Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Dylan's POV

Oops! I guess she must have seen me with injuries when she had opened her eyes, in her unconscious form, her mind must have registered all my bruises, yet, I feigned ignorance as I stared at her looking puzzled, "what are you talking about?"

"I...I....saw you bleeding, but then look at you, not even a scratch could be seen on you"

"Really? Are you certain of what you saw? You were unconscious for a day and you might have imagined it right?"

She stared at me wide-eyed, looking confused as she whispered, "days?"

I nodded, almost feeling guilty for deceiving her but I can't let her know of my real identity, I have tried so hard to put that part of my life in closed-door and live like a human, in the human world, werewolves, vampires, or any creature that's not human are considered freaks and the hunt for them increases every day, werewolves are vulnerable when they are not with their pack, although, I wasn't afraid and any human or werewolf Hunter, over the years, I have progressed to become one of the most successful men in the world and not afraid of anyone, but I had chosen to live as human because the memories of being a werewolf hurt too damn much, my identity hurt because it's always a reminder of betrayal, bitterness and worst death of my loved ones, right now, it doesn't hurt as much as before ...."what are you thinking of? You didn't answer my question" Ariana snapped her fingers across my face bringing me back to the present, she raised her chin at me as if wondering what was wrong with me, she was clearly waiting for an answer, I cleared my throat, "you were unconscious for three days"

"Three days! She screeched before seeming to catch herself and asked in a softer tone, "who took care of me in the three days, you?"

Give it to Ariana to ask dumb questions, I almost rolled my eyes at her question, "obviously I did, you didn't see anyone around, do you"

She blushed and looked at what she was wearing, I had removed her cloth and wore her my shirt, it came down to her knees

"Don't worry about your clothes, I hung it to dry"

"You...you...pulled off my clothes? I was naked?"

I finally got where she was driving at, " don't worry, there's nothing enticing to see, it's all skinny and bony, your cloth was wet and dirty from all the blood, I had to rinse it"

I watched her cheeks flame, she must be feeling really embarrassed, I knew I was lying when I said she didn't look enticing, the truth was, she had looked so damn enticing that I fought having her even in her unconscious state but she didn't have to know that, she still didn't look convinced that I didn't do anything to her order than pulling her clothes, "do no worry, Ariana, the last time incident will never repeat itself again, it's my promise to you"

The promise was made more to myself than to her

"Thanks" she whispered and I stared at her, wondering why she was suddenly thanking me

"You saved my life three times, I really do owe you my life"

"That means you'll be my slave for the rest of your life" her eyes bulged at my words, "what! But...but...what if I finish paying my debt, won't you let me go?"

I sighed, staring into her large brown eyes that were now filled with panic

"What debt are you talking about? For the loss I encountered or for saving your life, if you finished paying for the loss you caused me, I would have let you go but how are you gonna pay me for saving your life?"

I could see that I have rendered her speechless with my words as her mouth hung open but no words came out, she was simply short of words, I have her just where I wanted her. "but...but...sir..."

I raised a brow as she stuttered, looking for a way out, I guessed she couldn't find words because she suddenly snapped her mouth closed, her face filled with distress, she stood up and ran out of the cabin.

Ariana's POV

"What?" His slave for life? what about me? I have my own life to live, something in me quickly whispered to me if I really did have a life but still being Dylan Sabastine's slave was one thing, what I do not understand is these sudden feelings I am developing for him knowing fully well that he would never feel the same about me, I owe him my life, sure but I don't want to be a slave forever, no one proud with the title of being a slave. He said I'm not attractive to him, Well, he must be used to much more classy and sexy women, what was I expecting? That Dylan Sabastine would like a skinny ugly duckling like me? I should stop dreaming because to him I am certainly just a slave and would always be, he must not know how I feel about him, I'll keep my feelings a secret even if it kills me, I must have gone soft because he saved my life, that should be the only reason, why else would I be thinking of something more with him, perhaps, what I am feeling is gratitude, it will go away with time, for now, until it goes away, it will be my secret.

"What is the matter? Why did you suddenly run outside" he asked from behind me and I turned suddenly and fell right into his arms, he had been standing too close, I gasped as he caught me, my heart thudded as blood rushed towards my face, they must be as red as tomatoes by now, "keep your feelings to yourself, Ariana, move out of his arms" I heard my inner thought admonished, it's not that I didn't want to obey it, it's just that my body refused to obey it, his warmth penetrated through my clothing and my skin felt heated, fur some reason, I feel so safe in these arms as I stared into his eyes, those eyes flashed and his nostrils flared as if he perceived an unpleasant smell, he suddenly let go of me as if I had burnt him and I fell on my butt, "ouch" I writhed in pain, I thought I heard him whispered "Hunters"

"What hunters? We're alone in this place"

He shook his head at me and I frowned, how did he know we have company, well, I guess it's a good thing, whoever they are could help us outta here, "it's a good thing right? They could help us find our way out of this place" he didn't say anything, only

offered me his hand so I can stand up, I frowned as I gazed around, "hello, anyone there? Help us please" I shouted and his hand immediately went to my mouth, covering it to keep me from calling out.

"What are you doing?" He gritted, I slapped his hand away from my lips, "I'm calling for help, what else? Why did you stop me?"

His eyes burned into mine for a fleet second, "it's nothing, we're alone, I stopped you from shouting out so as not to attract wild animals" my eyes bulged as it dawned on me that he was absolutely right about that, fear laced my heart like icy chills and I shivered, he must have noticed because he suddenly asked, "cold?"

I shook my head as my eyes dart around, he held my chin and brought my gaze to stare at him, "I won't let anything happen to you" his words rang with so much sincerity that without a doubt, I believed he is capable of that, I realized that I feel safe with him, this man had saved me thrice in a day, he had become my savior and I trust him with my life, I nodded slowly and he sighed, "let's go in, hurry!" There was a note in his voice as he told me to hurry but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it could be, one minute, he would act all normal and sincere, and the next minute, he would act like someone who had an ace up his sleeves, who exactly was this man and why do I feel he has a very dark secret that he was hiding, the look on his face as I followed him inside sent a chill down my spine.

I was puzzled at his actions, he was acting strange, I felt his hand on the small of my back as he tries to make me hurry inside

"Stay right here and do not go anywhere" before I could say anything, he was gone.