Chapter 29: The Host

Sleepily stirring from her slumber, Alinta shot up as she recalled what happened before she passed out. Waking up in an unfamiliar bed frightened both her and Angela. Her wolf was aggressive and on edge, ready to annihilate, frustration evident at her repeated failures to protect them.

Alinta, on the other hand, trembled at the thought of what might have happened while they were unconscious. Checking her body for any pain or bruises, she closed her eyes and held her breath to examine her vulnerable areas. Alinta sighed in relief, realising she was untouched. This news calmed Angela somewhat, but her anxiety to escape matched Alinta's determination.

"What the hell happened? Did that jerk kidnap us?!" Angela growled anxiously.

"I don't think so. Before I passed out, I remember he was thrown off of us," Alinta replied, shivering at the memory.

"Als!" Angela barked nervously.

"What?" Alinta jumped.

"I’m trapped! That creepy black plant grew around me and it's fucking massive! I can't jump over it or get past it. It's going to take over the whole forest."

"Shit! Try to remain calm, Ange, and please don't do anything reckless. We will find a way out of here as soon as possible," Alinta reassured her frantic wolf. With determination in her heart, Alinta began to focus on her surroundings, allowing her wolf senses to take over. She hoped to hear, see, or smell anything that could give her clues about where she was or how to escape unnoticed. After a moment of silence, all she could hear was her jittery heartbeat. As she looked around, she realized the walls were covered in soundproof padding. When she began to sniff the air, a subtly familiar, gorgonizing scent overwhelmed her, making her feel vulnerable and numb.

"Bellinor?" she muttered under her breath.

"It smells like his cologne, but there’s another scent mixed with it—one that makes me believe it’s not him. It’s as if another man is using the same toilet water if that makes sense."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Alinta replied softly, still unnerved.

She examined her attire and observed she was wearing a beautiful, long white silk nightdress. Wiping her eyes, she discovered her makeup was removed as well. The blood drained from Alinta's face as she realised that whoever cleaned and dressed her had seen her bareness.

"Ange," she called in a trembling voice.

"Okay, okay, just take it easy. The padded walls look suspicious as fuck! Maybe it was a woman who cleaned you up? Look, you are not harmed or assaulted, thank the Moon. Maybe it isn't Bellinor?"

"I hope you’re right, Ange, but…” Alinta paused when she saw a large bouquet of deep red roses on a dressing table at the foot of the bed. A bad taste developed in her mouth as she noticed some neatly folded clothes next to the vase and a red envelope resting peacefully on the bundle. Cautiously, she climbed out of bed to inspect the rest of the room. Alinta looked around like a nervous animal. Not finding anything of use, she decided to take the envelope and open it.

A strong whiff of cologne exploded into her face. She momentarily forgot that her wolf senses were heightened, causing her to sneeze multiple times. "Holy shit, that was unexpected," Alinta coughed, wrinkling her nose. "That's definitely Bellinor's stink; I hate that smell with a passion."

"No kidding! Open the letter. What does it say?"

My dear fair guest,

Do not be afraid; I saved you from that vile man who dared to hurt you.

Please see the clothes I have left for you. The room you are in has an ensuite bathroom; feel free to use it. I have stocked a variety of toiletries for your comfort. Once you are ready, ring the bell next to your bed, and someone will come to escort you so that we can meet.

Please take your time, for there is no need to rush.

“Thinking what I’m thinking?”

“The sooner I get cleaned up and dressed, the sooner we get out of here?” Alinta asked resolutely.

“Bingo!”

“Yes, uh,” Alinta stared at the letter once more, pondering deeply as something came to mind.

“Come on, spit it out! Even though I have an idea of what you are thinking, I still want to hear it,” Angela whined as she sensed her person's uneasiness.

Alinta folded the letter and tossed it aside as if it was burning her fingers. Then stated, “Even though this whole situation is somewhat confusing, I can't ditch the feeling that this has Bellinor written all over it. If it is him, he is completely insane, and we need to disappear—not just from here, but from Umber Valley and everyone who knows us.”

"That’s a bit extreme, but I share the same sentiment. I wouldn’t be surprised if he orchestrated this whole damn thing. Though on the other hand, I'm sure he would have acted out his plan sooner instead of stalking us for years on end," Angela uttered thoughtfully.

"That is precisely what I am having trouble with unless he was waiting for an opportunity to present itself, giving him a chance to play hero?"

"Then he is a patient motherfucker! Though I honestly can't say, only that I do not trust him or his mongrel and anything is possible!"

"Hear, hear! Anyway, let’s freshen up and see if we can sneak out that large window..." Alinta's heart fluttered as she stopped in mid-sentence. "Ange, Orion, he’s here!" Alinta almost squealed.

Angela felt their bond and howled with excitement! Their mate was close. She tried to reach Silas, but it was as if there was a barrier between them. She was taken aback, wondering why he was blocking her out. Though that did not deter her feelings for him, surely he had a good reason for it.

Alinta wasted no time and quickly rushed to the bathroom. Once she undressed, she gazed tenderly at her fated mark, but upon seeing it, she gasped. She rubbed it fiercely, hoping its colour would return to normal. "Ange, it’s black! Our fated mark is black, and it looks different!" she cried, her voice quavering as she continued to touch it.

"Black?" Angela barked in shock, then looked at her left paw pad and saw the same thing. "I bet it has something to do with these weeds here," Angela growled at the towering intimidating rose bushes, with her ears back and teeth flashing.

"We need to get out of here as soon as possible," Alinta declared, her resolve clear. She skipped taking a bath, quickly washed her face, got dressed, and headed toward the bedroom door. As she quietly turned the handle and opened it, she asked her wolf, "Surely if Bellinor brought us here, the door would have been locked?"

"Onyx definitely would have opted for that, so hopefully our host is not him," Angela growled at the possibility.

Now with more confidence, Alinta peeked from the frame of the door, ensuring the coast was clear. She closed her eyes, placing a hand over her heart, feeling for her mate. “He's close, Ange! I can’t believe he actually came for us,” Alinta said, tears welling up.

"I told you!" Angela sang excitedly. "Let’s go find our mate!"

Alinta cautiously followed the pull of their bond. She climbed up some stairs and walked across a long connecting hall before abruptly stopping at a grandly extravagant hand-carved oak door. "He is in there!" she whispered excitedly, clutching at her chest over her heart.

"What should we do? Do you think he’s talking to our host?" Angela asked, intrigued.

Before Alinta could respond, the door flung open. "My darling!" Bellinor exclaimed with open arms as his eyes landed on the frightened woman.

"Crassus!" Alinta yelped instantly retreating from his reach. She was horrified at his presence but became rooted to the spot as she felt her heart flutter in a strange but subtle way. She brushed the sensation off, thinking it was her nerves.

"Surprise, my dear," he sang, with an endearing expression.

Alinta nervously cleared her throat, struggling to find the right words. “It, was you? Uh, thank you for saving me last night,” she murmured halfheartedly while trying to steal glimpses behind the large man, desperate to see her mate.

“Oh, my darling, you mean the night before yesterday. You have been asleep for a whole day and a half! Come in,” he coaxed gently, moving out of the way.