“Dakar, your eyes are...” Avril trailed off and looked around to make sure no one was seeing him that way. They were in the human world for crying out loud! Why was he showing his alpha wolfness?She looked back at him nervously and gently placed her hand on his.“Dakar,” she called gently and shook the hand. He blinked repeatedly and snapped out of his daze. His eyes returned to normal and the deep scowl faded off his face.“What is it?” he asked calmly. Avril heaved a deep sigh of relief.“For a second there, you looked like an angry demon from hell,” she answered.“Sorry. Just got some negative energy,” he stated and resumed eating like nothing happened.“Negative energy? How come?”“Don't worry. It's normal. Maybe someone around is trying to do something bad.”“Oh. Er...okay. Just be fine, okay?”Dakar smirked and nodded.They finished their meal and went on to desserts, still the men were still seated over at that place and glancing at them. In fact, more of their men had arrived
Avril frowned at Dakar as she heard his question.“Now is not the time for questions, sir,” she answered and exhaled deeply. She placed her palm on her forehead and closed her eyes.“God, I can't believe that threat is back,” she muttered to herself as she walked away gently. Dakar stared at her back and felt her fear and anger. And he knew it all revolved around this Alejandro she kept mentioning. Whoever wanted her, wanted her because of him. Or, wanted her for the same reason as they wanted Alejandro. She had said a certain person killed Alejandro because of this particular Luca Aguero. So if they wanted Avril too, were they planning to kill her?He let out a deep, dry laughter and Avril looked back at him with a raised brow.“Is something funny?” she asked, wondering why he was laughing when there was obviously trouble looming. He could sense negative energy and she was sure he knew she was in trouble.“This Luca Aguero wants you dead, doesn't he?” he asked with a deadly smirk. So
Avril laughed hard that she felt her eyes stinging and begging her to calm down. Still, Camper sat that way and didn't move. Dakar also seemed to have turned into a statue. He was still in that position of leaning towards Avril and his hand was hanging halfway from her face. The way he was staring at his friend, it was like he was expecting this sort of behavior but couldn't believe Camper had to do that now.“How do you keep up with him? You're direct opposites of each other,” she laughed as she said so. Dakar finally stopped being his own statue and exhaled.“I don't know. Maybe it's because we've been together for decades,” he finally spoke and took another strawberry with a fork this time, dipped it in the yoghurt and fed Avril again. She just opened up while looking over at Camper and chewed casually, like this was normal. Dakar's joy knew no bounds that she was not resisting. Her attention was on Camper and she looked amused as he fed her for the fourth time.“Do you think you w
Avril only noticed that Dakar had left the room after her entire meal finished. Camper had been talking a lot, making her laugh and enjoy the conversation. She was surprised she didn't even realize Prince Dakar had gone out of the room.“Where do you think he could be?” she asked Camper as she stepped down from the bed and picked up the tray with the empty plates and glass.“Er...I don't know. I heard his car starting downstairs but I didn't really pay attention. He might have gone to his vineyard at the outskirts of town,” Camper replied with a casual shrug of his shoulders. Avril pursed her lips together and stood still with the tray in her left hand.“So, he loves gardening?” she asked and stared at Dakar in a way that showed she was ‘just asking’. She made sure to block her mind and not think about their time on the island, even though she doubted that Camper could keep minds.“He never liked gardening from the beginning. He just...took weird interest in it after he returned from
Prince Dakar moved away the stray strands of hair that were dancing to the wind over Avril's face and tucked them behind her ear.“Prince Dakar,” she muttered and tried to take a step back from him but found out she was stuck. Or rather, her legs simply refused to move.“Do you like the sweater?” he asked and raised a brow at her.“I...yes. I do,” she managed to reply and looked away from him to her right hand side. There were a few people just standing there and waiting for their bus to come. And they were stealing glances at them. It wasn't everyday one got the privilege of sighting the Prince in town. But because of the kind of man he was, the rumours flying around that he was a ‘no shit’ man, they could not do anything else but steal glances from a distance.“Keep it then. It's getting smaller for me anyway,” he stated and Avril chuckled dryly. Verona cleared her throat and the attention of Prince Dakar was drawn to her. She bowed her head then raised it up.“Verona, how about what
Verona had helped Avril unpack the clothes into her wardrobe while Aida and Gia went to clean up the courtyard. A lot of the flowers and trees needed trimming, and the lawn needed mowing. Now that they were gone, Avril and Verona resumed their discussion from the city center.“Verona, do you really think there is a bond between me and Dakar that is drawing him closer to me?” she asked with moist eyes. Verona nodded and sat beside her on the bed. Her right leg dangling over the edge while her left leg was lying bent in front of her on the bed. Avril on the other hand had both her legs on the bed and she was hugging her knees.“Honestly, I think that's it. Why else would he treat you different from the very beginning? There should be something.”“You know, back at the island...he treated me with so much care. I even turned into a spoilt princess because Dakar just did everything for me. From cooking, to cleaning. He wouldn't let me stress myself even though I was behaving like a lazy an
