Chapter 2 CARRIED THROUGH THE NIGHT.

TALIA'S POV

I followed him through the forest, every step a struggle. My muscles ached from exhaustion, my legs trembling under the strain, and every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves made my heart leap into my throat. Crickets chirped incessantly, blending with the distant calls of nocturnal creatures, making the night feel alive and watchful.

I kept my satchel close, my fingers brushing over the bottles inside, as if their contents could somehow protect me.

I tried to calm myself. "Um... this place that we're headed to... how safe is it, huh? On a scale of one to ten?" I asked, my voice barely rising above the whispers of the forest.

He grunted. That was all.

I swallowed hard, my stomach tightening. "Does it have... some human connection? Will I be able to reach out to my people from there?"

Still no answer.

"You know," I muttered, frustration bubbling up, "if I hadn't heard you talk back there, I'd swear you were dumb... because you're not even social at all."

No response.

I tried to force a smile, or at least a distraction for myself. "You know what? I'm just gonna keep talking till you say something, anything."

I rambled on, describing the forest, the way the leaves shimmered in the moonlight, the life of the village I had left behind, and the herbs I usually gathered for my potions.

My voice broke occasionally, strained and tense, but it was better than the deafening silence.

I didn't notice that he had stopped walking until I collided with him.

"What the fuck? I told you to keep your mouth shut, didn't I?" His voice was sharp, commanding, and dangerous. "We have a long way to go, and you better reserve your strength for the journey."

I stumbled back, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I... I'm sorry," I mumbled, trying to regain my balance.

He didn't reply, simply gesturing sharply for me to continue walking beside him. My legs screamed in protest, fatigue pressing down like a heavy weight. Every step felt laborious, as though I were dragging my own body through quicksand.

"Here, let me help you," he said, calm but firm.

Before I could respond, he lifted me with effortless strength and flung me over his shoulders.

I was surprised that he noticed that I was tire

My stomach fluttered in shock, and I pressed my face into the crook of his neck. Fuck... he smelled good. Musky and warm, with an undercurrent of something utterly intoxicating. Even covered in blood, the scent of him was overwhelming, a mix of danger and... seduction.

I clutched his shoulders, my mind swimming. Every movement he made was precise, deliberate, and somehow graceful.

Even in darkness, I could see the sharp angles of his jaw, the tension in his arms, the steady rhythm of his steps. My pulse quickened, not entirely from fear.

The forest around us blurred. Shadows danced in the moonlight, and the distant calls of animals filled the silence. Yet carried on his shoulders, I felt a flicker of safety, as if his strength could shield me from the unknown lurking in the trees.

Despite the fear, exhaustion began to claim me. My eyelids drooped, and the ache in my muscles softened under the constant motion.

I realized I could do nothing but let him carry me. I surrendered to the rhythm of his steps, the scent of him, and to a very deep sleep.

******

I opened my eyes to the comfort of a very soft bed and a room that screamed modern.

For a moment, confusion overtook me.

Where was I? Wasn't I just walking through the forest, following a total stranger?

And now... I was here, lying on sheets that smelled faintly of lavender and cleanliness, in a place far from my home.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, careful not to make too much noise, and moved toward the window.

Outside, I saw him standing by a fountain, his whole form reflecting off the water. His wounds were already bandaged, and he looked... better. Healthier. Almost human again. My pulse quickened at the sight of him-strong, imposing, yet undeniably attractive.

I approached the door, intending to leave, only to find it locked.

What the fuck? Who gave him permission to lock the door? Who the hell did he think he was?

Panic surged, and I began banging on the door, calling for someone-anyone-to let me out.

"Hello? Anybody? Please! Somebody open this door!".

My heart raced. This didn't feel like protection anymore; it felt like captivity.

And yet, even as I pounded on the door and shouted, there was a strange pull in my chest, a lingering awareness of him standing just outside the window. His presence was intimidating, dominant, yet... undeniably magnetic.

I sank onto the bed, leaning back against the soft pillows, frustration and fear warring inside me. My mind replayed every moment from the forest-the growls, the struggle, the fight, how he tore that thing to shreds, how he transformed into something I had never seen before, and the way he carried me effortlessly.

He wasn't an ordinary human being, and panic began to well up inside me.

I began banging on the door with ferocity. I wasn't going to die like this. I didn't even know who he was.

Just then, the door opened, and a small woman entered, smiling.

"Hello, my dear. I can see you're awake."

"Now, we're going to give you a bath and dress you properly. Ramon has ordered you to come down for breakfast with him."

"Huh? Who the fuck was Ramon, and who the hell was ordering me around? Where the hell was that stranger who got me into this confusion?" These were the thoughts running through my mind.

My voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration as I spoke

"Excuse me, ma'am," I said.

"Oh... it's Ingrid." She replied to me kindly.

"Yes, Miss Ingrid. Where am I? And where is the man who brought me here?

"Tell him that I want to see him or else I'm going to bring down this building," I said, my eyes narrowing, irritated by the arrogance and ready for whatever comes next.