Chapter 4 - Arising Fear

PENELOPE POV.

My heart skipped a beat as my wolf purred in the back of my mind.

His guilt and remorse weigh heavy in the air and for the first time, I felt like believing him.

His grip on my waist grew firmer as if fearing I would vanish and maybe if he should have let me go, I would have tried my level best to run away.

The sudden impulse was slowly dying along with the desperation leaving me embarrassed of sudden action.

“Sorry!” I squeaked as Alpha Zanthus let go of me. He raised one of his brows, questioning my sudden apology while I shifted my weight from one leg to another.

The mate's touch and bond were so prominent that I could still feel his touch as if tattooed on my skin along with the delicious sparks.

What's wrong with you, Penny?

My own thoughts made me flush a deeper shade of red and the sudden husky chuckle by my mate did not help at all.

“Uhhhh…”

I cleared my throat as I looked up at him. Though we hadn't had any contact in the past two days, something in my bones told me I could trust him enough to look at him.

“I am so - sorry for hugging you like that.” I said as I could see his small smile fall. Okay, not a good move Penny.

“Even I am sorry, love. I shouldn't have laughed at your shyness.”

I wanted to correct him but I didn't say anything. I simply nodded my head.

Suddenly the reason for coming here came to my mind.

The dream.

“Alpha Zan…”

“Only Zanthus, love. I am your equal, not above you.” My mate stated as I absorbed the words.

“You are a mere Omega, mate or not, you are way below me.”

His words from the past came back to me.

“I don't - don't know.” I stated.

“Talk to me, love. I know you have a lot of complaints along with questions. Ask them away, I would be truthful.” Alpha Zanthus stated as sincerity shone in his eyes.

“Why the change in behavior, Alpha Zanthus?” I asked with bitterness prominent on my tongue.

My mate took a deep breath, as he looked at me. “Why don't we sit and talk?”

I nodded my head. Just as I was about to move forward, Alpha Zanthus' eyes darkened. Whosoever was mind linking him, had surely said something to anger him.

His body went rigid as his face lost any signs of humanity to them. He seemed… like the same man, I knew before I ran away.

Something was terribly wrong.

“Penelope, go back to your and under no circumstances come out of it or let Lily out.” Alpha Zanthus said. His voice was deeper, meaning his wolf… I mean his beast was taking over.

I gulped understanding the severity of the situation.

“What's wrong?” I questioned. Praying it for being anything but that.

“We are under attack, Penelope.”

~ • ~

It has been half an hour since my mate has left the house. He wanted to say something just as much as I wanted to.

Maybe, be back soon or stay safe.

But none came out of my mouth as I simply nodded my head and got back to my room.

My room The word came naturally to me.

I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair. What's wrong with you Penny? Why suddenly am I able to put so much trust in him…

I got in the bed, only to find Lily rubbing her eyes to rub away the sleepiness. She slept for a really long time.

Suddenly loud howls started to come from the pack grounds as I flinched at their intensity.

“Penny?” Lily cried out in fear while blocking her ears.

Another sharp cry could be heard from outside as my heart thudded in my chest at the thought of someone getting hurt or worse dying.

I got closer to Lily and I hugged her tightly to ease her out as tears stung mine as the past came crashing back.

“Dad, what are these noises?” my sixteen-year-old self questioned. The howls were getting louder along with cries of pain.

“I need to go, Pen. Promise me, you will take care of Lily for me. You will always be strong. Promise me, Penelope.” Dad urged as he looked back and forth between the tiny girl in the crib and me.

It was only then I realized that we were under attack. I sucked in a deep breath as I looked at Dad while tears freely rolled down my cheeks.

"You need to be brave, Penny."

“Yes, Dad, I will be strong.” I stated as Dad smiled at me. “You will be back, right?” I questioned with urgency as Dad started climbing down my bed.

“Promise Pen, I will see you soon. I love you…”

I took a deep breath.

“Penny, you okay?” Lily questioned while looking at me worriedly.

“Yes Lils, I am fine. Don't…”

My words were cut by a loud cry.

“What's happenin,g Penny?” Lily questioned.

“There is a fight going on outside. Let's pray to the Moon Goddess that we are victorious.”

“Who is fighting whom?” Lily questioned.

“I don't know. Either rogues or another pack. But neither of the options are good.” I stated absentmindedly while looking outside.

“But you said this is a very strong pack.” Lily questioned.

“I know that Lily but people from this pack will also lose their lives.” I said.

“Like Dad lost his?” Lily asked. Though the statement was small, I could feel my heart crack. Multiple thoughts ran through my mind. Is Alpha Zanthus hurt? This question made my wolf whine as I looked down at Lily.

“Yes, Lily.” I stated with a heavy heart.

“People of this pack are bad.”

Lily quizzed as I sighed.

“Lily, they might be bad but death is not something we should ever ask for anyone. Everyone deserves to live.”

I said as Lily nodded her head.

Suddenly I could hear a loud crash from outside. I tensed up as I straightened my back.

“Lily, run to the bathroom and don't come out.” I told her.

“But why, Penny?”

The urgency and the fear in her voice was crystal clear. I couldn't deny, I was scared of myself.

I have never trained myself and I can't shift. Moon Goddess, help me.

“Lily, just do as I say. Don't come out. Whatever happens. Run away now!” I stated as Lily got down from the bed and rushed to the washroom.

I locked the main door to the room after which I locked the washroom. I could hear footsteps coming up and men shouting. And for the first time, I regretted not having the ability to mind link my mate yet.

I could hear the knob turning.

“That bitch must have locked the door from inside.”

One of them hissed. Before I could think of any move. The door was broken; three men barged in.

I took a defensive stance.

Their clothes were torn and all three of them were bleeding from some or the other place.

“What do you want?” I questioned trying to be strong.

The man in the middle with blonde hair smirked as he licked his upper lips.

“You seem like a delightful offering but unfortunately you are not the one we are here for.” He said.

“Where is the kid?” The one on the right questioned as my heart rate increased.

Lily? They were here for her but why?

“There is no one other than me.” I stated. Trying to sound confident.

“I can hear two heartbeats.” The blondie said in a sing-song manner. “So it's the bathroom she is hiding in. Get her, Ryle.” Blondie said, looking towards the man on the left as he started to walk towards the bathroom.

My wolf growled in the back of my mind as I jumped in between Ryle and the bathroom door. Ready to fight with my life.

Before I could land a punch to his face, Ryle swiftly caught my arm turning it behind me.

Fuck.

“Don't tell me you can't even shift. Pathetic.” Ryle mocked as he twisted my arm at an odd angle as I could feel it break.

“Ahhh…”

Ryle threw me towards the wall and my head collided with it quite hard.

I cried out in pain as my vision started to get hazy. I tried getting up but it seems I have no energy left in me.

Suddenly a harsh wind blew towards my face. I frowned as the window was closed…

“Misery - misery in the air. Pain of cry and bloodshed. The real battle is about to begin. Quickly realize who is real and who is fake.” The same voice hissed as I looked into the same red eyes. This time the voice didn't cause pain, rather carried a drowsy effect on them.

“Lily…” I tried to call her name as my body paralyzed on its own, making me fall to the ground with a thud.

The last thing I could see was them carrying my sister out of the room while she thrashed in her captor's arms.

“Lily…” I cried for the last time as my eyes started to close on their own accord.

The last thing I could see was the silhouette of the man with red eyes.