Chapter 3

They were walking leisurely and sometimes paused for a bit to spare a rest. The man she didn't know what's his name was still a farther stranger to her regardless of the fact that he is her father's pal.

Moreover, her eyes feasted at those woody perennial plants, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground. She also recently experienced the wind blow, not just gentle but full-blown bone-chilling winds. It continuously touches her bare skin and feels cool and fairly strong, she must say.

The woods were the werewolves terrain but it feels bizarre to her whenever her pace quickened to catch up with them. Tatiana feels like she didn't belong here... although she's also born a werewolf.

However, when they arrived at the site of the unknown place, Tatiana and her brother were confused about where they are. Her father's comrade didn't further elaborate on the details and ordered them to follow his steps.

"What is this place?" Tatiana can't help but be curious and asked him directly.

Croft nudged her waist using his elbow, indicating to hush her. But Tatiana was stubborn enough to throw another query.

"Are we still at the border of our territory?"

The man turned his back to face her and Tatiana sucked her breathe when his dark orbs flickered.

"Questions weren't crucial, your training is."

Tatiana unconsciously trudged back and her pupils dilated in shock upon hearing his baritone voice with a glint of menace.

How can his tone be so dangerous? Just what kind of ally was my father has? She thought in wonder.

"I... I understand," she muttered and the last word was trembled by her quivering voice.

She knows that her training won't be this easy. It will look like hell for sure.

They strolled to the cabin a few meters from where they stood. When they got there, the man infiltrated the cabin by loosening the door and ambled inside.

They both looked at each other before joining him inward.

Tatiana's lips parted when she saw how massive the space was unlike its whole image outside. Her impression was faded inch by inch and felt the glee in her heart uprising for beholding the exotic view in front of her.

This... this was something she hasn't seen in her entire existence when her freedom was robbed within her hands. Honestly, after her father died, everything died with him. The wealth, the honor, and the privilege to freely live.

The vital sense of her liberty was stolen and withered by the rules she can't heed. And most of all, as the weak devoured by the strongest, Tatiana was looted without a choice for what's best for her that even an option was a dead end.

Her case was helpless and she's hopeless thinking this whole thing that urged her to do even if it's against her will.

"Have a seat." the man gestured to the stool in front of him. Then, he lazily plopped his hands on his lap while gazing at them.

"We have a lot of businesses to discuss but let's sort things out later on. But, allow me to bring you up to the enlightenment of our training, Tatiana."

Tatiana nodded while listening.

"Your mother already told me the case of your regime, hence, heed every word I will say, understand?"

"Yes, I understand clearly."

The man lifted the rim of his lips in satisfaction. "Good. I will craft you into the warrior just like how your father was. I will prepare you not for the catfights but to the bloody battlefield your father wants."

"M-my father's wants? What do you mean by that?"

"You'll discover it soon."

His eyes shifted to Croft who straightened his back when he saw the man watching him.

"You look like just your father but more feminine than his rough appearance."

Croft gulped while staring back at him.

The corner of the man's mouth held up.

"I'm Erebor Deluxe, your father's trusted aid in the battle."

"If that so, then why haven't we heard your name before?"

Tatiana abruptly inquired with a hint of wonder in her voice.

"It doesn't mean that I'm his aid, then I'll be on his side. I'd rather lurk in the dark and help him clean the battleground."

The sudden realization knocked Tatiana in a brief.

"You work like an assassin? In human form?"

Tatiana was curious about why does this man wants to do the deed in his human form and not in a werewolf one?

Erebor chuckled. "It's a special labor for my dear friend."

Moreover, Erebor stood up and spoke, "For now, let's have a nap. I know that both of you were tired from the excursion. Thus, you can decide on which room you'll pick upstairs. Just thump the last room in a row if any of you want something. I'll be resting first."

They agreed before idling in the chair.

"Do you have any regrets on following me here?" she implored and her brother peeked at her.

"Do I have any regrets stinging in my face right now, Tatiana?"

She laughs softly in her brother's remarks.

"But I'm worried about mom. Is she alright there?"

"She won't be the General's wife if she can't handle anything. Don't get yourself too worried or it will bother you more." Croft answered back, soothing her troubles until it subsides.

After a minute of stillness, Croft dared to ask the most avoided question Tatiana doesn't like to hear.

"Are you mad about the Alpha's decision?"

"Mad was an understatement, Croft. I'm seething with so much rage," Tatiana sighed deeply. "I don't understand his reason for doing this to me. You know that he can reject me in one snap but he didn't. It's obvious to me that he wants me to suffer from executing this. He's playing with me... gambling my life in the process and I don't think that I can forgive him for that."

Croft was rendered speechless upon hearing his sister's statement crammed with loathing.

However, Tatiana stared in a daze from nowhere before smiling bitterly.

"He's ruthless, Croft. That I wish that this bond throbbing within me will eventually fade..."