Chapter 74

Lucy moved through the dimly lit path. The only light was the moonlight. But her senses were sharper than ever. Every shift in the wind, every faint footsteps of the patrolling guards reached her before they themselves came close. She had stayed hidden, her back pressed to cold walls, avoiding the guards, her breaths shallow but controlled.

It felt strange, like she had tapped into something she couldn't quite fully understand. If only claws had sprouted out from her fingers and maybe some fur of hairs sprang out of her skin, she could have understood that it was her wolf and that she had finally gotten it. But it was only her senses that became heightened and she had the strength of three women. How was that possible? She had never felt that way before and had not experienced it.

Her vision cut through the darkness, catching even the smallest flicker of movement. The metallic taste of blood lingered on her tongue, her wounds throbbing with every step. She pressed her hand to her shoulder, her fingers piled together, wincing at the sticky warmth beneath her palm.

Almost there, she thought, her focus narrowing to the small house ahead. She could see the faint light from inside, a welcoming sight amidst the chaos of the night.

She almost neared the house when she noticed Marie. She stood at the entrance of the door. Her arms were crossed and at the same time, she paced back and forth. She had been woken up by the sound of the patrol she heard—the footsteps and the noises of the guards and had become worried ever since then. She could not go back to sleep, knowing that her friend, Lucy was still out there. 

Her head jerked up the moment Lucy emerged from the shadows.

“Lucy!” Marie's voice was sharp with worry. She hurried toward her, her movements a little bit zigzag.

Lucy tried to wave her off, probably to show she was fine, but her knees buckled beneath her. The pain, with no doubt shot up her leg, it was sharp. She fell immediately, landing on her knees and gasping as the impact jolted her injuries. And even if she didn't fall on her knees, the blood dripping from her shoulder was enough for Marie to see that she wasn't alright.

“Lucy!” Marie dropped to her knees beside her, grabbing her arms. “What happened? How come are you hurt? Who did this?” Her questions tumbled out of her mouth without leaving any space for her to take them in. It was rapid and urgent.

Lucy lifted her head, her face pale, her lips parted as she tried to catch her breath. “I'm fine,” she murmured but then, her voice betrayed her as it took almost half of her energy to utter those words. Marie held her face, placing her hands firmly on either side of her cheeks.

“Fine? You're bleeding!” Marie's hands hovered over Lucy's arm, unsure where to touch without causing more pain. Her eyes were wide, farting over the torn fabric and the blood staining her dress.

“I just need to get inside,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “They're searching around because of the sounds they heard and if I'm to be seen outside like this… I'll have some questions to answer.” 

Marie nodded, her eyes fixed on Lucy's dizzy eyes. She slipped her arm under Lucy's to help her up. “Come on,” she said gently, her tone softer than before. “You're right, you can't stay here like this.” She gasped. “And those questions you're avoiding… you'll have to give me the answer.”

Lucy kept mute but let out a smile that faded within seconds. As Marie helped her towards the door, Lucy's mind raced. The weight of what had happened, the scene that had unfolded before her eyes, pressed on her chest and it did with a great cause, but she pushed it down, trying not to think about it because the more she thought about it, the more she had unanswered questions. Not now, she thought. First thing first… I have to be fine.

Marie eased her onto the couch, quickly grabbing a damp cloth from the kitchen. She knelt beside her and carefully dabbed at the blood on her arm using the cloth.

“Who did this to you?” Marie asked again, her voice low and gentle but with no doubt, was firm. She knew that Lucy might not want to respond to her questions and the best way to get the answers from her was to be firm with a straight face.

Lucy shook her head, avoiding her gaze. “It doesn't matter,” she said, wincing as the cloth touched her wound. Marie didn't say anything at first like she was careful to lose her patience so as not to hurt her. She pulled the cloth away from her shoulder gently before having to speak up again and this time around, she was like one who had lost her patience.

“It matters to me,” Marie shot back, her hands turned into fists, trembling. “You should know that you don't just show up like this and expect me to not ask questions and when you don't show up like this… I still ask questions.” 

Lucy sighed and tried to sit up. The blood flow had already ceased to flow out like before. Marie helped her up so that she leaned her back against the wall. Her shoulders were slouched and her hands gripped the fabric of her dress, like she had used it to not scream out since the pain shot through her back. She stared at the floor, her thoughts tangled as she could not even think straight. 

It was like the wave of the sea, driven by the wind. Marie sat close to her, staring at her face and tilting her head for her to speak up and go on with what she had to say. She crossed her arms and her face was laced with impatience.

Lucy knew she could not ignore her forever and would— must eventually speak up. She took a brief look on Marie's face and let out a deep sigh. She was about to speak when Marie interrupted… as she didn't know Lucy was going to say something at the same moment.

“Well?” Marie asked, breaking the silence. “Are you going to tell me what happened, or should I start guessing? Because all I know is that you went to see Aiden only for you to come back this way.”

Lucy exhaled shakily, her fingers brushing over the faint mark of her lips. “It didn't go as planned with Aiden,” she began softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced up at Marie, guilt flickering in her eyes. “He… he… I don't know… but he left me after he talked about something I don't quite understand.”

Marie's brow furrowed as she leaned forward. “You don't quite understand what he talked about? What do you mean? So, was he the one who hurt you or what?” Her voice carried a note of urgency.

Lucy hesitated for a minute, her fingers brushing over her lips again. “He didn't injure me… he wouldn't but… but he bit me,” she finally admitted. “It wasn't intentional, I think… but it happened.”

Marie's expression hardened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Prince Aiden but you?” she questioned, her tone sounded sharp. Her mind seemed to race, searching for clarity to be sure if the words which Lucy had let out of her mouth were the truth.

Lucy shook her head. “But it wasn't like that,” she said quickly and paused for a moment before speaking up again. “He was different—I could sense something was off. I don't know how to explain it. But…” her words trailed off and her gaze fell to her lap.

“But what?” Marie pressed. Her eyes studied Lucy's face as if trying to piece the story together.

Lucy swallowed, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I was attacked,” she said. “After I left him. Five wolves. They were omegas… they surrounded me.” Her voice cracked slightly but she pushed on—well she'd got no choice as Marie would see that she spit out all the words from her mouth. “They wanted to kill me… and they were sent.”

Marie's swallowed hard. It was obvious and anyone could notice it as her jaw seemed to move. Her expression shifted as she furrowed her eyebrows in surprise. “You were attacked? By who?” she demanded, her voice rising even after guessing Lucy had no answer to that question.l but yet, she pressed on.

“Who do you think it might have been?” She shook her by the shoulder and immediately she said. “Sorry!” After which Lucy winced, holding her arms firmly like it was about to fall off. “I don't mean to… I'm sorry. I'm just trying to help out, you know. Tomorrow is the full moon and you can't be seen this way, not by Aiden.” 

“I know… I'm not just sure who it was.” 

“Then who?”she clasped her fingers with hers, her voice gentle. “We could start from there… don't you think?” 

Lucy nodded and sighed. “I think… it might be Isabella.”