Alzred's POV
I stared at her for a few seconds, observing that something was going through her mind.
"Do you want more?" I asked her, breaking the silence.
"No! no! I'm full," she said immediately.
And that was the moment it occurred to me that something was definitely wrong. I had the feeling that it was about yesterday, but I still went ahead to be sure.
"Then what do you want? What's going through your mind?" I asked again.
I persuaded her for a while, and my thoughts were finally right. The whole mood was about yesterday.
"Alzred, could you please tell me why you did that? What's happening? You can't just leave me in the dark!" she said in a breaking voice.
"Can we just let it slide? It's past already, right?" I tried convincing her.
"No! I've never seen you in such a state," she began to sob. "You mentioned that she cursed you; why? And what is the curse? She asked immediately.
I had never seen her in such a state. It was clear that she was a naive girl, but not this bitter and emotional.
"Please, please, tell me that you're fine," she said as she ran towards me and hugged me.
"I'm fine, and I promise to protect you," I replied as I tightened the hug.
We let go of each other's grip as she bent her head, smiling. I pulled her up by her jaw with my fingers as I studied her face. It was the first time that I got the chance to see her this close.
"You look beautiful." I complimented her.
"Thank you," she shyly replied.
I didn't want to hide anything from her, but it wasn't the right time to spill anything. I couldn't tell her now that I wouldn't be there for her always; I couldn't afford to leave that scar on her right now.
"We have to keep moving; it's already looking like we've gotten to our destination." I teased her while she let out a mild smile.
"We should keep going, then.".
We lingered in the forest for hours in search of a roof over our heads. I walked before her, cutting the grass with a stick and paving the way for us to walk freely.
I looked behind me and caught her panting with her hands on her waist. I let out a smile as I walked towards her; at least she didn't hide the fact that she was tired.
"My legs are aching, and Annie has refused to help me out," she cried.
"Don't worry, we'll get a place soon," I assured as I lifted her to my shoulders and transformed into my wolf form.
I ran deep into the forest while my eyes rolled around in search of a place. Nath was charged enough, as he didn't slow down a bit until I began to see the reflection of light from a hut before us.
I quickly transformed back into my human form because I knew that if I emerged from the hut in my wolf form, I might be heard snarling or growling.
The state of the house became clearer as I walked closer. The house looked old and abandoned, no different from the previous one that we left.
I laid her down in a passage beside the house while I made my way inside, wondering who or how candles of light were burning.
I opened the door slowly as it creaked. I paused for a moment, waiting to hear footsteps or a voice, but none were heard as I made my way further.
I walked from one room to another and still found no trace of anyone. "How on earth are these candles burning without someone doing it?" I thought.
"Hello?" I called out, but instead of getting a response, my voice echoed, replying to me.
I let out a deep sigh. We just needed a place to spend the night, and this could do.
"I wouldn't watch Aurora suffer from insect bites and cold," I said, making my way outside to fetch her.
Immediately, I heard a creepy sound as I turned around to see what it was, but I found out that two candles had suddenly gone off.
"Who is there?" I thundered, and this time my voice oozed with authority. "Who the fuck is there? Come out and stop playing games!"
The room fell silent again; not even a drop of pin could be heard. The thoughts of Aurora flashed into my head as I ran out to carry her.
My eyes popped open on seeing the spot I left her empty. I scrolled my eyes around in search of her but didn't see any trace of a human or a wolf.
"Aurora! Aurora,'' I called out in a confused tone.
I walked around the house, hoping to find her walking about or something, but failed. My thoughts began to wander as I wondered where she might be or if there was something or someone in this place.
"Aurora! Can you hear me?" I asked as I dashed into the house again; this time all the candles had blown off.
My heart skipped, wondering what on earth was going on. "Was it the witch goddess? Is she here? Did she find us?"
Different thoughts kept sinking into my head. The witch goddess was the only one I knew that was capable of playing such tricks.
I was about to go out to check again when I heard the sound of a bottle or vase crashing on the floor.
It was then certain that someone was in this house. I walked silently towards the destination of the crashing bottle, and I opened the door gradually.
The room was so dark, but with my rare golden eyes, I was able to see. I darted my eyes towards the pieces of bottle on the ground and then towards the cupboard beside it.
I walked gradually, ready to attack the cardboard, as I began to hear something panting.