Her Maneuver

Chapter Four of Book Two

"Take me to your escape, show me all your sins."

—————

As I lift my head, heavy with despair and tension, my vision clears again. I stand up, a bit wobbly.

'Keep yourself together.' I hear my wolf.

I snatch a tissue from the side, messily drying my tears and throwing it to the ground. My throat is itchy and I need a drink. Anything to sober me up, or keep me hazy forever- away from the truth. I find the door handle of my room and twist it around. I wander around in the hallways, my feet dragging me slowly away from my room. It's almost midnight I can tell, the mansion is barely lit and the darkness is all around me. I steady myself as I take the steps down to the kitchen. I don't know where I'm heading, but I'm pretty sure the kitchen must be on the first floor. I must have called Shontelle or something. I shake my head in dismay, as I reach the first floor. Tiptoing on the marble floor, I walk steadily. I keep checking my surroundings as I'm overly paranoid. I freeze on my spot as I hear the shut of the door. Someone has entered the mansion. What should I do? I'm a mess, a total mess. I hurry to the first door I spot, the doorway to a glass room revealing the garden ahead. I push open one of the glass doors. I stand in the fresh air, desperately trying to calm my wolf. My panic attacks have grown more frequent, and it's getting harder to control them.

Relieved that I must have lost the stranger. My eyes search the view infront of me. Although it was dark, I could catch a few glimpses of greenery from the hidden lights between the bushes. From the corner of my eye, I spot an opened pack of cigarretes. My fingers trail over the pack before finally giving in and holding a perfectly rolled slim cigarette. My hand reaches to the lighter next to it, lighting my cigerette and setting it alive. I take a few drags, wanting all the toxics to fill me in, to devour me, to change me to a total waste. I settle on the lush couch, my hair sprangled on the pillows. My black nightgown shining in the dim golden light of my cigar.

I puff out greyish smoke as my eyes search the dark room. A shadow startles me, appearing by my side. I stop, dropping my cigerette. A large man walks in, completely oblivious of my presence. He's carrying a bottle of liquor, taking swig after swig. His hair is messily tossled over his shoulders. His eyes snap to me suddenly. My heart jolts as he furrows his eyebrows. He's handsome, I must say. He walks towards me, hands in his pockets. Step after step, in his expensive looking suit.

"What are you doing here?" He asks. He seems to carry a different accent, one I couldn't place the origin of.

My body feels dead as I heavily rise from my seat, "I'm a guest of Alpha Glenn."

He studies me for a moment before he takes another gulp from his liquor.

"What are you doing here?" He questions.

"Who are you?" I ask.

His eyes are boring into mine, his hands twisted at the side. I could tell he was angry, far before he saw me, "You are a guest at my father's house. Can't I question all I want?"

"I didn't know you were Alpha Glenn's son."

He shrugged, "Well I didn't know we had a guest."

From his facial expressions, he looked in his late twenties. Very focused, light stubble and well defined cheeks. I mentally curse at my damned luck, as I keep my gaze on him silently. After a few moments I say, "I just wanted a cup of water. If perhaps you could lead me to the-"

"Wait." He mutters shaking his hand. I catch a glimpse of an ancient ring on his finger as he disappears in the shadows.

"You must get back up there." My wolf warns. I could feel it, I'm on the verge of a second panic attack.

"Go. Now."

Before I could move, he appeared again, "There you go." He said handing me an empty crystal glass. "Now this," He ushered to the bottle he was holding, "Is way better than some water."

I watched the liquid drop to my glass until it was half full. "Drink." He ordered, thrusting the cup to my face.

"I don't really feel like drinking. I'll just go up to my room." I set the cup to the table at my side and push myself away from him.

"Water won't help the crying lady, now would it?" He questioned raising an eyebrow.

I feel defeated, weak and vulnerable as I watch him. Before I could muster the courage to say anything, he shakes his head slowly, the corner of his mouth twitching with a smile, "I've had a bad day as well." He shrugged his shoulders, "Happens."

His calm and collected act set me on edge, it disturbed me how relaxed he was, when all I wanted to do was shred myself to pieces.

He sighs as I silently watch him. "I give up. You're too darn serious." He pushed the hair out of his face in frustration and turned away from me.

I move slowly, away from him. I was only staying for one night, he's not worth my time at all.

Before I close the door, he calls, "Hey, don't worry, I'll be sending you one of the servants to get you some water."

I nod at him turning away but he speaks again, "I lost the chance to know your name." His smile is warm and playful as he waits for my answer.

"Vivienne." I reply after a long silence.

His eyes are glowing mischief in the night as they focus on mine.      

"Xanthus Charcowl."

————————-

Love you guys.

Vote and Comment