Chidi, Nana and Xiao Wéi decided to go see Avril in the evening since she and Verona came to see them but they were super busy. Remus had a lot of agricultural wealth and engaged in lots of farming activities. They had huge farms and plantations of different plants and trees. Their flower gardens were simply the best, producing so many beautiful flowers which were used to produce perfumes and fragrances. The Kingdom Of Remus was one of the secrets to the finest perfumes and colognes produced from Italy. They didn't produce it themselves, but sold the needed ingredients to human companies. Since it was almost winter, the agricultural activities were rounding up and it was more of storage now. Xiao Wéi had much work to do now because she worked at the Mill. They had to produce a good amount of flour, and also take care of all the grains harvested.Anyway, the day was almost over and sunset was crawling in. It was so cold, so the three of them wrapped themselves up in thick, cotton jacke
“What was close, sir?” Verona asked with raised eyebrows. Prince Dakar froze for a second then got on his feet.“Something almost got in my way,” he said and exhaled.“Something almost got in your way? This has to do with Fiorella?” Verona questioned even though she knew she was already crossing boundaries.“Yes and no. This is personal. How far with training her mind? I hope you're not only gossiping and doing irrelevant stuff whenever you're with her,” he changed the topic and Verona sighed.“We are progressing,” she simply replied even though she had done the lesson with Avril only once. Prince Dakar nodded and began to walk away towards the dining area.“Uhm, Prince,” Verona called.“You may leave now,” he stated and she smiled knowing he couldn't see her.“I thought...I thought I was supposed to spend the night here?” she stuttered with a smile still on, but immediately he turned his face to look at her, she returned to her normal stoic expression.“I never said so. I only said y
“No! No! Give me those!” she screeched and flew at Camper who didn't move an inch. But before she could reach him, she was blasted off into the cage Avril's friends just vacated. Camper hurried over to Prince Dakar.“You came right on time. They've hurt Avril,” Dakar said. Camper looked at the white fog and clenched his teeth.“Verona will help. She's coming. They are coming.”Dakar nodded and took one of the clear crystal balls and lifted it up.“Camper feels emotions more than anyone else can. Which is why he's a playboy, he enjoys the pleasure a hundred times than an average person. And when someone is overexcited, or is hiding something where they've channelled all their protective information... Camper can trace where all those emotions are headed,” Prince Dakar said as Athena began to rise.“Where your treasure is stored, there will your heart be,” Camper recited. “While you were busy flirting and trying to make him take you there on your garden floor, he was looking deep into
Avril had only just slept for a half an hour when she heard a masculine scream pierce through the serenity of the room. She jerked awake, causing a terrible headache to erupt in her head. The scream continued on. Obviously, that person was in deep agony. She rubbed her weak eyes with her weak fingers and realized this agonized person was right there on the floor in front of her. Then she realized it was Dakar.“Dakar!” she screamed and ran out the bed, only to fall on the bed because of how numb her legs were. She groaned but crawled on foura to where he lay. His scream and cries were terrible. She grabbed his arm but he shoved her off as he continued to twist and contort in pain.Avril burst into tears when she noticed he was bleeding from his nostrils, mouth and ears.“Help, please!” she tried to shout but no way her voice could be heard above his.She crawled back to the bedside, grabbed the pitcher of water and tossed it over him. He stilled immediately and lay unconscious. Avril
“Gently get the girls to wake up. We're leaving. Pick up everything. Leave no personal belonging behind,” Dakar warned strictly. The two men nodded and darted into their room.“Where's Verona?” Avril asked.“I'm here,” she replied and showed up too. Verona looked agitated and vigilant.“I can't believe I was such a fool to bring you all here,” Dakar said to himself and looked her he could slap his own cheek. The candlelights were enough to show the look of regret on his face. He held Avril's good hand and led her out while Verona also darted inside the room. The others were already frantically moving and packing stuff.In less than ten minutes later, everything had been packed as affirmed by Camper. They then quietly started out without a word or sound from anyone.They got to the throne room which was empty and dark too. Instead of them to go through the main entrance, Prince Dakar turned them to a different direction. He tugged gently on what was like a door and a secret passage ope
