Chapter One

Eira

Deep, wracking sobs could be heard coming from the living room of the quaint little house. Even a deaf person could sense that it was filled with pain, agony and sadness. I was curled up on the ground in a ball-like shape, my body rocking forward and backward in a haze of pain and sadness.

"How could I have been so stupid? What is really going on with me?" I sobbed, running my fingers through my hair.

I was in a disheveled state with wrinkled clothes, large, puffy eyes and running nose. That was when I realized that this was the first time in a very long while I had been in this state and I hated knowing that it could potentially get worse.

This was not how I had envisioned my life to be and I hated knowing that there might not be anything I could do about it. This was now my life, my destiny and I knew that the earlier I accepted that fact, the better for me.

"You are a disgrace, a stupid disgrace," I hissed at myself.

My body wracked some more and I knew if I didn't stop soon, I would regret what was coming for me. I dried my eyes, finally accepting my fate even though I still couldn't believe that this was finally the life I was going to be living. It was sad to say the least but I had made a mistake, one that I would forever live to regret.

I rose up on shaky feet, pulling my hair away from my eyes. I was in this mess because of a one night stand, a flimsy affair I thought would be harmless but had in turn put me in a lifetime of agony and pain.

"I need to leave, I can't continue staying here. I can't deal with this shame," I sighed.

I made my way towards my wardrobe, flinging the door open as I picked up random clothes and started to throw them in an overnight bag. I didn't know where I was going but one thing I knew was that I couldn't stay here and be made a mockery of. I realized that it was best that I went to a strange place, a new environment where no one knew me.

"You were so stupid to believe that this wouldn't come back to bite you," I sighed.

For the rest of my life, I knew that I wouldn't stop blaming myself for what happened. Everything was my fault because if I hadn't followed the drop dead handsome man into that room, none of this would ever have happened. I thought I could eat my cake and have it but boy, was I wrong.

"He won't find me there, I'm sure of it," I said.

Living alone and being pregnant at the same time was something that had never crossed my mind and I hated not knowing what to expect. I had no prior knowledge of all of this and I was as good as going blind into it.

"I will survive and I will hide. Sebastian won't find me and my baby, I will make sure of that," I vowed.

It was something I had to make sure of, judging by the way Sebastian was very well connected. I couldn't afford for him to know where I was because I knew what would come next. He would forcefully take the child away from me simply because he could and I would be left with nothing. I couldn't let that happen and running away was the best option I had.

Soon the tears came again and this time, I couldn't stop it. I slumped to the ground, placing my hands on my face as I bawled my eyes out. my thoughts took me to a memory of long ago… another life I had lived, far different from what my reality was now.

SIX MONTHS AGO

I staggered towards the nearby town, the first I had seen in the many days of walking I had undergone. Looking at it and seeing human habitation just felt to me like I had been given the most precious gift anyone could ever give to me. I trudged on, willing myself to go on further, just a little more until I found help.

"Hey, look, someone's coming," a voice said.

It was at that moment that my strength gave away. I slumped to the dusty ground, a tired mess with no strength left in me to move. I didn't know how long I had been walking but a good guess would have been weeks.

"Hey, are you alright?" the same voice asked.

It was pure and friendly and even in my state, I knew that it was someone I could trust. I could barely see who talked due to my inability to keep my eyes open as a result of the exhaustion in my body.

"Water, please," I begged.

"Yo! Please come help me carry her, we need to help her," the person said, calling someone who was a bit distant.

Soon, I felt myself being carried by gentle hands as I was being led somewhere. In that moment, I didn't bother about where I was going as all I was just after was putting enough distance between myself and the hellhole I had just escaped from.

***

It felt like days later when I woke up in a very cool room. As I managed to open my eyes, I realized that I was in a large room and I wasn't alone. Two people sat beside me. Two women with jet black hair and kind eyes and a big, muscular man whose face was somewhat scary stood at the far end of the room, paying no attention to me. I had no idea who they were but I was glad that I was behind the hell I had just escaped from.

"Who are you?" I managed to ask.

"How are you? Are you feeling any better?" one of the women asked, moving closer to me.

I tried to sit up but I realized that I couldn't, so I just settled for laying down as I answered the questions.

"Thank you for saving me," I whispered.

"That was not the question you were asked. Who the bloody hell are you?" the man asked more harshly.

"You don't have to be so rude, come off it," the second woman barked, talking for the first time.

The man murmured something I couldn't make out and I decided not to dwell on the man but on the woman.

"Girl, what is your name please?" the first woman asked, smiling a little.

To protect my identity, I decided to conceal who I really was. The risks were far too dangerous and I knew what was at stake.

"Ariana," I said.

"Ariana… That's a lovely name. My name is Diana but you can just call me Dai and she's Gianna." Diana smiled.

"Sup," Gianna grinned.

I was surprised at how fast they liked me but I was quite glad that I was in safe hands. Sniffing them out quietly, I realized that they were humans which made it all the more easier for me.

"So we found you while we were hiking. What led you here? You were in a pretty bad shape," Gianna said.

For this part, I decided to come clean to them. After all, I knew that the pack I had escaped from was very far and the chances of finding me here were next to zero.

"I love freedom and where I come from, freedom is something that's not really regarded. I ran away from the rules of my town because they were so strict and I wasn't safe there anymore. I hate those restrictive rules and I just wanted a new life," I said.

