5. A glimpse of trouble

Gianna

"Mrs. Rosa, I'm hungry!" Maria stepped in positioning herself beside me. I entered the kitchen and met the woman cooking too.

"Well, you know I don't delay breakfast. Just be patient" The woman answered as she mix the wet and dry ingredients together.

Maria tapped her foot on the floor pushing her lips forward. I find it hard not to laugh whenever she's behaving that way. So much like a small kid.

"Don't you have any work to do?" I don't know whether the question was directed at me, Maria or both the two of us. Maria and I glance at each other.

"Me or Maria?" I asked.

"The two of you. You girls should not disturb me with too much talk"

"I'm back from cleaning the garden. What I need right now is a hot tea and your heavens on earth bread"

"I'm done with my morning work. I need a hot tea too" I copied Maria's action. We thought the woman will lash out receiving silence from her but later, she turned to face us.

"Now you believe I make delicious meals" The corner of her lips was twitched up a little.

"We do. You know right from the moment I tasted your food for the first time, I knew no food will match up to yours. A great cooker with blessed hands" I could swear I saw her roll her eyes.

"Alright. Enough of the flattering. You guys should go wait. I don't want to get distracted"

"Alright. Mrs. Rosa" Maria grabbed my wrist and we walked out of the kitchen.

"Let's go outside. I want to get a fresh hair while I wait" I like the idea of that too. I've not really stepped out since yesterday that we came back from Mrs. Marissa's house.

As we stepped outside, the morning breeze cascade through the surrounding sending cold down my skin. "Let's go for jogging" Maria blurted out all of a sudden.

"In this outfit?" I said looking at our bodies.

"Ofcourse. No one will mind that. I don't  even care" She ended with a roll of her eyes. Well, I'm very convinced the weirdness isn't only around the pack house but the people in it.

"You coming or not?"

"I will"

And we started jogging in a slow pace. Toward the other direction which was clouded with haze. Maria was the one taking it that serious. I was only walking. I feel weird running in a dress. Like how can someone do that?

"Move your body with strength" A panting Maria uttered stopping to catch her breath. She was only jogging. Just imagine how she'd turn out if she was running instead.

"I don't have that strength. I've not eaten. I don't want to pass out. My wolf can't take it" She rolled her eyes in return.

"I see. You're just lazy. Let's run up to that lane" She pointed towards another quite path. This time around, I put in extra speed as we jogged there stopping at a resting bench.

I sunk in a deep breath trying to steady my breathing. "I feel so suffocated. I need water" I said while panting throwing light fist on my chest.

"There's a small lake few walks from here. Let's go there" I turned to her in surprise. "Another walk again? I'm tired"

"But you said you're thirsty"

Yes I did say that but walking extra steps is another big situation. Nevertheless, I might faint at any moment. I lazily carried myself off the bench. Maria was already walking away. I followed suit and we yet made another way into the unfamiliar path.

We arrived at the small lake. The scenery was calm and quite. It will be a best place to clear off your head. "I like the aura around this place" I said bending down to Maria's level as she crashed down on the ground removing her shoes on the accord.

"Yeah. But then people find it hard to come here. I don't know whether they don't enjoy how the weather is around here. I find solace here. Whenever I needed to clear my head, I come. Away from any disturbance"

She's right. Like I said it will be a perfect place to clear out one's head. You will lose yourself in the dept of it. "How often do you come here?" I asked joining my palms together to fetch the water. I splashed it on my face. Doing the same again and drank from it. I felt relieved as my dry throat got energized again.

"A lot of times. But lately, I've not been coming"

I nodded in understanding glancing around. There were literally few houses around. And by the looks of it, it's vacant. That's if I'm not mistaken. "But aren't there people around here?"

"Something happened few years ago. An unfortunate event. From then people stopped coming. The unfortunate event has already been tainted here"

"I don't quietly get you?" I adjusted myself on the ground the way I will be sitting more comfortable and get the full details of the story. "Are you saying like this place is hunted or something like it is banned?"

"I don't know how to put it but people stopped coming even before the Alpha gave the strict rule. Because there was a time, someone went through the depths of the forest and he didn't come back" I couldn't help but shudder at her revelation.

