Wanted by My Fiance's Uncle

Chapter 4: Stranger in the Night

Maria’s POV 

I turned my head away quickly. I didn't want anyone to see me crying.

“It’s okay, I’m fine,” I said, forcing my voice to steady.

The man knelt beside me. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice calm, almost soothing. “I didn’t see you crossing the street. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

There was something in his tone that made me feel slightly at ease. Still, I kept my head turned. “I’m sure,” I said, trying to stand. But the moment I shifted my weight, my legs betrayed me, and I stumbled again.

Before I could hit the ground, his hand caught me by the waist, guiding me gently back to my feet.

“Thank you,” I muttered, my face still burning with embarrassment.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, his voice still calm. Then he hesitated, as if considering his next words. “Look, can I at least offer you a ride back home?”

I froze. My mind raced as I tried to figure out if accepting his offer would be a mistake. Entering a stranger's car wasn’t exactly the smart thing to do in a situation like this. But before I could respond, he spoke again, sensing my hesitation.

“Please,” he said softly. “Let me. It’s the least I could do… for almost running you over.”

Even though it was dark, I thought I saw the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It was subtle, but enough to ease any growing doubt.

“Alright,” I said finally.

He nodded, lightly touching my waist as he guided me to the car. He opened the passenger door, and I slid in. The interior was warm. The faint smell of leather and vanilla oak wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.

He shut my door and walked around to the driver’s side. When he climbed in, he turned the key, and the engine hummed to life. His hands rested on the steering wheel, and his head tilted slightly as he glanced at me.

“So,” he said, his tone neutral, “where do you stay?”

The question startled me. Where do I stay? How was I supposed to tell a stranger that I was the runaway daughter of the Alpha, too stubborn to go home but too scared to leave for good?

I turned my head to the window, watching the empty street stretch out before us. “Take me somewhere I can be free,” I said quietly.

For a moment, there was only the hum of the car between us. Then, without a word, he turned the wheel and guided the car back onto the road.

The ride was silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. His presence was calming in a way I didn’t understand. I stared out the window as houses and street lights blurred by. I caught glimpses of his face when we passed a light, but each time, the shadows obscured him before I could make out his features.

At some point, my eyes wandered to the back seat, where something caught my attention. A book lay there, its cover barely visible in the dim light. Curiosity got the better of me, and I reached back to grab it.

As the next streetlight passed overhead, the title came into view. It read, ‘Human’.

I was shocked to find myself holding a book from the human world in my hands. After my father destroyed all the human books my mother left me, I never thought I would see another human book again. I traced the title with my fingers and turned to look at the man again, questions bubbling up inside me. Had he been to the human world? Did he know what it was like? I’ve always imagined going, but I had no idea who could take me there.

But before I could speak, the car slowed to a stop.

I blinked, looking up to see the iron gates of the manor standing tall in front of us. My stomach twisted. How did he know where I lived?

“You knew who I was all along,” I said, more a statement than a question.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back slightly in his seat, his hands resting lightly on the steering wheel. “I figured, from the way you were dressed, you’d be from the manor.”

I looked down at my ball gown. “Oh,” I sighed and reached for the door handle.

But the man spoke again in an even, almost distant voice. “Sometimes we crave freedom.” I stopped and turned to him. He shifted in his seat and continued. “Hoping that one day someone will lead us to it. But you must realize that only you can lead yourself to freedom.”

The weight of his words settled heavily on my heart. For a moment, I forgot where I was.

I opened the door slowly and stepped out, the cool night greeting me once more. I turned back to him.

“Thank you for bringing me back home,” I said.

But as I turned to walk away, his voice stopped me. “Wait.”

I turned to see him holding the book out to me.

“Here,” he said. “Take this.”

I stared at it, then back at him, his face still shrouded in shadow.

“Why are you giving me this?” I asked.

He was silent for a moment, then said simply, “It might make you feel better.”

I hesitated, then took the book, clutching it to my chest. “Thank you,” I said softly, “for everything.”

