His Little Maid

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Maris shook her head as she found the devastation created by her Alpha. His room is in total wreckage, the bed was smashed, the curtains shredded, even the brick fireplace and the chairs in front of it were not spared.

She picked up some of the torn clothes and put it on her arms. She was only glad that she was able to quickly take Licht away, or else the poor human would had been scared out of her wits. The old woman let out a sigh, Lark's temper is not to be trifled with, though she knew that he wouldn't harm her but his enraged wolf could.

Hearing that the man who was giving them a hard time and causing chaos in their pack, was with his mate, any sane werewolf would be on their edge. She berated herself for not looking out for her Luna. If she wasn't a human, the rogue could have understood what she was easily.

Licht's life was in danger but she didn't even know it.

Giving up at trying to settle the mess, she proceeded to get out of the house to confront Lark. When she was descending the stairs, she bumped into John who had a worried look on his face. He too must have felt his Alpha's aggression.

"It has to do with Licht?" He said more than asked and Maris nodded her head gravely. She stared at his confused brown eyes with a fright on her own.

"She was with Marcus, John. He could have taken her or worse, killed her!" She said in frantic, she wrung her wrinkly hands in apprehension. "I did not even felt or smelt him!" she daif in aggravation. John's eyes widen and he let out a low curse, his hands combing at his dark locks.

"You didn't smell him?" He asked, his teeth gritted now that he knew the situation. Their number one enemy, the guy behind the rogue attacks on their pack was within distance with their mates!

Maris shook her head no, a grim look passing through her face as if she was bearing the guilt. "s**t!" John punched the concrete wall and made a large dent on it. He kept on combing through his hair, making it wild and untamed.

"So they weren't wrong. s**t!" He said, remembering the reason how those group of rogues managed to sneak within their territory easily. "They can really mask their scent." He muttered lowly but Maris heard and she whipped her head towards him. Fear resonating in her eyes.

"You mean he could be near here and I wouldn't know?" She asked, her pitch sounded high, no wonder she did not smell his scent on Licht despite onky being with him.

John narrowed his eyes in anger and nodded gravely. He glared at the wall opposite him. Maris slumped down on the steps and rubbed her face with her hands, as if to wake herself up from their nightmares.

She is not only a maid in this house but its guardian. She has very acute senses that could rival an Alpha. That's why she was the one supposed to take care of them and their future Luna. If she can't even sense a werewolf so close to the house, how can she protect it and the people inside it?

John looked at the woman in worry. "It's not your fault Maris," he said while rubbing the older woman's shoulder. "Sullivan is looking at it, he's a genius. Don't worry, we will protect you and our mates." He said with conviction and she nodded her head while standing up.

It wasn't time to lose her cool, she needed to protect these two girls that meant so much to her pack and her boys. "Let's look for Lark." She answered, determination shinning in her eyes.

John smiled at the older woman, she isn't one to be messed with, she had been alive for so long and handled both Lark and the former Alpha. She can protect their mate.

They both entered the dark forest, their eyes easily adjusting to the dark and enabling them to see. Even with scarce lighting from the moon, they could see the bent branches and fallen trees. They tracked him easily due to his rage, he left a lot of tracks.

They found him on a slightly open clearing up east of the villa, the smooth rock formation on the side restrict anyone from climbing it with ease, a small stream was beside it, with clear water reflecting the radiant half-moon.

It was enchanting to say the least but the atmosphere was greatly disturbed by Lark's murderous aura seeping through his pores. Even they were having a hard time standing at the pressure it envelopes them with, it was a miracle Licht was able to withstand it and not faint.

Human's instinctively feel the authority and power all enchanted beings have. Of course they don't understand but they know they have to avoid it. And to be under a murderous intent as choking as this, Licht was sturdy. Despite the situation, Maris' eyes shone proudly.

Then she glared at the large black werewolf. She felt how much Licht was shivering with fear, despite the reason, he shouldn't have made her feel like that. The stupid bloke just made his mate fear him!

"Lark, shift this instance!" She commanded, her chin up in the air while Lark's wolf only bared its teeth, growled at her and raised its hind. It's been a while since she asserted herself to him but she would have none of his attitude

John sweat-dropped at her side while she narrowed her eyes at Lark. Without fear, she walk right in front of the animal and stared at its onyx eyes.

"Shift now, or so help me Lark I'm making sure Licht doesn't come near you." She threatened, her voice booming and authorative. Even John felt its power, and by hearing his mate's name, the wolf whined and let his ear droop. Maris huffed as she crossed her arms, her right foot tapping as she impatiently waited for him to turn back.

John looked at the older woman in awe as the sound of bones breaking and reshaping echoed in the night. He knew that she was Lark's guardian before but this is the first time he saw her assert the special authority she had.

"Remind me never to make you angry." He commented on the side, Maris only glared at him, impatience clear in her eyes. At the end of the transition they both looked at a very naked Lark. John excused himself to get a boxer for him.

