Chapter 14

KAIDA'S POV...

I slowly gained consciousness from the longest sleep I've had in a very long time, and I felt very relaxed and ready to take on the day.

I wasn't in a rush to open my eyes and scan my environment as I usually did each time I woke up because this time, I was well aware of my environment and didn't need to bother about security, even though I didn't trust them a hundred percent yet, but I knew no one would dare to come here and harm me.

I stretched my body on the bed and slowly opened my eyes, yawning widely as I lifted my eye lids.

The first place my eyes went to as I opened them was at that spot which I remember Axton had been sitting on last night, but I realized that he was no longer in the room with me, he had probably woken up much earlier in the morning and left the room.

Thinking about Axton, my actions surprised me, I thought about how I had slept so soundly and peacefully while I was alone with a man; a gender that I had vowed never to trust or have anything to do with them, but just last night, I had not only associated myself with a man, but I had also slept so peacefully and alone with a man who symbolized the worst kind of danger to my gender.

And the surprising thing still remained that I never felt threatened in my sleep, not even for once.

I got out of bed and walked toward the door, wanting to go look around my new environment. I opened the door and discovered that many of Axton's team members had gathered outside, a few feet away from the building.

I couldn't help but wonder what they must be discussing. I was curious, but didn't want to get too close to them, however, before I could divert my movement to another direction, they sighted me and immediately started walking toward me with awkward smiles on thier faces.

"Good morning, Miss. Hope you slept well?" One of the men asked me as they all surrounded me.

"Did you find our camp to your liking, Miss?" Another man asked.

The eagerness to know how well I slept was written all over their faces, as if it would make their day to hear a positive reply from me.

"Um, Fine. It was fine, thank you," I replied politely, subtly looking for a way from to escape their center.

Their concerns to know how I slept was enthusiastic and endearing, but it overwhelmed me, I wasn't used to such an over enthusiastic greeting in the morning, in fact, I wasn't used to any greeting all; experiencing this from them was a whole new feeling which wasn't familiar with me yet.

As I gave them my strained smile and was searching for how to escape them, I suddenly heard a familiar voice from the crowd.

"Excuse me, Gents, make way, make way, yes, thank you, mate," I heard the voice getting closer and closer to the front as the men moved aside to let the owner of that farmiliar voice through.

My eyes automatically search the crowd, eager to see who owned such a playful, yet magneting voice.

My eyes remained glued to the front of the crowd and soon, the owner of the voice pushed through the crowd.

"Hello and good morning, princess," He greeted me cheerfully and I instantly feel a sense of familiarity.

"Hi... good morning," I was struck and captivated with how bright his brown eyes sparkled, not knowing what to say, I stared at him as I tried to recall if I've ever met him.

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Aww, I'm hurt. After risking my life to save you last night, you can't even remember me, that's sad," he acted as if he was hurt but it was clear that he was teasing me.

But after hearing his words, I suddenly realized that he was the mysterious hooded man who handed me the key outside the cage last night when those drifters had locked me up.

I chuckled apologetically, finding the situation quite funny "Oh, I'm so sorry for not remembering your voice. Thank you for last night, I'm very grateful for your timely save, really," I appreciated him honestly.

Hearing my appreciation, he suddenly circled around me, as if he was some excited large dog. "You're welcome, princess. I must say, you're quite brave yourself, it's not everyday we see a brave and beautiful lady," he praised me openely.

I heard chuckles and whistles from the crowd, supporting what he had said.

"Ah, thank you..." I replied.

He stopped in front of me and smiled toothily, "Can I have the honour of shaking hands with such a beautiful Princess?" He asked quite courteously.

I smiled as I nodded, then proceeded to raise my right hand to him, but I suddenly froze when he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of my hand.

Whistles flew from the crowd, follwed by claps and chuckles.

Embarrassed by his straightforwardness and sweet words, I felt very shy as it has been ages since anyone complimented my feminine appearance with such respect and politeness.

I was about to reply the compliment when I noticed the men stepping aside to make way for someone. I looked up and saw Axton returning.

He walked over to me and srood beside the man in front of me.

A wry smile ardorned his face as he spoke, "I see you've met Zarek," Axton introduced the man to me.

"I've just met him," I replied, looking up at his face.

Zarek smiled at me, "Now that you know my name, what's yours?" He asked playfully.

I immediately saw Axton looking at me curiously, he too, was eager to know my name. I pondered for a while before deciding to tell them my name, they already uncovered my real gender, so my name was just secondary.

"My name is Kaida," I informed.

"Kaida, what a beautiful name, don't you agree, Axton?" Zarek asked, looking toward Axton.

But Axton didn't reply, he had his eyes on me for a second before he continued his introduction.

"Zarek is the captain of our third allied Sixth Squad. When I went searching for you last night, I had sought for his help, and with his wolf genes, he was able to track your scent from your discarded clothes," Axton explained.

I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my lips as I realized that Zarek was in fact a wolf, no wonder I always felt like his eyes were like those of a big dog. Now I know why I felt like I was interacting with a big, yet playfull dog.