CLAIMED BY THE LYCAN

Episode 13

LIZA’A POV

“Who’s that?” Asher asked.

“Who is what?” I asked, confused.

“There is a man that has been following us for a while now.” Asher said.

“I don’t see anyone.” I said with furrowed eyebrows.

“Me too, I don’t see anyone.” Another person said.

We all paused, we looked around to see if we would see anyone but we still didn't see. “Asher, are you sure of what you saw?” I asked him to be certain.

“Yes, hundred percent sure. He’s been following us but hiding in the bush.” Asher explained. My facial expression soon became serious because I know that Asher does not say anything that he is not sure of.

“So, what do you suggest we do?” I asked him unsure if we should keep going into the woods.

“I think we should stall for a bit and start walking when he least expects it,” Asher suggested.

“Nice plan. So, what do we do while we stall? We can’t just remain still.” I stated.

“I say we play a game.” Isabella suggested.

We all agreed to play a game and we played for a while without realizing it was already getting dark. We needed to go back as we had no intention of sleeping in the woods. “Asher, we need to go back home.” I said to him,

“We don’t have to, we can camp here and continue our adventure,”

“You know I have to go back to him in the morning.” I reminded him.

We all cleared our things and made sure we picked up everything we carried out. We walked home feeling very tired. After a long walk, we finally got home and we snuck in from the window and laid down.

In a few minutes, the door opened with Asher’s mum standing at the door. Or so I thought.

“Where have you all been?” she asked with anger laced on her voice.

I turned to Asher for him to speak but I noticed his hands trembling like he was so scared which got me wondering why. I thought he said she is his mother, why then is he so scared of her.

“Stupid boy,” the woman shouted and we all shook. She is definitely not his mother.

“Now go down and wait for me.” she instructed but he kept begging her that he doesn’t want to go down.

“Please I will accept any other thing but I do not want to go downstairs.” He pleaded and at that point, I knew he was definitely being abused and pretended everything was fine. I began to wonder how he managed to do that.

We all stayed there watching and feeling sorry for Asher. “Please, you should all go home.” Asher pleaded with us. He obviously didn’t want us watching his misery. Without hesitation, I stood up and urged the others that we leave. Whatever it is, we will come check on him. but for now, he needed privacy.

Sadly, I walked home in the dark which I shouldn’t but there was no other way and I could not request to be picked up. All these were unplanned. As I kept walking, I heard footsteps behind me that got me really scared. I had nothing to defend myself and if someone were to hurt me, he would do that effortlessly. I decided I was going to run when the person least expects it.

I wanted to turn back to see but I was too scared to do so. “Wait.” The person called out when he noticed that my pace was increasing.

I pretended not to hear and I kept walking without looking back. I wondered whether he thought I was dumb enough to think that I would just because he said I should wait.

Before I knew what was happening, I felt his grip on my hand and my heart sank immediately. “I’m not here to hurt you. I was assigned to protect you and ensure that you are safe.” I tried to look at his face and I could recognize him as one of Arthur’s guards.

I didn’t say anything again and I calmly followed him. immediately we got home, I met Arthur standing outside and the look on his face was a friendly one at all.

“You told me you will be in his house. What happened?” Arthur asked me before I got to him.”

“I… m_”. I stuttered.

“You what Liza?” Arthur said to understand me. He is obviously very pissed and I lacked the words to say that will lessen the tension in the air.

“If something had happened to you out there, or if they sold you off. What then would I have said to Ryder?” Arthur asked me again.

I stood there looking at him with my head bowed. I decided to stay quiet rather than say something that will make him angrier. I didn't know the right words to say either.

“Take her to her room and ensure that she doesn't leave without my permission.” He instructed the guard that brought me home.

While I walked past him, he gently stopped me by the shoulder and looked at me. “You disappointed me Liza. You are not a child anymore, why act like one.” He said to me,

“I'm sorry.” I apologized and continued walking to my room.

At that moment, I didn't care if my movement had just been restricted, my problem was Asher. I can't help but remember the pain in his eyes as he told us to leave.

What could it possibly be? I started doubting if he was just a rogue. Maybe he is a slave as that would explain what that was.

“Hey, you might want to calm down.” I heard a familiar voice say to me.

“Have you been there all this while?” I was surprised to see Scarlett seated on the floor by the wall.

“Yes, I was worried. You know Alpha Arthur was so worried.” Scarlett said.

“Worried? I don't understand. Is there something I don't know?” I asked Scarlett, confused as I tried to place everything together.

First I noticed Asher’s mother is not his mother and then Arthur who was calm about me being there is not calm all of sudden but rather overly worried.

“Why would you go to the house of Asher?” Scarlett asked me and it was at this point that I knew something was wrong.