Like was it that serious to the extent of someone losing his life. All of a sudden, I felt conscious of the surrounding. I rose up to a standing position. "I think we should get going. Mrs. Rosa should be done with breakfast"

Maria burst into a fit of laughter in return. "What's funny?" I asked my brows knitting at her action.

"Why getting scared. Nothing is going to happen to you. In as much as you don't go far into the forest" Somehow my mind wasn't calm. I just want to leave the place. Not after hearing a side of the story.

"I know. Let's just go back" She was still laughing when we embark on our way out of the place. I kept glancing back every minute. "Seriously Gianna. I didn't know you are a scary cat. I used to come here alone and nothing happened to me" I didn't care to answer her. Unless if I see myself back at home. I won't be able to stay calm.

**

I couldn't calm my racing heart when I went back to the room. The event that transpired in the dining room replayed in my head. How the man touched my body with no shame in him. And the worst part is Alpha Marco was watching him as he day bad words. By one glance you'd know he's nothing but a womanizer. The look in Alpha's eyes when I yanked my man's hands away from my body as it was getting too much.

Maria noticed my changed demeanor. "What is wrong Gianna?" She asked. I tried as much as I can to steady my racing heart but when I think of how his hand touched my behind it made me feel disgusted and somewhat angry.

"Nothing. I'm fine" I uttered forcing out a smile. Maria doesn't look convinced with what I said.

"You l-" She didn't get to finish what she was going to say. Selena walked in.

"Gianna your attention is needed at the sitting room"

Maria and I looked at each other. "Let's go and see" With the way my heart was thumping inside, I know something is about to go wrong. My heart almost ripped out of it's socket when I met with Alpha Marco and the same man who touched my body.

My eyes shifted to Lady Hera who was looking at me with scornful eyes. "You called for me Sir" I asserted casting my head down. I could feel the burning gaze of them on me.

"Why did you decide to disgrace me in front of my friends earlier?"

Okay I wasn't expecting that. I don't think he should be the one to mention disgrace when I was the victim. "Sir I didn't disgrace you. I just think it's inappropriate and uncomfortable for me" I answered calmly.

"You call me inappropriate?" This time around it was the man who spoke up his voice in a high pitch.

"I'm sorry Sir. I didn't mean to make you angry. Its uncomfortable for me a-"

"You must be stupid!" Lady Hera chirped in. "You have the guts to say it's inappropriate. Are you trying to tell us we don't know what is appropriate and what is not?"

"I dare n-"

"Shut that mouth up" my body flinch a little from her shouts. "I'm sorry for her behavior Mr. Dave Matthews"

"I actually like that attitude. She piqued my interest. If you won't mind Alpha Marco, I would like to take her with me to the city" I felt as if a hammer has been slammed on my head as I heard the words. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the man a smile was plastered on his face. I wouldn't have to be told what type of smile it was. Full of lust. 

There's no way I would follow the man. Hell no.

"I'm sorry Sir but I enjoyed working here" I said.

"See you. Just because you enjoy working here doesn't mean you will keep working here. We can decide to transfer you to another place just like the way Alberet brought you here" I felt something hit me across the chest when she said that.

“That wouldn't be a problem Matthew. We'll discuss tomorrow at the office” Laughter follows.

“Alright then. I know you don't disappoint” The man said.

“You may go” Lady Hera snapped. I slowly sauntered my way out.

The moment I stepped inside I was attacked by looks from the girls. An unpleasant look. “What did I just hear Alpha Marco saying. It can't possibly be what I'm thinking. That man is obviously a womanizer”

“Did he try touching you?” Claire chirped in walking her way towards us.

“Yes. And I yanked my hands away which made Alpha angry”

“I knew it. I knew that man isn't a good man. He did that with me too. More than once. I couldn't have courage to do anything. I'm glad you have that courage. But then Alpha Marco isn't reasoning with the situation. He's clearly taking his side. Same goes with his wife”

There's no way I'm going to follow that man. I have to think of better way to convince Lady Hera.

