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For everyone who loves the *tension* trope, this is for you ~ :,)

CHAPTER EIGHT | AMARA POV

My stomach growled in distress.

Promptly after Ezra left Hyacinth came rushing to me.

Communication must travel quickly around here.

As she ushered me through the corridor I couldn't help but look out the glass stained windows. Children ran and hearty laughter ensued-- the cheerful atmosphere quickly slips as my eyes widen at the sight. A large wolf stood right across from the children. I let out an audible gasp that steals Hyacinth's attention. Immediately she turns to see what I'm looking at, however, she doesn't reflect the same panic that I do.

Instead, she places a hand between my shoulder blades and ushers me forward with a gentle smile. "The wolves around here... they're not something to be afraid of."

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion at her words but reluctantly follow in her steps.

Her pace is quicker than earlier, leaving me not enough time to linger my gaze on the contents of outside.

"A wolf attacked me last night," I say, thoughtlessly. Immediately, I want to retract my words. As if saying it out loud solidifies that last night indeed happened.

But it wasn't a wolf.

It was Jace.

I shut my eyes tightly at this when I feel Hyacinth pause in steps at this.

"That wasn't a wolf." Came her icy response. She briskly continued her steps afterward, as if she said something she shouldn't have.

Her sudden response takes me aback. We fall into a tense silence before I dared to speak up again.

"Then what could it have been?" I ask, lowly as we turn towards a grand oak door. She places her palms on the doors.

Her answer comes whispery, but with enough spite to leave a bite in her words.

"A monster."

The doors were thrust open to reveal a grand dining room, The room fell into a soft hush, as weary eyes turned to me. I fought myself to not shift under the gazes.

Upon our entrance they wordlessly scatter, some out of the room, while some finish setting the grand dining table.

Hyacinth softly shakes her head at my look of discomfort. "Don't worry, they're just not used to new guests on this wing." Then leads me to the table.

The dining table stretches across the room, with enough seats for probably half of my apartment complex. Vast would be an understatement to describe the absurd grandeur. Hyacinth pulls the chair at the end of the table and gestures for me to sit. Meekly, I do.

I'm not used to being treated so royally, especially because these people don't know me. Why are they treating me so well?

Well, besides Giada who seems to be irritated when I breathe.

"Today's meal is lamb chops with garlic herbs and roasted potatoes, would that be okay?"

I raise my eyebrows, eyes widening to quarters. I woke up a hostage, I would've been grateful if they even remembered to feed me. This is a plot twist to say the least. "Yes, thank you." I respond to which she nods with a smile, "It should be served to you soon. Please wait here." At this she turns to leave.

"Wait!" I call at her retreating figure.

She pauses and spins on her heels with a quizzical expression.

"You're not going to join me?" I asked, well aware of how childish I may seem right now. But I've never been handed anything without something expected in return.

So what's the catch here?

Hyacinth shook her head at this with a soft smile, "No- servants can't feast with those outside their class."

Her words take me aback and before I could protest a response, she swiftly leaves the dining room.

Although I'm not alone in this room, I feel alone. No one dares to meet my gaze and seemed to speed up their tasks upon Hyacinth's leave.

Servants?

I've never encountered someone who calls themself a servant. I thought that era was left behind centuries ago.

A younger girl walks over with a metal pitcher and glass cup.

"Hi," I say, once she got close enough.

Her gaze snaps to mine in surprise. "Y-yes ma'am?"

I could feel her fear resonating off of her to my confusion, "I'm sorry for startling you, please don't be afraid."

At this she relaxes slightly, but waits cautiously for me to continue.

"I just need a small favor."

+

On queue, Hyacinth returned to escort me to my room as soon as I was done eating. As if I had to be monitored at all costs.

At this point I think there's been a mistake, these people clearly think I'm someone- or something I'm not.

Once we neared the door to my room, I briskly step forward to lengthen the distance between us. Then feel for the rubber band loosely hanging from my wrist. I internally thank the girl once again for this find.

I hope to God this works.

As we step closer I allow the rubber band to slip further down my wrist until it reached the tips of my fingers.

"Thank you for guiding me today," I say, as I turn to her, being sure to maintain eye contact. We pause at my door, and quickly I slip the rubber band onto the handle as I went to grip the handle.

She shakes her head, "Of course, it's my duty."

I nod at this as I twisted the knob open, and quickly crossed the rubber band, and looped it onto the other side of the knob.

