Chapter 14: The Cave Of Secrets

[Dove]
My eyes opened to a burst of sunshine in my chest.

I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. Staring at my reflection, visions of Cole kept replaying in my mind - his concerned face, passionate eyes and loving smile. My gaze trickled down to my lips. A finger reached up to feel those plump red lips and I recalled the warm pressure and roughness of his lips. A shiver of goosebumps came all over me.

Somehow, knowing that Megan likes Jude, the air was fresh again and my chest felt lighter. The dread from the past few days seemed non-existent and I kept wanting to smile.

For some reason, I also took longer than usual to get dressed. The final decision - my best white dress. It snuggled comfortably around my body, showcasing my nice shoulders and rosy knees and allowing sneak peaks of my womanly assets.

After a few turns in front of the mirror and smiles of satisfaction, I made sure that my face glowed in the right places and then I strolled to the dining area, humming to a cheerful tune.

But Cole wasn’t there.

Puzzled, I glanced at Claire who was laying out my breakfast.

“Claire, have you seen Cole?”

Claire looked up and pointed towards the outdoors. Instantly, my racing heart halted and my spirits fell. I took my seat quietly as Claire returned to the kitchen.

Images of Megan and Cole sprouted once more and an anxious worry dragged up my spine.

I hastily pushed them away with the memory of Cole’s words and his touch.

Then, I remembered that we did agree to have at least one meal together. Perhaps he was busy, I thought and smiled again. I shall focus on my schedule for the day.


******

Megan's eyes grew an inch. She moved closer and growled, "What did you just say?" I could almost feel her teeth sharpening.

Clearing my throat, I repeated in a firm voice with my eyes shut, "I said, I’d appreciate it if you could keep a respectable distance from Cole when you talk to him because he is my husband."

I didn't dare to open my eyes. But the long stretch of silence from her was killing me so I peeked through a half-opened lid.

Megan’s vicious eyes were burning in bright yellow. My eyes flared open and I forgot to breathe.

Abruptly, her eyes simmered to their normal color and Megan chirped, "Fine."

I blinked with confusion as she strode off. When she disappeared around the corner, I realized I had been holding my breath.

Then, I laughed - the kind that I didn’t know I had in me - and it came from my growing love for this new home and its people. Their love for one another and their Alpha is so pure and transparent, it is precious. As I lingered on the thought, I looked up and smiled at the invisible moon.

When the sun started to sting my eyes, I lowered my gaze and it fell on a row of sky-high hedges. The unfamiliar dull green of its leaves felt strange as I remembered them being black and brown under the moonlight.

Remembering my secret visit to the cave, curiosity overcame me. I scanned the area. With no one in sight, I stepped towards the hedges.


******

I was right - everything was different in the day.

The cave sort of expanded in bright daylight. But even with sunlight, it was black, grey and white everywhere, like a scene of an old silent movie.

The broken columns were actually thicker than an oak tree trunk; if I put my arms around one, I could only hug a third of it. Seven of them laid before my eyes like dead coffins.

The altar was intricately carved out of stone and it was in varying tones and shades of grey. I took a step into the enormous space and felt like I was in a pyramid tomb.

Right in front of me was the first column I felt that night. I smiled at the letters ‘OON GOD’ like they were a long lost friend. Then, I stepped bravely to my left, past the column with the words OUR GRA, and came to a heap of rubble. It was covered with a thick layer of white ash and black soot that dyed my fingers as soon as they both met.

Pulling my hand back, I moved the stained fingers near my eyes and observed the grainy mash under the sunlight; it was glittering. Taking a whiff, I realized there was gunpowder. I pulled back instantly and hastily slapped everything off my hands.

My view sailed across the width of the cave and then down its height, and finally fell on something of a different colour: red.

Elated, I manoeuvred cautiously through the loose rubbles and debris until I got to it. My fingers then cautiously slid it out of the stack of remnants.

It was a fragment of a candle.

Weighing the fragment in my hands, it seemed to come from an ordinary candle - the ones on the altar back home. Again, I took another whiff.

A faint sour smell hit me. Immediately, my skull flamed up and a sting spread across my forehead. Suddenly, the ground felt uneven. A terrifying idea sprang in my mind - I might have just smelled our worst nightmare.

Silver.

Aghast, I dropped the candle and shifted back to the hedge to draw in deep breaths. My vision had blurred slightly. Panicked, I shook my head vigorously to clear it.

When fresh air filled my nostrils once more, I felt strong again and left silently the same way I came.


******


A cup of steaming tea came into my view.

I looked up and Claire was observing me with knitted brows.

“I’m alright.”

I heard a tremble in my voice and quickly gripped the hot tea.

My hands started shaking. Immediately, Claire grabbed them and rubbed furiously until warmth breathed through them. Then, she placed a palm on my forehead and hers. Finally, she retracted and pointed to the tea.

I nodded and took a sip. The warm liquid flowed through my system. Feeling stronger, I smiled and thanked her. She nodded and walked away.

Mimicking Claire, I placed my feet on the table and rubbed my toes when Cole burst in and glared at me. “What the hell, Dove!”

Startled and confused, I searched his face when he suddenly cleared his throat with an awkward expression and then shot angry eyes at the ceiling. I followed his gaze and saw nothing on the ceiling then I looked down.

My thighs were exposed. I forgot that I was in a dress!

With a gasp and a flurry of action, I regained my graceful composure and flashed a sweet smile at the angry face. “Yes, Cole?”

“Are you unwell?” There was genuine concern in his eyes. Then, he caught something on my hand and asked, “What happened?”

I followed his gaze again and froze at the sight of my fingers - they had patches of redness all over.