Stranger Of The Night:His Wolfless Mistress

Chapter 1

FIVE YEARS AGO

VALERIE

"Bella, what do you think about these colors being paired together?" I asked my maid, pointing at the pair of blue denim jeans and a brown bottom-down shirt I hung.

"I think they look so perfect together" Bella replied not glancing at me and I frowned.

"Can you tell me the color of the shirt I picked?"

She dropped her knitting into the basket and looked up. "A brown shirt on blue jeans. That looks like a good combo, you know? Don't tell me you're dressing as a cowgirl again"

I chuckled slightly and moved closer to her. "Don't you think it makes sense? A brown shirt and blue jeans, paired with brown boots, and a brown hat? They make me feel some hint of freedom. And all I have ever wanted is to be free. I want to watch the river flow and watch the plants grow. I want to travel around the world without being hindered just like I have read in many freedom books". I waved my hands in the air.

"You don't plan to leave the cave. Are you?"

I squatted in front of her. "Just for a few minutes. I won't stay out late. I promise"

"What if you come across those angry pack members? I can't bear to see you get hurt. Your dad..."

"I will be fine. I promise. And I will try to avoid them too"

"Val. You..."

"Please, Bell. Just for today. I promise I won't leave this cave for a week after today"

She gave me a suspicious look and sighed. "I don't know how you keep getting me to do your bids but trust me. This is the last"

I smiled. "Thanks, Bell. You're the best"

"You..."

I knew she wanted to give me a condition that I was sure I wouldn't be able to keep, so I ran off into my room with the clothes before she could finish up her sentence. I still wonder how my dad was able to carve out a room for me in a cave like this. I quickly wore my clothes and paired them with one of my brown hats and boots. I wore my hair down in two braids and giving myself the last look in the mirror, I walked closer to the curtains and peeped out. Bella was busy with her knitting and I seized that opportunity to run out.

I closed my eyes to enjoy the cold breeze blowing across my face. And after a while, loosed up the horse my dad gave me on my fifteenth birthday. It was a white horse. Another creature I get to talk to and share my problems with. I patted her gently and smiled.

"We will be going on a far journey. Hope you are ready?"

She snorted and I took that as her way of saying she likes it.

"I am as much happy as you are" I whispered into her ear.

I grabbed her reins and placed my left foot in the stirrup. Carefully, I pulled my body up and onto the horse. Slowly sinking into the saddle, I adjusted a little.

"Oh, baby. Here we go"

**

After going around the cave four times on my horse, I got bored and decided to go a little bit deep into the forest to have some fun. I thought about hunting some wild animals. Thank goodness my dad had taught me how to hunt and I have my hunting gun with me. He also took his time to teach me how to fight. He said it was to protect myself though. He also did not let me partake in any fighting competition.

At some point, I had doubts about going into the forest since Bella and my dad had warned me not to go too far from the cave, for fear of being attacked by angry pack members and I have always obeyed them.

But now, being fifteen, I became more curious to know what lies inside the forest, without thinking of what I will face in the hand of angry pack members when caught. I also wanted to know what the other side of the forest look like. Bella had once told me there were creatures other than werewolves at the other end, which only a few people have been opportune to see. I thought about what it will be like to see them.

I will boast to other pack members," I thought and chuckled.

Though I knew how difficult it will be to meet with any pack member without being bullied and also knew I won't have the opportunity to show off my new experience if I ever had one, the thought of seeing something new gave me joy. I thought there won't be any harm in disobeying them a little and in the process feeding my curiosity. I tied up my horse on a tree close to the cave and decided to go on foot. That way Bella won't have to worry much about me. I carried the bag containing some fruits I had plugged out and also a bottle of water, just in case I get thirsty on the way. I patted my horse for the last time, not after assuring her that I will be back soon, and then headed into the forest.

The forest was a bit darker with a few rays of light from the sun as the only source of light. Everything seems normal, just the usual chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. There were a few strange plants that I have not come in contact with before and I had to stop at some point to touch a few of them. Some opened up while others closed up suddenly, making me jump.

