Chapter 3: Strangers Again

I hesitated a little before stepping out into the cold grounds within my father's large chamber he had managed to secure due to his subtle manner he gained wealth.

Midnight hunting was what I loved to do with my sister Sawyer. When I was much younger, at age 10, and I am currently 18.

I thought, as the sound of the thunder diminished.

My father's large chamber seemed to have turned eerily quiet except for the crashing of droplets against the window panes.

The sounds of cracking of chains got my attention admist the quietness. It could be the guards, they were closing for the night.

Grabbing a fur coat from the arm chair, I wrapped myself in it and walked out of the room with a lamp in my hand. Usually, their would be my father's guards standing near the door, but today, they were none. Because I had told them my father said to retire for the night.

If I was going to escape tonight, the guards must not know about it. Because in a blink of an eye, I would be found.

"Wheeeezsh"

The whistling sound of the cold wind echoed past the massive hallway.

Except for the light lamp in my hand, the whole place was drowned in darkness as the fire fights to be extinguished by the storm.

I had managed to make past half the forest. There was no turning back right now.

I stepped on a black rock. It scratches my left toe. As I whimpered.

I knew the nook and cranny of the forest. I have been hunting in this same forest in the midnight since childhood.

So there was no fear to walk it in the midnight.

Suddenly, a deep loud growl ecoed through the forest and I stopped in my tracks.

Confused!. I lift my long blue gown. So as to run in case there was danger.

There was no way a dear would growl in that manner.

What could it be_?

"Growl" another sounds echoed through the forest. Later it was filled by whimpers.

It was an animal. And it was close. It sounded like it was in pain.

And it needed help.

Despite that I have to escape tonight or never.

I rushed to it's rescue. I am a devoted hunter. And I am ready to save the life of this animal in pain.

I found it!. Except that it was not a dear. But a wolf. A wolf? It was larger than a wolf. It posses this dark aura but in pain.

It was not news that our kingdom is filled with different supernatural beings. Warewolves, Witches, vampires, and the highest of the food chain are the Lycans.

I slowly walk towards it. The paws was slashed, a mark of sword. I noted.

Could he have been in a mist of war?

Or was he been chased? Am I even safe? I begin to ask my self.

But he had managed to escape. And he needed help.

I studied the wolf, it's color was like that of my hair. Pitch black.

No doubt this was a warewolf. I stare into the sky. There was no full moon.

So why then was it out here alone?.

I hurriedly drop my bag, searching through it, I always carry my safety aids with me, wherever I go to. In case of necessity.

I have never seen a warewolf this beautiful. Whoever this was. I am ready to safe h_, then I met it's eyes.

Deep forest green eyes.!

I know those eyes.

They are the second set of most beautiful eyes I have ever met.

They looked exactly like the first set of green eyes that I have harbour Revenge for.

Except that this one eyes screams for help.

It was vivid in it's eyes. And I am ready to help it. There was no way this wolf was the crown prince.

Still confused what gender it was.

"Are you a female or a male?" I asked as I tore the hem of gown to reduce the amount of blood gushing out.

It whimpers, shaking it's head in response. A male?.

I placed it head gently on my lap. Sitting on the cold snowy leaves.

I adjusted as the wolf places it's large head on my lap. Massaging the paws with my ointment, another painful whimper escapes it's mouth.

I didn't know when I begin to brush it's oh! so beautiful dark fur.

I noticed the way the wolf stare deep into my eyes and it's body relaxes, rather than been all defensive.

Was this how Warewolves succumbs to anybody's touch?. It can't be.

Then it begins to sniff me.?

His gaze directed at my neck. Like it was ready to bite them. Bite? I knew wolves bite. But this one would not bite me because I saved it right?.

Well, I hope so. "You are surely a male. I can sense it. But what kind of fate had befallen you? Or why are you out on your own when it's not even a full moon.?"

The wolf only keep staring at me. Like I was the only thing it could stare at.

Like there was no sky to stare at. Because I don't want it to slow my escape plan.

But then, it wouldn't hurt to let out my pain to this wolf. Afterall, warewolf or not. He was a stranger. A stranger that I would be disclosing my deepest fear to.

And we would never meet again. At least I hope so.

"You know, the reason I am out here this late at night is not to hunt. But I had to lie to my father I was comming out to hunt." I could feel the wolf shift uncomfortably, and I chuckled.

"I know right?. What woman in her right mind hunts at night. But then I am used to it you know?"

"But because I had to escape. I had to runaway from this cursed prince. You see, he would be choosing his bride tomorrow and my coven had decided to drop my name as his bride.

Aware that the crown prince was cruel. Yet they had to discard me. And my father wants to increase his wealth. So I am the perfect one. Because our coven, my village and my father would benefit from this. "

"Wheeewz" The wolf made that sound, like he was deeply sorry for hearing that.

"You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault. It's that cursed prince fault. My clan was cursed with the task of saving him you know? And my mother happened to be the most powerful witch at that time.

Even my sister lost her life in their hands.

The Mickelsons!. They are my greatest enemy. I want to avenge her death. On that night, all I could see was his green eyes as he brutally mudered Sawyer."

The wolf planted his gaze on me.

And I stare right back.

"Funny how you both have the same eyes." And that was when it struck me.

"Don't you think? I could avenge my sister's death if I manage to catch the crown prince eyes. I would come into his life with another intentions to the world. But deep inside, I harbour Revenge for him?"

The wolf shifted uncomfortably on my laps.

"Oooh. You don't seem satisfied. But then, you do not know how much hatred I have for him.

I am going to enter that palace as his bride. I would do my best to have his attention. And I will kill him with my own hands. Lycan or not. I would utilize my powers, I do not care for the prophecy. All I want is to destroy him."

The wolf looks displeased again. "What! Just because I am telling my deepest secret, doesn't mean you get to control my feelings, you do not know anything. I am not going to wait here until my father's guards notice that I have escape. Tomorrow would be the beginning of my mission. I am heading back home."

Whimpers again.

"Why do you keep whimpering?. I am sorry, but I have to go now. I am happy that I am able to meet you. If I hadn't met you. I would have been lost in my escape, bearing the guilt of not avenging my sister's death. And that of my mother"

The wolf replies with a single nod. And shifts gently away from my lap.

"You see, don't you think it is fair that I atleast know you name. Since I have disclosed my deepest secret with you?".

Then to my surprise, the wolf lowers his body and starts to write with his claws on the cold floor.

"ASHTER"

"Ahhh,Ashter. Wow, you have a very beautiful name. I am amazed. I am Avalon. I hope we meet in the future, by that time it could be you to save me." I said, then I retrace my steps back into the forest feeling the wolf's forest green eyes on me.

He was a stranger. A stranger with beautiful set of green eyes. And did I just save a warewolf with green eyes?

His name was Ashter. I would never forget.

Would I be able to encounter this stranger again in life?. It can't be.