𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡 | ✓

26 - Dogs

VALENTINA'S POV

I couldn't get to sleep.

Tossing and turning in bed, I tried to close my eyes, but I still couldn't get a wink of sleep.

It looks like I'd gotten so used to Francis's warmth, it being able to put me to sleep almost instantly, but now laying in the large empty bed, I struggled to get any rest.

Finally opening my eyes fully and decided against staying in the cold bed and went out onto the balcony.

Watching over the lush garden, I saw something lurking in the shadows next to the trees. It could be an intruder of some sort. I wanted to go stop it but what if Francis finds me and thinks that I'm running again?

Well, then that can be his problem.

Jumping over the ledge and using my wings to hover above the ground before standing fully.

Looking around, I was in a lush garden, beautiful gardens and large oak trees that must be years old overshadow me. As I go to turn around to look for where the sound came from, I stop as I hear the bushes behind me shuffle, then in front of me again.

I was surrounded, from three angles and I was still too weak to be able to advance off the ground quickly. Opening my mouth, I was about to yell for Francis only to be interrupted, by a bark.

Looking back in front of me, I saw two pairs of brown eyes before the two shadows before they jumped out to reveal Dobermans. The pair of dogs lunged at me and pushed me onto my back, both growling at me.

Falling back and landing on my wings, I let out a groan of pain and that immediately made the dogs tilt their heads but still stand as if they were about to pounce on me again.

They must be guard dogs.

I put my head back as I heard a patter next to my ear and saw another large Doberman standing at the top of my head, lolling its tongue out with curiosity. It bent down to sniff me, pressing its wet nose to my forehead, and the others sniff my wings. I waited for them to finish, not wanting to frighten them.

"Well, aren't you just beautiful dogs," I say in a high-pitched tone and as soon as they saw that I wasn't a threat, they were wagging their tails with their tongues lolling out, wanting to play with someone I presume.

As I rubbed my hands on their backs, I could feel scars all along their body, but they didn't seem to hurt too much for them. These beautiful dogs seemed to be attention deprived and also hadn't been properly bathed in a while.

After playing with them for a few minutes, they walked away and looked sad as they. They must take their job seriously as dogs if they know when they must get back to 'work'.

I just wish there was some way to give them a break. Maybe I could ask Francis?

Waving the dogs goodbye, I looked back up to the balcony and realised that I had no way to get back up there. I could try to climb up the wall, but the stone is too smooth. I'm guessing I have to go the long way, to the entrance.

Walking through the trees, I see the familiar gravel driveway and two guards standing at the door armed with large rifles, yet again.

Approaching the two, I walked up the few stairs to them, making them alarmed and raising their guns at me. Quickly, I retracted my wings and raised them, the same as Francis does to make himself look bigger.

The guards realised what they were doing and quickly apologised before standing aside and opening the doors for me.

I may have looked calm on the outside but on the inside, my heart was racing from the amount of risk that small action could've put me in. I walked up the spiralling stairs and through the hallways, trying to figure out where Francis's room was, but instead, I found myself following the voice I could hear.