to work see you later."

I watch as the only slave my age that will talk to me leaves the library hastily. Standing up from the bearskin covered chair I walk slowly out of the room making my way to the kitchen to collect master's lunch. The busyness in the kitchen stops as I enter. Grabbing the tray left out for me, I pick it up. Once I am in front of his door there are two guards, keeping watch, so that Master isn't disturb. They don't engage me in conversation just open the door for me, slamming it shut once I am inside. Hunched over his desk he continues to write, engrossed in his papers. Setting the food down on an empty spot on the desk I pick up a weird looking trinket, studying it with curiosity.

Xael: "You're late."

"Sorry Xael."

He lays down his pen. Leaning back in his chair to watch me.

Xael: "What were you doing? You are normally punctual Winnie. Were you talking to a boy?"

"No it isn't like that. I was reading in the library. I lost track of time."

Xael: " Stop touching stuff on my desk Win. Everything is how I like it."

I place the weird object back down softy before staring silently at master.

Xael: "What do you want Winnie?"

"Huh?"

Xael: "You have that look."

"What look?"

Xael: "The look of mischief. I don't like it, not one bit."

"I don't feel good."

Master gets up from his desk. Moving close. His large hand touches my forehead. Noticing his shirt is unbuttoned I bite my lip nervously. His gaze follows my stare. He frowns. Placing my small hand on top of his I smile up at him before he quickly moves his hand away.

Xael: "That was inappropriate Winnie."

"I do not understand."

Xael: "I will not discuss the issue further. Take the rest of the day off and tomorrow too. Your scent is bothering me."

"What do you mean?"

Xael: "Leave now."

Master sits back down silently grabbing his lunch to eat. Not paying attention to me anymore I turn around, leaving the room quietly. Trying not to cry I go directly to my room to sulk for the rest of the day. The next day I prepare myself for my great escape. Mother checks in on me that morning. She brings me soup and medicine before starting her work for the day. When the time comes for the festival I put on my sturdiest boots before dressing in my simplest clothes. Draping a cape over me I take a secret entrance out of the castle that nobody really knows about. The exit passes by a garden I started when I was a child. Trekking faster to the front gate I see a sea of women waiting patiently to be let out. It doesn't take long for me to spot the blonde haired Lucy standing off to the far right, away from the crowd. Catching a glimpse of my face she smiles as I position myself next to her.

Gabriel: "Ladies, please be back on the land before sundown or punishments will be doled out. Leaving the land is a privilege and the male slaves are picking up your slack while you are gone, so make your day off count. Enjoy the fall festival."

The head guard opens the gate as the group begins to move down the pebble path to the village. Arm-in-arm with Lucy we walk in the middle of the pack, laughing and chatting about male farmers we find attractive. Soon we arrive to the center of the village, where the festival is lively and jovial with music playing and humans dancing. The village people sell food, garments, and plants on both sides of the enclosed area.

"So this is what freedom looks like?"

Lucy: "Pretty Much. I forgot this is your first time beyond those iron gates."

"It is quite overwhelming I must admit. I did not know there were so many free humans."

Lucy: "This happens to be a very thriving village because it is under werewolf protection. If it wasn't then any creature such as the vampires could come here and forcefully use our people as food or for pleasure. We would basically be sitting ducks for any creature to kill us off."

"I never knew."

Lucy: "Do you want something to eat? I have a few coins to spare from my mother."

"You don't have to spend money on me Lucy. I'm just here for the experience."

Lucy: "I don't mind. You need to try the apple pastries they are so yummy."

Walking over to a baker I try a pastry for the first time. It is sweet, yet tart on my tongue as I savor the delicious sugary bread.

Lucy: "Would you like some meat as well?"

I shake my head no as I wipe my hands and mouth on my handkerchief.

Lucy: "Don't look now Winnie, but there is a boy staring at you."

"He is?"

Lucy: " Oh my goodness he is coming this way."

With a tap on my shoulder I turn around to see a boy my age smiling at me. I take a minute to study his appearance captivated by his bright green eyes.

"Hi, I'm Matthew. Would you like to dance?"

He waits for a reply, the blush apparent on his freckled cheeks.

"Say yes." Lucy whispers in my ear as I silently nod a confirmation. Entwining our hands we move closer to the band as he politely puts one hand high above my waist. A couple of minutes of awkward dancing and we finally find our rhythm. He leans in closer to my face when suddenly a loud howl is heard in the distance.

Author's Note

Please leave a comment and a vote. I would love feedback on the characters. Thank you so much for your support this far on the story.

A.M.