While they wait, Maris sent harsh glares at her Alpha and Lark winced at its intensity. When John returned, Lark was already defeated by Maris' eyes. The old maid took a deep breath first before starting her barrage of scolding.

"Look Lark." She started, annoyance clear in her tone, "Even if it what you heard made you angry, you shouldn't have let Licht under such pressured intent. The girl was obviously scared! Are you trying to make your mate run away from you?!" She continued in one breath, Lark could only hang his head in shame.

"I'm angry too Lark, and I understand that your temper is much volatile than us. But she's a human, a human!" She emphasized, her arms flailing wildly. "She could have fainted or hurt just by your power. You should understand your difference and how fragile your relationship can be. She doesn't understand anything yet and you just scared her like that. With no logical reason whatsoever!" The tirade continues until a few minutes later.

She only stopped when she run out of breath and she could hear the audible sigh of relief from both guys. John shook his head in amazement, only Maris had the guts and courage to scold an Alpha like that. And she is the only one that they listened to and don't snap.

Lark finally raised his head, his eyes showing how apologetic he was. "I'm sorry Maris, but just the thought that he was able to come so near her. It made me lose reason." He explained and Maris nodded her head in understanding.

"I know Lark, but she doesn't know that! You should know that!" She scolded him, both her hands on either side of her hips. Lark let out a large breath.

"I know, and I'm sorry." He said, Maris taught them how to apologize despite their large pride. It was easier but not any less painful for him and his wolf.

Maris shook her head. "I'm not the one you should apologize to. Go to Licht before she decide to bolt out of our house." She told him and he looked at her with wide frantic eyes.

"She wouldn't leave me, would she?" He asked in desperation, so unlike his usual confidence. It was something Maris never saw, and something she never want to see again. Her Alpha looked so vulnerable.

She let out a sigh.

"I'm not being pessimistic but the girl was really scared. Go and apologize now and salvage whatever you can." She advised, a soft look passing her face. Lark nodded his head and stood up from the ground. Intent to seek out his mate, the other two walked back with him.

--

When they arrived back to the villa, John bid them goodnight and a good luck to his Alpha before going back to his room. Lark nodded his head and was about to head to the maid quarters when he was stopped by Maris.

"What?" He asked, confused why she was stopping him. His mate could be planning to escape him the longer he waited. But the old woman only look at him unimpressed.

"Don't tell me you're planning to speak with her half naked?" She reminded him and he realized that he was only in his boxer. Maris hummed and motioned for him to follow her. "You might want to comb your hair as well. You look like an insane man with those leaves and that wild mass you call hair." She chastised, he could only nod at her.

When they entered his room, he was met the mess he created. "I'll have this cleaned and fixed." He mumbled out with a sigh. He tends to get too violent went mad, he avoided the debris and safely made it to his own closet.

After changing into proper clothes, Maris left him to his own devices and he went towards Licht. He expanded his hearing and tried to locate if the girl is still within his estate. He was a bit alarmed to sense her outside of the villa on the west side.

She was in her garden. Lark let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He was seriously scared that she already bolted away from him.

He couldn't... wouldn't let that.

With renewed purpose, Lark followed the tantalizing scent of his mate. When he came outside, he found her inside the greenhouse, just standing there in the middle with her eyes closed. The breeze was faint but it was cold, though he barely felt it due to his higher temperature but he was worried since Licht only had a thin shoal covering her shoulder.

Quietly, he approached the young lady who seemed lost in her own mind. He dreaded what it was that was floating in her head. Did leaving him ever crossed her mind? It was pathetic for an Alpha to feel uncertain and weak but just the thought of her leaving him was enough to tear his heart.

He remained silent as he entered the garden, the door to the greenhouse was open so it was easier to slip in undetected. He tried to sense her wellbeing, he can at least do that even when unmated but it was fainter than if they were. Suddenly, a wave of calm hit him, and he can only stare at her in confusion.

Why is she calm?

Lark wanted to take that as a positive sign. Surely if she wanted to leave, she'd be feeling scared, right? Still, he can't shake off the bad feeling that he had.

After a few more silence, he decided to break her out of her reverie. He cleared out his throat loudly for her to hear. She immediately opened her eyes and quickly turned to look at him, when she saw who he was, she instinctively took one step back and he noticed.

He was glad to see no fear in her eyes when she look at him, however, she was pretty guarded. She was looking at him like she didn't knew him and that hurt. He managed to not show it in his face but his wolf's whimper was resonating in his head.

"Licht I..." He started, unsure of what to say. She perked up at the mention of her name but she remained distrustful. He combed his hand through his hair, anxiousness filling him. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have felt that." He said, having no idea how to explain and failing to find the correct words without telling her what he is.

He looked back at her to see her frowning at him, there was pain in her eyes and he felt a stab to his heart. He did this to her.

"I..." He began again, but the words were stuck to his throat when she looked away. Her countenance and feeling making it easier for him to understand. She was confused and uncertain.