He didn’t reply. Instead, he started the car and pulled away, the taillights fading into the darkness.

I stood there, staring after the car as it disappeared down the road. I was grateful for his help, his words, and his kindness. A part of me felt regret that I hadn’t seen his face clearly. But his message stayed with me. ‘Only you can lead yourself to freedom.’

I carefully hid the book beneath the layers of my ball gown as I made my way back toward the manor. My heart raced with every step. I was already in deep s**t for my stunt tonight, and I would be in much bigger trouble if my father found another human book in my possession. That in mind, I had to be stealthy and make my way to my rooms.

I took a deep breath as I approached the grand entrance. I slipped inside quietly, my heels clicking softly against the polished floors.

The first hallway was empty, save for the faint glow of the chandelier overhead. I moved quickly but carefully, keeping to the edges of the corridor, using the shadows for cover.

 Just a few more turns, and I’d be back in my room, safe.

I reached the second hallway and glanced around. It was empty. Good. If I could just make it past the banquet guests and avoid the servants, I could get to my room undetected.

The sound of footsteps made me freeze. My breath caught as a servant turned the corner ahead, balancing a tray of empty glasses. I darted into an alcove, pressing my back against the cold stone wall. The tray rattled faintly as the servant passed by, oblivious to my presence.

I let out a slow, shaky breath and stepped back into the hallway. The next stretch was more precarious, closer to the banquet hall itself. I moved quickly but cautiously, peeking around each corner before stepping forward.

Near the ballroom, a group of guests lingered, their voices raised in lively conversation. I pressed myself against the wall, cursing the loud rustle of my gown as I crouched low, praying no one heard me.

“Did you see the way Maria pushed her fiance and ran away?” one of the guests was saying.

“Indeed, It was quite the scene,” another replied. “You’d think as the Alpha’s daughter, she would know how to act with a little more decorum.”

“I suppose it runs in the family,” the first woman said, and they both laughed before sauntering back into the banquet hall.

I clenched my jaw, heat rising in my cheeks. Their words stung, but I couldn’t let them distract me. I waited until they were totally out of sight, before I darted out again.

The servant’s stairs were just ahead. I reached for the handle, my hand trembling slightly, when another voice rang out behind me.

“And where are you coming from, young lady?”

I froze mid-step, my blood running cold. Turning slowly, I met my father’s piercing gaze. His voice was calm, but I’d known him for so long to tell when he was angry, and tonight, he was furious.

“I was just getting some air, Father,” I said jokingly, trying to make light of the situation.

He took a few brisk steps toward me “Do not toy with me, child!”

I flinched at his loud voice.

“You embarrassed me tonight, Maria. You embarrassed this family,” he continued, his voice echoing in the long hallway. “How could you disrespect your future husband and run away like an eight-year-old throwing a tantrum? I thought I raised you better. Do you realize the amount of damage control I’ve had to do to keep Alan’s parents from calling off the wedding? We’re lucky Alan is as accommodating as he is.”

The picture of my father begging Alan and his parents on my behalf hurt more than I’d like to have admitted.

I swallowed hard, thinking of a way to make my case. “It’s not my fault if I act this way,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “You’re the one forcing me to marry someone I don’t like.”

His eyes narrowed, and I could see his anger simmering in them. Still, I pressed on. “Did you even see the way Alan was acting at the banquet? He was practically flirting with every maiden in attendance, yet I’m the one who gets all the blame just because I walked out.”

But my father was adamant and didn’t see things my way. “This is the wolf’s world,” he barked. “The stronger a werewolf is, the more popular he’ll be among she-wolves. It’s natural. You should be proud to be his future mate!”

His words made my blood boil. Proud? Of Alan? The very thought was laughable.

“I’ll never marry Alan. No matter what you do to me, you can burn my books and threaten all you want, but I’ll never marry him,” I said.

That was when he snapped.

His hand came down hard against my face, the sound of the slap ringing out in the stillness of the hall. The force of it made me stagger back a step, my hand flying to my cheek. It burned, but the ache in my chest was worse.