Valley of The Vineyards

At first, Elora thought Caspian was committing an act of vandalism with his friends. Because the others looked as fierce as he was, some even carried iron clubs and sharp weapons that sparkled silver when caught in the headlights of Elora's car.

But then that guess was broken when one of them started attacking Caspian. Caspian fended off the attacks that came crashing down on him. Elora, who watched it all from behind the wheel, could only tremble with fear. She put the gear back and began to push the gas as deep as she could. But damn, nothing happened. The car broke down again at the wrong time.

Damn old car.

Now, what should she do? Just running out of the car for help? Not a chance. Only this vehicle that Elora has and without the car Elora will be overwhelmed.

Elora's legs shook even more when she realized that one of the Caspian thugs was walking over to her. Elora made sure the car was locked, and as the person got closer, Elora could hear the sound of her teeth clashing like freezing.

That person, a large man with an iron bat, pounded on the driver's door with a gruesome glare.

"Hey, you! Get out!" he shouted. "Are you with that damn Caspian?!"

Instead of answering, Elora lowered her head, hiding her face as best as she could. Is today the last day she lived? But there are many things that Elora hasn't tried and she doesn't want to die now.

The man grew impatient, and finally swung the stick up high to smash the windshield. But he has not had a chance to do so, his body was hit so hard by a motorcycle that he was bounced several meters away.

"El, hurry out!" Now the voice asking her to come out has changed. Elora looked up and saw Caspian on a black motorbike. He pounded on Elora's car door impatiently. "Hurry!" he ordered again.

Elora looked ahead, and the people who had been ganging up on Caspian had collapsed. However, some were still able to get up and started coming toward Caspian and Elora.

Without thinking, Elora grabbed her bag, opened the door, and climbed onto Caspian's motorbike. Caspian started turning the gas lever and took them away from there.

*

No one spoke during the trip. Elora didn't even ask where Caspian was taking her. What was on Elora's mind right now was what happened to her car, and how could her two hands wrap tightly around Caspian's flat and tight stomach as if it was something Elora used to do.

The motorbikes continued through the frenetic center of the city, heading north. As they entered Gibbston road, Elora finally dared to open her mouth when Caspian slowed down. They are now in the Gibbston region, which is known as the Valley of the Vineyards. It is named for the area producing the finest wines in all of Otago.

"Where are we going?" asked Elora.

"My house."

"I want to go home!" Elora refused, after hearing Caspian's answer.

"You will die if you return to your home now!"

"And we'll be fine if we head to your house?!" snarled Elora.

"Yes!"

Right after Caspian said that, from the opposite direction Elora saw a horde of motorbikes heading their way. As they meet, Caspian stopped. All the motorcyclists bowed to Caspian.

"What happened, Alpha?" asked one of them. Elora was stunned to hear and see how these people treated Caspian as if Caspian is a king.

"Please take care of the people who may be following me."

Without asking much, they all nodded and continued their way towards the direction Caspian had come from. Elora still doesn't understand the situation she is currently in. Who is Caspian so that these people bow to him? Is Caspian a descendant of the nobility? Or maybe he is the leader of a mafia group?

Elora is haunted by thoughts that force her to jump off the motorbike, which is now back on track and turns into one of the vineyards. Elora's heartbeat went wild, and cold sweat started to run down her forehead and back.

Elora remembered the pepper spray she always carried in her bag. Yes, Elora will use that when she has the chance. Elora caught her breath, encouraged, and ventured to calm down. She can do it. The same bad incident will not be repeated in her life.

The motorbike continued through a gap along the vineyard until it came to a building made of stone. It looks like it's a restaurant and bar that is reserved for tourists looking to buy wine. It's already closed.

There was a tall iron gate on the side of the building, and two large men guarding it. They stood upright respectfully when they saw Caspian. One of the men immediately opened the gate so that Caspian could enter.

Elora thought she had arrived, but it turned out that beyond the gate, lay a large tract of land covered with grass and shrubs, with a road as wide as a car. Caspian steered his motorbike cleverly, traveling at moderate speed through nature.

For a moment Elora forgot all these troubles and fluttering feelings she couldn't describe. Nature at Gibbston's side at night that Elora had never touched… gave off a suffocating sensation of awe.

A small hike on the way brought Elora back to her senses.

"Put me down!" shouted Elora, beating Caspian on the back. "Get me off right now or I'll jump!"

Hopefully, Caspian believes in the threat.

The motorbike continued until it stopped in the middle of a wooden bridge. Beneath their feet, a fast-flowing river flowed, making gurgling noises mingling with the wind from the trees.

Caspian got off the motorbike, as did Elora. They stand face to face. Under the moonlight which was now perfectly round. Elora realized that the swish in the bloodstream and heat all over her body wasn't just caused by Caspian's presence. This was something Elora always experienced when the full moon arrived. But there were certain times when the pain Elora felt was even greater, sometimes even causing her to become unconscious.

"Could you just trust me this time? I’m trying to save your life." said Caspian, with a cold tone.

Elora was inflamed in the pain she was trying to endure. "Take me Home. Now."

"Do you even hear what I say?? I can't let you die."

"Then tell me what the hell you were doing on the street earlier?! What kind of trouble did I have to get involved like this?!”

The moon was getting higher, its light became the only light in this place. Elora couldn't take it anymore, she groaned so badly that she fell.

"El!" Caspian shouted. His swift movements prevented Elora from crashing into the bridge. "Hey! El!"

Caspian's voice grew faint … as Elora's consciousness disappeared.

*