Cathy Wilkens has always been a passionate soul who has been unlucky in love. When her nonchalant boyfriend Brad decides to end their 3 year relationship without good reason, Cathy is devastated. Feeling betrayed by life and overwhelmed at work, Cathy decides to go on a hike up the town's ominous mountain as a way of seeking fulfillment. She is spurred on by the desire to disprove the numerous tales of men like beasts that inhabit the top of the mountain. Determined and adamant, she set off on this journey that will change the course of her life forever. Will Cathy's decision be the end of her misfortune in love or Will it launch her into a passionate romance that may end her life?
Lihat lebih banyakAlden, Karken, Knox and Teon spend the next few hours poring over maps and strategies, finding the best way to advance on Lena and her allies. However, they knew they were outnumbered and this would be a Herculean task.“Perhaps we wait for Khimaira to return. We do not know their number and barging in there arms blazing will be a foolish tactic.” Karken suggests.“I agree, but the longer we wait, the longer Cathy is at risk. Lena is not a monster, she's still family. I plan to reason with her before all goes to hell.” Alden says, standing up with a determined look on face. “I think we should leave now.”Karken nods. Teon and Knox rally around gathering supplies and anything else they might need. “I'm coming with you.” Charlotte says, seemingly appearing out of thin air in the midst of the chaos. This stops everyone in their tracks. Alden moves towards her tentatively, “Charlotte…you can't. My sister is unpredictable and it will be too dangerous for you. If anything happens to you,
I stay crouched in the darkness, as Herb and Teon work to pick the hinges on the window slit to enable me crawl through. My heart racing and fingers drumming against my thigh, impatient and anxious.“Come on, come on,” I hear Herb whisper under his breath. I glance at the direction of the cell entrance, willing them to go faster. Finally, the window frame gives way and the rusty iron bars open. We exchange a triumphant glance before Herb stretches his arms to pull me out. My breath comes in ragged gasps as I crawl out of the window space. “Quickly, Cathy,” Teon hissed, his voice like crinkling leaves. “We don't have much.”Once I land safely on my feet, we begin sprinting through the decrepit courtyard, our footsteps pounding the cobblestone. We run as fast as we can, the cool breeze whipping my face, a welcome respite from the dank dungeon air.As we get closer, the portcullis looming ahead, its iron bars looking like skeletal fingers in the moonlight. We reach the gate and Herb ya
As we walk through the forest, my heart is racing with every step. Knox walks beside me, his face etched with worry. Teon and Knox are in the shadows, following us from a distance. If all goes according to plan, they will not reveal themselves until it is absolutely necessary.“Cathy, I'm starting to doubt if this is a good idea.” Knox says, his voice low and urgent. “Master Alden would never forgive us if this goes wrong.”I reach out and gently place my hand on his arm. “Don't worry, the plan is simple. You're here to take the antidote back to the castle, remember. Herb and Teon will follow us until the time is right to distract Lena for me to escape.”I lean further until I am at eye level with him. “If all goes well, I will take the blame with Alden. He would never have agreed to this and Lena would definitely be expecting him to come after her.”Knox nods, his eyes still wary and worried.As we approach the clearing, I can see Lena waiting for us. She is with a strange woman. As
Khimaira lays Charlotte on the bed, her face tight. Her eyes scan Charlotte's body, her hands moving swiftly. “We need to examine her.” She says.As they work, I pace the room. What could have caused this? And how the hell did Charlotte get here? The thought that she may have seen my note and had set out to look for me crosses my mind and my heart sinks further. “Oh Charlotte,” I say beneath my breath.Alden enters the room, his powerful presence commanding everyone's attention. “What's the situation?” He asks as his gaze settles on Charlotte. Khimaira's voice is firm and it is strange to see her in such a mood. Her face, which usually wears a wicked smile, is blank and expressionless. “I'm not so sure yet, Alden. But there's no visible physical cause and judging from her slow pulse, I suspect poison.” Alden's face darkens and he looks over at me. His eyes speak volumes and I cannot help but think that he is withholding something from me.“Wait, what's this?” Herb's voice cuts thr
