Chapter 6

Aesthelia was struggling in her sleep when two hands grabbed her cheeks. Trying to soothe her out of her nightmare. 

"It's alright. It was just a dream, a nightmare. " A comforting voice said.

"I'm here," Flo assured her. His soft voice woke Aesthelia up. He quickly helped her sit, and patted her back. 

Aesthelia panted heavily as her eyes fluttered open. She's sweating real bad.  

Aesthelia looked around her surroundings. Her eyes landed on the cellar in front of her. The cellar where the old man was locked in, ever since that night when the old man was dragged out by the guards. He never came back.

Aesthelia choked in her sobs as she imagined what might possibly have happened to that tortured man.

"Are you alright?"

"I shouldn't have let that bastard do this to you," Flo said in a shaky voice, seeing Aesthelia in this state. He couldn't maintain a steady posture. Whether he shakes in worry or in rage, it applies both to what he is currently feeling and what he is currently thinking.

Aesthelia remained quiet. She tried to calm herself down and not inconvenience others, especially Flo. She is indebted to him. He has helped her so much, more than she could ask for. 

"I'll call someone to attend you." Flo whispered.

"You seem to be experiencing pain," Flo added, trying not to startle Aesthelia. 

Before Flo could take a step outside, a hand grasped his, holding his hand to make him stay. 

"No, please stay," Aesthelia managed to say. Her throat aches due to the limited supply of water and food that they provide prisoners. 

Flo was surprised. This was something he never thought would happen. Is Aesthelia clinging to him? Flo didn't dare to say anything. He just patted Aesthelia's back, hoping that it would make her feel at ease. 

Aesthelia breathes deeply. The images flashed again. She recalled the vivid and horrific nightmare that seemed to be hunting her in broad daylight.

She buried her face in Flo's chest, her hands trembling. Flo hugged her in response, and he held her trembling hands. They stayed in that position for a minute.

Someone cleared his throat, which made the two back away from each other instantly. 

Aesthelia swiftly raised her head to see who it was. It's a man in his mid 60s. It looked awfully familiar, which confused Aesthelia. She didn't see this man on the training ground or so. 

Flo, who was quiet, immediately greeted the man. He blushed while scratching his nape. 

"Did I interrupt something here?" The man questioned said as he raised his eyebrows. He tried to maintain a stoic expression. 

"N-no, Sir! I simply comforted your daughter. It seems that she is having trouble sleeping, "Flo stuttered, explaining the situation. 

'Daughter?' Aesthelia's eyes widened as she recognized who it was. It's no surprise that it looks familiar to her; they have similar physical characteristics.

It means he is Howard Rasc, the delta of the western wolf pack, the third in command, and Aesthelia's father. As a delta, he is in charge of training, but these past few months he has been travelling outside the pack to attend to some businesses that were left unattended. 

'In the story, he was on a business trip at the time around. Why did he come back early? ' Aesthelia thought as she recalled the page of the book that narrates the scene where he came back and was greeted by his daughter's beheaded corpse. 

Aesthelia's father spoke, breaking the silence. 

"Aesthelia, you disappointed me. I trusted that you wouldn't cause trouble. Just what did you do this time?" Howard added. 

Aesthelia doesn't feel hurt by his word. She felt nothing, hollow and empty. Her parents in her original world said the same thing. It appears that it is even in another dimension. She disappoints anyone. 

Her strength was drained by the constant nightmare. She stayed in the cellar for almost two days and three nights. Those nights seemed like hell to her. 

"Get up. I've talked to the Alpha about it. Your punishment awaits at home, "Mr. Rasc conveyed nonchalantly. 

"Sir, I know that it is bad that it comes to this, but your daughter has already suffered for days," Flo intervened as he heard Aesthelia's father's unconcerned voice. 

"Right now, she needs emotional support." Flo added.

"You have no right to interfere, young man. I advise you to stop spoiling that pup, "Mr. Rasc replied emotionlessly. 

"Do you know how much she fears darkness?" Flo questioned him as he let his fingers run through his hair. 

"Are you claiming that you knew her more than  me, her father?" Mr. Rasc answered with another question. 

"I-" Flo opened his mouth to say something, but Aesthelia held his hand and shook her head, telling him not to say anything and to let things be. It's enough. Aesthelia doesn't want to burden Flo any longer. He had helped her enough. 

Aesthelia tried to stand up even though her knees were shaking. Flo supports her by wrapping his arms around Aesthelia. 

Mr. Rasc's eyes sharpened disapprovingly at their closeness. Although he didn't comment on anything, the sour look was visible on his face. Mr. Rasc turned his back on them. 

