Chapter 21:

Three days passed by in a blur. I was in and out of sleep, but my body was healing fast. Dmitry had not left my side since the attack and every time, I would open my eyes with him there. I was on cloud nine with all the attention from him. They have not given me any more details about their...life. Their supernatural lifestyle. Every time I asked, Dmitry would just say 'not yet', and I left it there, but now it was starting to irritate me. Even though I now knew more, I still believed that they were leaving a lot out.

Gina would come in the mornings and urge Dmitry to go and shower, they hardly got along, always bickering about something. Gina and Olive would sit with me and talk about some of their stories like; how Gina was married to a werewolf and thus knew of their existence. She also said that Frigg nor anyone else in her family knew that since the werewolf gene was dormant. Dalia talked more about witches and how they lived, that they all formed part of a coven and that it was also ruled by an individual called Leviathan. Apparently, he was very dangerous and was encouraged that I never trust him, if or when I meet him. Dmitry added that he was a 'douchbag'.

Dmitry though did not share much. He shared some comments here and there, but nothing big. He just sat next to me, rubbing and holding my hand, leaving those wonderful sparks. He ate with me, got me water, helped me to the bathroom and even slept next to the bed on a couch. I told him that he should rest on the bed next door, but he was persistent.

"I want to go outside. Please, I have been stuck in this room for far too long and look," I motioned to my then faint bruises, "There almost healed."

"I don't think that is a good idea, you are still very weak."

"Well, you can either come with me or... I'll sneak out when you're not here." I challenged. I knew arguing with him will not work, but threatening of going somewhere without his knowledge changed his mind quickly.

"I said no." I lifted my eyebrow to him in a challenge.

"Okay," I smirked at him looking in front of me.

"Fine." He grumbled in defeat, knowing I will do as I said. I ripped the blankets off me with a big smile and touched my feet to the floor, but before I could get any farther, Dmitry had me in his arms. He picked me up bridal style and walked with me out the door.

"You know I can walk on my own right."

"Yes, but I don't want you to get hurt. You may be able to walk, but we still need to go down the stairs and I am not taking the chance of you weakening at the stairs and tumbling down."

"You know you could have just said you wanted to carry me, right?" I joked at him, but he gave me a playful glare. Secretly I liked him carrying me, I felt safe in his arm, even if he was a werewolf. It was strange how I trusted him, without even truly knowing him. We have only met a few times, but every time he was near me, my heart would beat faster, my mind would go into overdrive and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I felt content and at peace with him near me, like my body reacted to him similar to bees over delicate flowers. He was my sweet nectar that I needed to survive. It scared me a bit. I have never felt like this before. I felt at peace.

"Place me down, please." I asked him when we got outside, "I want to feel the grass on my feet." He placed me on my feet, the grass wet from the morning rain. It felt like little pillows under my feet. The roses in Olive's garden were blooming and gave off their luscious scents. It was a nice mixture with the woodsy smell of Dmitry. He stood next to me, looking at me with warmth. I could not read his face. He held it stoic, but his eyes held all kinds of emotion, making me wonder what pain he had to experience to have mastered the arts of stoicism.

Laughter filled the air and some kids ran past Olive's house. The loud sound scared me and the sudden realisation of me being surrounded by werewolves, settled a fear within me. Though Dmitry and Olive would not harm me, it was not to say that the others won't. Even a child werewolf could possibly harm me. I sprung closer to Dmitry and with my sudden panic state, he immediately wrapped his arms around me.

"Don't stress. They won't harm you, not with me by your side." He whispered into my ear, making my spine shiver, "I won't let them." He pressed his forehead to the side of my head, his breaths hitting my neck. He breathed in and out slowly.

"Sorry, it is all overwhelming. Those wolves that attacked me, did you know them?" he chuckled at my question and pulled me closer.

"No, remember how I told you about my business and how I was the boss of many people?"

"Yes?"

"Well you see, there are thousands of them, I cannot know all."

"Oh." We started to slowly move to a picnic bench under a tree. The people were vanishing away like they were told to. Swiftly and peacefully, they moved away and out of sight.

"Those wolves that attacked you are called rogues,"

"Olive told me about the rogues, they are not a part of your community." I interrupted him, remembering Olive mentioning them to me before my and Dmitry's date.

