43

ARTEMISIA
"The end," I mumbled, rolling on the vast bed as the rolling credit came on the screen. I shut the laptop I had been watching a movie on and gazed towards the white ceiling.
What next? I asked myself. I stretched forth my hand towards a paper I had listed what to do for the weekend that was sitting on the nightstand.
"Watch the night sky," I mumbled.
I leapt out of bed, darted to the closed window, opened it and lifted my face towards the sky.
It was very much the same these past weeks. Cloudless, full moon with a lot of stars decorating it.
I enjoyed staring out of the window whilst letting the wind caressed my face.
But tonight, I wanted to do something different. Maybe something quite dangerous as Sin would term It.
Sin.
Since five days ago, he left home. Not only him, but he had assembled some of the werewolves of higher ranks to go hunting.
I had attempted to talk him out of going because the word hunting frightened me.
He said it was for the benefit of the recruits so they would adapt to the life of being a werewolf and also, it was for them to resist the urge of hunger because a lot of humans had immigrated into Merene.
Merene was a greener pasture to a lot of people. It had whatever they wanted and it was also a helpful location. Or was it because Sin was in charge? I was sure if it was someone else, like Laurent, it might be worse.
Everyone was provided with jobs, whether small or large. So far, they could handle it.
Moreover, the tax collected from them was little compared to Lanes, where I had come from.
Again, the reason Sin had left Merene was because he didn't want the humans to be snacks to the recruits.
Nevertheless, despite my plea, he didn't back down. He promised to come back in one piece which I didn't believe.
I didn't know who was going with him, but I know Laurent was. So, I went to meet him to bring him back home safely and the pervert, like he always had been, said, I should strip for my request to be granted.
I gag, thinking of it now. That was the last thing I would do. Stripping in front of Laurent wasn't only revolting, it was an insult too.
No matter how bad he wanted me, I wouldn't give him. I was certain he was waiting for me to do something that would embarrass Sin.
I sighed, shaking my head. I stepped towards the wardrobe, wore something comfortable as I believe it was freezing outside.
After assessing myself in the mirror, I walked out of the door towards the garden which had become my favourite place.
I inhaled deeply, then let it out. I untied my hair from the ponytail it was in and let it cascade down my back.
A grin broke out on my face as I stepped into the middle of the garden. It was beautiful and serene. A perfect place to have a discussion with your partner whilst staring at the sky.
I desired to be out at this time with Sin. However, having known about werewolves and what they could do to me because I was a human, I didn't think he would agree to the idea of me being out.
If he was in the house, I was sure he would be out searching for me and who knows, I might get spanked like the last time.
A howl snapped me out of my thoughts and I glanced around. Sin had said a howl could mean, a werewolf was alerting the others of impending danger or it could mean it had caught an intruder or maybe a snack.
At least, it wasn't close to where I was, I could have said it had caught my scent and alerted the others to come snack on me.
Shrugging, I let my eyes travel back to the sky.
A growl sounded from where I was. Reluctantly, I peeled my eyes from the sky. It was the third time I was hearing it. I wonder if the wolf that had howled was closer to me.
I narrowed my eyes whilst watching the leaves as they rustled. The back of my neck tingle as well and my palm was becoming sweaty.
I was frightened and I had not even seen what was making me feel that way.
It wasn't long though as a werewolf appeared in front of me. I knew it was one because it wasn't the regular size of the normal wolves. Or maybe it was because I hadn't seen one before.
It seemed scary as it glared into my eyes, but I dared not let my eyes stray away from it.
I wondered how it had appeared without me noticing. Also, I mused on what could be going on in its head.
Perhaps, it was thinking of how to tear me from limbs to limbs as it was assessing me.
The good thing was, it hadn't made a move. It was still where it was and I was still alive.
Enough time for me to dart inside the house.
Nonetheless, considering my sprint records, I was certain it would catch up with me. I wasn't the best when it came to sprinting.
