Chapter 26

Lola's POV
Running. Something was after me and I was running fast, my breath becoming short. I didn't know where I was going, but as long as my legs carried me to a place far away from the darkness after me, I couldn't care less
I whimpered in fear hearing their vicious growls but nonetheless didn't stop. Tears streamed down my face, my vision became blurry, the forest turning into a blur of colors
But I tripped, my foot stuck in one of the trunk branches and I let out a strangled sound as I hit the ground. I tried getting up, ferociously tugging my leg out of the it, staring at the creatures coming nearer and nearer.
I managed to get my foot out, but they were so close –too close to be able to outrun them. Even if I to a go at it, they would capture me but I stood up and sprinted anyway. The snapping and jarring of their jaws grew louder, more threatening, and victorious
Just as the forest's narrow exist came into view, they pounced forcefully knocking me down onto the ground, my head violently hitting a rocky surface. The last thing I saw was their wicked red eyes
My head hammered just like the aftermath of getting wasted. I was surrounded with muffled but hushed voices, almost inaudible but they were there. I groaned prying open my eyes but shut them close instantly for they felt so heavy
"Lola –oh thank goodness, she's awake." I recognized the worry filled voice to be my mom's. Another groan escaped my lips, this time being from opening my eyelids only to find myself practically being ambushed by three sets of anxious irises.
Mia, Mark, and of course my mom's
Mark was staring at me calculatingly, as if he was analyzing a puzzle. Mia had an ultra-shocker expression of her face looking like she was deliberating whether she wanted to scream out of joy or fire questions at me
And last comes mom with nothing but softness dilating her pupils, a simple yet heartwarming smile spread in her face. But I stiffened, realization dawning onto me as I remembered last night.
Silhouettes. Red eyes. Forest. Blackness. Was I dreaming or was it real
"What happened?" My voice came out croaked. Mia and mom exchanged a wary glance and mom sighed
"We found you passed out in the morning darling. The doctor came and checked on you, he says it may have been because of tiredness." I nodded rigidly, pulling myself up.
"Stay, you need some rest Lola." Mom scolded disapprovingly. I felt like a dog being taught how to perform tricks
"Mom, you're acting like I've been through a trauma. Relax, I'm perfectly fine." I got up covering her hand with my own.
"Don't worry, if anything happens then I'll let you lock me up in a tower. Deal?" I grinned. She rolled her eyes but stayed silent, her eyes looming with clear relief and contentment.
"You had us worried sick." Mia butted in, her hands placed on either sides of her waist
"Guys, it's nothing. I was tired from the long flight, no big deal. And I might just haven't eaten all day yesterday. Besides I'm more than fine right now." I lied through my teeth, hoping that neither of them sees through it.
And luckily enough, they didn't. Dad came to check on me minutes after Mark told him that I woke up. Let's just say he kind of prepared a ten-minute lecture on malnutrition and the downfalls of tiredness. If it weren't for my mom, he'd be going on with the lecture for more than an hour.
Honestly, I don't know why I didn't tell them what actually made me lose consciousness, and the guilt was eating me from the inside out. But I was a hundred percent sure that the moment my father knows about the happenings of last night he was going to order guards to follow me around –again.
Did I want that? No.
Maybe, just maybe my mind was playing tricks. It was a possibility, a very little one but it's still there. The last time I saw the silhouettes nothing happened and I highly doubt anything to happen this time as well.
My thoughts strayed from the silhouettes to the nightmare I had. I was so afraid, so lost wanting to get away from whatever was coming after me. It was so intense, so fearsome that it shook me to the core. Usually people see nightmares of things they know about –but for some strange reason, I dreamt about an unknown.
The day passed in a blink of an eye. Suffice it to say, I was pampered with all sorts of dishes that had me feeling like we just survived world war Z and are eating after a severe famine
Jake knew nothing about yesterday night's incidence of course, neither did he know that I blacked out. I just didn't want to make him worry about me more than he already is, plus he's got a lot on his plate.
Mia was lying on the sofa whereas I had my legs curled up. We had nothing else better to do than to watch tv and somewhat entertain ourselves. She had the remote in her hand and was rummaging through the channels with a bored expression on her face
Clicking on a news channel, Mia was about to change it but I stopped her once I stared at the headlines
"Turn up the volume." I demanded, throwing my legs onto the floor and leaning forward
"The kidnapping of Vera White, the heir to the werewolf throne's former chosen, Prince Jake is still under ambiguous circumstances. Authorities have not yet given full detail, but certain allegations are vividly debating that Lady Vera was not the alleged person to be kidnapped but instead, Princess Lola." The blonde reporter stated and I could definitely make out the castle behind her.
A shockwave hit me, my eyes popped from their place not believing what I just heard. Vera wasn't the one they wanted, but me. I glanced at Mia only to find her in her own state of shock, jaw hung open." Sources claim that the kidnappers might have mistaken Lady Vera's room with the princess whereas the real reason behind the very cause of kidnapping remains vague." She continued.