As her gaze drifts from mine, I quickly scramble for words to say.

"Hyacinth," I call.

She pauses at this and gives me her full attention, with a slight raise in her brow.

"Where's Ezra?" I inquire in an effort to distract her.

At this she cracks a small smile, "You will see him, he can't stay away from you for long."

My face flushes at her words.

"You are my mate- I assume this is what the humans call a soulmate."

Ezra's words flit across my mind- to which I promptly push away.

She takes my moment of surprise as an opportunity to leave. The door shuts, with a click that follows, confirming that she locked the door.

I hold a breath, hoping that she didn't notice the rubber band. Thankful that it's not too thick, but hoping that it stayed obscured behind the large doorknob.

Once her steps were out of an earshot, I gingerly put a hand onto the handle.

Please let this work, I begged internally.

I sucked in a breath and pulled the door.

To my relief, it pulled open with ease. I never thought I would be thankful for my older sister's rebellious teen years. At least it taught me something.

I cautiously peak my view into the hallway, once confirming it was empty l softly step through the halls again. Then quietly closed the door behind me.

The hallway is painfully quiet. I attempt to make my steps as light as possible. Without the overbearing presence of being 'guarded', it's easier to notice the interior. How overwhelmingly breathtaking it all is.

One thing is for sure, Whoever owns this place is loaded. The most alluring part of it all is that nothing seems modern- it's almost as if centuries old interior were frozen here. I can't imagine how hard it must be to maintain everything to keep it all pristine as it is.

I turn the corridor, to face another extensive hallway. On the righthand side are the same uniform maple wood doors, on the opposite side lined directly in front are large multi lit windows.

The dying rays of light leak into the hallway, bathing everything into a golden hue. It almost distracts me from the task at hand. If there's something I'm sure of- Ezra does not intend to hurt me. Maybe if I can convince him I'm not who he thinks I am- he'll allow me to go home.

I begin my walk down the hall, with a light shiver that crawls up my arms.

Home. Next to the monster?

What the hell am I going to do?

Out of all the doors that lined the hallway, one stood out. I stepped closer, to examine its design. An emerald green, with an intricate gold line that ran across the wood expanse. The pull, a tug to go forward. A familiar feeling these past hours. Gingerly, I twist the knob open.

The room is bathed in a low, warm glow. For a moment I pause, giving myself time to adjust to the room lighting. My jaw slacks at the sight. Rows of bookshelves lined both sides of the large yet intimate room. At the center is a brick fireplace with two love seats before it. Seated there is Ezra. Eyebrows pushed together tensely in immense concentration, I could almost feel the frustration from him.

"You're supposed to be locked in your room."

My face falls at this and he shuts the book to turn his attention to me. I look away and  step out from behind the door and into the room.

"And I was" I respond, stepping closer to him until only the couch stood between us.

Ezra quirks an eyebrow, with an almost impressed expression. He nods at my words, seemingly amused, "What happened?"

I ignore his question, and cross my arms over my chest.

"I think you're mistaken. I'm not who you think I am."

He releases a light snort at my words and looks away incredulously. As if I just told him a joke.

"And who do you think I think you are?" He asks lowly, and rises from his seat.

I bit my lip, daring myself to answer. "Your soulmate," I mutter, feeling ridiculous having said it out loud.

To my surprise, he walks around the couch,  inching closer to me. Immediately my heart races, an almost electric feeling pours through my veins.

He must have noticed my sudden reaction because his lips crack into a small smirk as he takes another step closer until we are once again what feels to be a breath apart. My skin pricks with heat, and an ache to be closer.

I raise my gaze up to him, the slight stubble on his square jaw, the cupid bow of his lips-

"Look at me, and tell me that you feel nothing."

I release a shallow breath, fighting the erratic pounding in my chest. Then bring my line of vision up till I met his.

I clenched my fist, using all of my will to ignore everything else. "I. Feel. Nothing." I say through grit teeth.

His jaw clenches at this, and he raises a hand. I flinch at the sudden movement, to which he pauses, then cautiously moves to graze the side of my cheek.

I shiver on contact, and internally fight myself to hold it together. Almost begging myself at this point to keep it together.

He torturously brings his fingers slowly down the side of my neck and leans forward till his breath hovers over my ear. My heart stops at the sudden proximity.

"Don't lie to me." He warns, lowly.

END OF CHAPTER

hiii guys, i know it's a day latttee but I made it a little longer than usual to make up for it. <3

also what song reminds you of this book? :)