twenty one

The silky fabric caressed my bare arms as I moved them around, my hands turning into fists as they grabbed the unfamiliar blanket and tugged it closer to my sides.

My eyes fluttered open as I inhaled the seemingly fresh air, a delicious aroma filling my button nose, the smell of pine and vanilla. I found myself wanting more, sitting up as I searched the room with sleepy eyes, an ache in the side of my head appeared as the blood rushed up and I slowly lifted my small hand to touch the spot that hurt, leaning back into bed when I felt a bandage there.

Sighing contently, the need to stay in bed kept me from freaking out. My eyes searched the room that I was in, skimming over the fancy red curtains covering a window, going past the door that if I was to walk through I would just be entering another connected room, presumably an en-suite, but they stopped when their sights landed on a mirror that was on the wall next to me. I turned over on my side to see a woman, myself, with a blanket draped across my legs and just the top of my hip peeking out as I leaned on my elbow to look at myself.

My blonde hair flowing down in messy waves past my shoulders, I followed their patterns until I was able to see the thin and white strap slipping down my arm as it held up the rest of the nightgown, my hair length finally ending as it hit the top layer of the big bed.

Wait, when did I put this on?

I slipped off the cover as I slid out of bed, my bare feet touching the cold ground before I stood up and stretched my arms high above my head, watching my body in the mirror as the nightgown hauled up to be holding onto the top of my thighs, loosely wrapping around them.

And why is it so short?

My eyes wandered the area as I took quiet steps to the closed door in front of me, opening it just enough so that I could peek out through the narrow gap. I stuck my head out and looked at both ends of the hallway, only noticing the lovely detailed paintings on both walls, no people to be found.

Where is Flynn? I asked myself, the last time I seen him is when we made up after finding out about his secret.

I began hesitantly walking the hallway, my fingers tracing the side of the wall I was closest to as I tried to comb my hair with my other free hand, at least to make myself presentable if anyone shows up.

Just as I turned the corner, I bumped into someone, an 'oof' escaped me as a gasp came out of the other person.

"Oh, I'm sor-"

I was interrupted before I could finish my apology, "L-Luna, I'm so sorry!"

My eyes widened as I watched the beautiful brunette with high cheekbones in front of me stumble over her words, "I wasn't looking to where I was going and-and I was just in such a rush-oh, Luna, I'm so sorry!"

Her soft hazel eyes filled with a bit of water as her lips quivered lightly as if she was scared of my answer. Me, being someone much smaller and less threatening than her, eyed her with confusion. She doesn't think I'm Luna Rose, does she?

Her eyes searched the hall as she kept repeating her apology.

"Oh, um, it's okay," I dragged and tapped her arm in an attempt to calm her down, "I'm sorry too, it was just a little bump. I'm Amoret, you are?"

"Oh, Luna, my name is Faith," Faith introduced herself, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear as she looked down at me sheepishly, "I'm here to help, but I suppose nearly knocking you over isn't exactly what you would call helpful, is it?"

"I guess not," I giggled and smiled, "but, um, why do you keep calling me that? Where is Luna Rose?"

"Oh, uh, Luna," she looked down at me with pity as she wrapped her arm around mine, turning me to face the way I just came from, "I should take you back to your room now. I'm sure Alpha Kaius will explain everything to you soon."

She led me back to the room that I woke up in, barely any conversation between us as I picked at my nails, realizing that the cut I had on the side of my hand was healed and the bandage was long gone, even my nails were a bit longer than when I had seen them last.

"Here, Luna-" she gently moved me onto the bed before leaving to go into the connected room I hadn't checked, "I'll run you a nice bath, and then we can get you dressed in something comfortable."

"Oh, uh, okay," I agreed and watched how she left my sight, the sound of the water running in the background.

A few minutes later she came back, putting her hand out for me to follow. I went into the bathroom where I noticed candles lit and bottles of oils near, surrounding the tub.

"Would you like my help to bathe, Luna?" She asked me, waiting patiently for an answer as I looked at her awkwardly.

