𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter twelve

Emriana

"Akira, what are you doing?" I yelled at him as I closed the distance. He didn't seem fazed by my voice. So I went and stood in front of him, blocking him from the men behind me.

"Stop that right now, this is not okay!" I snapped at him with narrowed eyes. He looked up at me, his canines on display as he growled lowly. I shushed him with a few pats on the head until I knew he was calm.

"That's it, there you go," I praised him, turning around to face the men.

"It's you!" I exclaimed, recognizing the man I bumped into that night before realizing the three of them looked exactly alike. "Well...it's one of you...I'm not so sure. I bumped into you...um... that night," I laughed nervously.

The three of them didn't move a single muscle as they stared, well more like glared down at me with no display of emotion. They were so much taller than me and so muscular that I backed away from them, feeling intimidated by their mere presence.

"I'm...I'm sorry about the tiger, I should've...been more careful," I said, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. There was something about their piercing blue eyes, perhaps an intensity that made it almost mesmerizing to stare right back at them.

They stayed completely silent, making me feel nervous. Why weren't they saying anything? Akira growled at them, glued to my side.

"Soooo... do you work for the royal family?" I said, trying to make the tension lighter, glancing at my feet, not really knowing what to do.

The middle one's expression changed for the first time, the anger replaced by a an arrogant smug smile. He took a step toward me, but Akira made a step toward him in result, halting his step. He glared at the animal before looking down at me.

"You don't know who I am, honey? Are we sure about that?" He asked, his deep voice taking me by surprise. I frowned at the question, looking back up at him.

"Why would I know you? Are you famous?" I asked, sending an uncomfortable glance over at the two men behind him glaring down at me.

He chuckled. "I think you're lying,"

"Why would I be lying?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I just arrived, it's normal I don't know everyone yet," I said with a nervous smile.

He bent his head down so we were at eye-level and I blushed as he eyed my face for a moment. He chuckled.

"What's your name?" He asked, his intense blue eyes searching for mine.

"Emriana," I said, and he hummed at my words.

"What's yours?" The question seemed to surprise him, his brows slightly lifting before he went back to his amused expression.

"I'm Zeke," I blushed at his wink, and he chuckled. He flashed me a smile before leaning back.

I almost stumbled back as Akira yanked at my dress. "What are you doing?"

He growled, pulling me away from the three men, who were watching with so much intensity. I ruffled his fur, trying to calm him. I didn't understand what was wrong with him. He didn't seem to like the men very much, but he was like that with all the men.

"So, Emriana," my head snapped back to Zeke. "What are you doing by yourself in the forest?"

I smiled, "I'm having a picnic,"

I hesitated, before adding, "Do you...want to join me?"

Zeke ran a hand through his hair, laughing again. The man on his right narrowed his eyes at my words. Zeke left the others as he made a few more steps toward me. His stature was impressive, the muscles flexed under every movement he made. In fact, none of the three of them looked like anybody I had met yet, and it intrigued me somehow.