My mind wasn't calm all through the rest of the day. What transpired earlier kept ringing in my head. To clear up my head, I got out of bed and made a walk out of the room. The girl are already sleeping. “Where are you going this night?” Mrs. Rosa stopped me as she was closing the door of the kitchen.

“I want to clear off my head. I won't stay long”

“Alright. Be careful” I nodded with a small smile and sauntered for the door. The surrounding was quite and getting dark. Although it's not that late in the night. I decided to take a stroll to where Maria and I visited the last time. It will be good to clear out my head from everything. I crashed down on the sandy surface and allow the breeze to cascade through my body. I was in that position for more than five minutes before something catch my eyes.

I sat up straight and look towards the direction. It was as if I was being called there. I made slow advances through there. I was met with a gate. Somehow last time I didn't see it or maybe I didn't notice. The place was dusty.

I remembered Maria’s words the other day that someone went there and didn't come back. Is she referring to it? Curiosity raised in me. I was curious to find out what was behind the gate. Not knowing I was putting myself into trouble.

I didn't put too much pressure on the gate when it made a sound. My brows furrow. I gently pushed it open and slowly stepped in. The moment I pulled my other foot inside, the gate made a loud sound and immediately closed. I jolted back at the action. Everywhere was filled with grasses and cobwebs.

I wobble back when I felt a figure approaching me. It was dark so I wasn't able to make out who it was. A human being or ghost. I find anything possible to use as weapon yet the surrounding was scanty and the figure kept approaching. I don't want to shift to my wolf form to reveal my identity. I don't know whether the figure is a demon that came to kill me.

"Who.. Are you?" I stuttered shifting more back. All of a sudden the figure halted in his steps.

"Who are you?" His deep accent voice revamped to my eardrums. Somehow his voice wasn't normal to me.

"I asked you first" I don't know why I was acting brave at that particular moment.

"We don't welcome intruders here. Show yourself"

Show myself? I repeated in my head. What does he mean by that? Is he talking about my wolf form? My eyes darted left to right in the dark.

"I don't understand. Can't you see me? I'm not a ghost" I exclaimed touching all over my body. He has marched forward once again. And I was left with no other way to escape.

"You-" My words got stucked in my throat when my mouth was covered with a cloth and I found myself being pulled away. With all my attempt trying to free myself from the hold, I couldn't. His strong hands were tightly secured on my wrist.

"Mnm.. Mnm"

"Better behave yourself. I'm taking you to my master. You will explain yourself there"

Master? Which master? Which in God's name is happening.

Seeing I have no option. Even if I try to free myself it will be in vain. So, I maintain composure and allow him to take me to his master. It was a long walk. I wonder if there are any houses around. We entered through another gate. I was shocked seeing the clean yet quite surrounding. I didn't get time to dwell on it when he pulled me away.

The sound of keys jiggling followed by him pushing the door open. I was greeted with a big room. I jolted forward when the door was shut behind me. He removed the cloth. I exhale out a sharp breath. I could finally breath properly. “Move forward” The man snapped nudging me by the shoulder.

I walked forward not knowing where I to go. “Welcome Sir Vito” A woman appeared from nowhere with a tray and a cup atop it.

“Thank you Cindy. Go inform master that I've gotten the intruder”

“Okay Sir” And she walk upstairs.

“Am I the intruder?” I asked an annoyed chuckle escaping me. Seriously?

“Exactly what you heard” I couldn't believe my ears. I myself don't know how I ended up inside yet he's calling me an intruder.

“Vito”My face snapped towards the source of voice. I could swear my heart did a flip. For a moment everything went still. Somehow I felt like my inner wolf ignites. Something that rarely happens.

“She’s the intruder master” The man who was called Vito uttered.

He walked down the stairs his robe flowing down the floor. Somehow the aura lurking around him disturbed me. It made me uncomfortable. I watched as he grabbed his seat on one of the sofas.

“Who are you working for?” Came his question.

My brows knit in confusion. “I don't understand who I'm working for. I'm supposed to be the one to ask you people. Why am I here” I asserted sparing the two a glance.

“Vito how did she get in? I thought you said the blood moon is in three days which is tomorrow. What happened?”