TANGLED IN HIM

Chapter Five

Seraphina's POV

We're in the car, heading to a city that doesn't show up on any map. I did my research though, and learned that the place has been around for a long time. Still, I wondered why it is unknown and doesn't exist on the map. I wondered about those who live in that kind of city. Our research is to explore the city and gather proof of its existence and its inhabitants.

"I can't wait to treat myself like a princess after this trip!" Kimberly says cheerfully beside me. Since we discovered we're seat partners, she has been talking non-stop, full of excitement.

"Yeah, me too," I chimed in, not wanting her to feel bad that I hadn't been saying anything since.

"So tell me, where do you plan on going after this trip?" she asks eagerly.

"I honestly don't know yet," I reply.

"Oops!" she exclaims, eyes wide with surprise. "We could both go to Iceland then, if you don't have anything in mind yet. The views there are stunning!" she adds with a bright smile.

"I think I'll pass. My fiancé and I have other plans," I say, remembering that Matthew still hasn't called me.

"Oh, that's cool then!" she says.

As time drags on, her chatter begins to fade into the background. My eyelids grow heavy and my eyes start to feel drowsy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I jolt awake, my eyes flying open. We still hadn't reached our destination. I look beside me, and see Kimberly sound asleep. Feeling bored, I turn my gaze outside the window and take in the view. The view is captivating—a vast, shimmering turquoise ocean stretches endlessly before me. Hours pass, yet we remain on this seemingly endless journey. Why is the place so far away?

Peering outside again, I realize the ocean surrounds us on all sides. No wonder this city was off the map; it was tucked away, isolated by water. I decided to call Matthew. I dial his number, it just rings. But no answer. After several attempts, with no answer, I give up. He'll call back once he notices my missed calls.

After many hours, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. "Wake up! We've finally arrived," Kimberly says, pulling me from my sleep.

"Finally," I mutter, still groggy. I'm not even sure when I dozed off again.

We all climbed out of the car, stretching and yawning tiredly. I look around and see we're on the outskirts of the city. The only thing in sight is a dense forest. No wonder this place isn't on any maps. Who wouldn't want to live here?

"Just a short walk, and we'll be there," Mr. Philip, the leader of this research team, announces as he begins walking deeper into the woods.

"Are you sure this isn't a death research?" Kimberly whispers beside me, and I chuckle at her humor. Just then, my phone rings. Matthew is finally calling.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," I say, stepping away from the group to answer.

"Hey, baby," Matthew's sweet voice washes over me, and all my frustration melts away.

"Matthew, you promised to call before I left for the trip. But you never did, even when I tried reaching you, you didn't pick up," I say, my voice tinged with annoyance.

"I'm really sorry, baby, it slipped my mind. As a zillionaire now, I've been working twice as much as before," he explains. "I'm really sorry," he repeats.

"So, because you are now a zillionaire, I'm not important anymore?" I shot back.

"Never baby! You know I'm working hard for you—to give you the best life. To spoil you, so you wouldn't think of anything else but me," he replies, and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"Have you arrived yet?" he asks.

"Not yet. We're still in this forest, but I heard we're almost there," I answer.

"Take care of yourself and be safe for me, huh," he says.

"Will do," I smiled, feeling the warmth between us.

"I can't wait to have you back with me. I love you," he adds.

"I love you too," I reply, and then the call ends.

I'm just about to head back to my research group when I hear a menacing, animalistic growl. My heart races when a massive creature charges at me. Panic sets in as I sprint away, not realizing I had taken a wrong turn.

Suddenly, I find myself lost in a dense green forest. I glance around and realize I'm deep in a thick, green forest. The trees loom everywhere. I realized earlier that when the creature pursued, I had lost my way. I frantically search for my phone, hoping to pull up a map to guide me out, but it's nowhere to be found. My body shakes with fear as I wander through the dense woods, feeling completely lost, praying for a way out.

When I hear loud sniffing nearby. I freeze, alert and ready to sprint again. Just like a flash, I sense a presence in front of me. I screamed and fell, startled. A man stands there. He is strikingly handsome, with captivating green eyes. His features are sharp, and his cold, expressionless face adds to his allure. He looks rugged, even more so than Matthew. His broad shoulders and defined physique are impressive. "Damn," I can't help but mutter under my breath.

But then, I notice his beautiful green eyes start shifting to a menacing gold. I notice sharp fangs revealing in his teeth. "Mate," he whispers, inching closer. I feel a rush of fear surge through me and instinctively move back, finding him unsettling.

"Finally," he says, dangerously closing the gap. As he reaches for me, I quickly slip off one of my heels and strike him on the head. He lets out an animalistic growl that sends chills through me, I brace myself to flee. But before I can move, he yanks me back against him, gripping my shoulder tightly with one hand while the other pulls me closer.

His hand caresses my cheek and trails down my neck. I can feel his hot breath on my skin as he sniffs on my exposed skin. "Finally, we found her," he growls, extending his tongue to lick my exposed skin. Why did I wear an off-shoulder top? I notice his sharp fangs revealing in his teeth as he continues licking on my skin.

In a moment of bravery, I bit down hard on his arm, wrapped across my shoulder. He groans in pain, and I forcefully push away from him, sprinting into the trees. But then, another presence looms nearby. Without warning, he hurls an axe, which strikes a tree hard. The wood crashes down in front of me, and I lose my balance, hitting my head on a rock.

"What! Why would you do that?" I heard him growl angrily as he approached me. He scoops me up in his arms. I should have fought back, but I feel my strength fading. Darkness envelops me, and I'm taken away by these strange, mysterious, unknown men.