Alpha Zaelah | Book One: Realities Demise

THIRTY-TWO

No bond is more powerful than a mate bond.

-

Z A E L A H

"Where are we going?" I questioned him for the second time tonight as he led me outside the palace and toward the woods that were east of where I went walking yesterday.

"I'm taking you to one of my kingdom's temples," He informed me and I stopped my feet from going any further when we were about to enter the woods they called Faon which meant Death in Paljeb, because of the fear that filled me from the stories I heard about the forest coming alive.

Hunters say the trees in the woods would grab people and lift them off their feet before killing them mercilessly if they wander off too far and the water that lays in lakes would rise and pull anyone within a mile to the bottom of its depths to drown before they can scream 'help', even though I didn't really believe the stories I couldn't shake this fear.

"What is it? Are you alright?" Malik questioned me with visible worry in his voice as his hands cupped my face while his eyes searched for an injury.

"Isn't this forest alive? And doesn't it kill anyone that dares to enter it?" I asked him and received a nod which only made me confused about why he was bringing me in there if he knew.

"It does, but it only kills unaccompanied humans." He answered, pulling more confusion towards my features.

"What do you mean?"

"The temple protects the forest from any intruders that wish to harm it and its inhabitants, it also protects itself by killing unaccompanied humans who come near its location." He explained and this grabbed my interest instantly.

"So that's why mostly hunters and lumberjacks died?" I inquired and gained a nod of conformation, "So the temple was always here? Even when humans ruled?"

"Yes. Werewolves lived here before humans, but we later moved to the Alkebulan lands." He stated, surprising me.

"You were completely right when you told me three percent of my history tells the truth." I voiced.

"I know and during this journey you'll learn about more things your family kept from you, come on." He ushered me, turning to continue our journey but I found myself unable to move as I was still shaken with fear.

"I'm sorry, it's j—" I began but he didn't allow me to finish.

"I know it's scary, but trust me when I say I'd never put you in harm's way and if anything were to happen you need not to worry because I'll always put your life above mine." He expressed softly, holding my cheek in his warm hand.

"You're immortal, of course you're willing to die for me." I stated with a smile that brought one onto his lips.

"Well be rest assured that if I wasn't immortal I'd still die for you. Now do you trust me?" He asked me and I didn't need to think to answer that question.

"I do."

"Good, let's go."

Malik turned on his heel heading into the forest and I followed after him, matching his pace.

"Why are you bringing me to the temple?" I asked him, because he still hadn't given me a reason for this abrupt trip.

"I'll explain once we're there," Malik assured me while we went deeper into the woods, away from the light the palace provided which made it more difficult for me to see where we were headed.

"I can't see," I told him, pushing down my fear whenever we passed a tree or a lake.

"You will soon, just give it a second." He replied as he intertwined our hands, bringing me closer to him and I suspect it was to comfort me and prevent me from falling while we walked.