"Pack."

"Pack?"

"The Community is called a pack. Werewolves live in packs, groups of werewolves together in one setting. It is safer and more manageable to live in secrecy."

"Are you the boss of them all?" It was strange how the pieces started to connect. Everything they have told me so far were slowly fitting into each other, making me curious for more.

"In away. I am the Alpha King, so I make the rules." He was a King, how fitting with him, he sure looked the part.

"You said that you have a business and that CEO's work under you, is that a part of the... pack?"

"Yes, I am the King and have many under me. The 'CEOs' are called Alpha's and they run a pack. They are like a leader of a group, but still, need to follow my command. Michael is an Alpha."

"Really?" he nodded his head in reassurance, "That's why Olive said that he build the estate or...pack."

"Yes, and under him works a Beta and so forth till you get the normal werewolves who are just pack-members. They all work under the Alphas, usually at a workplace they own or what I own. It makes it easier to hide the fact that they are werewolves, but most packs are located in small towns near wooded areas like Fortbridge."

"Do you have a pack?"

"Yes, it is called the Royal pack. It is located in Russia where I live, but like I said... all packs are my pack."

"You protected them all."

"Yes." We sat on the bench, Dmitry opposite me. His knee brushed against mine while he took my hands into his ginormous ones.

"Do you miss Russia? Are you going back?"

"Yes. I am going back soon."

"Oh." It saddened my mood to think that he was to leave me. My heart suddenly ached at the fact.

"What is wrong?" he asked as she sensed the mood change.

"Nothing... I am just sad that you'll be leaving so soon." He clears his throat.

"I wanted to talk to you about that." He looked nervous playing with my hands. "I want you to come with me to Russia." He was not asking but implying. My heart skipped a beat in excitement. My inner voice nagged me to say yes and kiss him, but my logic was shocked. I barely knew him to join him in Russia. Furthermore, what do I say to my parents, 'HI mum and dad, I'll be leaving for Russia with a total stranger. Bye.'. That will freak them out.

"Hope?" Dmitry looked confused into my eyes.

"I...I can't do that, I mean there are many logical problems with that. I barely know you and you're a werewolf and then there is my parents and Gina and Olive and..." I rumbled in uncertainty.

"Shh..." he shushed me, "I know, but do you want to?"

"Yes, I guess. It would be cool, and I do want to spend more time with you." Realising what I just said my cheeks heat up and I can't look him in the face. Dmitry realizes his one hand from my grasp and tilted my face to look at him.

"Good, because there is no way you are staying here."

"What?"

"You are in great danger,"

"But my family."

"They are safe, and I will handle them. You must understand; I can't let you go with knowing our secret. It is against our rules."

"Dmitry you are scaring me, what if I want to stay here. With Olive. I won't be breaking a rule then? I'll live in their pack." I pluck my hands from his and stand up. Dmitry looked furious at me and stood up to his towering height, dominating the surrounding. I did not cower; he was implying that I did not have a say in my life. Even if I said no to Russia, he was going to take me. He was going to force me to leave my family and friends behind.

"There is no other way. You will be leaving with me to Russia in two days' time." What! Was he truly forcing me to go now? The once happy and calm atmosphere changed dark. I and Dmitry were glaring at one another, neither of us backing down. It was a battle of dominance. It was hard not looking away and cower, Dmitry radiated dominance.

"No, I don't want to anymore. You can't abduct me."

"You will be surprised." He smirked my way. Feeling my courage slipping, I turn around and walked back to Olive's house. Before I could take even two steps Dmitry was in front of me, grabbing me and pulling me closer to him. He was growling inhumanly, his chest vibrating violently.

"You can't control me like your Alphas." I shook him free of me and rushed to my room. Out of breath and in pain, not knowing if it was from the treacherous stairs or my first fight with Dmitry, I sank down to the floor and cried. The tears streaming down my face in masses. I curled myself in futile position and let out all my frustrations of the past few weeks.

After hours of crying, my swollen eyes started to shut out of exhaustion. Before I was fully asleep, I felt the air move around me. strong arms have picked me up and placed me on the bed. They dragged the soft blankets over my defeated body and kissed me softly on the ear.

"I can't lose you again, my Hope."

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