Mistakenly Perfect

Hide and Seek

I hugged the branch of the tree for dear life. It wasn't until I was several feet off the ground that I realized how high I was. Gods I hate heights. Climbing was so difficult, every now and then I'd feel a tinge of pain that tried to pull me down. Maybe it was my guilt manifesting into physical pain, or maybe it was just from running through the woods, I don't know. All I know is ignoring it has proven to be a real pain in the ass.

I saw dozens of Kaden's followers pass beneath me but none bothered to look up. They all kept to the ground trying to find tracks and reclaim my scent. I'd hope they'd eventually just give up and go back to where they once came. Leave me to mourn about Daemon in peace.

No matter how much I tried I couldn't get that Royal out of my head. Daemon had left his mark and he was in a word unforgettable. Every single small detail around me reminded me of him. The more and more I missed him, the more I hated the wolves.

I was starting to relax, pretty sure they weren't going to find me. Then I looked down and saw Kaden walking with three of his wolf followers. One I recognized as James, another one of his imposters who had pretended to be an Eastern Royal in order to get to me. Another I realized was Erica, another one of the victims of the Victorian Family who were forced to join Kaden. Although looking at her now she didn't look like much of a victim. Her head was held high and she was walking around like she was a boss.

The last follower flanking him looked familiar just from the view of the top of his head. He had blonde hair, which was an erie reminder of James, yet he had a face sculpted like Kaden's. He was so familiar, but I couldn't put a pin on it. His identity was lost to me.

"We've been looking all night, we have to get going before the Royals come," Erica warned. Her voice sounded so different, more brutal. And she spoke of Royals as if they were insects she couldn't stand. Was it the wolf that made her horrible or was she born this way?

"We'll look until the end of time if we have to. Now stop complaining and get back to searching," he barked at her. She growled a bit but obeyed immediately trudging away in another direction.

"What about you?" The blonde asked.

"What about me?" Kaden groaned.

"You can't see what she sees?" He questioned. I blinked confused at their conversation.

"Of course I can, but is confusing," Kaden answered. He wasn't limping and didn't even look like he was in pain, which angered me. Right now all he simply looked like he was at a loss, perplexed, almost a little weak.

"How is it confusing?" James chimed in.

"When I see what she sees all I see is me," he admits. What are they talking about?

"That mean she's looking right at you," said a voice. I saw to figures approach them and my stomach churned. First I saw Moreau, another Victorian family member, another victim. Then I saw Roman, another imposter. I stilled at Moreau's words. They know I'm looking at Kaden? How? I quickly looked away at something else, anything else.

"Why should I take advice from you?" Kaden snickered rolling his eyes. "If she was looking at me I'd be looking at her."

"I know a lot more about her than any of you. My advice is the best here," Moreau retorted in his composed way. Kaden rolled his eyes and leaned against the tree I was hiding on. If he looked up we'd be eye to eye. But what the hell does he mean when he says I see what she sees? I don't understand! "What angle is she looking at you from?" Moreau asked.

"She just looked away," Kaden groaned irritated.

"Which means she can probably hear us." Roman said.

I started panicking, my body nervous and alarmed. Kaden can see what I see! But how is that possible? I started looking in all directions unsure what to do.

Suddenly I felt a hand come over my eyes, and then another come over my mouth. My heart started beating at an unbelievable paste as I tried to squirm away from which ever one of Kaden's followers had me.

"Angel! Calm down, it's only me!"

I stopped struggling at the sound of Mara's voice and calmed myself. It's only Mara! Thank gods, it's only her!

"Now I don't see anything," Kaden groaned again, exasperated.

"She's probably on the run again," James concluded.

"We'll find her," Roman said. "She's just a little human, she can't get far on foot. She'd never survive out here."

"That's what I'm worried about," Kaden said trudging away. Roman and James both followed but Moreau and the blonde stayed behind still searching for me.

"Don't make a sound. They can't hear me but they can probably hear you breathing," Mara said.

Who's side is she on? Is she even a werewolf like them? I don't even understand her existence. The last time I saw her she was angry at me for sleeping with Kaden, which by the way wasn't my fault. She abandoned me. She vaguely told me I would lose Dimitri, my very best friend, and didn't do a thing to stop it. I should be mad at her, right? But I'm not. In a strange way she's the only friend I have left, and I felt desperate to keep her.

"Why aren't they leaving?" she asked herself out loud. She removed her hand from my eyes, but not from my mouth. Moreau and the blonde familiar guy were still there, just talking.

"So you said you knew her?" The blonde guy asked.

"Yes, I did, very well in fact," Moreau answered a bit too proudly.

"You might not want to brag that to Kaden, he can be the jealous type."

"How much do you know about Kaden?"

"Everything. He's my brother."

"What?" Mara said out loud.

"So if you know her so well, where would she hide?" The blonde one asked.

"I didn't know that? Did you know that?" Mara exclaimed. I shake my head no. I didn't know Kaden had a sibling. I didn't know monsters had family.

"I have an idea." Mara announced. I nod my head enthusiastically for her to continue. I was so open for ideas at the moment. Mara always did seem like the most logical person I knew, maybe I should put my trust in her.

"But, my idea involves you surrendering." I shake my head no vigorously. This bitch is crazy. What kind of an idea is that? I don't want to die today! "You can't out run them, you can't hide forever, just see what they want. Because at the moment, I am clueless. And I doubt you are any better." I rolled my eyes at her correctness. I don't know what else to do. What other choice do I have? But I don't want to die. I stabbed Kaden in the back then ran. What's he going to think of that?

"Don't worry," Mara said reading my face. I won't leave you alone. I promise."

I took her word, then looked down, only to see Moreau and the blonde guy already looking up at me.