"I completely understand and I'm quite glad we found you," Diana smiled.

"Me too," I said.

"I have a feeling that we will have a nice time together. Don't worry, you're safe now," Gianna assured me.

I didn't know what the future held but if there was one thing I knew, it was that I was never going back to the hell I had called home.

***

I couldn't believe how friendly Diana and Gianna were. I mean, I had already had my fair share of wickedness and evil and to experience genuine friendship and love even though it was for a short time felt like a breath of fresh air. These girls didn't know me that well but they took me in and accommodated me.

Finally, I was able to sit up on the bed and when I did, I got a good view of the room I was in. The overhanging chandelier was what drew my attention as soon as I stood up. Even though it was simple and small, I fell in love with it.

The tiles on the floor were a dusty brown color and the walls of the room were painted with a cool cream color that just made the room cooler if that was even possible. The ceiling was of a material I didn't recognize but overall, the room was beautiful and I found peace here.

"How are you feeling?" Gianna asked, smiling at me.

"I'm okay, better even. Thanks to you both," I smiled.

The man at the edge of the door grunted before walking away. I didn't know what his deal was and I didn't think it was wise to ask, especially since I didn't want to be too forward.

"He'll come around," Diana chuckled.

"Come, let's take you to where we live," Gianna said, rising to her feet.

I was surprised because I thought this was where we would be staying but it turns out that it wasn't. I stood on my shaky feet, a bit woozy but able to walk as I followed them outside the door. The air outside was crisp and fresh, a sharp contrast to how the air within my pack was.

Everything about that pack was cursed and it was only now that I realized it. I had been suffering and living a very poor life just to please my parents and the pack members but not anymore. This time I was going to put myself first, just me and no one else.

"I actually thought that was where we would be staying," I said to the girls.

"Oh no, love. That's not our crib. You see that man that walked out somewhat angrily?" Diana asked.

It was hard not to know him because he made a pretty unforgettable impression as he came of as being someone who was unapproachable.

"Yes, the big, burly man. I saw him," I said.

"That's Dan, he is actually the owner of the house," Gianna said.

They led me across the street and towards a quaint medium sized house that was painted a dusty gray. Even merely looking at the house from the outside gave me a sense of peace I couldn't quite describe and I was really happy to be among these girls.

"I don't mean to pry, but is that the reason he was angry at me? Please, did I do something wrong?" I asked, panic lacing my voice.

In this new environment I was, the last thing I wanted and needed was to offend anyone. I had come here for a fresh start and that was just what I intended to do. I wanted to forget all about the worries and pains I had experienced in the past and focus on my new life.

"Don't sweat it, Dan is usually like that. He doesn't like people, especially people he doesn't really know thenlm and considering the condition we found you in, you know… all dirty and drained, he was a bit wary," Gianna said, opening the front door to the house.

She led us in with me in the middle and Diana taking the rear. Diana reached for the lights and as soon as the lights bathed the living room, I stopped dead. If the room I had just left was beautiful, what I was seeing now was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Once again, the overhanging chandelier on the ceiling drew my attention. It bathed the living room in an incandescent glow making the black, shiny tiles on the floor sparkle with so much intensity.

This time around, the walls were painted in an off white color but still, it was the most beautiful house I had ever seen.

"Ariana, welcome to our home," Gianna said, slumping on the couch.

I walked in further, taking it all in and there was just one question that came to my mind. What were these girls doing for a living? I wanted to know how they were able to afford all of this but once again, I realized that it was none of my business. I didn't want to push my boundaries because I knew what that would cost me but still, the question was at the very edge of my tongue.

"It's beautiful," I managed to say.

"Thank you, love," Diana said, walking further into the house.

Soon, she came back with a tray of fruit juice and it was only then I realized that she had just come from the kitchen.

"Here, it will help you. When we're done, I'll brief you on some rules, and then I'll show you to your room." She smiled, handing me a glass.

I took a sip and as the cool liquid trickled down my throat, I couldn't help the satisfied sigh that slipped out of my lips.

"Sorry, I needed this," I said.

"It's okay. So, babe, listen up," Gianna said.

I knew it was time for serious business. I placed the glass on the center table, giving her my full attention as I wondered what exactly they wanted to tell me.

"As you know, this is an estate and the main gates are usually closed by twelve midnight. It's like this because we've had cases of robbery and people who I really don't want to be bothered with harming people around," Diana said.

A small shiver ran down my spine, born out of the need to hide. I had experienced my fair share of pain and I didn't want to experience any of that here.

"Okay, it's all noted. I won't keep late nights, I promise."

All in all, I was grateful that I was now in a safe environment. I knew that all of these introductions were really not necessary but I really loved that they took out time to explain things to me to make sure I was safe.

"That's okay." Gianna yawned.

"Hit the sack soon, babe. We've got work tomorrow morning." Diana laughed.

"Where do you guys work?" I blurted without thinking.

"At the biggest and most influential bar in the city. Maybe one of these days, we'll take you there." Gianna said.

I loved that and when they left for work the following morning, I didn't feel lonely. As a matter of fact, I stayed indoors and later on, when I was getting bored, I walked out to study some places and I loved that it was very peaceful.

Later in the evening, the girls got back from work and even as they walked through the door, I could sense a happy energy among them.

"Guess what?" Gianna grinned.

"What?" I smiled, sitting up.

"We have good news," Diana said finally.