Chapter 7 Seven

Chapter 7

They both stopped when they heard faint rustling sounds from outside. Zafrix turned his head towards the door. Sofia didn't know whether to feel relieved that he hadn't continued his intention, or disappointed because she couldn't deny that she also wanted it to happen.

I thought we're alone here? she thought.

Sofia breathed a sigh of relief when Zafrix moved away and got off the bed. She would never admit it to him, but her body immediately yearned for the warmth emanating from his. She curiously observed the man's serious expression. He seemed distracted. And if the situation were different, Sofia might have used that opportunity to attack him. But she had learned her lesson: fighting him and resisting him with great effort caused a blinding pain from the bite he gave her. It was like a binding spell that would forbid her to fight him and cause him pain.

A moment later, he looked at her, his face once again blank and his eyes, which had returned to their gray color, were cold.

"Go take a shower and change. You can choose from my clothes in the closet. I'll buy you new ones tomorrow," he commanded her coldly before leaving the room.

Though puzzled, Sofia didn't try to figure out what had happened, especially as what had transpired between them came back to her mind. She took several deep breaths before getting out of the bed, still wrapped in the thick red blanket, and retrieved some clothes from Zafrix's closet. Though she didn't want to admit it, she also found herself longing for the scent clinging to the man's clothes.

She shook her head wildly. It was so hard to control her emotions and thoughts. Her resistance against him is crumbling into dust. In just a mere touch, she couldn't escape his magic, his seemingly hypnotizing gaze. She went into the bathroom. She needed to calm her mind. Many people were relying on her to accomplish this mission.

Coming here to the lion's den was not only for her own revenge but also for those who had suffered under his ruthlessness. And she knew that being trapped in her own doom would be the end of her goal. So, even though she knew it would be difficult, she had to force herself to achieve success. Because it would not only help her but all of Zafrix Wolfe's victims.

She removed the remaining clothes from her body before stepping into the shower. As she let the warm water flow over her skin, the touch of his hot and passionate lips on her skin again crossed her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut. An emotion, like a blazing fire, immediately flowed into her chest. She was slowly feeling confused and distressed about whether she could still continue her revenge or simply choose to save herself from her connection to this man.

She tightened her grip on the faucet, almost breaking it.

"No, I can't!" she whispered firmly. She had prepared for this for so long. She wouldn't let it be ruined by her feelings for him. "I will do everything, even if it means sacrificing my own life."

She remembered again her mother's bloody face, her lifeless father, her sibling who was under the care of some relatives. She also couldn't help but think of her aunt's face, the one who saved her and her sibling from harm, and whom she was now approaching alone instead of running from.

Sofia's eyes shot open as she felt the warm liquid flowing down her cheeks again. Here she was, wasting her aunt's act of saving her. Here she was, disobeying her mother's wish to stay away from danger, all just to avenge them, and the other victims of that demonic man!

Again, the questions that had been troubling her swirled inside her head. Could she still properly continue her plans when she couldn't focus on what needed to be done? She hadn't been there long; she had only been with the man she was supposed to torment for one day. The man whose mere touch on her skin could awaken a monster she never expected to feel.

She took another deep breath to calm her troubled nerves. She would not be able to exact her revenge if she let her feelings get in the way. She thought of those who were relying on her abilities.

One of the reasons she was there was to find out what had happened to their comrades who were captured and imprisoned three years ago. And she wouldn't be able to answer her questions if she was just going to ask herself about it. That is the reason why she is here. That is one of the reasons why she is getting confused right now. And that stupid beloved bond. Wasn't that what she was going to use as her ace to get revenge on him? To make him fall deeply for her? Even if she truly didn't know how she would be able to do that.

She's just an ordinary orphan girl; she could get harmed in the process, but she had sworn from the very beginning that she would make him suffer and kneel before her.

After she bathed and changed, she went to bed. It wasn't wise, but she was too exhausted to ignore the call of sleep. She needed to sleep. She needed strength. And her mind also needed to rest.

THE NEXT DAY...

Sofia woke up still alone in that room. A good thing, because the man hadn't taken advantage of her. It's true that she knew about his reputation with women. That's why he was so used to what he did to her yesterday.

A knock sounded on the door, surprising her so much that it almost made her jump out of bed. The door opened, and a woman in a blue uniform, looking like a housekeeper, appeared. Sofia felt even more puzzled.

"Good morning," the woman, whom Sofia estimated to be in her forties, greeted with a smile. "The King sent me here to wake you up and get ready for breakfast."

Sofia still stared. "Where is he?" she asked, surprised.

"He just left for a moment and entrusted me with taking care of you."

"I thought we are all alone in this place?"

The housekeeper smiled. "I only arrived last night because there was an emergency at the palace. The King had to leave to attend to it."

Then, that means, she will be able to leave the place.

"Okay, thank you."

The woman bowed and left her. Sofia made sure she was far away before she quickly got up and went to the veranda. She gasped.

"What the..."

She didn't know if she should be amazed or pissed off at what she had just discovered. It was then that she realized what Zafrix meant by being in an isolated place. Because they were on an island, far from civilization. The island where the mansion stood was surrounded by saltwater. It was then she also saw the countless staff of the man scattered around the mansion.

She cursed in anger. How was she going to leave the place now?

THE next few days went fast.

It was as if they had merely passed like wind on that island. And during her stay there, she felt intensely bored. She had almost explored the entire island, subtly looking for a way to escape. And while she was free to wander, she always had guards following her wherever she went.

"I felt like a princess locked in the highest tower with no way out." Sometimes, she couldn't help but blurt this out in annoyance, while walking on the white sand. "The only difference in this situation is that there is no tower, but lots of salty water." Her annoyance worsened when she saw the men observing her from a distance, like eagle statues.

"Alpha Rex is just making sure you're safe from harm, Lady Marianne," Aileen, her personal servant, replied respectfully.

"Far from civilization, you mean."

The woman she first met in the mansion smiled and explained why Zafrix had left so suddenly. Sofia didn't know how serious the emergency in his kingdom was. But she didn't care. He shouldn't have trapped her here on this island. He has no right!

"In time, Lady Marianne, you will understand everything," she said calmly, still following Sofia and trying to shade her from the scorching sun.

The only good thing about her situation was that she had quickly familiarized herself with the entire place, even its nooks and crannies. And that was what mattered. She just didn't know how to communicate with her comrades.

She often spent her free time in the spacious library. She passed the hours there, reading books about various creatures.

"Lady Marianne."

Sofia looked up from the book titled "Werewolf History" and turned to the speaker. She saw Aileen standing at the open doorway of the library.

"What is it?"

"It's time for your training," she replied, accompanied by a gentle bow as a greeting and sign of respect.