I loathed exercise. One of the reasons I didn't join the track team or even the cheerleaders. Even when Julie, who had the privilege to bring a member, asked me I had declined. I didn't like stressing myself even though it was said keeping fit was good for the body.
The first time I had tried running, was the last. I ached for weeks and I could barely feel my body as it was achy.
The growl from the beast snapped me out of my thoughts and I gazed back at it.
"W-wait!" I stuttered, holding out my hand whilst stepping backwards. I tumbled backwards as the back of my leg collided with a bench.
I landed on the bench with a thud and I let out a grimace. My eyes were shut all along and I tried opening it after some while to see if the beast was on top of me or maybe fled away. I was aware it was only a miracle that could make it flee and maybe Sinclair.
All the werewolves I encountered, both the first time I saw him and the time I arrived at Merene, had fled whenever he appeared.
Maybe it had something to do with being an Alpha.
My eyes widened and I lurched as something sniffed my legs.
"Stop!"
Surprisingly, the wolf adhered to my request and halted. However, it was in front of me, sniffing me out.
Weird!
My heart pounded as it continued sniffing me. I could hear my heartbeats and I clutched my chest as I felt the familiar surge of a panic attack. My chest tightened and I groaned.
I shivered, nauseous rose from my stomach to my throat and I tried my very best to push it down.
"I won't panic." I chanted, breathing hard as I gazed at the werewolf whilst thinking about what he would do to me next.
After a few seconds of sniffing, it stopped and sat in front of me. I yelped as its soulful black eyes stared at me.
I found myself getting lost in them and it felt oddly nice. It seemed like I could connect with it.
I felt we were both lonely, looking for our place in this world. Maybe, I should not say I was lonely because I had Sin now.
But before he came, I was.
I flinched as it leaned towards me. It didn't want to kill me because if it was, it wouldn't sit in front of me.
My hand shot out and before I could stop myself, I boldly touched the fur. My hand stayed on it and I waited to see if it would tear my hand away.
I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
The texture of the fur was soft and smooth, like an infant's hair.
It whimpered and leaned more into my touch, enjoying what I was doing.
I should be frightened and covering my body with the duvet whilst curling into a fetal position on the bed, rather I was smiling.
All werewolves weren't bad after all. I believed it was the same for Sin because he believed he was a monster and had tried to distance himself from me. But I saw the good in him and I made him believe he was good and not as awful as he thought.
I wished this black wolf would shift so I could see if he was attractive. Even though I hadn't seen an ugly one before, I wished to know.
"What?" I raised my brows, staring at it. It stared back at me. I could have sworn it said something like, 'You want to see me shift?'
But I wasn't sure.
Animals don't talk, right? They sure don't.
After a few more minutes, I stood from the chair whilst glancing at my watch.
I had wanted to spend ten minutes outside but I had spent an hour instead. I guess it was due to the arrival of the wolf.
"I need to go," I mumbled as it whined.
I didn't know why I was telling it. I giggled, thinking of what Julie would say if she saw me talking to it.
"Besides, you should leave. I dont think it would be a good idea to be out here." I said, glancing at the castle.
I saw the light come on and several shadows. Perhaps, someone noticed I wasn't in the room and had gone out to search for me. I wondered what they would do to it if they saw it outside.
It nodded, meaning it understood what I was saying. Before I could say anything, it leapt into the woods, sprinting away.
"Here you are!" Julie breathed out.
"Here I am," I replied, grinning.
She glared at me, turning me around. "Stop leaving the safety of the house, Sinclair promised to strangle me if anything happened to you."
"I'm sure he didn't mean that."
"Perhaps, you don't know how scary your husband can be."
I do know he was frightening but I didn't think he would harm Julie if something happened to me.
"Just don't leave the room anymore, Okay?"
"Yes ma'am." I saluted her, then burst out into a fit of giggles.
After bidding her farewell, I sighed as I stepped into my room. At least today wasn't a waste. I walked to the nightstand, grabbed the paper and ticked, watching the sky.
I hadn't only enjoyed it, I had made a friend with an animal.
It was weird, but I loved it.