I wondered if there was anything worth looking at in the forest and if it would be better to return home. I thought about the sumptuous meal Bella might be preparing now and wondered if the time is already far spent since there was nothing I could track the time with. I soon got thirsty and had to stop under a tree to take some water and then rest, before heading on again. I had thought I wasn't going to get to the end of the forest and at some point thought about going back. But when I saw a brighter light ahead of me, I shrieked happily.

I ran towards the light and was soon standing right in front of a small house. It wasn't the end of the forest like I had thought but just a small house being built in the middle of the forest. It was surrounded by trees. And those trees had formed a big opening above, which allows the sun to shine directly on the small house. That was where the brighter light I saw was coming from. There was a sign of a recent fire being made. I felt the surge of excitement run down my spine as I chuckled happily. The thought of knowing that someone lives in a forest like this made me happy.

I wondered what had triggered him or her to live here and decided to find out what the small house looks like inside. I hid behind one of the trees and threw a stone at the door. I waited for someone to open the door which no one did. I threw another stone and waited in excitement. When no one came out of the small house. I tiptoed closer to it and pushed the door slightly. It gave way, making a sound. I peeped into the small house but it was dark.

"Hello?. Is anyone here?" I cooed but there was no reply

I searched for a lighter inside my pocket and lit up a dry stick beside the door. I carefully walked into the house, being conscious of my environment. The small house had just a room. On the far end of the room is a bed and a table, containing some books. There was a lamp on the table too and a few clothes scattered all around the floor.

A pot and a stove lay at the other end of the room. The stove was on and I knew immediately that whosoever stays here must have stepped out to get something and might be returning soon. I thought about leaving before he or she comes back. And just when I turned to leave, I had the sound of the door being opened and I threw down the lighted stick out of fear. Without thinking twice, I scrambled towards the bed and hid beneath it quickly.

I could hear the sounds of feet moving closer and knew immediately that there could be more than just one of them. There was a sudden silence and the light came on. I peeped out to see how close or far they are to me. I could see two men talking beside the lit stove, but I could not hear a word that they were saying.

I was beginning to feel hot and uncomfortable beneath the bed and wished I had listened to Bella and my dad and not entered the forest. They soon ended their discussion and turned to leave. I breathed a sigh of relief when the door was opened. I suddenly felt the urge to sneeze. I thought of placing my hand on my mouth to stop myself but it came out just before I could.

"Who is there?" I heard one of them say and I froze.

"You'd better come out now or we will sniff you out ourselves and that won't be funny," another said.

They were hefty men and I knew It wouldn't take time before I am being sniffed out, but the thought of coming out myself feels creepy. Remembering that the door is opened, I see that as an advantage to run away and decided to come out of my hiding. Slowly, I came out, raising my hands.

They stared at me in surprise. I guess they were expecting an alien or so. "I mean no harm. I was just walking by and I saw the small house, so I walked through that door" I pointed at the door. They stared at the door and then at me. "Well, I think I have overstayed my welcome and should get going"

I made for the door but one of them stopped me.

"And where do you think you are going?"

I shrugged. "Home, I guess"

"You are not leaving here alive"

I batted my lashes. "But I did nothing wrong"

"You should let her go" the other man spoke up and I sighed.

"She can't live," the first man said,

"She is just a little girl, Arthur," the other said

"But she heard everything we talked about we can't take chances and let her live"

"Well, I don't know what you both are talking about right now but if your argument is about me hearing what you were saying when you stood beside that stove, I can tell you that I did not hear a thing out of your discussion"

They stared at me and then at each other.

"Just let her go, Arthur. She looks harmless"

"Gabriel, she might look harmless but she has got some courage. She can't live"

I watch them argue about if I should live or not and took that as an opportunity to run away. I dash out of the small house and deep into the forest. It took me a while before I stopped, realizing no one was after me. I sat under a tree to get my breath back and soon realized I might be lost in the woods. Not only was I lost, but I had also lost my bottle of water as well as my bag of fruit.

