~Emily~



Staying by my window, I watched as Steph and Reta returned from wherever they left.

But this time, they came back with Thorn and Luther.

They walked to the castle, their steps very discrete as though they stole something.



My heart twitched on sight of Luther, he wore a sickening grin across his face.


But I couldn't help but ask, what are they doing outside their rooms?

And where did they go?

I am deeply worried for Steph. She was in the midst of very bad people.

People who could ruin her life for her. I wish I could talk some sense into her, but she won't even talk to me.

I peeped through my window as they arrived at the castle before splitting up at the courtyard.


I carefully watched Steph, as she gently walked upstairs and towards the maid quarters.

I need to know where she went to and why they were so discrete.


I dashed out of my room and taking a turn, I found myself behind Steph, she remained unaware of my presence.


I followed behind her, my steps soft and silent till she reached her room.


'Where are you coming from, Steph?" I asked, my stern voice causing her to freeze.


She slowly turned to my direction. Her brows rose in shock as she turned to see me standing across her.

'What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling a bit.


'You didn't answer my question sis. Where did Reta, Thorn and Luther go a few hours ago?"

I asked again, this time my voice laced with more curiosity.


'Nowhere….. It's none of your business"


'Steph, I'm worried about you. I really am. Please just tell me"

I said, my interrogative tone disappeared. My voice laced with care.


'She said it's none of your business!" a stern distant voice reached my ears.

I turned to see Luther walking towards us. An inner rage stirred up within me.

I felt a great urge to walk up to him, and give him a wild slap on his cheeks.


'Leave her alone. And go home"

Luther's annoying voice came again.


But it wasn't like I cared what he had to say. Luther's words or threats mean nothing to me. I am just deeply worried for Steph and nothing else.


'Emily forget him, I know you need me back in your life and I will always be here if you want to talk"

I snubbed him and turned back to Emily.


'Didn't you hear Luther. Leave me alone!!" Steph yelled at me, a newly found rage in her. Her voice was loud enough to wake a few people up from their sleep.


It was as though Steph was triggered by Luther's presence.

She's trying so hard to be tough in front of Luther, but she doesn't know it's killing her from the inside.


Steph, enraged, stormed into her room and shut her door hard in front of me, leaving me alone with Luther on the empty hallway.


'What have you done to her, Luther?" my voice cracked a little.

'I didn't do anything to her, everything she's doing is of her own will"

Luther said, his familiar grin on his face.


'Fuck you!" I cursed at him. I can't just stand him, he's such a…..

If I stay with him any longer, I'll do something I'll probably regret.


I clenched my waist tightly and walked away from him, my legs stretching out pulling my whole body with it.

I was walking out of the hallway when a firm and large hand grabbed my arm.

'Let me go Luther!"

I struggled as best as I could, but his grip was too strong.

He then pulled me closer to him. My nostrils inhaled the fresh aroma exuding from him.


'Open your mouth, about what you saw today and I'll make sure you never see Steph again" Luther whispered to my ear. His words sent shivers down my spine.

I was left in awe, as I stood frozen to the spot.


'Good night Emily"

Luther's words before leaving the hallway.


Luther is the devil himself, how could one be so cruel to threaten someone with her sister. Only the devil can do that.


The worry I had for Steph only heightened. Who knows what other horrible things he can do to Steph.


I managed to walk back to my room. I sat on a wooden chair. I couldn't possibly sleep after what Luther just told me and besides it was a few minutes to sunrise.


My sister is in great danger and she doesn't even know it yet.

There was an idea to report it to Zayne, but we aren't exactly on good terms and even if we were, Luther wouldn't hesitate to slit my sister's throat if I told Zayne.


I am helpless. But I can't just watch as my sister gradually sleeps away from me.


Lost in my thoughts, I lost track of time.

'" What?!"

I said in shock, glancing at my clock. It read 8:15 am.

I got freshened up and changed into my maids outfit.

I didn't really have any plans for today since I longer serve as Zayne's personal maid.


KNOCK

KNOCK


A loud and hurried knock crashed against my door.

Who could be on my door, it's barely morning.


I gently walked to the door and partly opened the door.

Glancing through the door, I was relieved to see Rowan.

I really needed a friend right now.


'What are you doing here by this time?" I asked. I couldn't care less though, I was just happy he was here.


'Nothing really, I just wanted to check on you"


Rowan is just a really great friend. I can't imagine how me and Zayne are so lucky to have a friend like him.


'Come in!" I said my voice tinged with excitement.


'So, how's Zayne doing?" I asked Rowan. Rowan is aware of my true feelings for Zayne so I feel really free talking to him about it.


'He's fine. But he really misses you"

My heart grew a bit heavy as I heard Rowan's words.

But lying straight to my face is almost unforgivable.

Zayne's actions shattered a piece of my heart.

I've never loved anyone so much, beside my mum and….. Steph.


