Chapter 3 - Unanswered Questions

PENELOPE POV.

Two days.

It had been two days since I fainted in the dining room and Alpha Zanthus has decided to distance himself from us since then.

Maybe he was back to his cold treatment.

And unlike me, my wolf had made her displeasure quite known.

Moreover, it had been two days since I last saw that pair of red eyes along with those words. I didn't dare tell anyone about that voice.

His words still haunt me and I swear I could hear the echo of it now and then.

Something in me said that it was better to keep my mouth shut. Moreover, who would trust me?

After I fainted, Jade told me Alpha Zanthus felt extremely guilty.

Maybe he thought his presence was overwhelming and Lily's reaction added fuel to the fire.

I shook my head.

No, Penny. He is a lycan. He is manipulative. He might want to show us he is guilty and I am already falling in his trap.

I sighed as I looked around the garden. Sitting below the old oak tree brought a sense of serenity to me along with the soft sway of the leaves and flowers by the breeze.

Peace…

It seemed too good to be true. Yet I keep reminding myself where I am. Jade informed me that Alpha Zanthus was out on patrolling check and, thus would be back late at night. Maybe this is the reason for my ease.

“Miss…”

I turned around to see Jade looking at me with a soft smile. Her smile and warmth still stuns me till day. But it won't be wrong to say I am warming up with her, slightly.

“Yes, Jade?”

I asked as I kept the book I had superficially kept in my hand for reading, down my lap.

“The little munchkin has fallen asleep. Is there anything you would like to do?”

Jade asked with a hopeful glee in her eyes. For the past two days, she has been asking me the same question, in the hope I would agree to some sort of activity. More to do with leaving this house and re-explore the pack grounds.

But like always, I again denied it by shaking my head.

It already seems too good to be true. I couldn't risk it further. Moreover just thinking about the pack members makes a shiver run down my spine.

Jade sighed as suddenly her eyes darkened. She must be mind-linking someone.

“Miss, someone wants to meet you. Kindly follow me inside.” Jade urged as I could feel my heart rate increase.

“Who is it?” I questioned.

“Miss, why don't you see it for yourself? I assure you that you won't be disappointed.” Jade stated and I knew I wouldn't be getting anything more from her thus I nodded my head as I got up. I gave the book to Jade's awaiting hand as I followed her inside.

My thoughts were everywhere. It could be anyone…

“Penny?!”

My head turned towards the kitchen where Ivory stood. A smile took over my face as my first instinct was to go and give her a hug.

But her betrayal stopped me from doing so. My smile fell from its place as I glared at her.

“Penny, please listen to…”

Ivory started but I cut her in between.

“No Ivory, you listen to me. How could you do this to us? To Lily? Do you even know how scared she was; how scared he was? How could you betray…”

“He changed, didn't he?” Ivory questioned, in turn cutting my angry ramble.

“What?” I questioned in a confused tone.

Ivory made her way to me as I could hear the main door close, signaling that Jade had left, giving us privacy. “You didn't tell anyone Alpha Zanthus is a lycan, why?”

Ivory questioned as I crossed my arms in my defense. My lips seemed to have glued themselves.

Yes, if I should have told a single soul about him being a lycan. He should have been executed and Lily and I could…

“Live a life free from his threat. Away and safely tucked in the world you two created. This is what you are thinking right? Yet you didn't tell anyone.”

My brows rose as my mouth fell agape.

“How - how do you…” I tried questioning but I couldn't form words.

“I am an Oracle, Penny. I know things and I can see the future.”

My head started to hurt, first my mate being a Lycan and then my best friend being an Oracle. A lot of emotions coursed through me but I calmed myself.

“If you could see the future, that means you could have saved us a long while ago from this pack. From everything?!”

I cried out as the wheels in my head started to spin. If she is an Oracle. She must have powers and could have saved us a long while ago.

“Calm down, Penny. I couldn't change the future. Everyone has a role to play. I played mine when it was time. I couldn't have helped you before that.”

Ivory said but I couldn't understand her.

“My sister and my life aren't a chess game where you wait for your turn.” I hissed.

“Penny, that is what fate is about,” Ivory said.

“Fine, then tell me my future,” I asked.

“I can't, Penny. You will - will try to change your destiny. I was just here to apologize for the way things turned out. I hope you forgive me someday. You were a great friend. You won't ever see me again. Bye, Penny…”

Before I could utter a word, she disappeared.

“Ivory… Ivory, come back. I need answers.” My shout echoed through the empty living space.

“You will try to change your destiny.”

Her words had a haunting effect on me. Somehow it felt as if she was warning me about something bad that was to happen.

But what?

I sighed as I decided that it was time to rest my head after this conversation. I decided to make my way to my room where Lily lay on the bed. I kissed her forehead as I lay beside her.

Soon sleep took over me…

“Why would they do that to you? Parents are supposed to protect their children." I questioned Alpha Zanthus. The scene pained me. I tried moving ahead as my mate got hold of my wrist.

“You won't be able to do anything, my love. Just watch.”

My mate looked at me as he smiled. His smile, was a broken one as he looked ahead of him at the scene.

There sat three boys around the age of seven with burning coal on their back.

Begging for forgiveness.

“Pain is the essence of power. Feel it my boys. Feel it to your bones.” The man standing with a wicked smile stated. His eyes glee in a sickening manner as if enjoying causing pain to his own kids.

“Remember the curse bestowed upon you, my warriors.” The man stated.

“Mine ignites with pain.” Alpha Zanthus stated.

“So you are always in pain?”

My mate smiled at me.

“My curse could only come to life when the prophecy is starting to come true.”

My mate stated as he ran a hand through his hair.

Not just a curse but also a prophecy…

“What is the prophecy, Alpha Zanthus?” I questioned. My voice sounded impatient but I didn't care at that very moment.

My mate looked at me as he passed me a weak smile.

“Death…”

I jolted awake as I could feel the wetness seeping down my cheeks. My tears. I was crying for my mate.

I knew that the dream was still incomplete but the pain in his voice. It felt so similar to mine.

My wolf is whining in my head. Wanting to be near her mate.

I looked out of the window to see it was dark outside. Lily had a firm grip on my wrist. I gently released my hand from Lily's grip as I let my instincts take over me as I followed my mate's scent to his study.

I gently knocked on the door. I didn't hear a reply but I could hear the shuffling of feet as the door opened with my mate standing in front of me.

I didn't give it much thought as I hugged his torso. Something in me was craving this warmth or was it my urge to comfort my mate irrespective of everything.

My wolf purred in my head appreciating the scent that wrapped around us. And for the first time in so long, I felt safe.

Before I could let go of him. Alpha Zanthus wrapped his arms around me as he nuzzled his nose in the croak of my neck.

As for seeking the same comfort I was trying to find.

And for the first time. Our past didn't matter to me, the future ahead of us along with how our lives and relationships, if we ever had one; would evolve didn't matter to me. Him being a lyc an or his ways.

What mattered was the present.

“You came. Even after everything.”

His voice was as broken as my heart.