"W–what?" Mia spluttered in disbelief. The reporter said a couple more things but neither Mia and I were listening
"Did you hear what I just heard?" She stared at me nervously
"I think I did." I breathed out, my hands trembling
If the kidnappers took Vera out of a mishap between the rooms, that means that they'll soon be coming for me. I put my head in my hands hearing my heart rapidly thumping against my chest
"I take that you listened to the news." Mark barged in, frantically looking at my pale self and I nodded having no desire to talk. He sighed putting his hands on his hips, the frown ceasing his forehead deepening
"We should call Jake." He finally spoke
"Take good care of yourself Lola, please don't keep me worried about you. Don't go anywhere unless escorted by guards, those people are still out there and we're not sure whether or not they're after you." Jake said.
I could imagine him pacing back and forth with worry etching his face. I sighed switching the phone onto my other hand and placed it on my ear
"I know Jake and we're taking precautions." I played with the heart shaped necklace around my neck and pursed my lips.
"How did the media know about Vera?" I blurted out
"Someone in the castle is leaking information." He sighed heavily. I wanted to hug him so bad and try to lift the burden off his shoulders, if only I was beside him right now
"I'm scared Jake."
"Sweetheart, there's no need to be afraid. Your father's doing a great job in securing all your kingdom's entries and is making sure you're guarded twenty-four seven. And I'm here, though not physically next to you but I'm working on catching whoever's playing this mind twisted game to ensure your safety love."
I nodded pursing my lips into a thin line. My life just can't be normal can it
"Yeah okay.
"Lola, stop it." He stated
"Stop what?" I said defensibly and raised my eyebrows
"Stop acting like this."
"Well excuse me but I don't think you're the one whose life's in danger and have some crazy lunatics wanting to kidnap him." I snapped, my anger surfacing
"Don't use that tone on me Lola. I'm doing what's necessary to keep you safe and you're complaining like a little kid. If I recall, I'm the one that's staying up all night to track those fùcking kidnappers." He deadpanned, anger radiating off his voice and I flinched.
I felt like a total bitch for talking to him like that
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." I murmured regretfully. I heard him let out an exasperated sigh from the other end of the line
"The situation we've been put in is making the both of us feel frustrated and snap at each other. I'm sorry too love, the last thing I want is to upset you." A small smile played on my lips hearing his caring words.
"It's okay babe, we'll get through this together." I heard whispering and a bit of shuffling from his side
"Of course we will. Sweetheart I have to go now, something went up with the investigation. I'll talk to you as soon as I can." He said. We barely talked for five minutes and now he has to go
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart."
I pressed the red button ending the call. I won't say that I was pleased with our less than a five-minute talk but it was better than nothing at all. His schedule is stacked with meetings, military and pack wise
"So the reporter was right." It was more if a statement than a question. I nodded confirming Mark's thoughts and he in turn ran a hand through his hair
"What the hell do they want with you?!" Mia snapped shaking her head angrily.
I forgot to mention that Jake did say that there was a huge possibility of me being the kidnapper's target. Hearing him say so was really comforting, note the sarcasm
"If only I knew." I threw my head back and closed my eyes in attempt to have a peaceful moment.
"I think they want to hurt Jake by taking you hostage." So much for a peaceful moment Mark. I lifted my head up and narrowed my eyes at him.
"Thanks for the wonderful scenario buddy." I grumbled crossing my arms over my chest and Mia snorted rolling her eyes
"I'm not kidding. It's directly linked to the rogue attacks. Since Jake didn't inspect the area where they attacked in, they lost their chance of killing the heir to the werewolf thrown. And now that everyone knows you're his mate, they're going for the next best thing." He mused.
"Which is capturing me." I finished. I'm pretty sure the star struck expression on my face gave away the fear rolling its way inside of me
A theory that makes a lot of damn sense.
"But of course, that's just a theory." He added wistfully, noticing the dullness of my eyes
"Great, just what I needed. Things keep on getting betting and better." I muttered dryly
"I feel like I'm in a movie." Mia grinned and I shot her a glare.
"I meant that everything's so surreal, totally motion picture material." She spluttered quickly, noting the slip of her tongue.The amount of pressure I'm being put under is unbearable, and the fact that Jake is risking his life to find those people had me riding a panic flight. My heart felt heavy, the dreadful feeling of depression succeeding in controlling my system.
I needed fresh air, I needed to get away –to be alone. I darted out of the room and ran straight to the garden wanting to clear my head a bit.
And I was most thankful that neither Mark nor Mia followed me this time.
It was late when I headed back to my room. I wasn't surprised with no one following me, my parents understood that the news hit my like a sledge hammer and that I desperately needed my alone time.
The door of my room creaked as I slowly opened it. I felt exhausted, mostly from the amount of thinking I've done. Jake called me a couple of times but I didn't have the energy to actually have a conversation with him. Not wanting to put him under any further stress, I sent him a message saying that I'm a bit tired and am going to sleep.
My eyes were closing on their own, my mind on the brick of shuting down. I decided to take a steaming hot shower and relax my muscles, but before I got the chance to enter the bathroom, I spotted a letter on the nightstand.
I slowly but steady got closer, curiously eying the letter like it was a ticking time bomb. The air was knocked out of my body the moment I read it.
The same black ink.
The same handwriting