IVARA
"He wouldn't let me into his manor, yet he brought this thing here and even gave her a room? Who the hell is she?"
The rants and screams filtering into my ear forced me awake. I stirred, my eyes fluttering open and the first thing I saw was the face towering over mine while staring at me in curiosity.
Our eyes went wide at the same time and then a loud scream erupted from our lips.
The lady towering over me stumbled back while I fell off the bed, frightened by that rare view.
I was finally able to take in the woman's features. Black curly hair, held up in a bun, brown eyes and a really pretty round face… she reeked of what I would call old money.
"Who are you and why were you looking at me like that?" I asked, my breath heavy.
The lady tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, trying to regain composure. "What way?"
"Like… some artefacts…" I trailed off, my eyes wandering about and with each look, my eyes kept widening.
"The auction tonight! You've got a wild streak, Ivara. I'm taking this slave." The memories slowly began creeping into my head. Realization dawned on me and I jolted, panic surging through me.
The last thing I could recall was being at the auction hall, then Alpha Xlynor entering. Somehow he looked exactly like the man in my dreams. In fact, it certainly was him. Then the bidding and him taking me.
"No, no, no…" The words tore out of me as I stared around in horror. It couldn't be! I didn't literally go from frying pan to fire?
Suddenly, the world blurred as if it was only me present. I brought my nails down to my skin. This had to be a dream. I couldn't possibly be sold to a Dark Hounder… not a dark Hounder, their deranged Alpha!
But it was true. The bigger and more elegant room proved it. The maids scattered around this room for reasons best known to them proved it and the lady? Fuck it!
Tears burned at the corner of my eyes as I stumbled to my feet, my legs wobbling and my heart thudding loudly.
Hell? Torment? Misery? Death? I couldn't tell what exactly awaited me in Dark Hound, but it certainly was going to be one of the above.
I shivered at the thought.
From the rumors I had heard about Dark Hound, my life was going to get worse. Worse? There was a possibility I was going to die today!
I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling as I began staggering towards the only thing that made sense to me… the door.
"Where are you going? Stop, you can't leave." I heard the maids speak, but nothing they said mattered to me. All I wanted was to leave here.
Seeing I paid no heed to their words, they began rushing after me. I didn't know who had pulled my arm, but it seemed to be Mrs Old Money. I didn't care either way, I shoved her hard then continued my rushed staggering.
My hands trembled as I held the doorknob and turned it gently. To my surprise, it opened. I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. I'd feared it was locked.
I stumbled out of the room, holding the door for support while I stared at the huge wall of the Manor.
The imposing stone walls were adorned with gleaming diamond accents that seemed to shimmer.
The scent of old wood, smoke, and the faint tang of blood filled the air, causing my stomach to churn.
This was all proof that I was really at Dark Hound! Fvcking Dark Hound!
My vision was beginning to clear with my energy replenishing.
I gulped hard while stumbling backwards, my eyes refusing to leave the wall. It would've been better if Prince Eryndor had gotten me. I had heard nice rumors about him. He wasn't like the rest of his pack.
Of course, Xlynor looked the same as the man in my dreams, even the tattoo, but they weren't the same. My Kerion was calmer, sweeter, totally different.
Suddenly, my back met something hard and a bit fleshy, my breath caught in my throat.
I knew that scent… the same scent that overwhelmed me before I collapsed.
I refused to turn my head, hoping it really wasn't who I thought it was, but who was I kidding?
"Move!" The deep husky voice resounded in my head.
I flinched then stepped away, my hands on my chest.
Alpha Xlynor stood there, his poker hardened face glaring hard at me.
"I see you're awake," he muttered under his breath, glancing at the room I just left.
I didn't reply, I instead began taking slow, fearful steps backwards.
The man behind Alpha Xlynor, probably his guard, stepped forward but just the tilt of Alpha Xlynor's head was enough to make him freeze.
"You're not about to run, are you?" Alpha Xlynor murmured, his droopy eyes boring holes into my skin.
Just like a reminder, I spun around then did the one thing I shouldn't have. I ran. No place in mind, no idea of where I was headed, just doing the best I could to survive my ill luck.
My legs moved the fastest they had ever done since I was born, while my pulse raced so hard that I could hear it. Surprisingly, nobody came after me, not even Alpha Xlynor, which I was grateful for.
I came to a halt when I met a dead end… actually, a balcony.
"I guess you'd have to turn around, Shenka." I heard Alpha Xlynor's voice from behind me.
I flinched, looking over my shoulders. He didn't run after me. How was he here?
He had his back against the wall, his eyes on his fingers like a lady who had just had her nails done and was admiring it.
If I wasn't the only one there, I would've doubted he was actually speaking to me because he seemed uninterested. Didn't even spare me a glance.
I leaned closer to the balcony, then looked down. It was quite high, and I began calculating the chances of my survival if I jumped and if I didn't.
I glanced at Xlynor. He still maintained his nonchalance, probably believing that I wasn't going to jump.
I stared down at the balcony once more. Jumping wasn't the problem, the chances of survival was.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I heard him scoff. "This is Dark Hound, not your useless pack. How far do you think you can run? It's useless, and I suggest you quit that idea."
I didn't care. My thoughts were too clouded by survival for me to think rationally.
I lifted the hem of my dress, freeing my legs, then, without warning, I jumped over the balcony.