My mind instantly flashed back to Steph and the situation she's in.


'Emily, what's wrong?" Rowan asked, noticing the worry that filled my eyes.


'Steph is….. ' I recalled the threat Luther gave to me a few hours ago.

If I tell anyone, Steph is going to die.


No! I can't afford to lose her.

But I can remain silent, I have to tell Rowan. He's my friend, he deserves to know.


'Steph is what?"Rowan asked, his voice now tinged with urgency.

'Is she in trouble? Emily please tell me"


'Yes… she is," I said, my voice shaking.


'Where? Let's go now!" Rowan stood and dashed to the door, ready to move out.

'NO, she's fine for now.

But, Luther is making her do evil things.

Steph is trapped by Luther and she can't escape"


'I didn't know I got this far. We have to help her Emily"

Rowan was still restless as he paced around my room, from one end to the other.


'NO, you can't do anything Rowan. If Luther finds out I told you, Zayne or anyone, he will kill Steph on the spot"

I lowered my voice as I spoke to Rowan.

'Fuck!"

Rowan cursed out in anger, he felt the same thing I felt…helpless.

'So what now? We just let Luther maltreat like a puppet"


'We'll find something soon Rowan, I promise. But promise me you won't go after Luther, please.

If you do Rowan, then you will lose Steph"

I said to Rowan, my voice cold, my words straight.


'Ok I promise I won't!" Rowan was able to cool down his boiling rage.

My words hit him hard.


'Thank you Rowan"



KRUNK

KRUNK


'Emergency!!" a loud voice rang into my room.


'What's happening?" I asked Rowan.


'There is an emergency!"


Me and Rowan rushed downstairs to the courtyard.

There was comotion everywhere, the whole scene was rowdy.


'"Hello?"

I gently tapped on the shoulder of a random lycan.

He turned around, his eyes filled with fear.

'What's wrong?"

I asked him, I was sure he had at least an idea.


'The two guards at the back of the castle, have been discovered unconscious"


'What?!"


~Zayne~


The sun shone across my face, my eyes fluttered open.

This was about the best sleep I've had in some time, which is barely three hours.

A Lot of things are on my table, and sleep isn't one of them.


My kingdom was barely hanging on. Panic was the order of the day for the past few days.

Flora's body is yet to be retrieved, and with each passing day, the worry hightens.

Emily and I haven't spoken in days, and it's biting at me very much.

Emily is a human being so I can't order to my room against her will.


I was left just praying for a piece of good news, to lift the spirits of the people.


KNOCK

KNOCK


I heard a loud knock on my door. 'Sir it's Cedric, we have a problem"


I rushed to the door and opened it for Cedric. He was clearly disturbed. A look of distress on his face.

'What's the matter?" I asked Cedric, my tone was very curious.

'Sir, two security guards have been found unconscious by the back of the castle"


'What?" I raised my brows in shock, I couldn't believe my ears.

'How? Who? When?" I asked random questions.


'Sir, their bodies flat on the ground just by the fence"

Cedric added.

'OK, so we can't afford to spread this news to the people. It's only going to create more fear and tension among them"

I turned to look at Cedric. The expression on his face suddenly changed.

His eyes filled with regret.


'Cedric, don't tell me you've spread the news already?"

I asked fearing for the worst.


Cedric gently nodded his head in response.


KRUNK

KRUNK


Suddenly, the large bell rang above us and through the whole castle.


'This is an emergency!"


Soon, the loud chatterings and murmurings reached my ears from outside my room. I peeped through my window.


I couldn't believe my ears. A huge crowd of people were gathered downstairs at the courtyard.

I could sense the worry in their voices.


'I need to address this!"

I stormed out of my room and taking the back route I reached my room.


I patiently got up on the wooden uplift. I stood over the whole crowd.

'Good day my fellow Lycans!"


The crowd gathered was brought to an instant silence.


'I know most of you have heard about the tragic news from earlier today.

We wish the very best for those two guards, that they wake up and live another day.


I'm also here to tell you that there is nothing to worry about.

We will find who did this to them and Flora as well.

So please remain calm, be observant and stay safe.

Thank you!"

I finished to a rousing applause from different corners of the crowd.


It warmed my heart to see my kingdom as a united front. I got down from the uplift and walking through the crowd I reached the stairs and walked up to my room.


'Zayne!"

I was just another step from my door when I heard my name.


I turned back to see Emily, to my great surprise.

'Emily, what are you doing?" I asked, a bit confused.


'I saw something last night" Emily's words got me very curious.

'What was it?"


'I saw Steph…You know what, forget it. Sorry for the disturbance"

She mentioned Steph and then stopped, that's very strange.

Emily then turned to leave before I called her back.

'Wait, Emily I'm sorry please. But I'm not lying, I swear!"


'Leave me alone" Emily then ran away from my near sight.