Cathy's POVI walk around the garden, my purple dress a darker shade in the soft light. Alden's eyes follow me, watching me with an intensity that almost makes me feel self conscious. We were in the middle of discussing our wedding and every bit of it feels like a dream come true. I am overwhelmed at the thought of this new life I am about to begin with this strange beast man, but I am not afraid as long as he is by my side. However, a nagging thought lingers - Charlotte. My best friend, my closest friend. She would, no doubt, have discovered the note I left by now and she would be very worried. Amused but definitely worried.“What's wrong my love?” I hear Alden say from behind me. His voice still very much able to send shivers through me.“Alden I…” I am immediately cut off as Alden takes bold steps towards me. He gently cups my face, his expression turns concerned.It is amazing how just that simple touch can melt my insides and turn me to my mush. I should be used to it by now, I
Charlotte's POVI trudge up the mountain,my hiking boots digging into the hard earth. I have been walking for hours and fatigue is beginning to set in, however I push on relentlessly with only the thought of finding Cathy on my mind. My mind has been in a state of worry since I found her cryptic note. Who is this “him” that she was going back to? And why did she feel the need to run off like some teenage girl?I do not know how much longer I have to climb or what to expect at the top of this mountain. As I climb higher, the air grows thick with fog and the trees tower above me,their branches creaking in the wind like skeletal fingers. I squint to see ahead for any sign of life. The only sounds are the leaves rustling and the distant rumble of a coming storm. I quicken my pace, my heart pounding even louder. My mind refuses to assume the worst but somewhere deep down, the gnawing thought grows. What if Cathy is in trouble? What if, God forbid, she's dead?As I approach the top of the m
Charlotte ’s POVI knock on Cathy’s door one more time, louder this time. Maybe she is sleeping inside and just did not hear me knock the first time. I have been calling her for hours with no reply and honestly, every minute that passes makes me more worried. Although she has shown a little bit of progress as regards her mental health ever since she took that first hike up the mountain, Cathy still seems like a flight risk which means I am still very worried about what she might do. Cathy is not the most well-adjusted person in the world and no matter how hard she tries, I cannot erase the image of finding her on the floor, crying while her bedroom burned around her just months ago.“Cathy!” I call out to no response. “Are you in there? Open up.”I am about to turn away and go elsewhere to look for Cathy when I remember that I know where Cathy usually puts her spare key. I reach inside the lamp right at the top of Cathy’s door and fetch the key. If Cathy is not here then maybe there w
I want to say something or step forward but I feel too weak to do either. Besides, Khimaira’s grip on my hand is both strong and comforting at the same time that I have no choice but to just stand there between her and Herb.“Herb, lead Sara to Alden’s chambers and prepare her for him,” Lena says condescendingly.“My prince, I’ll be waiting for you,” Sara says to Alden seductively and she begins to walk away. Beside me, Alden hesitates, waiting for Alden to say something but when his master who is clearly trying hard to contain his anger does not speak, he has no choice but to do as she says.“Okay, stop,” Karken says suddenly. “Nobody wants to see Alden touch that girl. Where did you even get her from?”“It doesn’t matter,” Lena says. “And there is nothing you can do about it. I wish you would all see that I am doing this for all our sakes. We cannot allow a human into this castle to have the power that comes with being Alden’s mate. She would be able to destroy us all with the snap
Even before I get to the meeting hall, I already know that something is about to go wrong. It is not as if I see anything obvious, it is just the general atmosphere and my unimpeachable sixth sense telling me that things are not as they are supposed to be. Alden and I are supposed to meet to discuss the proper rites of his people when it comes to finally establishing that I am his mate. When Herb came to my room to tell me that he is ready for me, I was happy and excited to see what it is about. Now, with only a few steps from the door that leads to the hall, I start to get nervous and I do not even know why.My suspicions are confirmed when I get to the door and I hear voices coming from inside. Although I cannot make out what they are saying, the voices are loud and appear to be in the middle of a heated argument. In the few seconds, I stand outside before opening the door, the voices rise to higher volumes that terrify me and make me consider turning away and never looking back. Ho
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