"Lark," She said, foregoing the title she always accompany his name with. And he shivered, liking the sound of his name coming from his lips. But dread followed suit. Her eyes continued to look at nothing but he knew she had more to say so he waited patiently for her to continue.

"What are you?" The question was whispered so quietly, he almost didn't caught it despite his hearing. Still, it shocked him, he hung his head down, wondering if the ground would provide him the answers he needed. His mind running a mile to answer that question. He raised his eyes and found her looking back. Her expression was almost begging.

He almost cracked.

"That wasn't human. Don't tell me it is or that I'm hallucinating. I don't think what happened there was something a human could do. It was suffocating, the last time I felt that kind of fear was when I last saw my father!" She shouted at him, her voice cracking as she held the tears at bay. She was so torn with her feeling and not understanding why.

"I thought of leaving after that. It was terrifying." She confessed after her oitburst and he panicked again. Her words was binding him and drowning him in fear and pain. But even then, he wasn't sure if he should tell her. If he was being honest, he was scared that if she knew, she'll leave him.

But isn't she thinking that already?

He gritted his teeth to suppress himself. She felt him take a step near him and he turned rigid.

"Lark," She begged again, trying to make him stare at her eyes. As if she knew that just one look from her would be his undoing. "Please tell me, I don't want 1to be kept in the dark. I want to know before I do something drastic." Her voice was breaking, the smell of something salty pervaded his nose and he finally looked up. His eyes frantic at the realization.

Her tears was too much for him to take. Despite his stance, he took the remaining distance and engulfed her in a fierce hug. She visibly relaxed but he can still feel the sobs wracking her body. Sparks danced along the skin that touched and he wish to always be able to feel it.

"If you knew, you'll definitely leave me." He said to her, making her head snap up to look at his. She narrowed her red puffy eyes at him. A frown paintin her lips.

"How would you know?" She argued stubbornly. "You have no idea what I will do, don't think you know me that well. Let me decide." She continued, her bravery once again coming back and replacing the unsure woman that she was earlier.

He always loved her stubborn will. But right now, it's not what he needed.

Lark tilted his head up and let out a breath, one of his hand pinching the bridge of his nose, like a painful headache is coming. "It's not something so simple, Licht." He argued back and he felt her struggle from his hold. His wolf didn't like that she was trying to run away and her words from before set him on edge.

His grip tightened while she resisted with more vigor. Making him lose all reason. If she doesn't stop that, he wolf will really show itself.

"Please don't do that." He whispered to her, to control his temper. Licht stopped moving to glower at him. "If you want me to stop then tell me!" She commanded him, a vein ticked at the side of his temple. His wolf was too agitated to take her disrespect and ignore it.

"Drop it!" He commanded but she just held on much more stubbornly. Resuming on trying to free himself from his grip.

"I don't want to. If you don't want to tell me, then I don't mind leaving!" She retorted back, her fair cheeks dusted with red due to the effort. She faced him head on and determination shone in her eyes.

He finally snapped and growled loudly at her. She froze, her eyes widening and she held her breath in. That did not sound human.

He let go of her with a snarl, his eyes darkening to a familiar onyx that she dreaded. He could see her gulp in apprehension, he wanted to be calm but she was making it damn near impossible.

He felt his fangs pierce his lips, his wolf was forcing him to show her. He was still afraid of how she would react, remembering her intense hatred of wolves. But his wolf doesn't care, he wanted to show her what she wanted to know.

He watched her tremble where she stands, looking back and forth as if looking for a place to run away. In truth, it was him who wanted to run, he didn't want her to know yet but even he was rooted to his place.

"Licht." He said, his voice guttural and distorted, he was still trying to fight off the shift. "This is your last chance, run away now." He was having a hard time speaking now, he closed one of his eyes as tiny hairs poked out from his skin like needles.

After the first time, shifting becomes less painful until you could transition effortlessly, however, fighting off a forced shift is like shifting for the first time. It was painful and prolonged. Licht was definitely scared but she was still worried for him and she shook her head no.

"I won't run." She said, her breath hitched when she heard the familiar snap. Lark gritted his teeth, the pressure from his head was becoming too much. He could barely open his eyes but he could faintly see Licht trying to get near him.

He hated the fear and worry he could see swimming im her eyes.

He growled again making her stop. "It's too... dangerous to come near me." He panted out. "If you don't run now, I promise you I will never let you escape even if you try to leave me." He heaved out for the last time before falling to his knees, some of his bones was sticking at weird angles.

She can't help but cry out for him, tears freely flowing down her face but she refused to run. Whatever he is, she wanted to know, her whole being is telling her not to avert her eyes from the horror that she's witnessing.

And with a last guttural growl from his lips he completely succumb to his wolf and allow the shift freely. Within seconds, the man standing in front of her changed into something she could never stand.

When the final bone snapped into place, she finally found her voice and let out an ear splitting scream.