Chapter 4

When she arrived at the end of the passage, something changed. Her wolf stirred.

The air. The weather. The atmosphere. It all felt different and new, as though she'd entered into another universe.

It was exactly how it felt to see the light at the end of the tunnel—to be in a better place.

She'd crawled into another world. Could it be magic? Like Alice in wonderland.

Trudging ahead, her hands still across her naked torso, she shut her eyes, perceiving the air.

There came a lingering foul smell. She placed her left hand on her nose and glanced at her side. She was in a trash.

Around her were half-eaten bread, rotten dough, cans, and some items she couldn't identify.

How was it possible? She should have gone back, back to her pack.

"Is that a naked chick?" She heard a blare.

Abruptly, Amelia glanced ahead, and she noticed a bunch of guys in the quiet space. One of the guys had taken notice of her and was pointing. Immediately, she ducked and peered through the trash, highly embarrassed. She finally found a worn-out top and tied it across her torso. It was too short to have concealed her body properly.

"You look so hot in the trash." One of the guys commented, and the other two roared out a laugh.

"Don't be shy, baby." The rough-looking guy added.

Amelia panted apprehensively. They were close enough to be smelt through the trash. They weren't Lycans. They smelt familiar…

According to the illegal book, she'd read. Humans had that scent—the scent of different fragrances. It couldn't be possible. Running a hand through her tousled hair, she shut her eyes tight. If provoked, she could shift into her wolf, and it was beginning to get triggered.

In that same intense moment—there came a yell from the far end.

"Leave the lady alone!"

Amelia couldn't quite make a clear view of his face; he was backing the sunlight.

"Lake!" The rough-looking guy yelled, evident that they were familiar with each other.

"Leave her alone!" His voice was louder this time, and he was moving closer.

"What are you gonna do?" The other guy commented and barked out a laugh. "She's just a hot homeless chick in a trash.

Her eyes were tightly shut, and the next thing she heard was punches. They'd gotten into a fight because of her.

"You'll pay for this, Lake!" One of the guys said.

She opened her eyes and saw blood. The guys had gone, and she was alone with her savior.

She could see his face clearly. His hair was nicely curled in place, and his blue eyes seemed sincere. Despite the little mark across his silky skin, he was the most handsome creature she'd ever laid her eyes upon. He stretched forth his hand, and Amelia starred in his eyes before placing her hand on his. He pulled her out of the trash and handed her his overcoat.

"Don't worry, I won't stare." He tilted his head to the other side.

Meticulously, she removed the worn-out top and slid into the black overcoat. It was long enough to cover her upper body and thighs. Although the coat was completely different from the dresses she wore in her country, she loved the style.

"Thank you," she muttered as he turned to face her. At first, he wavered, staring into her grey eyes.

"How did you get here?" He asked, and Amelia cocked her head.

"Oh…sorry," he'd gotten the message. "I am Gilbert."

Amelia barked out a laugh. It was an ugly name to inflict on such a handsome man.

"I know why you laughed," he said. "I'm not fond of the name either. You can call me Lake." Amelia glanced at him, her heart racing.

"I am called Amelia." She smiled unevenly.

Amelia could swear she heard him chuckle. Her face immediately returned to its stern form as she waited to hear his voice, "You sound different. Are you from around here?" He questioned.

"I am not quite sure." She shrugged, glancing around.

It was a lot to take in.

She wanted to ask if he was human, but her stomach beat her to it. It made a hungry growl. Timidly, she placed her hand on her belly.

She should go home.

"You're hungry," Lake pointed out, and she lowered her gaze. It was strange, she'd never been shy around anyone. "My college is around the corner. We can grab something to eat."

She wasn't sure whether or not to accept the offer. She was in a strange place; wolves might as well be part of their menu. But Amelia…Amelia was an adventurer; she was curious to know about the strange country. She just had one lingering question.

"What is a college?"

Lake scrutinized her and laughed. "It's school. Where we learn, remember now?" He raised a brow.

"I was homeschooled," she said softly, and Lake gave a grin.

They got to the far end and entered the city. Instantly, there was shaking of the head, her mouth opening and her eyes sparkling. She'd been taken aback by the orchestral sounds of horns honking, people chattering, and footsteps hitting the pavement.

There were bright lights, tall buildings, crowds of people, and billboard signs.

Her mind thrummed.

Her heart stuttered.

It was nothing like her country. An intermingling surge of excitement and satisfaction began to overwhelm her senses and emotions.

Glancing from right to left, Lake tilted his head to her side. "First time in the city?" He questioned.

"Yes." She replied curtly.

"I can give you a tour," he said, watching her every move. "For free."

Amelia ran a hand through her hair and smiled. He'd been extremely polite to her the whole time. It was the first time she'd ever gotten close to a man.

She decided—she'd have to come back to get the tour.

Amelia stared wide-eyed at the reflecting buildings with huge, colorful screens built onto the windows. She smiled as she watched the advert showing on a screen.

"Watch out!" It was Lake's voice. He held her hand firmly and drew her back. She'd almost been hit by a bike.

Her heart racing, she stared deeply into his blue eyes. Her eyes remained glued to his for some seconds, it felt as though a current was radiating through her spines, and her wolf was threatening to come out. He was insanely handsome. Slowly, he trailed his hand down to her waist.

She should have felt uncomfortable, but she didn't.

"You have saved me again." She remarked, and Lake smiled.

Humans were dangerous. They were supposed to be vile. The guys she'd met earlier wanted to hurt her, but with Lake, it was different. She felt warmth and protection.

Were her kind being cynical?

For a moment, they remained that way. Then she blinked. She wanted to remain in the city. She could feel within her bones the yearning to get up and spread run around the busy city. Her feelings of euphoria needed to bubble out and make her squeal like a kettle. Life in her country had been like one in a box.

Women were driving advanced carriages in the human world; women were walking freely. That was the life she wanted, and it was possible in the forbidden world.

She felt something electric surging within her. Lake stared at her in awe. He was trying to scrutinize her, to know what she was thinking.

She began to leap and spread her limbs out, symbolizing her feelings of freedom and satisfaction.

Suddenly. Amelia shut her ears from the world. She ignored the crowd of hustling and bustling people going about their everyday lives. She stopped to inhale freedom—a vibrant, lively city.

Beyond the cars and loitering people. Beyond the wind tickling the leaves. There came a voice.

"You have to go home."

It was her wolf. It never communicated with her unless it was urgent.

She withdrew herself and glanced at Lake. "I…I shall have to leave now," she stuttered.

"You can't leave," his eyebrows moved in rhythm with his words. She didn't want to leave the country—she didn't want to leave him…

It was a tentative moment.

"I shall find you, sire Lake,” she said, bustling through the men ahead.

"Your name again?" Lake yelled, but she'd been too fast.

She had left him.

Amelia arrived at the trash and strode deep into the passage. It was exactly how it'd been when she first discovered it.

Her father was going to be worried. She moved her hand to her neck.

Her eyes widened.

Something was missing.

Her necklace. Her father had purchased it for her. It was extremely valuable, and there was only one conclusion.

Lake had stolen it.