Athena plastered a too wide smile on her face as she smoothly walked towards them like she was gliding and not actually taking steps. Her outfit was all gold, blending too much with the throne room itself. If her visible skin and hair were also gold, she would be invisible in the hall.“Pleased to meet you again, Athena,” Prince Dakar said with courtesy. Athena turned her full attention to him as she stood a few feet away.“Ah, my handsome nephew. You look amazing despite everything you've been through. I guess strength and good looks runs in the family. How is your father?” she asked and cocked her head to the side.“He is doing very well. Sends his kind regards,” Prince Dakar answered. Athena grinned and moved closer to him. A little bit too close. She looked up into his eyes and tucked loose hair behind his ear.“When this is all over, I would love to see his final look,” she said then grinned again.Avril frowned but quickly tucked her face right. What did she mean by ‘his final l
Prince Dakar got up, then jerked his jacket by the lapels to get it aligned with his body. He took a deep breath, relief flooding in that Avril was not dead. And she was right at the other side about to come over. He heard a feminine gasp like the one had made and made a quick turn to see the person who had come out. But he was disappointed to see the slim, black friend of Avril. Chidi. She wasn't crouched down like he was, but she was standing straight and breathless.“Are you all right?” he asked as she stood rooted to the spot, oblivious to him standing there. After he spoke, she raised her eyes abruptly and saw him. Then she looked back at the innocent look archway.“Congrats. You got out. Come over, let's wait for the others,” he said again and walked a few feet from where he was standing. Chidi followed silently and leaned against a tree with her eyes closed. Dakar was tempted to ask her what she saw, but he didn't want to intrude. Chidi however surprised him.“T saw Avril fall
The Porta Metus was situated in a vast region of land that was very mountainous. Solid, smooth rock was the ground and scorpions could be seen tittering around. Flying, giant bee-like creatures swarmed about and scared the living daylights out of the traveling group.The gateway itself was an archway of smooth grey rock that began on the ground but went over to cover the small bridge. There was a deep ditch dividing the rock terrain, and earthy terrain.“We have to be very careful. The Porta Metus is the archway. It doesn't come up this time of year so I'm worried about you all. The Porta Metus brings out your greatest fear. Between you and your greatest fear, only one will make it out. To reach your destination, you must defeat your greatest fear against all odds.”After Prince Dakar's information, everyone stared still at the harmless looking archway of rock.“What if you do not have a greatest fear but just little little fears?” Xiao Wéi asked.“Then I consider that person the luck
“What in the world are those thing?” Nana yelled amidst the screams. The horses that were at the far end of the cave startled up and began to neigh and thump around.“Stealth wraiths. Half-dead creatures but more dead than alive. Which means you can't see them. They're very rare!” Camper shouted out.“How do you kill what you cannot see?!” Avril shrieked as Camper sliced through the air again and black blood poured out of nothing.“They are as cold as ice. You feel their chill and strike,” Verona answered as she trotted to the entrance to assist Camper. The rest shifted back but didn't lose their guard. The horses were causing a scene on their own and Avril instinctively ran over to calm them down. It didn't work.A cold chill was taking over the entire cave, the entrance had turned into a battle ground. Camper and Verona were fighting invisible, shrieking creatures that seemed to be pushing them backwards and not the other way around. Whatever does things were, they were plenty and t
They trespassed through the Soot Forest, as Camper had called it, for five hours straight. They only rested at most ten minutes while standing because of the human girls who were not as tire-proof as the wolves. Avril and her girls even surprised Prince Dakar. They didn't tire as easily as other humans.“One more hour and we'll be out,” Camper announced to the group.“I hope there's a place we can sit our butts down?” Nana grumbled.“Well, I see sitting your butt down is very important to you. Seeing you carry a lot over there of course,” Xiao Wéi joked and the girls burst into laughter except Verona who had not smiled since the journey began. As was usual of her.“If we don't sit soon, I'm afraid I'll lose all my assets,” Nana replied. Avril slapped Nana's butt.“Nope, you're still good even if you walk the whole day,” she teased and Nana butt-kicked her. Avril wasn't expecting that move and it pushed her, making her feet unbalanced on the ground. She yelped as she felt herself desc
Avril laughed loud again and everyone rushing food at the table looked over at them. “Is there a comedy show going on there, Fiorella?” Verona asked grudgingly. “Are there any tickets left? I need a good laugh also,” Nana spoke and Chidi elbowed her. “Don't mind them. Just talk and laugh all you want. You're not bothering us,” Chidi said and glared at Nana who shrugged. She looked away and her eyes caught Camper staring at her friend in amusement. He had his fork twirling in his salad as he stared at Nana. “It's going to be too obvious that you like this girl. Put that face straight,” the new guy ordered with a frown. Everyone at the table frowned except Camper who smirked at him. The way he spoke was so authoritative and haughty. Who was he? Avril's laughter rang up again but nobody looked back at them this time. “Why are you all looking at me like I said something bad?” he questioned. “That's because you sound like a nagging mother. It doesn't suit you,”