"I never raised a fragile and weak child," Mr. Rasc mumbled as he walked first. Aesthelia heard it, and she felt her empty heart clench. She was affected by those words for an unknown reason. 

Aesthelia faintly smiled at Flo. She is feeling sorry towards him. It seems the old Aesthelia and Flo have a close relationship and are good friends. It feels like she's deceiving him by not telling him the truth that she wasn't the Aesthelia he knew. 

"I can carry you. If you only permit me to do so." Flo suggested in the middle of their walk.

Aesthelia refused his kind offer. She doesn't know what her father will say if he sees her being carried, "This is fine," Aesthelia said, and Flo nodded his head in response.

He didn't want to push the idea any further, in case it might cause her to feel uncomfortable.

As Aesthelia stepped outside the dungeon. The sunlight greeted her. The tree was swaying with the wind. In those three days, being locked up made her appreciate how beautiful the sun and the surroundings are right now.

Aesthelia looks at the carriage that awaits her. She knew right away that it belonged to the Rasc. Every carriage has an emblem on it, representing each household. 

Mr. Rasc was nowhere in sight. It looks like he has gone without waiting for Aesthelia. 

"Contact me the soonest you can," Flo said. He supported Aesthelia as they walked in the clear path towards the carriage.

"Uhm..how?" Aesthelia asked. She doubts that a cellphone exists in this story's settings.

"Telepathically, once you regain your strength," Flo answered. His eyes softened as he looked at her.

There's also a unique connection within the pack. They can use telepathy to communicate and to do that. The wolf spirit has to be present. 

"Bravo, Aesthelia. Your acting has improved, " A voice commented. A newly arrived person's footsteps can be heard.

'Gior?' Aesthelia mentally said. She recognized the voice instantly. 

"Gior, what are you doing in here?" Flo can't help it but to growl menacingly, as if challenging and warning the alpha's son. He immediately held Aesthelia close and covered her. 

"You managed to deceive, Flo. I wonder what story you made up this time to gain pity from Merideth's cousin?" Gior ignored him and continued taunting Aesthelia. Provoking her to say something.

"What?" Aesthelia felt offended by his claim. She tried to face him, but Flo held her tighter. 

"I asked you. Don't make me ask the damn question twice, "Flo angrily said. Being ignored isn't sitting well with him.

"I don't know what game you are playing but you are pro at this. You even had Flo protecting you like a crazy wolf, "Gior added, once again ignoring Flo.

"Shut it, bastard. Why do you keep getting close to her when you know her feelings?" Flo shouted furiously. He restrained himself from attacking the alpha son by letting his nails dig into his palm. 

Aesthelia looks stunned and confused. 'Getting close?' She repeated the words in her mind. Aesthelia knows how Gior feels about her. The story narrates and emphasizes how Gior loathed and avoided Aesthelia like a plague. 

"Flo must have thought wrong," Aesthelia mumbled under her breath. 

"I'm guarding Merideth away from Aesthelia's reach, Flo. You seem to be misunderstanding something, " Gior immediately explained. He looked like trouble somehow. A sweat began forming in his forehead. 

"I'm also intrigued by how Aesthelia looks in a bad state." Gior added and smirked. 

"I'm not the type who will jump to conclusions without enough observation," Flo stated. No one can fool a hawk-eye observer. 

"I guess you are also a type of person who would rather protect a threat to your family," Gior replied coldly, just to get back at him and ridicule his choices.

Gior glared at Flo's arm that was wrapped around Aesthelia like a leech. Gior doesn't have any idea why he disliked what he saw and how intimate they look right now. 

"What is this ruckus?" Mr. Rasc arrived together with the Alpha. It appears that Mr. Rasc met Alpha Rou when he walked out of the dungeon first.

"You just got out of the cellar, and yet you caused more chaos," Mr. Rasc added.

Aesthelia bit her lower lips. She hasn't done anything, she hasn't even said a single word back, no matter how Gior insults her. 

"It's Gior who likes to trouble himself more than necessary." Flo decided to talk and get the attention.

"I think he has developed a weird fetish," Flo answered, and smirked when Gior's eyes widened. The fetish to which he was referring is the part where he's loitering around Aesthelia, asking for trouble.

"Watch your remarks." Gior snarled and swore.

Alpha Rou came forward between Gior and Flo and said, "The two of you need to go. Don't let me catch you going into each other's throats. " 

"I appointed you Gior to do some work. Don't make me repeat myself." Alpha Rou said, turning to face his son.

"And you Flo, the beta was asking about you. It seems urgent." Alpha Rou said to Flo,

Alpha Rou immediately dismissed the two wolves. He needs to have a conversation with the Rasc. 

"I wasn't informed about your imprisonment, Aesthelia. If only I knew, I'd never have consented to it. " Alpha Rou said as he apologized to the young woman who had spent three days in a cellar.

