ANOTHER NIGHTMARE

The echoes of a cruel laughter filled the moist air. It was shortly followed by the cry of a girl.

“Useless Amelia!” A blonde girl on pigtails laughed as she pointed at her.

“Omg. Look at her, she can't even transform.”

“Don't look at her. My mom said you'd catch the disease and it'll affect you.”

Amelia fisted her hand at her side. “I'm not sick!”

Linda said with a scowl on her face. “Then explain why you can't transform, huh?”

Amelia fell silent.

Linda went on. “Explain why you can't transform!”

“She's a witch! Be careful, Linda!” Her friends called behind her.

Linda scoffed. “She can't do anything.”

All of a sudden, her lips curved into a grin. “Hey, guys. I've got a brilliant idea.”

“What is it?”

“Why don't we help Amelia transform? Grab her leg!”

Amelia cried out in her sleep.“No. Please, don't hurt me!”

Adrian threw his eyes open. He heard muffled cries coming from across the hall.

Pushing back the bedcovers, he stiffened. There was an odd scent in the house and it wasn't Amelia’s nor Emily’s.

“Shit!” He grabbed his sword from the bed and made his way across the hall.

“Who's there!” He thundered.

“N - no, please.” The whimpering voice continued.

He froze when he realised where the sound was coming from. “Amelia!”

Effortlessly, he broke the doorknob and slammed it open.

“Amelia!” He yelled.

She laid in bed, tossing and turning uncontrollably.

He put his arms around her, holding her in place. “It's okay. It's going to be okay.”

Her tossing stopped and she fell limp in his arms.

“Linda, stop…” Amelia whispered before falling asleep again.

Adrian pulled her close, his face darkening with rage. The only Linda he knew Amelia was familiar with was her step sister.

“Steven.” He called out.

Immediately, a man dressed in black from head to toe appeared in the middle of the room.

“Yes, Alpha.” He went on one knee as he greeted.

“Look into Amelia's family. Make sure you find every detail, hidden or not, about them.” Adrian spoke, as he brushed his fingers across Amelia's hair.

“Yes, sir.” Steven gave another bow and banished the same way he came.

Adrian looked at Amelia and his chest tightened. Her eyes were red and swollen and both her cheeks were wet. He remembered that the first day she had arrived in the rain with no umbrella whatsoever and most of her clothes were thin.

He brushed his fingers across her cheek. “What did they do to you in there?”

As usual, Emily awoke before the sun.

She palmed her sweaty forehead and heaved a sigh. “Another nightmare. Huh.”

She pushed the bedcovers and slid her leg over the left side of the bed.

The house was always quiet, especially in the morning. There were no other servants apart from Emily and Amelia wondered what that was so but Emily had explained to her that people nicknamed Adrian's mansion to be the Devil's Castle and she got her answer.

She heard quiet footsteps in the hall and jumped back into bed.

“Amelia…” It was Adrian.

“G - Good morning, sir.” she stuttered terribly.

Silence passed between them and he exhaled softly. “There's someone at the door.”

“I'll go get it.” Amelia got off the bed and rushed to the door.

She ran into Adrian and slipped. Before she would hit the ground, his arm caught her by the waist and pulled her up.

Amelia immediately withdrew from this embrace. “I'm so sorry, sir. I'm sorry for bumping into you. It wasn't intentional. I only moved because you told me to…”

He silenced her by draping his coat over her shoulders. “It's cold outside.”

Her eyes went round. “What?”

“You were getting the door, right?” He reminded her.

“Oh yes.” Amelia said with a nod.

As she walked downstairs, she couldn't stop thinking about what had happened.

“He gave me his coat.” She muttered to herself as she approached the door.

“Who is it?” Amelia asked.

“Mail from the Osborne household.” came the voice behind the door.

“Alright.” Before Amelia would open the door, a veiny hand beat her to it.

She looked up and found Adrian towering over her. “Oh. I'm s -”

“Stay there,” He held the door open. “And stop apologizing.”

The courier greeted me with a warm smile. “Good morning, Alpha Adrian.”

Then his eyes fell on Amelia and he tipped his hat. “Good morning, ma’am.”

“You said something about mail?” Adrian asked.

“Yes, sir,” The courier whipped out a white envelope from his bag and passed it to Adrian. “It’a letter from Emily Osborne.”

Amelia gasped. “Oh my. I hope she's alright.”

“I guess you'd have to find out when you read the letter,” said the courier.

Amelia looked up at Adrian who was scanning the stamp on the envelope. She looked at the courier and beamed him a smile. “Thank you for bringing us the letter, sir.”

“It’s my job, ma'am.” He smiled. “Have a nice day.”

He turned in his heels and walked away.

Amelia felt so embarrassed with the way Adrian towered over her small frame.

“S - sir, c - can I move now?” She asked.

When Adrian was done reading the letter, he took a step back.

Amelia turned to look at him. “Sir, is Emily alright?”

“No,”Adrian delivered the message coldly. “She fell I'll last minute.”

“Oh poor Emily. I do hope she's taking care of herself.” Amelia heaved a sigh.

“Hmm.” Adrian folded the envelope and turned in his pocket.

As he walked towards the stairs, Amelia called for him.

“Yes?” He answered without looking at her.

“Y - your coat.” She pointed out.

“Keep it.”

Amelia was left stunned again. Adrian had told her to keep the coat. Then she gasped. ‘Did he find out I didn't own one?’

“Ugh, this is terrible.” Amelia ran her hand through her hair. “I'm terrible.”

“Amelia!” Adrian called for her from upstairs

“Sir!” she ran to answer him. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest but for some unknown reasons, her cheeks were pinked.