I wandered about in the forest hoping to see someone who would help me. Everywhere was already dark and I could hardly see what is in front of me. I soon began to hear movement and hid quickly behind a tree. Something ran past me and I flinched, yelling in the process. I saw pairs of red eyes staring at me. I could tell from the scent that they are wolves. And from the few pairs of eyes I could count, there should be about ten of them or more.

They began to move closer to me and soon dash at me. I made to run away but one of them caught my leg, pulling me down. I screamed in pain as I got scratched. I had expected the worst to happen to me and had closed my eyes but surprisingly I heard a few sounds and there was silence.

I looked around me seeing dead wolves laying about. A pair of emerald green eyes stared at me.

"Are you ok?" A voice asked and I batted my lashes as he lowered himself beside me. I could only see his eyes but from the voice, I could tell it was a male.

"I am fine" I wanted to say but I suddenly felt dizzy and everything became blank.

**

I walked through the garden, touching a few flowers at intervals. The garden has beautiful flowers in different colors. There was silence, only the chirping of birds and I doubted if there was someone in there. There was this peace I felt inside of me and I couldn't help but smile. I heard a sound of movement and stopped promptly. Silence returned and I kept moving.

"Valerie?" I heard someone call and I turned to see my mom.

She had a beautiful smile on and I couldn't help but smile too. "Mom?" I called and she moved closer to me.

She held my hand and smiled. "Valerie, you've grown up into a beautiful woman and I am so proud of you"

"I-it's good to see you mom. When are you coming home, mom? I've missed you"

"I've missed you too, Val. But I can't come home. You will have to take care of yourself"

I batted my lashes as tears threatened to fall. "Mom, it's been so many years since you left and everyone blamed me for your death. Don't you think you need to come back home and tell me that I am not cursed?"

She sighed. "I wish I could but I am in a place far away and I am not allowed to come home with you"

"But mom..."

She placed her hand on my lips. "I am so sorry my love, but I can't come home with you"

"Mom..."

She wiped the tears on my face. "I know you are passing through a lot now, but you are strong. Stronger than you think you are. All you need to do is discover yourself and you will be fine"

"I wish I can be here with you"

"You can't. Not anytime soon. You should go back now. Your dad is looking for you"

"When do I get to see you again?"

"I can't say. But I will visit you soon"

"Mom..."

I felt a hand touch me and I opened my eyes to meet my dad's blue eyes staring at me.

"Are you ok?" He asked, with a worried look on his face and I nodded. "Are you sure? You have some tears on your face"

I wiped my face with my hand and sat up. "I saw her"

"Who?"

"Mom?"

He sighed. "You saw her?"

I nodded. "Yes, dad. I did. I miss her, dad"

He sat down beside me and smiled. "I miss her too and I know she misses you too"

"Dad?" I cooed and he stared at me. "I love you"

"I love you too, darling," he said and hugged me. He pulled away from the hug and stood up. "Valerie, I have to go now. You will be fine right?"

I nodded. "I will"

"Is there anything you want?"

"Some fruits will do"

"On my way out, I will ask Bella to get some for you"

I smiled. "Thanks, dad"

He patted my shoulder and made to leave when I suddenly remembered that the last time I was conscious, I was at the other end of the forest, with someone staring at me.

"Dad?" I cooed and he turned.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Can I ask a question?"

He nodded. "Yes," he replied, moving closer to me.

"Did I return home myself? I mean yesterday?"

He stared at me and sighed. "Bella found you beside your horse yesterday. She wasn't sure if you lost consciousness or if you were tired and slept off. She brought you back home"

"Was there anyone with me?"

He furrowed his brows. "Was someone supposed to be with you? Did you go deep into the forest?"

I chuckled nervously. "N-no. I thought I saw someone but I guess it was a dream"

He stared at me. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Trust me dad"

After my dad left, I kept wondering if it was a dream like I said. I decided to forget about it and go find Bella. I made to stand up but felt a sharp pain in my leg and had to sit down quickly. I had a wound on my leg which wasn't too deep. Staring at the leg, everything that had happened in the forest yesterday began to play in my head.