"Is that all? Can I go now?" Aesthelia emotionlessly said. If it's about being sorry, it won't make her feel at peace. Even now, she can hear her beating heart due to fear of the darkness and everything that happened while she was in that bloody place. 

"Aesthelia!" Mr. Rasc shouted disapprovingly at how Aesthelia responded to the Alpha. Aesthelia turned her back on them and gripped the carriage door, ignoring his father's word. 

"You said it yourself, father. My punishment awaits at home, "Aesthelia stated as she sat in the carriage's passenger seat. "Let's get it over with." 

"There's no point of feeling sorry when you can't do anything about it. It is a family matter now, Mr. Alpha Rou. You should deal with your own son, "Aesthelia said, trying to sound polite even when she wanted to convey her thoughts sarcastically. 

Alpha Rou kept his mouth shut as those words left Aesthelia's mouth. Mr. Rasc raised his one eyebrow at his daughter's remarks about how the Alpha should deal with his son. Mr. Rasc was surprisingly satisfied with that. He never raised a fragile child.

"We'll take our leave now," Mr. Rasc bid his farewell before getting into the carriage. 

It took half an hour before they got to the Rasc Mansion. It is the same infrastructure design as the Pack House. The location of the Rasc Mansion is also within the territory, so the ride was short and the whole time no one dared break the silence. 

"What was your reason for this stupidity?" Mr. Rasc asked when the carriage stopped in front of their mansion. His eyes seem to be changing color. His yellow eyes dominate his brown ones. 

Aesthelia stayed silent. She didn't do anything wrong. She tried to talk things out, but it didn't work. What else can she do? If the mending relationship doesn't work anymore, then the only way out of the death doors is to avoid the protagonist as much as she possibly can. 

Mr. Rasc was the first one to get off, while Aesthelia stayed inside for a few minutes. She's trying to gain courage and strength. 

She was about to go out when a group of servants greeted her nervously and dragged her into an open field at the back of the mansion. 

They tied her hands to a piece of wood. Aesthelia looks confusedly at them. She wonders what punishment it is.

Her eyes widened when a whip was handed to Mr. Rasc's hand. 'So, that's why I am being tied like this? What am I expecting? A lighter punishment? ' 

"I heard everything that happened. Didn't I tell you that if you ever bring shame to my family's name, I'd rather have you dead? " For some unknown reason, his voice becomes deeper and his eyes glow yellow. It was as if he was talking to a stranger who he had no blood ties with. Is this really the real Aesthelia's father?

"What?" Aesthelia asked aloud. She wasn't expecting those words. The knowledge she knows about the book doesn't help her at all. 

"That young man questioned me if I knew your fear of darkness. Of course I do. Who would forget that? " Mr. Rasc stated this with venom. His face turned dark as he recalled something involving the reason why Aesthelia feared the dark.

'What life does the old Aesthelia have before her death? A supporting character without a background story.' Aesthelia mentally thought: She bit her lips. 

"You made her this way, didn't you?" Aesthelia whispered. She looked absent-mindedly at the moment when she thought of the old Aesthelia. 

The book narrates her as a villainess. 

The book hides her side story. 

If Aesthelia ever gets back to the original world she belonged to, she will sue that damn author for making her characters experience this amount of pain. But the question is, is it the authors' fault or is there somebody who messed up the plot? 

According to the old man, someone wants to alter everything. It means the events will keep changing from time to time because someone exists within the book. If it is another person, Aesthelia has to find her. 

Mr. Rasc could not understand what she meant and who she was referring to. He shrugged his shoulder off.

"You haven't been punished like this since you were seven years old," Mr. Rasc said. 

'Seven years old? Punishing someone that young with a whip?' Aesthelia can't help it but feel disgusted by their parenting and  disciplining. Is the real Aesthelia an unwanted child to be suffering from this?

"What made you think this won't happen again? Is that why you go running around asking for trouble?" Mr. Rasc added menacingly.

He raised her arms to hold the whip. The servants who were watching from afar gasped and started whispering that they felt sorry for Aesthelia, but no one would defy the delta-third in command of the pack.

Aesthelia tightly closed her eyes. She was ready to endure the whipping when a loud sob rang through her ears and a scent of blood tickled her nose. 

Aesthelia's eyes flutterred open and widened afterwards, seeing what happened. The blood  was not hers, but her father's. 

Mr. Rasc bit his own arms to stop himself. His eyes kept changing from brown to yellow eye colors. It appears that the wolf was taking over her father's body, even in human form. 

The wolf forcefully wanted to take over, and with the way the wolf stares at Aesthelia. He holds an extreme level of resentment towards Aesthelia.