CHAPTER 6- THE SEARCH 

SERENA'S POV 

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my eyes rolling in my head and I felt like fainting. 

As the sharp and persistent knock on the door echoed throughout the room,.i.knew I was doomed.My gaze locked with his. He was standing there, a stranger yet his gaze felt steady as if he was somehow anchoring me to keeping me from slipping into panic. 

He paused and then turned to me completely as if he was considering a choice. He twitched his fingers at his side and I saw that he was fighting with something.

Whatever he was going to do it wasn't an easy task for him.

“ Don't worry.” he said but I wasn't sure if he actually believed it.” I'll keep you safe.”

 I hardly knew this man but his words made me feel a little lighter somehow. EvenElliot my mate had never made me feel this safe with him.

Protect me? I felt an odd warmth come over me but it was soon followed by a nagging fear that stopped me from breathing. 

My chest tightened as I jumped when the knock came again louder this time. 

“Hey, Keep calm.” He said .”Do exactly as I say.” He continued in a low but firm voice. He turned and threw something at me after grabbing it off the ground. 

“Put this on.”

I glanced down at my hands and shuddered. A plain, faded and tattered servant's uniform but I guess it was something. The fabric was rough and scratched on my skin as I pulled it over my head causing my fingers to shake. 

The discomfort wasn't something I had time to worry about. Keeping my composure was crucial because my heart was thumping and racing. 

He gave me a tray and said.

“ Here.” 

I looked at it for a while, almost laughing at how ridiculous the situation was. Did he want me to be his servant? He grabbed my shoulders with surprisingly firm hands before I could respond.

“Do just as I say.” He said. “Maintain a straight posture, keep your head down and wait to speak until someone speaks. I'll take care of the remainder.”

Even though my stomach rumbled, I nodded. Although I wasn't sure how this would work out , the sound of footsteps outside the door was enough to jolt me out of my thoughts.

 I do not know what was happening but I knew that I was in trouble.

He turned at the door, straightenedz grew bigger and assumed a more commanding stance.

 I sensed a shift in his energy as though he was taking on a new role or changing completely.

“What is it?” He sounded harsh, authoritative and like the owner of the world and I was frightened by how well he portrayed the role at that precise moment. 

Trying not to think about what was going on, I kept the tray steady. I could hear the guards at the door but I could hardly see past the edges of the tray due to my sweat-slick hands. 

They had a question regarding a rogue lady. A rogue woman?

 I wanted to shout and scream but I knew better. I wasn't rogue 

I had ran away from my mate and not rogue 

With a glance around the room, one of the guards moved forward. 

“We're trying to find a woman who showed up last night. We have good reason to think she passed through this route.”

I couldn't breath. This was it. They were trying to find me. It was over when they find me and what next ? Death?

My companion's eyes narrowed and he tensed up. He moved forward putting himself in between me and the guards. 

“Nobody came here last night so what the hell are you saying?”

His tone was piercing and authoritative. 

“I suggest you go now if that's okay with you.”

The guards paused, looking at one another but the man cut them off before they could say anything.

“ I said. Get. Out.Now. “

His voice cracked through the air like a whip sharp and unyielding. Astonished by his firm tone, the guards staggered back and after a brief pause, turned to leave whispering to themselves that they would have to look elsewhere. 

The finality with which the door slammed shut shook me to my very being.

 I stood motionless as my mind tried to process what had just happened. My mind was a jumble of shock and terror and my heart was still pounding in my chest.

 I felt dizzy as if the earth might vanish beneath me. 

He exhaled and when he turned to me I wanted to run and hug him for been there for me

He had saved my life.

This perfect stranger. I wanted to cry.

Though there was a faint hint of something soft in his eyes .

“I told you .” He said in a steady voice.” They were looking for you. We've bought you some time though.”

I was at a loss for what to say. My mind was racing with ideas. 

“Why? Why are you helping me?” I said in a broken frail voice. He gave me a long thoughtful look as if he was pondering his response.

“. Because you're not alone.  I understand the fear and terror of being hunted. I'm not going to let them take you.”

My eyes immediately became teary as I muttered.

“You don't know me but you helped me . Thank you.”

He nodded and muttered the words softly. “Sometimes strangers are all we have.”

As the moment's weight settled in my chest, I glanced down at the tray in my hands. I felt like crying.  But I was only able to nod and squeeze the tray harder while forcing myself to breathe.

“ I'll get you out of here,”  he assured in a firm unwavering voice. Just be quiet, don't leave here Later on we can work out the rest. “

His words were the only thing that made sense at the time but I wasn't sure if I could trust him. I gave him a nod allowing him to take the lead. 

“I'll do as you say.”