I shuffled my feet, "Oh, no, it's okay," I told her and watched as she left the room, closing the door. I gently took off the small nightgown and lowered myself in the bath full of water, the oils, that were already mixed in with the water, soaked into my skin.

Where is Luna Rose? Flynn?

After a while of sitting there, I decided to get up, wrapping a towel around myself before going back into the bedroom, to see Faith still there.

"Oh, Luna, you're out," she said and stood up taller as she held out a pile of clothes to me, "freshly cleaned."

"Thank you," I said and took the clothes into my hands. Looking anywhere but at Faith and asked, "Have you been waiting for me this whole time, or?"

"Yes," she admitted, "I have orders to be by your side in case you ever need anything, especially since you're only just now waking up."

"You don't have to do that," I told her and gripped the towel tighter, my cheeks getting hotter with my growing embarrassment, "I can do everything on my own just fine."

"I know, Luna," she smiled at my reaction, "but Alpha wanted to make sure you always had help if needed."

Ignoring her use of the word 'Alpha' I took a step back, "Well, I can find you if I need anything."

Faith nodded her head. "Would you like me to leave you alone while you get changed?"

"Yes, please," I said and smiled softly.

"I'll come check on you soon," Faith said and was about to leave the room, "would you like me to bring you anything?"

"Um, a snackie, maybe?" I questioned.

Faith let out an airy laugh, "Yes, of course. I'll bring you back a nice snack, Luna."

I quickly slid on the new dress, a simple yet elegant blue one that had long sleeves that flared at the ends, showing off my pale wrists. As I was getting changed, I mumbled to myself, "Am I some missing princess or something? Helping me with my bath, oh my, it's like I'm three again."

I took a seat on the bed, sinking into it immediately as I leaned back, curling up as I yawned. Why am I so sleepy? I put my face into the pillows as I sniffed the fragrance again, the smell of vanilla and pine getting distant.

I found myself dozing off.

•

My eyes twitched as I felt a hand over
my face, a gentle touch on my cheek, a loving stroke.

"Don't wake up," a deep voice shushed me, nearly lulling me back to sleep. I kept my eyes closed as the scent of pine and vanilla filled the air to the point where it was everywhere, engulfing me completely.

I let out a sleepy sigh as his hand ran his finger down my neck and ending at my waist, grabbing my side firmly as tingles spread throughout my entire body. Arching my back on impulse, pressing my chest up as his rough hand slipped around my waist and was placed on my lower back, holding me up as I felt him dip his head into the crook of my neck.

My hands went up and tangled themselves into the man's hair, a low growl slipped past his lips as I tugged.

But just as fast as he came, the soothing warmth of his hands left and soon after I heard the door close.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, my body begging for more. Noticing how dark it was, I turned towards the window next to me to find that it was open and cold wind was blowing in. From the light of the moon sneaking in, I was able to see that there was a tray on the side table that carried drinks and some types of different fruit.

Faith.

The sweet smell was still hanging in the air, I got up without even thinking and followed it, it led me back into the hallway where I kept walking with my bare feet hitting the ground gently, my steps making no sound.

I turned down the corner, my eyes locked onto a door that was open by just a crack. As I got closer, my hand wrapped around the side of the door and I peeked in. My blue eyes widening when I saw a tall figure leaning over a desk, his strong arms holding him up as his hands gripped the desk, slightly denting it. His dark hair covering his face as he noticeably looked down, and as I stared at his broad shoulders.

My breathing hitched, caught in my throat as I watched him slowly lift his head up, as if feeling someone was watching him, to reveal a nasty scar running down the side of his face and deep, cold forest green eyes.

Staring back at me.

W O R D  C O U N T : 1785

I was on another seven hour drive yesterday and I managed to write this. Just now, I looked it over and rewrote a few things.

Not exactly sure how I feel about it.

Anyway, the question, that I forgot to ask last chapter.

Who's your least favourite character and why?