章 20: Progressing Smiles, Foolish Decisions, and Newfound Liberation

...like like them?

Oh, my- A small gasp escaped my mouth, and I brought my hand up to cover my face, as heat crept up to my face and neck, tinting me with a light layer of red.

He really- He actually said those cringey words out loud!

Aaaah, I can't believe this.

Ok, ok, it's not a big deal.

Not a big deal at all.

He did not just flirt with me.

Absolutely not. I am as calm as a cucumber.

Hooo, everything's fine.

OMG NO I AM LYING, NOTHING IS FINE, AND I AM DYING OVER HERE!!!!!!

"You- you want me to like like them?" I asked instead, mentally face palming at the conversation we were having.

Seriously, what are we? 5? I am feeling like a school girl.

His tiny smile progressed into a small one, as the corner of his lips widened, doing things to my already bursting heart.

"Yes, that's what I said, didn't I?" Ok, smart ass.

"But why?" Questioning in a small voice, I looked down at the wooden floor, pulling the loose skin surrounding my nails, and held in a wince.

"Because."

I waited for him to continue, to finish his sentence, but he didn't make a move to. He instead grabbed my assaulted hand in his warm hold, and tucked the strand of my hair that had come undone behind my ear, leaving ghostly touches in his wake.

Nodding in false understanding, I accepted his not so acceptable answer.

"Ok, fair enough."

We fell into a comfortable silence, witnessing the shift of the orange sky from yellow. I didn't realize we had been standing here and talking for so long.

I liked it, for some reason. Even though I shouldn't have, for obvious reasons.

He is the Lycan King for crying out loud, who had done so much, achieved so much. He is just in an entirely different league from mine.

His thumb swiping my under eye snapped me out of my daze as I gazed up at him with startled eyes.

"Have you been crying?" Oh. That cream didn't do as much good of a job as I hoped it would.

"Yeah, I had another vision."

He nodded his head as the surrounding air shifted, and he returned to his serious mood.

And I instantly missed the softness of his eyes.

"These visions seem to be taking a toll on you."

Oh- was he being worried about me?

Or am I being delusional?

Ugh, I don't care if I am being delusional, because this delusion is making my heart flip in such good ways.

"Well, when death is all I keep seeing, I guess it's bound to take a toll on you." Instant regret washed over me. That wasn't something to joke about.

His eyes darkened further, and I cursed myself at my poor attempt to lighten the mood. F-ck!

"Would you mind telling us?" My heart constricted at his careful words and tender tone.

Maybe I am stupid, maybe I am naïve, maybe I am being foolish, and maybe I am too attention and love deprived.

But at that moment I decided to give my all to this pack for him. For these lycans who I met mere days ago, and who already made me feel so comfortable and cared for.

"Not at all."

For myself.

~ ~ ~

The shining rays of the sun were in full bloom, bathing the pack garden in a warm, golden glow. I walked listlessly amidst the gorgeous scenery of the vibrant and colorful flowers that tainted the air with their fragrant perfume. The gentle breeze fluttered on my skin, and it felt like the very air itself celebrated my freedom.

Clutching the transfer papers in my trembling hands which were the tangible proof of my exemption. The weight of the past, heavy with chains of oppression and fear, had been lifted. With every step I took, I left behind the haunting echoes of torment and submission.

My eyes, once again, were filled with unshed tears that I refused to let fall. I won't cry. Not right now.

After we had our breakfast, and after I told them all about my vision, and after they had the chance to ponder over the information, the king handed over these..my transfer papers to me.

They had no hold on me now. I am truly free.

Though it all seemed unbelievable, like a faraway, impossible dream, I couldn't express in words just how happy I was.

I was utterly and completely overwhelmed with happiness.

My heart, once a captive bird, had now soared to the heavens, and my laughter echoed through the garden, a melody of pure joy. Something I didn't know I was capable of producing. Did that sound really come from me?

The world had become a canvas, and I was finally the artist of my own destiny. No one is holding the brush anymore. No one is painting my world with colors that I didn't want them to anymore. Each stride I made was a stroke of liberation, each breath a testament to my newfound independence.

The garden had become my sanctuary, a place where I could finally breathe freely, away from the shadows. The vibrant colors, the rustling leaves, and the symphony of nature celebrated with me as I danced amidst the flowers.

I remember crying my heart out in this very garden. This place has witnessed all my misery, torment, and suffering.

And now I was rejoicing in the very place.

Ares Maxmillian Dacre.

I planned on being liberated by dying at your hands. I admit it was a foolish plan. I am a foolish person, after all.

But you did. You fulfilled my dream. Of being liberated. In an entirely different way. In a way, where I could taste this liberation whilst being alive.

You liberated me by not killing me, but by giving me a reason to live. To hold on. To strengthen my resolve, that had grown weak, to get back at these monsters.

And I was so happy and grateful for that.

Against my desperate attempts, a lone tear fell down my cheek.

Haa, it's fine. It's the last time I shed tears for them.

For it's my turn to make them cry now.

"Seraphina!"

It was all going well. I was happy. I was content. I was making plans to destroy everyone here.

This f-cking b-stard just had to come and ruin it all.

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